• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2014

Intrathoracic involvement of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease has recently been reported. However, a subset of the disease presenting as interstitial lung disease is rare. Here, we report a case of a 35-year-old man with IgG4-related lung disease with manifestations similar to those of interstitial lung disease. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse ground glass opacities and rapidly progressive pleural and subpleural fibrosis in both upper lobes. Histological findings showed diffuse interstitial lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with an increased number of IgG4-positive plasma cells. Serum levels of IgG and IgG4 were also increased. The patient was diagnosed with IgG4-related lung disease, treated with anti-inflammatory agents, and showed improvement. Lung involvement of IgG4-related disease can present as interstitial lung disease and, therefore, should be differentiated when evaluating interstitial lung disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2005

The introduction of high-resolution CT (HRCT) in recent years has improved the ability of radiologists to detect and characterize the diffuse infiltrative lung disease (DILD). The detection and diagnosis of diffuse lung disease using HRCT are based on the recognition of specific abnormal findings. In this article, pattern recognition of HRCT findings is reviewed in the differential diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative lung disease. In general, HRCT findings of lung disease can be classified into four categories based on their appearances. These categories consist of (1) nodules and nodular opacities, (2) linear and reticular opacities, (3) increased lung opacity, and (4) decreased lung opacity, including cystic lesions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2014

The recovery of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) from respiratory specimens and the number of patients with NTM lung disease have been rapidly increasing in Korea. An early differential diagnosis of NTM lung disease from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is important, as the therapeutic regimen differs from that of pulmonary TB, and it is not necessary to track the contacts of patients with NTM lung disease. However, differentiating NTM lung disease from pulmonary TB remains difficult, because the clinical presentations of the two diseases are similar and a definite diagnosis of NTM lung disease based on sputum culture takes time. This review focuses on the changing epidemiology, clinical and radiographic manifestation, and laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary TB and NTM lung disease in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.3
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

A lung cyst is an air-filled lucent structure surrounded by a thin wall. The presence of multiple intrapulmonary cysts is defined as cystic lung disease. Although cystic lung disease is rare, incidental detection has increased significantly in recent years by screening using computed tomography. There are many conditions that can mimic lung cysts and cause cystic lung disease. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings are all necessary for a proper diagnosis, and multidisciplinary approaches are frequently required. The aim of this report is to review the causes and characteristics of cystic lung disease to better understand and improve treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.162-165
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• 1995

To evaluate the impact of open lung biopsy on diagnosis and treatment of diffuse infiltrative lung disease, we conducted a retrospective review of 28 patients who underwent this procedure at the Kyoungpook National University Hospital from 1986 to 1993. There were 19 men and 9 women; average age was 50.9 years. During open lung biopsy, The region of the lobe was radiographically and grossly identified and was examined by a biopsy. The biopsy yielded a specific diagnosis in 27 [96.4 % patients and changes in therapy in 24[85.7% patients. Complications developed in three[10.8% patients, directly related to the biopsy procedure in 2. One patient died[3.6% due to underlying disease. We conclude that open lung biopsy can be accomplished safely in the patient with diffuse infiltrative lung disease and it is an important tool in decision-making process and therapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2017

Background: Recently, increased levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) have been identified in various inflammatory conditions and infections. However, no studies have evaluated the HMGB1 level in nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, and compared it to mycobacterial lung disease. Methods: A total of 60 patients newly diagnosed with NTM lung disease, 44 culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients, and 34 healthy controls, were included in this study. The serum HMGB1 concentrations were quantified using HMGB1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Serum HMGB1 level in patients with pulmonary TB or NTM lung disease, was significantly lower than that of the healthy controls. In addition, the serum HMGB1 level in TB patients was significantly lower than patients with NTM lung disease. However, the levels in NTM patient subgroups did not differ according to the causative species, disease progression, and disease phenotype. Conclusion: Although low levels of serum HMGB1 has the potential to be a marker of mycobacterial lung disease, these levels were unable to differentiate disease progression and disease phenotype in NTM lung diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.122-136
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• 2022

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) have distinct clinical features, both diseases may coexist in a patient because they share similar risk factors such as smoking, male sex, and old age. Patients with both emphysema in upper lung fields and diffuse ILD are diagnosed with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), which causes substantial clinical deterioration. Patients with CPFE have higher mortality compared with patients who have COPD alone, but results have been inconclusive compared with patients who have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Poor prognostic factors for CPFE include exacerbation, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities, which may be an early or mild form of ILD, is notable among patients with COPD, and is associated with poor prognosis. Various theories have been proposed regarding the pathophysiology of CPFE. Biomarker analyses have implied that this pathophysiology may be more closely associated with IPF development, rather than COPD or emphysema. Patients with CPFE should be advised to quit smoking and undergo routine lung function tests, and pulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful. Various pharmacologic agents and surgical approaches may be beneficial in patients with CPFE, but further studies are needed.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1123-1130
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• 2018

Purpose: Exposure to indoor radon is associated with lung cancer. This study aimed to estimate the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure, its burden of disease, and the effects of radon mitigation in Korea in 2010. Materials and Methods: Lung cancer deaths due to indoor radon exposure were estimated using exposure-response relations reported in previous studies. Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated to quantify disease burden in relation to premature deaths. Mitigation effects were examined under scenarios in which all homes with indoor radon concentrations above a specified level were remediated below the level. Results: The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure ranged from 1946 to 3863, accounting for 12.5-24.7% of 15623 total lung cancer deaths in 2010. YLLs due to premature deaths were estimated at 43140-101855 years (90-212 years per 100000 population). If all homes with radon levels above $148Bq/m^3$ are effectively remediated, 502-732 lung cancer deaths and 10972-18479 YLLs could be prevented. Conclusion: These findings suggest that indoor radon exposure contributes considerably to lung cancer, and that reducing indoor radon concentration would be helpful for decreasing the disease burden from lung cancer deaths.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.903-906
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• 1991

Retrospective review of 26 patients undergoing open lung biopsy at the Yonsei University during 10 years period was conducted to evaluate open lung biopsy for DILD. From January 1980 to August 1990, open lung biopsy was performed in 26 patients through a limited thoracotomy incision[a limited anterior or a posterolateral thoracotomy]. Open lung biopsy was indicated for diffuse interstitial pulmonary diseases undiagnosed by indirect clinical and radiological diagnostic methods. The types of incision were limited anterior[11] and limited posterolateral[15]. Preoperative evaluation of the lung disease included sputum culture[26], sputum cytology [19], bronchoscopy[9] and TBLB[7]. In 23 patients the histologic appearances after open lung biopsy were sufficiently specific histologic pictures to confirm diagnosis. The results of the biopsies changed usual therapeutic plan in 17 patients among them. The complications were resp. insufficiency[3], pulmonary ed6ma[3], sepsis[2], and others[3] in 6 patients. Diagnosis from the open lung biopsy was included respiratory pneumonia[7], fibrosis[7], infection[5], malignancy[2], others[5]. 4 patients died of respiratory insufficiency. The causes of the other three death were not due to direct result of the biopsy itself. Open lung biopsy in the patient with a diffuse infiltrative lung disease is an one of the accurate diagnostic method and frequently leads to change of the therapeutic plans. So we conclude that open lung biopsy remains our diagnostic method of choice in diffuse infiltrative lung disease undetermined etiology.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.2
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• pp.74-84
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• 2016

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens that affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease are increasing worldwide and rapidly becoming a major public health problem. For the diagnosis of NTM lung disease, patients suspected to have NTM lung disease are required to meet all clinical and microbiologic criteria. The development of molecular methods allows the characterization of new species and NTM identification at a subspecies level. Even after the identification of NTM species from respiratory specimens, clinicians should consider the clinical significance of such findings. Besides the limited options, treatment is lengthy and varies by species, and therefore a challenge. Treatment may be complicated by potential toxicity with discouraging outcomes. The decision to start treatment for NTM lung disease is not easy and requires careful individualized analysis of risks and benefits. Clinicians should be alert to those unique aspects of NTM lung disease concerning diagnosis with advanced molecular methods and treatment with limited options. Current recommendations and recent advances for diagnosis and treatment of NTM lung disease are summarized in this article.