• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.232-240
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• 1997

Background : Postprimary pulmonary tuberculosis is located mainly in upper lobes. The tuberculous lesion involving the lower lobes usually arises from the upper lobe cavity through endobronchial spread. When tuberculosis is confined to the lower lung field, it often masquerades as pneumonia, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, or lung abscess. Thus the correct diagnosis may be sometimes delayed for a long time. Methods : We carried out, retrospectively, a clinical study on 50 patients confirmed with lower lung field tuberculosis who visited the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Hanyang University Hospital from January 1992 to December 1994. The following results were obtained. Results : Lower lung field tuberculosis without concomitant upper lobe disease occurred in fifty patients representing 6.9% of the total admission with active pulmonary tuberculosis over a period of 3 years. It occurred most frequently in the third decade but age distribution was relatively even. The mean age was 43 years old. Female was more frequently affected than male (male to female ratio 1 : 1.9). The most common symptom was cough(68%), followed by sputum(52%), fever(38%), and chest discomfort(30%). On chest X-ray of the 50patients, consolidation was the most common finding in 52%, followed by solitary nodule(22%) collapse(16%), cavitary lesion(10%), in decreasing order. The disease confined to the right side in 25 cases, left side 20 cases, and both sides 5 cases. Endobronchial tuberculosis (1) Endobronchial involvement was proved by bronchoscopic examination in 20 of 50patients. (2) Mean age was 44years old and female was more affected than man (male to female ratio 1 : 3). Sputum AFB stain and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture were positive only in 50% of cases unlikely upper lobe tuberculosis, additional diagnostic methods were needed. In our study, bronchoscopic examination and percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy increased diagnostic yield by 18% and 32%, respectively. The most common associated condition was diabetes mellitus(18%) and others were anemia, anorexia nervosa, stomach cancer, and systemic steroid usage. Conclusion : When we find a lower lung field lesion, we should suspect tuberculosis if the patient has diabetes mellitus, anemia, systemic steroid usage, malignancy or other immune suppressed states. Because diagnostic yield of sputum AFB smear & Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture was low, additional diagnostic methods such as bronchoscopy and fine needle aspiration biopsy were needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.604-608
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• 1998

Von Recklinghausen's disease is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease associated with characteristic cafe-au-lait spots of skin and multiple neurofibromatosis. It is complicated by malignancies, which in most cases is neurofibrosarcoma. The development of lung cancer in von Recklinghausen's disease is rare. A 61-year-old male was admitted for cough and sputum for 20 days. He had multiple cafe-au-lait spots and subcutaneous neurofibromas in whole body area and Lisch nodules in both iris and he had been diagnosed von Recklinghausen's disease 35 years ago. Chest radiography showed emphysematous bullae in both upper lung field and mass in right upper lung field. Chest CT scan revealed subcarinal lymph node enlargement. Bronchoscopic biopsy was done in mass in superior segment of right lower lobe and the results showed squamous cell carcinoma. The presence of von Recklinghausen's disease and lung cancer are noteworthy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.740-746
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• 2001

Background : A 35-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room with sudden dyspnea that developed one day prior. The initial Chest X-ray showed multiple bullous changes at the right middle and lower lung field and long standing fibrotic tuberculous changes at the right upper lung field. The left lung field was totally collapsed by an fibrotic old tuberculous lesion. In spite of supportive medical care with oxygen therapy after admission, the radiographic lesions were no significant change but the respiratory distress had worsened. The patient suffered respiratory failure and received mechanical ventilatory support. The HRCT showed a localized tension pneumothorax mimicking multiple giant bullae at the right lower lung field. Immediately after a closed thoracostomy with a 32 French chest tube and air drainage, her vital signs and dyspnea were gradually improved. The patient was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation after 5 days of mechanical ventilatory support. The patient had received talc pleurodesis through a chest tube to prevent the recurrence of the life-threatening localized pneumothorax. The patient was discharged without recurrence of the pneumothorax.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.388-393
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• 2000

Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura is very rare. Most of them are benign, but some are malignant. This clause does not relate with the rest of the sentence. The single best predictor of clinical benignity is whether the tumor can be totally resected. We experienced a case of localized fibrous tumor of the pleura in a 57 year old man with right chest pain and cough. He was informed of a $8{\times}5cm$ mass in his right lower lung field, which was benign 3 years ago. Preoperative chest x-ray showed an increased hazy density at right lower lung field, and CT scan showed a $12{\times}8cm$ huge mass, which was located in right lower thorax. Left thoracotomy was done to excise a $12{\times}8{\times}5cm$(1200gm) sized large mass delete. The patient was discharged without any complications postoperatively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.437-443
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• 1998

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is characterized by the accumulation of PAS positive lipoproteinaceous or amorphous proteinaceous material in the alveolar space with spared delicate septal architecture of the lung interstitium and impaired gas exchange of alveoli. We experienced a case of secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a 41 year old male patient who have occupational history of engagement as a mason over 4year. He compalined exertional dyspnea and chest discomfort, and presented fine inspiratory crackle at both lower lung field, numerous fine nodular denisties in both lung field with peripheral sparing. Light microscopic finding of lung tissue obtained by transbronchiallung biopsy revealed homogenous eosinophilic colloid-like luminal content in the alveolar space, and electron microscopy of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid concentrate showed electron-dense multilamellated structures. To treat the disease, we tried whole lung lavage of right lung with isotonic saline under general anesthesia. After whole lung lavage of right lung, he showed markid improvement of symptom and partial improvement of chest X-ray findings. The patient has been followed for 12 month until now, with no evidence of aggravation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.366-369
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• 1992

A chest x-ray of 68 year old male showed pneumonic consolidation of right lower lung field with blunting of right cardiac border. Computerized tomography of chest revealed infiltrative mass with V-shaped calcification just below right main bronchus. This finding has to be made into differential diagnosis of numerous pulmonary diseases including, mycobacterial disease, neoplasm, lymphadenopathies, and foreign bodies. Initial bronchoscopic findings suggest endobronchial mass lesion on right intermediate bronchus but endobronchial biopsy fail to prove malignant cell or underlying illness. But repeated endobronchial biopsy shows metallic material in the right Intermediate bronchus and we remove it with alligator jaws forcep under bronchoscopy. He was well after discharge.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.507-510
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• 2012

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is a specific tumor marker of the biliary, pancreatic and gastrointestinal tracts. CA19-9 is occasionally elevated in serum in patiens with benign pulmonary diseases such as bronchiectasis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia or collagen disease-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Intralobar pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon congenital lung anomaly. It is dissociated from the normal tracheobronchial tree and is supplied by an anomalous systemic artery. There have been some reports of elevation of CA19-9 in this lesion. We report a case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration with elevated serum CA19-9 in a 29-year-old man who was diagnosed with bronchiectasia of left lower lung field on general check up. He had no evidence of any malignant disease in pancreatobiliary or gastrointestinal tracts. Elevated serum CA19-9 level might be encountered with benign pulmonary disease such as pulmonary sequestration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.113-116
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• 1996

A previously healthy 59-year old male patient was admitted due to cough and abnormal chest x-ray. Cough started 5 months ago and persisted. Two months before admission, abnormality in chest PA was detected. He had no symptom other than cough. He was nonsmoker and physical examination revealed no abnormal finding. His chest X-ray showed ill-defined $2{\times}1\;cm$ ovoid infiltration in left middle lung field. On chest computed tomography, it was located in the subpleural region of posterobasal segment of left lower lobe. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was absent. Blood test and sputum examination were not diagnostic. Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsy revealed pulmonary cryptococcosis. After central nervous system involvement was excluded by spinal tap, oral ketoconazole therapy was started. The lesion decreased in size after 8 weeks of therapy and almost disappeared on follow-up chest X-ray 4 months later.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 1994

A 70-year-old female patient was admitted due to the impression of lung abscess via local clinic. Chest P-A showed air shadow containing huge mass lesion in the right lower lung field, pericardio phrenic angle. But the patient complained of only mild upper respiratioy tract infection symptoms and the laboratory tests were within normal limits. Barium enema and chest C-T taken right after barium enema were performed in suggestion of the diaphragmatic hernia. Barium filled transverse colon and associated omentum were in the right anterior hemithorax surrounded by the hernial sac. The mass lesion shown in the chest P-A was compatible with the diaphragmatic hernia, Morgagni type. Operative reduction of the herniated bowel and simple closure of the diaphragm was performed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.289-293
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• 2007

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that affects females of reproductive age. It is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the lung and along the axial lymphatics. We report a case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis presenting as a lung mass. The patient visited the emergency room because of dyspnea upon exertion. The chest X-ray showed a lung mass in the right lower lung field and a pneumothorax in the left lung. Chest computed tomography revealed a $5{\times}3cm$ sized mass in the right lower lobe and multiple thin-walled small cysts scattered in both lungs. Transbronchial biopsy of the lung mass was performed. The biopsy specimen showed atypical smooth muscle cell proliferation and cystic dilatation of the terminal bronchioles, which confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis presenting as a lung mass.