Pulmonary aspergillosis encompasses a heterogeneous group of mycoses that result from either colonisation or pathogenic damage of lung tissue by Aspergillus fungi. These clinical entities range from relatively benign saprophytic hypersensitivity associated with fungal inhabitation to life threatening invasive disease. The diagnosis of pulmonary disorders related to Aspergillus is on the increase and it is more important than ever those both general and respiratory physicians have a good understanding of these disorders. This paper reviews the contemporary understanding of the clinical, radiographic and histopathological aspects of pulmonary aspergillosis.

Adult-onset Still's disease is a rare inflammatory disorder characterised by fever, arthritis and rash. It can present in a number of ways and is associated in 5% of cases with parenchymal lung involvement. We present the case of a 37year-old man who initially presented with fever, weight loss and pancytopaenia. He gradually deteriorated requiring non-invasive ventilation with a Computerised tomography of his chest showing bilateral nodular infiltrates. An open lung biopsy showed acute fibrinous organising pneumonia, which responded well to corticosteroid treatment. He then re-presented over three years later with a similar systemic illness although with less severe lung involvement. Following extensive further investigations, he was diagnosed with Adult-onset Still's disease fulfilling the Yamaguchi criteria. We feel this case is important due to the rare association of Adult-onset Still's disease and interstitial lung disease. More specifically, we are not aware of any published cases of Adult-onset Still's disease with acute fibrinous organising pneumonia.Keywords clinical, interstitial lung disease, other rheumatology, respiratory medicine, rheumatology Case presentationOur patient was a Caucasian man who initially presented aged 33 with a seven-week history of gradually worsening fevers, night sweats, lethargy and 6 kg weight loss. He had no significant medical history, was on no regular medications and worked in Information Technology. Admission blood tests showed a total white cell count (WCC) of 2.38 (10 9 / L), neutrophils of 1.5 (10 9 /L), lymphocytes of 0.6 (10 9 /L), haemoglobin of 10.4 (g/dl) and platelets of 209 (10 9 /L) (which subsequently dropped to 135). Liver enzymes showed an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 59 (IU/L), bilirubin of 32 (mmol/L) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of 57 (IU/L). His c-reactive protein (CRP) was 44 (mg/L) and ferritin elevated at 728 (mg/L). Computerised tomography (CT) of the chest showed multiple bilateral lung nodules and splenomegaly. Due to his fever and imaging appearances (Figure 1), he was treated with broadspectrum antibiotics for possible atypical pneumonia. Multiple investigations including several blood cultures were performed to look for an infective cause of the fever all of which were negative. Autoimmune screen was unremarkable. He continued to deteriorate despite antibiotics developing type-1 respiratory failure requiring non-invasive ventilation. His blood tests also worsened becoming pancytopaenic with worsening liver enzymes (ALT increased to 262 IU/ L) and CRP increasing to 205 (mg/L). Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies and washings were nondiagnostic. Due to a lack of a clear diagnosis, he was intubated and transferred to a tertiary care centre for a surgical lung biopsy which showed acute fibrinous and organising pneumonia, noting a prominent reactive interstitial lymphoid infiltrate ( Figure 2). Following this, he was given intravenous methylprednisolone for five days and started to improve clinically. This was followed by a reducing cou...

No abstract

No abstract

Pleural effusions are very common in clinical practice and can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and a real challenge to manage. There is a large amount of literature on malignant effusions, but no clear guidelines on managing refractory non-malignant pleural effusions. This case examines a rarer cause of a transudative effusion, focussing on the route to diagnosis. The emergence of thoracic ultrasound, in light of the National Patient Safety Agency report in 2008, and the increased safety are reviewed, and, in addition, the options for management are considered, including the tunnelled pleural catheter as a potential long-term solution in this challenging situation.