Flexible bronchoscopy has become an important method in diagnosis of pediatric respiratory diseases.Here,we introduced some diagnostic techniques such as bronchoalveolar lavage,protected specimen brushing and biopsy techniques including endobronchial biopsy,transbronchial lung biopsy,and transbronchial needle aspiration.Meanwhile,its role in the diagnosis of common diseases and symptoms (abnormality of airways,dyspnea,refractory wheezing,chronic cough,tuberculosis and bronchial foreign bodies)was discussed.

Humans ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma

Objective To observe the value of procalcitonin (PCT ) in the diagnosis ,treatment and prognosis judgement of stoke-associated pneumonia(SAP) .Methods The serum procalcitonin ,hs-CRP and clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPSI) of two groups were detected :SAP group(including 27 patients of stoke-associated pneumonia) and control group(including 31 healthy ob-jects) .Results The CPSI ,hs-CRP and serum concentration of PCT in SAP group were significantly higher than control group (P<0 .01) ,and decreased significantly when get better after treatment .The serum concentration of PCT in SAP group was significantly higher than control group(P<0 .01) .In SAP group ,the serum concentration of PTC was positively associated with CPSI scorers . Moreover ,the results of ROC analysis showed that the cut-off of serum procalcitonin for the diagnosis of SAP was 0 .9 ng/mL .The sensitivety was 88 .6% and the specifity was 79 .3% ,which was superior to hs-CRP .Conclusion The serum concentration of PCT in SAP patients is higher and it is associated with the prognosis .It might be a better clinical marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of SAP .

A 77-year-old man was admitted to our hospital at July 5th,2010 with an unexplained massive pericardial effusion for 10 years.With dyspnea for one month and normal vital signs without pulsus paradoxus,other physical examination included a small amount of moist rale,normal heart sounds,jugular vein engorgement,positive hepatojugular reflux,hepatosplenomegaly and pitting edema of the extremities.The patient had a complex past history with lymph node tuberculosis,primary artertial hypertension,polycythernia vera,chronic renal insufficiency and hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis),and moreover,received a high dose radiation of 31p in 1967. Family history is negative.The patient had no cardiac tamponade or pericardial constriction during 10 years,he received pericardiocentesis twice,and pericardial effusion was exudative with a high proportion of monocyte.There was no evidences of tuberculosis infection,hypothyroidism,malignant tumor,severe heart failure,uremia,trauma,severe bacterial or fungus infection,chronic myeloid leukemia or bone marrow fibrosis during the admission. The patient refused anti tuberculosis,indwelling catheter drainage or surgical therapy.In this rare case,the aetiology of chronic massive pericardial effusion is most probably chronic idiopathic recurrent pericarditis.

Objective To summanrize the operative method and follow-up data of total aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented graft implantation into the descending aorta (Sun's procedure) for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.Methods Between August 2004 and March 2012,73 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent this procedure.60 males and 13 females ranging in age from 26 to 79 years (mean age,49,6 years).Right axillary or femoral artery cannulation was routinely used for cardiopulmonary bypass.Cerebral protection was achieved by bilatero-antegrade or selected hrain perfusion.The stented elephant trunk was implanted throuugh the aortic arch under hypothermic circulatory arrest.The stented elephant trunk was a 10cmlong self expandable graft.Patent false lumina were evaluated using computed tomography 3 months and once each year after discharge to evaluate the postoperative time course of the residual false lumen.Results Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was (248.1±69.8)min,and selected cerebral perfusion time was (38.2±10.5)min.Hospital morality was 6.85 ％ (5/73).Thrombus obliteration of the residual false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta was observed in 9 1.7％ of the aortic dissections 3 months postoperatively.The mean follow-up time was(36.4 ± 31.6)months (range,2 to91 months).Survival at 1,5,7 years was 97％,87％ and 81％,respectively.Conclusion Total aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented paft implantation into the descending aorta is an effective treatment and n more promising choice for acute type A aortic dissection.

Objective: To understand the clinical manifestation, imaging characteristics and outcomes of pulmonary malignant tumors in children. Method: We retrospectively collected information about seven cases of pulmonary malignant tumors in children in our hospital from Jan 2010 to Dec 2016. The information included clinical manifestation, imaging characteristics, pathologic results, and treatment. Result: (1) All the seven patients firstly visited pediatric internal medicine departments. Symptoms included cough (n=6), dyspnea (n=4), fever (n=2), anorexia (n=2), chest tightness (n=1), chest pain (n=1), lameness (n=1), abdominal distension and constipation (n=1). We did not find hemoptysis, wheezing or weight loss in those patients. Physical examinations revealed unilateral reduced breath sounds (n=5), moist rales and wheezes (n=1), and normal (n=1). Extrapulmonary signs included abdominal distension (n=2), left hip tenderness (n=1), and mass in left scrotum. We did not identify clubbing finger, anemic appearance, lymph node enlargement, or hepatosplenomegaly etc. (2) Laboratory examination results: complete blood count showed white blood cells in normal range except one case (17.44×10⁹/L). Neutrophil percentage ranged from 0.348 to 0.767. C reactive protein ranged between<1 and 162 mg/L. Hemoglobin was normal. Three out of four cases had abnormal blood tumor markers.(3) Imaging results showed multiple nodes (n=3), multiple cystic lesions in lungs (n=2) (both with pleuropulmonary blastoma), endobronchial soft tissue mass (n=1), pulmonary round-shaped mass (n=1), and mediastinal mass (n=1). Imaging results also found atelectasis (n=3), pneumonia (n=2), pneumothorax (n=2), longitudinal diaphragmatic hernia (n=2), pleural effusion (n=1), subcutaneous emphysema (n=1). (4) All the patients underwent tumor puncture biopsy or tumor resection. Pathology revealed the final diagnosis of pleuropulmonary blastoma (n=3), endodermal sinus tumors (n=2), squamous cell carcinoma of lung (n=1), and thyroid papillary carcinoma (n=1). All of them were malignant tumors. We followed up them. Two patients died (both with pleuropulmonary blastoma) after their parents refused any medical help. Two cases were lost to follow-up. Three patients survived (followed up for 19 months, 11 months and tow months, respectively). One case with thyroid papillary carcinoma pulmonary metastasis underwent right thyroid cancer radical plus left thyroid lobe resection plus modified selective central lymph node dissection, then iodine ¹³¹ treatment. One case with endodermal sinus tumor pulmonary metastasis underwent three times of chemotherapies, resection of left retroperitoneal tumor and left testicular tumor, and six additional chemotherapies. Another one case of endodermal sinus tumor pulmonary metastasis underwent three times of chemotherapies and was discharged. Conclusion Pulmonary malignant tumors are rare diseases in children. Clinical signs are often non-specific. For those with chest CT showing multiple cystic lesions, endobronchial soft tissue mass or multiple nodes, but no significant infection manifestation or no response to anti-infection therapy, pulmonary malignant tumors should be considered. Biopsy may be needed to confirm the final diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and its influence factors in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) with atelectasis. Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed on hospitalized MPP patients with atelectasis and received BAL in the Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2017. Fever relieved in 48 hours and chest imaging improved in one week after BAL were considered effective. Clinical data, including age, sex, blood routine tests, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cytokines, complications, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, sputum plug, atelectasis area and its CT values of atelectasis site were collected. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or chi square test were used. Results: (1) A total of 163 patients were enrolled, including 69 boys and 94 girls, with the ratio of 1∶1.36. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 12.6 years. (2) On the day of bronchoscope, 113 patients still had fever. They were divided into effective group (n=66) and ineffective group (n=47) according to whether fever was relieved in 48 hours after BAL. The effective group were found to have less sputum plug compared with the ineffective group (33% (22/66) vs. 57% (27/47), χ²=6.499, P=0.011). The other factors such as sex, age, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, C reactive protein (CRP), LDH, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, atelectasis area and CT value showed no significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). (3)A total of 122 cases had chest imaging after BAL. According to chest imaging improvement, they were divided into effective group (n=81) and ineffective group (n=41). The effective group showed lower CT value ((58±9) vs. (63±8) HU, t=-2.436, P=0.017), IL-6 and IL-10 (M(Q₁, Q₃)) (21.0 (1.9, 48.4) vs. 36.4(21.8, 93.6), 4.9 (3.7, 9.6) vs. 7.7 (4.4, 12.0) ng/L, Z=-2.387,-2.009, P=0.017, 0.045). Sex, age, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, CRP, LDH, IL-2, IL-4, TNF, IFN-γ, atelectasis area showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). (4) Patients were divided into sputum plug group (57 cases) and non sputum plug group (106 cases) according to bronchoscopic findings. The sputum plug group showed higher LDH, CRP, IL-6, IFN-γ, incidence of pleural effusion and extrapulmonary complications (585(433, 833) vs. 369 (312, 588) U/L, 42 (19, 103) vs. 25 (12, 45) mg/L, 38.8 (22.1, 71.3) vs. 20.7 (9.2, 48.3) ng/L, 33.1 (13.5, 89.3) vs. 12.7 (6.5, 33.6) ng/L, 73.7% (42/57) vs. 52.8% (56/106), 40.4% (23/57) vs. 17.0% (18/106)), with statistically significant differences (Z=-4.865,-3.435,-3.098,-3.704, χ²= 0.010, 0.001, all P<0.01) . Additionally, fewer patients showed fever relief within 48 hours after BAL in the cases with sputum plug cases compared those without sputum plug (44.9% (22/49) vs. 68.8% (44/64), χ²= 0.011, P=0.009). Fewer patients showed chest imaging improvement within one week after BAL in the cases with sputum plug compared with those without sputum plug, but did not show significant difference (56.5% (26/46) vs. 72.4% (55/76), χ²=0.073, P=0.056). Conclusions BAL has some therapeutic effect on fever or atelectasis in MPP children complicated with atelectasis. Chest imaging improvement or fever relief may be hampered by sputum plug, increased IL-6 or IL-10.

Objective To assess the prognostic value of the serum level and its change of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides(NT-proBNP)in the elderly with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF). Methods A total of 138 consecutive patients(≥ 65 years old) admitted in Geriatrics and Gerontology Department at Beijing Friendship Hospital were enrolled from June 2013 to June 2015.Demographic characteristics,combination of diseases,medication administration, laboratorial and echocardiographic data were recorded.Meanwhile,NT-proBNP levels at admission,7thday after admission,changes over 7 days were also recorded and calculated.At the end of 1 year follow up,all patients were divided into events group(n=72)with,and control group(n=66)without,adverse outcomes of heart failure death,heart failure readmission and all-cause death.The differences in NT-proBNP level at admission,7thday after admission,and its changed value and rate over 7 days were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression was used for analysis of independent risk factors for prognosis.And the cut-off points of NT-proBNP values to predict adverse events were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve. Results NT-proBNP values were significantly higher at admission and at 7thdays after admission in the events group than in control group(P=0.000).There were no significantly differences in NT-proBNP level and its changes over 7 days between two groups(P= 0.370 and P= 0.272).Logistic regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP values at admission and 7thdays after admission,and NYHA functional classification were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in 1 year in the elderly with HFpEF(all P<0.05).Furthermore,by the ROC curve,NT-proBNP values at admission and 7thdays after admission could predict adverse outcomes including composite endpoints of heart failure,re-admission,heart failure associated death,and all-cause mortality in 1 year. Conclusions Both the plasma NT-proBNP levels at admission and at 7thdays after admission have a correlation with prognosis in elderly patients with acute decompensated HFpEF,while changes of NT-proBNP concentration over 7 days could not predict adverse outcomes in this cohort.

Asthma is a common chronic airway inflammatory disease in children.Currently, symptomatic control can be achieved in the majority of patients through a combination of β 2 receptor agonists for rapid relief of symptoms and inhaled corticosteroids for long-term control.As the only causal treatment modality at present, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) may modify the natural course of asthma, and can control the symptoms, reduce airway hyperresponsiveness and improve lung function.In order to provide evidence for improving the effect of AIT on asthma, the mechanism of AIT in asthma and its effect on lung function were discussed in this paper.

Objective To compare early outcomes of the minimally invasive aortic valve surgery (MIAVS) through right parasternal mini-thoracotomy with conventional mitral valve surgery (AVS),and evaluate feasibility and safety of MIAVS.Methods From January 2017 to December 2017,60 patients undergoing elective AVS in Nanjing First Hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study.There were 32 male and 28 female patients with their age of 28-72 (46.5 ± 10.2)years.Using a random number table,all the patients were randomly divided into a port-access MIAVS group (MIAVS group,n =20) and a conventional AVS group (conventional group,n =60).MIAVS group patients received port-access cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) establishment via femoral artery,femoral vein and right internal jugular vein cannulation through right the 3rd in tercostal space with 5-6 cm right parasternal incision in length.Special MIAVS operative instruments were used for mitral valve repair or replacement.Conventional group patients received mitral valve repair or replacement under conventional CPB through median sternotomy.Perioperative clinical data,morbidity and mortality were compared between the 2 groups.Results There was no death in-hospital or shortly after discharge in this study.CPB time [(106.0 ± 21.0) minutes vs (73.0 ± 15.0) minutes] and aortic cross-clamping time [(78.0 ± 10.0) minutes vs (47.0 ± 7.0) minutes] of MIAVS group were significantly longer than those of conventional group (P ≤ 0.05).Postoperative mechanical ventilation time [(7.0 ±4.2) hours vs (10.2 ±5.3)hours],length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay [(19.0 ± 4.0) hours vs (27.5 ± 8.0) hours] and postoperative hospital stay [(8.5 ± 2.5) days vs (13.0 ± 3.0) days] of MIAVS group were significantly shorter than those of conventional group (P ≤ 0.05).Chest drainage volume within postoperative 12 hours [(100.0 ±40.0)ml vs (410.0 ±80.0)ml] and the percentage of patients receiving blood transfusion (15.0％ vs 55.0％) of MIAVS group were significantly lower than those of conventional group (P ≤0.05).Patients were followed up for 1-12 months,and the follow-up rate was 96.7％.There was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity or mortality between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery through right right parasternal mini-thoracotomy is a safe and feasible procedure for surgical treatment of mitral valve diseases.MIAVS can achieve similar clinical outcomes as conventional AVS,with more quickly recovery and less blood transfusion,and is a good alternative to conventional AVS.