부산대학교 도서관

Background: Para‐tracheal or para‐carinal air cysts (PACs) are often asymptomatic and usually detected incidentally by methods such as computed tomography. Their clinical significance is unclear in patients with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE). Methods: We evaluated the clinical significance of PACs in PPFE and their relationship with pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax. Results: In total, 50 patients had PPFE and 34 (68%) had PACs. Most PACs were para‐carinal (n = 30). A para‐tracheal air cyst was detected in only nine patients, which included five patients having both para‐carinal and para‐tracheal air cysts. Overall median survival was 24.7 months. Survival was not significantly different between the patients with [PACs(+)] and without PACs (P = 0.268). A high frequency (64%) of the complication of pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax occurred in the overall population during follow‐up. Pneumomediastinum/pneumothorax occurred significantly more frequently in patients with PACs(+) than in those without (76.5% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.012). PACs(+) was the only significant risk factor for pneumomediastinum/pneumothorax. Conclusions: Our data showed that PACs commonly occur in patients with PPFE, and most PACs were para‐carinal air cysts. Additionally, PACs(+) was a significant risk factor for pneumomediastinum/pneumothorax; therefore, clinicians should be more aware of these complications during follow‐up examination, particular in PACs(+) patients with PPFE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]