Mycobacterium avium complex disease: prognostic implication of high-resolution computed tomography findings

Abstract

To evaluate the prognostic implications of computed tomography (CT) findings in assessing responses to treatment in Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease without underlying lung disease, high-resolution (HR)CT findings were correlated based on the results of sputum conversion after anti-MAC therapy.A total of 59 patients underwent HRCT before treatment and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the results of sputum conversion.Atelectasis, cavities and pleural thickening on HRCT were significantly more frequent and extensive among patients in the sputum nonconverted group than among those in the converted group. Furthermore, bronchiectasis was also significantly more extensive among patients in the nonconverted group, even though there was no significant difference in frequency between these two groups.These results suggest that high-resolution computed tomography findings are good predictors of response to treatment in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Diseases: Retrospective Analysis of 42 Cases

“…24 Koh ve ark., MAC'ye bağlı akciğer hastalığında nodüler bronşektazi formunun %52, üst lob kavite formunun ise %42 oranında tespit edildiğini bildirmiştir. 25 Bizim çalışmamızda hastaların radyolojik incelemesinde 27 (%64,3) hastada bilateral lezyonlar ve göğüs radyografisinde en sık olarak kavite (%64,3), segmenter veya subsegmenter homojen opasiteler (%57,8) ATS ve BTS, tedaviye yanıtsız olan veya nük-seden olgularda ilaç duyarlılık testinin yapılmasını önermektedir.…”

High-resolution computed tomography in Mycobacterium avium complex disease: one step forward, two steps back

“…We read with interest the article by KUROISHI et al [1], in which the group pleasantly documented the prognostic implications of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. KUROISHI et al [1], found that the presence of atelectasis, cavities, pleural thickening or bronchiectasis on a computed tomography (CT) scan indicated poor prognosis and concluded that CT findings are good predictors of the response to treatment in MAC disease patients.…”

“…KUROISHI et al [1], found that the presence of atelectasis, cavities, pleural thickening or bronchiectasis on a computed tomography (CT) scan indicated poor prognosis and concluded that CT findings are good predictors of the response to treatment in MAC disease patients. However, there are a few practical issues regarding the topic that need to be addressed.…”

“…Finally, the total duration of treatment (minimum 12 months) mentioned in the study by KUROISHI et al [1], is not in accordance with the American Thoracic Society guidelines, which recommends that treatment should continue for 1 yr of consecutively negative sputum cultures [5]. This delivers the wrong message to the readers and raises questions on the validity of the study's findings, as the authors have taken consecutive negative sputum cultures over a period of 3 months (not the recommended 12 months) as the gold standard for the parameter concerning the treatment outcome for comparison.…”

COPD and osteoporosis: a lot of work to be done

“…We read with interest the article by ALDINGTON et al [1] entitled ''Cannabis use and risk of lung cancer: a case-control study''. However, we are concerned that the conclusion stating that ''long-term cannabis use increases the risk of lung cancer in young adults'' is inadequately supported by the data, given the study's several methodological flaws.…”