Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that can affect almost any organ. Although the acute form can have spontaneous regression, a certain number of patients can have a chronic form, which leads to an increase in mortality and a decrease in the quality of life. Considering that the risk factors are still unknown, we wanted to compare the characteristics of patients with acute and chronic forms of sarcoidosis in Serbia in order to determine significant differences between them with hopes of contributing to everyday clinical practice. A total of 2380 patients treated in our clinic were enrolled in this study. They were separated into the following two groups: 1126 patients with acute form and 1254 patients with chronic form. They were further compared by gender, smoking status, radiological status, exposition, biomarkers for sarcoidosis, organ involvement, and other comorbidities; the distribution of patients according to regions of Serbia was also noted. Statistical significance was found in radiological findings (p < 0.001), biomarkers (calcium in 24 h urine p < 0.001; chitotriosidase p = 0.001), and the affliction of organs (p < 0.001). The differences noted in this paper could help improve our understanding of this disease.

Glucose is the main source of energy in human cells. Elevated levels of glucose are one of the most common metabolic disorders, and it has been shown to have a significant, mostly negative, effect on multiple chronic and acute diseases. Lung cancer remains one of the biggest challenges for treatment in modern medicine, with a high prevalence, incidence and mortality. Hyperglycemia is not uncommon in patients with lung cancer; however, it is usually overlooked. Patients with unregulated glycemia and lung cancer have been shown to have worse outcomes, reduced therapeutic effect and more complications during treatment. Studies have identified multiple molecular pathways common in both hyperglycemia and lung cancer; however, no clear correlation has been identified. By understanding these signaling pathways, we can influence the outcome therapeutically and thereby improve the survival of patients with lung cancer.

Background and Objectives: Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the world for both men and women as well as the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The aim of this study is to summarize the radiological characteristics between primary lung adenocarcinoma subtypes and to correlate them with FDG uptake on PET-CT. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 102 patients with pathohistologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. A PET-CT examination was performed on some of the patients and the values of SUVmax were also correlated with the histological and morphological characteristics of the masses in the lungs. Results: The results of this analysis showed that the mean size of AIS-MIA (adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma) cancer was significantly lower than for all other cancer types, while the mean size of the acinar cancer was smaller than in the solid type of cancer. Metastases were significantly more frequent in solid adenocarcinoma than in acinar, lepidic, and AIS-MIA cancer subtypes. The maximum standardized FDG uptake was significantly lower in AIS-MIA than in all other cancer types and in the acinar predominant subtype compared to solid cancer. Papillary predominant adenocarcinoma had higher odds of developing contralateral lymph node involvement compared to other types. Solid adenocarcinoma was associated with higher odds of having metastases and with higher SUVmax. AIS-MIA was associated with lower odds of one unit increase in tumor size and ipsilateral lymph node involvement. Conclusions: The correlation between histopathological and radiological findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and staging. By integrating both sets of data, clinicians can enhance diagnostic accuracy and determine the optimal treatment plan.

Background/Objectives: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) registries are established to enhance understanding of its natural history. Methods: Serbia (RS) participated in the EMPIRE (European Multi-Partner IPF Registry) from June 2015 to October 2022, involving four centers. The registry included patients over 18 diagnosed with IPF based on the 2011 international criteria. We aimed to gather key clinical, functional, and survival data, along with treatment information for IPF patients in RS, using a centralized electronic case report for consistency. Results: 188 RS patients participated (median age at diagnosis 65, 63.8% male, 51% smoking history, 56% radiological usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern). At the diagnosis, median forced vital capacity (FVC) was 73.7% and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) was 38%. At initiation of antifibrotic therapy, median FVC was 73.2% (71.5% for deceased, 75.8% for survivors (p = 0.455), and DL_CO was 33.8% (19.9% for deceased, and 35.6% for survivors (p = 0.046)). The median long-term survival from diagnosis was 29.4 months (95% CI: 22.6–36.2 months), and 9.4 months (95% CI: 5.9–12.9 months) from the initiation of therapy, with no difference in the duration of antifibrotic treatment between survivors and deceased (p = 0.598). Conclusions: The RS EMPIRE cohort represents a younger, less comorbid population with fewer smokers and more probable UIP, factors linked to a favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, survival was poorer than expected, mainly due to advanced disease severity at the time of antifibrotic initiation, as indicated by lower DL_CO. These findings highlight the importance of earlier diagnosis and treatment before significant physiological decline to improve outcomes.

Introduction: Since COVID-19 first surfaced in 2019, it has seriously threatened public health. The most prevalent symptoms are respiratory ones. This study aimed to present the correlation between the severity of the clinical presentation of the disease and the results of respiratory function tests conducted within 6 months after hospital discharge. Methodology: This retrospective study included 99 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Of all patients 24.2% had accentuated bronchovascular pattern, 9.1% had unilateral, and 29.3% had bilateral pneumonia. In comparison, 35.4% patients had diffuse changes, which were described as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on computed tomography (CT). Results: Patients with unilateral, bilateral pneumonia or diffuse lung damage had significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC) values. They were treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) or invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) and had lower FVC values (0.039). A negative, weak correlation existed between CT findings during the infection and Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measured after the infection (0.003). A negative, weak correlation was found between oxygen therapy, the use of NIV, and MV findings during the infection with DLCO. A negative correlation was noted between leukocyte values during the infection and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FVC after the infection. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 infection who need oxygen support and MV continue to suffer from loss of respiratory function after the resolution of COVID-19 infection. These findings highlight the negative predictive value of pulmonary tests in the long-term follow-up for the development of PC-ILD as well as decreased pulmonary capacity.

Summarizing radiological characteristics between primary lung adenocarcinoma subtypes and correlate them with FDG uptake on PET-CT are important for further treatment. A PET-CT examination was performed on some of the patients and the values of SUV-max were also correlated with the histological and morphological characteristics of masses in the lungs. Results of this analysis showed that the mean size of AIS-MIA cancer was significantly lower than for all other cancer types, while mean size of the acinar cancer was smaller than in solid type of cancer. Metastases were significantly more frequent in solid adenocarcinoma than in acinar, lepidic and AIS-MIA cancer subtypes. The maximum standardized FDG uptake was significantly lower in AIS-MIA than in all other cancer types, and in acinar compared to solid cancer. Papillary adenocarcinoma had higher odds to develop contralateral lymph node involvement compared to other types. Solid adenocarcinoma was associated with higher odds of having metastases and with higher SUVmax. AIS-MIA was associated with lower odds of one unit increase in tumour size, ipsilateral lymph node involvement. Radiology has a significant role in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, and in determining its prognosis, and influence on the decision on the method of treatment.