Noninfectious lung pathology in patients with Crohn's disease

Pulmonary Crohn's Disease Masquerading as Lymphoma

Although extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common, pulmonary IBD is extremely rare. Owing to its nonspecific clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features, pulmonary IBD is difficult to diagnose and may mimic more concerning disease processes. We present a rare case of a patient with known Crohn's disease whose initial presentation was highly suspicious for malignancy before further investigation revealed pulmonary IBD.

The lung-gut crosstalk in respiratory and inflammatory bowel disease

Both lung and gut belong to the common mucosal immune system (CMIS), with huge surface areas exposed to the external environment. They are the main defense organs against the invasion of pathogens and play a key role in innate and adaptive immunity. Recently, more and more evidence showed that stimulation of one organ can affect the other, as exemplified by intestinal complications during respiratory disease and vice versa, which is called lung-gut crosstalk. Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in respiratory and intestinal diseases. It is known that intestinal microbial imbalance is related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this imbalance could impact the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and leads to the persistence of inflammation, however, gut microbial disturbances have also been observed in respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infection. It is not fully clarified how these disorders happened. In this review, we summarized the latest examples and possible mechanisms of lung-gut crosstalk in respiratory disease and IBD and discussed the strategy of shaping intestinal flora to treat respiratory diseases.

Differential diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis: a review

Diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis raises challenges due to both the absence of a specific diagnostic criterion and the varied presentations capable of mimicking many other conditions. The aim of this review is to help non-sarcoidosis experts establish optimal differential-diagnosis strategies tailored to each situation. Alternative granulomatous diseases that must be ruled out include infections (notably tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, and histoplasmosis), chronic beryllium disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, granulomatous talcosis, drug-induced granulomatosis (notably due to TNF-a antagonists, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, and interferons), immune deficiencies, genetic disorders (Blau syndrome), Crohn's disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and malignancy-associated granulomatosis. Ruling out lymphoproliferative disorders may also be very challenging before obtaining typical biopsy specimen. The first step is an assessment of epidemiological factors, notably the incidence of sarcoidosis and of alternative diagnoses; exposure to risk factors (e.g., infectious, occupational, and environmental agents); and exposure to drugs taken for therapeutic or recreational purposes. The clinical history, physical examination and, above all, chest computed tomography indicate which differential diagnoses are most likely, thereby guiding the choice of subsequent investigations (e.g., microbiological investigations, lymphocyte proliferation tests with metals, autoantibody assays, and genetic tests). The goal is to rule out all diagnoses other than sarcoidosis that are consistent with the clinical situation. Chest computed tomography findings, from common to rare and from typical to atypical, are described for sarcoidosis and the alternatives. The pathology of granulomas and associated lesions is discussed and diagnostically helpful stains specified. In some patients, the definite diagnosis may require the continuous gathering of information during follow-up. Diseases that often closely mimic sarcoidosis include chronic beryllium disease and drug-induced granulomatosis. Tuberculosis rarely resembles sarcoidosis but is a leading differential diagnosis in regions of high tuberculosis endemicity.

Chronic cough and inflammatory bowel disease: an under-recognised association?

Respiratory complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common and may be under-recognised. Chronic cough may present many years after a colectomy for IBD, is typically productive and can be very responsive to inhaled corticosteroids. https://bit.ly/3DrHNoy.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage With Gastritis and Pancolitis as the Sole Presentation for Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Flare

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener granulomatosis, is a rare small vessel vasculitis affecting mainly Whites. The prevalence of GPA in the United States is estimated to be 3 of 100,000 individuals. Classically, GPA affects upper airways, lungs, and kidneys, with the upper airways being the most common site. Occasionally, other organs affected by GPA include eyes, skin, joints, and the nervous system. The gastrointestinal system is rarely affected; however, some cases have been reported. In this case report, we present a patient with hemorrhagic gastritis and pancolitis consistent with GPA and discuss features from the literature of gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with GPA.

Pulmonary Crohn's Disease or Crohn's Disease with Lung Sarcoidosis? A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease and ulcerative hemorrhagic colitis are forms of granulomatous inflammatory intestinal disease, which usually affects the gastrointestinal tract. There are also reported rare localizations at the skin, kidney, joints, liver and eye level. Pulmonary involvement is relatively rare, and it is most commonly reported in suppuration with bronchiectasis. On the other hand, sarcoidosis is, in principle, a thoracic localization of a granulomatosis disease, although bowel, skin and intestinal disorders are described. There is not a clear line to separate Crohn's disease from sarcoidosis with, possibly because they are, in fact, considered to have the same inflammatory granulomatosis disease pathology. The diagnoses of the two entities, sarcoidosis and Crohn's disease, are based on non-pathognomonic, inclusive clinical and paraclinical criteria, without elements of the mutual exclusion of typical locations.

CASE REPORT

We present a very rare case of a young male, already diagnosed with small-bowel Crohn's disease. Granulomatous lung disease with major hemoptysis requires emergency surgery. An intraoperative assessment revealed a necrotic hemorrhagic lesion located in the left lower lobe and a lobectomy was performed. The final pathological report showed the presence of non-caseous granulomatous inflammation, with the identification of specific multinucleated giant cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The identical diagnostic principles of Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease as a predecessor to pulmonary lesions, the clinical picture and the necrotico-hemorrhagic appearance of the unilateral pulmonary lesion, which are similar to aggressive necrotico-hemorrhagic or perforating intestinal forms, are arguments in favor of the diagnosis of pulmonary Crohn's disease and not pulmonary sarcoidosis. At the same time, in general, the two diseases have overlapping elements, suggesting they are, in fact, not the same disease with different facets.

Pulmonary Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The frequency of extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is observed in most of the patients. Extraintestinal manifestations of IBD have been implicated in all the anatomic sites of the pulmonary tree, and include airway inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles and parenchymal inflammation. There is a wide range of pulmonary manifestations in IBD, and most of them look a lot like other diseases. Doctors should keep a track of these conditions to avoid unnecessary complications and to provide an early diagnosis with correct and efficient treatment. IBD-related respiratory disorders are treated depending on the patient, but in most of them, steroids are generally chosen first. Steroids, both inhalational and systemic, are the primary approach. Antibiotics could also be given if the patient has infections or suppuration, usually followed by surgeries. However, drug-induced complications and toxicity should be kept in mind.

Necrobiotic Pulmonary Nodules in Ulcerative Colitis: Not Just a "Crohnic" Phenomenon

Necrobiotic pulmonary nodules are an exceptionally rare extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease. Recognition is imperative because it may mimic other autoimmune pathologies such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis or sarcoidosis. We describe a 19-year-old man with a known history of ulcerative colitis who was found to possess bilateral pulmonary nodules on computed tomography imaging. Investigations that included an extensive autoimmune and infectious workup were inconclusive. Biopsy of the nodules revealed fibrinous exudate and palisading histiocytes that confirmed the diagnosis. He was started on prednisone therapy. A follow-up computed tomography a month later revealed near complete resolution.

Thoracic Manifestations of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Relapsing Polychondritis

Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and relapsing polychondritis are immune-mediated inflammatory diseases with variable involvement of lungs, heart and the chest wall. Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with anterior chest wall pain, restrictive lung disease, obstructive sleep apnea, apical fibrosis, spontaneous pneumothorax, abnormalities of cardiac valves and conduction system, and aortitis. Patients with IBD can develop necrobiotic lung nodules that can be misdiagnosed as malignancy or infection. Relapsing polychondritis involves large airways in at least half of the patients. Relapsing polychondritis can mimic asthma in some patients. Medications used to treat these inflammatory conditions can cause pulmonary complications such as infections, pneumonitis, and rarely serositis.

Radiological Patterns of Lung Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a form of chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, including two major entities: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although intestinal imaging of IBD is well known, imaging of extraintestinal manifestations is not extensively covered. In particular, the spectrum of IBD-associated or related changes in the chest is broad and may mimic other conditions. The common embryonic origin of intestine and lungs from the foregut, autoimmunity, smoking, and bacterial translocation from the colon may all be involved in the pathogenesis of these manifestations in IBD patients. Chest involvement in IBD can present concomitant with or years after the onset of the bowel disease even postcolectomy and can affect more than one thoracic structure. The purpose of the present paper is to present the different radiological spectrum of IBD-related chest manifestations, including lung parenchyma, airways, serosal surfaces, and pulmonary vasculature. The most prevalent and distinctive pattern of respiratory involvement is large airway inflammation, followed by lung alterations. Pulmonary manifestations are mainly detected by pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). It is desirable that radiologists know the various radiological patterns of possible respiratory involvement in such patients, especially at HRCT. It is essential for radiologists to work in multidisciplinary teams in order to establish the correct diagnosis and treatment, which rests on corticosteroids at variance with any other form of bronchiectasis.

Chest High-resolution Computed Tomography Findings in 601 Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary involvement in inflammatory bowel disease may reflect the common embryonic origin of the gastrointestinal tract and the bronchial tree. No studies have compared pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). This study aimed to assess the relationship between pulmonary HRCT findings and inflammatory bowel disease activity and to compare HRCT findings between UC and CD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified 601 consecutive patients (350 with UC and 251 with CD) who had undergone chest HRCT examinations at our institutions between April 2004 and April 2016. Parenchymal abnormalities, enlarged lymph nodes, and pleural effusion were evaluated on HRCT.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-seven patients (94 men, 73 women; aged 12-86 years, mean: 47.2 years) with UC and 93 patients (61 men, 32 women; aged 12-71 years, mean: 37.9 years) with CD had abnormal findings on chest HRCT. The HRCT findings of UC and CD mainly consisted of centrilobular nodules (in 49.1% and 45.2% of cases, respectively) and bronchial wall thickening (in 31.7% and 54.8%, respectively). There was no relationship between HRCT findings and disease activity. Bronchial wall thickening was significantly more frequent in patients with CD than in those with UC (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The main chest HRCT findings in UC and CD are centrilobular nodules and bronchial wall thickening. There are differences in HRCT findings between UC and CD.

Differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung disease: clues and pitfalls

Granulomatous lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that have a wide spectrum of pathologies with variable clinical manifestations and outcomes. Precise clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, pulmonary function testing, radiological imaging including high-resolution computed tomography and often histopathological assessment contribute to make a confident diagnosis of granulomatous lung diseases. Differential diagnosis is challenging, and includes both infectious (mycobacteria and fungi) and noninfectious lung diseases (sarcoidosis, necrotising sarcoid granulomatosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, hot tub lung, berylliosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, rheumatoid nodules, talc granulomatosis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and bronchocentric granulomatosis). Bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, transbronchial cryobiopsy, positron emission tomography and genetic evaluation are potential candidates to improve the diagnostic accuracy for granulomatous lung diseases. As granuloma alone is a nonspecific histopathological finding, the multidisciplinary approach is important for a confident diagnosis.

A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for the accurate differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung diseaseshttp://ow.ly/FxsP30cebtf

Altered pulmonary gas transfer capacity and capillary blood volume in pediatric Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES

To describe diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and its components, that is, membrane diffusing capacity (DmCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) in children with Crohn's disease (CD), and to investigate the correlation between these parameters and disease activity.

WORKING HYPOTHESIS

The most common lung function abnormalities are a reduced pulmonary DLCO and small airways disorders which are in many instances, clinically silent. No valid explanations have been proposed regarding the modifications in gas transfer capacity in active CD.

METHODS

DLCO, DmCO, and Vc were measured in 25 CD children by the simultaneous single breath lung diffusing capacity method using nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) transfer. These parameters were analyzed in relation to the CD disease activity index.

RESULTS

DLCO (90.7 ± 4.5% vs 128.5 ± 4.7%; P < 0.001), Dm (92.4 ± 5.9% vs 125.6 ± 6.3%; P < 0.001), and Vc (72.6 ± 3.7% vs 104.4 ± 4.0%; P < 0.001) were significantly decreased in the active CD group in comparison with the inactive CD group. DLCO (r = -0.60; P < 0.01), DmCO (r = -0.45; P < 0.01), and Vc (r = -0.60; P < 0.01) were inversely correlated to the PCDAI. In 8 patients who participated to the study at initial diagnosis then during remission, DmCO and Vc increased significantly between the active and the inactive period of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary diffusing capacity is impaired in children with active CD, mainly because of a decrease of the pulmonary capillary volume.

Large and Small Airway Disease Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Although airway disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease is uncommon, its involvement may have severe clinical consequences. This article reviews the breadth of pathologic processes that can be expected in the various sizes of airways, and provides a differential diagnosis from other airway diseases that can be found in association with inflammatory bowel disease. It also makes suggestions as to how airway disease can be best differentiated by using appropriate special stains.

Pneumonia

The lung is constantly exposed to airborne infectious agents due to the large surface area of approximately 100 m². Therefore pneumonia is one of the most common lung diseases. Understanding infection requires understanding the routes of infections, the way invading organisms infect epithelial cells, as well as defense mechanisms of the lung tissue acquired during evolution.

 Different variants of infectious and non-infectious pneumonias are discussed; special types of pneumonias such as granulomatous and fibrosing pneumonias are presented under separate sections. Causing organisms and other causes of pneumonias are included, and their mode of action is included as far as understood.

A Rare Cause of Pulmonary Nodules

Crohn's disease is a chronic, idiopathic autoimmune disorder that primarily targets the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It is characterized by transmural inflammation of the GI tract that can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Not infrequently, the disease may also have extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that can affect almost any organ system. It is estimated that EIMs affect up to 36% of patients with Crohn's disease, but the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary involvement are variable in the literature and may be as low as 0.4%. There are few case reports documenting pulmonary manifestations, as they are often overlooked, especially if respiratory symptoms are present before the diagnosis of GI manifestations, as in the present case. A 44-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with nonspecific respiratory complaints, recurrent pneumonias, and multiple computed tomography images showing diffuse, migratory, nodular, and consolidative parenchymal lung disease, with a largely unremarkable infectious and rheumatologic evaluation. Lung biopsy revealed necrotizing and nonnecrotizing granulomas, raising concern for sarcoidosis. Subsequent imaging revealed an incidental mass in the cecum. Biopsy of the cecum lesion revealed acute cryptitis, crypt abscess, and a single poorly formed granuloma, suggesting the possibility of Crohn's disease. In this report, we present a patient whose pulmonary manifestations ultimately led to the diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Coexistence of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and Crohn's disease or multiorgan manifestation of the same disease?

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of unknown aetiology, often related to the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). GPA was previously named Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The disease frequently has multisystemic presentation, targeting mainly the respiratory tract and kidneys, but gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon. Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with many extraintestinal manifestations. Clinically, symptoms of WG and CD can mimic each other. In this paper a case of GPA manifested initially by severe multiorgan damage including colitis, regarded to be coexistent CD, is presented. The case illustrates the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis when symptoms of the diseases mimic each other.

Review of pulmonary adverse effects of infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Anti-inflammatory therapies are the mainstay for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adults, including biologics such as infliximab. While there is extensive literature on the general side effects of therapy with infliximab, the data on pulmonary adverse effects remains sparse. This article summarizes the literature related to pulmonary adverse effects of Infliximab therapy in Crohn's Disease.

AREA COVERED

Published reports of specific pulmonary complications during ongoing therapy with infliximab in patients with IBD were included in the review. A wide variety of infectious and non-infectious complications have been reported with the use of infliximab therapy in IBD.

EXPERT OPINION

It is important to carefully evaluate respiratory signs and symptoms in patients with IBD, especially those receiving biologic therapies. Besides infectious complications, other non-infectious pulmonary adverse effects associated with the use of infliximab should be considered in patients with IBD. Further, it is important to differentiate primary pulmonary involvement of IBD from pulmonary adverse effects of infliximab therapy. An algorithm for assessing patients with IBD presenting with pulmonary symptoms is provided as a guide for clinicians for medical decision-making.

Tracheal Involvement in Crohn Disease: the First Case in Korea

Respiratory involvement in Crohn disease (CD) is rare condition with only about a dozen reported cases. We report the first case of CD with tracheal involvement in Korea. An 18-year-old woman with CD was hospitalized because of coughing, dyspnea, and fever sustained for 3 weeks. Because she had stridor in her neck, we performed computed tomography of the neck, which showed circumferential wall thickening of the larynx and hypopharynx. Bronchoscopy revealed mucosal irregularity, ulceration, and exudates debris in the proximal trachea, and bronchial biopsy revealed chronic inflammation with granulation tissue. Based on these findings, we suspected CD with tracheal involvement and began administering intravenous methylprednisolone at 1 mg/kg per day, after which her symptoms and bronchoscopic findings improved.

Complete resolution of non-necrotizing lung granuloma and pyoderma gangrenosum after restorative proctocolectomy in a woman with severe ulcerative colitis and cytomegalovirus infection

Here, we report the unusual case of an ulcerative colitis female patient presenting together with cytomegalovirus infection, pyoderma gangrenosum and a noncaseating lung granuloma, both resistant to immunomodulatory drugs which dramatically obtained a clinical stable remission after restorative proctocolectomy.

Drug-induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Accompanied by Pulmonary Lesions Exhibiting Centrilobular Nodular Shadows

A 51-year-old woman diagnosed with Crohn's disease developed drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) 12 and six weeks after starting the oral intake of mesalazine and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Chest CT showed centrilobular nodular shadows and a transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells predominantly in the small pulmonary artery walls and bronchiolar walls. Regarding pulmonary lesions of DIHS, infiltrative shadows have sometimes been reported, whereas nodular shadows have rarely been documented. This is a valuable case report for considering the mechanism underlying the development of pulmonary lesions in case of DIHS.

Alterations of pulmonary function in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and their relationship with disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

METHODS

Sixty-four IBD patients (31 Crohn's disease [CD] and 33 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and thirty healthy individuals (controls) were studied with regard to the following parameters of PFTs: Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), their ratio, mid-forced expiratory flow of 25-75% (FEF 25-75), residual volume, total lung capacity, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). The disease activity was calculated using the Crohn's Disease Activity Index for CD and Mayo Clinic Score for UC. Correlation analysis was performed between disease activity and sputum cytology and PFTs.

RESULTS

Nineteen of the 31 CD patients (61.29%) and 17 of the 33 UC patients (51.52%) but none of the controls showed at least one abnormal PFTs (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, both CD and UC patients exhibited a significant reduction in FEV1 (P < 0.05), FVC (P < 0.05), FEF 25-75 (P < 0.05), and DLCO (P < 0.05). The majority with decreased measurements of PFTs were in the active phase of diseases (P < 0.05). IBD activity scores correlated negatively with some parameters of PFTs and positively with lymphocytosis and eosinophilia of sputum (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary function disorders are significantly common in IBD patients. The impairment in active disease is significantly greater than in remission.

Tracheal and bronchial involvement in colitis ulcerosa - a colo-bronchitic syndrome? A case report and some additional considerations

Systemic involvement is well known in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but there are only few data looking to Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) separately instead of lumping together both entities to IBD. The frequency of bronchial involvement in UC is not yet exactly analysed but reported to be rare. We asked 100 patients with UC for bronchial complaints, and found in 13 patients a bronchial affection. From reports in the literature it is known that sometimes a bronchial involvement in patients with UC can affect the whole bronchial tree including small bronchi. The involvement of bronchial system in UC is obviously more prominent than previously thought and may fulfil the criteria for a separate syndrome. These relations may have consequences for pathogenetic understanding of UC as well as bronchitis and also consequences for treatment regimes.

Patterns of airway involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases

Extraintestinal manifestations occur commonly in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Pulmonary manifestations (PM) of IBD may be divided in airway disorders, interstitial lung disorders, serositis, pulmonary vasculitis, necrobiotic nodules, drug-induced lung disease, thromboembolic lung disease and enteropulmonary fistulas. Pulmonary involvement may often be asymptomatic and detected solely on the basis of abnormal screening tests. The common embryonic origin of the intestine and the lungs from the primitive foregut, the co-existence of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue in both organs, autoimmunity, smoking and bacterial translocation from the colon to the lungs may all be involved in the pathogenesis of PM in IBD. PM are mainly detected by pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography. This review will focus on the involvement of the airways in the context of IBD, especially stenoses of the large airways, tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, mucoid impaction, bronchial granulomas, bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and the co-existence of IBD with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis and a1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a systemic illness that may affect up to half of all patients. Among the extraintestinal manifestations of IBD, those involving the lungs are relatively rare and often overlooked. However, there is a wide array of such manifestations, spanning from airway disease to lung parenchymal disease, thromboembolic disease, pleural disease, enteric-pulmonary fistulas, pulmonary function test abnormalities, and adverse drug reactions. The spectrum of IBD manifestations in the chest is broad, and the manifestations may mimic other diseases. Although infrequent, physicians dealing with IBD must be aware of these conditions, which are sometimes life-threatening, to avoid further health impairment of the patients and to alleviate their symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment. Knowledge of these manifestations in conjunction with pertinent clinical data is essential for establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of IBD-related respiratory disorders depends on the specific pattern of involvement, and in most patients, steroids are required in the initial management. Corticosteroids, both systemic and aerosolized, are the mainstay therapeutic approach, while antibiotics must also be administered in the case of infectious and suppurative processes, whose sequelae sometimes require surgical intervention.

Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis: Human Exposure through Environmental and Domestic Aerosols

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) causes Johne's disease in animals and is significantly associated with Crohn's disease (CD) in humans. Our previous studies have shown Map to be present in U.K. rivers due to land deposition from chronic livestock infection and runoff driven by rainfall. The epidemiology of CD in Cardiff showed a significant association with the River Taff, in which Map can be detected on a regular basis. We have previously hypothesized that aerosols from the river might influence the epidemiology of CD. In this preliminary study, we detected Map by quantitative PCR in one of five aerosol samples collected above the River Taff. In addition, we examined domestic showers from different regions in the U.K. and detected Map in three out of 30 independent samples. In detecting Map in river aerosols and those from domestic showers, this is the first study to provide evidence that aerosols are an exposure route for Map to humans and may play a role in the epidemiology of CD.

Pulmonary manifestations of Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a systemic illness with a constellation of extraintestinal manifestations affecting various organs. Of these extraintestinal manifestations of CD, those involving the lung are relatively rare. However, there is a wide array of lung manifestations, ranging from subclinical alterations, airway diseases and lung parenchymal diseases to pleural diseases and drug-related diseases. The most frequent manifestation is bronchial inflammation and suppuration with or without bronchiectasis. Bronchoalveolar lavage findings show an increased percentage of neutrophils. Drug-related pulmonary abnormalities include disorders which are directly induced by sulfasalazine, mesalamine and methotrexate, and opportunistic lung infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. In most patients, the development of pulmonary disease parallels that of intestinal disease activity. Although infrequent, clinicians dealing with CD must be aware of these, sometimes life-threatening, conditions to avoid further impairment of health status and to alleviate patient symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment. The treatment of CD-related respiratory disorders depends on the specific pattern of involvement, and in most patients, steroids are required in the initial management.

[Organizing pneumonia during treatment with mesalazine]

INTRODUCTION

The distinction between extra-intestinal manifestations of ulcerative colitis (UC) and drug-induced pneumonia can often be difficult.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a 72-year-old male who presented fever and sub-acute respiratory insufficiency, after 4 months of treatment with mesalazine for ulcerative colitis (UC). Initial tests found serum C-reactive protein, eosinophil count and total IgE to be elevated. Routine bacteriological, fungal and mycobacterial cultures were negative. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cellularity was normal with elevated lymphocyte, neutrophil, and eosinophil counts (35 % mononuclear cells, 23 % lymphocytes, 28 % neutrophils, 14 % eosinophils). The diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP) with eosinophilic pneumonia component was confirmed after examination of a lung biopsy specimen. Clinical improvement occurred after cessation of mesalazine and initiation of prednisolone (1mg/kg/day). Nine months later, a recurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms required a 5 months reintroduction of an amino salicylate by topical therapy (4- acide aminosalicylique [ASA enemas]). There was no resurgence of the pneumonia.

DISCUSSION

Organizing pneumonia is a rare extra-intestinal manifestation of UC. There was no resurgence of OP after amino salicylate enemas rechallenge but mesalazine-induced pneumonia cannot be excluded.

Interstitial lung diseases-can pathologists arrive at an etiology-based diagnosis? A critical update

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) encompass a group of diseases with a wide range of etiologies and a variety of tissue reactions within the lung. In many instances, a careful evaluation of the tissue reactions will result in a specific diagnosis or at least in a narrow range of differentials, which will assist the clinician to arrive at a definite diagnosis, when combining our interpretation with the clinical presentation of the patient and high-resolution computed tomography. In this review, we will exclude granulomatous pneumonias as well as vascular diseases (primary arterial pulmonary hypertension and vasculitis); however, pulmonary hypertension as a complication of interstitial processes will be mentioned. Few entities of pneumoconiosis presenting as an interstitial process will be included, whereas those with granulomatous reactions will be excluded. Drug reactions will be touched on within interstitial pneumonias, but will not be a major focus. In contrast to the present-day preferred descriptive pattern recognition, it is the author's strong belief that pathologists should always try to dig out the etiology from a tissue specimen and not being satisfied with just a pattern description. It is the difference of sorting tissue reactions into boxes by their main pattern, without recognizing minor or minute reactions, which sometimes will guide one to the correct etiology-oriented interpretation. In the author's personal perspective, tissue reactions can even be sorted by their timeliness, and therefore, ordered by the time of appearance, providing an insight into the pathogenesis and course of a disease. Also, underlying immune mechanisms will be discussed briefly as far as they are essential to understand the disease.

Tracheobronchial nodules and pulmonary infiltrates in a patient with Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease is a granulomatous systemic disorder of unknown etiology. Obvious pulmonary involvement is exceptional. Tracheal involvement in Crohn’s disease is even more unusual, only a few cases have been reported to date. We herein report a rare case of tracheobronchial nodules and pulmonary infiltrates in both lungs as a complication of Crohn’s disease. A 42-year-old man underwent pancolectomy for multiple broken colon caused by Crohn’s disease. Forty days later pulmonary symptoms and radiologic abnormalities were noted. A search for bacterial (including mycobacteria) and fungal in the repeated sputum proved negative. The treatment consisted of intravenous antimicrobials for one month, but there was no improvement in pyrexia or cough and radiologic abnormalities. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was performed and revealed nodes in the trachea and the right upper lobe opening. Histopathology of tracheobronchial nodules and bronchial mucosa biopsy specimen both showed granulomatous inflammation with proliferation of capillaries and inflammatory cells. Oral steroid and salicylazosulfapyridine were commenced and led to marked improvement in symptoms and an almost complete resolution of his chest radiograph. Repeated FOB showed that nodes in the trachea disappeared and the ones in the right upper lobe opening diminished obviously. Crohn’s disease can be associated with several respiratory manifestations. The form of tracheal and bronchopulmonary involvement in Crohn’s disease is rare and responded well to steroids.

A case of adalimumab-induced pneumonitis in a 45-year-old man with Crohn's disease

Adalimumab is a human monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor-alpha that has been associated with acute lung toxicity, mainly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Descriptions of similar patterns of lung injury in patients treated with adalimumab for inflammatory bowel disease are emerging in the literature. A case involving a 45-year-old man with Crohn's disease who developed a nonbronchiolitis inflammatory nodular pattern of lung injury after starting adalimumab is reported.

Pulmonary and hepatic nodular lesions precede the diagnosis of Crohn's disease in an 8-year-old girl: a case study and review of the literature

AIM

To describe a novel clinical observation and to provide a review the literature about lung involvement in children with Crohn disease (CD).

METHODS

An 8-year-old girl presented with pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous lesions, followed 6 months later by abdominal and general symptoms, resulting in the diagnosis of CD. Differential diagnosis between CD and sarcoidosis and a review of the literature about lung lesions in children with CD are discussed.

RESULTS

Crohn disease can be associated with pulmonary lesions, developing before, at the same time or after occurrence of digestive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This report highlights not only the importance of looking for lung lesions in CD but also underscores the necessity of considering the diagnosis of CD in incomplete presentation evoking sarcoidosis.

Pulmonary manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Although pulmonary abnormalities have been recognized in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), their prevalence and clinical significance are not known.

AIM

To study the prevalence and clinical significance of pulmonary abnormalities in patients with IBD.

METHODS

Ninety-five non-consecutive patients with IBD (12 Crohn's disease, 83 ulcerative colitis; mean age 41.9 [SD 13] years; 47 women) were prospectively studied from January 2007 to March 2010. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution CT (HRCT) chest were performed in them. PFT were compared to those in 270 healthy (control) subjects matched for age, sex and smoking status.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven (28.5%) patients and 11 (4%) control subjects had abnormal PFT (p < 0.0001). Small airway obstruction was seen in 18 patients, restrictive defect in six and mixed defect in three. Twenty-one (22%) patients had abnormal HRCT findings - bronchiectasis and nodules (nine patients each, including one with nodules who later developed active tuberculosis after infliximab therapy), parenchymal bands (8), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (five, including two with tuberculosis on histology and culture), emphysema (5), brochiolitis (2), pleural effusion or thickening (2), pericardial effusion (2), patchy consolidation (1), ground-glass opacities (1) and lung metastasis (1). Three patients had symptoms (one asthma, two cough).

CONCLUSION

PFT and HRCT chest showed abnormality in about one-quarter of patients with IBD. A majority of patients with these abnormalities were asymptomatic.

Pulmonary diseases associated with inflammatory bowel diseases

Among the extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases, those involving the lung are relatively rare. However, there is a wide array of such manifestations, spanning from drug-related pathologies to airway disease, fistulas, granulomatous diseases, autoimmune and thromboembolic disorders. Although infrequent, people dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases must be aware of these conditions, sometimes life-threatening, to avoid further impairment of the health status of the patients and to alleviate their symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment.

Pleuropericarditis in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease: a case presentation and review of the literature

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can affect the lung parenchyma and airways. Rarely it involves the pleural space and pericardium, causing inflammatory exudative pleural and/or pericardial effusions. In this report, we describe a 76-year-old patient with recurrent sterile exudative pleuropericarditis that gradually responded to treatment with steroids, and we review the relevant literature. Thoracic serositis in patients with IBD can cause pleuritis, pericarditis, pleuropericarditis, or myopericarditis. This is a relatively rare presentation of the uncommon and probably underreported and underrecognized pulmonary extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Pleuropericardial inflammatory disease and effusion can be directly related to IBD, its complications, associated infections, or the medications used to treat it. Serositis directly related to IBD is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is important to evaluate the pleural effusion and rule out other etiologies before making this diagnosis. Pleural or pericardial biopsies are rarely necessary, and probably show nonspecific acute and chronic inflammatory changes. Although the specific pathophysiology of pleuropericardial disease in patients with IBD remains unclear, the response to systemic steroids is usually adequate.

[Granulomatous pulmonary involvement preceding diagnosis of Crohn disease: a pediatric case report]

Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic bowel disorder that may affect many other organs such as the eyes, hepatobiliary system, skin, and joints. Pulmonary involvement in association with CD is a classic but uncommon manifestation. It can be primitive with granulomas or secondary to treatments. We report on the case of a teenager in whom the onset of CD was dominated by respiratory symptoms. Because of this presentation, we also suspected opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and other granulomatous pulmonary diseases such as sarcoidosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Pathology of small airways disease

CONTEXT

The term small airways disease encompasses a generally poorly understood group of lung diseases that may arise primarily within the small airways or secondarily from diseases primarily affecting the bronchi or lung parenchyma. Their histology may be confusing; however, because treatments and prognoses vary, correct pathologic diagnosis is important.

OBJECTIVE

To present a nonexhaustive review of the pathology of primary and secondary small airways diseases, including small airways disease related to tobacco; to various other exposures, including mineral dusts; to diseases involving other areas of the lung with secondary bronchiolar involvement; and to recently described bronchiolitic disorders.

DATA SOURCES

Current literature is reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Small airways diseases include a wide variety of diseases of which the pathologist must consider. Uncommon conditions such as diffuse idiopathic neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia and diffuse panbronchiolitis may show relatively specific diagnostic features histologically; however, most small airways diseases exhibit nonspecific histologic features. Conditions not considered primary pulmonary diseases, such as collagen vascular diseases, bone marrow transplantation, and inflammatory bowel disease, must also be considered in patients with small airways changes histologically. Clinical and radiologic correlation is important for obtaining the best possible diagnosis.