The clinical respiratory journal
-
Comparative Study
Radiologic computed tomography features of Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis.
Mycobacterium abscessus infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients can lead to poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is important, but there are no studies outlining specific imaging features of M. abscessus in CF. ⋯ The most common CT features of early M. abscessus in our CF population include bronchiectasis, mucus plugging, and consolidation, but the findings did not reveal a unique radiologic signature. CT at this initial time point may not distinguish early M. abscessus infection from background lung disease or mycobacterial colonization in CF patients.
-
Reliable differentiation of benign from malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy is important, especially in countries with a high tuberculosis burden. We hypothesized that specific sonographic features on endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) may differentiate benign from malignant nodes. In this study, the sonographic features of non-malignant and malignant nodes were compared. ⋯ Sonographic features of well-defined margins, presence of central hilar structure, and presence of nodal conglomeration in the lymph nodes on EBUS are predictive of benign disease.
-
The important role of radiological examinations of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with neutropenia has been well studied; however, little is known about IPA in critically ill chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. ⋯ Multiple nodules that were distributed along with broncho-vascular bundles were relatively common and specific in critically ill COPD patients with IBPA. Deteriorated CXR combined with specific laboratory examinations, even when appropriate antibiotics were used, could indicate a diagnosis of IBPA. Large consolidations might be considered as poor prognostic indicators.
-
We aimed to investigate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on the number of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients. ⋯ Notwithstanding disease severity, PR treatment is reported to have positive effects on COPD patients in terms of perceived dyspnea, exercise capacity, arterial oxygenation, quality of life, anxiety and depression. This study found reduced number of emergency referrals and hospitalization among COPD patients with frequent exacerbations after PR.
-
Comparative Study
The clinical value of exhaled nitric oxide in patients with lung cancer.
To investigate the clinical value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in lung cancer patients. ⋯ The eNO levels in patients with lung cancer were higher than the normal level, especially in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer. The differences in eNO among the lung cancer subtypes were statistically significant. Measuring eNO will be helpful in diagnosing airway inflammation in lung cancer and in the classification of lung cancer.