Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Jul 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Comparative evaluation of 3 types of syringes routinely used for arterial gas analysis].
This prospective study evaluates the practical utility of a special plastic syringe for collecting arterial blood samples for gasometry, comparing it to a glass syringe and a conventional plastic one, in 120 patients who came to our hospital for arterial blood analysis for a variety of reasons. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to type of syringe assigned. Technicians with experience in the technique prepared the syringes and collected the arterial blood samples after providing local anesthesia. ⋯ There were no differences in level of pain reported (on an analog scale) and the subjective quality of the radial pulse wave was good and similar in all three groups. In conclusion, these results show that use of the special syringe offers no important practical advantages for experienced technicians that would justify the higher price. In fact, as the conventional plastic syringes are cheaper, disposable and similarly effective in expert hands, our results suggest that their routine use for collecting arterial blood gas samples can help improve the cost-benefit ratio for a common procedure in pulmonary function units.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Jun 1997
Comparative Study[High-dose endobronchial brachytherapy in malignant tumors of the lung].
To assess clinical and bronchoscopic evolution as well as outcome in patients treated with high dose rate (HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy in order to determine its effectiveness for treating malignant airway obstruction. From May 1993 to January 1996, 10 patients (9 men and 1 woman) with bronchogenic carcinoma received 24 HDR endobronchial treatments. The mean age was 61.9 years (range 34 to 78 years). ⋯ HDR endobronchial brachytherapy is effective both for preventing and relieving malignant endobronchial obstruction. Response to therapy is good, as shown by clinical symptoms and endobronchial examination. HDR endobronchial brachytherapy can cure in carefully selected patients.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · May 1997
Review Case Reports[Pulmonary torsion of the right superior lobe: an unusual complication secondary to surgery].
Pulmonary torsion is a serious complication consisting of the rotation of the pulmonary parenchyma upon its vascular pedicle. Torsion is usually related to lung surgery and may lead to death. Early diagnosis allows for the rapid treatment that is essential for preventing death and decreasing associated complications.
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Chylothorax is a rare condition that even more rarely arises as a result of closed thoracic trauma. We report a series of 6 patients who suffered chylothorax after closed trauma, who were diagnosed early and treated conservatively. Either total parenteral feeding or adjusted enteral feeding, depending with circumstances, was started early such that complications from chylothorax were few. Surgery was required in only one case, and outcomes were satisfactory in all patients, none of whom died.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Oct 1996
Case Reports[Necrotizing descendent mediastinitis of oropharyngeal origin].
The spread of oropharyngeal infections to the mediastinum can give rise to descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM), which causes a high rate of mortality (around 40%), particularly when diagnosis is late and drainage inadequate. In the first case we report, successful drainage of the mediastinum was achieved at the cervical and sub-xiphisternum levels and by thoracotomy. ⋯ Cervical drains, which may be adequate when there is perforation of the cervical esophagus, is insufficient in DNM, which calls for more aggressive, early drainage, such as can be achieved by thoracotomy. Computerized axial tomography of the chest is essential for rapid diagnosis, to plan the most appropriate surgical approach and for follow-up and evaluation of drainage.