Endobronchial nodules in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

We report the case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with endobronchial nodules. Endobronchial biopsy showed a large B cell lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma rarely involves the endobronchial tree, and is typically treated with systemic chemotherapy, but in this case additional treatment with argon plasma coagulation was used for local control of the disease.

Spontaneous recovery in idiopathic unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.

Idiopathic unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition that typically causes minimal symptoms, especially during exercise. Several reports indicated progressive improvement or even complete recovery to normal function of diaphragmatic paralysis that complicated various thoracic and extrathoracic conditions. In this case we describe a 57-year-old male with spontaneous recovery of idiopathic right hemidiaphragm paralysis and review reported cases of reversible diaphragmatic dysfunction.

The use of statins and lung function in current and former smokers.

Background: Smokers are affected by a variety of inflammatory diseases, including COPD. Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors, are used for their lipid-lowering characteristics but also appear to have antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. We assessed their ability to preserve lung function in current and former smokers.

The significance and outcome of continuous positive airway pressure-related central sleep apnea during split-night sleep studies.

Objective: To determine whether central sleep apnea (CSA) occurring during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) reflects subclinical congestive heart failure (CHF), and whether these events will improve with CPAP therapy.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of patients with suspected sleep-related breathing disorders referred for split-night polysomnography

Patients And Methods: Forty-two OSA patients with and without CPAP-related CSA were analyzed. All CSA patients (n = 21) and control subjects (n = 21) underwent echocardiography, pulmonary function testing, and arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.

Rounded atelectasis with atypical computed tomography findings.

Rounded atelectasis is atelectasis of the peripheral part of the lung, typically in contact with thickened pleura, featuring characteristic computed tomography findings. In this case, a 61-year-old man with history of asbestos exposure presented with a right-middle-lobe nodule on chest radiograph, with computed tomography findings suspicious for neoplasm. The patient underwent surgical resection, which revealed rounded atelectasis.

Mast cell activation by lipoproteins.

Mast cells are activated by a number of agents that act independently from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity. One of these agents is oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). OxLDL has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and has been shown to induce microvascular dysfunction by the activation of mast cells.

C-reactive protein as a novel biomarker. Reactant can flag atherosclerosis and help predict cardiac events.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a relatively nonspecific marker of inflammation. However, it can be used to monitor the severity and progression of some well-defined cardiovascular diseases. For example, it can predict serious events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), or advanced peripheral vascular disease.