Pulmonary barotrauma during hookah diving: a case report.

When commercial sea harvesters have dive accidents, it is sometimes difficult to obtain an accurate dive history and make a definitive diagnosis. We report a sea harvest diver who dived to collect sea snails (Rapana venosa) by using a hookah dive system. He experienced mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema due to interruption of breathing airflow. Thoracic computed tomography performed one year prior to the accident revealed paramediastinal subpleural blebs on both lung apices. Emphysema was resolved by administering normobaric oxygen.

Middle Lobe Syndrome Associated with Bronchial Anthracofibrosis.

Bronchial anthracofibrosis has been defined as airway narrowing associated with dark pigmentation on bronchoscopy without an appropriate history of pneumoconiosis or smoking. We present a case of a 67-year-old, non-smoking female patient who was referred to our clinic for two years of persistent cough. Spirometry was within normal limits. Radiological evaluation showed right middle lobe atelectasis and positron emission tomography-positive mediastinal lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy revealed black airway discoloration and distortions. In conclusion, we propose monthly radiological controls before an invasive procedure in such cases if a strong suspicion of malignancy/tuberculosis is not present.

Prognostic factors for 100 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various clinical, laboratory characteristics, and therapeutic modalities on the survival of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. One hundred consecutive patients with a pathologically proven diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma treated between 1993 and 2005 were included in the study. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, comorbidity, weight loss, breathlessness, and performance status were identified as independent prognostic factors. Comorbidity had interestingly favorable effect on the survival. Treated patients with chemotherapy had significantly longer survival than those treated with best supportive care. However, it was necessary to complete at least 6 cycles for a survival benefit. In conclusions, comorbidity information should be recorded in the recent prognostic studies. The drugs used for the comorbidity may improve survival.

Pulmonary lymphangitic sarcomatosis and a review of the literature.

Intrapulmonary spread of a sarcoma via lymphatics is a rare cause of death in a young adult. A 31-year old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea and malaise of 2 months' duration. A chest radiography revealed bilateral hilar enlargement, and reticulonodular infiltrations. Thoracic CT-scans demonstrated mediastinal lymphadenopathy, thickening of interlobular septa, polygonal lines, and thickening of bronchovascular bundles. The diagnosis was made by open-lung biopsy. The patient died within 3 months after diagnosis. Pulmonary lymphangitic sarcomatosis is a rare but important manifestation of an angiosarcoma. Optimal treatment of these patients is not well defined, but a trial of chemotherapy may be warranted.

Transudates in malignancy: still a role for pleural fluid.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of transudates and exudates among pathologically proven malignant pleural effusions, and to demonstrate the necessity for cytologic studies in patients with a transudative effusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of all subjects diagnosed with malignant or paramalignant pleural effusion over a 10-year period at a tertiary hospital. The study included 67 subjects with malignant mesothelioma, 45 subjects with metastatic disease, and 36 subjects with paramalignant effusions. RESULTS: There were 55 female and 93 male subjects; the mean age of the sample was 62 years. Malignant pleural effusions were transudative in 1.5% of malignant mesotheliomas, 6.8% of metastatic diseases, and 11.1% of paramalignant effusions. CONCLUSIONS: Cytological examination of pleural fluid in patients with unexplained transudative effusion is essential to rule out malignant processes.

[Sternal tuberculosis]. / Sternum tüberkülozu.

Isolated involvement of the sternum is rare, representing less than 1% of tuberculous osteomyelitis. In this report, a 51-years-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with a localized solid mass in the sternum has been presented. A soft, painful mass measuring 3 cm in diameter in the lower sternum was detected during physical examination. Radiological investigation revealed presternal soft tissue and bone expansion in the posterior side of lower sternum. The patient was treated with non-specific antibiotics for a suspected diagnosis of osteomyelitis but the lesion did not show any regression. Since the microbiological analysis of fine needle aspiration fluid demonstrated acid-fast bacilli in direct microscopy and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the culture, anti-tuberculous therapy consisting of isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA), and ethambutol (ETM) was started. Sputum and urine cultures of the patient yielded negative results in terms of tuberculosis. After the first month of the therapy, her skin lesion was completely healed. Since the strain was found to be resistant to isoniazid, the maintenance therapy has been applied as INH + RIF + PZA for nine months. The history of the patient indicated that one of her relatives had skin tuberculosis on the face. As a result the patient has been successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis combination therapy together with surgical debridement.

Pleural fluid findings as prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of pleural fluid glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, total protein, and total leukocyte levels in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive patients (33 men and 38 women) who were referred to the department of chest diseases in a university hospital. Pleural fluid glucose levels, the ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH>1.0, and total leukocyte count were significant predictors for the survival in univariate analysis. However, none of these variables emerged as statistically significant from the multivariate Cox model. In conclusion, our results showed that there is an inverse correlation between the intensity of inflammation and survival.

The changing epidemiological trends for carcinoma of the lung in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare epidemiological parameters for lung cancer in the last 2 decades (1986-1995 versus 1996-2005). METHODS: Data on demographic characteristics, and histological subtype of lung cancer patients were retrospectively collected by a chart review in Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Sivas, Turkey for the period of 1993-2005. All other full-text papers that report epidemiological data for lung cancer in Turkey were also searched for meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 25,604 patients were analyzed in the last 2 decades. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 59.4 years, and 92.5% of the patients were males. In the last decade, the rate of squamous cell carcinoma decreased from 61-50%, however, the rate of small cell carcinoma increased from 19-24%, and the rate of adenocarcinoma from 20-26%. CONCLUSION: There was a shift in the male/female ratio in Turkey. The rate of squamous cell carcinoma decreased, however, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma increased progressively.

Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma causes chronic coughs without the physiologic features of asthma. The aim of this study was to review the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this condition. METHODS: The current literature was reviewed using Pubmed for all studies published in the English language using the search term 'eosinophilic bronchitis'. RESULTS: Eosinophilic bronchitis presents as normal spirometry, without evidence of airway hyperresponsiveness, and normal peak expiratory flow variability. When compared with asthma, mast cell recruitment to the superficial airways and mast cell activation appear to be a feature of eosinophilic bronchitis. In contrast, mast cell infiltration in the smooth muscle is significantly higher in asthma patients than in either eosinophilic bronchitis patients or healthy control subjects. In this condition, the absence of high IL-13 expression can contribute to the normal airway reactivity. The cough usually responds well to inhaled corticosteroids but dose and duration of treatment remain unclear. The condition can be transient, episodic or persistent unless treated, and occasionally, patients may require long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: The condition is an important cause of chronic coughs which are corticosteroid responsive. The study of eosinophilic bronchitis suggests that eosinophil-dependent mechanisms are generally not important in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma.

A 41-year-old woman presented with chest pain and a cough. There was a solitary pulmonary nodule in the upper-left lobe. The patient had no history of neoplasm except a hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma five years before. Six months after the first presentation, the tumor showed a gradual increase in size; an explorative thoracotomy was performed. The histopathologic examination showed a tumor consisting of well-differentiated spindle-shaped cells with intervening collagen. She was readmitted 8 months after the operation because of right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax. Multiple pulmonary nodules appeared when the lung was re-expanded by chest tube drainage. In conclusion, uterine leiomyomas can metastasize to various organs, such as lungs, despite having a benign pathologic appearance.

Antituberculotic drug resistance in a Turkish state hospital with national data.

Antituberculosis drug resistance is a major factor threatening the success of tuberculosis control programmes. The aim of this study was to reveal the patterns of antituberculosis drug resistance in a secondary hospital in Turkey and to compare with national data. The results of BACTEC MGIT 960 system for susceptibility testing were retrospectively analysed on 76 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from different patients. The mean age of 48 men (63.2%) and 28 women was 37 and 39, respectively. Overall resistance rate to isoniazid was 14.5%, followed by streptomycin 9.2%, ethambutol 6.9% and rifampin 5.3%. Female sex and diabetes mellitus but not the presence of cavitary lesion or radiological involvement was a risk factor for the development of drug resistance. Anemia, leukocytosis or thrombocytosis was not associated with the drug resistance. In conclusions, further studies should be conducted regularly to monitor drug resistance in Turkey in order to manage effectively national tuberculosis control efforts.

[Resistance rates to antituberculous drugs in Sivas province]. / Sivas ilinde antitüberküloz ilaçlara direnç oranlari.

Infections caused by drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains represent a serious public health problem in recent years. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the resistance rates of M. tuberculosis complex strains isolated from clinical specimens in the laboratories of Cumhuriyet University and Numune State Hospitals in Sivas province (located in the middle Anatolia), between May 2004-May 2006 period, to the major antituberculous drugs. A total of 158 M. tuberculosis complex strains which were isolated from sputum, bronchial lavage fluid, stomach fluid, urine, pus, peritoneal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid samples, each of which from different patients were included to the study. The identification of the isolates and antituberculosis drug susceptibility testing were performed by MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) 960 system in both of the laboratories. Of 158 isolates 42 (26.6%) were found resistant to at least one of the drugs, while 116 (73.4%) were susceptible to all of the tested antimycobacterials. The overall resistance rates were found as 17.7% (28/153) for isoniazid, 11.4% (18/153) for streptomycin, 4.4% (7/153) for rifampicin, and 5.1% (8/153) for ethambutol. The rate of multidrug resistant isolates characterized with resistance to isoniazid+rifampicin were 3.8% (6/158). As a result, the most common resistance patterns observed in our region were found as single isoniazid resistance (13/158; 8.2%), single streptomycin resistance (8/158; 5.1%) and combined isoniazid+streptomycin resistance (8/158; 5.1%), respectively, with lower resistance rate to rifampicin (4.4%) in comparison to the previous results reported from Turkey.

A Retrospective Analysis of Nutritional Parameters in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease between Sexes.

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationships between nutritional parameters and pulmonary functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in both sexes. Spirometric, laboratory, and demographic data of 450 consecutive patients were analysed retrospectively. Males had significantly greater pack-years of smoking, more severe airway obstruction, and lower body mass index (BMI). In non-smokers, BMI was significantly lower in men independent of age and pulmonary functions. Creatine kinase levels showed no correlation with any pulmonary function parameters. Serum albumin levels correlated better than BMI with pulmonary functions. In conclusion, females with COPD were maintained weight better than men.

Comorbidity as a prognostic factor in small cell lung cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Many factors have prognostic significance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The aim of this study was to define the prognostic factors influencing the response to therapy and the survival in SCLC. METHODS: A consecutive series of 90 patients with SCLC was analyzed retrospectively using 32 pretreatment and 3 treatment-related prognostic factors with respect to their influence on survival. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate analysis and by the Cox multivariate regression model. Patients who survived more than 2 months were included in the univariate analysis. RESULTS: The median survival of the whole population was 7 months, with a 1-year survival rate of 20%. In univariate analysis, prognosis was significantly influenced by gender, comorbidity, thoracic irradiation, receipt of more than 3 cycles of chemotherapy, response to chemotherapy, and performance status. The Cox model identified comorbidity (P = 0.03), receipt of more than 3 cycles of chemotherapy (P = 0.003) and response to chemotherapy (P = 0.002) as the only significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of SCLC is poor, and comorbidity information should be included in prognostic studies.

The association between polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) and lung cancer outcome.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family may be associated with increased risk of lung cancer, somatic changes in lung tumour tissue, and survival. We evaluated survival according to GST polymorphism in lung cancer patients. METHODS: We studied DNA polymorphisms of 81 primary lung cancer patients at 2 glutathione-related loci: GSTM1, and GSTT1 that encode glutathione S-transferase-mu, and glutathione S-transferase- square. The presences of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were assayed by PCR. Kaplan-Meier with log rank tests, and Cox regression models were applied in the analysis. RESULTS: The median age of 75 males and 6 females was 60 years. Median survival of the whole population was 8 months. In the first presentation, none of the patients with GSTT1 null genotype but 30 percent of the patients with GSTT1-positive genotype had liver metastasis (p < 0.01) but GSTT1 genotype was not associated with survival. Sputum (p < 0.01) was more common in patients with GSTM1 null genotype. Subjects with the GSTM1-null genotype had shorter survival. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, GSTM1, tumor (T) factor and thoracic irradiation status were identified as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results showed that GSTM1-null genotype was associated with shorter survival.

Early autoimmune complications after thymomectomy in a patient with interstitial lung disease. Case report.

Thymoma has been associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. We report a case of myasthenia gravis and pancytopenia in a 53-year-old man with lymphoepithelial thymoma and interstitial lung disease. Preoperative examination revealed neither hematologic abnormality nor myasthenia gravis. The patient had enteritis prior to thymomectomy, sternal infection in the first month of operation, and urinary infection at the third month. About three months after thymomectomy, he required mechanical ventilation support due to myasthenia gravis-related respiratory failure. One month later, a rapidly progressing pancytopenia developed. The patient died within two weeks of overwhelming septicemia unresponsive to treatment with antibiotics and steroids. The possible onset of myasthenia gravis or pancytopenia after thymomectomy should be kept in mind during follow-up. Recurrent infections in the early stages of thymomectomy may suggest a lethal onset of pancytopenia.

Non-allergic eosinophilic inflammation.

Much is known about the eosinophilic processes associated with antigens, tumors, and infection, yet data on other causes of eosinophilic inflammation are scarce. This paper investigates the locations and causes of other nonrespiratory eosinophilic inflammation. Although eosinophilic inflammation can involve locomotor, urinary, cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal, and other mucosal surfaces, such inflammation also can accompany tissue trauma, foreign-body reactions, and necrotic or granulomatous processes. Despite their cytolytic/histolytic effects, eosinophil leukocytes are a component of tissue remodeling, can be antigen-presenting cells, and have a role in the reproductive system and in blood coagulation. The study of various types of eosinophilic inflammation may increase our understanding of the biological responses of eosinophil leukocytes to different inflammatory stimuli.