Chest
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Different patterns of fibrosis on high-resolution CT scans (HRCT) have been associated with reduced survival in some interstitial lung diseases. Nothing is known about HRCT scan patterns and survival in sarcoidosis. ⋯ HRCT scan features of fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis had an impact on pulmonary function and survival. Presence of >20% fibrosis and basal subpleural honeycombing are predictive of worse pulmonary function and worse survival in patients with stage IV pulmonary sarcoidosis.
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Air pollution contributes to premature mortality, but potential impacts differ in populations with existing disease, particularly for individuals with multiple risk factors. Although COPD increases vulnerability to air pollution, individuals with COPD and other individual risk factors are at the intersection of multiple risks and may be especially susceptible to the effect of acute outdoor air pollution. ⋯ Wintertime PM2.5 exposure was associated with elevated mortality risk in people with COPD, but individuals with multiple comorbidities, notably obesity, had high vulnerability. Our study suggests that obesity, CAD, and diabetes are understudied modifiers of air pollution-related risks for people with existing COPD.
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Impaired daytime vigilance is an important consequence of OSA, but several studies have reported no association between objective measurements of vigilance and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Notably, the AHI does not quantify the degree of flow limitation, that is, the extent to which ventilation fails to meet intended ventilation (ventilatory drive). ⋯ Increased flow limitation during sleep was associated with decreased daytime vigilance in individuals with suspected OSA, independent of the AHI. Flow limitation may complement standard clinical metrics in identifying individuals whose vigilance impairment most likely is explained by OSA.
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Sociodemographic disparities in physician decisions to withhold and withdraw life-sustaining treatment exist. Little is known about the content of hospital policies that guide physicians involved in these decisions. ⋯ Although most surveyed US hospital policies addressed withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, these policies varied widely in criteria and processes. Surveyed policies also rarely addressed sociodemographic disparities in these decisions.
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Case Reports
A 52-Year-Old Woman With Dysarthria, Ataxia, Xanthelasmas, and Miliary Pulmonary Nodules.
A 52-year-old woman with no significant medical history was referred to our hospital for expedited workup of progressive dysarthria and ataxia over the past year. Prior CT angiography of the head and neck showed no relevant neurologic findings but did reveal miliary lesions in the lung apices, which was later confirmed via dedicated CT chest scan (Fig 1). ⋯ MRI of the face showed a 21-mm mass within the left external temporal fascia. MRI of the head showed diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement, right frontal lobe enhancement, and cerebellar and brainstem T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity, which prompted her admission to hospital.