Publications by authors named "Anneli Piilonen"

Background: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), subclassified into bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) or restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS), limits survival after lung transplantation. Information concerning transition from BOS to RAS is limited. We aimed to characterize the lung volume change after BOS diagnosis by computed tomography (CT) volumetry and to determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical significance of BOS to RAS transition.

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Background: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) limits long-term survival after lung transplantation. Of the two subtypes, restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) is characterized by a larger lung volume decrease and worse prognosis than bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We used computed tomography (CT) volumetry to classify CLAD subtypes and determined their clinical impact.

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Purpose: To automate diagnostic chest radiograph imaging quality control (lung inclusion at all four edges, patient rotation, and correct inspiration) using convolutional neural network models.

Methods: The data comprised of 2589 postero-anterior chest radiographs imaged in a standing position, which were divided into train, validation, and test sets. We increased the number of images for the inclusion by cropping appropriate images, and for the inclusion and the rotation by flipping the images horizontally.

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The histologic manifestation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), which is a good prognostic determinant of survival compared with other histologic interstitial lung disease patterns. According to the current international guidelines, the histologic features of suspected IPF/UIP are divided into 4 categories: UIP, probable UIP, possible UIP, and not UIP pattern. Four pulmonary pathologists who were blinded to clinicoradiologic information reevaluated 50 surgical lung biopsies (83.

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Background: We investigated the ability of cardiac biomarkers and total pulmonary artery (PA) clot score to predict right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on admission and at seven-month follow-up in subjects with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: Sixty-three normotensive patients with APE were divided into two groups: patients with (n= 32, age 58±19 years) and without (n=31, age 55±16 years) echocardiographic RVD. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) were assessed upon arrival and repeated at seven months.

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The incidence of thoracic empyema is increasing. Early treatment of empyema should focus on optimal drainage and antibiotics. If conventional therapy fails, surgical intervention has to be considered and approximately 30% of all patients require surgery.

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Background: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) can be assessed with helical computerized tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Signs of RVD and elevated natriuretic peptides like NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin (TnT) are associated with increased risk of mortality. However, the prognostic role of both initial diagnostic strategy and the use of NT-proBNP and TnT for screening for long-term probability of RVD remains unknown.

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Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) often decreases pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL,CO), but data on the mechanisms involved are inconsistent. We wanted to investigate whether reduction in diffusing capacity of alveolo-capillary membrane (DM) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) is associated with the extent of PE or the presence and severity of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) induced by PE and how the possible changes are corrected after 7-month follow-up. Forty-seven patients with acute non-massive PE in spiral computed tomography (CT) were included.

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Objectives: The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of submucosal radiofrequency tonsil reduction (SRFTR) in adults by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The secondary objective was to evaluate the morbidity of SRFTR.

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal clinical study with a follow-up time of 12 months was conducted of 10 consecutive patients with the median age of 24.

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Background: Respiratory and other symptoms are often associated with exposure to microbes present in water-damaged buildings.

Material And Methods: We examined 82 consecutive patients referred to the Indoor Air Clinic, Helsinki University Hospital, due to symptoms suspected of having been caused by long-term exposure to water damage in the home or workplace. Exposure to water damage was assessed by building inspections and microbial analyses as needed.

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Objective: To assess the prevalence, predictors, and course of bronchiectasis in patients with cartilage-hair hypoplasia.

Study Design: Patients who had undergone high-resolution computed tomography of the lungs or bronchography were included in the study. Hospital records were coorelated for clinical features, respiratory symptoms, and laboratory variables.

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Background: Hospital mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains high. Some of these patients develop increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) which may contribute to organ dysfunction. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of increased IAP in patients with SAP and to assess the development of organ dysfunction and factors associated with high IAP.

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A kidney transplant patient on cyclosporine treatment developed focal pneumonia due to Aspergillus fumigatus. The patient was not able to tolerate amphotericin B deoxycholate and was switched to caspofungin. The patient responded favourably without any evidence of toxicity from concomitant use of caspofungin and cylosporine.

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The risk of respiratory depression can prevent the proper use of opioids in trauma patients and lead to use of supplemental oxygen. However, high FiO(2) might contribute to atelectasis formation and consequently to relative hypoxia. Supplemental oxygen also can cause a risk of fire.

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Some reports indicate that exposure to iodinated contrast medium (CM) could worsen the outcome of patients with brain infarction. In this prospective study, we compared the outcome of 77 patients receiving and 128 not receiving nonionic iodinated CM. Stroke severity was assessed by the Scandinavian Prognostic Stroke Score, and outcome by the Rankin Scale.

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Sleep-disordered breathing, including habitual snoring, is a major health problem. Treatment of primary habitual snoring should be individualized using both conservative and active treatment methods. Active surgical interventions are, however, associated with significant morbidity.

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