Respiratory exacerbation in a young adult with cystic fibrosis and tricuspid atresia.

Tricuspid atresia (TAt) is a complex congenital heart defect (CHD) characterized by the absence of the tricuspid valve and right ventricular hypoplasia requiring surgery in childhood, the Fontan procedure. We present a case of a 21-year-old male with TAt and cystic fibrosis (CF), who underwent a Fontan procedure in childhood, presenting to an adult CF clinic with severe deterioration in his respiratory status and multi-organ dysfunction associated with CF. This report describes problems associated with the management of a CF respiratory exacerbation and extrapulmonary manifestations of CF in the unique situation of a Fontan circulation, a circulation with absence of a subpulmonary ventricle and pulsatile pulmonary arterial blood flow where maintenance of systemic cardiac output is totally dependent on good respiratory function and low pulmonary artery pressures.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting with remitting-relapsing pleural effusions: report of two cases.

Pleural effusions are common and are associated with malignancy in one sixth of cases. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is typically persistent and progressive, prompting further investigations if the initial tests are not diagnostic. A spontaneously remitting effusion is commonly presumed to be benign, and further investigations may not be performed.

Metastatic pancreatic carcinoma masquerading as cystic lung disease: a rare presentation.

This 52-year-old male ex-smoker presented with a six-month history of progressive breathlessness and weight loss. He deteriorated acutely, and was admitted with severe type 1 respiratory failure. Apart from diffuse coarse crackles on chest auscultation, physical examination was unremarkable.

Clostridium difficile infection in cystic fibrosis: an uncommon but life-threatening complication.

Adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) have significant rates of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile carriage and are frequently exposed to risk factors for C. difficile infection (CDI). Despite this, the rate of reported CDI in CF is low.

A massive pleural-based desmoid tumour.

A 49-year-old Pakistani male presented with "heaviness" in his chest. Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) confirmed a massive left-sided pleural-based opacity. Three years ago, he was investigated for a left-sided lymphocytic, exudative pleural effusion following an episode of dengue fever.