• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.735-740
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• 1999

Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is usually a mild and self-limited infection. Chest films usually show patch consolidation or interstitial infiltration in the lung. We recently encountered a case of fulminant Mycoplasma pneumonia which showed rapidly progressing extensive bilateral airspace consolidation with pleural effusion. A previously healthy 19-year-old female college student was admitted to the hospital because of fever and dry cough. Chest X-ray showed large areas of airspace consolidation in both lung with pleural effusion and rapid progression of the lung lesion. The diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumonia was made from the serologic test Here we report a case of Mycoplasma pneumonia showing unusual manifestation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients. Materials and Methods: CT scans of 25 patients with biopsy-proven cryptococcosis [surgery (n=3), percutaneous needle biopsy (n=21), and bronchoscopic biopsy (n=1)] were analyzed. Thirteen patients were men and 12 patients were women, with a mean age of 53.7 years. Presenting symptoms were cough, sputum, and dyspnea and 12 patients presented with incidentally found chest radiographic abnormalities. Results: Nodule or multiple conglomerate nodules (n=10, 40%) and segmental or lobular consolidation (n=9, 36%) were most common, followed by mixed patterns (n=5, 20%). Predilection sites were lower lobe (n=21/37, 57%) and subpleural areas (n=23, 92%). Air bronchograms within consolidations (n=11/14, 79%) with mild volume loss (n=10/14, 71%) were common. While interlobular septal thickening (n=11, 44%) and cavitation or central low-attenuations (n=11, 44%) were relatively common, lymphadenopathy (n=2, 8%) or free pleural effusions (n=1, 4%) were uncommon. Conclusion: Nodules or airspace consolidation with a predilection of lower lobe and subpleural area are the most common appearances of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 1999

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) preceding polymyositis is rare. In this report, a 40-year-old patient with fever, chillness, generalized myalgia and progressive exertional dyspnea, had bilateral interstitial infiltrates on chest radiograph. High-Resolution CT showed subpleural and peribronchial distribution of airspace consolidation. Open lung biopsy was consistent with BOOP. Prednisolone therapy led to improvement, but during tapering of prednisolone for 3 months to 30 mg, he complained of weakness of both lower legs. One month later, prednisolone was tapered to 15 mg a day, fever. chillness and generalized myalgia were recurred. He complained of weakness of both arms. The creatine kinase (CK) with MM isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated. Anti-Jo1 antibody was positive. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was compatible with polymyositis. After injection of methylprednisolone for 1 week, the patient became afebrile, the dyspnea resolved, the pulmonary infiltrates decreased, and the muscle strength improved. The serum CK, LDH, AST levels declined significantly. Patients with idiopathic BOOP should have follow-up for the possible development of connective tissue disorders including polymyositis.