Chest
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Airway mucus plugs are frequently identified on CT scans of patients with COPD with a smoking history without mucus-related symptoms (ie, cough, phlegm [silent mucus plugs]). ⋯ Mucus plugs are common in patients with COPD without mucus-related symptoms. Silent mucus plugs are associated with worse functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease. CT scan-identified mucus plugs can complement the evaluation of patients with COPD.
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Several characteristics distinguish lung cancer in female patients from that in male patients, with adenocarcinoma being more prevalent in female patients and occurring more frequently in female patients who do not smoke. Uncertainty surrounds the relationship between female-specific reproductive factors and lung cancer risk. ⋯ Early age at menopause, a shortened reproductive life span, and early age at first birth were associated with higher risks of lung cancer, particularly of lung adenocarcinoma, in a subpopulation with higher genetic susceptibility and detrimental behaviors. The evidence provided by this study emphasizes the significance of screening for multiple reproductive factors to prevent lung cancer among female individuals.
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Morbidity and mortality from nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) are increasing. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common cause of NTM-PD. Microbiological outcomes are widely used as the primary end point of antimicrobial treatment, but their long-term impact on prognosis is uncertain. ⋯ Microbiological cure at completion of treatment is associated with longer survival in patients with MAC-PD.
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Meta Analysis
Risk Factors for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is widely underdiagnosed, and certain patient groups, such as those with underlying respiratory diseases, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Understanding patients at risk is essential to allow for prompt testing and diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent disease progression. ⋯ The greatest risk for NTM-PD is conferred by comorbid respiratory diseases such as bronchiectasis. These findings could help with identification of patient populations at risk for NTM-PD to drive prompt testing and appropriate initiation of therapy.
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Multicenter Study
HIGH DEFINITION VIDEOBRONCHOSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF AIRWAY INVOLVEMENT IN SARCOIDOSIS: THE ENHANCE SARCOIDOSIS MULTICENTER STUDY.
The ability of high-definition (HD) videobronchoscopy to detect airway involvement in sarcoidosis has not been evaluated previously. ⋯ In a population with a large prevalence of White Europeans, HD videobronchoscopy detected AAs in approximately one-half of patients with sarcoidosis. The diagnostic yield of EBB was higher in patients with parenchymal involvement on CT scan imaging and in those with AAs, especially if manifesting as cobblestoning and nodularity.