Morphometrical analysis of transbronchial cryobiopsies

The recent introduction of bronchoscopically recovered cryobiopsy of lung tissue has opened up new possibilities in the diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung diseases in various aspects. Most notably the morphological diagnosis of peripheral lung biopsies promises to achieve a better yield with a high quality of specimens. To better understand this phenomenon, its diagnostic options and perspectives, this study morphometrically compares 15 cryobiopsies and 18 transbronchial forceps biopsies of peripheral lung tissue a priori without considering clinical hit ratio or integration of results in the clinical diagnostic processing. Cryotechnically harvested specimens were significantly larger (mean: 17.1 ± 10.7 mm2 versus 3.8 ± 4.0 mm2) and contained alveolar tissue more often. If present, the alveolar part in cryobiopsies exceeded the one of forceps biopsies. The alveolar tissue of crybiopsy specimens did not show any artefacts. Based on these results cryotechnique seems to open up new perspectives in bronchoscopic diagnosis of lung disease

Beyond a consensus classification for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: progress and controversies

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74699/1/j.1365-2559.2008.03173.x.pd

Successful treatment of meningococcal bacteremia using oral doxycycline: A case report

International audienceWe report the case of an 18-year-old immunocompetent man who presented to the hospital with fever, headaches, and arthromyalgia, which progressed to include an erythematous rash. He had a history of a tick bite 72 h earlier. The diagnosis of rickettsial infection was suspected and a course of doxycycline was initiated for a total of 5 days. His evolution was rapidly favorable under treatment, with resolution of the symptoms within 24 h. Blood cultures came back positive for Neisseria meningitidis serotype B, indicating an authentic purpura fulminans. Purpura fulminans is a medical emergency, a syndrome of intravascular thrombosis characterized by a very rapid evolution that requires early recognition and specific treatment. It is commonly described in the young and healthy patient and has high mortality and morbidity. Common bacteria mainly associated with purpura fulminans are Meningococcus spp., Pneumococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp