BACKGROUND Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH)is a rare disease of unknown etiology.LCH involving the thymus is mainly seen in pediatric patients and is extremely rare in adults.In this report,we describe a rare case o...BACKGROUND Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH)is a rare disease of unknown etiology.LCH involving the thymus is mainly seen in pediatric patients and is extremely rare in adults.In this report,we describe a rare case of LCH originating from the thymus in an adult.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man was admitted in April 2022 with complaints of intermittent dizziness since 2020,which had worsened in the previous 10 d.The physical chest examination was negative,and there was a history of hypertension for>2 years.Chest computed tomography showed a nodular soft tissue density shadow in the anterior mediastinum measuring approximately 13 mm×9 mm×8 mm.Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of LCH.CONCLUSION It is challenging to differentiate LCH involving the thymus from thymoma in imaging features.Pathological biopsy remains the gold standard when an anterior mediastinal occupying lesion is found.展开更多
Background Giant cell interstitial pneumonia （GIP） was a rare form of pneumoconiosis,associated with exposure to hard metals,which had been reported mostly as isolated case reports.We described eight cases of GIP di...Background Giant cell interstitial pneumonia （GIP） was a rare form of pneumoconiosis,associated with exposure to hard metals,which had been reported mostly as isolated case reports.We described eight cases of GIP diagnosed in our hospital during the past seven years,with particular reference to new findings.Methods Eight patients with GIP confirmed by biopsy in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University from 2005 to 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.For each patient,the occupy histories and medical records were thoroughly reviewed and clinic data were extracted.Two radiologists,without knowledge of any of the clinical and functional findings,independently reviewed the HRCT scans of all patients.Follow-up data were collected.Results Among the eight patients,seven had a history of exposure to hard metal dusts,one denied an exposure history.The most common manifestations were cough and dyspnea.One patient initiated with pneumothorax and another pleural effusion,both of which were uncommon to GIP.The main pathologic appearances were the presence of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells in the alveolar space.The clinical symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were obviously improved after cessation of exposure and receiving corticosteroid treatments,recurrences were observed in two patients when they resumed work.In spite of exposure cessation and corticosteroid treatment,one patient developed pulmonary fibrosis at seven years follow-up.Conclusions Awareness of the patients＇ occupational history often provided clues to the diagnosis of GIP.Histopathologic examinations were necessary to establish the right diagnosis.Exposure cessation was of benefit to most patients; however,pulmonary fibrosis was possible in spite of exposure cessation and corticosteroid treatment.Better ways should be found out to improve the outcome and quality of life.展开更多
Background Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) was originally and is still primarily reported in Japan, rarely in other countries. As macrolide therapy is effective for this disease with once dismal prognosis, familiarity...Background Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) was originally and is still primarily reported in Japan, rarely in other countries. As macrolide therapy is effective for this disease with once dismal prognosis, familiarity with its clinical features is urgently needed, especially for clinicians outside Japan. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical features of DPB in a Chinese population and propose diagnostic procedures that will lead to increased awareness of this treatable disease among clinicians, ultimately allowing for more rapid diagnosis.Methods After a literature review, the clinical features of DPB were histopathologically confirmed in a series of 9 cases either by open lung biopsy or video-assisted thoracic surgical biopsy, resulting in the largest series of confirmed DPB cases in a non-Japanese population. Here, the cases are retrospectively described and diagnostic procedures are discussed.Results Persistent cough, sputum, and exertion dyspnea occurred in 89% of patients, a history of or current chronic sinusitis in 78%, centrilobular micronodules appearing on chest CT scans in 100%, coarse crackles in 78%, FEV 1/FVC<70% in 44%, PaO 2<80 mmHg in 56%, and titer of cold hemagglutinin≥1∶64 in 11%. According to its clinical diagnostic criteria, diagnosis was definitive in 44%, suggested in 33%, and excluded in 23% at the time of diagnosis. However, DPB was clinically considered before confirmation in only 22% of patients, with the remaining 78% of cases missed or mistaken for other diseases. Of the 9 cases, 8 received transbronchial biopsies before confirmation of the diagnosis, but all showed non-specific inflammation.Conclusions Although its clinical features may vary with disease course and ethnic populations, most cases of DPB can be diagnosed or suggested according to clinical diagnostic criteria. However, underdiagnosis as a result of unfamiliarity with its clinical features and diagnostic criteria prevails. If difficulty in diagnosis arises, the diagnosis should be based on clinicopathological features and the exclusion of other diseases. Few cases can be confirmed by transbronchial biopsies; in these cases, either an open-lung biopsy or a video-assisted thoracic surgical lung biopsy should be recommended.展开更多
Common variable immunodeficiency （CVID） is a rare disease characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, and diminished specific antibody response to immunization. The estimated prevalence r...Common variable immunodeficiency （CVID） is a rare disease characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, and diminished specific antibody response to immunization. The estimated prevalence rate of CVID ranged from 1/50 000 to 1/200 000.I The common clinical manifestations of CVID are repeated and prolonged respiratory infections.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH)is a rare disease of unknown etiology.LCH involving the thymus is mainly seen in pediatric patients and is extremely rare in adults.In this report,we describe a rare case of LCH originating from the thymus in an adult.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man was admitted in April 2022 with complaints of intermittent dizziness since 2020,which had worsened in the previous 10 d.The physical chest examination was negative,and there was a history of hypertension for>2 years.Chest computed tomography showed a nodular soft tissue density shadow in the anterior mediastinum measuring approximately 13 mm×9 mm×8 mm.Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of LCH.CONCLUSION It is challenging to differentiate LCH involving the thymus from thymoma in imaging features.Pathological biopsy remains the gold standard when an anterior mediastinal occupying lesion is found.
文摘Background Giant cell interstitial pneumonia （GIP） was a rare form of pneumoconiosis,associated with exposure to hard metals,which had been reported mostly as isolated case reports.We described eight cases of GIP diagnosed in our hospital during the past seven years,with particular reference to new findings.Methods Eight patients with GIP confirmed by biopsy in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University from 2005 to 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.For each patient,the occupy histories and medical records were thoroughly reviewed and clinic data were extracted.Two radiologists,without knowledge of any of the clinical and functional findings,independently reviewed the HRCT scans of all patients.Follow-up data were collected.Results Among the eight patients,seven had a history of exposure to hard metal dusts,one denied an exposure history.The most common manifestations were cough and dyspnea.One patient initiated with pneumothorax and another pleural effusion,both of which were uncommon to GIP.The main pathologic appearances were the presence of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells in the alveolar space.The clinical symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were obviously improved after cessation of exposure and receiving corticosteroid treatments,recurrences were observed in two patients when they resumed work.In spite of exposure cessation and corticosteroid treatment,one patient developed pulmonary fibrosis at seven years follow-up.Conclusions Awareness of the patients＇ occupational history often provided clues to the diagnosis of GIP.Histopathologic examinations were necessary to establish the right diagnosis.Exposure cessation was of benefit to most patients; however,pulmonary fibrosis was possible in spite of exposure cessation and corticosteroid treatment.Better ways should be found out to improve the outcome and quality of life.
文摘Background Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) was originally and is still primarily reported in Japan, rarely in other countries. As macrolide therapy is effective for this disease with once dismal prognosis, familiarity with its clinical features is urgently needed, especially for clinicians outside Japan. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical features of DPB in a Chinese population and propose diagnostic procedures that will lead to increased awareness of this treatable disease among clinicians, ultimately allowing for more rapid diagnosis.Methods After a literature review, the clinical features of DPB were histopathologically confirmed in a series of 9 cases either by open lung biopsy or video-assisted thoracic surgical biopsy, resulting in the largest series of confirmed DPB cases in a non-Japanese population. Here, the cases are retrospectively described and diagnostic procedures are discussed.Results Persistent cough, sputum, and exertion dyspnea occurred in 89% of patients, a history of or current chronic sinusitis in 78%, centrilobular micronodules appearing on chest CT scans in 100%, coarse crackles in 78%, FEV 1/FVC<70% in 44%, PaO 2<80 mmHg in 56%, and titer of cold hemagglutinin≥1∶64 in 11%. According to its clinical diagnostic criteria, diagnosis was definitive in 44%, suggested in 33%, and excluded in 23% at the time of diagnosis. However, DPB was clinically considered before confirmation in only 22% of patients, with the remaining 78% of cases missed or mistaken for other diseases. Of the 9 cases, 8 received transbronchial biopsies before confirmation of the diagnosis, but all showed non-specific inflammation.Conclusions Although its clinical features may vary with disease course and ethnic populations, most cases of DPB can be diagnosed or suggested according to clinical diagnostic criteria. However, underdiagnosis as a result of unfamiliarity with its clinical features and diagnostic criteria prevails. If difficulty in diagnosis arises, the diagnosis should be based on clinicopathological features and the exclusion of other diseases. Few cases can be confirmed by transbronchial biopsies; in these cases, either an open-lung biopsy or a video-assisted thoracic surgical lung biopsy should be recommended.
文摘Common variable immunodeficiency （CVID） is a rare disease characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, and diminished specific antibody response to immunization. The estimated prevalence rate of CVID ranged from 1/50 000 to 1/200 000.I The common clinical manifestations of CVID are repeated and prolonged respiratory infections.
