Objective To summarize the clinical features of motor neuron disease ( MND) with main presentation of pulmonary hypertension, so as to improve the diagnosis.Methods A patientwithMND whose main presentation was pulmonary hypertension was analyzed retrospectively. Meanwhile related literatures were reviewed. Clinical data including symptoms, early signs, misdiagnosis causes, and necessary functional examination of respiratory muscle were collected. Results The symptoms of MND was slow-onset and insidious with gradual progression over time. History inquiring found that the symptoms of muscle wasting and physical debilitation emerged long time before the respiratory symptoms. Physical examination also revealed obvious sign of muscle atrophy. Conclusions MND with main presentation of pulmonary hypertension has been recognized insufficiently and often misdiagnosed as other pulmonary diseases. Detailed history taking, systematic physical examination, and convenient functional examination of respiratory muscle,can not only reduce misdiagnosis, but also avoid some expensive and traumatic process.
Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of two common obstructive airway inflammatory diseases [ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and asthma] in elderly patients for proper diagnosis and treatment of COPD complicated with asthma.Methods 102 elderly patients diagnosed with either COPD or asthma, who visited the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease fromOctober 2010 to March 2011, were recruited for the study. Comparisons of clinical manifestation, pulmonary function tests ( PFTs) , chest CT and sputum cytological tests were carried out between the patients with asthma-only,COPD-only, and COPD complicated with asthma. Results Of all 102 patients,18 were diagnosed as asthmaonly ( 17. 6% ) , 36 as COPD complicated with asthma ( 35. 3%) , and 48 as COPD-only ( 47. 1% ) . The patients with COPD-only had longer history of present illness in which most had a history of exposure to cigarette smoking. 91. 7% complained of cough as the first symptom, 80% showed severe impairment in PFTs. Among these patients, sputum neutrophilic granulocytes were ( 78. 3 ±5. 1) % , which was significantly higher than the other two groups ( P lt; 0. 05) . Glucocorticosteroid treatment was less effective in thesepatients. In the patients with COPD complicated with asthma, half were smokers, and cough was the first symptom in 63. 9% subjects and wheezing was the first symptom in rest. About 60% had severely impaired PFTs, and these patients responded to glucocorticosteroid better than the COPD-only patients. In the asthmaonlygroup, most complained of wheezing as the first symptom and had better PFTs. However, sputum eosinophilic granulocyte was as high as ( 13. 5 ±3. 1) % . They responded to glucocorticosteroid effectively.Conclusions COPD and asthma were both obstructive airway inflammatory diseases, but pulmonary function and responses to glucocorticosteroid therapy were different. It is necessary to understand the severity and mechanism of airway function impairment in order to improve the proper diagnosis and treatment of asthmaand COPD in elderly.
Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations, lung function and therapy of patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods 365 patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma were recruited retrospectively. The patients were analyzed by COPD-complicated and COPD-free groups. The clinical manifestations, lung function ( especially FEV1 ) , pathological types and progression-free survival ( PFS) were analyzed. The use of inhaled corticosteroids for treatment of COPD was also recorded. Results There was 62.2% patients( 227 cases) complicated with COPD with an average age of ( 66.1 ±9.3) yrs, 77. 5% of male, 82. 4% of smokers, and 46. 3% of past histories of respiratory disorders. Those in COPD-free were aged ( 54.8 ±5.6) yrs, with 55.8% of male, 62.3% of smokers, and 30.4% of past histories of respiratory diseases. The COPD-complicated patients had lower lung function than that of COPD-free [ ( 68.6 ±9.7) % vs. ( 75.3 ±7.5) % in FEV1%pred and ( 65.9 ±8.5 ) % vs. ( 75.6 ±9.1 ) % in FEV1 /FVC, P lt; 0.05 ] . The COPDcomplicated patients were more likely to have squamous carcinoma ( 43.2% vs. 31.2% , P lt; 0.05) and small cell lung cancer ( 20.7% vs. 15.2% , P lt; 0.05) . Moreover, performance status ( PS) scores ( 3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.8 ±0.4) and PFS ( 5.9 ±1.6 vs. 7.5 ±2.1) were worse in the COPD-complicated patients than that of the COPD-free patients. Only 71 cases of the COPD-complicated patients received regularly inhaled corticosteroids for COPD treatment. These patients had better PS scores and PFS than others without corticosteroids treatment. Conclusions Primary bronchogenic carcinoma patients with COPD comorbidity are commonly encountered. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical manifestation and corticosteroids prescription should be recorded to improve the quality of life and prognosis.
Objective To investigate the clinical features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and misdiagnosis causes. Methods The morbidity, misdiagnosis, progression, treatment, recovery, relapse and experience of treatment of a case with hypersensitivity pneumonitis was retrospectively analyzed. Results Patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis usually have a contact history of organic dust, and clinical manifestations are nonspecific. Chest radiography shows wandering pattern of multiple reticular or patchy infiltration shadows. Lung function tests showrestricted ventilation and impaired diffusion. Blood eosinophil is usually normal. Lymphocyte and sedimentation antibody in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid may still be normal. Pathohistology is complicated, with a progression from acute inflammation to chronic fibrosis. Systemic steroid should be prescribed as soon as possible. Antigen avoidance should be emphasized. Conclusions Clinical symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is atypical, which may be easily misdiagnosed. The contact history, clinical features, chest radiography, laboratory examination and pathological changes should all be considered in such cases.