COVID-19: Cardiovascular care in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 crisis: lessons from the global experience

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Preliminary dengue vector surveillance in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia: Interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

@#Ovitrap surveillance was conducted to determine the infestation patterns of dengue vectors in fourteen study sites across eight provinces located in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia. High ovitrap indices up to 70% and 90% were obtained from indoor and outdoor areas, respectively. Mean numbers of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae ranged from 0.13 to 14.50 and 0.10 to 18.60, respectively. Mixed infestation (<10%) and interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were also observed in the present study.

Multidetector CT Findings and Differential Diagnoses of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and Metastatic Pleural Diseases in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To compare the multidetector CT (MDCT) features of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and metastatic pleural disease (MPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the MDCT images of 167 patients, 103 patients with MPM and 64 patients with MPD. All 167 cases were pathologically confirmed by sonography-guided needle biopsy of pleura, thoracoscopic pleural biopsy, or open thoracotomy. CT features were evaluated with respect to pleural effusion, pleural thickening, invasion of other organs, lung abnormality, lymphadenopathy, mediastinal shifting, thoracic volume decrease, asbestosis, and the presence of pleural plaque. RESULTS: Pleural thickening was the most common CT finding in MPM (96.1%) and MPD (93.8%). Circumferential pleural thickening (31.1% vs. 10.9%, odds ratio [OR] 3.670), thickening of fissural pleura (83.5% vs. 67.2%, OR 2.471), thickening of diaphragmatic pleura (90.3% vs. 73.4%, OR 3.364), pleural mass (38.8% vs. 23.4%, OR 2.074), pericardial involvement (56.3% vs. 20.3%, OR 5.056), and pleural plaque (66.0% vs. 21.9%, OR 6.939) were more frequently seen in MPM than in MPD. On the other hand, nodular pleural thickening (59.2% vs. 76.6%, OR 0.445), hilar lymph node metastasis (5.8% vs. 20.3%, OR 0.243), mediastinal lymph node metastasis (10.7% vs. 37.5%, OR 0.199), and hematogenous lung metastasis (9.7% vs. 29.2%, OR 0.261) were less frequent in MPM than in MPD. When we analyzed MPD from extrathoracic malignancy (EMPD) separately and compared them to MPM, circumferential pleural thickening, thickening of interlobar fissure, pericardial involvement and presence of pleural plaque were significant findings indicating MPM than EMPD. MPM had significantly lower occurrence of hematogenous lung metastasis, as compared with EMPD. CONCLUSION: Awareness of frequent and infrequent CT findings could aid in distinguishing MPM from MPD.

Erratum: Multidetector CT Findings and Differential Diagnoses of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and Metastatic Pleural Diseases in Korea

On page 545, the fifth author's name has been incorrectly spelled as Jin Mo Koo. The correct spelling is Jin Mo Goo.

Changes in the Flow-Volume Curve According to the Degree of Stenosis in Patients With Unilateral Main Bronchial Stenosis

OBJECTIVES: The shape of the flow-volume (F-V) curve is known to change to showing a prominent plateau as stenosis progresses in patients with tracheal stenosis. However, no study has evaluated changes in the F-V curve according to the degree of bronchial stenosis in patients with unilateral main bronchial stenosis. METHODS: We performed an analysis of F-V curves in 29 patients with unilateral bronchial stenosis with the aid of a graphic digitizer between January 2005 and December 2011. RESULTS: The primary diseases causing unilateral main bronchial stenosis were endobronchial tuberculosis (86%), followed by benign bronchial tumor (10%), and carcinoid (3%). All unilateral main bronchial stenoses were classified into one of five grades (I, 90% to near-complete obstruction without ipsilateral lung collapse). A monophasic F-V curve was observed in patients with grade I stenosis and biphasic curves were observed for grade II-IV stenosis. Both monophasic (81%) and biphasic shapes (18%) were observed in grade V stenosis. After standardization of the biphasic shape of the F-V curve, the breakpoints of the biphasic curve moved in the direction of high volume (x-axis) and low flow (y-axis) according to the progression of stenosis. CONCLUSION: In unilateral bronchial stenosis, a biphasic F-V curve appeared when bronchial stenosis was >25% and disappeared when obstruction was near complete. In addition, the breakpoint moved in the direction of high volume and low flow with the progression of stenosis.

Extrapulmonary Lymphangioleiomyoma: Clinicopathological Analysis of 4 Cases

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a slowly progressive neoplastic disease that predominantly affects females. Usually, LAM affects the lung; it can also affect extrapulmonary sites, such as the mediastinum, the retroperitoneum, or the lymph nodes, although these locations are rare. A localized form of LAM can manifest as extrapulmonary lesions; this form is referred to as extrapulmonary lymphangioleiomyoma (E-LAM). Due to the rare occurrence of E-LAM and its variable, atypical location, E-LAM is often difficult to diagnose. Herein, we report the clinicopathological information from four E-LAM cases, and also review previous articles investigating this disease. METHODS: Four patients with E-LAM were identified at the Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from 1995 to 2012. All E-LAM lesions underwent surgical excision. RESULTS: All patients were females within the age range of 43 to 47 years. Two patients had para-aortic retroperitoneal masses, while the other two patients had pelvic lesions; two out of the four patients also had accompanying pulmonary LAM. In addition, no patient displayed any evidence of tuberous sclerosis. Histologically, two patients exhibited nuclear atypism with cytologic degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: E-LAM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with pelvic or para-aortic masses. We also conclude that further clinical and pathological evaluation is needed in patients with E-LAM and nuclear atypism.

A Rare Case of Mesothelioma Showing Micropapillary and Small Cell Differentiation with Aggressive Behavior

No abstract available.

Micropapillary Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung: A Brief Case Report

No abstract available.

A Case of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Dysplasminogenemia

The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) rises markedly with age, and only a few cases have been reported in younger adults. Thrombophilia has been reported as one of the predisposing factors for PE in younger adults. Here we report an extraordinary case of PE complicated with dysplasminogenemia, a rare genetic disorder resulting in hypercoagulability, in a young male. An 18-yr-old male visited an emergency room in the United States complaining chest discomfort. He was diagnosed as PE with deep vein thrombosis without apparent risk factors. Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin had been initiated and discontinued after 6 months of treatment. After returning to Korea he was tested for thrombophilia which revealed decreased activity of plasminogen and subsequent analysis of PLG gene showed heterozygous Ala620Thr mutation. He was diagnosed with PE complicated with dysplasminogenemia. Life-long anticoagulation therapy was initiated. He is currently under follow-up without clinical events for 2 yr.

Extra-Adrenal Paravertebral Thoracic Myelolipoma

Extra-adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor which can occur in the abdomen, thorax, or even in the face. We present a case of 58-year-old woman patient with thoracic myelolipoma, which has manifested as three paravertebral masses at the level of T9 and T10. The computed tomography scan showed heterogenous enhancing masses, which contained fat component. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and the pathologic examination revealed adipose tissue with many hematopoietic cells, consistent with myelolipoma.

Dual-Energy CT in Patients Treated with Anti-Angiogenic Agents for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Method of Monitoring Tumor Response?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tumor responses in patients treated with anti-angiogenic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by assessing intratumoral changes using a dual-energy CT (DECT) (based on Choi's criteria) and to compare it to traditional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten NSCLC patients treated with bevacizumab underwent DECT. Tumor responses to anti-angiogenic therapy were assessed and compared with the baseline CT results using both RECIST (size changes only) and Choi's criteria (reflecting net tumor enhancement). Kappa statistics was used to evaluate agreements between tumor responses assessed by RECIST and Choi's criteria. RESULTS: The weighted kappa value for the comparison of tumor responses between the RECIST and Choi's criteria was 0.72. Of 31 target lesions (21 solid nodules, 8 lymph nodes, and two ground-glass opacity nodules [GGNs]), five lesions (16%) showed discordant responses between RECIST and Choi's criteria. Iodine-enhanced images allowed for a distinction between tumor enhancement and hemorrhagic response (detected in 14% [4 of 29, excluding GGNs] of target lesions on virtual nonenhanced images). CONCLUSION: DECT may serve as a useful tool for response evaluation after anti-angiogenic treatment in NSCLC patients by providing information on the net enhancement of target lesions without obtaining non-enhanced images.

Multilocular Thymic Cyst with Prominent Lymphoid Follicular Hyperplasia: A Case Report

We present herein an unusual case of multilocular thymic cyst, with prominent lymphoid follicular hyperplasia, in a 64-year-old man. It was incidentally founded as a mediastinal mass on chest radiography, during a routine health check-up. Computed tomography revealed a cystic lesion, which contains thick septa involving the thymus. The resected mass, 8x4 cm in diameter, involved the thymus and there is no adhesion or invasion into the adjacent tissue. The cut surface showed cystic spaces with thick white-tan firm wall, which cysts contained gelatinous material. Microscopically, the lesion was characterized by multiple cysts, lined by flattened cuboidal epithelium that was separated by thick walls, having a dense lymphoid tissue with lymphoid follicles. The patient was discharged without any complication and is well without evidence of recurrence for sixteen months.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis: Imaging Findings in 23 Non-AIDS Patients

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review the patterns of lung abnormalities of pulmonary cryptococcosis on CT images, position emission tomography (PET) findings of the disease, and the response of lung abnormalities to the therapies in non-AIDS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the initial CT (n = 23) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET (n = 10), and follow-up (n = 23) imaging findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in 23 non-AIDS patients. Lung lesions were classified into five patterns at CT: single nodular, multiple clustered nodular, multiple scattered nodular, mass-like, and bronchopneumonic patterns. The CT pattern analyses, PET findings, and therapeutic responses were recorded. RESULTS: A clustered nodular pattern was the most prevalent and was observed in 10 (43%) patients. This pattern was followed by solitary pulmonary nodular (n = 4, 17%), scattered nodular (n = 3, 13%), bronchopneumonic (n = 2, 9%), and single mass (n = 1, 4%) patterns. On PET scans, six (60%) of 10 patients showed higher FDG uptake and four (40%) demonstrated lower FDG uptake than the mediastinal blood pool. With specific treatment of the disease, a complete clearance of lung abnormalities was noted in 15 patients, whereas a partial response was noted in seven patients. In one patient where treatment was not performed, the disease showed progression. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary cryptococcosis most commonly appears as clustered nodules and is a slowly progressive and slowly resolving pulmonary infection. In two-thirds of patients, lung lesions show high FDG uptake, thus simulating a possible malignant condition.

IgG4-Related Lung Disease Presenting as a Consolidative Mass: A Case Report

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related sclerosing disease involving the lung is a rare condition, and this is characterized by an elevated serum IgG4 level, fibrotic inflammation with numerous IgG4-positive plasma cells and a response to steroid therapy. We present here a case of pulmonary IgG4-related disease in a 75-year-old man who presented with cough and yellowish sputum for the previous 3 months. The chest images showed a consolidative mass in the right lower lobe that suggested mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. The wedge resected specimen revealed an ill-defined gray-tan, firm lesion. Microscopically, the lesion showed a diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with irregular fibrosis in the alveolar interstitium and bronchovascular bundles. There were numerous IgG4-positve plasma cells and these cells were diffusely distributed. The serum IgG4 level was elevated on the postoperative check-up (249 mg/dL). After corticosteroid therapy for 7 months, the patient's symptoms and radiologic abnormalities were improved.

Molecularly Targeted Therapy Using Bevacizumab for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Pilot Study for the New CT Response Criteria

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacy of the new CT response evaluation criteria for predicting the tumor progression-free survival (PFS) with that of RECIST 1.1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were treated with bevacizumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients (M:F = 11:5; median age, 57 years) treated with bevacizumab and combined cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents were selected for a retrospective analysis. The tumor response was assessed by four different methods, namely, by using RECIST 1.1 (RECIST), RECIST but measuring only the solid component of tumor (RECISTsolid), the alternative method reflecting tumor cavitation (the alternative method) and the combined criteria (the combined criteria) that evaluated both the changes of tumor size and attenuation. To evaluate the capabilities of the different measurement methods to predict the patient prognosis, the PFS were compared, using the log rank test, among the responder groups (complete response [CR], partial response [PR], stable disease [SD] and progressive disease [PD]) in terms of the four different methods. RESULTS: The overall (CR, PR or SD) response rates according to RECIST, RECISTsolid, the alternative method and the combined criteria were 81%, 88%, 81% and 85%, respectively. The confirmed response rates (CR or PR) were 19%, 19%, 50% and 54%, respectively. Although statistically not significant, the alternative method showed the biggest difference for predicting PFS among the three response groups (PR, SD and PD) (p = 0.07). RECIST and the alternative method showed a significant difference for predicting the prognosis between the good (PR or SD) and poor overall responders (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The response outcome evaluations using the three different CT response criteria that reflect tumor cavitation, the ground-glass opacity component and the attenuation changes in NSCLC patients treated with bevacizumab showed different results from that with using the traditional RECIST method.

Mucinous Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma Associated with Bronchiectatic Cyst: A Brief Case Report

Herein we report a rare case of mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) associated with a solitary bronchiectatic cyst in a 29-year-old man. The patient presented with hemoptysis and had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest radiographs and computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed, thin-walled cavitary lesion in the right upper pulmonary lobe. Gross examination of a lobectomy specimen showed a bronchiectatic cavity and a fungus ball within it. There were also several ill-defined small gray-white nodules around the cyst, nodules that were mucinous BAC. On microscopy, they were composed of columnar tumor cells along the intact alveolar walls in a single layer.

Mucinous Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma Associated with Bronchiectatic Cyst: A Brief Case Report

Herein we report a rare case of mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) associated with a solitary bronchiectatic cyst in a 29-year-old man. The patient presented with hemoptysis and had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest radiographs and computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed, thin-walled cavitary lesion in the right upper pulmonary lobe. Gross examination of a lobectomy specimen showed a bronchiectatic cavity and a fungus ball within it. There were also several ill-defined small gray-white nodules around the cyst, nodules that were mucinous BAC. On microscopy, they were composed of columnar tumor cells along the intact alveolar walls in a single layer.

Characteristics of Pneumonia and Clinical Significance of Atelectasis in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Pneumonia is a common condition in patients with chronic renal insufficiency, and the condition is closely associated with high mortality and hospitalization rate in such patients. However, limited information is available about the clinical course of pneumonia in these patients, particularly in those with coexistent pulmonary atelectasis. We studied the characteristics of pneumonia as well as the clinical significance of pulmonary atelectasis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 25 patients with chronic renal insufficiency that were diagnosed as having pneumonia with atelectasis. The clinical, laboratory and radiological findings in these patients were examined. We also assessed the severity of atelectasis in these patients and compared the clinical courses of patients with different grades of atelectasis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71 years, and 15 of the 25 patients (60%) had diabetes. On chest computed tomography, the incidence of lobar infiltration, atelectasis, and pleural effusion was 75%, 64%, and 56%, respectively. The incidences of severe pneumonia and death tended to increase with the severity of atelectasis; however the increase was not statistically significant. The incidence of recurrence of pneumonia was significantly higher in patients with severe atelectasis than that in those without atelectasis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of severe pneumonia and the mortality rate tended to be higher in patients with severe atelectasis than in those without atelectasis. In addition, severe atelectasis was associated with the recurrence of pneumonia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Stenosis

In many instances the diagnosis and management of aortic stenosis (AS) is straightforward. In others; however; the diagnosis and management of AS can be extraordinary difficult. Clinicians need to be aware of the pitfalls in diagnosis and management. Diagnosis and assessment of disease severity begins with a detailed history and physical examination. Echocardiography in experienced hands is the standard investigation of choice to confirm the diagnosis and to assess its severity. While the treatment of symptomatic severe AS is surgery; asymptomatic patients with severe aortic disease and concomitant disease; like hypertension; requires an individualised approach

Radiologic Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Diseases

Diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILD) are a group of chronic disorders showing varying degrees of active inflammation and established fibrosis mainly involving the interstitium of the lungs. DILD can be classified into two groups in an etiologic aspect; idiopathic and DILD with known-cause, such as connective tissue diseases associated with DILD. Although there had been complexity and variability in the classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), an international standard was established for the classification of IIPs including seven clinicalradiologic-pathologic entities; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP). The prognosis of fibrotic NSIP and IPF is much poorer compared to those of other spectrum of IIPs, such as COP, RB-ILD, DIP, and LIP. Therefore, fibrotic NSIP and IPF can be considered separately as a group of fibrotic IIPs. Trying to predict the prognosis of IIPs, there has been an effort to differentiate inflammationpredominant lesions from fibrosis-predominant lesions in patients with fibrotic IIPs. Radiologic features of low fibrotic scores at high-resolution CT and early enhancement patterns at dynamic enhancement of MRI can be useful prognostic determinants for the prediction of disease improvement in patients with fibrotic IIPs.