Eight years of lung transplantation: experience of the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases

Double lung transplantation is better than single lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation is one of the most common treatment options for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the choice between single and double lung transplantation for these patients remains a matter of debate. Therefore, we performed a systematic search of medical databases for studies on single lung transplantation, double lung transplantation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

METHODS

The rate ratio and hazard ratio of survival were analyzed. The meta-analysis included 15 case-control and retrospective registry studies.

RESULTS

The rate ratios of the 3-year survival (0.937 and P = 0.041) and 5-year survival (0.775 and P = 0.000) were lower for single lung transplantation than for double lung transplantation. However, the hazard ratio did not differ significantly between the two.

CONCLUSIONS

Double lung transplantation was found to provide better benefits than single lung transplantation in terms of the long-term survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a fascinating rare lung disease that is associated with the accumulation of hydroxyapatite microliths within the lumen of the alveolar spaces. In most patients, PAM is discovered incidentally on radiographs performed for other purposes, and the typical disease course is characterised by slowly progressive respiratory insufficiency over decades. Recent genetic analyses that have revealed that the deficiency of the sodium-phosphate cotransporter NPT2B is the cause of PAM have enabled the development of powerful animal models that inform our approach to disease management and treatment. Here we review the epidemiology and molecular pathophysiology of PAM, as well as the diagnostic approach, clinical manifestations, radiographic and pathologic features, and clinical management of the disease. Although there are no proven treatments for PAM, progress in our understanding of disease pathogenesis is providing insights that suggest strategies for trials.

A review of the epidemiology and molecular pathophysiology of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasishttps://bit.ly/3lBgM7p

Single-lung transplantation for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare idiopathic lung disease characterized by the accumulation of innumerable microliths. Currently, effective therapeutics for PAM are not available, and the only treatment for end-stage lung disease is lung transplantation (LuTx). Further, there are few reports that focus on LuTx for the treatment of PAM, and the follow-up reports of postoperative imaging are even rarer.

CASE SUMMARY

A 52-year-old man presented to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in 2017 after experiencing shortness of breath and exacerbation. The patient was diagnosed with PAM and referred for single-LuTx (SLuTx) on March 14, 2018. Preoperative imaging results from a chest X-ray demonstrated bilateral, diffuse, symmetrical, sandstorm-like radiopaque micronodules, and pneumothorax and a computed tomography scan revealed minute, calcified military nodules in both lungs. We performed a left SLuTx, and intraoperative pathology was consistent with PAM. One week after surgery, a chest X-ray revealed slight exudation of the left lung, and one month later, the left transplanted lung exhibited good dilation, mild pulmonary perfusion injury with local infection, and left pleural effusion. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed left hyperplastic granulation at the left bronchial anastomosis. Multiple sputum cultures suggested the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. The last follow-up was conducted in April 2019; the patient recovered well.

CONCLUSION

This case presents the imaging findings of a patient with PAM before and after LuTx and confirms the effectiveness of LuTx for the treatment of this disease.

Pulmonary Hypertension and Polycythemia Secondary to Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis Treated with Sequential Bilateral Lung Transplant: A Case Study and Literature Review

Patient: Male, 49

Final Diagnosis: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

Symptoms: Coughing • shortness of breath

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Surgery

Experience of the first lung transplantation performed in public sector in India

Lung transplantation is the only modality that offers a long-term solution for end-stage lung diseases. Few centers in India have an active lung transplant program. Preoperative and postoperative considerations in lung transplantation may be different in the developing countries when compared to the developed world. In the early posttransplant period, infection could be the major consideration in developing countries, unlike graft rejection, that is usually the primary concern in the developed world. Herein, we report the first lung transplantation from a public sector hospital in India. The patient was a 33-year-old female, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation at our center, but succumbed to surgical and infectious complications in the early posttransplant period.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: review of the 1022 cases reported worldwide

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease characterised by the widespread intra-alveolar accumulation of minute calculi called microliths. It is caused by mutation of the SLC34A2 gene encoding the type IIb sodium phosphate cotransporter in alveolar type II cells. The present study explores the epidemiological, familial, genetic, clinical, diagnostic, radiological and therapeutic aspects with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of this uncommon disease.

We searched articles on PAM published up to December 2014 and 544 papers were found, accounting for 1022 cases.

PAM is present in all continents and in many nations, in particular in Turkey, China, Japan, India, Italy and the USA. Familiality is frequent. The clinical course is not uniform and the causes of this clinical variability seem to be largely nongenetic. The optimal diagnostic procedure is the association of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with bronchoalveolar lavage, but a chest radiograph may suffice in families in which a case has already been diagnosed. Moreover, chest radiography and HRCT allow the classification of the evolutionary phase of the disease and its severity. At present lung transplantation is the only effective therapy. However, better knowledge of the gene responsible offers hope for new therapies.

Familial, genetic, clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects of pulmonary alveolarmicrolithiasis epidemiologyhttp://ow.ly/St3Mw

A rare indication for lung transplantation - pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: institutional experience of five consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare lung disease caused by calcifications within the alveolar space. The only known effective treatment for an end-stage PAM is lung transplantation (LuTX).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of all individuals that underwent lung transplantation at our center between 1989 and 2013. Five consecutive patients with PAM were identified.

RESULTS

Four females and one male with a mean age of 46.3 yr were identified. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was required intraoperatively in four cases and post-operatively in one case. Mean post-operative intubation time was 3.3 (range, 2-5) d and mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 8.3 (range, 4-12) d. No intraoperative complications were observed. One early patient (operated in 1995) underwent acute re-transplantation on the second post-operative day (POD) and died from sepsis on the 11 POD. In one patient reperfusion edema was observed requiring a prolonged weaning process. No other severe perioperative complications were observed. Four of five patients are currently still alive with normal follow-up parameters. No recurrence of PAM was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung transplantation is a feasible therapy option in patients with end-stage PAM showing good post-operative results comparable to other indications for LuTX.