Frequent Cavitation Research Articles

PositiveMycobacterium tuberculosisGastric Lavage Cultures from Asymptomatic Children With Normal Chest Radiography

Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture from gastric lavage from apparently healthy children following tuberculin skin test conversion, despite normal chest radiography (CR), is well known but is a contentious subject. A consensus statement regarding classification of childhood tuberculosis excluded this condition, stating that more data were needed. To assist in this discussion, we reviewed early publications that reported the occurrence of this phenomenon and early anatomical pathology studies that described changes that occur in children following tuberculosis infection. Pathology studies describe frequent cavitation in primary foci in children from whom positive M. tuberculosis cultures might easily arise. These foci were very small in some children who might have normal CR. Positive cultures might also arise from ulcerated mediastinal lymph nodes that are invisible on CR. Young children with recent infection very likely have active primary pulmonary tuberculosis.

Lung cavitation in lung metastases of gastric and non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with apatinib

In one of the latest issues of Translational Lung Cancer Research ( TLCR ), Jiang et al. have reported on the frequent cavitation of lung metastases in metastatic lung and gastric cancer patients following treatment with apatinib. It has been recognized that anti-angiogenic compounds surface among the anti-cancer therapies, inducing lung cavitation. Although lung cavitation was not found to influence PFS and OS in previous studies (1), the study of Man Jiang, directed by Xiaochun Zhang, has shown that apatinib induces cavitation of lung metastases in a significant number of patients treated with apatinib. Detection of cavitation of lung metastases was associated with longer PFS and OS.

Do ring-porous oaks prioritize earlywood vessel efficiency over safety? Environmental effects on vessel diameter and tyloses formation

The impact of climate on xylem structure and function has been profusely studied for a variety of species in the last decades, but the ecological role of ring porosity under increasing levels of environmental stress has been scarcely assessed. In this study, we analyse the timing of earlywood vessels occlusions by tyloses in two ring-porous species with contrasting ecological strategies (Quercus robur and Q. pyrenaica) along a seasonal drought gradient, and relate it to variations in earlywood vessel diameter and radial growth obtained from tree-ring series. The number of trees showing tyloses increased in summer as a result of more frequent cavitation events under drier conditions, and was more reduced for the more drought-tolerant Q. pyrenaica, which had a higher hydraulic diameter (Dh) but lower latewood increments. Dh values decreased towards the wettest sites, and were negatively related to warm and rainy conditions in winter. Our results showed that large earlywood vessel diameters are not necessarily accompanied by high rates of tyloses formation or limited growth in summer. We hypothesize that trees in seasonal environments can take advantage from large earlywood vessels, because benefits from a more efficient hydraulic system during favourable periods are higher than the risk of xylem impairment in summer.

Clinical outcomes for multi- and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis patients with adjunctive resectional lung surgery in Beijing, China.

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of adjective resectional lung surgery for multidrug resistant (MDR-) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patients in Beijing, China. Between October 1992 and October 2012, 21 MDR/XDR patients undergoing pulmonary resection at Beijing Chest Hospital were enrolled in this study. The clinical outcomes of MDR- and XDR-TB patients were analyzed with a 3-year surgical follow-up. Out of 21 patients enrolled in this study, 20 patients (95.2%) had unilateral cavitary disease, and 1 patient (4.8%) exhibited bilateral cavitary disease. The most frequent cavitation was located in the left upper lung (38.1%, 8/21). In addition, 19 (90.5%) underwent lobectomy, and the other two (9.5%) underwent pneumonectomy due to obvious cavitation in both upper and lower fields of unilateral lung. After 3-year follow-up, eight patients (38.1%) were cured and 13 patients (61.9%) suffered from unfavorable outcomes. Of 13 patients with unfavorable outcomes, 5 patients (38.5%) died of further progression of TB disease, and 8 patients (61.5%) relapsed. Only 1 (14.3%) out of 7 XDR-TB patients was cured, compared with 7 (50.0%) out of 14 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that if available, surgical treatment should be considered in MDR/XDR-TB patients in China. The subsequent treatment with second-line drugs may play the most important role in determining the final clinical outcome for MDR/XDR-TB patients.

Application of analyzer based X-ray imaging technique for detection of ultrasound induced cavitation bubbles from a physical therapy unit.

BackgroundThe observation of ultrasound generated cavitation bubbles deep in tissue is very difficult. The development of an imaging method capable of investigating cavitation bubbles in tissue would improve the efficiency and application of ultrasound in the clinic. Among the previous imaging modalities capable of detecting cavitation bubbles in vivo, the acoustic detection technique has the positive aspect of in vivo application. However the size of the initial cavitation bubble and the amplitude of the ultrasound that produced the cavitation bubbles, affect the timing and amplitude of the cavitation bubbles’ emissions.MethodsThe spatial distribution of cavitation bubbles, driven by 0.8835 MHz therapeutic ultrasound system at output power of 14 Watt, was studied in water using a synchrotron X-ray imaging technique, Analyzer Based Imaging (ABI). The cavitation bubble distribution was investigated by repeated application of the ultrasound and imaging the water tank. The spatial frequency of the cavitation bubble pattern was evaluated by Fourier analysis. Acoustic cavitation was imaged at four different locations through the acoustic beam in water at a fixed power level. The pattern of cavitation bubbles in water was detected by synchrotron X-ray ABI.ResultsThe spatial distribution of cavitation bubbles driven by the therapeutic ultrasound system was observed using ABI X-ray imaging technique. It was observed that the cavitation bubbles appeared in a periodic pattern. The calculated distance between intervals revealed that the distance of frequent cavitation lines (intervals) is one-half of the acoustic wave length consistent with standing waves.ConclusionThis set of experiments demonstrates the utility of synchrotron ABI for visualizing cavitation bubbles formed in water by clinical ultrasound systems working at high frequency and output powers as low as a therapeutic system.

AB0471 Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (gpa, wegener’s): complications and causes of death

BackgroundGPA is a necrotizing vasculitis with predominant involvement of the upper airways, pulmonary parenchyma and kidneys. In the absence of treatment prognosis for life is unfavorable.ObjectivesTo determine the complications and...

Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia

The aim of our study was to review the radiologic findings of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pneumonia. The hospital infection control computer database was used to identify patients who had a CA-MRSA infection with organisms isolated from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or pleural fluid samples. Criteria for CA-MRSA pneumonia were consolidation seen on chest radiography or computed tomography (CT), growth of MRSA from sputum and/or sterile pulmonary site, clinical complaints of cough and/or shortness of breath. Chest radiographs and CT scans for 9 patients (5 men, mean age 45 y, range 35 to 71 y) were retrospectively reviewed by 2 chest radiologists. The most common chest radiographic finding was consolidation, which was bilateral in 7 patients and unilateral in 2 patients. The consolidation was patchy and nonsegmental in 5 and segmental in 4 patients. Two patients had cavitation evident on the chest radiograph. The most common CT scan findings were bilateral (n=8), often symmetric (n=5) consolidation, bilateral septal lines (n=7), and multiple nodules (n=5). Cavitation was present in 5 patients, either in regions of consolidation (n=5) or in large nodules (n=3). Five patients with CA-MRSA pneumonia had rapid clinical deterioration requiring ventilatory support. Two patients died. CA-MRSA pneumonia is characterized by extensive bilateral consolidation and frequent cavitation and is commonly associated with rapid progression and clinical deterioration. CT is superior to radiography in demonstrating the presence of cavitation.

A morphologic study of nodular lung carcinomas and their possible pathogenesis from a cluster of non-obstructive bronchiectasis

A very simple procedure has enabled us to show that nodular lung carcinomas correspond, to a high degree, to neoplasias arising in a cluster of bronchiectasis of the non-obstructive type. This pathogenesis explains their peculiar features: the round shape with a sharp borderline on the surrounding lung, the frequent cavitation, the prevailing histologic type of epidermoid carcinomas. At present, when thin-section CT allows discovery of bronchiectasis with no need for bronchography, this interpretation suggests the possibility of carrying out a prevention program which should consist of identifying the high-risk group of patients with bronchiectasis, ‘sputum producers’ and smokers, in which an early diagnosis of nodular lung carcinoma might be realized by periodical diagnostic cytology.

Effect of HIV status on chest radiographic and CT findings in patients with tuberculosis

Aim: To compare the chest radiographic and chest CT findings of tuberculosis according to HIV status. Patients and methods: Ninety-eight HIV-tested patients with cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) between January 1991 and December 1993 whose clinical charts and radiographic records were available for review formed the study population. There were 67 HIV-positive patients (51 men, 16 women) and 31 HIV-negative patients (23 men, 8 women). Chest CT scans were available for review in 15 HIV-positive and four HIV-negative patients. Results: On chest radiographs, HIV-positive patients had mediastinal lymphadenopathy (60% vs. 23%) and atypical infiltrates (55% vs. 10%) significantly more frequently than HIV-negative patients. Conversely, HIV-negative patients had infiltrates typical for reactivation tuberculosis (77% vs. 30%) and cavitation (52% vs. 18%) significantly more frequently than HIV-positive patients. The chest CT scans showed a similar trend, but significant differences were only seen regarding more frequent bilateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy in HIV-positive patients and more frequent cavitation in HIV-negative patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant differences in chest radiographic and chest CT appearances of tuberculosis according to HIV status. HIV-positive patients have more frequent atypical infiltrates and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and less frequent cavitation and infiltrates typical for reactivation tuberculosis than do HIV-negative patients.

Wegener's Granulomatosis, Lymphomatoid Variant RPC of the Month from the AFIP

In this disease, a multinodular infiltrate in the lungs is frequently seen radiographically. The margins of the nodules are characteristically poorly defined and the nodules appear to coalesce. These features also occur in several other diseases, which are listed in the article. The reader is asked to differentiate among them on the basis of the clinical background and the tendency for frequent cavitation of such nodules in Wegener's granulomatosis. The pathogenesis is discussed with the aid of correlative pathology specimens.

Geotrichum in blood stream of an infant.

Geotrichosis, an infection rarely mentioned in the United States, is probably commoner than realized. Europe and certain South American countries have been aware of the fungus Geotrichum for many years and have reported its varying types of pathogenesis. There is increasing evidence that it will be found oftener in the United States when clinicians and laboratories become aware of its characteristics. In France, Brumpt, 1 in an excellent summary of Geotrichum infections, listed 20 species reported by various writers. Reeves, 2 in the southern United States, reported 79 cases of bronchomycoses, two of which were geotrichosis. He stated that in geotrichosis the chest roentgenogram resembles that of chronic tuberculosis, with heavy studding along the bronchi and frequent cavitation. Kunstadter and Milzer 3 consider Geotrichum of sufficient importance to include Geotrichum extract with routine skin tests for detection of mycotic infections. One of the most detailed discussions of this disease is