Reduced pulmonary function is associated with enhanced inflammation and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with lung parenchymal sarcoidosis.

Lung parenchymal disease is associated with reduced pulmonary function in patients with sarcoidosis, however, the underlying pathophysiology of the condition is unclear. The present study was conducted to characterize the association between pulmonary function and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with sarcoidosis. Twenty-three patients with lung parenchymal disease (stage 2) and twenty-five patients without lung parenchymal disease (stage 1) underwent pulmonary function tests, including blood gas analysis, spirometry and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) and BAL, to determine the number of inflammatory cells, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 activity and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 concentration in the lower airway.

A young adult patient with septic pulmonary emboli of undetermined origin.

A 25-year-old male who had no significant medical history presented abrupt onset of high-grade fever and chills without noticeable trigger. The patient sought for medical attention for subsequently developed dyspnea and chest pain. Radiological examinations revealed bilateral lung peripheral multiple opacities, some of which were cavitating, suggesting of septic pulmonary emboli (SPE).

Pulmonary metastasis of endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Multiple round opacities suggestive of metastatic lung tumors were incidentally found on a chest x-ray film in a 43-year-old woman. The patient underwent hysterectomy for "myoma uteri" three years previously. Extensive examinations could not specify the primary neoplastic lesions.

Prevalence of previously undiagnosed airflow limitation in patients who underwent preoperative pulmonary function test.

Although being a rapidly expanding socioeconomical burden worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often overlooked because of its insidious progression. Since spirometry is the primary tool for the diagnosis of COPD, physicians should be aware of the disease in any situation where interpreting spirometry. This study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed COPD among patients who underwent spirometry as a preoperative evaluation for elective surgeries.

[Successful treatment with micafungin in a case of candidemia associated with pneumonia].

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with fever and cough. Candidemia was diagnosed by blood culture and culture of IVH catheter. Although, the patient was treated with fluconazole, clinical symptoms and chest radiographic findings worsened.