September 2017 Arizona Thoracic Society Notes

The September 2017 Arizona Thoracic Society meeting was held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital beginning at 6:30 PM. This was a dinner meeting with case presentations. There were 16 in attendance representing the pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and radiology communities.

There was a discussion of the Tobacco 21 bill which had been introduced the last session in the Arizona State Legislature. Since it seems likely that the bill will be reintroduced, the Arizona Thoracic Society will support the bill in the future. Dr. Rick Robbins announced that the SWJPCC has applied to be included in PubMed. In addition, Dr. Robbins was assigned the task of tracking down the campaign contributions to congressional members from the tobacco PAC before the next election.

There were 7 case presentations:

1. Ashley L. Garrett, MD, pulmonary fellow at Mayo, presented an elderly man with insulin-dependent diabetes who felt he had inhaled a pill. He takes multiple medications and was unsure which pill he might have inhaled. Since the inhalation, he was bothered by coughing.  His chest x-ray was normal. Bronchoscopy revealed severe left lower lobe bronchitis. No pill fragments were seen. He was managed conservatively and his coughing has nearly resolved. A discussion of pill aspiration ensued with an article published in Chest forming the basis for discussion (1).
2. Paul Conomos, M.D. presented a case of a 57-year-old woman who is largely asymptomatic but has had worsening bronchiectasis on serial CT scans since 2006. She is a nonsmoker. The CT scans show typical tree-in-bud bronchiectasis most marked in the right upper lobe but present in scattered areas throughout both right and left lungs. Her pulmonary function tests showed mild-moderate obstruction. Bronchoscopy times three with bronchoalveolar lavage and cultures has been unrevealing. Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels and esophageal pH monitoring were normal. Sweat chloride was equivocal at 44 and 50 millimoles per liter. Gene sequencing was recommended but too expensive for the patient ($2500, her copay $900). Discussion focused on whether further work up should be done and whether treatment was necessary. Most felt the work up was fairly comprehensive and that treatment was probably not indicated since she was not symptomatic.
3. Dr. Conomos also presented a second case of an 18-year-old from the Congo who presented with a chronic cough and hemoptysis. PPD was reported by the patient as negative. Physical examination was unremarkable. Chest x-ray showed a right lower lobe mass and thoracic CT scan showed right lower lobe (RLL) bronchiectasis with a question of a foreign body. Bronchoscopy showed obstruction in the lateral subsegment of the RLL with a mass with what appeared to be a stone. The patient was referred to thoracic surgery but returned 6 days later with fever and pleuritic chest pain. Chest x-ray showed RLL pneumonia. The patient underwent a RLL lobectomy. A foreign body was present. In retrospect, his mother recalled him inhaling a super glue cap when he was 7 or 8 years old. He was doing well post-operatively.
4. Dr. Gerald Schwartzberg presented 3 cases. The first was 43-year-old woman who developed erythema nodosum after a month history of sharp pleuritic chest pain and multiple other systemic complaints. Her eosinophil count was 13% and cocci serologies were weakly positive. Discussion centered on treatment. Most favored treatment although it was agreed that data supporting treatment was lacking.
5. Dr. Schwartzberg presented a second case of 75-year-old woman with mild COPD on albuterol only. She was a smoker and complained of a cough productive of green sputum. Chest x-ray revealed a large left mass with mucoid impaction. Bronchoscopy revealed hyphae with 45º branches typical of Aspergillus on biopsy. Thoracic CT scan showed bronchiectasis. An IgE was suggested. Several were suspicious of lung cancer and suggested a needle biopsy of the mass.
6. The last of Dr. Schwartzberg’s cases was a 92-year-old man who was found to have a polyp on upper GI endoscopy and a chest x-ray which showed a mass. Biopsies of both stained positive for melanin and were consistent with malignant melanoma. He was referred to oncology. Discussion centered on whether he should receive treatment.
7. Dr. Lewis Wesselius presented a 67-year-old man with a right neck mass found in 2015. Biopsy revealed a high-grade sarcomatoid cancer. At that time a CT/PET of the chest was negative. About 6 months later a CT/PET revealed new areas of tracer accumulation within the liver. His chemotherapy was switched to ipilimumab and nivolumab. A repeat CT/PET showed symmetric bilateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy. An endobronchial bronchial ultrasound (EBUS) biopsy of the nodes showed noncaseating granuloma consistent with sarcoidosis. He was begun on corticosteroids and nodes and liver lesions resolved on CT/PET. Discussion centered on sarcoidosis induced by these newer checkpoint inhibitors. It was speculated that drug-induced sarcoidosis might be observed more commonly as these agents are more frequently used (2,3).

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 8 PM. The next meeting will be in Phoenix on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 6:30 PM at HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital.

Richard A. Robbins, MD

References

1. Kinsey CM, Folch E, Majid A, Channick CL. Evaluation and management of pill aspiration: case discussion and review of the literature. Chest. 2013 Jun;143(6):1791-5. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Reuss JE, Kunk PR, Stowman AM, Gru AA, Slingluff CL Jr, Gaughan EM. Sarcoidosis in the setting of combination ipilimumab and nivolumab immunotherapy: a case report & review of the literature. J Immunother Cancer. 2016 Dec 20;4:94. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. Danlos FX, Pagès C, Baroudjian B, et al. Nivolumab-induced sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction in a patient with advanced melanoma. Chest. 2016 May;149(5):e133-6. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Cite as: Robbins RA. September 2017 Arizona thoracic society notes. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;15(3):122-4. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc118-17 PDF

January 2017 Arizona Thoracic Society Notes

The January 2017 Arizona Thoracic Society meeting was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at the HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital beginning at 6:30 PM. This was a dinner meeting (prime rib) with case presentations. There was a good attendance representing the pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and radiology communities.

There was a discussion of supporting the Tobacco 21 bill which has been introduced into the Arizona State Legislature. There was unanimous support for this bill. Another bill to allow school nurses to administer an albuterol inhaler without a doctor’s prescription was also discussed but the members wanted more information.

The new CDC Ventilator-Associated Events (VAE) criteria were also discussed. Before endorsing or opposing the this as a measure, the members wished more information.

It was decided that a decision on both would be postponed until discussed at the next meeting.

Three cases were presented:

1. Dr. Lewis Wesselius from the Mayo Clinic presented a case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with hemoptysis. The hemoptysis was eventually shown to be secondary to mitral stenosis. There were some dramatic photographs from the bronchoscopy of hyperemic airways with dilated submucosal veins. This case was also presented as the January 2017 Pulmonary Case of the Month in the SWJPCC.
2. Dr. Kyle Henry from Banner University Phoenix/VA presented a case of combined emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. The pros and cons of establishing a diagnosis were discussed. Although a biopsy would be considered ideal, the patient was severely hypoxemic.
3. Dr. Gerald Swartzberg presented several cases of cavitary coccidioidomycosis. A discussion followed regarding management of cavitary cocci ensued.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 8 PM. The next meeting will be in Phoenix on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 6:30 PM at HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital.

Lewis J. Wesselius, MD

President, Arizona Thoracic Society

Cite as: Wesselius LJ. January 2017 Arizona thoracic society notes. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(1):42. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc010-17 PDF

March 2016 Arizona Thoracic Society Notes

The March 2016 Arizona Thoracic Society meeting was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Scottsdale Shea Hospital beginning at 6:30 PM. This was a dinner meeting with case presentations. There were 17 in attendance representing the pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and radiology communities. Of note, Dr. Elijah Poulos drove from Flagstaff to attend the meeting.

Dr. Rick Robbins gave a summary of ATS Hill Day and the possibility of collecting dues for the Arizona Thoracic Society along with American Thoracic Society dues. Dr. Robbins also presented the results of emailing the Table of Contents of the Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care to the ATS members in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada along with listing the contents in Inspirations the California Thoracic Society newsletter. The number of page views doubled over usual the following day.

Dr. George Parides presented a short presentation on whether coccidioidomycosis nodules in the setting of biologics for rheumatoid arthritis should receive fluconazole and the new coccidioidomycosis skin test under development.

Dr. Lewis Wesselius presented a plaque to Dr. Robbins who was voted 2016 Arizona Thoracic Society clinician of the year (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Dr. Lewis Wesselius (left) presenting a plaque to Dr. Rick Robbins.

There were 5 case presentations:

1. Dr. George Parides presented a 67-year-old man with a thin walled cavity and positive coccidioidomycosis serology who was unable to tolerate fluconazole and voriconazole. There were several possible therapies suggested including posaconazole or resection of the cavity.
2. Dr. Elijah Poulos presented a case of 44-year-old woman who had occupational exposure to mineral spirits and presented with a chronic dry cough. Chest x-ray showed bilateral apical infiltrates. Thoracic CT scan confirmed the presence of the infiltrates which appeared lobular. Physical examination and laboratory evaluation including induced sputum specimens were unrevealing. A bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy were performed. The biopsy was consistent with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Because her cough and CT scan were improving no therapy was given. A follow-up CT scan showed resolution of the apical consolidations but a new rounded 4 cm area of consolidation but her cough has resolved and she is now asymptomatic. The group suggested several possibilities including possible lipoid pneumonia or possible cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. The majority felt that following the patient was the most appropriate course of action.
3. Dr. Paul Conomos presented a case of a 43-year-old man who had an incidental finding of a vessel in the left lower lung originating from the abdominal aorta.  The abdominal CT scan was performed for abdominal pain which quickly resolved. He had no respiratory symptoms. It was that this was likely a pulmonary sequestration and discussions with invasive radiology to better define the vascular supply and thoracic surgery for possible resection  might be useful.
4. Dr. Lewis Wesselius presented a case of an 65-year-old woman who presented to her gastroenterologist with anemia and some weight loss. A thoracic CT scan was performed which suggested a tracheal abnormality, possibly a tracheal wall lesion. Bronchoscopy showed a smooth indentation in the trachea with a yellowish discoloration. A similar yellowish area was seen near the main carina. Biopsies were performed. Congo red stain was positive consistent with amyloidosis.
5. Dr. Allen Thomas presented a 62-year-old man with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection beginning in January who improved sufficiently that he rode his motorcycle near Bagdad, AZ this month. He rode through a dust storm and subsequently developed dyspnea, cough and gray sputum production. Laboratory evaluation in an emergency department showed a pO2 of 60 on room air but was otherwise unremarkable. He was seen in pulmonary consolidation a few days later. Thoracic CT scan showed subpleural areas of ground glass and consolidation. The patient was asymptomatic by this time and declined biopsy. The group suggested following the patient with a repeat thoracic CT scan. It was suggested that this could possibly be a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 8 PM. The next meeting will be in Phoenix on Wednesday, May 25,2016 at 6:30 PM.

Richard A. Robbins, MD

Editor, SWJPCC

Cite as: Robbins RA. March 2016 Arizona thoracic society ntoes. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2016 Mar;12(3):112-3. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc029-16 PDF

November 2015 Arizona Thoracic Society Notes

The November 2015 Arizona Thoracic Society meeting was held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the Scottsdale Shea Hospital beginning at 6:30 PM. This was a dinner meeting with case presentations. There were 14 in attendance representing the pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and radiology communities. 

There were 3 case presentations:

1. Dr. Gerald Schwartzberg presented a case of a 56-year-old man with a history of diabetes, alcoholism and tobacco abuse who has a history of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) with a residual thin-walled cavity in his right upper lobe (RUL). After quitting drinking and smoking and years of being asymptomatic, he presented with hemoptysis. Chest x-ray showed increasing density in the RUL. CT scan showed an intracavitary density in his previous cavity presumably a fungus ball. Sputum cultures are pending. Discussion followed on management of fungus balls. Bronchoscopy was recommended to view the bronchial anatomy to exclude other diagnosis as well as obtaining additional cultures. The consensus of the group was operative intervention if possible. If not, bronchial artery embolization was offered as an alternative.
2. Dr. Schwartzberg presented a second case of a middle-aged woman with a past history of Valley Fever who was treated and left with a negative serology and a pulmonary nodule. She has developed rheumatoid arthritis and is being considered for biological therapy. The question was whether she should received fluconazole during therapy. No one knew of any data but the group advised caution and suggested fluconazole during immunosuppressive therapy.
3. Dr. Lewis Wesselius presented a case of an 18-year-old with a prior diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. CT scan revealed multiple lung cysts. Dr. Wesselius reviewed Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) (1,2). CPAM, previously known as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, is a developmental lesion of the lung comprising single or multiple cysts of uniform or varying sizes arising from anomalous growth of airways. Most of the cases are identified in infants and neonates with respiratory distress. Rarely, CPAM can present in adulthood with recurrent chest infections, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, or dyspnea. Dr. Michael Gotway showed CT scans of several additional patients.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 7:45 PM. The next meeting will be in Phoenix on Wednesday, January 27,2016 at 6:30 PM. A change of venue was discussed and will be announced prior to the meeting.

Richard A. Robbins, MD

Editor, SWJPCC

References

1. Dowton SB, Pincott S, Demmer L. Respiratory complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Clin Genet. 1996;50(6):510-4. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Baral D, Adhikari B, Zaccarini D, Dongol RM, Sah B. Congenital pulmonary airway malformation in an adult male: a case report with literature review. Case Rep Pulmonol. 2015;2015:743452. [CrossRef] [PubMed] 

Cite as: Robbins RA. November 2015 Arizona thoracic society notes. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2015;11(5):233-4. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc143-15 PDF

July 2015 Arizona Thoracic Society Notes

The July 2015 Arizona Thoracic Society meeting was held on Wednesday, July 23, 2015 at the Scottsdale Shea Hospital beginning at 6:30 PM. This was a dinner meeting with case presentations. There were 16 in attendance representing the pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and radiology communities.

It was decided to continue holding the meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the odd numbered months.

Lewis Wesselius relayed a request from the Mayo Clinic regarding a survey on how physicians in Arizona treat Valley Fever. There were no objections to using our mailing list to send out the survey.

Dr. Parides formed a committee to encourage younger clinicians to attend the Arizona Thoracic Society meetings.

Richard A. Robbins was chose as the Arizona Thoracic Society's nominee for clinician of the year.

There were 3 case presentations:

1. George Parides presented a 58-year-old woman with a past medical history of cavitating coccidioidomycosis in both upper lobes from which she had recovered. However, on thoracic CT scan she had traction bronchiectasis as well as narrowing of the inferior vena cava. It had been recommended that a vena cava filter be placed to prevent pulmonary embolism. She had no history of deep venous thrombosis. None in the audience knew of any data suggesting placement of a filter was indicated.
2. Lewis Wesselius presented a case of a 19-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and bilateral large pulmonary nodules. He had a history of smoking about 5 cigarettes per day and use of medical marijuana for sinusitis. Laboratory workup showed an elevated white blood cell count but a cANCA and cultures was negative. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated alveolar hemorrhage. Open biopsy was consistent with pulmonary pyoderma gangrenosum. The patient was begun on corticosteroids and had resolution of both his symptoms and nodules.
3. Rick Robbins presented Drs. Ling and Boivin's case of a 40 year old man with a history of opioid abuse who was mechanically ventilated but failed an extubation trial (1). The videos of the diaphragm were presented along with a discussion of the diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) assessed by ultrasound as a predictor for the success of extubation. DTF is calculated using the following formula: Thickness at end inspiration - Thickness at end expiration / Thickness at end expiration. Based on the study published by Ferarri and associates (2), they found that a DTF > 36% would provide a sensitivity of 0.82, a specificity of 0.88, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.92 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.75.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 8 PM. The next meeting will be in Phoenix at Scottsdale Shea on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 PM.

Richard A. Robbins, MD

Editor, SWJPCC

References

1. Ling D, Boivin M. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: take a deep breath. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2015;11(1):38-41. [CrossRef]
2. Ferrari G, De Filippi G, Elia F, Panero F, Volpicelli G, Aprà F. Diaphragm ultrasound as a new index of discontinuation from mechanical ventilation. Crit Ultrasound J. 2014;6(1):8. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Reference as: Robbins RA. July 2015 Arizona thoracic society notes. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2015;11(1):49-50. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc098-15 PDF