A Case of Giant Cell Interstitial Pneumonia / 결핵

Giant cell interstitial pneumonia, a synonym of (for) hard metal pneumoconiosis, is a unique form of pulmonary fibrosis resulting from an exposure to hard metal dust. A case of biopsy-proved giant cell interstitial pneumonia in the absence of appropriate history of exposure to hard metal dust is reported. The patient presented with clinical features of chronic interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He worked in a chemical laboratory at a fertilizer plant(,)where he had been exposed to various chemicals such as benzene and toluene. He denied having any other hobby in his house or job at work which may have exposed him hard metal dust(.) High-resolution CT scan revealed multi-lobar distribution of ground glass opacity with peripheral and basal lung predominance. The retrieved fluid of bronchoalveolar lavage contained asbestos fiber and showed neutrophil predominance. Surgical lung biopsy was performed for a definite diagnosis. Lung specimen showed alveolar infiltration of numerous multinucleated giant cells with mild interstitial fibrosis. Upon detailed examination of the lung tissue, one asbestos body was found. An analysis for mineral contents in lung tissue was performed. Compared to with the control specimen, the amount of cobalt and several hard metal components in the lung tissue of this patient was ten times higher. We speculated that the inconsistency between occupational history and the findings of pathologic and mineralogical analyses could be explained by the difference in individual immunologic reactivity to hard metal dust despite the relatively small amount of unrecognized environmental exposure (ED: It's hard to understand what this phrase is trying to say).

Clinical Characteristics of Recurred Patients with Stage I ,II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Five year survival rate of postoperative stage I non-small lung cancer(NSCLC) reaches to 66%. In the remaining one third of patients, however, cancer recurs and overall survival of NSCLC remains dismal. To evaluate clinical and pathologic characteristics of recurred NSCLC, we studied patterns and factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with staged I, II NSCLC. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed in 234 patients who underwent radical resection for pathologic stage I, II NSCLC. All patients followed for at least one year were included in this study. RESULTS: 1) There were 177 men and 57 women. The median age was 63. The median duration of follow up was 732 days (range 365~1,695 days). The overall recurrence rate was 26.5% and the recurrence occurred at 358.8 +/- 239.8 days after operation. 2) The age of recurred NSCLC patients were higher (63.2 +/- 8.8 years) than that of non-recurred patients (60.3 +/- 9.8 years)(p=0.043). The recurrence rate was higher in stage II (46.9%) than in stage I (18.8%, p<0.001) NSCLC. The size of primary lung mass was larger in recurred (5.45 +/- 3.22 cm) than that of non-recurred NSCLC (3.74 +/- 1.75 cm, p<0.001). Interestingly, there were no recurrent cases when the resected primary tumors were less than 2cm. 3) Distant recurrence was more frequent than locoregional recurrence (66.1% vs. 33.9%). Distant recurrence rate was more frequent in female and adenocarcinoma. Brain metastasis was more frequent in patients with adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: The tumor size and stage were two important factors for recurrence. Considering that distant brain metastasis was more frequent in patients with adenocarinoma, prospective study should follow to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative brain imaging.

Comparison of Two Methods of Recruiting the Acutely Injured Lung / 결핵

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of two methods of obtaining lung recruitment to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury(VILI). METHODS: Fifteen New-Zealand white rabbits were ventilated in the pressure-controlled mode maintaining constant tidal volume(10 ml/kg) and fixed respiration rate. Lung injury was induced by repeated saline lavage (PaO2 < 100 mmHg) and pressure-volume curve was drawn to obtain Pflex. Then the animals were randomly assigned to three groups and ventilated for 4 hours. In the control group(n=5), positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) was applied at a level less than Pflex by 3 mmHg throughout the study. In the recruitment maneuver(RM) group(n=5), RM(CPAP of 22.5 mmHg, for 45 seconds) was performed every 15 minutes in addition to PEEP level less than Pflex by 3 mmHg. In the Pflex group, PEEP of Pflex was given without RM. Parameters of gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics as well as pathology were examined. RESULTS: 1) Both the control and RM groups showed decreasing tendency in PaO2 with time to show significantly decreased PaO2 at 4 hr compared to 1hr(p<0.05). But in the Pflex group, PaO2 did not decrease with time(p<0.05 vs other groups at 3, 4 hr). PaCO2 did not show significant difference between the three groups. 2) There was no significant difference in static compliance and plateau pressure. Mean blood pressure and heart rate also did not show any significant difference in the three groups. 3) In the pathologic exam, Pflex group had significantly less neutrophil infiltration than the control group(p<0.05). The difference in hyaline membrane score also showed borderline significance among groups(p=0.0532). CONCLUSION: Recruiting the injured lung may be important in decreasing VILI. Recruitment maneuver alone, however, may not be enough to minimize VILI.

Clinical Features and Treatment Response in 18 Cases with Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has been reported recently to show much better response to medical treatment and better prognosis compared with idiopathic UIP. However, clinical characteristics of idiopathic NSIP discriminating from UIP have not been defined clearly. METHOD: Among 120 patients with biopsy-proven diffuse interstitial lung diseases between July 1996 and March 2000 at Samsung Medical Center, 18 patients with idiopathic NSIP were included in this study. Retrospective chart review and radiographic analysis were performed. RESULTS: 1) At diagnosis, 17 patients were female and average age was 55.2 +/-8.4 years (44~73 years). The average duration from development of respiratory symptom to surgical lung biopsy was 9.9+/-17.1 months. Increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid lymphocytes (23.0 +/-13.1%) was noted. On HRCT, ground glass and irregular linear opacity were seen but honeycombing was absent in all patients. 2) Corticosteroids were initially given to 13 patients of whom medication was stopped in 3 patients due to severe side effects. Further medical therapy was impossible in 1 patient who experienced streroid-induced psychosis. Herpes zoster (n=3), tuberculosis (n=1), avascu lar necrosis of hip (n=1), cataract (n=2) and diabetes mellitus (n=1) developed during prolonged corticosteroid administration. Of 7 patients receiving oral cyclophosphamide therapy, hemorrhagic cystitis hindered one patient from continuous medication. 3) After medical treatment, 14 of 17 patients improved and 3 patients remained stable (mean w-up ; 24.1+/-11.2 months). FVC increased by 20.2 +/-11.2% of predicted value and the extent of ground glass opacity on HRCT decreased significantly (15.7+/-14.7%). 4) Of 14 patients who had stopped medication, 5 showed recurrence of NSIP and 2 aggravated during steroid tapering. All patients with recurrence showed deterioration within one year after completion of initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Since idiopathic NSIP has unique clinical profiles and shows a good prognosis, differential diagnosis from UIP and aggressive medical treatment are needed.

Preoperative Evaluation for the Prediction of Postoperative Mortality and Morbidity in Lung Cancer Candidates with Impaired Lung Function / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of candidates for successful lung resection is important. We studied to Our study was conducted to determine the preoperative predictors of postoperative mortality and morbidity in lung cancer patients with impaired lung function. METHOD: Between October 1, 1995 to August 31, 1997, 36 lung resection candidates with FEV1 of less than 2L or 60% predicted due to lung cancer were included prospectively. Age, sex, weight loss, hematocrit, serum albumin, EKG and concomitant illness were considered as systemic potential predictors for a successful lung resection. Smoking history, presence of pneumonia, dyspnea scale(1 to 4), arterial blood gas analysis with room air breathing, routine pulmonary function test were also included for the analysis. In addition, predicted postoperative(ppo)pulmonary factors such as ppo-FEV1, ppo-diffusing capacity(DLco), predicted postoperative product(PPP) of ppo-FEV1% x ppo-DLco% and ppo-maximal O2 uptake(VO2max) were also measured. RESULTS: There were 31 men and 5 women with the median age of 65 years (range 44 to 82) and a mean FEV1 of 1.78 +/-0.06L. Pneumonectomy was performed in 14 patients, bilobectomy in 8, lobectomy in 14. Pulmonary complications developed in 10 patients, cardiac complications in 3, other complications (empyema, air leak, bleeding) in 4. Twelve patients were managed in the intensive care unit for more than 48 hours. Two patients died within 30 days after operation. The ppo-VO2max was less than 10 mg/kg/min in these two patients. MVV was the only predictor for the pulmonary complications. However, there was no predictors for the post operative death in this study.