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Biomedical subjects

U B Prakash

Publications and source records attributed to U B Prakash.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Lungs in mixed connective tissue disease.

Patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) exhibit clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), progressive systemic sclerosis or scleroderma (PSS), and polymyositis-dermatomyositis (PM-DM). In their sera is an unusually high titer of a circulating antinuclear antibody with specificity for a nuclear ribonucleoprotein antigen. Pleuropulmonary manifestations are common in MCTD and the incidence varies from 20% to 85%. The pleuropulmonary complications include pleural effusion, interstitial pulmonary processes, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary vasculitis, pulmonary thromboembolic phenomena, aspiration pneumonia, and hypoventilatory failure. Pulmonary vascular pathology with progressive PAH and cor pulmonale is the most serious complication of MCTD. The pleuropulmonary manifestations in MCTD are similar to the respiratory problems well recorded in SLE, PSS, and PM-DM. Even though the pleuropulmonary complications are common in MCTD, they may remain clinically inapparent until fatal complications ensue.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Roentgenologic features of pulmonary blastomycosis.

In 35 cases of pulmonary blastomycosis, the roentgenologic features were as follows: consolidation 26%, mass 31%, intermediate-sized nodules 6%, miliary pattern 11%, solitary cavity 9%, fibrotic and cavitary changes 6%, interstitial pattern 6%, diffuse alveolar involvement 3%, and mixed alveolar and interstitial infiltrate 3%. All symptomatic cases of consolidation were acute (symptoms for less than 1 month), and most were in young patients (mean age, 34 years). Consolidation constituted 58% of the acute cases in this series. Two of the nine cases of consolidation were asymptomatic epidemic cases detected by screening. A pulmonary mass was the most common initial manifestation in this series; it tended to occur in patients with chronic symptoms (more than 1 month). The mass was considered suggestive enough of bronchogenic carcinoma to necessitate resection in 55% of cases. The military form of pulmonary blastomycosis occurred in older patients with disseminated disease. Fibrotic and cavitary disease was chronic in nature. The presence of intermediate-sized nodules elsewhere in the lung proved to be a helpful diagnostic finding in several patients with consolidation, mass, or cavitary disease. Hilar adenopathy, postinfectious calcification, chest wall invasion, and pleural effusion occurred infrequently or not at all in this series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Thoracic manifestations after esophageal variceal sclerotherapy.

Endoscopic esophageal variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) is often used in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to esophageal varices. We retrospectively reviewed the Mayo Clinic experience with EVS between 1980 and 1989 to determine the incidence of thoracic manifestations and chest roentgenographic abnormalities associated with this procedure. The study population consisted of 223 patients who underwent 390 EVS procedures. In all patients, chest roentgenography was done before and after EVS. Ethanolamine oleate or tetradecyl sulfate was used as the sclerosant. Fever, chest pain, and odynophagia were frequent findings after EVS and tended to be short-lived. Local complications at the site of injection, such as esophageal perforation (in 1% of EVS procedures) and abscess (in 0.3%), were infrequent but associated with substantial mortality. Esophageal stricture was noted as a late complication in less than 10% of patients, and clinically recognized aspiration pneumonitis was rare. Respiratory insufficiency developed after 14 EVS procedures. Chest roentgenographic abnormalities, which were commonly detected (after 85% of EVS procedures) but were rarely of clinical significance, included retrocardiac or mediastinal widening or densities (in 35%), pleural effusions (in 27%), atelectasis (in 12%), and pulmonary infiltrates (in 9%). Most thoracic manifestations after EVS are likely due to a local inflammatory response to the sclerosant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Bronchoscopy in North America: the ACCP survey.

A mail survey of this type has several inherent drawbacks. First, answers to some of the questions, particularly those pertaining to complication rates, rely on the memory of participants. Second, the wording of certain questions may have imparted different meanings. Third, the format of the questionnaire may have confused some. Fourth, one cannot expect that all questionnaires will be answered fully. Fifth, as indicated by several respondents, several important topics (eg, topical anesthetic agents and mode of their delivery, prophylaxis against infective endocarditis, tracheobronchial stent placement, endobronchial intraluminal radiotherapy) were not included. Many respondents suggested inclusion of these and other questions in future surveys. Nevertheless, in the absence of any survey looking into a large number of bronchoscopy-related practices, mail surveys have the advantage of reflecting nationwide practice rather than results from selected centers, and this report provides some insight into bronchoscopy practices in North America. While the results indicate the present trends in bronchoscopy practices in North America, they do not establish or recommend any standards in bronchoscopy.

Bronchoscopy↗
PubMed1990

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical spectrum of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults, assess predisposing conditions, evaluate the efficacy of bronchoscopy, and determine outcome and complications. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive clinical series. SETTING: A tertiary care, referral-based medical center. PATIENTS: Sixty consecutive adult patients (over 16 years of age) evaluated for tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration. INTERVENTIONS: All 60 patients had bronchoscopic evaluation; 59 of them had foreign bodies identified and removal was attempted using either rigid or flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. MAIN RESULTS: Of 60 consecutive patients, 25 had underlying impairment of protective airway mechanisms (primary neurologic disorders, trauma with loss of consciousness, or sedative or alcohol use). Fifty-seven were successfully managed with bronchoscopy. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was successful in 14 of 23 patients, and rigid bronchoscopy was successful in 43 of 44 patients, including 6 of 7 patients in whom previous fiberoptic bronchoscopy had failed. Thoracotomy was required in 3 patients. Complications of bronchoscopy were rare and not serious. Chronic complications of prolonged foreign body impaction included bronchiectasis in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults can occur in various clinical settings. High clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Removal of foreign bodies can usually be accomplished with bronchoscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Pulmonary complications from ophthalmic preparations.

Topical beta-adrenergic blocking agents are commonly used to treat glaucoma. Exacerbations of asthma and bronchospasm caused by topical beta-adrenergic ophthalmic preparations are well known. We describe a 67-year-old woman who had aspiration pneumonitis characterized by a nodular infiltrate in the right middle lobe of the lung and nocturnal coughing after beginning topical application of an ointment (Lacri-Lube) for treatment of xerophthalmia. Bronchial washing demonstrated lipid-laden pulmonary alveolar macrophages. After the use of Lacri-Lube was discontinued, her cough and the chest roentgenographic abnormality totally disappeared. We postulate that the topical ophthalmic preparation, which contains mineral oil and petrolatum, drained into the nasopharynx, trachea, and bronchial tree through the nasolacrimal duct and caused lipoid pneumonitis from aspiration of the oil contents. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pulmonary complications caused by Lacri-Lube. We briefly review the pulmonary complications, including pulmonary edema, apnea from paralysis of respiratory muscles, bronchospasm from non-beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, and electrolyte abnormalities, attributable to topically and systemically administered ophthalmic medications.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1990

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is an unusual disease of obscure causation characterized by cartilaginous or bony outgrowths into the lumen of the tracheobronchial tree. Our retrospective review of 15 patients, 8 of whom were women, revealed a mean age of 63.5 years. The most common symptoms were cough (66%), hemoptysis (60%), dyspnea on exertion (53%), and wheeze (30%). Thirteen percent of the patients were asymptomatic. Chest radiography was not helpful in the diagnosis. Tracheal tomography revealed typical beaded intraluminal calcification in 4 of the 12 patients tested. Mirror laryngoscopy initially revealed the abnormalities in 30% of the patients, and bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and determined the extent of the disease in all patients. Even though upper airway involvement has been thought to be uncommon, 40% of our patients demonstrated abnormalities of the larynx and upper trachea. Histologic confirmation of heterotopic bone formation was obtained in 60% of the patients. Pulmonary function tests showed mild obstructive lung disease. There were no deaths directly attributable to the disease. Treatments attempted included cryotherapy, laser excision, external beam irradiation, and bronchoscopic removal of the obstructing lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pulmonary lymphoma in Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an immunologic disease characterized by progressive destruction of the exocrine glands that causes mucosal and conjunctival dryness. In addition to the common pulmonary complications of diffuse interstitial lung disease, airways obstruction, desiccation of the upper respiratory tract, localized parenchymal nodules, recurrent tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis, interstitial pneumonitis, and pleural effusion, patients with SS have a high risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that may affect the lungs. Among 50 patients with SS and associated lymphoma, 10 had pulmonary involvement by lymphoma. The mean age of these 10 patients was 59.7 years, and 8 were women. The mean duration of SS was 7.2 years, and the mean interval between the onset of SS and lymphoma was 5.4 years. Cough and slowly progressive dyspnea were the most common pulmonary symptoms, and chest roentgenographic findings varied. Lung biopsies revealed a spectrum of low-to high-grade lymphomas, and high-grade lymphomas were associated with increased mortality. Of the 10 patients, 4 died from 8 to 48 months after lymphoma was diagnosed. We conclude that pulmonary involvement is common in patients with lymphoma associated with SS; thus, lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in patients with SS.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Bronchoscopy in the critical-care unit.

To determine the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness as well as safety of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) in patients admitted to the critical-care unit (CCU), we conducted a review of all such procedures done in our CCU from 1985 to 1988. A total of 129 patients underwent 198 FFB, of which 76% were in mechanically ventilated patients. FFB was done for diagnostic purposes in 87, for therapeutic purposes in 93, and for both reasons in 18. Of the 71 diagnostic FFB performed for cultures, 27 (38%) were positive but only 18 (25%) influenced patient management. An additional 25 FFB were helpful in making therapeutic decisions even though the cultures were negative. Ten of 13 FFB performed for evaluation of airways and 1 of 3 done for hemoptysis were helpful. Of the 90 FFB done because of retained secretions, 37 (41%) showed mucous plugs or significant secretions, but clinical improvement was noted in only 17 (19%). Overall, FFB contributed substantially to patient management in 82 of the 198 procedures (41%). Seven patients had transient complications, but no deaths occurred. We conclude that FFB is safe and can be helpful in the CCU setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Pulmonary complications in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus produces serious complications in several major organ systems. The pulmonary complications, although uncommon and not well recognized, may be life-threatening. We describe a 20-year-old patient with diabetic ketoacidosis in whom pulmonary zygomycosis developed. This condition was complicated by stenosis of the left upper lobe bronchus despite successful treatment of the zygomycosis. Bronchial obstruction has become a well-recognized complication of pulmonary zygomycosis. In addition to infections caused by Zygomycetes, mycobacteria, viruses, and bacteria, the pulmonary complications described in patients with diabetes include pulmonary edema, disordered breathing during sleep, and reductions in elastic recoil of the lungs, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, and bronchomotor tone. Other reported complications are respiratory alkalosis, cardiorespiratory arrest, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, plugging of the airways with mucus, and aspiration pneumonia attributable to diabetic gastroparesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Tracheopathia osteoplastica: familial occurrence.

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is an unusual disease characterized by cartilaginous or bony projections into the tracheobronchial lumen, with sparing of the posterior membranous portion of the tracheobronchial tree. The cause of this disorder is unknown. The diagnosis is seldom made because of the chronic and asymptomatic nature of the condition. More than 90% of the cases are diagnosed at postmortem examination. Symptoms may include dyspnea, coughing, hemoptysis, hoarseness, and wheezing. Tomography of the trachea may reveal beaded calcification of the tracheobronchial cartilages. Bronchoscopy is diagnostic. Histologically, the abnormal growths show heterotopic bone formation. No known treatment is available. We describe two female patients, one with hemoptysis and another with asthmalike symptoms, in both of whom bronchoscopy established the diagnosis of tracheopathia osteoplastica. The first patient had recurrent episodes of pneumonia attributable to bronchial obstruction by bony projections. In the second patient, removal of large lesions that obstructed the upper part of the trachea relieved the dyspnea. Of interest is the fact that the first patient was the biologic mother of the second. To our knowledge, this constitutes the first report of familial occurrence of tracheopathia osteoplastica.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Although histoplasmosis is the most common fungal infection of the lungs in the United States, there are no reports evaluating the efficacy of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of this disease. We reviewed all cases of histoplasmosis diagnosed at our institution from 1972 to 1987. Of 469 patients, 71 underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and had culture/histologic proof of histoplasmosis established by fiberoptic bronchoscopy or other means. A diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis could be made without thoracotomy in only 27. Among those not requiring thoracotomy, diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis was confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy and cultures of sputum, gastric washings, blood, bone marrow, and urine. In this subgroup, fiberoptic bronchoscopy was the only positive diagnostic method in eight of 27 patients. We conclude that fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a useful adjunct to other noninvasive measures yielding diagnostic material in most cases, except for solitary pulmonary nodule where it is rarely helpful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the evaluation of acute chest and upper airway trauma.

To determine the utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) in the short-term evaluation of patients with trauma, we identified 53 consecutive patients (45 male patients; mean age, 36 years) seen over a ten-year period who had FFB performed within the first three days of trauma to the chest and upper airway. There were eight deaths. Fifty patients had blunt trauma to the chest. These were mostly due to motor vehicle accidents (38 patients), crushing injuries (three patients), and falls (three patients). In addition, there were three patients with trauma to the neck. Physical and radiographic findings included pneumothorax (37 patients), subcutaneous emphysema (31), pulmonary contusion (22), hemothorax (21), mediastinal emphysema (16), flail chest (ten), atelectasis (ten), and hemoptysis (five). The FFB was of diagnostic use in 28 patients (53 percent) by revealing complete tracheal transection (one patient), tracheal laceration (three), complete bronchial transection (one), bronchial laceration (two), bronchial contusion (two), ongoing distal hemorrhage/pulmonary contusion (seven), aspirated material (three), mucous plugging/thick secretions (eight), and supraglottic lesions (three). One of the cases of tracheal laceration was not fully appreciated as a complete transection. We conclude that FFB has value in the short-term evaluation of patients with trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Clove cigarettes. The basis for concern regarding health effects.

The smoking of clove cigarettes has been associated with 13 cases of serious illness in the United States, including hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchitis, and hemoptysis. We describe a patient in whom, after she smoked a clove cigarette, pneumonia complicated by lung abscess developed. Her lung disease may have been caused by aspiration pneumonia as a consequence of pharyngolaryngeal anesthesia from clove cigarette smoke. Clove cigarettes appeal to adolescents experimenting with smoking practices and may influence the development of later smoking habits.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cardiopulmonary metastatic lesions of osteosarcoma and associated cerebral infarction.

Osteogenic sarcoma frequently disseminates by hematogenous routes. A 32-year-old patient underwent evaluation for an acute cerebral infarction. Cardiac auscultation disclosed an abnormal diastolic sound. Echocardiographic examination revealed a large left atrial mass, which was found at thoracotomy to be metastatic osteogenic sarcoma. Cerebral computed tomographic scans at the time of initial examination and 3 months later demonstrated new cerebral lesions consistent with metastatic growths. The abrupt cerebral infarction, other clinical findings, and results of diagnostic studies strongly suggested that the acute cerebrovascular event was the result of metastatic cerebral embolization from the tumor material found in the thorax. Cerebral infarction is an unusual and catastrophic complication of thoracic metastatic lesions of osteogenic sarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Mediastinal mass and tracheal obstruction during general anesthesia.

A 24-year-old man had a large anterior mediastinal mass and a nonproductive cough of 6 weeks' duration. With the patient under general anesthesia, a diagnostic mediastinoscopy was performed with endotracheal intubation. During the procedure, acute respiratory failure developed as a result of tracheal obstruction. Fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination of the patient in the supine position revealed almost total extrinsic compression of the trachea and no evidence of intraluminal disease. Reexamination of the trachea with the patient in sitting and semiprone positions showed resolution of the extrinsic compression and respiratory distress. Flow-volume curves obtained before treatment of the mediastinal mass (histologically diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphoma) disclosed major airway compression with the patient in the supine position; the abnormality disappeared after chemotherapy. The mechanisms responsible for tracheal compression by mediastinal masses during general anesthesia may include the following: (1) the effect of anesthesia on pulmonary mechanics, (2) the supine body position, (3) the elimination of glottic regulation of airflow by endotracheal intubation, (4) changes related to the surgical manipulation of the tumor itself, (5) the size and location of the mediastinal mass, (6) the young age of the patient, and (7) preexisting airways disease. Anticipation and prevention of potential respiratory complications and preparedness to treat them appropriately are important aspects of the management of these patients.

Adult↗