Radiology Imaging of Bronchiectasis in Children and Adolescents (Literature Review with Own Observations)

Timely detection of bronchiectasis in children is of great prognostic value. The importance of modern bronchiectasis in children is due to their possible reversibility over time with effective treatment, as well as a number of significant differences between bronchiectasis in childhood and onset in children, which may reflect different phenotypes of bronchiectasis. In adult patients with bronchiectasis that began in childhood, the pathological process has a more severe and worse prognosis compared to bronchiectasis that began in adulthood. In 2020, the European Respiratory Society proposed a new formulation of the terminal «bronchiectasis» for children and adolescents, now this term refers to an abnormal expansion of the bronchi by computed tomography (CT) of the chest, which, if detected early, can be reversible. CT is the true «gold standard» for confirming bronchiectasis in children and adolescents. This method is included in the minimum set of tests for children and adolescents with suspected bronchiectasis according to the recommendations of the European Respiratory Society. When conducting CT, it is recommended to perform a continuous spiral scan with a collimation of 1 mm, the study is carried out without intravenous use using low-dose protocols. To assess the state of the bronchi in children and adolescents, it is necessary to use the pediatric norms of the broncho-arterial ratio (> 0.8). At the same time, radiation methods are not decisive in establishing the causes of bronchiectasis and only in rare cases can help in establishing bronchiectasis. Dynamic observation of bronchiectasis for children and adolescents is determined individually. Consideration should be given to repeat chest computed tomography scans to answer the question that will change treatment.

Use of Intrapleural Fibrinolytic Therapy in a Trapped Lung following Acute Traumatic Haemothorax

Retained haemothorax is a common sequela of traumatic haemothorax and refers to blood that cannot be drained from the pleural cavity. We report a case of trapped lung secondary to retained haemothorax in a patient who sustained a penetrating chest injury. Initial chest computed tomography (CT) showed a large haemothorax that was managed with an intercostal drain insertion (ICD). Repeat chest CT and thoracic ultrasonography performed after ICD removal showed an organized pleural space resembling haematoma. ICD was reinserted with administration of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT). Subsequent chest CT showed the development of a pleural rind and trapped lung. A second ICD was inserted, and further IPFT were administered together with aggressive negative pressure suction. Haemoglobin remained stable. The patient made a full recovery and imaging performed two weeks later showed minor blunting of the costophrenic angle. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of IPFT in the management of trapped lung associated with traumatic retained haemothorax as an alternative to surgery.

Platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome after percutaneous treatment of ruptured sinus Valsalva complicated by SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia: a case report

Background Rupture of sinus of Valsalva (RSV) to right atrium (RA) causes significant left to right shunt, tricuspid regurgitation, and right ventricular failure. If left uncorrected it can lead to biventricular heart failure. Hence, early invasive management is advised. To date, there is no report about platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) after device closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva. Case summary A 50-year-old woman with dyspnoea of exertion and rupture of sinus valsalva to right atrium was referred to our hospital. On admission, chest computed tomography (CT) was normal. After closure of the rupture, she developed orthostatic hypoxemia and frequent cough. A repeat chest CT was suggestive of COVID-19 infection which most probably occurred during the hospitalization. Although COVID-19 was thought to be the only culprit, her symptoms were not solely justified by COVID-19. Transthoracic echocardiography showed patent foramen ovale (PFO) with significant shunt. PFO device closure was performed under intracardiac echocardiography guidance. Discussion Interatrial septum deformation may happen after RSV correction and right to left shunt from PFO may become more significant. POS is an important indication for PFO closure which should be noticed by careful examination. As COVID-19 is the most frequent pathology these days, it may delay other probable diagnosis, and hence detailed history taking and physical examination is mandatory.

Pulmonary actinomycosis and marijuana vaping

A 33-year-old man without significant medical history presented to the emergency department with a 6-month history of fatigue and 30 pounds of unintentional weight loss, with a recent cough and fever over the past week. He recalled two similar illnesses during college that did not require medical care. He denied tobacco use but reported inhaling marijuana 1–2 times daily over the past year with a vaping device. Physical exam was notable for a temperature of 100.0°F and an elevated blood pressure at 161/77 mm Hg. He was diaphoretic with clear breath sounds bilaterally. Chest imaging revealed diffuse ground glass opacities with subpleural sparing and mildly enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsies and needle aspirate of lymph nodes revealed organising pneumonia, and subsequent cultures grew Actinomyces odontolyticus. He was treated with amoxicillin and corticosteroids with subsequent resolution on repeat chest imaging.

COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma

Background. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic causing multiple fatalities and morbidities worldwide. We report a case of severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium abscessus in an elderly patient with multiple myeloma in Florida, USA. Case Presentation. An 84-year-old male with a medical history significant for multiple myeloma not in remission was sent to the emergency department to rule out COVID-19 infection prior to continuing his chemotherapy sessions. At presentation, he had nonspecific mild symptoms and an unremarkable physical examination. He had significant blood test findings including serum lactate dehydrogenase 373 U/L, high sensitive C-reactive protein 17.40 mg/l, and ferritin 415 ng/ml. Xpert-SARS-CoV-2 was positive. Chest radiograph revealed patchy areas of interstitial infiltrates in mid to lower lung zones. During his hospitalization course, his oxygenation deteriorated, requiring mechanical intubation. Repeat chest radiograph showed worsening bilateral infiltrates. He was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and eventually weaned off mechanical intubation and extubated. On the 11th day of admission, he was found to be bradycardic and in shock, and he was reintubated. His labs showed worsening inflammatory markers along with kidney dysfunction to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy. He received both convalescent plasma and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Eventually, repeat blood cultures came back positive for the growth of acid-fast beaded bacilli. While awaiting final culture and sensitivity reports, his antibiotics were upgraded to cover possible nocardia infection. Repeat blood and sputum cultures resulted in growth of AFB bacilli Mycobacterium abscessus 1 week after. Conclusions. This case report highlights the importance of keeping a broad differential and considering multiple coinfections, including atypical ones during this COVID-19 pandemic, such as the one that was discussed above, Mycobacterium abscessus, in order to provide goal-directed therapy.

A rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: Pleural effusion without intrathoracic ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter

Background: Symptomatic pleural effusion following ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) insertion is very rare and poorly understood in the literature in contrary to other mechanical complications. Case Description: We report a case of 15 month-year-old girl who had VP shunt for congenital hydrocephalus. Twelve months after surgery, she was diagnosed with massive hydrothorax. Chest X-ray and thoracoabdominal CT scan confirmed the right pleurisy and showed the tip of the peritoneal catheter in the general peritoneal cavity. We made thoracic drainage of the transudative pleural effusion. When we released the chest tube, 24 h after, the girl showed a respiratory distress again and the effusion resumed at the X-ray control. Her symptoms abated after the realization of a ventriculoatrial shunt “VAS.” Repeat chest X-ray confirmed the resolution of the hydrothorax. Conclusion: Despite the not yet well-understood mechanism of this rare and important VPS complication, management is simple based on X-ray confirmation, thoracentesis with biological analysis, and catheter replacement, especially in atrium “VAS.”

REPEAT CHEST CT SCANS IN MODERATE-TO-SEVERE PATIENTS’ MANAGEMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: OBSERVATIONS FROM A SINGLE CENTRE IN WUHAN, CHINA

Objective To observe the rates of repeated computed tomographic scans (CTs) in a cohort of patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and to assess the validity of repeat CTs. Methods Each CT was recorded, and the validity of the repeated CTs was assessed. Results The 394 patients underwent a total of 1493 CTs. Of the 394 patients, 260 received at least one non-value-added CT. Both the total number of CTs (median, 4; interquartile range (IQR), 3–5) and non-value-added CTs (median, 1; IQR, 0–1) per patient were strongly related to the disease duration (R2 = 0.566 for total CTs, R2 = 0.432 for non-value-added CTs, p < 0.001). The proportion of non-value-added CTs was potentially higher after 3 weeks from symptom onset (>35%). Conclusions There was a high rate of repeat CTs for the COVID-19 patients, and the proportion of non-value-added CTs increased with disease duration. Follow-up CT should be avoided without clinical decline. Advances in Knowledge As COVID-19 is impacting healthcare systems across the globe, we believe in our findings that serial chest CT imaging has limited clinical utility in basically stable COVID-19 patients, will help relieve some of this burden.

Tension pneumothorax in a patient with COVID-19

A 36-year-old man was brought to the emergency department with suspected COVID-19, following a 3-week history of cough, fevers and shortness of breath, worsening suddenly in the preceding 4 hours. On presentation he was hypoxaemic, with an SpO2 of 88% on 15 L/min oxygen, tachycardic and had no audible breath sounds on auscultation of the left hemithorax. Local guidelines recommended that the patient should be initiated on continuous positive airway pressure while investigations were awaited, however given the examination findings an emergency portable chest radiograph was performed. The chest radiograph demonstrated a left-sided tension pneumothorax. This was treated with emergency needle decompression, with good effect, followed by chest drain insertion. A repeat chest radiograph demonstrated lung re-expansion, and the patient was admitted to a COVID-19 specific ward for further observation. This case demonstrates tension pneumothorax as a possible complication of suspected COVID-19 and emphasises the importance of thorough history-taking and clinical examination.

Atypical presentation of COVID-19 in a frail older person

Common symptoms of pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) include fever and cough. We describe a 94-year-old man with well-controlled schizoaffective disorder, who presented with non-specific and atypical symptoms: delirium, low-grade pyrexia and abdominal pain. He was given antibiotics for infection of unknown source, subsequently refined to treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. Despite active treatment, he deteriorated with oxygen desaturation and tachypnoea. A repeat chest X-ray showed widespread opacification. A postmortem throat swab identified COVID-19 infection. He was treated in three wards over 5 days with no infection control precautions. This has implications for the screening, assessment and isolation of frail older people to COVID-specific clinical facilities and highlights the potential for spread among healthcare professionals and other patients.