Castleman's disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder, with focal or systemic lymph node involvement, which rarely affects the lung parenchyma. We report the case of an asymptomatic immunocompetent male patient who had the rarest histological variant of the disease, a nodular parenchymal presentation. The patient underwent lobectomy, and the postoperative evolution was favorable. In the last 10 years, there have been only five reports of Castleman's disease presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule. This case underscores the fact that Castleman's disease, albeit rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.

Keywords: Giant lymph node hyperplasia; Lymphoproliferative disorders; Solitary pulmonary nodule.

Castleman's disease is a rare disorder of the lymphoid tissue. We report the case of a female patient with bilateral otosclerosis, no respiratory symptoms, and pleural effusion discovered as an incidental finding on a chest X-ray. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a mediastinal mass. The biopsy findings demonstrated that it was a plasmacytic variant of Castleman's disease. The patient underwent mediastinal mass resection. This resulted in near-total resolution of the effusion, which remained as a small loculation within the left pleural space.

Keywords: Giant lymph node hyperplasia; Pleural effusion; Case reports.

A male farmer, 20 years old, from the countryside of the State of Piauí, developed acute respiratory infection. Despite adequate antimicrobial therapy, there was worsening respiratory manifestations demanding mechanical ventilation. Radiographs showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. PaO2/FiO2 was 58. Direct microscopy and culture from tracheal aspirates disclosed Coccidioides immitis. Autochthonous cases of coccidioidomycosis have only recently been described in Brazil, most of them from the State of Piauí. C. immitis has been isolated from humans, dogs and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), and also from soil samples of armadillo's burrows. Therapeutic failure to antimicrobials and patient's origin from recognized endemic areas should alert for the possibility of acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

We report a case of breast cancer identified in a 72-year-old male as an accidental finding during the course of the investigation of a primary tumor and the search for pulmonary metastases. We address aspects related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this condition in males.

Keywords: Neoplasm metastasis/lung; Breast neoplasms; Male.

Castleman's disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology, which might be associated with various clinical conditions, including autoimmune diseases and malignant neoplasms. We report the case of a 72-year-old female patient who was referred to the thoracic surgery department of Getúlio Vargas University Hospital, in the city of Manaus, Brazil, for the resection of a posterior mediastinal tumor. Three months prior, the patient had been admitted to the ICU with signs of severe dyspnea, at which time she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. After the resection of the mediastinal tumor, the histopathological examination revealed hyaline vascular-type Castleman's disease, complicated by follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. At this writing, the patient was being treated with an anticholinesterase agent and corticosteroids for the control of myasthenia gravis.

Keywords: Giant lymph node hyperplasia; Dendritic cell sarcoma, follicular; Myasthenia gravis; Mediastinal diseases.

Hard metal lung disease, which manifests as giant cell interstitial pneumonia, is caused by exposure to hard metal dust. We report the case of an oil industry worker diagnosed with hard metal lung disease. The diagnosis was based on the clinical, radiological and anatomopathological analysis, as well as on pulmonary function testing.

Keywords: Alloys/adverse effects; Cobalt; Tungsten; Occupational exposure; Lung diseases, interstitial.

A 34-year-old patient had had Crohn's disease (CD) for eight years; she was seen for complaints of thoracic pain and fever, without gastrointestinal manifestations. Initial laboratory exams were compatible with the presence of inflammatory activity (VHS = 45 mm for normal value of 20 mm and PCR+). The physical exam revealed signs of pleural effusion in the left hemithorax base, which was confirmed by thoracic RX. The pleural liquid analysis showed that the cells were 100% of lymphocytes, with negative BAAR research. The pleural biopsy evidenced non caseous granuloma. Despite the tuberculosis treatment, the patient only got better when corticotherapy was introduced in high doses, suggesting the activity of CD as the cause of the pleural effusion. This case establishes a connection between activity of CD and manifestations of lung disease.

Introduction: The patient with COPD has his global physical activity decreased due to a progressive worsening of the lung function resultant from any kind of physical effort he may perform. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is used in the United States and Europe as an alternative therapy in COPD treatment. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of PR as an ancillary treatment for COPD. Patients and methods: 30 patients prospectively submitted to the PR program developed in six weeks with three weekly sessions. Evaluation included clinical history and complete physical examination, the six-minute walking distance test, maximum workload test for upper limbs, maximum load test for lower limbs, a questionnaire of effort perception, spirometry and analysis of blood gases. Results: Concerning spirometry and analysis of blood gases, pre and post PR program, no statistically significant change was observed (p > 0.05). Pre and post PR program, statistically significant values (p < 0.05) were observed in the decrease in effort perception and increase in functional physical capacity, maximum workload test for upper limbs and incremental test for lower limbs used to determine the maximum workload. Conclusions: The authors concluded that, in the group studied, the PR program increased the patients' physical capacity and maximum workload for upper limbs whereas no changes were observed in the data regarding spirometry and analysis of blood gases.

Keywords: Rehabilitation. Therapeutical approaches. Lung diseases obstructive. Treatment outcome. Exercise therapy.