Howard Jolles

Retrospective Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Patients Presenting With Isolated Reduction in Single-Breath Diffusion Capacity: Implications for the Diagnosis of Combined Obstructive and Restrictive Lung Disease

OBJECTIVE To examine the frequency and spectrum of diseases associated with isolated reduction in the diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (D(Lco)). PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively identified all potentially dyspneic patients who had pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla, between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 2000, that showed reduced D(Lco) (< 70% of predicted), normal lung volumes (total lung capacity and residual volume > 80% and < 120% of predicted, respectively), and airflow variables (forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity values > 80% of predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio > 70% of predicted). Only patients who had also undergone chest computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography within 1 month of PFTs were studied. RESULTS Of the 38,095 patients who underwent PFTs during the study period, 179 (0.47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40%-0.54%) had isolated D(Lco) abnormalities. The 27 patients (15.1%; 95% CI, 10.2%-21.2%) who had also undergone chest CT and echocardiography within 1 month of PFTs form the study cohort reported herein. Their mean D(Lco) was 50% +/- 15% (95% CI, 45%-56%) with average normal pulse oxygen saturation at rest and mild hypoxemia with activity. Thirteen of the 27 patients (48%; 95% CI, 28.7%-68.1%) had underlying emphysema evident on CT. Eleven of these 13 patients had emphysema associated with a restrictive lung process. The 14 patients without emphysema had interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and other isolated findings. Six patients with combined emphysema and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis accounted for the largest percentage (22%) of patients with Isolated D(Lco) reduction. The mean +/- SD smoking history of the 27 patients in the study cohort was 36 +/- 33 pack-years (range, 0-116 pack-years). CONCLUSION Dyspneic patients with respiratory symptoms and normal lung volumes and airflows associated with Isolated reduction in D(Lco) should be evaluated for underlying diseases such as emphysema, with or without a concomitant restrictive process, and pulmonary vascular disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging confirmation of pulmonary artery aneurysm in Behçet's disease.

Behçets disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder thought to be the result of an autoimmune vasculitis. Patients classically present with the clinical triad of recurrent oral and genital ulcers and relapsing uveitis. Complications have been reported following pulmonary angiography to diagnose associated pulmonary artery aneurysms. We report a case of pulmonary artery aneurysm in BD confirmed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Traumatic mediastinal lymphocele mimicking other thoracic injuries : case report

Thoracic duct injury and chylothorax are rare consequences of blunt thoracic trauma. A contained mediastinal lymph collection (ie, lymphocele) is rarer still. The article describes a case of posttraumatic mediastinal widening resulting from a high-speed motor vehicle accident. During the patients radiologic assessment aortic rupture, paraspinal hematoma, esophageal injury, mediastinal tumor, and pseudomeningocele were sought and subsequently excluded. At this point a traumatic lymphocele was suggested, and the diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspiration. The anatomy and physiology of the thoracic duct are reviewed.

Adult cystic mediastinal lymphangioma simulating a thymic cyst.

We report a patient with mediastinal lymphangioma, with plain film and computed tomographic findings that suggested the diagnosis of thymic cyst. The differential diagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging of mediastinal lymphangioma are discussed.

The post-cardiac surgery chest radiograph: a clinically integrated approach

The post-cardiac surgery chest radiograph is often read without full knowledge of the patients pathophysiology or of the specific surgical approach employed. This lack of clinical integration severely limits the effectiveness of the radiologic consultation. This article synthesizes a pathophysiologic foundation for interpretation, drawing on (1) the preoperative physiology and radiographic findings, (2) the events of surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and hypothermia, and (3) a detailed survey of the postoperative occurrences and their radiographic presentations including the various appliances, disturbances in fluid balance and ventilation, and complications encountered in the immediate postoperative period. The objective is to define the perioperative events and their radiographic correlations more accurately so that effective radiologic consultation will result.

Computed tomography findings in patients who have undergone muscle flap and omental transposition procedures in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis.

We studied computed tomographic (CT) appearance of muscle or omental flap transposition procedures in ten patients following clinically diagnosed poststernotomy mediastinitis. Patients were examined either to rule out persistent infection or as part of routine follow-up. An increased amount of soft tissue between open sternal fragments and deformity or apparent “absence” of the utilized muscle were normal postoperative anatomic alterations. Abscess within the flap was diagnosed in one patient who had an abnormal focus of low attenuation in the muscle bundle and scattered air bubbles. An overview with CT correlation of the technical aspects of the reconstructive procedures performed at our institution is provided.

A 40-Year-Old Woman With Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

A 40-year-old woman (a nonsmoker) with history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and a platelet count > 90,000 cells/μL without specific medication was referred to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of multiple pulmonary nodules. The patient presented to an outside hospital with fatigue, lack of energy, and dyspnea on exertion for 2 years. She denied fever, cough, chest pain, or weight loss. An initial chest radiograph showed bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A chest CT scan revealed multiple nodular lesions, varying in size, in all lobes of both lungs. There was no mediastinal lymphadenopathy or pleural effusion. There was no significant hypermetabolic activity on a subsequent fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan/CT scan, and there had been no significant change. She underwent CT scan-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy and bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies, all of which were inconclusive. An open lung biopsy was considered.

The Glenn Face Down Pillow: an aid to performance of prone radiologic procedures.

The ease of performing computed tomography (CT)-guided radiologic procedures with the patient in the prone position can be compromised by patient discomfort. This is especially true during transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy when sedation or analgesia may interfere with the patients ability to cooperate. The Glenn Face Down Pillow, a foam cushion with air vents that allows unimpeded respiration with the patient entirely prone, was tested in 34 such biopsies over a 1-year period. Patient compliance was better than with conventional cushions and padding, and procedural problems related to motion from cramping and stiffness were reduced.