Chest
-
Cardiac death is the leading cause of mortality associated with sarcoidosis in Japan. However, the involvement of sarcoidosis infiltration often remains undetected. Recently, late gadolinium enhancement with cardiovascular MRI (LGE-CMR) imaging has been introduced for the detection of myocardial infiltrative disease, as it enables the detection of even minor myocardial damage. We investigated the incidence and prognostic value of LGE-CMR in patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis without cardiac manifestations. ⋯ LGE-CMR detected cardiac involvement in 13% of patients with sarcoidosis without cardiac manifestation, but both patients with and without LGE had relatively low event rates.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized investigator-masked double-bind placebo-controlled trial on thalidomide in severe cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Thalidomide use in cutaneous sarcoidosis is based on data from small case series or case reports. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in severe cutaneous sarcoidosis. ⋯ At a dose of 100 mg daily for 3 months, our results do not encourage thalidomide use in cutaneous sarcoidosis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Comparing Cost of Indwelling Pleural Catheter vs. Talc Pleurodesis for Malignant Pleural Effusion.
Malignant pleural effusion is associated with short life expectancy and significant morbidity. A randomized controlled trial comparing indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) with talc pleurodesis found that IPCs reduced in-hospital time and the need for additional procedures but were associated with excess adverse events. ⋯ There is no significant difference in the mean cost of managing patients with IPCs compared with talc pleurodesis. For patients with limited survival, IPC appears less costly.