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Biomedical subjects

P Luburich

Publications and source records attributed to P Luburich.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Dendriform pulmonary ossification associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

Diffuse pulmonary ossification, a rare condition characterized by metaplastic ossification of the lung, is usually associated with diseases causing diffuse pulmonary lesions. Two types dendriform and nodular have been identified. In dendriform ossification, the less common type, osseous ramifications occur along the distal airways, with occasional islets of bone marrow. We report a case of diffuse dendriform pulmonary ossification associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The diagnosis was based on histological examination, which demonstrated multiple nodules and ramified osseous spicules around the lung, mainly at the lower lobes, where the fibrotic lesions were also most evident.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Is it necessary to treat all patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: To investigate the clinical course of untreated patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (usual interstitial pneumonia) (IPF/UIP). METHODS: Forty-three patients with IPF/UIP, divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 29 patients treated at diagnosis, while Group II comprised 14 patients who did not receive treatment. The indication of treatment was established whenever patients referred to a significant progression of the degree of dyspnea during the year prior to diagnosis. RESULTS: At diagnosis, patients from Group I had lower FVC (mean +/- SEM, 56+/-3% vs 73+/-3%) (p = 0.0004) and a greater extent of ground glass pattern in high resolution CT scan (18+/-4% vs 4+/-1%) (p = 0.004) than those from Group II. In group I, a follow-up study was carried out on 26 patients for 24+/-4 months. Thirteen of these 26 patients (50%) died 11+/-4 months after the initial assessment. Serial pulmonary functional tests were performed on 19 patients. Thirteen patients from Group II were followed up for 23+/-3 months. Seven of these 13 patients were treated 12+/-3 months after the diagnosis because of progression of the disease. The remaining 6 patients remained untreated and with the disease stable at the end of the follow-up, representing 15% (6 out of 39) of the whole study group. No patients from this group died during the follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, there were no differences in lung function changes between treated patients (19 from Group I and 7 from Group II), and the 6 untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with IPF/UIP remain stable for extended periods of time without treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of CD30 as a marker for th2 lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage in interstitial lung diseases.

Several studies have been carried out to clarify the relationship between CD30 expression and Th2 lymphocytes, although the results have been controversial. To investigate whether CD30 is a useful marker for Th2 lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in interstitial lung diseases (ILD), we studied six control subjects and 31 patients with ILD (12 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, seven with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, three with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and nine with sarcoidosis). The levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) (secreted by Th2 cells), interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) (secreted by Th1 cells) and the expression of CD30 on lymphocytes were determined in BAL fluid. There were no differences in the percentage of CD30+ lymphocytes between controls and patients with ILD (0.8+0.4% vs. 2+/-0.4%). In order to determine the relationship between Th2 cells and CD30 expression, we divided the patients into two groups according to BAL IL-5 levels. Group I consisted of eight patients (three chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, three hypersensitivity pneumonitis, two idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) with high IL-5 levels (298+/-138 pg ml(-1)). Group II consisted of the remaining 23 ILD patients with normal IL-5 levels (0.9+/-0.6 pg ml(-1)). The percentage of eosinophils in BAL fluid was significantly higher in group I compared with group 11 (34+/-16% vs. 3+/-1%, P < 0.05). A correlation between CD30+ lymphocytes and IL-5 in group 1 was not shown. There were no differences in the number of CD30+ I we found a significant correlation between IL-5 levels and the percentage of eosinophils (r = 0.95, P < 0.0001). Our results suggest that CD30 does not appear to be a useful marker for Th2 lymphocytes in BAL from patients with ILD.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Interleukin-8 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells in the evaluation of alveolitis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a neutrophilic chemotactic factor which may have a prominent role in the attraction of neutrophils to the lung in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of IL-8 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells in the evaluation of alveolitis in IPF. We analysed the BAL cell expression of IL-8 by immunocytochemistry in 19 patients with IPF (six smokers, three ex-smokers and ten non-smokers) and in a control group composed of 14 individuals (six smokers, eight non-smokers). In IPF, BAL was performed on both the pulmonary lobe with the most extensive involvement and the one less extensively involved on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. The percentages and absolute numbers of BAL IL-8+ macrophages from lobes with the most extensive HRCT scan involvement (36 +/- 6% and (6 +/- 2 x 10(4) ml-1) (SE) and from those less extensively involved [26% +/- 4% and (6 +/- 1) x 10(4) ml-1] were significantly higher with respect to both those from healthy smokers [17% +/- 6% and (7 +/- 4) x 10(4) ml-1] and those from non-smokers [2% +/- 1% and (1 +/- 0.3) x 10(4) ml-1] (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively), without differences between the two lobes. In contrast, both the proportions and the absolute numbers of BAL neutrophils in IPF were significantly higher in lobes with the most extensively involved HRCT scan in comparison with lobes with the least extensive involvement [13% +/- 3%, (3 +/- 1) x 10(4) ml-1 vs. 8% +/- 2%, (1 +/- 0.3) x 10(4) ml-1, P = 0.05]. Moreover, the numbers of BAL neutrophils, but not those of IL-8+ macrophages, correlated with the extent of total pulmonary HRCT scan abnormalities in the most involved lobe (r = 0.64, P = 0.04). A correlation between neutrophils and IL-8+ cells was not observed. The results of this study suggest that, in IPF, BAL neutrophilia offers a better description of the disease inflammatory process than the expression of IL-8 in BAL cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Pulmonary function tests and CT scan in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Relationships between pulmonary function testing and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were studied in 39 untreated patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at diagnosis, 23 of whom were followed during 7.5 +/- 0.3 mo (mean +/- SEM). At diagnosis, the extent of overall lung involvement in the HRCT scans showed a moderate but significant correlation only with FVC (r = -0.46, p = 0. 003) and DLCO (r = -0.40, p = 0.03). The extent of ground glass pattern also correlated with FVC (r = -0.58, p = 0.0001). Arterial PO2 at peak exercise (n = 13 patients) showed a significant association with the extent of both ground-glass pattern and overall lung involvement in HRCT (r = -0.60, p = 0.02; and r = -0.64, p = 0. 01, respectively). On multivariate analysis a significant independent correlation between the global disease extent in HRCT and both FVC and DLCO was observed. Changes over time in the total extent of the disease evaluated with HRCT scans were also related to those observed in DLCO and in FVC (r = -0.57, p = 0.01, and r = -0. 51, p = 0.01, respectively). The present study suggests that FVC and DLCO are the physiological variables that best reflect the global extent of disease in IPF and thus may provide significant information for the assessment of the disease's progression.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Computed tomography-guided bronchoalveolar lavage in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is now recognised as a sensitive tool for predicting the histological characteristics of the lung parenchymal abnormalities in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A reticular pattern on HRCT scanning is indicative of fibrotic histology while a ground glass pattern has been associated with inflammatory disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the cell population in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from different lobes differs according to HRCT characteristics in patients with IPF. METHODS: Twenty six patients with IPF (18 men) of mean (SE) age 67 (2) years were included in the study. A semiquantitative analysis of the extent of the abnormalities on the HRCT scan was applied by summing the proportion of both reticular and ground glass patterns in each lobe (expressed as percentage of total area evaluated) and 100 ml double BAL was then randomly performed in the lobe with the most extensive involvement (lobe A) and that with the least extensive involvement (lobe B). RESULTS: Twenty three of the 26 patients (88%) had an abnormal cell count in the BAL fluid from lobe A compared with 18 patients (69%) with abnormalities in the BAL fluid from lobe B. The median (range) percentage of 8.5% (0-34%) and the absolute numbers of neutrophils (1.3 x 10(4)/ml, 0-14.6 x 10(4)/ml) in lobe A were significantly higher than those in lobe B (5% (0-26%) and 1.2 x 10(4)/ml (0-5 x 10(4)/ml), respectively). The percentage (3%, 0-19%) and absolute numbers (0.65 x 10(4)/ml, 0-4 x 10(4)/ml (0-4.8 x 10(4)/ml), respectively). For the group as a whole a correlation was found between the percentage and absolute numbers of neutrophils in the BAL fluid and the total score of abnormalities on the HRCT scan in the most involved lobe (lobe A). Multiple regression analysis indicated that both the percentage and absolute numbers of neutrophils were significantly and independently related to the extent of ground glass pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IPF the cell population in the BAL fluid is not homogeneous and seems to be related to the characteristics of the abnormalities on the HRCT scan present in the lavaged lobe.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Pulmonary cavitation as the initial manifestation of Hodgkin's disease].

Most of the patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD), have lymph nodes in the anterior mediastinum. Nonetheless, it is exceptional for one of these adenopathies to be cavitated at diagnosis. The case of a patient with HD presenting a cavitated anterior mediastinal mass as one of the initial symptoms. The differential diagnosis of localized masses in the anterior mediastinum and cavitated images in conventional thoracic radiology is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Injected silicone: radiologic appearance.

The authors describe the radiologic appearance of fluid silicone in the soft tissues of the gluteal area in a transsexual man. Thickening and striation of the soft tissues was observed in the trochanteric area in plain films. Serpiginous hyper-attenuated bands infiltrating the subcutaneous fat were seen with computed tomography. The patient was asymptomatic in the gluteal area.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Intestinal tuberculosis in AIDS.

The radiological appearance of intestinal tuberculosis (IT) in six patients with AIDS is presented. Involvement of the ileocecal segment (five cases), cecum (four cases), and duodenum (one case) was seen on computed tomographic (CT) or barium studies. There were no significant differences in radiological manifestations of IT among patients with or without AIDS, but all six patients had an advanced stage of their disease at the time of diagnosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Calcifications in the portal venous system: comparison of plain films, sonography, and CT.

We describe 10 patients with long-standing portal hypertension and calcifications in the splenoportal and mesenteric venous systems or collateral vessels. The patients were examined with abdominal plain films (n = 10), sonography (n = 10), and CT (n = 9). Calcium was seen on CT scans in nine cases, on sonograms in seven, and on abdominal plain films in five. Calcifications appeared to be located in the wall of the vein in all cases. Sites of detection included the main portal, splenic, superior mesenteric, coronary, and peripancreatic veins. CT was more sensitive than sonography, and both were more sensitive than plain films, in showing portal venous calcification. Detection of such calcifications may influence surgical or percutaneous therapy of portal hypertension.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[The radiological findings in poisonings by metals].

We present four cases of heavy metal poisoning (mercury, lead, bismuth and arsenic) in which plain chest and/or abdominal assisted in the differential diagnosis of the clinical picture manifested upon admission at our Emergency Department. The patients suffering from mercury, lead, and bismuth poisoning recovered some weeks after treatment was started. However, the patient with arsenic trioxide poisoning developed cardio-circulatory collapse leading to death three days after admission.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Accessory spleen: ultrasonographic and tomographic characteristics].

The failure of fusion of splenic tissue results in the formation of accessory spleens. This entity normally appears in post-mortem examinations. The purpose of this work was to determine the incidence of the accessory spleen and to compare the ultrasonographic and tomographic features of the accessory spleen and the main spleen in a group of one thousand patients affected with several abdominal pathologies. Five hundred of these patients were studied by ultrasonography and five hundred patients by computed tomography. The ultrasonographic and tomographic features of the accessory and main spleen were similar. Its diagnosis is specially important in certain groups of patients with hematologic disease or abdominal trauma with splenic tear. This is due to the fact that the hypertrophy of the accessory spleen can produce a relapse of the disease.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1991

[The gastrointestinal concealment of illegal drugs].

The clinical, radiological and analytical aspects, and the complications observed in 16 cases of swallowing or insertion into the rectum of illicit drugs ("body-packing") are described. The drugs detected were heroin (6 cases), cocaine (5 cases) and cannabis (5 cases). In 15 cases abdominal plain X-rays were useful in the detection of the drug packages, their position and progression in the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of complications. The most valuable finding for radiologic diagnosis was the presence of a radiolucent halo surrounding the drug packages, or "double condom" sign, which was observed in 13/15 cases (87%). Urine analysis was positive for opiates or metabolites of cocaine in 7/9 cases (78%). One case presented acute heroin intoxication and three subjects gastric or intestinal obstruction requiring surgical treatment. In another case a packet, which had been retained in the stomach for five days, was extracted by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a Dormia basket with no complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Hepatic Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS: US and CT findings.

Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were performed in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and necropsy-proved hepatic Kaposi sarcoma. At US, small (5-12-mm) hyperechoic nodules and dense periportal bands were seen in the liver. These lesions appeared hypoattenuated on baseline and dynamic CT scans and enhanced on delayed scans after a bolus injection of contrast material. Although nonspecific, these features strongly suggest tumor involvement in the liver in patients with AIDS and Kaposi sarcoma.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the radiological findings of long-standing pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial radiography and CT, including high-resolution CT scans, were performed in two patients. RESULTS: The tumor has remained radiographically stationary for 10 and 20 years, respectively. On CT, both patients showed multiple calcified pulmonary nodules, up to 1 cm in size with a perivascular distribution. Interstitial involvement was seen in one case. CONCLUSION: Calcification and perivascular location of the tumoral nodules were characteristic CT findings in our cases.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imported histoplasmosis in Spain.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus endemic in the American continent but not in Europe, where cases are usually imported. Its favorite habitat is in warm humid soils. Guano from birds and bats enhance the sporulation of the mycelial phase.1 Man acquires H. capsulatum through inhalation of spores. Most people infected by this fungi remain asymptomatic, but around 10-50% can start an illness ranging from acute pulmonary histoplasmosis to chronic histoplasmosis. In both, there is close clinical resemblance to pulmonary tuberculosis. Immunodepressed patients undergo a more severe form of the disease, usually presenting in the acute disseminated form. We present seven immunocompetent patients with histoplasmosis acquired after traveling to several American countries.

Histoplasmosis↗