Drug-induced lung disease (DILD) encompasses a broad, highly heterogeneous group of conditions that may occur as a result of exposure to numerous agents, such as antineoplastic drugs, conventional or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, antiarrhythmics, and antibiotics. Between 3% and 5% of prevalent cases of interstitial lung diseases are reported as DILDs. The pathogenesis of lung injury in DILD is variable, multifactorial, and often unknown. Acute presentation is the most common, can occur from days to months after the start of treatment, and ranges from asymptomatic to acute respiratory failure. The CT patterns are varied and include ground-glass opacities, organizing pneumonia, and diffuse alveolar damage. Notably, there are no clinical manifestations or CT patterns specific to DILD, which makes the diagnosis quite challenging and necessitates a high index of suspicion, as well as the exclusion of alternative causes such as infection, cardiac-related pulmonary edema, exacerbation of a preexisting ILD, and neoplastic lung involvement. Discontinuation of the offending medication constitutes the cornerstone of treatment, and corticosteroid treatment is usually necessary after the onset of clinical manifestations. The prognosis varies widely, with high mortality rates in severe cases. A history of medications related to pulmonary toxicity in patients with new-onset respiratory symptoms should prompt consideration of DILD as a potential underlying cause.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial/chemically induced; Lung diseases, interstitial/diagnostic imaging; Immunotherapy/adverse effects.

Climate change is a huge and present threat to human health. This article aims to deepen the knowledge about the environmental impact of inhaler devices on their carbon footprint for patients and health professionals, providing information that allows a better choice of the type of device to be prescribed for the treatment of asthma and COPD. This narrative and nonsystematic review was carried out by searching databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, and EMBASE) for articles published between 2017 and 2022, written in Portuguese or in English, using the search words "inhalation device" OR "environmental." The review showed that global warming cannot be addressed by focusing only on inhaler devices. However, the devices that we use to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, which are diseases that are aggravated by climate change, are also causing that change. Therefore, health professionals, patient organizations, and industries should take a lead in health policies to offer affordable alternatives to inhalers containing hydrofluoroalkane.

Keywords: Asthma; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Environmental health; Nebulizers and vaporizers.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigarettes, or vapes have been extensively marketed as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes and as aids for smoking cessation. However, electronic cigarettes often deliver more potent forms of nicotine, such as nicotine salts and synthetic nicotine, which are masked by appealing aromas and flavors, thereby attracting nonsmoking children and adolescents. On the other hand, adults dependent on freebase nicotine (found in conventional cigarettes) often become addicted to these new forms of nicotine in electronic cigarettes. Dual use is common and poses significant health risks, potentially exceeding those of using either product alone. Dual users experience increased odds of COPD, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Electronic cigarettes represent a new challenge for global public health and health professionals. There are currently no specific guidelines for vaping cessation treatment. This study sought to provide health professionals with a comprehensive vaping cessation approach, including effective strategies such as behavioral support, nicotine replacement therapy, and the use of nicotine-free medications.

Keywords: Vaping; Cessation Guidance, Electronic nicotine delivery systems; nicotine replacement therapy, E-cigarette; Addiction medicine.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been described as one of the components of the treatment of chronic lung conditions such as obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. Although the number of studies showing results of IMT in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is scarce when compared with studies in patients with COPD, evidence points to benefits of IMT in this population. This scoping review aimed to explore the role and the rationale of IMT in patients with ILD and to gather recent evidence on the effects of IMT in this population. The studies included in this review showed improvements in respiratory muscle function, quality of life, exercise capacity and dyspnea after ILD patients participated in programs that included stand-alone IMT or combined with pulmonary rehabilitation. There is still a gap in the literature to allow a clear conclusion on the indications of IMT as part of ILD treatment because of poor research design and small numbers of participants. Therefore, although IMT seems to have a positive effect in patients with ILD, current evidence prevents us from drawing a definite conclusion. Further studies need to be conducted using better research methodology to demonstrate and confirm the positive effects of IMT.

Keywords: Respiratory muscles; Lung diseases, interstitial; Rehabilitation.

Several advances have been made in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the last few years. Combined therapies using chemotherapy have improved survival of patients with locally advanced disease (stage III) when compared to either radiation or surgery. New chemotherapeutic agents, used alone or combined, have also made a strong impact with metastatic disease (stage IV). Ongoing randomized trials will certainly define new treatment standards and hopefully improve the outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Keywords: Locally advanced. Non-small cell lung cancer.

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) represents a group of systemic autoimmune disorders characterized by immune-mediated organ dysfunction. Systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, and Sjögren's syndrome are the most common CTDs that present with pulmonary involvement, as well as with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. The frequency of CTD-ILD varies according to the type of CTD, but the overall incidence is 15%, causing an important impact on morbidity and mortality. The decision of which CTD patient should be investigated for ILD is unclear for many CTDs. Besides that, the clinical spectrum can range from asymptomatic findings on imaging to respiratory failure and death. A significant proportion of patients will present with a more severe and progressive disease, and, for those, immunosuppression with corticosteroids and cytotoxic medications are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment. In this review, we summarized the approach to diagnosis and treatment of CTD-ILD, highlighting recent advances in therapeutics for the various forms of CTD.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Collagen diseases; Scleroderma, systemic; Arthritis, rheumatoid; Myositis; Therapeutics.

Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease is one of many within the spectrum of smoking-related diffuse infiltrative lung diseases. The clinical and functional characteristics are typically subtle. Herein, we describe two cases of diagnosed through open-lung biopsy, and characterized by insidious evolution of dyspnea, digital clubbing, cystic lesions on computed tomography scans, and hipoxemia upon exertion. We emphasize that, when smokers are evaluated, it is imprtant to consider a diagnosis of respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease in the context of interstitial cystitis, as well as in that of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, eosinophilic granuloma and idiophatic pulmonary fibrosis.

Keywords: Smoking. Interstitial lung diseases. Bronchiolitis.

Many interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) share mechanisms that result in a progressive fibrosing phenotype. In Brazil, the most common progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs) are chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, unclassified ILD, and connective tissue diseases. PF-ILD is seen in approximately 30% of patients with ILD. Because PF-ILD is characterized by disease progression after initiation of appropriate treatment, a diagnosis of the disease resulting in fibrosis is critical. Different criteria have been proposed to define progressive disease, including worsening respiratory symptoms, lung function decline, and radiological evidence of disease progression. Although the time elapsed between diagnosis and progression varies, progression can occur at any time after diagnosis. Several factors indicate an increased risk of progression and death. In the last few years, antifibrotic drugs used in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have been tested in patients with PF-ILD. The effects of nintedanib and placebo have been compared in patients with PF-ILD, a mean difference of 107.0 mL/year being observed, favoring nintedanib. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency have approved the use of nintedanib in such patients on the basis of this finding. Pirfenidone has been evaluated in patients with unclassified ILD and in patients with other ILDs, the results being similar to those for nintedanib. More studies are needed in order to identify markers of increased risk of progression in patients with ILD and determine the likelihood of response to treatment with standard or new drugs.

Keywords: Alveolitis, extrinsic allergic; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Lung diseases, interstitial; Connective tissue diseases.

Behçet disease has been associated to pulmonary manifestations and may be lethal if not treated correctly. The authors describe a case of a 53 year-old male with aneurysmatic pulmonary artery dilatation, pulmonary hypertension, and hemoptysis. A review is presented about the diagnosis and the medical and surgical treatment of this disease.

Keywords: Behcet's syndrome. Pulmonary artery. Pulmonary hypertension. Aneurysm. Hemoptysis.

Tracheal tumors are rare and can be difficult to diagnose due to their capacity to mimic other obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD. We report the case of a female patient with a tracheal tumor. She had previously been treated for asthma and COPD, with little response to the treatment. The onset of infectious complications prompted further investigation. Chest CT images suggested the presence of a tumor, which was confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The tumor was endoscopically resected. However, the patient evolved to death due to pneumonia and septic shock.

Keywords: Lipoma; Lung diseases, obstructive; Tracheal neoplasms.

Background: Mycobacterium kansasii is a nontuberculous mycobacterium that can colonize the lungs and cause pulmonary infection. Objective: To report authors' study of 6 patients with pulmonary disease caused by M. kansasii infection in a series of 6 patients diagnosed over 5 years. Method: Between June 1995 and June 2000, 1,349 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis were admitted to the Ipiranga Ari Nogueira da Silva Sanitarium. M. kansasii was identified in the sputum cultures of six (0.44%) of these patients. Results: Patient ages ranged from 25 to 77 years, 5 of the 6 were male, and all presented symptomatic chronic lung disease. All patients tested negative for HIV. Chest radiographs confirmed a history of lung disease; all presented thin walled cavities and adjacent pleural thickening was seen in 2. All patients were initially treated with isoniazid-rifampin-pyrazinamide. In 2 patients, intolerance to pyrazinamide necessitated the substitution of pyrazinamide with ethambutol. Based on the culture results, pyrazinamide was also replaced by ethambutol in 2 other patients. All patients were treated for 9 months or longer, and only one patient suffered recurrence of the disease. After being considered cured of the M. kansasii infection, 1 patient died of respiratory insufficiency due to silicosis. Conclusions: Mycobacteriosis due to M. kansasii was found only rarely and may be attributable to the characteristics of our patients. Therapy with isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide with eventual replacement of the latter by ethambutol was shown to be effective.

Keywords: Mycobacterium kansaii. Lung diseases. Respiratory insufficiency.

Objective: To describe diagnostic and treatment aspects of hard metal lung disease (HMLD) and to review the current literature on the topic. Methods: This was a retrospective study based on the medical records of patients treated at the Occupational Respiratory Diseases Clinic of the Instituto do Coração, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between 2010 and 2013. Results: Of 320 patients treated during the study period, 5 (1.56%) were diagnosed with HMLD. All of those 5 patients were male (mean age, 42.0 ± 13.6 years; mean duration of exposure to hard metals, 11.4 ± 8.0 years). Occupational histories were taken, after which the patients underwent clinical evaluation, chest HRCT, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, BAL, and lung biopsy. Restrictive lung disease was found in all subjects. The most common chest HRCT finding was ground glass opacities (in 80%). In 4 patients, BALF revealed multinucleated giant cells. In 3 patients, lung biopsy revealed giant cell interstitial pneumonia. One patient was diagnosed with desquamative interstitial pneumonia associated with cellular bronchiolitis, and another was diagnosed with a hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern. All patients were withdrawn from exposure and treated with corticosteroid. Clinical improvement occurred in 2 patients, whereas the disease progressed in 3. Conclusions: Although HMLD is a rare entity, it should always be included in the differential diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction in workers with a high occupational risk of exposure to hard metal particles. A relevant history (clinical and occupational) accompanied by chest HRCT and BAL findings suggestive of the disease might be sufficient for the diagnosis.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Cobalt; Tungsten; Occupational exposure; Hard metal.

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery is an alternative treatment for advanced pulmonary emphysema. Radiological evaluation of the type and distribution of emphysema, together with the results of pulmonary function testing, seem to be the main criteria used in deciding whether or not the procedure is indicated. Objective: To determine the extent of scientific evidence available regarding the radiological profile of the ideal candidate for lung volume reduction surgery. Method: A systematic review of the literature from January 1994 to January 2004 using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMbase, LILACS, The Cochrane Library and EBM Reviews. Results: Of 208 articles identified, 16 met the study criteria. Two were randomized (one multicentric, named the 'National Emphysema Treatment Trial' and including 1218 patients, and the other including only 30 patients). The other 14 articles were observational studies. The National Emphysema Treatment Trial identified a subgroup of patients with favorable prognoses when submitted to lung volume reduction surgery. This group consisted of patients with advanced heterogeneous pulmonary emphysema with upper lobe predominance, diffuse pulmonary distention and low exercise capacity. The pattern of the results obtained in the remainder of the studies was consistent with the individual analyses, despite their heterogeneity. In the observational studies, surgical benefit, mortality rates and quality of life were assessed. Conclusion: The radiological pattern, characterized by the type, heterogeneity, distribution and diffuse distention, together with the degree of emphysema severity, represents the main predictor of a positive surgical outcome. Due to the paucity of studies in the literature, this is a grade B recommendation.

Keywords: Pulmonary emphysema. Lung surgery. Tomography X-ray computed. Review.