• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.1015-1022
• /
• 1994

Over the past few years, video-assisted thoracic surgery [VATS] has been used increasingly for intrathoracic pathologic problems as a less invasive operative techniques. Today it is viewed as a sparing and safe alternative to thoracotomy for a wide spectrum of indications. Using video-assisted operative thoracoscopy, we performed consecutive 150 operations on 148 patients during the initial 2 years of our experience from July 1992 with the following indications: pneumothorax [n=53], hyperhidrosis [n=29], mediastinal mass [n=23], pleural disease [n=13], diffuse parenchymal or interstitial lung disease [n=12], benign pulmonary nodule [n=7], metastatic lung mass [n=3], primary lung cancer [n=3], bronchiectasis [n=2], malignant pericardial effusion [n=2], endobronchial tuberculosis [n=1], esophageal achalasia [n=1], and pulmonary parenchymal foreign body [n=1]. There were no death, and overall complicaton rate was 24.0%[n=36]. The most prevalent complication was persistent air leakage [longer than 5 days] in 14 cases [9.3%]. Persistent pleural effusion [longer than 5 days] occurred in 6 cases [4.0%]. Six patients were converted to an open thoracotomy because of inability to control the operative bleeding [n=3], failed adhesiolysis in bronchiectasis [n=2], and radical excision of an lung cancer [n=1]. Pneumothorax recurred in 3 cases[2.0%]. Other complications were Horner`s syndrome, diaphragm tears, temporary phrenic nerve palsy, hoarseness, subsegmental atelectasis, transient respiratory difficulty, and esophageal mucosal tear. The advantages of this minimally traumatizing operative technique lie in improved visualization, decreased pain, shortened hospital stay, and less postoperative morbidity. The indications of VATS has been extended increasingly to intrathoracic pathologies, but its role in the managements of primary lung cancer and esophageal disease remains to be defined.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 2009

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare disorder characterized by a diffuse infiltration of the alveolar space, interstitium by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and reticuloendothelial cells. Although its etiology is unknown, LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders and with viral infections. Because it's clinical and radiographic features are nonspecific, a confirmatory diagnosis is performed by open lung biopsy. A 59-year-old female presented dry cough, which had been present for 1 month. On initial findings of multifocal consolidation at the right middle lobe on both lower lobes in chest radiography, the first diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia was suggested. On open lung biopsy, LIP was diagnosed. The patient had no autoimmune disease, viral infection or monoclonal gammopathy. After 3 months of corticosteroid treatment, the patient experienced improved symptoms, reduced abnormalities on chest radiography, and improved pulmonary function testing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.388-402
• /
• 1996

Background : To compare the diagnostic accuracies of High-resolution CT(HRCI) and chest radiography in the diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative lung disease(DILD). Methods : This study included ninety-nine patients with a diagnosis of acute or chronic DILD, representing 20 different diseases. Twelve normal subjects were included as control. The disease state was confirmed either pathologically or clinically. Radiographs and CT scans were evaluated separately by three independent observers without knowledge of clinical and pathologic results. The observers listed three most likely diagnoses and recorded degree of confidence. Results : The sensitivity of HRCT in the detection of DILD was 98.9% compared to 97.9% of chest radiography. Overall, a correct first-choice diagnosis was made in 48% using chest radiographs and in 60% using HRCT images. The correct diagnosis was among the top-three choices in 64% when chest radiographs were used, and in 75% when HRCT images were reviewed. Overally a confident diagnosis was reached more often with HRCT(55%) than with chest radiography(26%). The correct first-choice diagnosis increased remarkably when the HRCT was used in usual interstitial pneumonia, miliary tuberculosis, diffuse panbronchiolitis and lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Conclusion : HRCT is confirmed to be superior to conventional radiography in the detection and accurate diagnosis of DILD. HRCT is especially valuable in the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia, miliary tuberculosis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and lymphangitic carcinomatosis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2010

Objective : This is a clinical report about the 77-years-old man patient with polymyositis treated by oriental medicine. Methods : The patient was treated by acupuncture and herb medication. The improvement of the patient was judged by MRC scale and CPK, LDH. Results & Conclusions : 1. Patient's symptoms(paraplegia) rapidly improved. 2. The level of CPK, LDH and Potassium are recovered to the normal range. 3. Associated with respiratory symptoms are getting better.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.5-19
• /
• 1998

Introduction: Direct histologic and bacteriologic examination of a representative specimen of lung tissue is the only certain method of providing an accurate diagnosis in various pulmonary diseases including diffuse pulmonary diseases. The purpose of national survey was to define the indication, incidence, effectiveness, safety and complication of open and thoracoscopic lung biopsy in korea. Methods: A multicenter registry of 37 university or general hospitals equipped more than 400 patient's bed were retrospectively collected and analyzed for 3 years from the January 1994 to December 1996 using the same registry protocol. Results: 1) There were 511 cases from the 37 hospitals during 3 years. The mean age was 50.2 years(${\pm}15.1$ years) and men was more prevalent than women(54.9% vs 45.9%). 2) The open lung biopsy was performed in 313 cases(62%) and thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed in 192 cases(38%). The incidence of lung biopsy was more higher in diffuse lung disease(305 cases, 59.7%) than in localized lung disease(206 cases, 40.3%) 3) The duration after abnormalities was found in chest X-ray until lung biopsy was 82.4 days(open lung biopsy: 72.8 days, thoracoscopic lung biopsy: 99.4 days). The bronchoscopy was performed in 272 cases(53.2%), bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 123 cases(24.1%) and percutaneous lung biopsy was performed in 72 cases(14.1%) before open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 4) There were 230 cases(45.0%) of interstitial lung disease, 133 cases(26.0%) of thoracic malignancies, 118 cases(23.1%) of infectious lung disease including tuberculosis and 30 cases (5.9 %) of other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. No significant differences were noted in diagnostic rate and disease characteristics between open lung biopsy and thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 5) The final diagnosis through an open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy was as same as the presumptive diagnosis before the biopsy in 302 cases(59.2%). The identical diagnostic rate was 66.5% in interstitial lung diseases, 58.7% in thoracic malignancies, 32.7% in lung infections, 55.1 % in pulmonary tuberculosis, 62.5% in other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. 6) One days after lung biopsy, $PaCO_2$ was increased from the prebiopsy level of $38.9{\pm}5.8mmHg$ to the $40.2{\pm}7.1mmHg$(P<0.05) and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ was decreased from the prebiopsy level of $380.3{\pm}109.3mmHg$ to the $339.2{\pm}138.2mmHg$(P=0.01). 7) There was a 10.1 % of complication after lung biopsy. The complication rate in open lung biopsy was much higher than in thoracoscopic lung biopsy(12.4% vs 5.8%, P<0.05). The incidence of complication was pneumothorax(23 cases, 4.6%), hemothorax(7 cases, 1.4%), death(6 cases, 1.2%) and others(15 cases, 2.9%). 8) The 5 cases of death due to lung biopsy were associated with open lung biopsy and one fatal case did not describe the method of lung biopsy. The underlying disease was 3 cases of thoracic malignancies(2 cases of bronchoalveolar cell cancer and one malignant mesothelioma), 2 cases of metastatic lung cancer, and one interstitial lung disease. The duration between open lung biopsy and death was $15.5{\pm}9.9$ days. 9) Despite the lung biopsy, 19 cases (3.7%) could not diagnosed. These findings were caused by biopsy was taken other than target lesion(5 cases), too small size to interpretate(3 cases), pathologic inability(11 cases). 10) The contribution of open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy to the final diagnosis was defininitely helpful(334 cases, 66.5%), moderately helpful(140 cases, 27.9%), not helpful or impossible to judge(28 cases, 5.6%). Overall, open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were helpful to diagnose the lung lesion in 94.4 % of total cases. Conclusions: The open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were relatively safe and reliable diagnostic method of lung lesion which could not diagnosed by other diagnostic approaches such as bronchoscopy. We recommend the thoracoscopic lung biopsy when the patients were in critical condition because the thoracoscopic biopsy was more safe and have equal diagnostic results compared with the open lung biopsy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.843-849
• /
• 1999

The prevalence of nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis(NSIP) in HIV-positive patients with pulmonary disease has varied from 11 to 38%. But NSIP in HIV-positive patients is indistinguishable from Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia(PCP) clinically and radiologically. The number of HIV-positive patients is less in Korea than in western developed countries, so little attention has been paid to the differential diagnosis between NSIP and PCP. We report a case of NSIP in HIV-positive, 61-year-old man which mimicked PCP. He presented with cough, sputum and mild exertional dyspnea. Lung sound was clear. But, chest X-ray and HRCT demonstrated diffuse patch and bilateral ground-glass opacities in central and perihilar area of both lung. Microbial pathogens were not found on sputum, BAL fluid and tissues taken by TBLB. In transbronchial lung biopsy specimen, interstitial infiltrates with lymphocytes were distributed on peribronchiolar regions. A pathologic diagnosis of NSIP was suggested, he received symptomatic treatment. The follow-up chest X-ray showed near complete resolution.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.84 no.3
• /
• pp.200-208
• /
• 2021

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is now classified as a human MUC1 mucin protein, and regenerating type II pneumocytes are the primary cellular source of KL-6/MUC1 in the affected lungs of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum KL-6/MUC1 levels have been demonstrated to be useful for the evaluation of various ILD. To determine the role of circulating KL-6 in evaluating the disease activity and management of HP. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with HP and 20 healthy controls. Serum KL-6 levels were measured in both groups. Patients were further assessed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, bronchioalveolar lavage, and/or transbronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into the fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups according to the HRCT findings. Results: The median serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in HP patients as compared to the control group. The median serum KL-6 levels were found to be higher in the non-fibrotic HP group (1,900 IU/mL) as compared to the fibrotic group (1,200 IU/mL). There was a significant inverse correlation between serum KL-6 serum level and the dose of steroids as well as the duration of steroid therapy. Conclusion: The presence of higher KL-6 levels in the non-fibrotic HP group implies its enhanced production by regenerating pneumocytes in response to alveolar injury. The significant association between serum KL-6 levels and the dose and the duration of steroid therapy emphasizes the significant role of steroids in the stabilization of the disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.389-393
• /
• 2006

Tsutstugamushi disease is a major febrile disease that generally occurs in the fall in Korea with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis. This disease is often accompanied by interstitial pneumonia, acute renal failure and liver failure. The causative agent, namely Orientia tsutsugamushi, is transmitted to humans through the bite of a laval trombiculid mite, which is commonly known as a chigger. A 78 year old man was admitted in October 2004 with intractable fever and a drowsy mentality. Two weeks earlier, he visited a private clinic complaining of a simple skin rash. He was treated with antihistamine and steroid, but his symptoms were aggravated and he was referred to our hospital. His physical examination and laboratory findings showed a septic shock status. The maculopapular rash had spread over his face, chest, abdomen and extremities. Eschar was observed in lower back area but it was too difficult to distinguish it from other skin rashes. His chest X-ray appeared as diffuse nodular patchy consolidations in the bilateral lung parenchyme. He was treated with a mechanical ventilator and doxycycline under th suspicion of Tsutstugamushi disease. However, he suffered multiorgan failure accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure and acute hepatitis. He was treated in the intensive care unit for approximately 12 weeks and his general condition was recovered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.6
• /
• pp.570-575
• /
• 2005

Introduction : Diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILD) comprise of a large group of lung diseases with diverse etiologies. They are classified into four categories based on the etiology and pathological findings. In Korea, epidemiological data on DILD has never been reported in a prospective manner. Method : From May 2002 to April 2004, total 487 patients with DILD were prospectively registered at Samsung Medical Center. The prospective observational analysis of the etiologies, its classification based on 2002 ATS/ERS (American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society) guidelines, as well as diagnostic tests and the retrospective analysis of the treatment modalities were carried out. Any infectious and malignant causes were excluded. Results : 1) The patients were classified into idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) in 269 patients (55.2%), known causes of DILD in 168 patients (34.5%), sarcoidosis in 27 patients (5.5%), other forms of DILD in 14 patients (2.9%), and undetermined DILD in 9 patients (1.9%). 2) The diagnostic test showed that most patients had undergone chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) (97%, 89%). Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and surgical lung biopsy (SLB) were performed in limited patients (38%, 29%). 3) Among 269 patients with IIP, 220 (82%) had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) while 23 (9%) had nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. SLB was carried out in 36% of patients with IIP. 4) Symptomatic supportive care was given to 67% of IPF, but specific medical treatment including corticosteroids was administered to 89% of non-IPF patients. Conclusion : A nationwide registry of DILD patients is required to determine the annual incidence, etiology, and practice pattern of diagnosis and treatment in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.274-279
• /
• 1996

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension in which the primary abnormality is obliterative obstruction of pulmonary veins, especially venules. Clinicaly, we should suspect this disease in the case of congestive cardiac failure with pulmonary hypertension, chronic interstitial pulmonary edema, and normal or elevated wedge pressure on cardiac catheterization. We experience a case of pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. A 55-years -old woman developed progressive dry cough and dyspnea for 3 months. Physical examination showed normal heart sounds, diffuse crackles in the whole lung fields. The liver was not palpable and pitting edema was absent. The diagnosis was made by chest HRCT, 2-D echocardiography, normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure on cardiac catheterization, and confirmed by thoracoscopic lung biopsy. This patient was treated with vasodilator(calcium antagonist) and with mild symptomatic improvement. We reported a case of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease with review of literatures.