Clinical, radiologic, and morphological diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Aim. To study the relationship between clinical, radiologic, and morphological features in nonfibrotic and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.Materials and methods. Clinical symptoms, data of high-resolution computed tomography, parameters of external respiration, and histological changes in the lung tissue obtained via open and transbronchial biopsies were studied retrospectively in 175 patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica software.Results. We found that the clinical error rate in the diagnosis of HP was 84.5%, among pathologists – 92%. Among all the variants of HP, the most common was fibrotic HP. It was shown that non-necrotizing granulomas and giant cells in the cavities of the alveoli, microcells, and interalveolar septa were more typical of nonfibrotic HP. In fibrotic HP, peribronchial fibrosis, smooth muscle metaplasia in fibrotic areas, and the presence of fibroblastic foci in the walls of terminal bronchioles are signs of differential diagnosis with usual interstitial pneumonia. The classical triad of histological signs was observed in 19.2% of patients with nonfibrotic HP and in 5.6% of patients with fibrotic HP.Conclusion. Diagnosis of HP is complex and should be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving clinicians (pulmonologists), radiologists, functional diagnostics specialists, and pathologists. In this case, it is imperative to take into account and identify factors causing development of the disease, as well as the age of patients.

Congenital dislocation of the knee in combination with Meyer-Gorlin syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND: Meyer-Gorlin syndrome is a rare genetic and autosomal recessive disease that is characterized by the classical triad, including, microtia, very small size or complete patellar absence, and nanism. CLINICAL CASE: Herein, presented the first clinical case description of a Russian patient with Meyer-Gorlin syndrome in combination with congenital anterior shin dislocation. The main clinical disease manifestations are characterized by a combination of microtia, patellar pathology, and dwarfism. DISCUSSION: In the practice of pediatric orthopedic surgeons, cases of congenital knee dislocations are extremely rare, especially as part of any syndromes, which cause interest in the presented clinical case publication. Our patient analysis, as well as the patients described in the literature, showed the presence of typical clinical manifestations, which allowed us to suspect the presence of Meyer-Gorlin syndrome during a clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: This report is the first case of combined congenital knee dislocation and Meyer-Gorlin syndrome with a diagnostic triad (short stature, microtia, and patellar aplasia) in the Russian Federation. Conservative treatment with constant traction and flexion must be carefully performed to avoid complications. Without the effect of conservative therapy, surgical treatment is indicated.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of primary brain abscess: a retrospective analysis

Background Patients with primary brain abscess often present with atypical symptoms, and the outcome varies. We investigated the demographic, laboratory, and neuroimaging features of patients with brain abscess at our hospital and identified factors associated with their outcomes. Methods We retrospectively collected the data of patients diagnosed with primary brain abscess at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2020. Their clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, laboratory and neuroimaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analyzed. Results Of the 57 patients diagnosed with primary abscess, 51 (89.47%) were older than 40 years, and 42 (73.68%) were male. Only eight patients (14.04%) showed the classical triad of headache, fever, and focal neurological deficit. Fifteen patients (26.31%) had comorbidities, of which diabetes mellitus was the most common. Positive intracranial purulent material cultures were obtained in 46.15% of the patients, and gram-negative enteric bacteria were found in 33.33% of them, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently observed. Surgical treatment, most commonly in the form of stereotactic drainage, was received by 54.39% of the patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 75.44% of the patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with headaches were more likely to have a poor outcome (odds ratio 6.010, 95% confidence interval 1.114–32.407, p = 0.037). Conclusions Male patients and those older than 40 years were more susceptible to brain abscess than female patients and those younger than 40 years, respectively. Only a few patients showed the classical triad of clinical symptoms. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. Positive intracranial specimens’ culture results were uncommon, with gram-negative enteric bacteria, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, being the main organisms found. Most patients had a good outcome, and the presence of headache may influence the outcome.

Social stress drives the multi-wave dynamics of COVID-19 outbreaks

The dynamics of epidemics depend on how people's behavior changes during an outbreak. At the beginning of the epidemic, people do not know about the virus, then, after the outbreak of epidemics and alarm, they begin to comply with the restrictions and the spreading of epidemics may decline. Over time, some people get tired/frustrated by the restrictions and stop following them (exhaustion), especially if the number of new cases drops down. After resting for a while, they can follow the restrictions again. But during this pause the second wave can come and become even stronger then the first one. Studies based on SIR models do not predict the observed quick exit from the first wave of epidemics. Social dynamics should be considered. The appearance of the second wave also depends on social factors. Many generalizations of the SIR model have been developed that take into account the weakening of immunity over time, the evolution of the virus, vaccination and other medical and biological details. However, these more sophisticated models do not explain the apparent differences in outbreak profiles between countries with different intrinsic socio-cultural features. In our work, a system of models of the COVID-19 pandemic is proposed, combining the dynamics of social stress with classical epidemic models. Social stress is described by the tools of sociophysics. The combination of a dynamic SIR-type model with the classical triad of stages of the general adaptation syndrome, alarm-resistance-exhaustion, makes it possible to describe with high accuracy the available statistical data for 13 countries. The sets of kinetic constants corresponding to optimal fit of model to data were found. These constants characterize the ability of society to mobilize efforts against epidemics and maintain this concentration over time and can further help in the development of management strategies specific to a particular society.

Lofgren’s syndrome: A case report and review of the literature

Lofgren’s syndrome is a variant of acute-onset sarcoidosis, characterized as Hilar Lymphadenopathy (HL), Erythema Nodosum (EN) and bilateral arthritis or arthralgia, with elevated serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and calcium level. It is relatively common in Caucasians, but rarely reported in Asian countries. We reported a 72-year old Chinese female with HL, acute onset EN, multiple arthritis and arthralgia, and achieved remission with prednisolone treatment. We summarized reported cases in European and Asia countries, and investigated the characteristics of etiology, genetics, prognosis and therapeutic strategy variants due to different ethnicities. Almost all the patients showed HL, and half of them exhibited classical triad. ACE, the biomarker of Lofgren’s syndrome, elevated in more than half of the European cases, but only 30% in Asian patients. NASID is considered as the first choice of Lofgren’s syndrome, and glucocorticoid may be necessary in severe cases. One quarter of the cases from European countries need steroid therapy. However, the proportion is much higher (64.3%) to achieve symptomatic relief. Considering Lofgren’s syndrome is rare and less recognized from sarcoidosis in Asian patients, further investigation is needed to achieve clinical experience. Keywords: lofgren’s syndrome; lymphadenopathy; erythema nodosum; arthritis; sarcoidosis.

Atypical ectopic pregnancy: a nightmare for the gynaecologist

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in early pregnancy. Incidence of ectopic pregnancy is 2% of total reported pregnancies and is rising in the recent past due to increase in RTIs and STIs and even early diagnosis due to advancing technology. Classical triad of pain abdomen, bleeding p/v and amenorrhea is not present in all the cases which add to confusion in diagnosing these atypical presentations. A meticulous history and clinical examination along with combination of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and serum beta HCG levels (discriminatory zone) can aid in picking up these atypical cases as depicted in our study. Here, we discussed 7 cases of atypical presentations of ectopic pregnancy which reported to gynaecology OPD of a service hospital of armed forces in a span of 3 months. One patient had pregnancy test negative, one patient was repeatedly treated as a case of AUB, 2 cases of heterotopic pregnancies, 1 case of elderly cornual ectopic and 2 young cases reporting one with repeated episodes of gastritis and other with post tubectomy status. The cases were managed accordingly using surgical methods. Ectopic pregnancy is like a tornado which if not diagnosed in time may prove fatal. Atypical presentation of ectopic pregnancies not fitting into the well-known triad of ectopic pregnancies these days add to confusion. One really needs to be ectopic minded if we actually want to avoid this catastrophe & save these young mothers.

Case Report: Pyogenic Arthritis, Pyoderma Gangrenosum, and Acne: A Single-Center Experience and Literature Review

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne (PAPA) syndrome at a single center in China and provide an up-to-date literature review.MethodsThe clinical data and genotype of three Chinese Han patients were carefully documented and studied. We also conducted a systematic literature review on PAPA syndrome.ResultsA total of three patients were diagnosed with PAPA syndrome at our center from 2018 to 2020. Arthritis was observed in all three patients, while pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) was found in two patients and acne in one patient. Other manifestations included pathergy reaction, intermittent fever, oral ulcer, keratitis, proteinuria, and hematuria. The PSTPIP1 A230T mutation was identified in two patients, and a novel Y119C variation was revealed in a sporadic patient. A total of 76 patients with PAPA syndrome reported in 29 articles were included in our literature review. The classical triad of arthritis, PG, and acne was visible in only 16 (25.4%) patients, while 24 (38.1%) exhibited only one major symptom. Skin lesions were more commonly seen in patients with adult-onset disease than those with childhood-onset disease (100 vs. 83%), whereas arthritis was less common (50 vs. 98.1%). Steroid and/or biological agents were effective in most patients.ConclusionsThe rarity and phenotypic heterogeneity associated with PAPA syndrome make the diagnosis a huge challenge to physicians, especially in adult patients. A significant portion of patients did not exhibit the full spectrum of the classical triad. Accordingly, gene testing is critically helpful for diagnosis.

Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a classical triad of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia and esophageal webs, Plummer-Vinson or Paterson-Kelly syndrome occurs. There is no exact data on the epidemiology of the condition; the syndrome is extremely rare. Most of the patients are middle-aged white women, but the syndrome has also been identified in children and adolescents in the fourth to seventh decades of life. Over the years, dysphagia is typically painless and sporadic or incremental, restricted to solids and often related to weight loss. The association with upper alimentary tract cancers is one of the most significant clinical aspects of Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Etiopathogenesis is unknown due to Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Primary Brain Abscess: a Retrospective Analysis

Background: Patients with primary brain abscess often present with atypical symptoms, and the outcome is varied. We investigated the demographic, laboratory, and neuroimaging features of patients with brain abscess at our hospital and identified factors associated with their outcome.Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of patients diagnosed with primary brain abscess at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2020. Their clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, laboratory and neuroimaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analyzed. Results: Of the 57 patients diagnosed with primary abscess, 51 (89.47%) were older than 40 years and 42 (73.68%) were male. Only eight patients (14.04%) showed the classical triad of headache, fever, and focal neurological deficit. Fourteen patients (24.56%) had comorbidities, of which diabetes mellitus was the most common. Positive pus cultures were obtained in 46.15% of the patients, and gram-negative enteric bacteria were found in 33.33% of them, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently observed. Surgical treatment, most commonly in the form of stereotactic drainage, was received by 54.39% of the patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 75.44% of the patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with headache were more likely to have a poor outcome (odds ratio 6.010, 95% confidence interval 1.114–32.407, p = 0.037).Conclusions: Male patients and those older than 40 years were more susceptible to brain abscess than female patients and those younger than 40 years, respectively. Only a few patients showed the classical triad of clinical symptoms. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. Positive pus culture results were uncommon, with gram-negative enteric bacteria, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, being the main organisms found. Most patients had a good outcome, and the presence of headache may influence the outcome.

Miller Fisher syndrome developed after a previous COVID-19 infection (case report)

Miller Fisher syndrome is one of the forms of Guillain–Barrе́ syndrome, characterized by a clinical triad that includes ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia, with the possible addition of moderate peripheral tetraparesis. During the year that has passed since the start of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID‑19, international publications have presented a few cases of Miller Fisher syndrome, which developed in patients at different times after the COVID‑19 infection – from 3–5 days to 3 weeks. The article presents a description of a clinical case of Miller Fisher syndrome, which occurred with 34‑year‑old man 21 days after the COVID‑19 infection. The clinical manifestations of Miller Fisher syndrome were typical and included diplopia, areflexia, and ataxia. At the beginning of the disease, there was a transient episode of speech impairment in the form of mild dysarthria. Oculomotor disorders predominated in the clinical picture over other components of the classical triad. On the background of treatment with human immunoglobulin G, there was a complete regression of symptoms.This description of Miller Fisher syndrome, which developed after the postponed infection with COVID‑19, is the first in Russia. The presented case demonstrates the ability of the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus to induce the development of an autoimmune disease. Practitioners should take into account the possibility of Miller Fisher syndrome developing in the event of an acute onset of diplopia, ataxia and areflexia in patients after a previous COVID‑19 infection.