ABSTRACT
Background@#Several parameters are useful for assessing disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, the role of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) is not well-defined. We aimed to evaluate the value of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for assessing disease severity and prognosis in IPF patients. @*Methods@#Clinical data of 89 IPF patients (mean age: 68.1 years, male: 94%) who underwent18 F-FDG PET/CT for evaluation of lung nodules or cancer staging were retrospectively reviewed. Mean and maximal standardized uptake values (SUV mean , SUV max , respectively) were measured in the fibrotic area. Adjusted SUV, including SUV ratio (SUVR, defined as SUV max -to-liver SUV mean ratio), tissue fraction-corrected SUV mean (SUV meanTF ), and SUVR (SUVRTF ), and tissue-to-blood ratio (SUV max /SUV mean venous; TBR blood ) were obtained. Death was defined as the primary outcome, and associations between other clinical parameters (lung function, exercise capacity, C-reactive protein [CRP] level) were also investigated. @*Results@#All SUV parameters were inversely correlated with the forced vital capacity, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and positively correlated with CRP level and the gender-agephysiology index. The SUV mean , SUV max , and SUV meanTF were associated with changes in lung function at six months. The SUVR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.738; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011–2.991), SUVR TF (HR, 1.441; 95% CI, 1.000–2.098), and TBR blood (HR, 1.377; 95% CI, 1.038–1.827) were significant predictors for mortality in patients with IPF in the univariate analysis, but not in the multivariate analysis. @*Conclusion@#18 F-FDG PET/CT may provide additional information on the disease severity and prognosis in IPF patients, and the SUVR may be superior to other SUV parameters.
ABSTRACT
Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is a disorder characterized by the presence of a retroperitoneal mass and concurrent systemic inflammation. Some cases of RF are recognized as belonging to the spectrum of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Glucocorticoids are highly effective for treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis, although the optimal dose and duration of therapy have not been established. An initial dose of prednisone (40-60 mg) daily is usually administered with a tapering scheme. We report on a 55-year-old man diagnosed with IgG4-related RF and successfully treated with a 3-day course of daily 250 mg (4 mg/kg) intravenous methylprednisolone, which resulted in the prompt resolution of urinary obstruction and systemic symptoms.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Glucocorticoids , Immunoglobulins , Inflammation , Methylprednisolone , Prednisone , Retroperitoneal FibrosisABSTRACT
Behcet's disease is an inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology with multi-organ involvement. Although it rarely involves the heart, once the heart is involved the results can be devastating. However, since cardiac involvement has various manifestations, diagnosis is challenging. The clinical features and echocardiographic findings of cardiac Behcet's may mimic culture-negative infective endocarditis. A correct diagnosis is usually made postoperatively. Here, we report the case of a 55-year-old male who was initially diagnosed with infective endocarditis that caused metastatic vertebral osteomyelitis. He underwent immediate cardiac surgery and received empirical antibiotics, but all culture findings were negative; however, he had a sustained fever and elevated inflammatory marker levels. After reviewing the results of pathologic and imaging studies, a final diagnosis of cardiac Behcet's disease was made. He was successfully treated with a high dose of corticosteroids. This report demonstrates a rare case of cardiac Behcet's disease mimicking culture-negative infective endocarditis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Behcet Syndrome , Diagnosis , Echocardiography , Endocarditis , Fever , Heart , Osteomyelitis , Spondylitis , Thoracic SurgeryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This clinical study evaluated the effect of light activation on the whitening efficacy and safety of in-office bleaching system containing 15% hydrogen peroxide gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three volunteers were randomly treated with (n = 17, experimental group) or without light activation (n = 16, control group), using Zoom2 white gel (15% H2O2, Discus Dental) for a total treatment time of 45 min. Visual and instrumental color measurements were obtained using Vitapan Classical shade guide and Shadepilot (DeguDent) at screening test, after bleaching, and 1 month and 3 month after bleaching. Data were analyzed using t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, and chi-squared test. RESULTS: Zoom2 white gel produced significant shade changes in both experimental and control group when pre-treatment shade was compared with that after bleaching. However, shade difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Tooth shade relapse was not detected at 3 months after bleaching. The incidence of transient tooth sensitivity was 39.4%, with being no differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of light activation with Zoom2 white gel system neither achieved additional whitening effects nor showed more detrimental influences.