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Biomedical subjects

A Parrot

Publications and source records attributed to A Parrot.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Lemierre's syndrome: a case report].

We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome with a pleuropulmonary complication. Lemierre's syndrome is a rare etiology of lung abscess. The diagnosis is clinical and microbiological (anaerobic organisms). This syndrome associates an acute oropharyngeal infection with septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (sometimes many days before the lung lesion) and pulmonary abscess formation. Clinicians should be aware of this syndrome that is fatal in 10% of patients, usually after delayed or missed diagnosis. The frequency of Lemierre's syndrome would be higher if antibiotics were given only to pharyngitis patients positive for streptococcus.

Adult↗

[Bronchopulmonary disease in drug abusers].

Drug abuse is a growing problem in industrialized countries, opening the way to new diseases of the respiratory tract. It has been demonstrated that regular inhalation of cannabis has the same consequences as tobacco smoking. The same cannot be said for other drugs. Cocaine, amphetamines or crack expose the patient to particular toxic effects: in addition to barotrauma related to the administration route, syndromes of acute respiratory distress have been described. These result either from bronchial reactions, asthma exacerbation or eosinophil bronchopneumonia, or alveolar involvement: intra-alveolar bleeding, pulmonary edema or organized pneumonia. Respiratory complications induced by opiates, often used in injections, are related to central alveolar hypoventilation and/or the development of injury from pulmonary edema or pneumonia. The pathophysiology of these lesions is not perfectly understood. Besides these specific conditions, infection is a major problem in drug abusers, irrespective of the drug: bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, HIV infection are much more frequent in this high-risk group. Finally repeated intravenous injections of various drugs designed for oral intake can lead to severe complications such as pulmonary hypertension or toxic interstitial lung disease. Summarizing, respiratory diseases in drug abuses can take on a wide range of quite complex presentations. Occasional or regular use of illicit drugs can lead, not exceptionally, to severe respiratory complications requiring rapid management. Knowledge of the principal complications and the appropriate diagnostic procedures is indispensable.

Asthma↗

[Yellow nail syndrome. Three cases].

Yellow nail syndrome is an uncommon diagnosis established on the basis of clinical presentation with slow-growing yellow discolored nails, lymphedema, and pulmonary manifestations. We report 3 new cases with their pulmonary component.

Adult↗

AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the era of adjunctive steroids: implication of BAL neutrophilia.

Factors predictive of mortality in patients with AIDS and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were identified before the introduction of adjunctive steroids, but they have not been reevaluated since. Because PCP still occurs in AIDS, remaining fatal in some cases, we conducted a multivariate analysis of factors predicting mortality in patients with HIV-positive PCP managed from 1990 to 1995, i.e., after the consensus conference on the use of adjunctive steroids. The predictive value of clinical, laboratory, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) data at admission and during the course of PCP was studied retrospectively using multivariate methods, in 144 patients with AIDS. Overall mortality was 21.5%. The univariate analysis identified seven factors predictive of 90-d mortality: Pa(O(2)) on room air < 60 mm Hg, lactate dehydrogenase > 1,000 IU, albuminemia < 30 g/L, BAL neutrophilia > 10%, nosocomial infection, pneumothorax, and a need for mechanical ventilation. Four of these factors were independently associated with 90-d mortality in the multivariate analysis; among them, two were evaluable at admission, namely, Pa(O(2)) < 60 mm Hg on room air and BAL neutrophilia > 10%, and two during hospitalization, namely, the development of pneumothorax and a need for mechanical ventilation. Moreover, BAL neutrophilia was correlated to occurrence of pneumothorax and a need for mechanical ventilation. In the era of adjunctive steroid use, AIDS-related PCP remains fairly common. Two independent factors evaluable at admission, Pa(O(2)) on room air and BAL neutrophilia, are predictive of death.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Acute respiratory distress in a patient with sickle-cell anemia].

The acute chest syndrome is a frequent complications of sickle-cell disease characterized by chest pain, fever, and new infiltrate on chest x-ray image. Pathophysiologic factors appear to be multifactorial and better known. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with homozygous sickle cell anemia who developed acute chest syndrome probably secondary to fat embolism.

Acute Disease↗

[Role of thoracic radiography in the management of community-acquired pneumonia].

In patients presenting with a lower respiratory tract infection, it is generally recommended to order a chest X-ray in two circumstances: when the clinical signs suggest the diagnosis of pneumonia or in case of rather atypical symptoms suggesting a potential risk of complications. Indeed, the presence of one or more recent opacities, and more specifically, homogeneous alveolar infiltration(s) remains the gold standard criterion for the diagnosis of pneumonia. One must not however let this rule overshadow certain limitations of the chest X-ray reported in the literature: 1. the misdiagnosis of certain cases of pneumonia or bronchopneumonia seen early; 2. the extent of the infiltration gives only a very relative assessment of severity; 3. the characteristics of the infiltration are only relatively specific for etiological diagnosis. In patients with community acquired pneumonia diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and radiographic findings, systematically performed series of follow-up X-rays have shown that the initial extension of the infiltration and the rate of its resolution contribute quite variably to the diagnosis of complications. The best indication for ordering a follow-up X-ray before 6 weeks remains an unfavorable clinical course.

Acute Disease↗

[Bacteremia and Pasteurella multocida pneumonia revealing HIV infection].

Pasteurella multocida is a major pathogen in local wound infections due to animal bites. Pneumonia and bacteremia are less frequent and usually associated with local or general impairment of host defenses. Scarce reports exist about Pasteurella multocida infections in HIV infected patients. We report here a case of hypoxemic pneumonia and bacteremia due to Pasteurella multocida revealing an HIV infection in a young man.

Adult↗

[Acute respiratory insufficiency in patients with bronchopulmonary cancer].

Acute respiratory failure is relatively frequent in patients with bronchogenic cancer. The respiratory disorder may be related to tumor extension itself or opportunistic infection above or below the tumoral stenosis. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be causal. The condition is particularly serious in patients with one lung. We discuss the different complications, their frequency and conditions of occurrence.

Acute Disease↗

[Computed tomographic diagnosis of a fortuitously discovered opacity].

We report a case of pleuroparietal lipoma discovered fortuitously. Despite the small size, the diagnosis was obtained with computed tomography using a rigorous protocol demonstrating a negative density corresponding to fat tissue. A series of slices sufficiently thin to avoid a partial volume effect was required to obtain reliable measurements. In case of doubt, magnetic resonance imaging would be indicated.

Aged↗

[Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia associated with uterine sarcoma: report of a case. Review of the literature].

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a rare but severe complication of neoplastic disease. The diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy is based on a triad of a hemolytic anemia with schistocytes, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. Carcinoma-associated MAHA and chemotherapeutic-induced MAHA have been described. Because of differences concerning prognosis and treatment it is important for the clinician to distinguish these two syndromes. However, to our knowledge, this is the first case of a sarcoma-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

Cytomegalovirus-induced alveolar hemorrhage in patients with AIDS: a new clinical entity?

We report five cases of alveolar hemorrhage associated with intravascular hemolysis in patients with AIDS. Cytomegalovirus was the only pathogen recovered from the lungs of these patients. There was evidence of multivisceral spread of the virus in all patients, and all had viremia. All had clinical, biological, and pathological features of pulmonary vasculitis, and the conditions of four improved with specific anti-cytomegalovirus therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema. Review of the literature. Apropos of 2 new cases].

Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema is a poorly understood clinical entity. We report two new cases and review the literature. The main manifestations are increased pulmonary perfusion flow, endothelial damage, and amputation of the lymphatic system. Treatment depends on the physiological situation of the lung remaining after pneumonectomy. Prevention requires co-operation between the medical and surgical teams.

Humans↗

[Drug-induced pneumopathies accompanied by acute respiratory insufficiency].

Drug induced pneumonias accompanying acute respiratory failure are defined by a delay in presentation of less two months and severe hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 60 mmHg in ambient air). They are poorly indexed, often poorly understood by the clinician and pose difficult problems both of diagnosis and treatment. This general review touches successively on hypoxaemic drug induced pneumonia observed in oncology and haematology then those observed outside this very specific context. In each of the two groups five questions are posed: 1) Which patients? 2) Which clinical patterns? 3) What initial diagnostic discussion? 4) Which successful elements support the drug induced hypothesis? 5) What outcome? The replies obtained were compared to case reports from the literature (188 references) or from recent general reviews concerned more specifically with the hypoxaemic forms.

Acute Disease↗

Site-directed bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy in HIV-infected patients with pneumonia.

We have assessed the diagnostic value of site-directed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and combined transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in 29 HIV-infected patients with localized pneumonia, in whom a previous BAL was nondiagnostic and in whom improvement did not occur with empiric antibiotic therapy. All patients but three had a CD4 cell count < 100/microliters. A definite diagnosis could be reached in 26 of 29 (90%) individuals, including 24 pathogens. Neither the radiologic pattern nor the type of Pneumocystis carinii (PC) prophylaxis could predict the positivity of either one of these two diagnostic procedures. Site-directed BAL alone allowed a diagnosis in infection in eight (28%) cases. TBB alone led to diagnosis in eight (28%) cases, including three PC and two toxoplasma gondii, undiagnosed by the site-directed BAL. Both techniques were positive and in agreement in 10 (34%) cases. The majority of the diagnosis led to a specific treatment. Therefore, the patients' survival was positively altered by the procedure. In conclusion, the performance of site-directed BAL and combined TBB markedly optimizes the diagnostic yield of each of these procedures performed separately in HIV-infected patients with localized pneumonia.

Adult↗

[Hemoptysis in sarcoidosis. Apropos of 6 cases including 4 with fatal outcome].

Haemoptysis rarely occurs in sarcoidosis. Most cases usually occur in patients with advanced disease and major fibrosis. We observed 6 cases including 5 with fibrosis and 1 with inaugural unilateral lymph node involvement. Haemoptysis is a sign of gravity since it is the second most frequent cause of death described in the literature. In our series 4 of the 6 cases were fatal. Aspergillus colonization of a cavity is the most frequently found aggravating factor. Ideally, surgery is indicated but usually cannot be performed due to the patients respiratory function and the extent of the lesions. Oral drugs have little effect. Certain authors have had success with local, initially intrabronchic anti-aspergillus treatment. CT-guided application is often helpful. Embolization may stop the bleeding but in the long-term, a more or less voluminous haemoptysis often recurs. Other causes of bleeding are rare. Systemic hypervascularization of sarcoidosis lesions has been proposed as one mechanism other than infection. The cause may also be a simple granuloma. Symptomatic initial treatment by embolization is also proposed in these cases. Finally, massive haemoptysis can occur by erosion of the pulmonary artery due to a necrotic sarcoidosis lesion. In our series, surgery was impossible in three patients who died. In the three others, embolization was possible in 2 and the third underwent successful surgery.

Adolescent↗

[Contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage in immunosuppressed patients].

The safety of bronchoalveolar lavage has been greatly contributed to its widespread use in immunodepressed patients. This examination has changed the diagnostic approach to many lung diseases and often eliminates the need to open the thorax to make a lung biopsy. Bronchoalveolar lavage can be used to screen for a large number of diseases, particularly those due to infectious agents. In non-infectious diseases, the contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage is more limited. The impact of molecular biology techniques remains to be established.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗