PURPOSE: Lung size mismatch is a major cause of poor lung function and worse survival after lung transplantation (LTx). We compared predicted total lung capacity (pTLC) and TLC measured by chest computed tomography (TLC(CT)) in LTx candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients on waiting lists for LTx. According to the results of pulmonary function tests, patients were divided into an obstructive disease group and restrictive disease group. The differences between pTLC calculated using the equation of the European Respiratory Society and TLC(CT) were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: Ninety two patients met the criteria. Thirty five patients were included in the obstructive disease group, and 57 patients were included in the restrictive disease group. pTLC in the obstructive disease group (5.50±1.07 L) and restrictive disease group (5.57±1.03 L) had no statistical significance (p=0.747), while TLC(CT) in the restrictive disease group (3.17±1.15 L) was smaller than that I the obstructive disease group (4.21±1.38 L) (p<0.0001). TLC(CT)/pTLC was 0.770 in the obstructive disease group and 0.571 in the restrictive disease group. CONCLUSION: Regardless of pulmonary disease pattern, TLC(CT) was smaller than pTLC, and it was more apparent in restrictive lung disease. Therefore, we should consider the difference between TLC(CT) and pTLC, as well as lung disease patterns of candidates, in lung size matching for LTx.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/*diagnostic imaging/pathology/*physiopathology ; Lung Diseases/diagnostic imaging/pathology/physiopathology/therapy ; *Lung Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; *Patient Selection ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; *Total Lung Capacity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features of interstitial pneumonitis (IP) associated with interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

METHODSWe report the first case of IP in China resulting from pegylated interferon alpha-2a in combination with ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C viral infection. A statistical analysis of the related literatures documenting such IP cases was performed using SPSS 11.5 software.

RESULTSOf the 22 patients reported to develop IP after interferon therapy alone or in combination with ribavirin, 83%, 72% and 56% of the patients had the symptoms of dyspnoea, dry cough and fever, respectively. Twenty of these cases presented with restrictive pulmonary functional impairment and/or hypoxemia, and diffuse infiltration on chest radiography and/or CT. Complications were documented in 71% of the cases within 12 weeks of the treatment. The majority (85%) of the patients had favorable prognoses with an average recovery time of 7.5 weeks. Compared with the patients with mild and moderate pulmonary function impairment, 8 patients with severe pulmonary functional impairment had early onset of IP during the interferon therapy (6.6 vs 14.1 weeks, P<0.05), and a higher rate of corticosteroid treatment (75% vs 54%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIP is a rare pulmonary complication associated with IFN therapy, and patients with chronic hepatitis C should be followed up closely in the first 12 weeks of interferon therapy. Prompt discontinuation of medication is mandatory in the presence of IP, and corticosteroid therapy may not be essential for patients with mild or moderate pulmonary functional impairment under close monitoring. The severity of pulmonary damage is associated with the time of complication occurrence, and corticosteroids are required when obvious pulmonary toxicity occurs in early stage of the treatment (within 6 weeks) to reduce the pulmonary damage.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Acetates ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Infant ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; pathology ; Quinolines ; therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed