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Background/Aim. Serbia belongs to the group of countries with a high lung cancer incidence and mortality rate. p63 gene plays an important role in development of lung cancer and immunohistochemical expression of p63 is considered to be a reliable marker for squamous histology. The results of some in vitro studies show a significant association of p63 expression and cisplatin chemoresistance. The aim of this study was to estimate the significance of p63 expression as predictive and prognostic factor in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. Expression of p63 in 85 NSCLC (stages III, and IV) was investigated by the use of immunohistochemistry. Four weeks after the completion of 2 cycles of platinum-based doublet chemotherapy all the patients were evaluated based on the treatment response. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests were used for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) calcultations. Results. The expression of p63 was present in 49.4% of the patients out of whom 38.8% were with positive expression (p63+) and 10.6% of the patients were with weak expression (p63+-). Positive expression of p63 was seen in 93.9% of squamous cell carcinomas (SQCC), 5% of adenocarcinomas (AC), and in no patient with not otherwise specified (NOS) NSCLC. Weak expression of p63 was found in 12.5% of AC, 25% of NOS and only in 3% of SQCC. Analysis of the impact of the presence of p63 expression on the initial response to chemotherapy showed no statistical significance. The patients with weak p63 expression had a significantly shorter OS than the patients with no p63 expression (p = 0.049), and the tendency of shorter OS than the patients with p63 expression (p = 0.068). Conclusion. This study shows that p63 expression has no predictive significance for tumor response to initial chemotherapy regimen gemcitabine/ cisplatin or paclitaxel/cisplatin observed in advanced NSCLC. Weak expression of p63 have a negative prognostic effect in stage III and IV NSCLC.

Background/Aim. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a technique valid for measuring the lung function in obstructive lung diseases and bronchial provocation tests. However, no consensus exists for its use. The aim of the study was to assess impulse oscillometry sensitivity for detection of early airways changes during bronchial provocation testing and to compare with changes obtained with spirometry and bodyplethysmography in male army recruits. Methods. Male military recruits were submitted to bronchial provocation test with histamine by the aerosol provocation system. Out of 52 male military recruits subjected to attempts to make the diagnosis of asthma the study included 31 subjects with fall of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) above 20%. The changes of impulse oscillometry were measured one step before and after provocation dose (PD) of histamine and compared with the changes of bodyplethysmography and spirometry. Results. The average age of male army recruits was 23.3 year. After bronchoprovocation there was an average increase of the total resistance at 5 Hz (R5) by 66.6%, resonant frequency (Fres) by 102.2%, Goldman index (AX) by 912.1%, the arway resistance (Raw) by 121.5%, and a decrease in reactance at 5 Hz (X5) by 132.1% and FEV1 by 25.6%. One step before the last inhaled of PD20 there was an average increase of 26.7% in R5, 24.1% in Fres, 85.3% in AX, 11.9% in Raw and a decrease in X5 by 26.9% and FEV1 by 4.3%. A correlation between impulse oscillometry and bodyplethysmography parameters was obtained. Conclusion. This paper demonstrates a sufficient sensitivity of impulse oscillometry to detect changes in airways, so it may play a complementary role in the diagnosis of asthma in male military recruits.

Introduction. Pseudomesotheliomatous lung carcinoma is a special, rare entity characterized by large pleural growth and minor invasion of lung tissue. Clinically, radiologically, macroscopically and even histologically this tumor can be misdiagnosed as malignant pleural carcinoma. Case report. We represent a 64-year-old male patient, former smoker. Due to difficulties in the form of dry cough, feeling of dis-comfort and pain in the right hemithorax, fatigue, heavy breathing, sweating, fever up to 39.6°C the patient was treated as with combined antibiotic therapy (macrolides, cephalosporins and penicillin), but without improving of his condition. Chest radiography showed a shadow of pleural effusion by the height of the front end of the third right rib. Chest MSCT showed the extremely thickened pleura apically and to the posterior along the upper right lobe in addition to existence of massive pleural effusion. Subpleural condensation of parenchyma ranging about 30 mm was described in the upper right lobe. Cytological analysis of the pleural effusion showed the presence of malignant cells impossible to differentiate whether they were metastasis of adenocarcinoma or malignant pleural mesothelioma. By histochemical and immunohistohemical analyses of a pleural sample, pseudomesotheliomataus lung adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Conclusion. Pseudomesotheliomataus carcinoma of the lungs can be a diagnostic problem. Its diagnosis is based on recognition of histopathological characteristics which enable its discernment from the epithelial variant of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Introduction. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease that occurs due to vascular dysplasia associated with the disorder in the signaling pathway of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The clinical consequence is a disorder of blood vessels in multiple organ systems with the existence of telangiectasia which causes dilation of capillaries and veins, are present from birth and are localized on the skin and mucosa of the mouth, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract. They can make a rupture with consequent serious bleeding that can end up with fatal outcome. Since there is a disruption of blood vessels of more than one organic system, the diagnosis is very complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Case report. We reported a 40-year-old female patient with a long-time evolution of problems, who was diagnosed and treated at the Clinic for Lung Diseases of the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, Serbia, because of bilaterally pulmonary arteriovenous malformations associated with HHT. Embolization was performed in two acts, followed with normalization of clinical, radiological and functional findings with the cessation of hemoptysis, effort intolerance with a significant improvement of the quality of life. Conclusion. HHT is a rare dominant inherited multisystem disease that requires multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. Embolization is the method of choice in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations with minor adverse effects and very satisfying therapeutic effect.

Introduction. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is an uncommon disease characterized by the accumulation of surfactant proteins and phospholipids within the alveolar spaces. Acquired disease can be idiopathic (primary) and secondary. The prevalence of acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is about 0.37 per 100,000 persons. Common symptoms are dyspnea and cough. Chest X-ray shows bilateral perihilar infiltrates. Open-lung biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis. Treatment includes whole-lung lavage, application of granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor and lung transplantation. Case report. We reported a 51 year-old man with primary form of the disease. It was the second case of this extremely rare disease in the past 30 years in our clinic. The symptoms were longlasting dry cough, fever and physical deterioration. Chest Xray revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates; computed tomography showed patchy ground-glass opacification with interlobular thickening. The diagnosis was established by open lung biopsy. Additional tests were performed to exclude secondary form of the disease. Conclusion. We presented a rare clinical entity with typical clinical features and clinical and radiological course of the disease, in order to improve differential diagnostic approach to patients with bilateral lung infiltrations. In patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis timely diagnosis and adequate treatment can improve a prognosis.

Introduction. Nitrofurantoin, a furan derivative, introduced in the fifties has widely been used as an effective agent for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTI). Spectrum of adverse reactions to nitrofurantoin is wide, ranging from eosinophilic interstitial lung disease, acute hepatitis and granulomatous reaction, to the chronic active hepatitis, a very rare adverse effect, that can lead to cirrhosis and death. Case report. We presented a 55-year-old female patient with eosinophilic interstitial lung disease, severe chronic active hepatitis and several other immune- mediated multisystemic manifestations of prolonged exposure to nitrofurantoin because of the recurrent UTI caused by Escherichia coli. We estimated typical radiographic and laboratory disturbances, also restrictive ventilatory changes, severe reduction of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity and abnormal liver function tests. Lymphocytic-eosinophylic alveolitis was consistent with druginduced reaction. Hepatitis was confirmed by liver biopsy. After withdrawal of nitrofurantoin and application of high dose of glicocorticosteroids, prompt clinical and laboratory recovery was achieved. Conclusion. Adverse drug reactions should be considered in patients with concomitant lung and liver disease. The mainstay of treatment is drug withdrawal and the use of immunosuppressive drugs in severe cases. Consideration should be given to monitor lung and liver function tests during long term nitrofurantoin therapy.

Background. The Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) or tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is a rare condition of unknown frequency, up to now about 100 cases have been reported. It presents by marked dilatation of the trachea and major bronchi, recurrent respiratory infections and consecutive bronchiectasis and scars in lung parenchyme. Sometimes enlargement of transversal colon may be present. Diagnosis is usually made radiologically. Cases report. We reviewed two patients 77 and 72 years old with typical clinical presentation and enlarged upper airways, in whom diagnosis of MKS was established by chest multislice computed tomography (MSCT). Transversal diameter of trachea was 30 mm in the first patient and 33 mm in the other one. Complications of syndrome (tracheal diverticulosis in the first patient, and pulmonary fibrosis, bulous emphysema and bronchiectasis in both patients) also were seen. Lung function tests showed mixed ventilation disorder, and disturbance of respiratory gases values in arterial blood samples. Conclusion. The Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is rare disorder, although diagnosis is often missed. Clinical presentation is similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchiectasis. Computed tomography is gold standard for diagnosis. Therapy is presumely supportive.

Background/Aim. The diagnosis of bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, is made on the basis of anamnesis, pathologic auscultatory findings of the lungs, lung function disturbances, skin tests, as well as the basic indices of immunologic condition in bronchial trunk. The aim of the study was to find out correlation of objective indices of the disease and than relation with the symptoms in the patients with bronchial asthma. Methods. The study included 60 young male non smokers with long lasting symptoms of bronchial asthma including shortness of breath, wheezing, hard breathing, nonproductive or productive cough, weakness and night hard breathing. There were no symptoms of respiratory infection over the past two months and lung radiography and spirometry were normal. Based on the results of nonspecific bronchoprovocative test two groups of the patients were formed, group I (n = 30) with positive histamine test (average value of the inhaled histamine concentration with FEV1 drop by 20% in regard with the initial value (PC20) = 2.99 ± 0.51 mg/ml of histamine) and group II (n = 30) with negative histamine test (PC20(a) = 14.58 ± 6.34 mg/ml of histamine). Results. The obtained spirometry results revealed a statistically significant difference in values of FEV1 between groups: I group - FEV1 = 93.2%; II group - FEV1 = 101.8%; (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test), although all the FEV1 values were normal. Regarding the presence of the most common symptoms there was not statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0. 05, chisquare test). Pathologic auscultatory lung findings were found in 73.4% of the patients in the group I and 27.5% of the patients in the group II. There was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05, chi-squared test). A positive correlation between the degree of hypersensitivity and lung physical findings was confirmed (p < 0.05 Spearman's rho), but there was no correlation with FEV1 values. Conclusion. There is a correlation with lung pathologic physical findings, lower values of FEV1 (in a range of normal values) and the degree of nonspecific bronchial sensitivity as objective indices of activity of bronchial asthma. There is no correlation of these parameters with patient's symptoms as subjective indices of bronchial asthma.

Beckground/Aim. K-ras oncogene is mutated in about 20% of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive significance for therapeutic response of K-ras mutations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods. Bronchial aspirate samples were assessed prior to platinum-based chemotherapy start in 39 patients with stage IIIb or IV NSCLC. K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 were analyzed by single strand conformation polymorphisam (SSCP) and allele specific oligonucleozide hybridisation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the patient's DNA present in bronchial aspirate. After two cycles of chemotherapy the patients were subjected to response evaluation. Results. Of 39 patients 10 (25.5%) demonstrated K-ras mutations, while 29 (74.4%) patients had not. There were no significant differences between these two groups of patients with respect to baseline patient characteristics. Partial response to the therapy had 16 (41%), no changes 14 (36%), and progressive disease 9 (23%) patients. There was a tendency to higher response rate for patients without K-ras mutations versus those with mutations, but not statistically significant (p = 0.14). Conclusion. There was no significant predictive value for therapeutic response of K-ras mutations for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background/Aim. Systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTD) are chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders of unknown cause that can involve different organs and systems. Their course and prognosis are different. All of them can, more or less, involve the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of respiratory symptoms, lung function disorders, radiography and high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) abnormalities, and their correlation with the duration of the disease and the applied treatment. Methods. In 47 non-randomized consecutive patients standard chest radiography, HRCT, and lung function tests were done. Results. Hypoxemia was present in nine of the patients with respiratory symptoms (20%). In all of them chest radiography was normal. In five of these patients lung fibrosis was established using HRCT. Half of all the patients with SCTD had symptoms of lung involvement. Lung function tests disorders of various degrees were found in 40% of the patients. The outcome and the degree of lung function disorders were neither in correlation with the duration of SCTD nor with therapy used (p > 0.05 Spearmans Ro). Conclusion. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs in about 10% of the patients with SCTD, and possibly not due to the applied treatment regimens. Hypoxemia could be a sing of existing pulmonary fibrosis in the absence of disorders on standard chest radiography.

Background/Aim. In 40-50% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the time of making a diagnosis, the disease is yet at IIIb and IV stage. Standard in the treatment of these patient is the application of systemic chemiotherapy based on CIS/Carboplatin preparations. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of two different chemiotherapeutic protocols and neuroendocrine differentiation on treatment response and survival in patients with metastatic NSCLC. Methods. We examined 85 patients with metastatic NSCLC, of which 51 with stage IIIb, and 34 with stage IV of the disease. The histologic diagnosis of NSCLC was determined by tissue assays using hematoxylin eosin method. Neuroendocrine differentiation was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of neuron- specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A, and synapthophysin expression using monoclonal mouse anti- human bodies (DAKO, Denmark). According to chemiotherapeutic protocol, the patients were randomly assigned into combined Taxol + Cisplatin group (Tax + Cis, n = 35), and Cyclophosphamide + Etoposide + Carboplatin group (CEP, n = 50). The treatment was conducted within 4-6 chemiotherapeutic cycles. The efficacy was assessed after the therapy regimen and median survival time was assessed after the randomization. Results. A total of 31 (36.47%) patients had a favourable therapeutic response, both partial and complete response (54.2% in the Tax + Cis group and 24% in CEP group of patients, respectively, p < 0.001). The median survival time in both groups was 13.1 months (15.3 months in the Tax + Cis group and 10.6 months in the CEP group, respectively, p < 0.001). A one-year follow-up survival period was confirmed in 40% of patients (60% only in the Tax + Cis group). A total of 23 (27.05%) patients with metastatic NSCLC had neuroendocrine differentiation. The disease progression or stable disease was noted only in patient with NSCLC without neuroendocrine differentiation (n = 42, 67.7%, p < 0.001). The median survival time in patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation was 14.8 months, without neuroendocrine differentiation 10.7 months (p < 0.001). The patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation in the CEP group had a longer one-year follow-up survival period than patients in Tax + Cis group (p < 0.001). In Tax-Cis group of patients, there was no significant difference in one-year follow-up survival period with neuroendocrine differentiation. Conclusion. Better therapeutic response and longer median survival time in metastatic NSCLC was obtained using Tax + Cis as compared to CEP protocol. Similar effect was noted using CEP protocol in patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation. .

Cholesterol and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in pleural effusion and sera, were measured in 199 patients with pleural effusions of various origins. Malignant cause was found in 93, and nonmalignant in 106 patients. Mean cholesterol level in sera of patient with malignant disease was 5.0 ± 0.93mmol/L, and in nonmalignant group 4.34 ± 1.32 mmol/L. The difference was not statistically significant. Mean cholesterol level in nonmalignant pleural effusions was higher thAn those in malignant (2.51 ± 1.23 mmol/L; and 2.28 ± 1.06 mmol/L), but the difference was also not significant. Average pleural fluid/serum cholesterol ratio (HolI/S) in nonmalignant group was 0.61 ± 0.32 and in malignant group 0.46 ± 0.22. The difference between those mean values was significant. Higher ratio, at the cut off value of 0.5 was found in 79/106 and in 25/93 malignant patients. Calculated sensitivity was 75%, specificity 73%, positive predictive value 76%, negative predictive value 65% and accuracy 69%. Significant negative correlation between Holi/S and pleural fluid CEA was found (p

The patient presented in this paper was admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of radiologically revealed shadow in both lungs. In the course of diagnostic procedures, fine needle aspiration biopsy of the intrathoracic mass was performed. Cytologic analysis of the smear was performed because of clinical suspicion of plasma cell proliferative disease that was confirmed by bone marrow aspiration. Thus, the cytologic finding of intrathoracic lesion preceded the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

Background. Castleman’s disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by angiofollicular hyperplasia of lymph nodes. Histologically it can be classified into a hyaline-vascular type, plasma-cell type, and transitional (mixed-cell) type, while clinically localized type has been classified as unicentric, or generalized (multicentric) form of the disease. Case report. This paper presents a 21 years old male patient with multicentric Castleman’s disease, a transitional (mixed-cell) type. The disease was manifested by fever, generalized enlargement of peripherial lymph nodes, breast glands enlargement, hyperemia of the face, and weakness of the lower extremities. We found mediastinal lymphadenopathy, pleural and pericardial effusions, sensorimotor peripherial neuropathy and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. The simultaneous presence of these manifestations of the disease (sensomotor peripheral neuropathy, lymphadenopathy, effusions endocrinopathy, polyclonal gammaglobulinemia and skin changes) is indentified as POEMS syndrome. The diagnosis of Castleman’s disease was based on the results of histopathologic analysis of mediastinal lymph node biopsies after thoracotomy. The patient was treated with corticosteroids (prednisone 80 mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 60 mg daily). A partial response was achieved after 4 months of treatment. Conclusion. A transitional type of multicentric Castleman’s disease may be present itself as POEMS syndrome. The effect of corticosteroid therapy in this form of the disease is unpredictable.

In patients with chronic respiratory diseases that last since the early childhood, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) needs to be considered. Four patients reviewed in this paper were with typical disease history and clinical picture, as well as clear ciliary axonema damage. Complete examination was performed in all the patients, including bronchoscopy with bronchography, and the examination of the biopsy samples of respiratory airways’ mucous membrane, obtained by transmission electron microscope (TEM). In two of the patients spermatozoa were also examined by TEM. Large anatomic deffects of airways were found in all the patients, but pulmonary function was normal (except in one case), representing one of PCD’s significant characteristics. First two cases fulfilled the criteria for Kartagener’s syndrome, which was initially sufficient for the diagnosis of PCD.

Allergic granulomatous angiitis (AGA) - Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by three distinct clinical phases prodromal, eosinophilic, and vasculitic, and most of respiratory symptoms and signs begin in the first two phases of the disease. Two female patients of different age, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for AGA, and were in different phases and with the different duration of the disease are presented. The first patient (24 years of age) was admitted to the hospital due to aggravation of asthma, heart failure, and polyneuropathy. The second one (45 years of age) was also hospitalized due to the worsening of asthma polyneuropathy, and fever. Both were treated continuously with glucocorticoids. The older patient also received a total of six pulse doses of cyclophosphamide. Satisfactory response to such a treatment was achieved in both cases.

This paper presents 4 patients with chylothorax, and one patient with bilateral chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. The chylous effusions were of benign etiology, developed as a complication of miliary tuberculosis (1 patient), after L-2 vertebral body fracture (1 patient), and idiopathic (2 patients). The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chylomicrons and high content of triglycerides in the effusion, ranged 11,9-29,1 mmol/l. Lymphangiography showed multiple abnormalites of lymphatic system, the obstruction of ductus thoracicus, dilatation and convulsion of lymphatic channels, but the site of lymphatic leak was not detected. The treatment included an extended period of pleural and peritoneal drainage with total parenteral nutrition (1 patient), pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum (2 patients), and surgical partial parietal pleurectomy with continous drainage (1 patient). The treatment was successful in all patients.

Concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbon hydrate antigen (CA) 50 were measured in pleural effusion and sera of 57 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and in 73 patients in whom the effusion was the sequelae of tuberculosis pleurisy. In the group with bronchogenic carcinomas plan cellular was confirmed in 19, micro cellular in 17, macro cellular in 2 and adenocarcinoma in 18, while in 1 patient it was not possible to determine the histopathologic structure. The diagnosis of pleural disease was established upon the cytologic examination of the effusion and histopathologic examination of the pleural sample obtained by blind percutaneous needle biopsy or following pleuroscopy. CEA concentration in the sera of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma was significantly higher than in the patients with tuberculosis (p

Diagnostic thoracoscopy in patients with pleural effusion of unclear origin mostly provides the correct diagnosis. Results from published reports of previous researches are not uniform. In 47 male and 20 female patients with pleural effusion of unknown etiology, after receiving negative results obtained from cytological finding of pleural effusion and percutaneous needle biopsy, thoracoscopy with biopsy of one or both pleurae was performed. Procedure was done in local anesthesia using Stortz rigid thoracoscope. In 37 patients with malignant disease (primary or metastatic) diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically in 31 patient (81.12%). In 27 patients with inflammatory pleural disease diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically in 22 patients (81.4%). Among 11 patients with specific pleural effusions, tuberculosis was confirmed in 10 (90.91%). Normal finding in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary embolism was taken as a positive result. Total number of positive findings was 55 (82.10%). In one patient, the third spontaneous pneumothorax was the indication for thoracoscopy, and after numerous bullae were seen during the procedure, talcum powder pleurodesis was done. In four patients low intensity subcutaneous emphysema occurred one day after thoracoscopy. It can be concluded that thoracoscopy in local anesthesia out of the operating room is good and practical method for solving the unclear pleural effusions, with neglectable rate of complications.

Beckground/Aim. K-ras oncogene is mutated in about 20% of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive significance for therapeutic re-sponse of K-ras mutations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods. Bronchial as-pirate samples were assessed prior to platinum-based chemotherapy start in 39 patients with stage IIIb or IV NSCLC. K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 were analyzed by single strand conformation polymorphisam (SSCP) and allele specific oligonucleozide hybridisation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the patient's DNA present in bronchial aspirate. After two cycles of chemotherapy the patients were subjected to response evaluation. Results. Of 39 patients 10 (25.5%) demon-strated K-ras mutations, while 29 (74.4%) patients had not. There were no significant differences between these two groups of patients with respect to baseline patient caracteristics. Partial response to the therapy had 16 (41%), no changes 14 (36%), and progressive disease 9 (23%) patients. There was a tendency to higher response rate for patients without K-ras mutations versus those with mutations, but not statistically significant (p = 0.14). Conclusion. There was no significant predictive value for therapeutic response of K-ras mutations for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. The diagnosis of bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, is made on the basis of anamnesis, pathologic auscultatory findings of the lungs, lung function disturbances, skin tests, as well as the basic indices of immunologic condition in bronchial trunk. The aim of the study was to find out correlation of objective indices of the disease and than relation with the symptoms in the patients with bronchial asthma. Methods. The study included 60 young male non smokers with long lasting symptoms of bronchial asthma including shortness of breath, wheezing, hard breathing, nonproductive or productive cough, weakness and night hard breathing. There were no symptoms of respiratory infection over the past two months and lung radiography and spirometry were normal. Based on the results of nonspecific bronchoprovocative test two groups of the patients were formed, group I (n = 30) with positive histamine test (average value of the inhaled histamine concentration with FEV1 drop by 20% in regard with the initial value (PC20) = 2.99 ± 0.51 mg/ml of histamine) and group II (n = 30) with negative histamine test (PC20(a) = 14.58 ± 6.34 mg/ml of histamine). Results. The obtained spirometry results revealed a statistically significant difference in values of FEV1 between groups: I group - FEV1 = 93.2%; II group - FEV1 = 101.8%; (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test), although all the FEV1 values were normal. Regarding the presence of the most common symptoms there was not statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0. 05, chisquare test). Pathologic auscultatory lung findings were found in 73.4% of the patients in the group I and 27.5% of the patients in the group II. There was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05, chi-squared test). A positive correlation between the degree of hypersensitivity and lung physical findings was confirmed (p < 0.05 Spearman's rho), but there was no correlation with FEV1 values. Conclusion. There is a correlation with lung pathologic physical findings, lower values of FEV1 (in a range of normal values) and the degree of nonspecific bronchial sensitivity as objective indices of activity of bronchial asthma. There is no correlation of these parameters with patient's symptoms as subjective indices of bronchial asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacground/Aim. Systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTD) are chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders of unknown cause that can involve different organs and systems. Their course and prognosis are different. All of them can, more or less, involve the respiratory sistem. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of respiratory simptoms, lung function disorders, radiography and high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) abnormalities, and their correlation with the duration of the disease and the applied treatment. Methods. In 47 non-randomised consecutive patients standard chest radiography, HRCT, and lung function tests were done. Results. Hypoxemia was present in nine of the patients with respiratory simptoms (20%). In all of them chest radiography was normal. In five of these patients lung fibrosis was established using HRCT. Half of all the patients with SCTD had simptoms of lung involment. Lung function tests disorders of various degrees were found in 40% of the patients. The outcome and the degree of lung functin disorders were neither in correlation with the duration of SCTD nor with therapy used (p > 0.05 Spearmans Ro). Conclusion. Pulmonary fibrosis occures in about 10% of the patients with SCTD, and possibly not due to the applied treatment regimens. Hypoxemia could be a sing of existing pulmonary fibrosis in the absence of disorders on standard chest radiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in pleural effusion and sera, were measured in 199 patients with pleural effusions of various origins. Malignant cause was found in 93, and nonmalignant in 106 patients. Mean cholesterol level in sera of patient with malignant disease was 5.0 ± 0.93mmol/L, and in nonmalignant group 4.34 ± 1.32 mmol/L. The difference was not statistically significant. Mean cholesterol level in nonmalignant pleural effusions was higher thAn those in malignant (2.51 ± 1.23 mmol/L; and 2.28 ± 1.06 mmol/L), but the difference was also not significant. Average pleural fluid/serum cholesterol ratio (HolI/S) in nonmalignant group was 0.61 ± 0.32 and in malignant group 0.46 ± 0.22. The difference between those mean values was significant. Higher ratio, at the cut off value of 0.5 was found in 79/106 and in 25/93 malignant patients. Calculated sensitivity was 75%, specificity 73%, positive predictive value 76%, negative predictive value 65% and accuracy 69%. Significant negative correlation between Holi/S and pleural fluid CEA was found (p<0.05). It was assumed that pleural fluid/serum cholesterol ratio lower than 0,5 could be of great benefit, as an additional test in the differentiation of malignant from benign pleural effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Castleman's disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by angiofollicular hyperplasia of lymph nodes. Histologically, it can be classified into a hyaline-vascular type, plasma-cell type, and transitional (mixed-cell) type, while clinically localized type has been classified as unicentric, or generalized (multicentric) form of the disease. Case report. This paper presents a 21 years old male patient with multicentric Castleman's disease, a transitional (mixed-cell) type. The disease was manifested by fever, generalized enlargement of peripherial lymph nodes, breast glands enlargement, hyperemia of the face, and weakness of the lower extremities. We found mediastinal lymphadenopathy, pleural and pericardia! effusions, sensorimotor peripherial neuropathy and polycional hypergammaglobulinemia. The simultaneous presence of these manifestations of the disease (sensomotor peripheral neuropathy, lymphadenopathy, effusions, endocrinopathy, polydonal gammaglobulinemia and skin changes) is indentified as POEMS syndrome. The diagnosis of Castleman's disease was based on the results of histopathologic analysis of mediastinal lymph node biopsies after thoracotomy. The patient was treated with corticosteroids (prednisone 80 mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 60 mg daily). A partial response was achieved after 4 months of treatment. Conclusion. A transitional type of multicentric Castleman's disease may be present itself as POEMS syndrome. The effect of corticosteroid therapy in this form of the disease is unpredictable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents 4 patients with chylothorax, and one patient with bilateral chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. The chylous effusions were of benign etiology, developed as a complication of miliary tuberculosis (1 patient), after L-2 vertebral body fracture (1 patient), and Idiopathic (2 patients). The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chylomicrons and high content of triglycerides in the effusion, ranged 11,9-29,1 mmol/l. Lymphangiography showed multiple abnormalites of lymphatic system, the obstruction of ductus thoracicus, dilatation and convulsion of lymphatic channels, but the site of lymphatic leak was not detected. The treatment included an extended period of pleural and peritoneal drainage with total parenteral nutrition (1 patient), pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum (2 patients), and surgical partial parietal pleurectomy with continous drainage (1 patient). The treatment was successful in all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beckground/Aim. In 40-50% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the time of making a diagnosis, the disease is yet at IIIb and IV stage. Standard in the treatment of these patient is the application of systemic chemiotherapy based on CIS/Carboplatin preparations. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of two different chemiotherapeutic protocols and neuroendocrine differentiation on treatment response and survival in patients with metastatic NSCLC. Methods. We examined 85 patients with metastatic NSCLC, of which 51 with stage IIIb, and 34 with stage IV of the disease. The histologic diagnosis of NSCLC was determined by tissue assays using hematoxylin eosin method. Neuroendocrine differentiation was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A, and synapthophysin expression using monoclonal mouse anti- human bodies (DAKO, Denmark). According to chemiotherapeutic protocol, the patients were randomly assigned into combined Taxol + Cisplatin group (Tax + Cis, n = 35), and Cyclophosphamide + Etoposide + Carboplatin group (CEP, n = 50). The treatment was conducted within 4-6 chemiotherapeutic cycles. The efficacy was assessed after the therapy regimen and median survival time was assessed after the randomization. Results. A total of 31 (36.47%) patients had a favourable therapeutic response, both partial and complete response (54.2% in the Tax + Cis group and 24% in CEP group of patients, respectively, p < 0.001). The median survival time in both groups was 13.1 months (15.3 months in the Tax + Cis group and 10.6 months in the CEP group, respectively, p < 0.001). A one-year follow-up survival period was confirmed in 40% of patients (60% only in the Tax + Cis group). A total of 23 (27.05%) patients with metastatic NSCLC had neuroendocrine differentiation. The disease progression or stable disease was noted only in patient with NSCLC without neuroendocrine differentiation (n = 42, 67.7%, p < 0.001). The median survival time in patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation was 14.8 months, without neuroendocrine differentiation 10.7 months (p < 0.001). The patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation in the CEP group had a longer one-year follow-up survival period than patients in Tax + Cis group (p < 0.001). In Tax-Cis group of patients, there was no significant difference in one-year follow-up survival period with neuroendocrine differentiation. Conclusion. Better therapeutic response and longer median survival time in metastatic NSCLC was obtained using Tax + Cis as compared to CEP protocol. Similar effect was noted using CEP protocol in patients with NSCLC and neuroendocrine differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient presented in this paper was admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of radiologlcally revealed shadow in both lungs. In the course of diagnostic procedures, fine needle aspiration biopsy of the intrathoracic mass was performed. Cytologic analysis of the smear was performed because of clinical suspicion of plasma cell proliferative disease that was confirmed by bone marrow aspiration. Thus, the cytologic finding of intrathoracic lesion preceded the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]