Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS): CT and histologic findings of pleural and lung parenchymal damage

Smoking-Related Interstitial Lung Disease and Emphysema

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with smoking-related lung diseases often requires multidisciplinary contributions to optimize care. Imaging plays a key role in characterizing the underlying disease, quantifying its severity, identifying potential complications, and directing management. The primary goal of this article is to provide an overview of the imaging findings and distinguishing features of smoking-related lung diseases, specifically, emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease, smoking-related interstitial fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and E-cigarette or vaping related lung injury.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Comprehensive Natural History Study in a Dutch National Cohort of 142 Patients

BACKGROUND

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder with a high risk for arterial, bowel, and uterine rupture, caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in COL3A1. The aim of this cohort study is to provide further insights into the natural history of vEDS and describe genotype-phenotype correlations in a Dutch multicenter cohort to optimize patient care and increase awareness of the disease.

METHODS

Individuals with vEDS throughout the Netherlands were included. The phenotype was charted by retrospective analysis of molecular and clinical data, combined with a one-time physical examination.

RESULTS

A total of 142 individuals (50% female) participated the study, including 46 index patients (32%). The overall median age at genetic diagnosis was 41.0 years. More than half of the index patients (54.3%) and relatives (53.1%) had a physical appearance highly suggestive of vEDS. In these individuals, major events were not more frequent (P=0.90), but occurred at a younger age (P=0.01). A major event occurred more often and at a younger age in men compared with women (P<0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). Aortic aneurysms (P=0.003) and pneumothoraces (P=0.029) were more frequent in men. Aortic dissection was more frequent in individuals with a COL3A1 variant in the first quarter of the collagen helical domain (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Male sex, type and location of the COL3A1 variant, and physical appearance highly suggestive of vEDS are risk factors for the occurrence and early age of onset of major events. This national multicenter cohort study of Dutch individuals with vEDS provides a valuable basis for improving guidelines for the diagnosing, follow-up, and treatment of individuals with vEDS.

Panacinar emphysema complicating idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: a case report

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare entity with no known underlying etiology. It can be complicated by lung fibrosis. Emphysema is rarely reported as a consequence of IPH. We present a case of a 30-year-old female who presented with recurrent hemoptysis and shortness of breath. Radiographs revealed advanced emphysematous changes of the lower lobes. The diagnosis of IPH was established with an open lung biopsy. She was treated with systemic steroids, underwent bullectomy and was subsequently maintained on inhaled steroids.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in children with interstitial lung disease: Determine etiologies!

OBJECTIVE

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in children is a rare condition resulting from different underlying diseases. This study aimed at describing characteristics and diagnostic measures in children with ILD (children's interstitial lung disease, chILD) and DAH to improve the diagnostic approach by increasing clinician's awareness of diagnostic shortcomings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective data analysis of patients with ILD and DAH treated in our own or collaborating centers between 01/07/1997 and 31/12/2020 was performed. Data on clinical courses and diagnostic measures were systematically retrieved as case-vignettes and investigated. To assess suitability of diagnostic software-algorithms, the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) was revised and expanded to optimize conditions of its associated tool the "Phenomizer."

RESULTS

For 97 (74%) of 131 patients, etiology of pulmonary hemorrhage was clarified. For 34 patients (26%), no underlying condition was found (termed as idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, IPH). Based on laboratory findings or clinical phenotype/comorbidities, 20 of these patients were assigned to descriptive clusters: IPH associated with autoimmune features (9), eosinophilia (5), renal disease (3) or multiorgan involvement (3). For 14 patients, no further differentiation was possible.

CONCLUSION

Complete and sometimes repeated diagnostics are essential for establishing the correct diagnosis in children with DAH. We suggest assignment of patients with IPH to descriptive clusters, which may also guide further research. Digital tools such as the Phenomizer/HPO are promising, but need to be extended to increase diagnostic accuracy.

[Respiratory manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes]

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) represent a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders characterized by the clinical "triad" consisting in joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. Respiratory manifestations associated with EDS are frequent and variable. They vary mainly according to the type of EDS. In hypermobile and classical EDS, the most frequent non-vascular types, dyspnea is a common symptom. Its etiologies are wide-ranging and can coexist in the same patient: asthma, respiratory muscle weakness, chest wall abnormalities, upper and lower airway collapse. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in nvEDS is high. Identification of the relevant dyspnea mechanism is essential to providing appropriate therapeutic measures. In vascular EDS (vEDS), the main pulmonary complications are pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemoptysis. As they frequently precede the diagnosis of vEDS by several years, it is imperative to raise the possibility of vEDS in a young patient with spontaneous pneumothorax or hemothorax. The presence of suggestive computed tomography parenchymal abnormalities (emphysema, clusters of calcified nodules, cavitated nodule) can be an aid to diagnosis. Treatment is based on the usual approaches, which must be carried out with caution by an experienced operator fully informed of the diagnosis. Better knowledge of respiratory manifestations of EDS by the pneumological community would improve patient care and pave the way for further research.

Value of second opinion subspecialty radiology consultation in suspected abdominal medium vessel vasculitis

PURPOSE

To perform a descriptive analysis of individuals with suspected Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) referred for second opinion imaging consultation.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed at a single institution. A consecutive sample was performed of individuals who underwent a second opinion CT or MR angiography subspecialty radiologist consultation between January 2008 and September 2019 for suspected abdominal medium vessel vasculitis. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected. Clinical and imaging findings were reported for PAN, small vessel vasculitis, and "non-vasculitis" groups. Agreement and diagnostic accuracy between final clinical and second opinion imaging diagnoses for PAN were determined. Two-tailed t-tests with a significant p-value < 0.05 were utilized.

RESULTS

Of the 58 participants, 9 were clinically diagnosed with PAN, 11 with small vessel vasculitis (including lupus, IgA, and ANCA-associated vasculitis), and 38 with non-vasculitis diagnoses. The non-vasculitis group included 15 SAM, 3 FMD, and 1 SAM-FMD spectrum diagnoses. Higher C-reactive protein level (51 vs 17, p = 0.04) and superior mesenteric artery involvement (56% vs 21%, p = 0.04) were more common in PAN than non-vasculitis diagnoses, while arterial dissection (40% vs 0%, p = 0.02) and celiac vasculature involvement (53% vs 0%, p = 0.003) were more common in the non-vasculitis group. There was 88% agreement (51/58; Cohen's kappa 0.56); sensitivity was 67% [95%-confidence interval (CI) 30-93%] and specificity was 92% (95%-CI 80-98%).

CONCLUSION

Isolated celiac artery involvement and arterial dissection were more common in non-inflammatory vasculopathies than PAN. Our findings highlight the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and awareness of the diverse findings of abdominal vasculopathies.