Pneumopathies organisées: à propos de 3 cas

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2010), 65(10), 549-55

Infiltrative lung lesions are not always linked to infectious processes or cancers. An interesting entity, the OP (Organizing Pneumonia) or COP (Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia)--formerly BOOP ... [more ▼]

Infiltrative lung lesions are not always linked to infectious processes or cancers. An interesting entity, the OP (Organizing Pneumonia) or COP (Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia)--formerly BOOP (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia)--is discussed through observations repor. ted in this article. We provide some keys to allow the astute observer to target this often curable disease. [less ▲]

Mucormycose invasive du poumon et du rachis dorsal.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2008), 63

Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient de 67 ans atteint d'un syndrome myélodysplasique et qui a développé une mucormycose pulmonaire avec extension tout à fait exceptionnelle vers le rachis dorsal ... [more ▼]

Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient de 67 ans atteint d'un syndrome myélodysplasique et qui a développé une mucormycose pulmonaire avec extension tout à fait exceptionnelle vers le rachis dorsal responsable d'un paraplégie aiguë. Après échec d'un traitement probabiliste anti-aspergillaire, c'est finalement l'analyse des prélèvements obtenus lors de la laminectomie décompressive qui a fourni le diagnostic mycologique. En raison d'une altération majeure de l'état général, la lobectomie prévue n'a pu être réalisée et malgré l'adaptation du traitement antifongique (Abelcet, Posaconazole), le patient est décédé. La mucormycose (ou zygomycose) pulmonaire est une infection fongique peu commune qui touche essentiellement les patients immuno-déprimés. Le champignon pathogène fait partie des zygomycètes dont la caractéristique principale est la capacité d'angio-invasion. L'invasion périneurale est une autre voie de propagation récemment mise en évidence. Les difficultés thérapeutiques associées à cette pathologie sont liées au terrain d'immunodépression, aux difficultés d'obtenir rapidement un diagnostic précis ainsi qu'à l'absence de sensibilité du Mucor aux antifongiques récemment introduits (V-Fend, Cancidas). Ceci souligne le risque inhérent à un traitement antifongique empirique par ces agents et la nécessité d'un prélèvement biopsique précoce en cas de non-réponse au traitement. [less ▲]

Thoracic Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Secondary to Enzymatic Deficiency

in JBR-BTR : Journal Belge de Radiologie - Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Radiologie (2007), 90(3, May-Jun), 198-9

Le cas clinique du mois. Mesotheliome comprimant le tronc souche droit

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2006), 61(11), 753-5

We report the case of a patient treated by chemotherapy for a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A quickly progressive dyspnea developed which was due to compression of the right main bronchus by mediastinal ... [more ▼]

We report the case of a patient treated by chemotherapy for a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A quickly progressive dyspnea developed which was due to compression of the right main bronchus by mediastinal extension of the tumor. This obstruction was treated by interventionnal bronchoscopy and stenting. [less ▲]

Colite aigue revelant une maladie de Wegener

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2006), 61(3), 163-8

We report the case of a 52 year old man who was hospitalized within a context of a persistent deterioration of his general condition. He was suspected of having a chronic inflammatory colitis. A pulmonary ... [more ▼]

We report the case of a 52 year old man who was hospitalized within a context of a persistent deterioration of his general condition. He was suspected of having a chronic inflammatory colitis. A pulmonary radiography revealed the presence of voluminous bilateral excavated masses with hydro-aerical levels. After having refuted among others a suspicion of tuberculosis, the results of a thoracic percutaneous transpleural lung aspiration by needle under tomodensitometric control steered our diagnosis towards a vascularitis of the Wegener disease type. A treatment with corticotherapy in large doses completed with cyclophosphamid allowed for clinical, biological and radiological improvement. Wegener's granulomatosis usually starts in an insidious manner with febrile episodes and an impairment of the general condition associated with inflammatory biological signs, as observed in our patient. After these warning symptoms, come ORL and/or pulmonary and/or renal impairment, which represent the classical triad of diffused GW. However a certain number of particularities unusual for that diagnosis characterized our patient and prompted the discussion of this case. [less ▲]

Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography and prognostic significance in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

in Thorax (2005), 60(11), 956-961

Background: Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) present with a broad spectrum of prognoses. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has progressively been established as a first line ... [more ▼]

Background: Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) present with a broad spectrum of prognoses. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has progressively been established as a first line test in the APE diagnostic algorithm, but estimation of short term prognosis by this method remains to be explored. Methods: Eighty two patients admitted with APE were divided into three groups according to their clinical presentation: pulmonary infarction (n=21), prominent dyspnoea (n=29), and circulatory failure (n=32). CTPA studies included assessment of both pulmonary obstruction index and right heart overload. Haemodynamic evaluation was based on systolic aortic blood pressure, heart rate, and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure obtained non-invasively by echocardiography at the time of diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Results: The mortality rate was 0%, 13.8% and 25% in the three groups, respectively. Neither the pulmonary obstruction index nor the pulmonary artery pressure could predict patient outcome. In contrast, a significant correlation with mortality was found using the systolic blood pressure (p<0.001) and heart rate (p<0.05), as well as from imaging parameters including right to left ventricle minor axis ratio (p<0.005), proximal superior vena cava diameter (p<0.001), azygos vein diameter (p<0.001), and presence of contrast regurgitation into the inferior vena cava (p=0.001). Analysis from logistic regression aimed at testing for mortality prediction revealed true reclassification of 89% using radiological variables. Conclusion: These results suggest that CTPA quantification of right ventricular strain is an accurate predictor of in-hospital death related to pulmonary embolism. [less ▲]

Increased IL-6 and TGF-beta(1) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid associated with thoracic radiotherapy

in International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, Physics (2004), 58(3), 758-767

PURPOSE: To assess, in lung cancer patients, the effects of thoracic radiotherapy (RT) on the concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the ... [more ▼]

PURPOSE: To assess, in lung cancer patients, the effects of thoracic radiotherapy (RT) on the concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eleven patients with lung cancer requiring RT as part of their treatment were studied. BAL was performed bilaterally before, during, and 1, 3, and 6 months after RT. Before each BAL session, the patient's status was assessed clinically using pulmonary function tests and an adapted late effects on normal tissue-subjective, objective, management, analytic (LENT-SOMA) scale, including subjective and objective alterations. The National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria were used to grade pneumonitis. The TGF-beta(1) and IL-6 levels in the BAL fluid were determined using the Easia kit. RESULTS: The TGF-beta(1) and IL-6 concentrations in the BAL fluid recovered from the irradiated areas were significantly increased by thoracic RT. The increase in TGF-beta(1) levels tended to be greater in the group of patients who developed severe pneumonitis. In the BAL fluid from the nonirradiated areas, the TGF-beta(1) and IL-6 concentrations remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The observed increase in TGF-beta(1) and IL-6 concentrations in the BAL fluid recovered from the irradiated lung areas demonstrated that these cytokines may contribute to the process leading to a radiation response in human lung tissue. [less ▲]

Les kystes bronchogeniques: observation clinique et revue de la litterature

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2002), 57(1), 45-8

Pulmonary bronchogenic cysts are benign lesions that can be suspected from clinical background and imaging. We present the case of a huge subcarinal bronchogenic cyst and review the embryology ... [more ▼]

Pulmonary bronchogenic cysts are benign lesions that can be suspected from clinical background and imaging. We present the case of a huge subcarinal bronchogenic cyst and review the embryology, physiopathology, surgical indications and techniques of this congenital lesion. [less ▲]

Value of FDG-PET in detecting residual or recurrent nonsmall cell lung cancer

in European Respiratory Journal (1999), 14(6), 1376-1380

In order to evaluate the usefulness of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the assessment of therapeutic effects, a study was performed before and after therapy in 126 ... [more ▼]

In order to evaluate the usefulness of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the assessment of therapeutic effects, a study was performed before and after therapy in 126 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) codified stage I to stage IIIB. Treatment with an early curative result was given in 58 patients, whereas in 68 cases it was limited to palliation. During the treatment follow-up period (8-40 months), each patient was evaluated every 3 months by clinical examination and ≤6 months by imaging techniques (PET and computed tomography (CT)). A diagnosis of persistent or recurrent tumour was established by means of pathological analysis in 31 patients and by clinical evolution and subsequent imaging progression in 29 other patients. PET showed increased FDG uptake in all cases (n=60) of persistent or recurrent tumour, whereas CT was nonspecific in 17 cases. Conversely, there were five false positive cases via PET imaging and three via CT. In detecting residual or recurrent NSCLC, PET had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92%, whereas CT had a sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 95% respectively. In conclusion, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography correctly identified response to therapy in 96% (121 of 126) of patients. Positron emission tomography appears to be more accurate (p=0.05) than conventional imaging in distinguishing persistent or recurrent tumour from fibrotic scar in patients undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. [less ▲]

Whole-Body 18fdg Positron Emission Tomography in the Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

in European Respiratory Journal (1997), 10(11), 2529-34

Despite advances in morphological imaging, some patients with lung cancer are found to have nonresectable disease at surgery or die of recurrence within yr of surgery. We performed a prospective study in ... [more ▼]

Despite advances in morphological imaging, some patients with lung cancer are found to have nonresectable disease at surgery or die of recurrence within yr of surgery. We performed a prospective study in 109 patients to compare the accuracy of whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18 deoxyglucose (18FDG) and conventional imaging (CI) methods for the staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When CI or PET study suggested metastatic disease, confirmation was obtained by biopsy or follow-up information. As compared to CI, 18FDG-PET correctly changed the N stage in 22 patients (33%) and the M stage in 15 patients (14%). For the detection of distant metastases, PET study showed five false-positive sites and no false-negative cases. Currently, the accuracy of PET in the detection of M stage is 96%. Our study shows that visual interpretation of whole-body fluorine-18 deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography images can improve the diagnostic accuracy in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer. Further experience is needed to establish if metabolic imaging would be a cost-effective tool in the future management of lung cancer. [less ▲]