ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) pulmonary disease and pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as the bacterial distribution of NTM pulmonary disease. Methods The bacterial distribution and clinical characteristics of 104 patients with NTM lung disease hospitalized in Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital from May 2017 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, as well as the clinicplal characteristics of 155 patients with tuberculosis hospitalized during the same period. Results The age of NTM lung disease group [(60±15) years] was higher than that of tuberculosis group [(55±19) years]. There were statistically significant differences in basic diseases (such as malignant tumor, type 2 diabetes, old tuberculosis, bronchiectasis), laboratory examination (such as blood routine examination, albumin) and chest imaging characteristics between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms (such as cough, sputum or fever) (P>0.05). The common underlying diseases of NTM lung disease were malignant tumor (29%), bronchiectasis (21%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19%), etc. The common clinical symptoms of NTM lung disease included cough, sputum, fever, hemoptysis, chest tightness and shortness of breath, and other non-specific respiratory symptoms. The common manifestations of NTM lung disease on chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) included patchy images (82%), mediastinal lymph node enalargement (35%), pleural thickening (31%), pleural effusion (26%) and other signs. The isolates of NTM included Mycobacterium avium (50%), Mycobacterium intracellulare (21%), Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus (14%), Mycobacterium fortuitum (5%), Mycobacterium gordonae (4%), Mycobacterium gilvum (3%), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (3%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (OR=1.027) was a risk factor for NTM lung disease. Conclusions The clinical manifestations of NTM lung disease and tuberculosis are similar and difficult to distinguish. For male patients over 60 years old with malignant tumor, old tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and other basic diseases, and the chest HRCT findings are mainly bronchiectasis, NTM lung disease should be actively excluded. There is little difference in clinical manifestations between different strains of NTM lung disease, and the treatment cycle of NTM lung disease is long and easy to be interrupted, requiring enhanced follow-up.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical and pathological features of choroidal malignant melanoma (CM). MethodsA retrospective case study. From 2011 to 2021, paraffin specimens from 15 eyes of 15 CM patients diagnosed by pathological examination in the Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included in the study. The age, gender, clinical manifestations, treatment plan and pathological examination results of patients were collected retrospectively through the hospital information system. The clinical characteristics, immunohistochemical staining and molecular pathological characteristics were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 15 cases, 8 males and 7 females. The average age was 61. All patients were monocular paroxysm. There were 8 cases of decreased vision, blurred vision and dark shadow in front of the eyes; 1 case had red eye, lacrimation and purulent secretion; 2 cases had visual loss and no light perception; 4 cases had retinal detachment. The average diameter of the tumors was 1.4 cm. The general appearance of the tumor was hemispherical, “mushroom-shaped” or flat diffuse. Most of the tumor cells were arranged in solid, flaky and cross clusters, and some of them were arranged in false “chrysanthemum form” around the blood vessels with necrosis. In 15 eyes, spindle-cell type, epithelioid type and mixed cell type were 6, 2 and 7 eyes, respectively. The cytoplasm was partly double stained or eosinophilic, partly clear, and partly rich in pigment. The cells had poor adhesion, marked atypia, rough chromatin, frequent mitotic figures, and prominent nucleoli . Immunohistochemical staining was positive for HMB45, SOX10, S100 and Melan-A in 15 patients, but negative for epithelial markers AE1/3, lymphatic markers LCA, neuroendocrine markers CgA and Syn. Genetic testing results showed that none of the patients found C-KIT, BRAF, NRAS gene mutations. Fifteen patients were followed up for 8-96 months, of which 12 survived and 3 died after recurrence and/or metastasis. ConclusionCM has no specific clinical clinical manifestations, and he diagnosis depends on histological morphology and immunohistochemical staining.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical and radiological data of 2 patients with pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. ResultsBoth patients had undergone circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. The symptoms appeared approximately 2 months after the operation. The major symptoms were cough, hemoptysis, exacerbation of dyspnea and chest pain. Both patients were misdiagnosed as other diseases such as pneumonia in other hospitals, and the anti-infection therapy was invalid. Both CT scans showed parenchymal exudative consolidation with varying degrees of interstitial septal thickening and small nodules. Both patients were confirmed as pulmonary vein stenosis by CT angiography. Literature review identified 21 cases of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. The main clinical features are hemoptysis, chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. The most common features of thoracic radiological imaging are consolidation, groud-glass attenuation, pleural effusion and interstitial septal thickening. ConclusionsIf a patient presents with hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain or other clinical manifestations after ablation therapy and image findings show parenchymal exudative consolidation with interstitial septal thickening and multiple small nodules, the possibility of pulmonary vein stenosis should be considered. Contrast-enhanced CT combined with pulmonary vein imaging technology can clearly show the opening diameter of each pulmonary vein and its branches, so it is an important non-invasive examination method for the evaluation and diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis.
Objective To improve the knowledge of pulmonary mucormycosis through summarizing the clinical features and treatment of the disease. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on two cases of mucormycosis. The literature review was carried out with " pulmonary mucormycosis” as the research terms respectively in CNKI and Pubmed database. Search time ranged from January 2000 to June 2016. Results The first case was a 61-year-old male patient complained of cough, expectoration and dyspnea for 5 days. Chest computerized tomography (CT) showed lung nodules in the right upper lobe and bronchial cut off sign of apical bronchus. The patient received bronchoscopic examination and pathological findings indicated mucormycosis. Amphotericin B was recommended for the treatment. The patient recovered after treatment and was discharged. The second case was a 44-year-old female patient admitted to our hospital due to cough accompanied with expectoration and fever for over 10 days. Chest CT scan showed multiple double-pulmonary circular nodules and cavities with different sizes and clear boundary. The maximum cavity diameter was about 1.8cm, and the density of soft tissue was found in the part of the cavity. The patient received CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy and pathological findings indicated fungal hyphae which was accorded with mucor infection. The patient received amphotericin B, voriconazole and posaconazole treatment, but with bad curative effect. She gave up therapy and died one week later after discharged. A total of 6 literatures were reviewed in above-mentioned databases. The clinical manifestations were nonspecific and the patients were likely to accompany with other diseases. The duration from the onset of symptoms to exact diagnosis was 37.5 days. Chest CT scan and pathological examination played important roles in the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Proper antifungal treatment could improve the prognosis. Conclusions Mucormycosis is a rare invasive fungal disease with high mortality. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment contribute to better prognosis.
Objective To summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of postinfection bronchiolitis obliterans. Methods Clinical manifestation, chest X-ray, characteristics of lung function,computed tomography ( CT) of 6 patients with postinfection bronchiolitis obliterans from August 2009 to June2012 were analyzed retrospectively.Results All 6 cases were diagnosed as bronchiolitis obliterans after pneumonia. One patient had severe pneumonia complicated with congenital atrial septal defect and heart failure. 3 cases were complicated with varying degrees of cardiac insufficiency. Adenovirus in sputumsample were found in2 cases, smear positive for parainfluenza virus was found in1 case, mycoplasma were found in 2 cases, and no specific pathogen was found in the last one. All 6 cases were suffered frompersistent cough,wheezing and shortness of breath with three depression sign in 4 cases. The symptoms lasted for at least 6 weeks. Crackles and wheezing were present in all 6 cases. Small airway lesion was presented by pulmonary CT. Bronchiectasis was showed in 2 cases, atelectasis in 1 case, and consolidation in 1 case. Pulmonary function tests showed mixed ventilatory dysfunction. Bronchofiberscope examination was operated in5 cases,only endotracheitis was found. Prednisone and azithromycin were given orally in all the cases, but the clinical symptoms were persistent in the course of treatment and no death occured. Conclusions Clinical symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans are characterized by persistent cough and wheezing. Small airway lesions were present in pulmonary CT. Repeated lower respiratory infection is common. Prednisone is widely used in treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans, but the therapeutic effect is uncertain.
ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology, clinical features and treatment of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) secondary glaucoma. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2022, 15 patients (17 eyes) were diagnosed with FEVR secondary glaucoma in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University were included in the study. All patients underwent systematic ophthalmological evaluation. According to the patient's age, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, vitreous body and retina condition, the choice of translimbal lensectomy combined with vitrectomy, goniectomy, cyclophotocoagulation, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment were chosen. The follow-up time was 3 to 37 months. The clinical characteristics of the affected eye, and the changes of intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and complications after surgery were observed. ResultsAmong the 15 patients, there were 11 males with 13 eyes, and 4 females with 4 eyes. Age was 6.14±7.37 years old. FEVR stages 2B, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B were 1, 1, 5, 6, 3, and 1 eye, respectively. The intraocular pressure of the affected eye was 42.74±9.06 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). All eyes had shallow anterior chamber and angle closure, anterior or posterior iris adhesions, lens opacity, retinal detachment, iris neovascularization in 4 eyes, and vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes. Sixteen eyes were treated with translimbal lensectomy combined with vitrectomy and goniotomy, of which 8 eyes were treated with anti-VEGF treatment; 1 eye was treated with cyclophotocoagulation combined with anti-VEGF treatment. After operation, the intraocular pressure of 16 eyes returned to normal range, and the depth of anterior chamber of 16 eyes returned to normal, and no obvious complications occurred. ConclusionsThe main etiology of secondary glaucoma in FEVR is the structural and functional abnormalities of the anterior chamber and angle, which are found in the 2B and above stages of FEVR. The lensectomy and vitrectomy via limbal approach can effectively control the intraocular pressure and restore the anterior chamber, with no serious complications.
ObjectiveTo improve the knowledge of pulmonary actinomycosis.MethodsThree cases of pulmonary actinomycosis in this hospital and 65 cases reported in China were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsAmong the 68 patients 49 were male and 19 were female aged 6 to 77 years old. The most common clinical manifestations were cough, sputum and fever. Inflammatory indicators was slightly elevated. The most common site was on the right upper lung. The typical CT manifestations were the low-density liquefaction necrotic zone in the center of the mass with vacuoles of different sizes, namely, "air-space consolidation". Positron emission computed tomography showed a mild metabolic increase in lesions. The 68 patients were confirmed by surgery, CT guided percutaneous lung puncture or bronchoscopic biopsy. The average time of the diagnosis was 10 months while the longest time was 6.4 years. The rate of first diagnosis was 5.9%. Forty-one cases were treated with antibiotics alone and 12 cases were treated with simple operation, the rest were treated by antibiotics combined with surgical treatment. The cure rate was 88.7%. Although active treatment was conducted 3 patients in this hospital were not cured.ConclusionsThe clinical features of pulmonary actinomycosis are atypical and the misdiagnosis rate is high. When pulmonary actinomycosis is suspected, it should be fully communicated with the microbiologist to ensure the cultivation in anaerobic environment and extension of the incubation cycle. Tissue culture and pathological biopsy should be actively performed. Treatment depends on antibiotics or surgery with good prognosis, but for some cases the prognosis is not optimistic.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical characteristics,high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) manifestations,pulmonary function results,serum autoantibodies and treatment modality of connective tissue diseases related interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILDs) and idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (ⅡPs). MethodsPatients explicitly diagnosed with CTD-ILDs and ⅡPs were retrospectively selected from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2004 and December 2012.The clinical features were abstracted,including age,gender,symptoms,signs,serum autoantibody results,HRCT findings,and treatment.Patient characteristics were compared between CTD-ILDs and ⅡPs using a Pearson's χ2 test for categorical variables,and a Student's t test for continuous variables. ResultsA total of 692 patients with complete data were included in this study,with 240 CTD-ILDs cases and 452 ⅡP cases.CTD-ILDs could exist in different types of CTDs,which were mainly shown in Sjogren's syndrome,rheumatoid arthritis,and dermatomyositis/polymyositis.Age,gender,connective tissue diseases related characteristics such as dry eyes,dry mouth,and arthralgia,and several autoantibodies such as ANA,SSA,SSB all showed significantly difference between CTD-ILDs and ⅡPs (P<0.05).However there were no significant differences in cough,dyspnea after exertion,velcro crackles on auscultation,or finger clubbing between two groups (P>0.05). The HRCT manifestations of CTD-ILDs were reticular opacities,patchy consolidation,band-like shadows,and pleural thickening.Pulmonary function tests commonly showed restrictive lung function and decreased diffusing capacity.The histopathologic findings of lung biopsies of CTD-ILDs were mostly chronic inflammatory cell infiltration,as well as hyperplasia of fibrous tissue and septal thickness.The finding of chronic inflammatory cell infiltration showed significant difference between CTD-ILDs and ⅡPs (P<0.05),while the HRCT manifestations,pulmonary function results or other histopathologic findings did not(P>0.05).The current treatment modality was corticosteroids plus immunosuppressants. ConclusionDespite the similarities,CTD-ILDs show distinct clinical,laboratory and imaging features from from ⅡPs in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with intraocular foreign bodies with endophthalmitis, and analyze the prognostic factors affecting the anatomic and visual outcomes of patients. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. A total of 1 704 patients (1 704 eyes) with intraocular foreign body at Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University from January 2015 to June 2024 were included in this study. Endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 263 eyes (15.4%, 263/1 704). Patients who lost follow-up in our hospital after surgery were excluded, 155 patients with 155 eyes were finally included in the study. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) examination was performed before operation. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) examination was performed both after the first stage debridement and during follow-up. The visual acuity test is performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which is statistically converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity. Demographic characteristics (gender, age), trauma characteristics (time of injury, occupation characteristics, nature of foreign body), anatomical injury (wound zoning, nature of infection, etc.), clinical treatment (interval between operation and injury, rate of second operation, etc.) and outcome (vision outcome, complications, anatomic outcome, etc.) were recorded. Prophylactic intravitreous injection of 10 mg/ml of cefazolin sodium 0.1 ml (including 1 mg of cefazolin sodium) was given on the basis of perioperative systemic administration of cefazolin sodium from 2022. Anatomical outcomes included anatomical reduction, silicone oil-dependent, and ophthalmectomy. The visual outcomes of the patients were categorized into three groups based on the best-corrected visual acuity at the final follow-up: visual acuity worse than 0.05, visual acuity between 0.05 and 0.3, and visual acuity better than 0.3. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to analyze the correlation between the timing of treatment, nature of foreign body, nature of infection, number of operations, location of injury and the anatomic and visual outcomes of patients. ResultsOf 155 patients, 149 were males and 6 were females, mean age was (45.7±12.9) years, patients with monocular injury. Magnetic, non-magnetic, unidentified metal and vegetable, mineral, animal and unidentified foreign bodies were 102 (65.8%, 102/155), 2 (1.3%, 2/155), 28 (18.1%, 28/155), 1 (0.6%, 1/155), 12 (7.7%, 12/155), 7 (4.5%, 7/155), 3 (1.9%, 3/155) cases, respectively. The time between injury and removal of foreign body was (98.1±359.5) h. The foreign bodies were removed in 136 eyes (87.2%, 136/155) in the primary surgery, 67 cases combined with debridement and suture, 68 cases combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and 1 case suffered ophthalmectomy. The slide and culture results revealed that the eyes positive for bacteria and those positive for a mixed infection of bacteria and fungi were 80 (51.2%, 80/155) and 2 (1.3%, 2/155) eyes, respectively; 73 eyes (46.8%, 73/155) were negative. Among the 80 eyes positive for bacteria, staphylococcus epidermidis and bacillus cereus were found in 26 (32.5%, 26/80) and 23 (28.8%, 23/80) eyes, respectively. Drug sensitivity testing indicated that vancomycin, gentamicin and amikacin had low drug resistance (1.79%, 6.67%, 0.0%, respectively). The mean preoperative logMAR UCVA was 1.67±0.79. In the outcome of visual function, 78, 26 and 51 patients with visual acuity ＜0.05, 0.05-0.3, ＞0.3, respectively. At the last follow-up, there were 56 cases (36.1%, 56/155) of silicone oil dependence, 93 cases (60%, 93/155) of anatomic reduction, and 6 cases (3.9%, 6/155) suffered ophthalmectomy, the mean intraocular pressure was (13.6±6.1) mm Hg (1 mm Hg= 0.133 kPa). Preoperative visual acuity was strongly correlated with visual outcomes (F=6.896, P=0.001). Preoperative visual acuity (F=5.310, P=0.023) and surgical method (F=20.448, P＜0.001) were closely related to the anatomical outcome, while age, treatment time, foreign body nature, wound zoning, infection nature, and foreign body removal time had no statistical correlation with the anatomic and functional outcome (P＞0.05). During 2015 to 2024, the incidence of intraocular foreign body-related endophthalmitis was 12.5%-22.7%, which showed a fluctuating upward trend. The incidence of endophthalmitis increased during 2022 to 2024 compared with the period from 2019 to 2021, but no statistically difference was found (χ2=3.856, P=0.05). ConclusionsThe incidence of intraocular foreign body related endophthalmitis was 15.4%. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus are the first and second pathogenic bacteria. The incidence of endophthalmitis is not significantly reduced with intravitreal injection of cefazolin sodium. Preoperative UCVA and surgical method were closely related to the anatomic outcome of patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of spinal pilocytic astrocytoma.MethodsFrom January 2011 to December 2017, a total of 12 cases of spinal pilocytic astrocytoma were enrolled in Department of Neurosurgery of Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University and Peking University International Hospital. They all received microscopic surgery and the pathologic diagnosis were spinal cord pilocytic astrocytoma; the clinical and radiographic features, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThere were 9 males and 3 females in this group, with an average age of 25.5 years. Clinical manifestations were related to tumor occupying effect. All the tumors were intramedullary tumors, in which 5 cases located in the cervical spinal cord, and 7 in the thoracic segments. Preoperative medical history recording, physical examination and imaging examination misdiagnosed the tumor as spinal cord ependymoma in 10 cases, enterogenous cyst in 1 case, and high-grade glioma in 1 case. All patients were treated with microsurgical excision: 8 were resected totally, 3 were subtotally, and 1 was partially. None of the patients died after surgery, and the mean follow-up time was 43.1 months. The symptoms of 9 patients were significantly improved, 2 showed no significant change, and 1 had worse symptoms after surgery. No reoperation occured. Two patients underwent routine radiotherapy, and no chemotherapy was performed.ConclusionsSpinal pilocytic astrocytoma tends to occur in adolescent patients with cervical and thoracic spinal cord as the predilection site; the diagnosis is mainly on the basis of tumor tissue typical two-way structure, Rosenthal fiber, and eosinophilic granular corpuscle. Preoperative medical history, physical examination and imaging examination are easily misdiagnosed as spinal cord ependymoma. Prognosis of surgical treatment is very good.