December 2021 Pulmonary Case of the Month: Interstitial Lung Disease with Red Knuckles

Lewis J. Wesselius, MD

Department of Pulmonary Medicine

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ USA

History of Present Illness

A 56-year-old man was referred for a second opinion on recent onset of diffuse parenchymal lung disease.  He had started noting mild dyspnea with yard work approximately in March 2021. His symptoms progressed over the next month with increasing shortness of breath and some fever. He presented to outside emergency department on April 17, 2021 and chest CT showing patchy ground-glass opacities with some areas of irregular consolidation (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Representative images from the thoracic CT in lung windows from outside emergency room visit.

He was subsequently seen by an outside pulmonologist and started empirically on prednisone (50 mg/day). An outside lung biopsy had been performed which showed nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis. There was some improvement in his symptoms and his prednisone dose was reduced to 20 mg/day; however, his symptoms subsequently worsened with saturations noted to drop to 85% with any ambulation. He also had swelling of his left face and a biopsy of the parotid gland with the findings suggestive of malignancy, possibly melanoma.

What should be done at this time? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of seven pages)

1. History and physical examination
2. Repeat the open lung biopsy
3. Repeat the parotid biopsy
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above

Cite as: Wesselius LJ. December 2021 Pulmonary Case of the Month: Interstitial Lung Disease with Red Knuckles. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2021;23(6):144-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc063-21 PDF 

March 2018 Pulmonary Case of the Month

Thomas D. Kummet, MD

Sequim, WA USA

Pulmonary Case of the Month CME Information

Completion of an evaluation form is required to receive credit and a link is provided on the last panel of the activity. 

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.25 hours

Lead Author(s): Thomas D. Kummet, MD.  All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.

Learning Objectives: As a result of completing this activity, participants will be better able to:

1. Interpret and identify clinical practices supported by the highest quality available evidence.
2. Establish the optimal evaluation leading to a correct diagnosis for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders.
3. Translate the most current clinical information into the delivery of high quality care for patients.
4. Integrate new treatment options for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep related disorders.

Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by case). Please also read the Technical Requirements.

CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine at Banner University Medical Center Tucson

Current Approval Period: January 1, 2017-December 31, 2018

Financial Support Received: None

History of Present Illness

The patient was a 62-year-old woman who complained of a sudden severe increase in a three-month history of mild left upper extremity pain. 

PMH, SH and FH

The patient had no significant past medical history. She is a non-smoker. Family history is non-contributory.

Physical Examination

• Vital Signs: Pulse 102 beats/min, blood pressure 140/84 mm Hg, respirations 16 breaths/min, Temperature 37.4º C, SpO2 94% on room air.
• Lungs: Clear.
• Heart: Regular rhythm.
• Abdomen: without organomegaly, masses or tendernesses.
• Extremities: Both upper extremities were unremarkable. The left shoulder had a full range of motion. Pulses were intact bilaterally and equal.
• Neurologic: Upper extremity strength was good and equal. Light touch and pin prick were intact. Deep tendon reflexes were well preserved.

Which of the following are indicated in management at this time? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of seven pages)

1. Reassurance that the pain will improve
2. Shoulder x-ray
3. Treatment with oxycodone
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above

Cite as: Kummet TD. March 2018 pulmonary case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;16(3):110-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc033-18 PDF

May 2017 Pulmonary Case of the Month

Lewis J. Wesselius, MD

Robert W. Viggiano, MD

Department of Pulmonary Medicine

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ USA

History of Present Illness

A 69-year-old man with known heart failure, COPD and prostate cancer with presented with increased shortness of breath. He denied any fever, chills, cough or sputum.

Past Medical History, Social History and Family History

• Diastolic heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction
• Prostate cancer with bone metastasis treated with leuprolide (Lupron^®) 
• COPD treated with salmeterol/fluticasone and tiotropium
• He is married, retired and had quit smoking a number of years ago.
• Family history was unremarkable

Physical Examination

• Oxygen saturation (SpO2) was 93% on room air.
• Physical examination showed jugular venous distention (JVD), bilateral lung rales a laterally displaced pulse of maximal impulse (PMI) and 1+ pretibial edema.

Radiography

A chest x-ray was performed (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Admission chest x-ray.

Based on the history and chest x-ray which of the following is the most likely diagnosis? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of six pages)

1. Community-acquired pneumonia
2. Congestive heart failure
3. COPD exacerbation
4. Metastatic prostate cancer
5. Pulmonary embolism

Cite as: Wesselius LJ, Viggiano RW. May 2017 pulmonary case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(5):185-91. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc052-17 PDF