RESUMEN
Sjögren's syndrome is systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of various organs with wide frequency of pulmonary involvement. Diffuse cystic lung disease in Sjögren's syndrome is a rare condition and requires differential diagnosis with other cystic pathologies such as lymphangioleyomiomatosis or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a method of in vivo investigation of airways and lung tissue on microscopic level during bronchoscopy. We used this method in diffuse cystic lung disease caused by Sjögren's syndrome. The pCLE image showed a large number of fluorescent cells presumably lymphocytes in bronchioles, dilated alveolar spaces with fluid and thin alveolar walls. We think that the presence of the bronchiolar cells pattern can be used to differentiate between the pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren's disease and other cystic lung diseases.
RESUMEN
Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate higher rates of cardiovascular complications, including thromboses and thromboembolism. One may suppose that the action of SARS-CoV-2 transforms stable atherosclerotic plaques into unstable status. Cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 may be caused by progressive viral alteration of the blood vessels, including Vasa vasorum. A lethal case of ischemic brain disease caused by cerebral atherosclerosis and exacerbated by a stroke during COVID-19 infection is briefly described. The results of the autopsy showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and signs of Vasa vasorum vasculitis with thrombi of adventitial microvasculature. The data discussed in the article are interpreted in the context of the concept giving the important role in atherogenesis to Vasa vasorum.