October - LRS Institute of Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases

198
ABSTRACT
recorded in 57 of 152 patients (38%); in group
I in 50 %, in group II in 28 % and in group
III in 29 %. A reduced DLCO assessed by the
steady state method was recorded in 63 (41 %),
in group I in 38%, in group II in 48% and
in group III in 33%. Reduced D.L.C.O.
assessed by the single breath method was
recorded in 46 (30%), in group I in 14%, in
group II, in 38%, in group III in 54%. Signs
of obstructive ventilation disorders were found
in one quarter of the examined subjects, must
frequently in group III. In the discussion the
authors draw attention to the discrepancy
between a clear X-ray picture and normal
values of functional lung tests including the
diffuse capacity of the lungs in groups II and
III with sarcoidosis which is of diagnostic
and differential diagnostic importance.
Late Fate of Unconfirmed Peripheral Pulmonary
Lesions
I. Krejbich et al; Studia Pneumologica et
Phtiseologica Cechoslovaca; 1985; 45, 551.
In the years 1977 to 1981, 31 patients with
an average age of 62 years with X-ray evidence
of peripheral pulmonary lesions were hospitalized.
It was not possible to confirm the aetiology
of the lesion even with invasive methods.
The fate of these patients was investigated by
means of questionnaires after an average period
of four years. The group comprised 81%
smokers, the average number of consumed
cigarettes being 2,50,000. In the course of the
investigated years 13 patients died, including
4 from confirmed and 5 from very probable
bronchogenic carcinoma; 4 died from other
diseases. Two patients were operated and a
benign tumour was revealed. Sixteen patients
still survive, but the aetiology of their pulmonary
lesions has not yet been established. In four
of these a small progression has been noted.
On analysis of all factors in this group
from the diagnostic and therapeutic aspect
with regard to bronchogenic carcinoma, older
age groups who are heavy smokers and where
the peripheral lesion is extensive must be
considered risk groups.
Simultaneous Occurrence of a Foreign Body
and Bronchogenic Carcinoma in the same
Lobar Bronchus
I. Tyce, et al; Studia Pnuemologica et
Phtiseologica Cechoslovaca’, 1985, 45, 562
A case is reported of a 67-year-old patient
admitted because of respiratory distress, where
during the first bronchoscopy a chronic foreign
body (a pea) was detected and removed from
the upper lobar bronchus on the right side.
As the X-ray finding persisted, the bronchoscopic
examination was repeated and a stenosis
of the segmental bronchus for the apical
segment of the upper right lobe was detected
and cytological examination proved a bronchogenic
carcinoma. Poor functional paramet^rs
did not permit a surgical approach
and the negative attitude of the patient, at
the time symptom-free, to the necessity of
irradiation therapy caused delay during which
metastatic dissemination into both lungs occurred
and he died one year after establishment
of the diagnosis.
The concurrent independent occurrence of a
foreign body and bronchogenic carcinoma is
rare and during the last 15 years and has been
reported only twice in the literature.
Pneumoconiosis and Carcinoma of the Lungs
I. Kohout, Studia Pneumologica et Phtiseologica
Cechoslovaca, 1985, 45, 568.
Analysis of the causes of death of 161
patients suffering from pneumoconiosis who
died in 1976-1980 carcinoma of the lungs was
recorded in 25 patients (24 men and one
woman), i.e. in 15.5% of the group. Carcinoma
was the cause of death in 12. In the remaining
13 it was detected post-mortem. Carcinoma of
the lungs was more frequently detected in more
advanced forms of pneumoconiosis; the average
age of those who died of carcinoma of the
lung was only slightly lower than that of the
whole group. As to histological types,
squamous-cell carcinoma predominated
markedly. None of the patients worked in
uranium or metal ore mines.
Pareses of the Diaphragm in Chronic Bronchitis
Detected by Regional Ventilation
B. Simeckova, Studia Pheumologica et Phtiseotogica
Cechoslovaca, 1985, 45, 589.
In the course of 1037 densitometric examinations
of the regional ventilation in 207
patients with chronic bronchitis, phrenic nerve
paresis was detected in four pateints (not
discovered before by the attending clinician).
In one patient it was a complication of lower
lobectomy on account of bronchiectasis and
in another it was most probably a complication
of surgical treament of goitre. In both patients
paresis of the diaphragm promoted substantially
the development of global respiratory
insufficiency.
These findings provide evidence that
densitometric examinations of the regional
ventilation are of great use in obstructive
bronchopulmonary disease not only as regards