Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is an attractive alternative to open lung biopsy as an initial diagnostic procedure for patients with diffuse parenchymal disease or localized densities beyond direct endoscopic vision. TBLB can be carried out safely without fluoroscopy in patients with diffuse lung disease. Since in our bronchoscopic department fluoroscopy is not available, we planned to evaluate the blind (without fluoroscopic guide) TBLB being performed in our department to determine the success rate in obtaining lung tissue, the sensitivity of the procedure and the risk of complications.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-Four TBLB were done in our department during a 6 month period (March-September 1999).

Results: Lung tissue wasn’t detected in two (3.1 percent) samples. Pathological results were helpful in 46 (71.9 percent) cases. No evidence of hemoptysis was found after the procedure. Three (4.68 percent) cases of pneumothorax was detected. Only one of them required chest tube (1.51 percent).

Conclusion: We concluded that blind TBLB was successful in our department with rates of complications comparable to other approved centers.

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Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is an attractive alternative to open lung biopsy as an initial diagnostic procedure for patients with diffuse parenchymal disease or localized densities beyond direct endoscopic vision. TBLB can be carried out safely without fluoroscopy in patients with diffuse lung disease. Since in our bronchoscopic department fluoroscopy is not available, we planned to evaluate the blind (without fluoroscopic guide) TBLB being performed in our department to determine the success rate in obtaining lung tissue, the sensitivity of the procedure and the risk of complications.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-four TBLB were done in our department during a six month period (March-September 1999).

Results: Lung tissue wasn't detected in two (3.1 percent) samples. Pathological results were helpful in 46 (71.9 percent) cases. No evidence of hemoptysis was found after the procedure. Three (4.68 percent) cases of pneumothorax were detected. Only one of them required chest tube (1.51 percent).

Conclusion: We concluded that blind TBLB was successful in our department with rates of complications comparable to other approved centers.

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Background: Pulmonary involvement is a common and serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This cross sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of history, physical examination, chest X-ray and PFT.

Materials and Methods: 103 patients (81 Women, 22 Men) fulfilling the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria for RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) were consecutively included in a cross sectional study. Detailed medical (including respiratory symptoms and the disease activity symptoms) and drug and occupational histories and smoking were obtained. All patients underwent a complete pulmonary and rheumatologic examination and conventional chest radiography. All patients underwent PFT that comprised spirometry and body plethysmography.Results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height.

Results: On the basis of history: Their mean age was 43.3 ± 2.6 years (range: 17-74) and the mean duration of the disease was 69.3 ± 15.6 months. Rheumatoid factor was positive in% 61.2. No patients were 0.5Pack/Year smoker in whole life. Prevalence of pulmonary involvement based on radiographic and pulmonary function test detected in 41 patients (39/7%). The most frequent respiratory clinical finding was dyspnea (33%), (NYHA grade I in 17.5% and NYHA grade II in 15.5%), Cough (with or without sputum) in 13.6 %, Crackle was the most sign in pulmonary examination (5.8%). Chest X-ray was abnormal in 13.3 % that the most common finding in this study was reticulonodular pattern in 20 patients (19.4 %), and pleural effusion detected in 7 patients (6.7%). PFT was abnormal in 30 patients (29.1 %). A significant decrease of FEF 25%-75% below 1.64 SD. Small airway involvements was the most abnormal finding of PFT. No relation between rheumatoid arthritis disease activity (ESR>30, Morning stiffness>30', Anemia, thrombocytosis) with pulmonary disease was seen.

Conclusion: This study suggests a high prevalence of lung involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Therefore we recommend a complete investigation in patients with RA with any respiratory symptom.

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Background: Community-acquired pneumonia could be a life-threatening condition especially in elderly patients. The factors influencing the outcome in elderly patients are thought to be different from those in young adults. We compared the clinical and paraclinical profiles in elderly and nonelderly patients with community-acquired pneumonias.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, seventy nine patients who were hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia over a period of one year were included. Patients' medical records were reviewed and data related to comorbid conditions, signs and symptoms, laboratory and radiographic findings were gathered using a checklist.
Results: The clinical features, laboratory parameters and complications from pneumonia were almost similar in 41 elderly (group I, age ≥65years) and 38 young (group II, age<65years) subjects. Delirium was seen more in elderly group (p=0.05). The average body temperature and pulse rate were significantly higher in nonelderly group. Sixty one percent of elderly patients and 21% of young patients have Po2 less than 60 (p=0.02). Smoking (29.1%), neurological disturbances (19%), congestive heart failure (15.2%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus (13.9%) were associated comorbidities in both groups. In non elderly group, immune compromise and IV drug use were more common as underlying comorbid conditions. Two of three mortalities were due to elder patients.
Conclusion: Community acquired pneumonia could have more serious clinical and abnormal laboratory features in the elderly than younger patients. Mortality rate may be higher in older patients. Comorbid conditions are frequently seen in both elderly and nonelderly patients with community acquired pneumonia, but IV drug use and immune compromise are more frequent in nonelderly patients.