Percutaneous Lung Puncture Research Articles

Diagnostic Value of Imaging and Serological Biomarkers in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of an unknown aetiology. It can exist in many organs. Pulmonary and intrathoracic lymph nodes are most commonly involved. Lung sarcoidosis is uncommon in Asia. However, due to the large population of our country and the development of bronchoscopy, percutaneous lung puncture, and other medical technologies, the number of pulmonary sarcoidosis patients is on the rise. Pulmonary sarcoidosis patients have no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and the clinical manifestations in the later stage may vary from person to person. Eventually, the disease progresses to life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis should receive a timely diagnosis. In recent years, the imaging features and serologic biomarkers of pulmonary sarcoidosis have been continuously studied. The diagnostic value of imaging and serologic biomarkers for pulmonary sarcoidosis is summarized below.

Resolution of an insidious and migratory Mycobacterium tuberculosis-associated secondary organizing pneumonia: a case report and literature review

BackgroundOrganizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare interstitial lung disease. Secondary organizing pneumonia (SOP) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is extremely rare. Migratory MTB-associated SOP is more deceptive and dangerous. When insidious tuberculosis (TB) is not recognized, SOP would be misdiagnosed as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). Use of steroid hormone alone leads to the progression of TB foci or even death. Clues of distinguishing atypical TB at the background of OP is urgently needed.Case presentationA 56-year-old female patient was hospitalized into the local hospital because of cough and expectoration for more than half a month. Her medical history and family history showed no relation to TB or other lung diseases. Community-acquired pneumonia was diagnosed and anti-infection therapy was initialized but invalid. The patient suffered from continuous weigh loss. More puzzling, the lesions were migratory based on the chest computed tomography (CT) images. The patient was then transferred to our hospital. The immunological indexes of infection in blood and pathogenic tests in sputum and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were negative. The percutaneous lung puncture biopsy and pathological observation confirmed OP, but without granulomatous lesions. Additionally, pathogen detection of the punctured lung tissues by metagenomics next generation sequencing test (mNGS) were all negative. COP was highly suspected. Fortunately, the targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) detected MTB in the punctured lung tissues and MTB-associated SOP was definitely diagnosed. The combined therapy of anti-TB and prednisone was administrated. After treatment for 10 days, the partial lesions were significantly resorbed and the patient was discharged. In the follow-up of half a year, the patient was healthy.ConclusionsIt is difficult to distinguish SOP from COP in clinical practice. Diagnosis of COP must be very cautious. Transient small nodules and cavities in the early lung image are a clue to consider TB, even though all pathogen tests are negative. tNGS is also a powerful tool to detect pathogen, ensuring prompt diagnosis of TB-related SOP. For clinicians in TB high burden countries, we encourage them to keep TB in mind before making a final diagnosis of COP.

Application value of CT-guided localization using a coil in combination with medical adhesive in sublobar resection.

To explore the application value of CT-guided localization using a coil in combination with medical adhesive in sublobar resection. The clinical data of 90 patients who had small pulmonary nodules and received thoracoscopic sublobar resection during the period from September 2021 to October 2022 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Juxian People's Hospital, Shandong Province, were retrospectively analyzed. The diameters of 95 pulmonary nodules in the 90 patients in the whole group ranged from 0.40 to 1.24cm, and their distances from the visceral pleura ranged from 0.51 to 2.15cm. In these patients, percutaneous lung puncture was successfully performed under local anesthesia, through which coils were implanted in the nodules and medical adhesive was injected around the nodules, with a success rate of localization of 100%. Localization complications included 10 cases of asymptomatic pneumothorax, 9 cases of intrapulmonary hemorrhage, 5 cases of severe pain, and 1 case of pleural reaction, all of which required no special treatment. After preoperative localization, the success rate of resection of pulmonary nodules was 100%, and sufficient surgical margins were obtained. CT-guided localization using a coil in combination with medical adhesive is a safe, effective, and simple localization method that can meet the requirements of thoracic surgeons for intraoperative localization; for small pulmonary nodules, especially those small-sized and deep-located ground-glass nodules containing few solid mass, this method has important clinical application value, which is a preoperative localization technique worthy of wide application in clinical practice.

Clinical Analysis of Pulmonary Lymphoma

To study the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of pulmonary lymphoma. Patients with pulmonary lymphoma diagnosed by lung biopsy in Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from November 2013 to December 2020 were collected and divided into secondary pulmonary lymphoma (SPL) group and primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL) group according to the primary site of lymphoma. The clinical characteristics, stages, imaging features, diagnostic methods and pathological types of the two groups were analyzed. A total of 22 patients were included, 10 cases were PPL and 12 cases were SPL. The main symptoms of the two groups were cough, dyspnea and chest pain. The proportion of stage III/IV patients and international prognostic index (IPI) in SPL group were significantly higher than those in PPL group (P<0.05). Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) mainly showed masses, nodules and consolidation in both groups. The proportions of single mass and air bronchial sign in PPL group were significantly higher than those in SPL group, while the proportions of multiple nodules, mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion were significantly lower (P<0.05). The max standardized uptake value (SUVmax), peak standardized uptake value (SUVpeak), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in PPL group were lower than those in SPL group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In PPL group, 8 cases were diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and 2 cases by percutaneous lung puncture. In SPL group, 4 cases were diagnosed by TBLB, 7 cases by percutaneous lung puncture, and 1 case by surgery. 95.5% patients were diagnosed by non-surgical methods. The main pathological type of PPL was mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, while that of SPL was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (P<0.05). The clinical symptoms of pulmonary lymphoma are nonspecific, but the chest HRCT has characteristic manifestations, which can also help to distinguish between SPL and PPL. 18F-FDG PET/CT is also a potential method to distinguish between SPL and PPL. TBLB and percutaneous lung puncture biopsy are reliable methods for the diagnosis of lung lymphoma. The main pathological type of PPL is MALT lymphoma, while that of SPL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Virtual navigation bronchoscopy-guided intraoperative indocyanine green localization in simultaneous surgery for multiple pulmonary nodules.

BackgroundAccurate localization of pulmonary nodules is the main difficulty experienced in wedge resection. Commonly used localization methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, clinical work has demonstrated that intraoperative indocyanine green localization under electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy/virtual navigation bronchoscopy (VNB) is more advantageous than conventional methods for patients with multiple pulmonary nodules undergoing simultaneous surgery, especially for those undergoing bilateral lung surgery.MethodsData of patients undergoing simultaneous surgery for multiple pulmonary nodules with preoperative methylene blue localization by computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous lung puncture (methylene blue group) or intraoperative indocyanine green localization under VNB (virtual navigation group) were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, pulmonary nodule features, localization time, preoperative location time, location success rate, operation time, complication incidence, visceral pleural staining rate after localization, and pulmonary nodule primary resection success rate were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe methylene blue and virtual navigation groups comprised 39 and 20 patients with 119 and 67 pulmonary nodules resected, respectively. Sex, age, number of pulmonary nodules resected simultaneously, unilateral/bilateral lung surgery, pulmonary nodule size, distance between pulmonary nodules and the visceral pleura, pulmonary nodule consolidation‐to‐tumor ratio, location of pulmonary nodules in the pulmonary lobe, postoperative pathology, visceral pleura staining rate, primary pulmonary nodule resection success rate, and surgical duration did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). The localization time of the virtual navigation group was significantly shorter than that of the methylene blue group (p < 0.05), regardless of unilateral or bilateral multiple nodules. In the methylene blue group, 25.64% (10/39) of patients presented complications, all of which were pneumothorax, whereas no complications were found in the virtual navigation group.ConclusionsFor patients with multiple pulmonary nodules undergoing simultaneous surgery, indocyanine green injection under VNB can achieve a similar effect on pulmonary nodule localization as classical methylene blue injection under CT‐guided percutaneous lung puncture, with shorter localization time and fewer complications.

DNA aneuploidy combined with radial EBUS in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions.

To explore the diagnostic value of DNA aneuploidy analysis combined with radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS)-guided transbronchial biopsy in peripheral lung lesions. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent R-EBUS examination. DNA aneuploidy analysis of bronchial washing from the target bronchial segment were performed. The clinical information, R-EBUS data, pathological results and DNA image cytometry (DNA-ICM) results were collected. For patients who did not have a clear diagnosis after bronchoscopy, follow-up data was recorded. A total of 42 cases were included. Thirty patients had confirmed malignant tumor of the lung, 19 of which were confirmed by pathology after bronchoscopy, and 11 cases were confirmed later by surgery or percutaneous lung puncture. Twelve patients were finally considered to have benign lesions. The sensitivity of R-EBUS is 63.3% and the specificity is 100%. DNA-ICM has a sensitivity of 76.7% and a specificity of 91.7%. When combined, they have a sensitivity of 90%, and specificity 91.7%. As for malignant lesions, we further analyzed smoking, the size and location of lesions on chest CT, the number of aneuploid cells and the maximum value of DNA content. The results indicated that increased number of aneuploid cells or increased max value of DNA content may predict higher probability of malignancy. DNA-ICM combined with R-EBUS can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of malignant peripheral lung lesions. Increased number of aneuploid cells or increased max value of DNA content may indicate that the lesions are more likely to be malignant.

The performance of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in lung biopsy tissue by metagenomic next-generation sequencing

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases. The rapid and accurate microbiological detection of the MTBC is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been shown to be a promising and satisfying application of detection in infectious diseases. However, relevant research about the difference in MTBC detection by mNGS between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung biopsy tissue specimens remains scarce.MethodsWe used mNGS to detect pathogens in BALF and lung biopsy tissue obtained by CT-guide percutaneous lung puncture (CPLP) or radial endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial lung biopsy (R-EBUS-TBLB) from 443 hospitalized patients in mainland China suspected of pulmonary infections between May 1, 2019 and October 31, 2021. Aim to evaluate the diagnostic performance of mNGS for detecting MTBC and explore differences in the microbial composition in the 2 specimen types.ResultsAmong the 443 patients, 46 patients finally were diagnosed with TB, of which 36 patients were detected as MTBC positive by mNGS (8.93%). Striking differences were noticed in the higher detection efficiency of lung biopsy tissue compared with BALF (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the 2 specimen types in the relative abundance among the 27 pathogens detected by mNGS from the 36 patients.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that mNGS could offer an effective detection method of MTBC in BALF or lung tissue biopsy samples in patients suspected of TB infections. When it comes to the situations that BALF samples have limited value to catch pathogens for special lesion sites or the patients have contraindications to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedures, lung biopsy tissue is an optional specimen for MTBC detection by mNGS. However, whether lung tissue-mNGS is superior to BALF-mNGS in patients with MTBC infection requires further prospective multicenter randomized controlled studies with more cases.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of 43 patients with pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathology

To observe the etiological distribution, clinical presentations and imaging features of pulmonary mycosis that is diagnosed by pathology. The etiological distribution, clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with pulmonary mycosis, who were collected in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2018 to July 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of all the patients were confirmed by pathological examination, of lung or bronchi tissue that were obtained through operation, bronchoscope or percutaneous lung puncture biopsy. There were 26 patients' (60.47%, 26/43) pathological specimens were obtained by operation, 14 cases (32.56%, 14/43) were obtained by bronchoscope, and 3 cases (6.98%, 3/43) were obtained by percutaneous lung puncture biopsy. Of the 43 patients who were diagnosed pulmonary mycosis by pathology, 27 patients (62.79%, 27/43) suffered from pulmonary aspergillosis, 11 patients (25.58%, 11/43) suffered from pulmonary cryptococcosis, 3 patients (6.98%, 3/43) suffered from pulmonary mucormycosis, and 2 patients (4.65%, 2/43) suffered from pulmonary candidiasis. There were 27 patients (62.79%, 27/43) with pulmonary fungal disease complicating risk factors of fungal infection, including diabetes mellitus (23.26%,10/43), malignant tumor (16.28%, 7/43), bronchiectasis (9.30%, 4/43), hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier (6.98%, 3/43), taking glucocorticoids (4.65%, 2/43), pulmonary tuberculosis (4.65%, 2/43), and chemotherapy following colon carcinoma operation (2.33%, 1/43). The common clinical presentations included cough (55.81%, 24/43), expectoration (48.84%, 21/43), hemoptysis (37.21%, 16/43), fever (20.93%, 9/43), gasping (18.60%, 8/43), chest pain (16.28%, 7/43), and hoarseness (3.13%, 1/43). Imaging features of chest included lung nodes in 20 cases (46.51%, 20/43), vascular welt sign in 12 cases (27.91%, 12/43), exudative process in 10 cases (23.26%, 10/43), lung mass or consolidation in 8 cases (18.60%, 8/43), cavitary lesions in 7 cases (16.28%, 7/43), thicken bronchus wall and narrow lumina in 6 cases (13.95%, 6/43), air crescent in 5 cases (11.63%, 5/43). The pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcosis are mainly in pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathology. The common complications are diabetes mellitus and malignant tumor. The common clinical presentations are cough, expectoration, and hemoptysis. The main imaging features of chest are lung nodes and vascular welt sign can be found in most of pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Analysis of Clinical Characteristics of 35 Cases of Pulmonary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma

背景与目的硬化性肺泡细胞瘤（pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytom, PSP）是临床上相对少见的良性肺肿瘤，多发于中年女性，无典型的临床表现及影像学表现。PSP包括表面立方上皮细胞和圆形间质细胞2种基本细胞类型，有4种组织学类型（出血性、硬化性、实性和乳头状），可发生远处转移，但生长缓慢，术前病理检查易误诊。本研究通过探讨该病的临床特征，旨在提高临床医师对PSP的认识。方法回顾性分析我院2011年1月-2019年12月收治的35例经病理学检查确诊的PSP临床病例资料。结果本研究共35例患者，男性12例，女性23例，平均年龄51岁。7例因体检或常规行胸部计算机断层扫描（computed tomography, CT）偶然发现，28例因咳嗽、咳痰、咯血、胸痛等症状就诊。影像学主要表现为肺部孤立的、边界清楚的圆形或类圆形结节、肿块影。本组有12例行经皮肺穿刺组织病理活检术，仅有7例诊断为PSP。本组共28例行手术治疗，24例术中行快速冷冻病理切片检查，仅5例提示PSP。术后病理检查结果1例诊断肺角化型鳞癌伴局部PSP，其余均诊断为PSP。本组手术和非手术患者出院后随访1年-8年，总体恢复好，复查胸部CT无复发和转移。结论PSP为临床上少见的肺部良性肿瘤，多发于中年女性，临床表现、影像学检查均缺乏特异性，经皮肺穿刺病理检查及术中快速冰冻病理切片容易误诊，多数病例最终需术后病理检查才能明确诊断。

CT-guided Percutaneous Lung Puncture for the Diagnosis of Solid Pulmonary Nodules: A Single-center Experience Summary

背景与目的探究经皮肺穿刺对于实性肺小结节（直径≤15 mm）的诊断价值。方法本研究回顾性地纳入了2014年1月-2018年12月于本中心行经皮肺穿刺的20例实性肺小结节患者，其中男性11例，女性9例。病灶最大直径介于0.5 cm-1.5 cm之间，排除严重脏器功能不全，有凝血障碍患者。结果20例患者全部取材成功，19例患者均获得明确的病理诊断，其中11例患者找到恶性肿瘤细胞，明确为肺恶性肿瘤，5例为肺慢性炎，2例纤维组织增生，1例找到肺软骨组织，1例未见肿瘤细胞。穿刺后少量气胸1例，穿刺侧少量胸腔积液患者1例。结论经皮肺穿刺对于实性肺小结节的诊断具有较高的有效性以及安全性。

CT-guided versus ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary masses: a Meta-analysis

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy versus ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy. Methods Relevant domestic and foreign related databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID, China Biology Medicine, VIP, Wanfang and CNKI databases were searched, the randomized controlled trial about the applications of CT-guided and ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy were collected. After extracting the relevant data, a Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 and Stata softwares. Results Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total sample size of 1 158 cases, of which 635 were CT-guided puncture biopsy and 523 were ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy. Meta-analysis showed that the difference of the success rate between the CT-guided group and the ultrasound-guided group was not statistically significant [97.48% (619/635) vs. 96.56% (505/523), RR= 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.03, P= 0.360]; the puncture diagnosis rate in the CT-guided group was lower than in the ultrasound-guided group, and the difference was statistically significant [92.44% (619/635) vs. 96.56% (505/523), RR= 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, P= 0.007]. The total incidence of complications after puncture in the CT-guided group was higher than that in the ultrasound-guided group, and the difference was statistically significant [14.49% (92/635) vs. 9.56% (50/523), RR= 1.56, 95% CI 1.11-2.19, P= 0.010]; the incidence of pneumothorax after puncture in the CT-guided group was higher than that in the ultrasound-guided group, and the difference was statistically significant [11.50%(73/635) vs. 6.31% (33/523), RR= 1.77, 95% CI 1.17-2.68, P= 0.007]; the difference of the incidence of bleeding after puncture between the CT-guided group and the ultrasound-guided group was not statistically significant [2.99% (19/635) vs. 3.25% (17/523), RR= 1.08, 95% CI 0.59-1.98, P= 0.800]. Conclusions Both CT-guided and ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy have good clinical diagnostic value. However, for the intrapulmonary masses shown by ultrasound, the ultrasound-guided lung puncture biopsy has a shorter operation time, lower cost, and higher safety. Key words: Biopsy; Punctures; Ultrasonogrophy; Computed tomography; Peripheral pulmonary masses; Meta-analysis

Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia in a patient aged 80 years: a case report and review of the literature

Objective To explore the characteristics of clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) patients. Methods We described an 80-year-old woman who was diagnosed with AFOP and got better after treatment with glucocorticoids. Clinical data of 51 patients which have been published in literatures in China and abroad were retrospectively analyzed. The differences in characteristics of clinical features were compared between the elderly and non-elderly patients. Results The case reported herein, who was a 80-year-old female with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), presented with fever, dry cough and progressive dyspnea. Chest CT scan showed bilateral multiple patchy consolidation. CT-guided needle aspiration was performed and the pathological examination finding was consistent with AFOP. The patient was treated with oral methylprednisolone and experienced a significant improvement in symptoms and imaging manifestations. But she presented with deterioration with relapsing clinical symptoms when she discontinued corticosteroid treatment by herself, and the clinical symptoms were improved by retreatment. Clinical data of 51 reported cases with AFOP including 27 males and 24 females aged 38 d to 80 years were enrolled and analyzed in the study. Patients aged 60 years and over accounted for 47.1% (24 cases). No risk or predisposing factor was found in most of cases. Autoimmune diseases were the most common combined diseases in AFOP patients. The top three symptoms were dyspnea (80.4%, 41 cases), cough (64.7%, 33 cases) and fever (52.9%, 27 cases). The incidence of dyspnea was lower in elderly patients than in non-elderly patients〔66.7% (16/24) vs. 92.6% (25/27), P<0.05〕, and ground glass opacity in the chest image was also less in elderly patients than in non-elderly patients (P<0.05). 15 patients (29.4%) got definitive diagnosis by minimally invasive procedures including percutaneous lung puncture biopsy or transbronchial lung biopsy. Corticosteroids were the main drug treatment, and 39 cases (76.5%) received antibacterial drugs. The mortality rate of AFOP was 37.3% (15 cases). The average time from symptom onset to final diagnosis was shorter in dead cases than in recovered patients (19 days vs. 40 days, P<0.05). The rate of using mechanical ventilation was higher in dead cases than in recovered patients〔57.9% (11/19) vs. 9.4% (3/32), P<0.05〕. Conclusions There are no specific clinical and imaging features in AFOP, which is easily misdiagnosed as infectious diseases.AFOP is more common in elderly patients. Dyspnea and other symptoms can easily be ignored, and minimally invasive biopsy and pathological examination findings is helpful for diagnosis. The mortality rate of AFOP is high, and insufficient course of therapy is associated with the increased risk of AFOP relapse. Rapid progression of disease and the invasive mechanical ventilation predispose poor outcomes. Key words: Lung diseases, interstitial; Biopsy, needle

Imaging manifestations and pathological analysis of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9)

ObjectiveTo investigate the imaging and pathological findings of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9), and therefore to further understand and improve diagnostic accuracy of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9). MethodsThe relevant clinical and imaging data of 19 cases, including 10 males and 9 females, with pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) was retrospectively analyzed. One of the cases had received percutaneous lung biopsy, with the clinical, imaging and pathological changes possible to be analyzed. ResultsThe lesions were mainly located at lower lobes and dorsal of lungs, involving multiple lobes and segments. Ground-glass opacities and/or pulmonary opacities were the more often imaging manifestations of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) in early and evolving phases (19/19,100%). By biopsy following percutaneous lung puncture, exudation of slurry, cellulose, RBC and neutrophils, formation of hyaline membrane, squamous metaplasia and organizing exudates were observable at the alveolar space. Some of alveoli collapsed, and some responded to show compensatory emphysema. ConclusionThe imaging features of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) include obvious ground-glass opacity and pulmonary consolidation, mainly at lower lobes and dorsal of lungs, with rapid changes. The cross-analysis of imaging and pathology preliminary can elucidate the pathological mechanisms of ground-glass opacities and pulmonary consolidation of severe pneumonia. Such an intensive study is beneficial to prompt clinicians to observe and evaluate the progress of the disease. In addition, it is also in favor of managing the symptoms and reducing the mortality rate.

Unusual forms of subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with solid tumors

Aspergillus spp. can cause acute invasive disease in severely immunocompromised patients. Nonetheless, there are few reports of solid tumors complicated with subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (subacute IPA). Retrospective observational cohort study, performed in patients with primary lung cancer or secondary lung metastasis complicated with subacute IPA in three referral hospitals. From 2008 to 2011, 14 episodes of subacute IPA were diagnosed, including 11 (78.6%) probable and 3 proven (21.4%). Nine patients (64.3%) had primary lung cancer. Thirteen patients (92.9%) had more than one local or systemic predisposing factor for subacute IPA. No patient had previous fungal colonization. Aspergillus spp. was isolated in 6 specimens of bronchoalveolar lavage, 6 sputum, 2 biopsies, and 1 percutaneous lung puncture. At the time Aspergillus spp. was isolated, the most common radiologic findings on chest computed tomography (CT) were cavitary masses, and development or expansion of cavitation in existing masses or nodules (10/14, 71.4%). On CT follow-up, most patients (8/12, 66.7%) had new cavity formation or expansion of one or more existing cavities. All patients were treated with azoles and two underwent surgery. Ten (71.4%) patients died after Aspergillus spp. was detected (median time 73 days, IQR 33-243): 2 (20%) deaths were subacute IPA-attributable and 6 (60%) were related. Primary lung cancer and secondary lung metastasis seem to be triggering factors for Aspergillus spp. implantation, and predispose to subacute IPA. Once localized in the damaged lung, the mold can grow and cause or expand cavities. In lung cancer patients, Aspergillus spp. detection is associated with a very poor prognosis.

Perfusing chemotherapy by percutaneous lung puncture "holing" for pulmonary tuberculoma-a ten-year single center experience.

Pulmonary tuberculoma is a special form of secondary pulmonary tuberculosis, with a poor response to drug treatment. We used the method of drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture "holing" to treat pulmonary tuberculoma and observe its short- and long-term efficacy, summing up our 10-year clinical experience. A total of 54 patients with pulmonary tuberculoma were included in this study. They themselves were taken as the control group. Three to six months of conventional anti-tuberculosis treatment was conducted firstly. Then those patients with no changes of sizes in tuberculoma were recommended to receive drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture. Isoniazid (INH, 0.1 g) and amikacin (AMK, 0.2 g) were injected into tuberculoma (once or twice per week, 10 times as a course of treatment). After two months of drug treatment by lung puncture, the sputum smear test showed the negative conversion rate of tubercle bacillus was 87% (13/15), and the positive conversion rate was 8% (3/39). The tuberculosis bacillus culture indicated that the negative conversion rate was 100% (7/7). The reexamination after one year showed the negative conversion rate of tubercle bacillus in the sputum smear test was 80% (4/5). About 58% (31/54) of tuberculoma disappeared or significantly reduced, in which, 40% (21/54) of tuberculoma disappeared. The tuberculoma diameter reduced from 3.6 cm × 2.8 cm to 1.7 cm × 1.1 cm on average. Side-effects included postoperative pneumothorax 9% (5/54), hemoptysis 7% (4/54) and fever 11% (6/54). A total of 34 patients were followed up for five years, and the disappearance rate of tuberculoma was up to 47% (16/34), with no recurrence. The drug administration via percutaneous lung puncture-"holing" in pulmonary tuberculoma takes a significant effect obviously, good short- and long-term effects and less side effects.

Perfusing chemotherapy by percutaneous lung puncture in the treatment of extensive drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.

Although progress has been made to reduce global incidence of drug-susceptible tuberculosis, the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) during the past decade threatens to undermine these advances. XDR-TB has been found to be associated with scarce therapeutic options and high mortality rates. We describe the first case of XDR-TB cured by percutaneous lung puncture and with post-hospital 4 years follow-up involving radiologic imaging and septum smear and TB culture. We also review the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis all the world.

Rare pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor metastasizing to the right atrium: a case report

A 28-year-old man complained of intermittent irritable dry cough for 2 months with occasional bloody sputum. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) suggested multiple heterogeneous soft tissue masses in the inferior lobes of both lungs, with heterogeneous increases in 18F-FDG uptake. No metabolic disorders were found in the rest of the body. CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture and biopsy and immunohistochemical study confirmed pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). PNET is characterized by small round blue cells and positive CD99 expression. After six cycles of chemotherapy with ifosfamide, dacarbazine and cisplatin, the lesions diminished substantially. At 2 months after the last cycle of chemotherapy, the patient complained of exertional dyspnea. PET-CT and echocardiogram suggested a space-occupying lesion in the right atrium. Autopsy revealed that this space-occupying lesion had the same pathomorphology and immunophenotype with pulmonary PNET, suggesting metastasis of pulmonary PNET to the right atrium. Here, we reported this rare case of pulmonary PNET metastasizing, instead of direct infiltrating or extending, into the heart.

Community acquired pulmonary infections in a general hospital

We studied community acquired pulmonary infections in general hospital. Forty-seven outpatients (group I) and 107 inpatients (group II) were analyzed respectively. The mean age of group I was 43.4 years old and that of group II was 57.4 years old. Significant underlying diseases were present in 45% of group I and 62% of group II. In group I, the underlying diseases were chronic respiratory diseases, and in group II, chronic respiratory diseases and other significant diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, malnutrition or malignancy. All of group I and 81 cases of group II were pneumonia. Pleuritis with pneumonia (11), lung abscess or cavitary infection (11), and pyothorax (4) were included in group II. Etiologic organisms were determined in 48.6% of the cases in group I, and 44.0% in group II. Invasive methods such as transtracheal aspiration and percutaneous lung puncture aspiration were very useful for isolation of the pathogen. The pathogens isolated included H. influenzae (17), S. pneumoniae (10), M. pneumoniae (4), C. psittaci (4) in total cases. In group I, H. influenzae was mostly isolated and in group II, S. pneumoniae was mostly isolated and opportunistic pathogens were also isolated. The form of pneumococcal pneumonia was almost always focal pneumonia in this study. There were 8 fatalities (5.2%), all of which were very old or had other serious diseases.

Endotracheal aspiration for the bacteriological diagnosis of nosocomial- and measles-associated pneumonia

Endotracheal aspirates were obtained from 51 young children for the microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia acquired in hospital or associated with measles or severe protein-energy malnutrition. The procedure proved safe and the information obtained assisted in the management of most cases. There was a fairly good correlation between the findings of Gram stain and those of culture of the aspirates, which improved when only Gram stains showing many or moderate numbers of bacteria were used. The bacteria most frequently isolated were Gram-negative enteric bacilli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, many strains of which were resistant to conventional antibiotics. The role of endotracheal aspiration in the microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia in the above-mentioned types of patients is compared with that of percutaneous lung puncture, percutaneous transtracheal aspiration and expectorated sputum.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Clinical experience with eight haematologic patients.

Eight patients with haematologic malignancies contracted fatal invasive aspergillosis during an outbreak. Five patients were neutropenic. Bronchofiberoscopic examination with microbiology specimen brush and bronchoalveolar lavage yielded Aspergillus fumigatus in only 2/5 patients examined. The specific diagnosis reached during lifetime in 5 patients was based on a combination of invasive procedures (lung biopsy in 2, percutaneous lung puncture in 1), the presence of a lung abscess (3 patients), seroconversion (1 patient), and purulent maxillary sinusitis caused by A. fumigatus together with repeated abundant growth of A. fumigatus in the sputum (1 patient). Six patients received amphotericin B. The infection was temporarily controlled only in 2 bone marrow transplant recipients whose granulocyte counts recovered. In 3/8 patients the pneumonia was of polymicrobial aetiology, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 patients), Pneumocystis carinii (1 patient), and Legionella pneumophila (1 patient) being the other microbes involved. 3/4 bone marrow transplant recipients with aspergillosis had been transplanted for chronic myeloid leukaemia, supporting the previously reported association of bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia and the risk of invasive aspergillosis. Improved diagnostic methods for earlier definitive diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis as well as more efficacious and less toxic antifungal agents are needed to allow early treatment.