Objective To summarize the clinical features of lymphangioleiomyomatosis ( LAM) in Chinese population. Methods The first case of LAM in China was reported in 1981. All cases of LAM reported in Chinese literature from January 1981 to December 2009 were reviewed. The cases for analysis were included with a diagnosis of LAM confirmed or probable according to the guidelines of European Respiratory Society, and with individual clinical data available. Results A total of 111 cases of LAM were
pooled for analysis. All cases were female. The most frequent onset symptomof LAMwas dyspnea ( 51. 4% ) .The main clinical manifestations included dyspnea ( 93. 4% ) , pneumothorax ( 48. 6% ) , cough ( 45. 7% ) ,hemoptysis ( 35. 1% ) , and chylothorax ( 33. 3% ) . 11 cases were associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.
An obstructive with or without restrictive abnormality in pulmonary function testing was observed in 60 /67 cases. Diffusion impairment was also common ( 45 /46) . Of the 109 patients, computerized tomography of chest showed thin-walled air-filled cysts throughout both lungs in 104 cases, multiple bullae in 3 cases, and
honeycomb changes in 2 cases. 102 cases were diagnosed based on pathological findings. Misdiagnosis was found in 44 cases, the median time of misdiagnosis was 24 months. Conclusion Awareness of LAMshould be raised when an adult female who presents with an unexplained dyspnea, especially combined with repeated
pneumothorax or chylothorax.
Citation: HU Xiaowen,ZHU Jianrong,XU KaiFeng. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: An Analysis of Cases Reported In Chinese Literature from 1981 to 2009. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2010, 9(5): 508-511. doi: Copy