The most important thing for the management of drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis is to diagnose active pulmonary tuberculosis as soon as possible and prevent the occurrence of new patients through appropriate treatment. Therefore, it should be a priority to quickly detect tuberculosis mycobacterium and quickly exclude drug-resistant tuberculosis before treatment begins. To this end, recent guidelines recommend the general use of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, Xpert MTB/RIF tests, and rapid sensitivity tests through line probe assay (LPA). In addition, if the results of the test are positive, it is important to establish an in-hospital reporting system so that rapid reporting can be made. The treatment principle for drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis is 2 months of initial intensive phase (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide) followed by 4 months of maintenance phase (isoniazid, rifampin). Despite global efforts to shorten the duration of the treatment, the treatment of drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis has not changed for more than 35 years, and problems such as increased side effects and reduced drug adherence are serious obstacles to tuberculosis management. Therefore, efforts have been steadily made to shorten the treatment period through the combination of new drugs worldwide, and after many failures, they are finally paying off. A recently published Study 31/A5349 study found that 4 months short-term regimen using rifapentine (RPT) and moxifloxacin (MFX) demonstrated non-inferiority in existing standard regimen, as the result, a revision of World Health Organization guidelines is scheduled that 4 months short-term regimen using RPT and MFX may be an alternative. However, it is unlikely that RPT/MFX 4 months short-term regimen will be applied immediately in Korea because the use of RPT is currently limited in Korea due to the high frequency of side effects.

Thoracic splenosis is an autotransplantation of splenic tissue to thorax resulting from splenic and diaphragmatic injury. Thoracic splenosis is usually discovered incidentally on routine thoracic imaging as single or multiple left-sided pleural-based masses without symptoms. Traditionally, patients often undergo an invasive diagnostic procedures including thoracotomy to acquire tissue samples in order to exclude other causes of lung mass. The combination of imaging findings and clinical history make it avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedure to confirm. Therefore, thoracic splenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic patients with multiple, left-sided pleural-based nodules and previous history of thoracoabdominal injury and splenectomy. Here we report a case of thoracic splenosis diagnosed without invasive procedure.
Autografts ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Splenectomy ; Splenosis* ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used for cardiac and respiratory failure for over 30 years. Recently, however, ECMO has emerged as a useful means of short-term support in the management of hypoxic patients for nontraditional indications. Here, we report the use of veno-venous ECMO as a bridge to support a patient with severe airway obstruction because of tumor compression. Case 1: A patient with extrinsic airway compression secondary to a large metastatic cancer on neck was successfully managed using ECMO. Case 2: The successful use of ECMO to support a patient with extrinsic airway compression secondary to a recurred thyroid cancer. Case 3: A pregnant woman with airway obstruction secondary to metastatic lymphadenopathy of lung cancer who underwent successful tracheal stent insertion. The 3 patients were successfully weaned off ECMO without any complication. Although these conditions are uncommon indications, ECMO is a potential option for such life-threatening conditions.
Airway Obstruction ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neck ; Pregnant Women ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Stents ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of pneumonia. However, limited data are available in the literature regarding legionella pneumonia in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare epidemiological data and clinical presentation of legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia. METHODS: We retrospectively compared clinical, radiological, and laboratory data, antimicrobial treatment, and treatment outcomes between 28 cases of legionella pneumonia and 56 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Diagnoses of both legionella and pneumococcal pneumonia were based on commercial urinary antigen tests. RESULTS: Legionella pneumonia patients included 23 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 61.6 years (range 36~88). Fifteen were smokers and 26 had some underlying diseases. Legionella pneumonia occurred more frequently in healthcare-associated settings than pneumococcal pneumonia (42.9% vs 21.4%, respectively, p=0.040). There were no significant differences in clinical signs and symptoms. Compared to patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with legionella pneumonia presented more frequently with anemia (39.3% vs 8.9%, p=0.001), increased C-reactive protein (57.1% vs 30.4%, p=0.018) and increased alkaline phosphatase (46.4% vs 16.1%, p=0.003). Also, legionella pneumonia patients more often showed pleural effusion on simple chest X-rays (50.0% vs 12.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia can not be distinguished by clinical manifestations alone. However, legionella pneumonia occurred as a healthcare-associated pneumonia more frequently and was more often associated with anemia and increased CRP and alkaline phosphatase levels.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anemia ; C-Reactive Protein ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Legionella ; Legionella pneumophila ; Male ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The efficacious use of interventional bronchoscope for patients with central airway obstruction due to malignant or benign lesions has been proven. Among many therapeutic bronchoscopic procedures, endobronchial cryotherapy is an established recanalization method for the obstruction of the respiratory tract. Recently, the use of this procedure has been increasing in Korea. However, limited data are available in the literature regarding its efficacy in Korea. METHODS: Thirty patients, who had been treated with a flexible cryoprobe for cryotherapy were enrolled; clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. The patients had been treated with the technique using nitrous oxide as a cryogen under local anesthesia. Objective outcomes were 3 different degrees of therapeutic success by use of follow-up bronchoscopic findings as follows: successful, partially successful, and unsuccessful response. Subjective outcomes were evaluated as an improvement in symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age of enrolled patients was 59+/-11 years and there was a male (22/30) dominance. Twenty-three patients had malignant tumor and 7 patients had benign lesions with central airway obstruction. Successful recanalization was achieved in 11 (37%) patients, and partially successful response was achieved in 15 (50%) patients. Dyspnea was improved in 84.2% (16/19) of patients. At least one respiratory symptom was resolved in 91.3% (21/23) patients. Seven patients (23.3%) needed additional bronchoscopic electrocautery because of the bleeding as a complication of cryotherapy. CONCLUSION: Endobronchial cryotherapy is an effective and less expensive procedure for the management of central airway obstruction. However, the procedure should be performed under the preparing for an emergency situation, such as massive bleeding.
Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy ; Cryotherapy ; Dyspnea ; Electrocoagulation ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nitrous Oxide ; Respiratory System

Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening condition and sometimes leads to death due to airway obstruction rather than exsanguinations. In a critical hemoptysis, endotracheal intubation may be necessary to maintain adequate gas exchange and protect the unaffected side of the lung. Bronchial blockers (BBs), commonly used technique for one-lung ventilation in thoracic or cardiac surgeries, are valuable devices for protecting the airway in massive endobronchial bleeding. We report three cases intubated with BBs, Univent(R), in massive hemoptysis. We suggest that BBs are one of the indispensable equipments for respiratory specialized wards and intensive care units.
Airway Management ; Airway Obstruction ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Lung ; One-Lung Ventilation