Scintigraphy with J001X, a Klebsiella membrane glycolipid, for the early diagnosis of chronic berylliosis: results from an experimental model.

A glycolipid (J001X) isolated from the membrane proteoglycans of a non-pathogenic strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae was developed to bind selectively to macrophages. A scintigraphic technique could thus be developed and applied to an experimental model of lung berylliosis. Six baboons were injected intratracheally with a beryllium metal suspension. Three to 24 months later, they were submitted to both an anatomical and a functional respiratory evaluation. Two baboons were explored at the early stage of alveolitis and four baboons at a more advanced stage characterised by a granulomatous disorder. Scintigraphy was performed using J001X labelled with 99mtechnetium administered as an aerosol. In the six baboons, conventional imaging techniques (chest x ray film, computed tomography scan, gallium scintigraphy), failed to show either any lung abnormality or mediastinal lymph nodes consistent with beryllium disease. In the two recently contaminated baboons, J001X scintigraphy showed a well defined parenchymal fixation facing the contaminated lobe. In the four baboons who were at a more advanced stage of berylliosis, J001X fixation was always focused paratracheally without any significant involvement of the lung parenchyma. The subcarinal and laterotracheal lymph nodes seen at necropsy corresponded to J001X scintigraphic fixations. In conclusion, when compared with conventional techniques such as chest x ray film, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and gallium scintigraphy, J001X scintigraphy has proved its ability to detect occult lesions in experimental berylliosis in baboons. By comparison with gallium scintigraphy, scintigraphy with J001X appears to have superior sensitivity and can be performed in four hours.     

Berylliosis in Italy: a case of "sarcoidosis" under the threshold limit value

BACKGROUND: Berylliosis is caused by a chronic immune reaction to beryllium; in Italy the first case of beryllium exposure-related disease was described in 1935 by Fabroni-Marradi and two additional cases of beryllium disease were subsequently described by Ambrosi and co-workers in 1968. No case has since been recognized using the standardized criteria including immunological testing. OBJECTIVES: To describe a case report of clinically significant berylliosis that occurred in a man exposed to beryllium for ten years in the workplace at concentrations below the permitted threshold limit value. METHODS: The man complained of dyspnoea, dry cough, weakness and weight loss for the past year and was at first diagnosed as suffering from sarcoidosis because of increased angiotensin converting enzyme levels, alteration of hepatic and renal functional indexes, the presence of diffused reticulo-nodular lung abnormalities with high resolution computed tomography that also showed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, abnormal lung physiology with reduced diffusion capacity and a bronchial biopsy showing granulomatous lesions. Because of the occupational history immunological testing and high resolution HLA class II typing were performed. RESULTS: The high response to beryllium in the lymphocytes proliferation test and the HLA typing which revealed the presence of the two susceptibility markers HLA-DPGlu69 and HLA-DRPhe47 led to a diagnosis of berylliosis. CONCLUSIONS: The importance is stressed of suspecting a diagnosis of berylliosis in the proper occupational contexts and encouraging the use of immunological tests for diagnosis, and also the need for critical revision of the permitted threshold limit values.     

铍病患者呼吸功能的测定与分析

对12例铍病、19例可疑铍病,以及10例铍接触者进行了肺功能测定及血气分析。结果铍病组RV、RV/TLC升高、VC、FVC、FEV_1/FVC均显著降低,与其他两组比较,差异非常显著(P<0.01。)MMEF、V_(50)/H、V_(25)/H早期已有损害,并随病变的进展而增加。上述三组的DL_(CO)及K_(CO)均低于正常,且有较高的异常检出率,其中尤以K_(CO)值更为敏感。弥散功能的降低可早于胸部X线异常的出现。呼吸功能测定可作为铍作业工人预防性监测和铍病劳动能力鉴定的重要依据。     

胸部CT在矽肺诊断中的意义

目的　评价胸部ＣＴ 检查在矽肺临床诊治过程中的应用价值。方法　对５８ 名长期接触矽尘的工人进行临床、Ｘ 射线平片、胸部ＣＴ 等检查, 该组病人平均年龄（５９ ±２） 岁, 平均接尘工龄２９ 年。结果　两种方法在大多数情况下其结果是类似的, 但对早期矽肺的诊断ＣＴ 片并不优于普通Ｘ 射线平片, 在８ 例经ＣＴ 检查诊断为０ ＋ 的病例中有２名Ｘ 射线平片检查诊断为矽肺Ⅰ期; 而对融合团块的发现, ＣＴ 检查要较Ｘ 射线平片检查敏感, 在经ＣＴ 检查发现的２７例有融合团块的复杂矽肺病例中, Ｘ 射线平片检查只发现２２ 例。另外对于矽肺合并症的诊断ＣＴ 检查对临床也很有帮助, 在合并肺癌的７ 例病人中, 均属经ＣＴ 检查证实, 在合并肺结核的１３ 例病人中也有９ 例经ＣＴ 检查证实。结论　胸部ＣＴ 与Ｘ 射线平片比较虽然不能发现更多的早期病例, 但能较早地发现团块融合改变, 此外对肺结核及肺癌等合并症的发现也很有价值。     

CT检查在石棉肺诊断中的价值

目的　研究石棉肺的肺实质和胸膜病变的ＣＴ 检查所见。方法　对１９ 例石棉肺患者进行胸部Ｘ 线和ＣＴ 检查, 比较Ｘ 线和ＣＴ 检查对石棉肺患者肺实质改变和胸膜改变的表现特点和检出结果。结果　Ｘ 线胸片有胸膜改变的５例, 其中１ 例为胸膜斑。ＣＴ 检查发现有胸膜改变的１６ 例, 其中６ 例为胸膜斑; ６ 例有胸膜斑的病例中, 有３ 例为Ｘ 线胸片上难以发现的脊椎旁胸膜斑。肺实质改变, 在Ｘ 线胸片上, 在３ 个病例各发现１ 个大阴影; 而ＣＴ 检查, 在４ 个病例中, 共发现５ 个大阴影, 其中１ 例伴有胸膜下曲线状肺纤维化阴影。肺内小阴影的显示, ＣＴ 检查所见不如Ｘ 线所见的密集。结论　联合应用胸部Ｘ 线和ＣＴ 检查结果, 可为石棉肺的诊断和分级提供较有价值的信息。     

Evaluation of endobronchial foreign bodies by 99mTc-MAA pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy

We evaluated the lung perfusion scintigraphic findings of endobronchial foreign bodies in four children. We could detect the bronchial stenosis due to foreign bodies by lung perfusion scintigraphy more easily than plain chest radiograph and predict the location at lobar bronchi level according to the hypoperfusion area. We guessed that the scintigraphic abnormal finding after plain chest radiographic normalization reflect bronchial inflammatory change after foreign body removal and so it is very important to perform the follow up scintigraphic examination.     

Interaction of genetic and exposure factors in the prevalence of berylliosis

Prevalence of berylliosis, a lung disorder driven by the activation of beryllium-specific T cells, is associated with a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II marker (HLA-DPB1Glu69) and with the type of industrial exposure. We evaluated the interaction between marker and exposure in a beryllium-exposed population in which the prevalence of berylliosis was associated with machining beryllium. The presence of the marker was associated with higher prevalence (HLA-DPB1Glu69-positive machinists 25%; HLA-DPB1Glu69-negative machinists 3.2%, P = 0.05) and predicted berylliosis independent of machining history (odds ratios 11.8 and 10.1). The study shows that in berylliosis the carrier status of a genetic susceptibility factor adds to the effect of process-related risk factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 32:337–340, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

X线与CT在胸部创伤中的诊断价值对比分析

目的 探讨X线和CT对胸部创伤的诊断价值。方法回顾性对照分析142例胸部创伤患者的X线平片及CT表现。结果胸部骨折138例,X线发现130例、CT发现132例;气胸、血胸及血气胸共69例,X线发现45例、CT发现69例;肺挫伤72例,X线发现38例、CT发现72例;肺撕裂伤13例,X线发删7例,CT发现13例。结论X线检查在反映胸部全貌及肋骨骨折定位时优于CT扫描;而对于X线不能发现或不能明确诊断的早期肺挫伤、少量胸腔积血和积气以及膈疝等,CT可以做出明确诊断。X线平片是胸部外伤首选的检查方法,对于严重胸部创伤及复合伤的患者应及时做CT检查．     

20例肺癌DR胸片误诊、漏诊病例分析

目的分析我院体检20例肺癌DR胸片误诊及漏诊病例,提高不典型肺癌及早期肺癌X线征像的认识,提高诊断率。方法整理我院2010～2012年期间20例肺癌患者的胸片及临床资料,分析其X线征像及诊断结果,所有误诊、漏诊病例以第1次胸片误诊、漏诊为准。结果20例病例中,误诊为结核6例,误诊为肺炎1例,误诊为良性肺结节5例,考虑为片外影1例,误诊为肋软骨钙化2例,漏诊5例。结论认清不典型肺癌及早期肺癌表现的多样性、提高胸部照片的质控,可提高早期肺癌的诊断率,减少误诊、漏诊。     

An autopsy case of lymphoid interstitial pneumonia with monoclonal gammopathy

An autopsy case of a 75-year-old female with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia with monoclonal gammopathy of IgA kappa type is reported. The patient was admitted to UOEH Hospital suffering from a cough, sputum and fever. After examining a specimen of transbronchial lung biopsy and chest X ray films, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia was suspected. Serum immunological examination showed monoclonal IgA kappa type hypergammaglobulinemia. Marked clinical and radiological improvement was attained after prednisolone administration. After 16 months, however, the patient deteriorated and expired on January 21, 1986. On postmortem examination, a number of plasma cells as well as lymphoid cells were seen to have infiltrated in the thickened interalveolar septa and the parenchyme of the lymph nodes throughout the whole body. The architecture of lymph nodes remained preserved, while the cortex as well as the medulla was almost completely replaced by plasma cells and lymphoplasmacytoid cells. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated the presence of IgA kappa in the plasma cells and some of the lymphoplasmacytoid cells in both lymph nodes and lungs. These findings suggest that the proliferating plasma cells and lymphoplasmacytoid cells were in neoplastic or preneoplastic states and support the hypothesis that lymphoid interstitial pneumonia may be an expression of the systemic lymphoproliferative disorders in the lung.     

Abolition of natural tolerance and the influence of the chemical allergen beryllium on autoimmune processes

Pulmonary berylliosis, a chronic allergic pneumosclerosis resulting from inhalation of beryllium compounds, may occur in two clinical forms: interstitial, which is mild, slowly progressive, and presents moderate skin reactions of delayed-type hypersensitivity to haptens; and granulomatous, which is rapidly progressive after a short latent period and presents systemic lesions and significant allergic skin reactions. The investigation of experimental berylliosis in rats has revealed some factors that could lead to the abolition of natural tolerance. Six new beryllium-containing autoantigens, two of which accumulated in different tissues, were identified in the lung nucleoproteins accompanying a partial loss of normal tissue and serum antigens. Antibodies to the new antigens and to normal lung tissue (in smaller amounts) were found in the sera of rats with experimental berylliosis, as well as in patients. The patients with granulomatous berylliosis also had antibodies to DNA, RNA, and extracts of normal homologous heart, spleen, liver, and thyroid in quantities that correlated with the clinical picture and with the effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy. The fact that natural tolerance mechanisms were interrupted in all cases and autoimmune granulomatous berylliosis developed only in some patients led to the assumption that the mechanism was effective under the influence of additional endogenous factors; diseases producing an accumulation of autoantibodies could provide the stimulus for the appearance of these factors.     

Clinical reasoning and decision-making in practice. A man with swelling of both corners of the jaw

A 33-year-old man was referred to an oral surgeon by his general practitioner because ofa bilateral swelling in both jaws. A CT-scan of the head showed enlargement of the parotid glands. After exclusion of mumps and sialolithiasis the patient was treated with oral antibiotics. The swelling failed to improve and the patient was sent to an internist. A repeated medical history revealed that he also had symptoms of sicca syndrome. Sj?gren's syndrome was excluded only after negative immunoserological tests and sublabial salivary gland biopsy. A chest X-ray showed enlarged bilateral hilar lymph nodes, confirming the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A gallium scintigraphy provided further support for this diagnosis. No treatment was initiated and the patient recovered slowly afterwards.     

Lungenkrebsscreening: Aktuelle Entwicklungen

Screening studies on conventional chest X?rays and on sputum cytology did not show a reduction in lung cancer mortality. However, screening by low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is more promising because it allows tumor detection in early stages at fairly low radiation levels. No reduction of lung cancer mortality was found in two small, randomized clinical studies on LDCT screening in Europe. However, in the by far largest LDCT trial, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in the USA, a relative reduction of lung cancer mortality by 20.0% (95% confidence interval: 6.8–26.7%), and a relative reduction of total mortality by 6.7% (95% CI: 1.2–13.6%) was reported. According to the NLST, an important disadvantage of LDCT is the low positive predictive value of abnormal screening results: lung cancer was confirmed in only 4 of 100 abnormal screening results.In this paper, benefits and disadvantages of LDCT screening and related open questions are systematically discussed. A possible reduction of lung cancer specific and total mortality must be weighed against false positive results, overdiagnoses, and radiation exposure. In NLST, the proportion of overdiagnoses is estimated to be 11.0 to 18.5%, depending on the strategy of analysis; radiation exposure is about 1.5?mSv per scan, and thus much lower than radiation exposure in chest X?ray, which is about 8?mSv per scan. Open questions refer to who should be offered the screening, how long the time intervals between screening rounds should be, and which algorithms should be used to clarify screen-detected nodules.     

CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中的应用

目的探讨分析CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中的应用价值。方法本组58例肺结核患者分别给予x线和CT影像学检查,对比58例肺结核患者的x线、CT影像表现,并进行统计学分析。结果本组58例中x线平片显示41个空洞,CT显示89个;X线显示空洞引起肺内支气管播散9例,CT显示19例;X线平片显示空洞周围卫星病灶37例,CT显示57例;x线显示结核空洞外侧胸膜增厚4例,CT显示8例;X线无1例显示纵隔内及肺门旁淋巴结肿大。CT显示纵隔内及肺门旁淋巴结肿大3例,少量胸腔积液5例。统计学显示二者存在显著差异（P〈0．05）。结论CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中作用大,其诊断肺结核准确率明显优于x线平片。     

CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中的应用

目的探讨分析CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中的应用价值。方法本组58例肺结核患者分别给予X线和CT影像学检查,对比58例肺结核患者的X线、CT影像表现,并进行统计学分析。结果本组58例中X线平片显示41个空洞,CT显示89个;X线显示空洞引起肺内支气管播散9例,CT显示19例;X线平片显示空洞周围卫星病灶37例,CT显示57例;X线显示结核空洞外侧胸膜增厚4例,CT显示8例;X线无1例显示纵隔内及肺门旁淋巴结肿大,CT显示纵隔内及肺门旁淋巴结肿大3例,少量胸腔积液5例。统计学显示二者存在显著差异(P<0.05)。结论CT在空洞型肺结核诊断中作用大,其诊断肺结核准确率明显优于X线平片。     

Lung granulomatosis in a dental technician

Background Dental technicians are potentially exposed to various occupational dusts and chemicals. Not surprisingly, occupational related lung diseases have been documented in this population. Methods We describe the case of a dental laboratory technician presenting progressive exertional dyspnea and cough. We used lung function tests, computed tomography, histological examination, mineralogical and immunological studies to characterize his condition. Results Lung function studies disclosed a restrictive pattern with a low diffusion capacity. A high-resolution CT scan revealed the presence of micronodules in both lungs corresponding to non-caseating foreign body granulomas at histological examination. Mineralogic studies showed the presence of silica, silicates, and aluminum. The lymphocytic transformation test was positive with the bronchoalveolar lavage for beryllium. Conclusions This dental technician developed pulmonary granulomatosis. Combined histological, mineralogical, and immunological studies led us to consider the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis most likely related to occupational exposure to beryllium and aluminum. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:628–631, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

胸部CT和MRI对胸段食管癌淋巴结转移的诊断价值

目的 比较胸部计算机断层扫描（computer tomography,CT）和磁共振成像（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）判断胸段食管癌淋巴结转移的临床价值。方法 回顾性分析2015年7月—2019年6月在我院诊治的胸段食管癌淋巴结转移患者90例,所有患者在入院后均采用胸部CT和MRI平扫及增强扫描,并在手术后对病灶组织标本进行病理学检测,以病理诊断结果为金标准,分析胸部CT和MRI灵敏度和特异度。结果 MRI扫描,灵敏度为88.73%,特异度为94.74%,阳性预测值为98.44%,阴性预测值为69.23%,高于胸部CT扫描的69.01%、52.63%、84.48%、31.25%。淋巴结转移分布中,胸中段最多,胸上段、胸中段、胸下段所占比例分别为26.67%、60.00%、13.33%,胸上段中最上纵隔和气管旁淋巴结转移最多,胸中段气管旁、隆突下淋巴结转移最多,胸下段贲门旁、胃左动脉旁淋巴结转移最多,MRI诊断准确率高于胸部CT。结论 胸部CT、MRI均能够诊断出胸段食管癌淋巴结转移,MRI诊断胸段食管癌淋巴结转移的诊断价值优于胸部CT,MRI在胸段淋巴结各部位的诊断准确率高于胸部CT,能够更清晰显示淋巴结的转移情况。     

儿童肺隔离症的X线和CT诊断

目的探讨儿童肺隔离症的X线和CT影像学特征。方法搜集经手术与病理证实的儿童肺隔离症10例,所有病例都摄有胸部正侧位片,4例行平扫及增强扫描。结果X线表现为肺内肿块6例,囊性病变4例;CT检查4例均表现为肺内肿块影,且现异常动脉供血。结论胸部平片是诊断肺隔离症的方法,可提供本病的重要线索。CT增强扫描由于能够显示异常供血动脉和评价肺实质改变,是肺隔离症的最佳影像学检查手段。     

New methods for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary embolism is a high mortality cardiovascular disease, which is difficult to diagnose even today. AIM AND METHOD: In this study the symptoms and the results of diagnostic methods were analysed in 81 patients with acute pulmonary embolism, admitted during a one-year period to Kaposi Mór County Hospital. The patient records were examined with special emphasis on the diagnostic value of novel methods such as D-dimer assay and chest computed tomography scanning along with the routine techniques used in the management of pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: In all patients ECG, in 88% of the cases chest X-ray, in 57% blood gas analysis and in 53% D-dimer assay results were evaluated. 14.8% of the patients died during hospitalisation. The following diagnostic imaging procedures were undertaken: in 80.2% of the cases lung scan, in 59.3% echocardiography and in 8.7% of the cases spiral computed tomography scan were prepared. In 12.3% of all cases thrombolysis proved necessary. The results were compared with data from International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry Study, which analyses 2454 patient cases. CONCLUSION: It is foreseen that the increasing use of echocardiography, lower limb ultrasound and highly informative spiral computed tomography scanning as an additional means in pulmonary embolism diagnostics may in some cases spare the use of pulmonary scintigraphy.     

FDG显像监测分化型甲状腺癌转移复发的价值

目的：本研究回顾性分析在我科接受过131Ⅰ治疗的13位甲状腺癌患者的资料,探讨FDG显像在监测甲状腺癌转移、复发中的价值。方法：（1）对象：接受131Ⅰ治疗的13位分化型甲状腺癌患者（8例乳头型、4例滤泡型、1例滤泡乳头混合型）,具有同期131Ⅰ及FDG肿瘤显像,和血浆Tg,TSH水平测定结果。（2）显像方法：欲行甲状腺癌131Ⅰ治疗的患者停服T4四周,治疗前测定血浆TSH和Tg水平。患者口服131Ⅰ治疗后5～7天做全身平面显像和131ⅠSPECT／CT局部断层显像。一周内行FDG显像。结合患者的临床表现、影像学分期及血浆TSH和Tg水平,对患者做出有无术后转移和复发的诊断。血浆Tg〉10ng／ml做为肿瘤复发转移的诊断阈值。（3）131Ⅰ影像学分期标准：根据图像显示的病灶摄取量、位置、数量及波及范围将病人分为4个期别：Ⅰ-摄取范围局限于甲状腺床;Ⅱ-甲状腺床＋颈部淋巴结摄取或甲状腺床＋纵隔淋巴结摄取;Ⅲ-颈部淋巴结或纵隔淋巴结摄取＋肺摄取;Ⅳ-二颈部淋巴结和纵隔淋巴结＋肺部弥漫性摄取,或,颈部淋巴结和纵隔淋巴结＋骨等其它脏器摄取。（4）统计学分析方法：SPSS软件包和EXCEL统计表,非参数秩合检验和相关性分析。结果：FDG显像的灵敏度为92％。与131ⅠSPECT／CT显像的分期结果相比,13例甲状腺癌FDG显像中7例（7／13）的分期发生改变,其中6例影像学分期提高,1例分期降低。FDG显像结果与血浆Tg、TSH水平的相关性分析显示两者没有显示明显的相关性。结论：对于分化型甲状腺癌,如果131ⅠSPECT／CT显像阴性,血浆Tg水平升高,有必要进行行FDG显像,阳性FDG显像结果说明病灶肿瘤细胞出现去分化,应结合各项检查信息,及时调整治疗方案,改善预后。