To the editor
We read with interest the article entitled “Emphysema affects the number and characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules identified by chest low-dose computed tomography” by Wachuła et al1 published in the January issue of Polish Archives of Internal Medicine (Pol Arch Intern Med). We would like to discuss 4 issues.
First, the title of this article includes a statement that emphysema affects the number and characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules. However, the presence of emphysema itself did not appear to affect the number or characteristics of nodules, and we do wonder whether these patients might have such nodules. I would be grateful for the authors’ comments on this issue.
Second, the authors reported that there were differences in nodule size, location, number, and morphology between those with and without emphysema. It would be interesting to know how the authors interpret these differences between groups.
The third point is a query about the patients evaluated in this study. We would like to know whether the study included patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, which is associated with a high incidence of lung cancer.2,3 The study included patients with a history of exposure to chemical compounds, such as coal miners. How did this affect the results? Last, the diagnosis of nodules was unclear because the study did not incorporate a full pathological examination. However, we would appreciate the authors’ evaluation of, for example, the intrapulmonary lymph nodes and postinflammatory scars.
Hiroaki Satoh, MD, PhD, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Miya-machi 3-2-7, Mito, Ibaraki, 310–0015, Japan, phone: +81 29 231 2371, email: hirosato@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
March 26, 2020.
Katsunori Kagohashi, Kunihiko Miyazaki, Toshihiro Shiozawa, Hiroaki Satoh (KK and HS: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Mito, Japan; KM: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Ryugasaki Saiseikai Hospital, Ryugasaki, Japan; TS: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan)
None declared.
Kagohashi K, Miyazaki K, Shiozawa T, Satoh H. Emphysema affects the number and characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2020; 130: 261. doi:10.20452/pamw.15263
- 1.
- Wachuła E, Szabłowska-Siwik S, Czyżewski D, et al. Emphysema affects the number and characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules identified by chest low-dose computed tomography. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2020; 130: 17-24.
- 2.
- Kumar A, Cherian SV, Vassallo R, et al. Current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of smoking-related interstitial lung diseases. Chest. 2018; 154: 394-408.
- 3.
- Papaioannou AI, Kostikas K, Manali ED, et al. Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: the many aspects of a cohabitation contract. Respir Med. 2016; 117: 14-26.