1/60. Granulomatous pneumonitis. A result of intrapleural instillation of quinacrine and talcum powder.A 73-year-old man with bilateral recurrent pleural effusions had relief of symptoms with intrapleural instillation of quinacrine hydrochloride and talcum powder. At postmortem, examination of the lungs showed granulomatous consolidation of a portion of the lower lobe of the left lung. The granulomatous reaction was in response to large numbers of talc and quinacrine crystals within the pulmonary parenchyma. A review of the literature disclosed no reports of pulmonary damage following the intrapleural administration of these two agents. This unusual complication of therapy may have resulted from the aspiration of crystals through a small, undetected bronchopleural fistula.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/60. Recurrent flu-like illness with migrating pulmonary infiltrates of unknown aetiology.Migrating pulmonary infiltrates present a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We report on eight patients (mean age 51 years, range 32-78 years, with a prolonged history of migrating pulmonary infiltrates of unknown aetiology despite a very elaborate search for infectious causes, hypersensitivity pneumonitis or inhalation fever due to occupational or domestic exposure to fungi, or to other environmental causes, and for humoral or cellular immunological incompetence. These patients (one male, seven females) presented with recurrent episodes (mean 6, range 2-13) of a flu-like illness, often with cough, wheezing and pleuritic chest pain, but without systemic involvement. Previous medical histories were unremarkable. There was no relation with smoking habits, occupation, drug use or other possible exposures. Biochemical data were non-specific. There was no peripheral nor pulmonary eosinophilia; total IgE was normal, with negative RASTs and precipitins to a variety of antigens. Cultures and serological tests for bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc were non-contributory. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan showed bilateral migratory pulmonary infiltrates, with a predilection for the middle and lower lung zones, often with a minor-to-moderate pleural effusion. Lung function tests were usually normal; at the most a slight decrease in diffusing capacity was noted in some patients. There was no or only a slight response to antimicrobials; systemic corticosteroids were not given. Further evolution was benign with patients being asymptomatic between the episodes. Despite elaborate investigations, the cause of these 'pneumonias' remains frustratingly unknown.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/60. Utility of Wang needle aspiration in the diagnosis of actinomycosis.An 85-year-old man had a 4-year history of recurrent pneumonia with a persistent pleural effusion. He underwent repeated bronchoscopy that revealed a right bronchus intermedius mass, but bronchial washes and biopsies remained nondiagnostic. A repeat bronchoscopy was performed, and a Wang needle aspiration of the mass was obtained that showed sulfur granules, diagnosing actinomycosis. The patient was started on appropriate antibiotic therapy. actinomycosis must be considered in a patient with recurrent pneumonia and an endobronchial mass. Wang needle aspiration via bronchoscopy may be an important diagnostic tool.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/60. Non responding pneumonia with skin lesions.Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatitis) is characterised by classical skin lesions accompanied by fever and malaise. Systemic involvement may be present and lung involvement in Sweet's syndrome has been reported in the form of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia and pleural effusion. There are dense papillary neutrophilic infiltrates on histopathology. We present a case of Sweets' syndrome with left lower lobe consolidation and persistent fever which was non-responsive to antibiotics but showed clinical improvement with clearing of radiological opacities on oral steroid therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/60. The use of recombinant factor viia (NovoSeven) in a patient with a factor xi deficiency and a circulating anticoagulant.A 75-year-old female known to have a chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and an acquired FXI deficiency (FXI level, 5%) related to a FXI inhibitor (38 Bethesda units) was admitted to the hospital for acute pneumonia associated with a bulky pleural effusion. A therapeutic puncture was found to be essential for the patient. But, such a procedure is a haemostatic challenge which requires adequate preparation. A first treatment composed of intravenous immunoglobulins and immunosuppressive therapy failed to eradicate the inhibitor and to restore a normal FXI level. In this context, steroids or FXI concentrates were not recommended. Thus, small doses of recombinant activated factor VII were used to achieve haemostasis. The procedure was successful, the tolerance was good and no adverse events occurred.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/60. Fatal inhalational anthrax with unknown source of exposure in a 61-year-old woman in new york city.A 61-year-old woman who was a new york city hospital employee developed fatal inhalational anthrax, but with an unknown source of anthrax exposure. The patient presented with shortness of breath, malaise, and cough that had developed 3 days prior to admission. Within hours of presentation, she developed respiratory failure and septic shock and required mechanical ventilation and vasopressor therapy. Spiral contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest demonstrated large bilateral pleural effusions and hemorrhagic mediastinitis. blood cultures, as well as dna amplification by polymerase chain reaction of the blood, bronchial washings, and pleural fluid specimens, were positive for bacillus anthracis. The clinical course was complicated by liver failure, renal failure, severe metabolic acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and cardiac tamponade, and the patient died on the fourth hospital day. The cause of death was inhalational anthrax. Despite epidemiologic investigation, including environmental samples from the patient's residence and workplace, no mechanism for anthrax exposure has been identified.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/60. diclofenac (Voltaren)-induced pneumonitis after chest operation.We report a rare case of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced pneumonitis in a 72-year-old man taking diclofenac for wound pain after pulmonary resection. The pneumonitis and pleural effusion were predominant on the operative side and resolved rapidly after the diclofenac was discontinued. The diagnosis of drug-induced pneumonitis was based on a lymphocyte stimulation test that was positive for diclofenac sodium and negative for other drugs. This case report demonstrated that surgeons should be aware of the possibility of pneumonitis induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/60. Complications of severe lower respiratory tract infections in singapore children.Over one year period, 240 children with severe lower respiratory infection was admitted to a general paediatric department. The mortality was 1.6%. Apart from pleural effusions and skin exanthems, several major complications were noted. These were septicaemia (1), apnoea (2), encephalopathy (3), meningitis (1), Stevens Johnson syndrome (1), bronchiectasis (1) and lung abscess (1).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/60. Diaphragmatic hernia simulating a left pleural effusion.We review a case of a diaphragmatic hernia simulating on chest radiograph left lower lobe pneumonia and associated pleural effusion. We also characterize the atypical chest radiographic findings of this patient and recommend further imaging with computed tomography in unusual patient presentations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/60. Peripherally inserted central venous catheters in preterm newborns: two unusual complications.This report describes the case of two newborns who suffered unusual complications after peripheral insertion of a central venous catheter. In one baby a fragment of the catheter tip became embolized in a peripheral branch of the left pulmonary artery. In the other baby, the catheter perforated a peripheral branch of the pulmonary artery, giving rise to chemical pneumonitis with extensive pleural effusion. The outcome was positive for both babies. A large clinical series is necessary to establish the complications of this procedure, their prevention and management.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pleural effusion, effusion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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