Pulmonary Cavitary Sarcoidosis: A Case Report

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease characterized by a non-caseating granuloma formation in different organs of the body. However, the presence of cavitary lesions is rare. We present a case report of a 38-year-old male who presented with a three-month history of cough, dyspnea, and weight loss. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated enlarged mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with bilateral perihilar consolidation and cavitation in the upper lobes of both lungs. Later, the patient underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and endobronchial biopsy which showed well-formed and non-necrotizing granulomas which were also embedded in the dense hyaline sclerosis. This finding is consistent with sarcoidosis. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was initiated, resulting in significant improvement in the patient's symptoms. This case report highlights the uncommon manifestation of pulmonary cavitary sarcoidosis and emphasizes the significance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of this complex disease.

Emergence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis While Recovering From COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report

COVID-19 can have different presentations; from asymptomatic to multiorgan involvement. This case report is of an elderly gentleman, with known comorbidities of chronic obstructive airway disease and alcoholic liver disease on treatment. He presented with a history of increasing dyspnea and cough for a few days which was present after cold symptoms, and was admitted for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Later, while he was recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia, his respiratory symptoms worsened. After a thorough evaluation, his sputum smear was positive for acid-fast bacilli and also rifampicin sensitive on GeneXpert assay. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, he recovered from both acute conditions and was sent home on the twentieth day of admission.

Assessment of risk factors against severity of COPD in non-smokers

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers has been an important concern in past decade. We studied the risk factors responsible for more severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Identifying them would help to work against progression to more severe disease as well as prevention.

METHODS

A prospective cross sectional study was done in outpatient clinic of Jinnah postgraduate medical center from December 2010 to December 2011. All patients fulfilling the criteria for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were taken in study. Patients with less than five pack years smoking with other risk factors for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of total 90 patients, 74 (82.2%) had mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 16 (17.7%) had moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients with single biomass exposure were found to have mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease except those having mosquito coil exposure. Patients with mosquito coil and wood smoke exposure were observed to have moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p-value 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Wood smoke with mosquito coil smoke exposure is responsible for more severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Assessment of Risk Factors against Severity of COPD in Non-Smokers

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers has been an importantconcern in past decade. We studied the risk factors responsible for more severe Chronic obstructivepulmonary disease. Identifying them would help to work against progression to more severe diseaseas well as prevention.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was done in outpatient clinic of Jinnah postgraduatemedical center from December 2010 to December 2011. All patients fulfilling the criteria for Chronicobstructive pulmonary disease were taken in study. Patients with less than five pack years smokingwith other risk factors for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated.Results: Out of total 90 patients, 74 (82.2%) had mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 16(17.7%) had moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients with single biomassexposure were found to have mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease except those havingmosquito coil exposure. Patients with mosquito coil and wood smoke exposure were observed tohave moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p-value 0.009).Conclusions: Wood smokewith mosquito coil smoke exposure is responsible for more severe chronicobstructive pulmonary disease._______________________________________________________________________________________Keywords: biomass; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; non-smoker; tuberculosis.