ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in combination with azithromycin in terms of clinical and biochemical outcomes in adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and to describe the occurrence of adverse events. Method: Retrospective comparative study, based in a quaternary private hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, involving 193 adult patients hospitalized for mild and moderate COVID-19 related ARSD, analyzing treatment efficacy based on clinical and biochemical outcomes. Results: The active group comprised 101 (52.3%) patients using hydroxychloroquine associated with azithromycin and the control group 92 (47.7%) patients who did not take these medications. Median age was 59 (47–70) in the active group and 65 (47−77) in the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the control group had greater extent of pulmonary involvement on baseline chest CT scans (p < 0.05). All other baseline variables (BMI, comorbidities, previous use of medications and biochemical assessments) were similar between groups. In the medication group, 25% (25 out of 101) were admitted to the ICU, compared to 21% (19 out of 92) in the control group (p > 0.05). No difference in mortality, duration of non-invasive oxygen use or duration of hospitalization was seen between groups. The therapeutic regimen was well tolerated, with only eight (7.9%) patients presenting gastrointestinal symptoms and eight (7.9%) patients withdrawn treatment due to QTc prolongation. Conclusions: Patients treated with hydroxychloroquine combined with azithromycin and the control group had similar clinical outcomes. This therapeutic regimen was considered ineffective in hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 related ARDS and was associated with few non-severe adverse events.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar, por meio da tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução, as principais alterações pulmonares da histiocitose de células de Langerhans. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas, retrospectivamente, as tomografias computadorizadas de alta resolução de oito pacientes com diagnóstico comprovado da doença a partir de biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto, biópsia transbrônquica, estudos de imuno-histoquímica e/ou lesões extrapulmonares associadas. RESULTADOS: Pequenas lesões císticas, arredondadas e de paredes finas foram observadas em todos os pacientes. Nódulos, com distribuição predominantemente periférica no parênquima pulmonar, estavam presentes em 75% dos exames estudados. As lesões apresentaram distribuição difusa, com predomínio nos terços superior e médio dos pulmões em todos os casos, mas acometimento dos recessos costofrênicos foi observado em 25% dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A comparação das tomografias computadorizadas de alta resolução com radiografias de tórax mostrou que cistos de paredes finas e pequenos nódulos não podem ser avaliados satisfatoriamente por radiografias convencionais. A tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução, por sua capacidade de detectar e caracterizar cistos e nódulos pulmonares, permite o diagnóstico de histiocitose de células de Langerhans pulmonar com alta probabilidade.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at characterizing main lung changes observed in pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis by means of high-resolution computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution computed tomography findings in eight patients with proven disease diagnosed by open lung biopsy, immunohistochemistry studies and/or extrapulmonary manifestations were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Small rounded, thin-walled cystic lesions were observed in the lung of all the patients. Nodules with predominantly peripheral distribution over the lung parenchyma were observed in 75% of the patients. The lesions were diffusely distributed, predominantly in the upper and middle lung fields in all of the cases, but involvement of costophrenic angles was observed in 25% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Comparative analysis of high-resolution computed tomography and chest radiography findings demonstrated that thin-walled cysts and small nodules cannot be satisfactorily evaluated by conventional radiography. Because of its capacity to detect and characterize lung cysts and nodules, high-resolution computed tomography increases the probability of diagnosing pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.