Objective To analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Clinical and radiological data of 2 patients with acute exacerbation of IPF from April 2006 to July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. Results Both patients were senior male patients over 60 years old. Dyspnea, cough and inspiratory crackles were the major symptoms and signs. Two patients were experiencing an exacerbation of dyspnea for one week and half of month, respectively. PaO2 /FiO2 of both patients was less than225 mm Hg. In both patients, high-resolution computed tomography ( HRCT) scans at the exacerbation showed typical signs of IPF including peripheral predominant, basal predominant reticular abnormality, with honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis, and newly developing alveolar opacity. HRCT scan showed peripheral area of ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing in one patient, and diffusely distributed ground-glass opacity in another patient. Two patients had received corticosteroid treatment. For one patient, the symptoms improved, and ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing had almostly resolved. The other patient died of respiratory failure. Conclusions Some acute exacerbation in idiopatic pulmonary fibrosis can be idiopathic. The clinical presentations mainly include the worsening of dyspnea within short time. HRCT generally demonstrates new bilateral ground-glass abnormality with or without areas of consolidation, superimposed on typical changes of IPF.
Objective To highlight the characteristics of giant cell interstitial pneumonia ( GIP) . Methods The clinical, radiological, and pathological data of two patients with GIP pathologically proven by open lung and TBLB biopsy were presented respectively, and relevant literatures were reviewed. Results Patients with GIP usually had a history of exposure to metal dust. Clinical presentations included cough and dyspnea on exertion, and pulmonary function testing showed a restrictive abnormality. On chest radiography and high-resolution CT scans, it presented as bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, areas of consolidation, diffuse small nodules, extensive reticular opacities, and traction bronchiectasis. The main pathological findings included a desquamative interstitial pneumonia ( DIP) -like reaction with intra alveolar macrophages and numerous large multinucleated histiocytes that ingested inflammatory cells were admixed with macrophages. The finding of GIP was almost pathognomonic for hard metal pneumoconiosis. Conclusions GIP is a very rare chronic interstitial pneumonia, and has no characteristic clinical manifestations. Radiographic findings are similar to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Careful collection of the occupational history can help to minimize misdiagnosis.
Objective To explore the prognostic significance of baseline clinical and pulmonary physiological variables on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Patients diagnosed with IPF according to 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statementwere selected from Nanjing DrumTower Hospital between January 1, 2002 and July 31, 2010. The baseline characteristics were abstracted, including age, gender, smoking history, corticosteroid, delay before diagnosis, body mass index, finger clubbing, oxygenation index ( PaO2 /FiO2 ) , C-reaction protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) , serum lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) , albumin, vital capacity ( VC) , forced vital capacity ( FVC) , total lung capacity ( TLC) , and singlebreath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ( DLCO) . The relationships between all factors and survival were examined with a univariate Cox proportional-hazard model. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival probabilities between groups with different baseline characteristics. Results Eighty-four patients were included in this study, with the median survival time of 34. 7 months. PaO2 /FiO2 , FVC% pred, VC% pred, TLC% pred, and DLCO% pred showed significant associations with the mortality of IPF ( hazard ratios 0. 940-0. 994, P lt; 0. 01) . The Kaplan-Meier analyses for above variables also showed significant differences ( P lt;0. 05) . Besides, the statistical difference of survival probability could be found between the patients with elevated serumLDH and those with normal LDH ( 27. 0 months vs. 43. 1 months, P =0. 014) . Conclusions Baseline oxygenation and pulmonary function parameters may indicate the prognosis of IPF patients. Serum LDH may provide clinicians with additional prognostic information.
Objective To explore the prognostic value of preoperative pulmonary ventilation function for postoperative survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) . Methods 146 NSCLC patients who underwent cured lung surgical resection between January 1, 2003 and December 31,2008 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were recruited in the study. Pulmonary ventilation function was obtained preoperatively for each patient, including vital capacity ( VC) , forced vital capacity ( FVC) , forcedexpiratory volume in 1 second ( FEV1 ) , FEV1 /FVC, and peak expiratory flow ( PEF) . The effects of the above lung function variables on postoperative survival were evaluated by both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival probabilities betweendifferent groups.Results The median survival time after surgery was 31. 0 months ( 95% CI 22. 55-39. 45) . VC% pred, FVC% pred and FEV1% pred showed significant associations with the risk of mortality in the NSCLC patients after surgery ( hazard ratios 0. 979-0. 981, P lt; 0. 05) . The survival time after surgery was significantly shorter in the patients with VC ≤ 80% predicted compared to those with VC gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 31. 0 months vs. 34. 0 months) . The same difference could be found between the patients with FVC≤80% predicted and those with FVC gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 27. 0 months vs. 43. 0 months) . There was also significant difference in median survival between the patients with FEV1 ≤80% predicted and those with FEV1 gt; 80% predicted ( median survival time: 17. 0 months vs. 44. 0 months) . Conclusion Preoperative pulmonary ventilation function parameters may be used to informclinical decisions and indicate the prognosis of NSCLC patients after surgery.