Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Aug 2010
ReviewBronchoalveolar lavage fluid in scleroderma interstitial lung disease: technical aspects and clinical correlations: review of the literature.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been used for clinical and research purposes in scleroderma interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). However, inconsistencies regarding technical aspects of BAL are obstacles in the reproducibility and interpretation of BAL results. This review summarizes clinical correlations and methodological issues of using BAL in the assessment of patients with SSc-ILD. In addition, we review the investigational use of BAL in SSc-ILD. ⋯ Further studies using standardized BAL protocols are required to establish the role of BAL fluid in the clinical evaluation of SSc-ILD. When performed for research purposes, BAL has provided valuable insight into the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Aug 2010
ReviewIs remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) a subset of rheumatoid arthritis?
To contrast and compare the spectrum of remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using an illustrative case. ⋯ Based on the clinical, laboratory, suspected infectious etiology, genetic differences, and types of associated malignancies, RS3PE appears to be a distinct entity rather than a subset of RA.