Journal of thoracic disease
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern was reported as a poor prognostic factor, in clinical practice, we often cannot classify high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) patterns specifically as UIP or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). This study of RA-ILD aimed to elucidate prognosis by using our modified HRCT pattern classification according to the latest guideline on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ⋯ NSIP/UIP pattern of indeterminate for UIP was the major pattern in RA-ILD. Although classifications of HRCT patterns were not related to survival, the presence of radiological honeycombing could be a useful predictor of poor prognosis, and acute exacerbation of ILD can seriously impact patient survival regardless of the presence of a UIP or indeterminate for UIP pattern. Our modified HRCT classification based on the latest IPF guideline might be useful to assess appropriate strategies of diagnosis in future RA-ILD studies, and radiological honeycombing could better predict poor prognosis rather than HRCT pattern.
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Although complete video-assisted thoracic surgery (C-VATS) has been demonstrated to have several advantages compared with conventional thoracotomy, there are few reports on the clinical feasibility of C-VATS for CPAM in infants. ⋯ Since early surgical resection of asymptomatic CPAM is often recommended for the prevention of infections and the development of lung malignancy, we recommend performing surgery after the age of 1 year if the patient's condition is stable. Furthermore, C-VATS lobectomy may be feasible if they are older than 18 months or weigh more than 10 kg.
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Outcome prediction in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is challenging, especially in patients with severe hypoxemia. The aim of the current study was to determine the prognostic capacity of changes in PaO2/FiO2, dead space fraction (VD/VT) and respiratory system driving pressure (ΔPRS) induced by the first prone position (PP) session in patients with ARDS. ⋯ Changes in PaO2/FiO2, VD/VT, and ΔPRS induced by the first PP session have poor prognostic capacities for 28-day mortality in ARDS patients.
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Dexmedetomidine plus opioid infusion after topical anaesthesia with nebulized lidocaine for cough suppression is a commonly used method for flexible bronchoscopy. Recently, the use of dexmedetomidine as an additive to local anaesthetics has been reported to have several advantages over conventional intravenous administration. However, there are no data regarding the use of nebulized dexmedetomidine-lidocaine for topical anaesthesia as a premedication for flexible bronchoscopy. Therefore, this study compared the tolerability and safety of nebulized dexmedetomidine with that of conventional intravenous administration in patients undergoing bronchoscopy with moderate sedation. ⋯ Nebulized dexmedetomidine-lidocaine inhalation as a premedication for flexible bronchoscopy was well tolerated during bronchoscopies performed under moderate sedation and was associated with a reduced incidence of moderate to severe coughing, a shorter recovery time and reduced vasoconstrictor consumption.
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Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury is a rare, but severe complication of endotracheal intubation. Risk factors are emergency intubation, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy and intubation with double lumen tube. Regarding these procedures, underlying patients often suffer from severe comorbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a standardized treatment algorithm in a referral center with focus on the surgical approach. ⋯ Iatrogenic tracheal laceration is a life-threatening complication and the mortality after tracheal injury is high, even in a specialized thoracic unit. Conservative management in patients with superficial tracheal lesion is a feasible procedure. In case of complete laceration of tracheal wall, surgical therapy is recommendable, whereby several approaches of surgical management seem to be equivalent.