Could Be % MMEF and sGaw Determinant Diagnostic Parameters Between Partial Reversibility and Reversibility in Evaluating Short-Acting Bronchodilator Response?

INTRODUCTION: By examining the relationship between changes in maximum mild-expiratory flow( MMEF) and specific airway conductance(sGaw), parameters with the change in FEV1 when evaluating the spirometer test and the bronchodilator response, we investigated their diagnostic contribution to the bronchodilator response in those with partial responses to FEV1. METHODS: The retrospective study sample consists of data from 112 patients between Jun 1, 2019, and Feb 1, 2020 who applied to the pulmonary function laboratory with a pre-diagnosis of bronchial hyperreactivity as well as body plethysmography test performed together with the reversibility test. RESULTS: MMEF% and ▲sGaw were linearly correlated with ▲FEV1 (respectively r = 0.752; p <0.001, r = 0.611; p <0.001). While there was a significant difference between ▲MMEF% and ▲sGaw between reversible, partially reversible, and irreversible groups (P <0.001), there was no significant difference in ▲sGaw between partial reversible and reversible groups in post-hoc comparisons (P> 0.05). In the binary logistic regression model created between the partially reversible and reversible groups, demographic characteristics, MMEF% and ▲sGaw variables, ▲MMEF was an independent predictor [OR: 1.132; 95% CI (1.036-1.238), p = 0.006]. The 24% threshold for absolute reversibility or partial reversibility calculated with MMEF% was significant, indicating significance at 86.2% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity (AUC: 0.811, 95% CI: 0.686-0.936; p <0.001). This value we found defined 81% of the partially reversible group as reversible. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We observed that ▲sGaw alone didn' have a determinant contribution for determining reversibility in bronchodilator response, which showed partial reversibility with respect to FEV1 change. We believe that ▲MMEF% can be an independent predictor between these two groups and the calculated threshold value of 24% can be used as a criterion for determining the reversibility in cases where FEV1 is not determinant.

Prognostic Effects of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Rates in Serum and Pleural Fluids in Malignant Pleural Fluids

Objective: Various studies have reported that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the serum (sNLR) may serve as a cost-effective and useful prognostic factor in patients with various cancer types. We investigated the clinical impact of NLR as a prognostic factor in malign pleural effusion (MPE) and sNLR on prognosis in MPE. Method: We retrospectively reviewed all of the patients who were diagnosed MPE. The relationship between sNLR and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the malign pleural effusion (mNLR) value, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), histopathologic type, serum albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with survival were investigated. Results: A total of 222 patients with a mean age of 65.7±11.5 were included in the study. Patients with a mNLR value ≥0.42 and a serum NLR value ≥4.75 had a shorter survival (p: 0.000). Multivariate analysis, which showed that survival was significantly related mNLR value > 0.42 and/or sNLR value > 4.75 (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.66, %95 CI, 1,65-4,3 p: 0.001), serum LDH > 210 (OR = 1.8, %95 CI, 1,33-2,46 p: 0.001) and age > 65 (OR = 1.9, %95 CI, 1,41-2,55 p = 0.001). Conclusion: sNLR and mNLR may act as a simple, useful, and cost-effective prognostic factor in patients with MPE. Furthermore, these results may serve as the cornerstone of further research into the mNLR in the future. Although further studies are required to generalize our results, this information will benefit clinicians and patients in determining the most appropriate therapy for patients with MPE.

Scalp Metastasis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a primary malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells lining the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum, which is frequently seen between the ages of 40-60. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis, usually associated with asbestos exposure. It is characterized by aggressive local invasion and metastatic spread. Extrathoracic lymphogenous-hematogenous metastases are rare at the time of diagnosis and in the early stage. However, metastases develop in at least half of the cases in the late stage of the disease. After the spread of serous membranes, distant metastases to the bone, adrenal gland, and liver are frequently observed. Skin and scalp metastases are rarely observed. Our case MPM is presented because it is a rare scalp metastasis.

Our Parenchyma-Sparing Surgical Treatment Results in Carcinoid Tumors and Changes in the Surgical Approach

INTRODUCTION: Hilar/mediastinal lymph node sampling with lobectomy are the most common surgical methods used for the surgical treatment of carcinoid tumors. Bronchoplastic approaches together with lobectomy enable sparing of normal lung tissue and provide an alternative surgical approach to avoid pneumonectomy by enabling sleeve resection for centrally located tumors. The aim of this study was to present our parenchyma-sparing open surgical treatment experiences with the carcinoid tumor cases operated in our clinic in light of the new developments in the literature METHODS: The 11 tumor cases that had been diagnosed with carcinoid tumor and undergone surgical resection at our clinic between 2006 and 2012 were retrospectively revealed for tumor epidemiology, diagnostic methods, tumor localization, surgical treatment method, type and stage and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were 7 males and 4 females with a mean age of 54.81±13.75 years (31-72 years). Cough was the most common presentation symptom with 8 cases (72.7%). A bronchoscopic biopsy was used for the definite diagnosis in 8 cases (72.7%). There were 11 (84.6%) typical and 2 (15.4%) atypical carcinoid tumors in the 11 cases. The most common surgical methods were lobectomy in 7 cases (53.8%) (3 sleeve, 1 bronchoplastic) and wedge resection in 4 cases. We found bilateral synchronous and 3 years later metachronous carcinoid tumor in a single case. The postoperative pathology diagnosis was T2N0M0 in 6 cases (54.5%) and T1N0M0 in 3 cases (27.2%). There was 1 atelectasis and 1 prolonged air leak in the postoperative stage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although we still use thoracotomy and lobectomy for the surgical treatment of carcinoid tumors in our clinic, we currently prefer minimal invasive surgery with the VATS and robotic surgery techniques that are gradually becoming more popular.

An Unusual Late Complication of Traumatic Rupture of Diaphragm: Thoracic Herniation of Liver

The translocation of the intraabdominal organs into the intrathoracic cavity via the injured area in the diapragm after blunt or penetrated trauma is called traumatic rupture of the diapragm.The translocation of intrabdominal organs into the intrathoracic cavity is a rare, well known, but easily overlooked complication. In cases of severe traumatic events the diagnosis may be skipped due to hemodynamic instability of the patient which may delay treatment. We reported a patient with diaphragmatic rupture diagnosed 1.5 months after a blunt thoracic trauma.

Clinical Characteristics and Transmission Routes of COVID-19 in the Early Period of the Pandemic in a Non-Covid Ward of Chest Diseases Hospital

Objective: In the early stages of the outbreak, Covid patients were followed-up in isolated Covid Wards, and the examinations of other pulmonary diseases continued in Non-Covid wards. Differential diagnosis between COVID-19 and infections caused by other pathogens is not adequately recognized. For this reason, it is even more difficult to identify patients who are infected with SARS-CoV2 or other pathogens. In the present study, the clinical characteristics and transmission routes of the Covid-19 cases in Non-Covid Wards within approximately 2 months’ time after the onset of the pandemic were analyzed speculatively. Method: In the early periods of the pandemic, quarantine wards were created for Covid patients in Chest Diseases Hospital, but there were also changes in Non-Covid patients and new Non-Covid hospitalizations. The clinical characteristics and transmission routes of the Covid cases in Non-Covid Ward were examined retrospectively and observationally between 10.03.2020 and 30.04.2020. Results: During this period, a total of 35 Covid cases were detected as a patient, companion and healthcare employees. The median age of the patients was 50 years (min-max 25-85). There were 17 patients (48.6%) who were not severe, and 18 severe patients (51.4%), and 10 (28.6%) patients died. A total of 25 (71,4%) of infected cases were verified with the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Test, and 10 (28,6%) were diagnosed clinically and radiologically as possible COVID-19 cases. Being 65 years old or over, having comorbid diseases, especially COPD, the presence of dyspnea as a symptom and involvement on chest radiography were found to be significantly associated with survival (p0.027, 0.009, 0.038, 0.000 and 0.033, respectively). Lymphopenia, increase in neutrophil count, CRP and NLR value were found to be statistically related to survival (p 0.005, 0.001, 0.014 and 0.000, respectively). We found 4 super spreaders, one of whom was a companion, and 3 patients. Conclusion: Potential “super spreaders” can be the source of infection before the quarantine conditions are applied and comprehensive protection is implemented. For this reason, quarantine, use of personal protective equipment, application of social distancing, and the implementation of comprehensive preventive measures, such as disinfection, are crucial in controlling nosocomial infection

An Extremely Lung Neoplasm: Primary Pulmonary Meningioma

Although meningioma is mainly a central nervous system tumor, primary pulmonary meningioma is a rare lung neoplasm located outside the central nervous system. There is no clear consensus on its origin. A 42-year-old female patient, without any pre-diagnosis or symptom, was admitted to our clinic due to an incidentally detected lesion on chest X-ray during routine controls. The lesion in the lower lobe of the left lung was successfully resected by surgical intervention. In this study; primary pulmonary meningioma was examined because of its rarity and presented with the literature data.