A Case of Tracheal Hamartoma Treated with Endoscopic Mucosal Resection / 계명의대학술지

A 77-year-old male patient was hospitalized due to dyspnea and cough. At chest auscultation, Rhonchi was heard from both lung fields. The chest computed tomography (CT) observed nodular lesions within mid-trachea. Bronchoscope observed salient mass from the membranous portion in the mid-trachea, and after taking a biopsy, it was diagnosed as hamartoma. Tracheal hamartoma is a rare benign tumor of lung. Similar way to the endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), we did endoscopic resection of tracheal hamartoma. We report a case of tracheal hamartoma treated with Endoscopic mucosal resection via flexible bronchoscopy.

Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Distance in Healthy Korean Adults, Aged 22-59 Years / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test has been widely used in people with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders as an outcome assessment with regards to therapeutic or prognostic determinants. This study was undertaken to determine the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in a sample of healthy Koreans and to create a reference equation. We also compared the 6MWD of our cohort with previously published equations. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-nine healthy subjects (95 males) aged 22-59 years performed two walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the two tests. The effect of anthropometrics on the 6MWD was also investigated. RESULTS: The average 6MWD was 598.5+/-57.92 m, with significantly longer distances by males (628.9+/-59.51 m) than females (580.9+/-47.80 m) (p<0.001). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were significantly correlated with 6MWD in univariate analysis. Stepwise multiple regression showed height to be single independent predictor of 6MWD (r2=0.205, p<0.001). The reference equations derived in Caucasian and North African populations tend to overestimate the distance walked by Korean subjects, while Asian equations underestimate it. CONCLUSION: The average 6MWD in these Korean populations was 600 m. The regression equation revealed that individual's height was the most significant predictor of distance, explaining 20.5% of the distance variance.

Patient's Perception of Symptoms Related to Morning Activity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The SYMBOL Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience more problematic respiratory symptoms and have more trouble performing daily activities in the morning. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of COPD symptoms related to morning activities in patients with severe airflow limitation. METHODS: Data of 133 patients with severe airflow limitation were analyzed in a prospective, non-interventional study. A clinical symptom questionnaire was completed by patients at baseline. In patients having morning symptoms, defined by at least one or more prominent or aggravating symptom during morning activities, a morning activity questionnaire was also completed at baseline and following 2 months of COPD treatment. RESULTS: The most frequently reported COPD symptom was breathlessness (90.8%). Morning symptoms were reported in 76 (57%) patients; these had more frequent and severe clinical COPD symptoms. The most frequently reported morning activity was getting out of bed (82.9%). The long acting muscarinic antagonist (odds ratio [OR], 6.971; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.317 to 11.905) and chest tightness (OR, 0.075; 95% CI, 0.011 to 0.518) were identified as significantly related to absence of morning symptoms. There was no significant correlation between the degree of forced expiratory volume in 1 second improvement and severity score differences of all items of morning activity after 2-month treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-seven percent of COPD patients with severe airflow limitation have morning symptoms that limit their morning activities. These patients also have more prevalent and severe COPD symptoms. The results of this study therefore provide valuable information for the development of patient-reported outcomes in COPD.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Due to the irreversible nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the treatment aim in patients with COPD is not to cure but to reduce the symptoms, increase lung function, and improve the quality of life. It has been suggested that depression is a common emotional disturbance in patients with COPD who are faced with a major physical impairment and embarrassing symptoms. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with a registered diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were selected. Depression was assessed using the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. The quality of life was assessed using the Korean version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 17.0%. In the correlation model, the interaction of the FEV1% over predicted value and SGRQ score(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) was statistically significant. The interaction of the FEV1% over predicted value and depression scale(CES-D) was also statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the SGRQ scores(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) and the depression scale. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is relatively high. The pulmonary function and the living standards were found to be significant risk factors for depression.

A case of leptomeningeal metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the lung improved by treatment with Gefitinib / 대한내과학회지

Leptomeningeal metastasis occurs in approximately 1% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and this is an extremely serious complication. Without treatment, the median survival of patients is 4~6 weeks. The treatment options currently available are limited and achieve only modest results. Gefitinib was recently approved for the treatment of advanced/refractory non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, there have been case reports showing activity of gefitinib against brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer patients. However, there is limited data on the ability of gefitinib to cross the blood-brain barrier. We report the case of a patient with leptomeningeal metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the lung that had a dramatic response to gefitinib treatment.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: A Case Report / 영남의대학술지

Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein or pulmonary capillaries. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with markedly decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension can present as one of five different types: arterial, venous, hypoxic, thromboembolic, or miscellaneous. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with severe pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease. A 52-year-old man presented with a complaint of aggravating dyspnea. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 61.5 mmHg by Doppler echocardiogram. The patient was prescribed diuretics, digoxin, bronchodilator, sildenafil, bosentan and an oxygen supply. However, he ultimately died of cor pulmonale. Thus, diagnosis and early combination therapy are important.

A Case of Varicella Pneumonia Associated with Chickenpox in Immunocompetent Patient / 영남의대학술지

Varicella is a contagious infection in childhood disease typically affecting children aged 2-8 years and usually follows benign outcome. In the adult, clinical presentation is more severe and more commonly associated with complications. Varicella pneumonia, although rare, is a potentially life-threatening complication that should be suspected in any adult with varicella and respiratory symptoms. We report a case of varicella pneumonia in immunocompetent patient. The characteristic radiographic findings consisted of diffuse scattered coarse nodular infiltrations, less than 1cm sized, with ground glass opacity and consolidation in both lung fields. The patients was started on intravenous acyclovir. The chest radiograph performed 2 weeks later showed complete resolution of the pulmonary lesions.

The Effect of Repeated Education using a Computerized Scoring System for the Proper Use of Inhalation Medicine / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The best way of delivering drugs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is via the inhaled route of administration. However, many patients use inhaler devices incorrectly. To augment the proper use of inhalation medicine and to improve knowledge of the disease and compliance, we have developed a "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" and applied the use of this program to educate patients. METHODS: Prospectively, this study was performed in 164 patients with asthma or COPD prescribed with inhaled medication. When inhalation medication was first prescribed, education using a drug model was conducted two times and thereafter every month. In addition, education using a drug model was conducted and the ability of the patient to use inhalation medicine properly was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients participated in the sessions more than two times and received education. Fifty-seven patients participated in three sesions. After the patients received education one time, the ability of these patients to use an inhaler had an average score of 20.6. After the patients received education two times, the average score was 21.9. After the patients received education three times, the average score was 22.3, a further increase. The compliance of using the inhaler was 70.1% at the second session and increased to 81.8% at the third session. CONCLUSION: Feedback education using the "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" will increase the ability of the patient to use an inhaler and consistent education can maintain patient compliance with inhaler use.

The Usefulness of Integrated PET/CT to Distinguish between Benignancy and Malignancy in Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Malignant pulmonary nodules account for about 30 to 40 percent of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). Therefore, tissue characterization of SPNs is very important. Recently, PET/CT has been widely used for tissue characterization, and has become of importance. The purpose of this study was to compare and to assess multiple factors in PET/CT comparing benign and malignant nodules. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Nineteen patients with SPN underwent PET/CT and biopsy. The difference of standardized uptake value 1 (SUV1), standardized uptake value 2 (SUV2) and retention index in PET/CT between malignancy and benignancy were compared by Levene's test. RESULT: There were twelve malignant and seven benign nodules. SUV1 and SUV2 were significantly different between malignant nodule and benign nodule (p=0.006 and 0.022), but retention index was not significantly different between malignant nodule and benign nodule (p=0.526). By receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis, the sensitivity was 66.7% and the specificity was 71.4% at a cut off value of 5.40 in SUV1. The sensitivity was 75% and the specificity was 71.4% at cut off value of 7.45 in SUV2. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference in SUV1 and SUV2 between benign and malignant nodules. However, the cut off value of SUV1 and SUV2 by receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis was 5.40 and 7.45 which is different from previous studies. Therefore, studies on a larger sample of patients are required for confirmation.

The Usefulness of Integrated PET/CT to Distinguish between Benignancy and Malignancy in Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Malignant pulmonary nodules account for about 30 to 40 percent of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). Therefore, tissue characterization of SPNs is very important. Recently, PET/CT has been widely used for tissue characterization, and has become of importance. The purpose of this study was to compare and to assess multiple factors in PET/CT comparing benign and malignant nodules. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Nineteen patients with SPN underwent PET/CT and biopsy. The difference of standardized uptake value 1 (SUV1), standardized uptake value 2 (SUV2) and retention index in PET/CT between malignancy and benignancy were compared by Levene's test. RESULT: There were twelve malignant and seven benign nodules. SUV1 and SUV2 were significantly different between malignant nodule and benign nodule (p=0.006 and 0.022), but retention index was not significantly different between malignant nodule and benign nodule (p=0.526). By receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis, the sensitivity was 66.7% and the specificity was 71.4% at a cut off value of 5.40 in SUV1. The sensitivity was 75% and the specificity was 71.4% at cut off value of 7.45 in SUV2. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference in SUV1 and SUV2 between benign and malignant nodules. However, the cut off value of SUV1 and SUV2 by receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis was 5.40 and 7.45 which is different from previous studies. Therefore, studies on a larger sample of patients are required for confirmation.

A Case of Gefitinib (Iressa(R))-associated Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Adenocarcinoma of the Lung / 영남의대학술지

The tumor lysis syndrome has been described as biochemical disturbances associated with rapid destruction of tumor cells and subsequent synchronized massive release of cellular breakdown products sufficient to overwhelm excretory mechanisms and the body's normal reutilization capacity. The cardinal signs of the tumor lysis syndrome are hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia and hyperuricemia. Gefitinib (Iressa) is an oral, selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor that has activity in female, non-smoker and non-small cell lung cancer with an EGFR mutation. Gefitinib is a well tolerated drug with few side effects. It has been associated with skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, a decrease in liver function and interstitial lung disease. However, there is no prior report of the tumor lysis syndrome associated with gefitinib. We report a case of a 54 year-old woman who developed tumor lysis syndrome that might have been induced by gefitinib after the treatment of adenocarcinoma of lung with an EGFR mutation.