Objective To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) and its clinical significance. Methods Sleep quality and breathing disorders were measured by polysomnography and the relationship with lung function was analyzed in 20 IPF patients. Results Thirteen of 20 subjects ( 65% ) had OSAHS as defined by an AHI ≥5 events per hour. Three subjects ( 15% ) had mild OSAHS ( AHI,5 to 20 events per hour) , and 10 subjects ( 50% ) had moderate-to-severe OSAHS ( AHI≥20 events per hour) . The sleep architecture in these patients showed a reduction in sleep efficiency, rapid eye movement ( REM) sleep and slow wave sleep, and a marked sleep fragmentation due to an increased arousal index. The AHI was negatively correlated with FVC% pred ( r =-0.672, P=0.001) and FEV1% pred ( r =-0.659, P=0.002) , and positively correlated with body mass index ( BMI) ( r=0.791, Plt;0.0001) . Conclusions OSAHS is a common comorbidity in IPF. Early treatment of OSAHS may improve quality of life and the prognosis of patients with IPF.
ObjectiveTo explore the differential diagnosis value of airspace consolidation in thoracic CT between organizing pneumonia (OP) and acquired community pneumonia (CAP).MethodsA retrospective study was taken by retrieving the patients CT database from October 2010 to August 2016. Fifty-six consecutive patients with OP and 99 consecutive patients with CAP whose CT showed airspace consolidation were enrolled and their clinical characteristics and radiological characteristics were analyzed.ResultsThe percentage of patients whose CT image showed various amount of air bronchogram (ABG) with different shapes is higher in OP group than that in CAP group (87.5% and 72.7% respectively, χ2=4.558, P=0.033). The median and interquartile range amount of ABG in the OP patients were significantly higher than those in CAP group [4 (ranged from 2 to 8) and 2 (ranged from 0 to 4) respectively, z=3.640, P=0.000]. Morphologically, 58.9% of the OP patients showed entire air bronchogram (EABG) on the thoracic CT, significantly higher than that in CAP group (21.2%) (χ2=22.413, P=0.000). Interrupted ABG was found in 26.3% of CAP patients, while 16.1% of OP patients shared same features and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=2.125, P=0.148). Traction bronchiectasis and ground glass opacity (GGO) were more likely to be found in the OP patients rather than CAP patients with 26.8% and 39.3% respectively, while they were found in 1.0% and 11.1% in the CAP patients (P<0.05). Reversed halo sign was found only 1.0% of the CAP patients, significantly lower than that in OP group, 26.8% (χ2=25.671, P=0.000). Pleural effusion and bronchial wall thickening were more commonly found in the CAP group with 56.6% and 35.4% respectively. By multivariate logistic analysis, EABG (OR=5.526, P=0.000), traction bronchiectasis (OR=21.564, P=0.010), GGO (OR=4.657, P=0.007) and reversed halo sign (OR=13.304, P=0.023) were significantly associated with OP, while pleural effusion (OR=0.380, P=0.049) and bronchial wall thickening (OR=0.073, P=0.008) were significantly associated with CAP. Other features in thoracic CT coexisting with ABG all reach significance statistically between the OP and CAP group (all P<0.05).ConclusionsAirspace consolidation in thoracic CT may be valuable for the differential diagnosis between OP and CAP. EABG is more commonly found in OP patients than in CAP patients. When EABG exists or ABG coexists with traction bronchiectasis, GGO and reversed halo sign, a diagnose of OP should be considered.
Objective To explore the prognostic significance of baseline clinical and pulmonary physiological variables on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Patients diagnosed with IPF according to 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statementwere selected from Nanjing DrumTower Hospital between January 1, 2002 and July 31, 2010. The baseline characteristics were abstracted, including age, gender, smoking history, corticosteroid, delay before diagnosis, body mass index, finger clubbing, oxygenation index ( PaO2 /FiO2 ) , C-reaction protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) , serum lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) , albumin, vital capacity ( VC) , forced vital capacity ( FVC) , total lung capacity ( TLC) , and singlebreath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ( DLCO) . The relationships between all factors and survival were examined with a univariate Cox proportional-hazard model. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival probabilities between groups with different baseline characteristics. Results Eighty-four patients were included in this study, with the median survival time of 34. 7 months. PaO2 /FiO2 , FVC% pred, VC% pred, TLC% pred, and DLCO% pred showed significant associations with the mortality of IPF ( hazard ratios 0. 940-0. 994, P lt; 0. 01) . The Kaplan-Meier analyses for above variables also showed significant differences ( P lt;0. 05) . Besides, the statistical difference of survival probability could be found between the patients with elevated serumLDH and those with normal LDH ( 27. 0 months vs. 43. 1 months, P =0. 014) . Conclusions Baseline oxygenation and pulmonary function parameters may indicate the prognosis of IPF patients. Serum LDH may provide clinicians with additional prognostic information.
Objective To investigate the clinical features of interstitial lung disease (ILD) complicated with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Methods The patients with interstitial lung disease complicated with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia who were admitted to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from September 2017 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Laboratory examinations, imaging features, complications and mortality data were used to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of these patients. Results A total of 17 patients admitted to the RICU were finally enrolled in this study. 16 of the 17 patients had a history of corticoids therapy, and none of the 17 patients had received prophylaxis before the onset of PCP; 58.8% (10/17) of them were ILD secondary to connective tissue disease, and 41.2% (7/17) were idiopathic ILD; all patients were tested positive for P. jirovecii with polymerase chain reaction and/or next-generation metagenomic sequencing in sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or serum; all patients developed respiratory failure (oxygenation index: 146.8±66.4 mm Hg) after onset; within 24 hours of admission, the pneumonia severity index score was 91.9±20.1 and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ score was 16.1±3.0; imaging findings showed diffuse ground-glass opacity in both lungs on the basis of the original ILD; all patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and corticoids, 52.9% (9/17) patients were treated with TMP-SMX + caspofungin + clindamycin; 70.6% (12/17) patients were treated with mechanical ventilation; 76.5% (13/17) patients during hospitalization complicated bacterial infection, 9 cases (52.9%) had viral infection. The 28-day mortality was 64.7% (11/17), and the 90-day mortality was 82.4% (14/17), as of telephone follow-up (July 2022) the overall mortality was 88.2% (15/17). Conclusions ILD patients with severe PCP are progressing rapidly. The clinical manifestations are severe which are the same as acute exacerbation of ILD, with poor prognosis.
Objective To explore the prognostic value of preoperative pulmonary ventilation function for postoperative survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) . Methods 146 NSCLC patients who underwent cured lung surgical resection between January 1, 2003 and December 31,2008 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were recruited in the study. Pulmonary ventilation function was obtained preoperatively for each patient, including vital capacity ( VC) , forced vital capacity ( FVC) , forcedexpiratory volume in 1 second ( FEV1 ) , FEV1 /FVC, and peak expiratory flow ( PEF) . The effects of the above lung function variables on postoperative survival were evaluated by both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival probabilities betweendifferent groups.Results The median survival time after surgery was 31. 0 months ( 95% CI 22. 55-39. 45) . VC% pred, FVC% pred and FEV1% pred showed significant associations with the risk of mortality in the NSCLC patients after surgery ( hazard ratios 0. 979-0. 981, P lt; 0. 05) . The survival time after surgery was significantly shorter in the patients with VC ≤ 80% predicted compared to those with VC gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 31. 0 months vs. 34. 0 months) . The same difference could be found between the patients with FVC≤80% predicted and those with FVC gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 27. 0 months vs. 43. 0 months) . There was also significant difference in median survival between the patients with FEV1 ≤80% predicted and those with FEV1 gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 17. 0 months vs. 44. 0 months) . Conclusion Preoperative pulmonary ventilation function parameters may be used to informclinical decisions and indicate the prognosis of NSCLC patients after surgery.
Objective To highlight the characteristics of giant cell interstitial pneumonia ( GIP) . Methods The clinical, radiological, and pathological data of two patients with GIP pathologically proven by open lung and TBLB biopsy were presented respectively, and relevant literatures were reviewed. Results Patients with GIP usually had a history of exposure to metal dust. Clinical presentations included cough and dyspnea on exertion, and pulmonary function testing showed a restrictive abnormality. On chest radiography and high-resolution CT scans, it presented as bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, areas of consolidation, diffuse small nodules, extensive reticular opacities, and traction bronchiectasis. The main pathological findings included a desquamative interstitial pneumonia ( DIP) -like reaction with intra alveolar macrophages and numerous large multinucleated histiocytes that ingested inflammatory cells were admixed with macrophages. The finding of GIP was almost pathognomonic for hard metal pneumoconiosis. Conclusions GIP is a very rare chronic interstitial pneumonia, and has no characteristic clinical manifestations. Radiographic findings are similar to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Careful collection of the occupational history can help to minimize misdiagnosis.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous versus electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of pulmonary nodules. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of high-risk pulmonary nodule patients who underwent MWA at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between 2022 and 2023. The pathological diagnosis rate, complications, and progression-free survival (PFS) rate were compared between the CT group and the ENB group. ResultsThere were 61 patients in the CT group, including 30 males and 31 females, with an average age of (67.22±9.13) years. There were 53 patients in the ENB group, including 29 males and 24 females, with an average age of (65.29±13.76) years. The pathological diagnosis rate in the CT group was slightly higher than that in the ENB group (88.52% vs. 71.69%, P=0.03). However, the ENB group exhibited a lower incidence of perioperative complications, including pneumothorax (16.39% vs. 3.77%, P=0.03), hemoptysis (19.67% vs. 5.66%, P=0.05), and pain (22.95% vs. 7.55%, P=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in PFS rate between the two groups [HR=1.17, 95%CI (0.23, 5.81), P=0.85]. ConclusionBoth CT-guided and ENB-guided MWA are effective treatment modalities for high-risk pulmonary nodules.
Objective To investigate the colonization, risk factors and prognosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii (P.jirovecii) colonization in patients with Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Methods The patients with Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis who were admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction/next-generation metagenomic sequencing were used to detect the colonization of P. jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and then to investigate the colonization rate, risk factors and outcome of P. jirovecii in PAP patients. Results A total of 25 patients were included in the study, of which 7 were colonized by P. jirovecii (28.0%). The rate of using antibiotics before admission in the colonizing group was significantly higher than that in the non-colonizing group (85.7% vs 33.3%, P=0.030). Total blood lymphocytes (1.4×109/L vs. 1.8×109/L, P=0.048), CD3+T cells (0.83×109/L vs. 1.34×109/L, P=0.010), CD4+T cells (0.48×109/L vs. 0.85×109/L, P=0.010) were significantly lower than those in the non-colonizing group, lactate dehydrogenase (469.9 U/L vs. 277.3 U/L, P=0.005) was significantly higher than those in the non-colonizing group. A higher proportion of colonizing group required combination therapy (57.1% vs. 11.1%, P=0.032); but there was no significant difference in the percentage of whole-lung ground-glass opacification, lung function, oxygen index and outcome. Lactate dehydrogenase was positively correlated with the percentage of whole-lung ground-glass opacification of PAP, but negatively correlated with oxygen index, percentage of predicted forced vital capacity and percentage of predicted diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. Conclusions The colonization rate of P. jirovecii in PAP patients was high. Reduced lymphocyte count in peripheral blood of PAP patients and antibiotic use before diagnosing were risk factors for P. jirovecii colonization.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical radiographic features and treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) inpatients infected with influenza virus. MethodsThe clinical data of ILD patients with influenza in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from October 2023 to January 2024 were collected. According to each patient results of influenza nucleic acid detection, they were divided into an influenza infection group and a non-infection group. ResultsA total of 73 patients received influenza nucleic acid detection were enrolled, 23 cases including 5 males and 18 females were positive. Twenty-one cases were infected with influenza A virus, 2 cases were infected with influenza B virus. The median age of influenza positive patients was 64.7±7.8 years. Cough (23 cases, 100.0%), sputum (23 cases, 100.0%), wheezing (20 cases, 87.0%) and fever (17 cases, 73.9%) were the most common symptoms of the patients infected with influenza. Compared with the non-infection patients, fever was more common in the influenza infection group (P<0.05). Laboratory examination indicated that lymphocytopenia were detected in the influenza infection patients. There was no statistical difference in the level of white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, calcitonin, interleukin-6 and oxygenation index. Ground glass opacity in the influenza virus infection group was more common than that in the non-infection group (P<0.05). Ten ILD patients infected with influenza virus (43.5%) were co-infected with Aspergillus. The chest CT type of ILD patients with Aspergillus infection was usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Honeycombing was more common than those without Aspergillus infection group (P<0.05). Twenty-two patients (95.7%) received antiviral treatment, of which 20 patients (87.0%) were treated with oseltamivir, 5 patients (21.7%) were treated with mabaloxavir, and 4 patients (17.4%) were treated combined with paramivir. Seventeen patients (73.9%) were previously treated with glucocorticoids, and 16 patients did not adjust the glucocorticoids dosage; 9 patients (39.1%) were previously treated with immunosuppressants, and 2 patients stopped immunosuppressants. Four patients (17.4%) infected with influenza virus developed acute exacerbation of ILD. There was no statistically significant difference in acute exacerbation between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionsCompared with ILD patients not infected with influenza, fever, lymphocytopenia and ground-glass opacity are the common clinical and chest CT features of ILD patients infected with influenza. Patients with UIP type combined with honeycomb were prone to be co-infected with Aspergillus infection.
ObjectiveThree cases of pulmonary tuberculosis misdiagnosed as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were reported and analyzed in combination with literatures, so as to improve the ability of differential diagnosis of these two diseases. MethodsThe clinical data of 3 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis patients which were diagnosed by pathology whose imaging manifestations were similar to those of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were collected and reviewed in combination with relevant literature. ResultsAll the 3 patients were male, with a chronic course , no typical clinical manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis, CT imaging showed diffuse glass grinding shadow, thickened pulmonary lobular septa ,showed "Crazy-paving pattern". ALL the three patients were considered as " pulmonary alveolar proteinosis" initially, and finally confirmed by lung biopsy or acid-resistant bacilli found by bronchoalveolar lavage. Reviewing 8 literature reports with similar imaging findings, 1 case was misdiagnosed as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, 3 cases were pulmonary alveolar proteinosis combined with pulmonary tuberculosis, and 4 cases were secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. It was found that most patients had systemic or respiratory symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis. CT images mainly showed diffuse ground glass shadows in bilateral lungs with thickening of lobular septa, and 3 patients also showed clustered small nodulars. Most patients improved after anti-tuberculosis treatment, with only one patient dying. ConclusionsThe imaging manifestations of atypical pulmonary tuberculosis are various, which are easy to be misdiagnosed when they are similar to " pulmonary alveolar proteinosis". Clinicians should raise their awareness of tuberculosis with this imaging characteristic.