Pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon condition that accounts for 0.5-6% of all pulmonary malformations and is typically diagnosed in childhood. Of the two forms of pulmonary sequestration, intralobar and extralobar, the latter is less frequently encountered. The current report describes the case of a 32-year-old female patient with chest and abdominal pain. Imaging (chest X-rays and computed tomography scans of the chest) revealed consolidation and pleural effusion. The initial thoracocentesis revealed hemothorax. Subsequent diagnostic video-assisted thoracoscopy revealed extralobar pulmonary sequestration. Consequently, the therapeutic decision was to make the conversion to thoracotomy in order to resect the lesion and safely ligate the intercostal vascular pedicle.

Keywords: Bronchopulmonary sequestration; Hemothorax; Pulmonary infarction.

Pulmonary sequestration is defined as a mass of lung tissue separated from the tracheobronchial tree and irrigated by an anomalous systemic artery. It is rarely seen in conjunction with lung neoplasms. We report the case of a 39-year-old female patient diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor, located in the intermediate bronchus and accompanied by bronchiectasis in the right lower lobe. The patient underwent thoracotomy for the resection of the affected area. During surgery, she presented with significant hemorrhage resulting from the transection of the anomalous artery that irrigated an intralobar pulmonary sequestration, which was located in right lower lobe and had not been identified in pre-operative examinations.

Keywords: Bronchopulmonary sequestration; Hemorrhage; Carcinoid tumor.

Abstract Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by acute oropharyngeal infection, complicated by internal jugular venous thrombosis secondary to septic thrombophlebitis, and by metastatic infections in various distant organs-most commonly in the lungs. We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome in a 56-year-old female who presented with right-sided neck mass and fever. Right internal jugular venous thrombosis was demonstrated on an ultrasound. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed multiple opacities throughout both lungs. An open surgical biopsy was performed due to suspicion of pulmonary metastases. Anatomopathological examination revealed septic emboli in lung parenchyma. Retrospectively, the patient reported a history of pharyngitis two weeks prior to hospitalization. After the diagnosis had been made, the patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (cefuroxime for 7 days and azithromycin for 5 days; subsequently, because fever persisted, cefepime for 7 days). One month later, a computed tomography scan of the chest revealed resolution of the opacities.

Keywords: Pulmonary embolism; Lung abscess; Thrombophlebitis; Jugular veins; Pharyngitis.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital anomaly, characterized by nonfunctional embryonic pulmonary tissue. Pulmonary sequestration accounts for 0.15-6.40% of all congenital pulmonary malformations. This anomaly, which is classified as intralobar or extralobar, involves the lung parenchyma and its vascularization. We report the case of a 56-year-old male presenting with hemoptysis. A chest X-ray showed an area of opacity behind the cardiac silhouette in the base of the left hemithorax. Chest CT scans with intravenous contrast revealed pulmonary sequestration. The patient underwent surgery, in which the anomalous tissue was successful resected. The postoperative evolution was favorable, and the patient was discharged to outpatient treatment.

Keywords: Hemoptysis; Bronchopulmonary sequestration; Tomography, spiral computed.

Background: Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital anomaly involving the pulmonary parenchyma and its vascularization, and it presents as extralobar or intralobar. Aim: Describe the cases treated at the Institute of Heart (InCor) and Clinical Hospital of the Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP). Method: Retrospective analyses of the files of the patients treated over the 10-year period taking demographic, clinical and laboratorial data. Results: The patients were recurrent pulmonary infection and hemoptysis were frequent clinical findings in these patients. All cases were intralobar. The main localization was the left lower lobe (66%). Only one diagnosis was made intra-operatively. In the other eight cases, diagnosis was suggested on chest radiographs (100%) and confirmed by angiography (77%) and computed tomography (66%). Lobectomy (77%) was the most common surgical treatment, with low post-operative morbidity, and no mortality. Anatomic and histologic examination was performed in seven cases and confirmed the pathology. Conclusion: Pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon entity, in which the computed tomography and the angiography are the radiological investigations that provide the most information to a definitive and secure diagnosis. Resection of the involved tissue leads to excellent results.

Objective: To determine the incidence of the reversed halo sign (RHS) in patients with pulmonary infarction (PI) due to acute pulmonary embolism (PE), detected by computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the pulmonary arteries, and to describe the main morphological features of the RHS. Methods: We evaluated 993 CTA scans, stratified by the risk of PE, performed between January of 2010 and December of 2014. Although PE was detected in 164 scans (16.5%), three of those scans were excluded because of respiratory motion artifacts. Of the remaining 161 scans, 75 (46.6%) showed lesions consistent with PI, totaling 86 lesions. Among those lesions, the RHS was seen in 33 (38.4%, in 29 patients). Results: Among the 29 patients with scans showing lesions characteristic of PI with the RHS, 25 (86.2%) had a single lesion and 4 (13.8%) had two, totaling 33 lesions. In all cases, the RHS was in a subpleural location. To standardize the analysis, all images were interpreted in the axial plane. Among those 33 lesions, the RHS was in the right lower lobe in 17 (51.5%), in the left lower lobe in 10 (30.3%), in the lingula in 5 (15.2%), and in the right upper lobe in 1 (3.0%). Among those same 33 lesions, areas of low attenuation were seen in 29 (87.9%). The RHS was oval in 24 (72.7%) of the cases and round in 9 (27.3%). Pleural effusion was seen in 21 (72.4%) of the 29 patients with PI and the RHS. Conclusions: A diagnosis of PE should be considered when there are findings such as those described here, even in patients with nonspecific clinical symptoms.

Keywords: Pulmonary embolism; Pulmonary infarction; Computed tomography angiography.

Among all causes of preventable deaths, smoking is responsible for the greatest number of deaths worldwide and predisposes to fatal, noncommunicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle changes are effective in the treatment of patients with smoking-related diseases and assist in the prevention of premature mortality. Our objective was to investigate the available scientific evidence regarding the psychological distress related to smoking cessation in patients who have had acute myocardial infarction. To that end, we conducted an integrative review of the literature in order to summarize relevant studies on this topic. The selected databases were Scopus, PubMed Central, Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science (Core Collection), ScienceDirect, EMBASE, SciELO, LILACS e PsycINFO. On the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria adopted for this study, 14 articles were selected for analysis. Those studies showed that the prevalence of psychological distress is higher among smokers than among nonsmokers, and distress-related symptoms are much more common in smokers with acute myocardial infarction than in those without. Smoking cessation depends on the active participation of the smoker, whose major motivation is the underlying disease. Most studies have shown that there is a need to create treatment subgroups as a means of improving the treatment provided. This review article expands the knowledge regarding smoking cessation and shows the need to invest in future research that investigates subgroups of smokers diagnosed with the major smoking-related comorbidities, such as acute myocardial infarction, in order to develop specific interventions and psychological support strategies.

Keywords: Smoking; Stress, psychological; Myocardial infarction; Tobacco use cessation.

Organized pneumonia secondary to amiodarone use is rare. Only eight cases have been reported in the literature. It is reported on the case of a 75-year-old female who, after a cumulative dose of 43 g of amiodarone, presented coughing, progressive dyspnea and bilateral infiltrates seen at thoracic radiographs. Transbronchial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. As the drug was discontinued, there was functional and clinical improvement.

Keywords: Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. Amiodarone. Drug therapy. Drug toxicity.

Lipoid pneumonia is an underdiagnosed disease that is caused by the aspiration of lipid particles into the lungs. Although most of the reported cases have been associated with the use of mineral oil as a laxative, other lipid substances can also cause the disease. We report the case of a 50-year-old female patient with a complaint of productive cough who was initially diagnosed with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The patient was treated for GERD. Because the productive cough persisted, the patient underwent chest CT, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and open lung biopsy. She was diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia. The patient was questioned regarding the use of lipid substances, and she reported the chronic use of evening primrose oil. After the discontinuation of the substance and the maintenance of GERD treatment, her condition improved.

Keywords: Pneumonia, lipid; Cough; Plant oils.

The authors report a case of recurrent pneumothorax secondary to agenesis of the diaphragm in a 36-year old female. The diagnosis was established by means of clinical history and chest X-ray examination. Surgical correction was carried out. Diaphragmatic agenesis was detected during the procedure and pleural abrasion was performed. Two months following surgery another pneumothorax episode occurred. Fallopian tube ligature was then performed in order to prevent the entrance of air into the abdomen during ovulation, and thus avoid further recurrences of pneumothorax.

Keywords: Diaphragm. Agenesis. Pneumothorax. Recurrence.

Objective: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise capacity in most but not all COPD patients. The factors associated with treatment success and the role of chest wall mechanics remain unclear. We investigated the impact of PR on exercise performance in COPD with severe hyperinflation. Methods: We evaluated 22 COPD patients (age, 66 ± 7 years; FEV1 = 37.1 ± 11.8% of predicted) who underwent eight weeks of aerobic exercise and strength training. Before and after PR, each patient also performed a six-minute walk test and an incremental cycle ergometer test. During the latter, we measured chest wall volumes (total and compartmental, by optoelectronic plethysmography) and determined maximal workloads. Results: We observed significant differences between the pre- and post-PR means for six-minute walk distance (305 ± 78 vs. 330 ± 96 m, p < 0.001) and maximal workload (33 ± 21 vs. 39 ± 20 W; p = 0.02). At equivalent workload settings, PR led to lower oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and minute ventilation. The inspiratory (operating) rib cage volume decreased significantly after PR. There were 6 patients in whom PR did not increase the maximal workload. After PR, those patients showed no significant decrease in VCO2 during exercise, had higher end-expiratory chest wall volumes with a more rapid shallow breathing pattern, and continued to experience symptomatic leg fatigue. Conclusions: In severe COPD, PR appears to improve oxygen consumption and reduce VCO2, with a commensurate decrease in respiratory drive, changes reflected in the operating chest wall volumes. Patients with severe post-exercise hyperinflation and leg fatigue might be unable to improve their maximal performance despite completing a PR program.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive/rehabilitation; Exercise therapy; Respiratory therapy.

The authors describe a case of pulmonary collapse by T. gondii, in a 57 year-old man. Diagnosis was made by serology after an exhaustive clinical radiological evaluation. The clinical variants of polymiositis and of the respiratory system collapse presented by the patient are discussed considering the small number of references to this entity in the Brazilian medical literature.

Objective: To identify and characterize alterations seen on HRCT scans in nonsmoking females with COPD due to wood smoke exposure. Methods: We evaluated 42 nonsmoking females diagnosed with wood smoke-related COPD and 31 nonsmoking controls with no history of wood smoke exposure or pulmonary disease. The participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data, symptoms, and environmental exposure. All of the participants underwent spirometry and HRCT of the chest. The COPD and control groups were adjusted for age (23 patients each). Results: Most of the patients in the study group were diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD (83.3%). The most common findings on HRCT scans in the COPD group were bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, mosaic perfusion pattern, parenchymal bands, tree-in-bud pattern, and laminar atelectasis (p < 0.001 vs. the control group for all). The alterations were generally mild and not extensive. There was a positive association between bronchial wall thickening and hour-years of wood smoke exposure. Centrilobular emphysema was uncommon, and its occurrence did not differ between the groups (p = 0.232). Conclusions: Wood smoke exposure causes predominantly bronchial changes, which can be detected by HRCT, even in patients with mild COPD.

Objective: Barriers to physical activity can affect the functional capacity and quality of life of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to identify the main barriers to physical activity in patients with PH and to examine whether those barriers are related to functional capacity, echocardiographic variables, or quality of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study involving 70 patients. Participants scored seven potential barriers to their activities, with a score = 5 indicating a significant barrier. Participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Manchester Respiratory Activity of Daily Living questionnaire, as well as the six-minute walk test. Correlation analysis, univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed. Results: As a perceived barrier to physical activity, 'lack of will' or 'lack of energy' was cited by 67% of the patients. The 'lack of will' barrier was found to correlate with all SF-36 domains except bodily pain. We also identified a correlation between the SF-36 vitality domain and the barriers 'lack of energy', 'lack of will' and 'lack of structure'. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the vitality domain correlated significantly with the barriers 'social influence', 'lack of energy', 'lack of will', and 'lack of structure'. For each unit decrease in the vitality score, there was a 10% increase in the probability of citing the barrier 'lack of will'. No significant correlations were identified between any of the perceived barriers and echocardiographic parameters. Conclusions: The perceived barrier most commonly reported was 'lack of will/energy', which correlated with almost all SF-36 domains, especially vitality. The 'lack of will' barrier also correlated with functional capacity.

Keywords: Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Exercise; Motivation; Quality of life; Surveys and questionnaires; Walk test.

Although hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare clinical condition, it is associated with high mortality and the number of cases described in the literature has progressively increased. The diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome is made on the basis of a finding of hemophagocytosis. Sarcoidosis is a highly prevalent disease whose course and prognosis might correlate with the initial clinical presentation and the extent of the disease. We report the case of a patient with long-standing sarcoidosis who presented with intermittent fever and fatigue. The diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome was made by bone marrow aspiration, and specific treatment was ineffective. This is the third case of sarcoidosis-related hemophagocytic syndrome reported in the literature and the first reported in Latin America. All three cases had unfavorable outcomes.

Keywords: Lymphohistiocytosis, hemophagocytic; Ferritins; Sarcoidosis, pulmonary; Macrophage activation syndrome.