Chest
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The histopathologic diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires the presence of noncaseating granulomas. Transbronchoscopic lung biopsy (TBLB) has been considered the procedure of choice when less invasive tissue samples are unavailable. A total of 51 consecutive patients suspected of having sarcoidosis underwent combined TBLB and flexible transbronchial needle aspirate (TBNA). ⋯ The remaining 21 patients with stage II disease had their diagnosis confirmed in 16 (76 percent) cases by TBLB and 10 (48 percent) by TBNA with a combined diagnostic yield of 86 percent. Seven (23 percent) patients with stage I disease and 2 (10 percent) with stage II disease had their conditions diagnosed by TBNA. We conclude that combining TBNA with TBLB increases the diagnostic yield in pulmonary sarcoidosis; TBNA should complement TBLB in the diagnosis of this disease.
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Comparative Study
A functional and morphologic analysis of pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation in oleic acid-induced lung injury.
To compare volume-controlled ventilation (VCV PEEP) with pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation (PCIRV) at equal levels of end-expiratory pressure. ⋯ PCIRV was no better than VCV with similar PEEP levels in alveolar recruitment and aeration of the lung tissues or in oxygenating the blood. Cardiac output was lower with PCIRV than with VCV, causing lower oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues. PCIRV does allow for a reduction in minute ventilation and for lowering peak airway pressure.