Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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Comparative Study
Respiratory impedance following bronchoscopic or surgical lung volume reduction for emphysema.
Bronchoscopic methods for achieving lung volume reduction (BLVR) are presently undergoing clinical trials, and will soon be clinically available. Understanding the differential effects of surgical volume reduction therapy (LVRS) and BLVR on lung and chest wall physiology will assist physicians in selecting an optimal approach for patients. ⋯ (1) Experimental emphysema following prolonged papain exposure progresses after cessation of treatment. (2) BLVR and LVRS produced equivalent lung and chest wall impedance responses at 3-month follow-up. (3) LVRS did not adversely affect chest wall impedance despite being associated with extensive pleural scarring.
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In many cases, physicians initiate anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment based only on symptoms or radiographic findings without confirmation of pulmonary TB by acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear. It has not been well known which clinical characteristics could be used as predictors for positive culture or real TB in patients with sputum smear-negative presumptive pulmonary TB. ⋯ The empirical anti-TB treatment in patients with sputum smear-negative presumptive pulmonary TB was effective and adequate, especially presented with patchy consolidation in initial chest radiographs in Korea.