Modeling of Lung Function Recovery in Neuralgic Amyotrophy With Diaphragm Impairment.

Background: Neuralgic amyotrophy is an inflammatory peripheral nerve disorder in which phrenic nerve involvement can lead to diaphragm paralysis. The prevalence, magnitude, and time course of diaphragm recovery are uncertain.

Methods: This study modeled the course of recovery of lung function in 16 subjects with diaphragm impairment from neuralgic amyotrophy.

Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane.

We present 2 patients who had upper airway obstruction develop secondary to a fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane after short-term endotracheal intubations. Early recognition and removal of the pseudomembrane resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. We discuss the characteristic presentation of symptoms, diagnosis, and management.

Concomitant Castleman's disease and sarcoidosis.

Castleman's disease (CD) is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue that may develop at a single site or throughout the body. This disorder has frequently been associated with several systemic syndromes, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome and various connective tissue diseases. However, there have been no previously reported cases of concomitant sarcoidosis and CD.

Transudative chylothorax associated with sclerosing mesenteritis.

Transudative chylothorax is an uncommon type of chylous pleural effusion, typically secondary to chyle leak and a coexisting disorder such as heart failure or liver cirrhosis. Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the small bowel mesentery, and has once previously been reported as a cause of chylothorax. We present the case of an 81-year-old man with a right-side transudative chylothorax associated with congestive heart failure and sclerosing mesenteritis.