Respiratory medicine case reports
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2021
Case ReportsSecondary organizing pneumonia after coronavirus disease 2019: Two cases.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported to induce persistent symptoms even after an acute phase. However, the pathophysiology and treatment of this condition have been unclear. We report two patients who recovered from COVID-19, but presented persistent respiratory symptoms. ⋯ Their symptoms, oxygenations, radiologic findings, and pulmonary functions rapidly improved after the treatment of corticosteroids. The two cases showed that secondary organizing pneumonia may be a cause of persistent respiratory failure after COVID-19. In this condition, corticosteroids may be effective.
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2021
Case ReportsShine like gold and sparkle like glitter: Three cases of lipoid pneumonia.
Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is an unwonted, mostly asymptomatic entity which has no classical radiological appearance. It can be endogenous or exogenous depending upon the type of exposure or underlying milieu. It simulates a number of infective and malignant respiratory conditions and can go undiagnosed or delayed leading to morbidity and mortality. ⋯ LP, owing to its nonspecific clinical presentation and radiographic signs, needs a high index of suspicion, and a detailed clinical history for accurate diagnosis. Corroboration of lipid laden alveolar macrophages in BAL is the crux to the diagnosis. Hence, clinicians should be cognizant of this condition and rule out LP in cases of non-resolving pneumonia in an appropriate clinical context.
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2021
Case ReportsAsymptomatic necrotizing myositis in a young male with progressive interstitial lung disease.
Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is a rare inflammatory process characterized by bilateral proximal muscle weakness and elevated creatinine kinase levels. It is one of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. It can be associated with anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) antibody which is commonly seen in middle-aged females. ⋯ We present a 29 year old male with asymptomatic NAM who presented with a combination of NSIP and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). His PAH was responsive to oral vasodilator therapy however his interstitial lung disease (ILD) rapidly progressed to usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) requiring lung transplantation. This case highlights 1) an extremely rare presentation of rapidly progressive NAM associated ILD in a young man, in which pulmonary manifestations occurred in the absence of myopathy, 2) The importance of doing a complete work up for interstitial lung disease, including diligent examination for myopathic features and obtaining CK levels, 3) Identifying that interstitial lung diseases can progress despite control of the underlying etiology with corticosteroids and immunosuppressives, 4) Recognition of pre capillary PAH in patients with disproportionally elevated pressures relative to their pulmonary findings, 5) The first report of treatment responsive pulmonary vascular disease associated with NAM, and 6) The importance of early lung transplantation evaluation.
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2020
Case ReportsPercutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients: The Miami model.
The surge in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare systems globally. With the increasing need for critical care resources, tracheostomy can facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation and potentially increase availability of critical care resources. In this case series of three patients, we describe our technique for performing bedside percutaneous tracheostomy on patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We hope to provide proceduralists with a specific method for percutaneous tracheostomies that is both safe for the patient and provider.
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2020
Case ReportsProne positioning to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory symptoms in awake, spontaneously breathing non-intubated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Emergency departments are facing an unprecedented challenge in dealing with patients who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The massive number of cases evolving to respiratory failure are leading to a rapid depletion of medical resources such as respiratory support equipment, which is more critical in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, any therapeutic and oxygenation support strategy that conserves medical resources should be welcomed. ⋯ Self-proning can be used in the management of selected patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we describe our experience with two COVID-19-positive patients who were admitted with respiratory failure. The patients were successfully managed with self-proning and noninvasive oxygenation without the need for intubation.