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Biomedical subjects

F Mellot

Publications and source records attributed to F Mellot.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

[Imaging features of drug-induced lung diseases].

Drug-induced lung diseases are an increasingly frequent cause of morbidity. Over 350 drugs are now recognized as being implicated in drug-induced lung diseases. Early diagnosis is critical. Discontinuing the drug may result in regression of the adverse effect. Diagnosis is based on a history of drug exposure with a temporal relationship between the introduction of the drug and the onset of symptoms, histologic evidence of lung damage and exclusion of other causes of lung injury. Unfortunately there is no specific test available. Histologic and radiologic findings are often non specific and diagnosis can be difficult. Drugs can cause a constellation of distinct patterns of respiratory involvement and all anatomic compartments of the lungs may be involved. The most common patterns are: non specific interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis, pulmonary eosinophilia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary edema with or without diffuse alveolar damage, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage and vasculitis. It is important to be familiar with their common radiologic appearances.

Humans↗

Severe tracheobronchial stenosis in a patient with Crohn's disease.

Tracheobronchial involvement in Crohn's disease is rare, usually associated with symptoms of tracheobronchitis, and typically responds well to steroids. The authors report a case of a 29-yr old patient with Crohn's disease, who presented with dyspnoea, fever, and a productive cough. Computed tomography of the chest revealed extensive nodular tracheobronchial stenosis, that was accompanied by severe mucosal inflammation at bronchoscopy. High-dose oral steroids diminished the mucosal inflammation, but had limited efficacy on the underlying tracheobronchial stenosis. It is speculated that this relative ineffectiveness of steroids may be due to the persistence of the untreated inflammatory process.

Adult↗

[Urolithiasis, CT and lithotripsy guidelines].

3% of the population experiences a flank pain during its lifetime. A flank pain is explained by calculus disease in more than 70% of the cases. Since the introduction of spiral CT and lithotripsy the work up of urolithiasis has changed. Many tests and treatment are available: KUB, IVP, ultrasound with color Doppler, CT and MR urography for diagnosis; lithotripsy, stenting or open surgery for treatment. The emergency practitioner, the radiologist and the urologist should answer three questions that will be reviewed in this paper: Is the acute flank pain caused by urolithiasis? Will calculus be spontaneously discharged? Is lithotripsy indicated?

Female↗

Immediate and long-term results of bronchial artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has been established as an effective technique in the emergency treatment of life-threatening hemoptysis, but few data concerning long-term results and complications of the procedure are available. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively the experience of BAE in our center with particular emphasis on medium-term and long-term results and on morbidity. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-six patients underwent bronchial arteriography from 1986 to 1996 in our center for the management of life-threatening hemoptysis. Of them, BAE was performed in 46 patients. Their mean age was 51 years (range, 19 to 89 years). The most frequent etiologies of hemoptysis were active or inactive tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, or idiopathic hemoptysis. RESULTS: BAE resulted in an immediate cessation of hemoptysis in 43 of the initial 56 patients (77%). During the first month after BAE, four patients who died from causes other than hemoptysis or who were referred to surgery were excluded from follow-up and in the 39 remaining patients, a complete cessation of hemoptysis was observed in 32 patients. A remission was noted in 28 of the 29 patients followed up between 30 and 90 days after BAE. Long-term control of bleeding was achieved in 25 of the initial 56 patients (45%) followed up beyond 3 months after BAE (median follow-up of 13 months; range, 3 to 76 months). Overall, complications of BAE consisted of two episodes of mediastinal hematoma and three episodes of neurologic damage, two of which improved without permanent sequelae. CONCLUSION: We conclude that BAE may result in long-term as well as immediate control of life-threatening hemoptysis but that complications are not unusual.

Adult↗

Isolated pulmonary arteries involvement in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis.

Pulmonary arteries involvement is well described in Takayasu's arteritis (TA), a condition which is mainly associated with involvement of the systemic arteries. We report a case of TA with documented isolated pulmonary arteries involvement. Symptoms were quite similar to those encountered in chronic thromboembolic disease. A pulmonary angiogram showed bilateral stenosis and occlusion of pulmonary arteries. Diagnosis of TA was suspected, and as such a complete aortogram was made but proved to be normal. Massive haemoptysis suddenly occurred, which resulted in death. Autopsy disclosed characteristic pathological lesions of TA in pulmonary arteries and confirmed the lack of involvement of the aorta and its branches. The frequency of such a clinical form could be underestimated, given the difficulties of diagnosis and features similar to those of chronic thromboembolic disease.

Adult↗

Progressive obstructive lung disease associated with microscopic polyangiitis.

Small airway involvement and progressive severe airflow obstruction are unexpected features in patients with microscopic polyangiitis. We report the case of a patient with microscopic polyangiitis and circulating anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), who developed pulmonary hyperinflation and airflow obstruction over a 7-yr period. Systemic manifestations of this vasculitis improved under corticosteriods and cyclophosphamid therapy, a treatment that did not influence either the very high level of anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies or the ventilatory impairment. Small airway involvement was suspected on the basis of pathologic small airway lesions and a mild emphysematous pattern on computed tomography (CT) scan, which was out of proportion with the severity of the obstructive lung disease.

Airway Obstruction↗