The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
-
The usefulness of endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) with guide-sheath (GS) as a guide for transbronchial biopsy (TBB) for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL)s and for improving diagnostic accuracy was evaluated in this study. EBUS-GS-guided TBB was performed in 24 patients with 24 PPLs of < or =30 mm in diameter (average diameter=18.4 mm). A 20-MHz radial-type ultrasound probe, covered with GS was inserted via a working bronchoscope channel and advanced to the PPL in order to produce an EBUS image. ⋯ A total of 14 lesions (58.3%) were diagnosed. Even when restricted to PPLs <20 mm in diameter, the diagnostic sensitivity was 53%. In conclusion, endobronchial ultrasonography with guide sheath-guided transbronchial biopsy was feasible and effective for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions.
-
In paediatric bronchiectasis, there has been limited work on the relationship between disease severity as assessed by exercise limitation and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). An observational study was performed on 36 children who completed a questionnaire, physical examination, spirometry and sputum analysis, followed by a low dose of radiation protocol chest computed tomography (CT) scan and cycle ergometry incremental exercise test. A modified Bhalla score was used to score the HRCT abnormalities. ⋯ No consistent relationships were identified between the lung function parameters, HRCT findings or exercise parameters in either disease group. In this study, high resolution computed tomography features were not found to be markers of exercise capacity. As spirometry, high resolution computed tomography features and exercise testing give different information in children with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, the current authors suggest all three may be required for the comprehensive assessment of respiratory status.
-
Comment Letter Comparative Study
Nasal versus full face mask for noninvasive ventilation in chronic respiratory failure.
-
Multicenter Study
Phase II of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC II): rationale and methods.
International comparative studies, investigating whether disease incidence or prevalence rates differ between populations and, if so, which factors explain the observed differences, have made important contributions to the understanding of disease aetiology in many areas. In Phase I of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), the prevalence rates of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in 13-14-yr-olds, assessed by standardised questionnaires, were found to differ >20-fold between the 155 study centres around the world. Phase II of ISAAC aims to identify determinants of these differences by studying informative populations. ⋯ In addition, standardised protocols were applied for examination of flexural dermatitis, skin-prick testing, bronchial challenge with hypertonic saline, blood sampling for immunoglobulin E analyses and genotyping, and dust sampling for assessment of indoor exposures to allergens and endotoxin. To date, ISAAC II field work had been completed or started in 30 study centres in 22 countries. The majority of centres are in countries that participated in International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase I and reflect almost the full range of the observed variability in Phase I prevalence rates.
-
Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) contributes importantly to the limitation of constant-load exercise (CLE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its role in the limitation of interval exercise (IE) remains to be explored. The change (Delta) in inspiratory capacity (IC) was measured to reflect changes in DH in 27 COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in one second mean+/-SEM % predicted: 40+/-3) at the end of a symptom-limited CLE test at 80% of peak work capacity (WRmax) and an IE test at 100% WRmax (30 s of work, alternated with 30 s of unloaded pedalling). ⋯ At 30 and 90% of total IE t end, DeltaIC (0.43+/-0.06 and 0.39+/-0.05 L, respectively) and minute ventilation (31.1+/-1.6 and 32.7+/-2.2 L.min(-1), respectively) were not significantly different. Resting hyperinflation helps to explain the limitation of interval exercise. Implementation of interval exercise for rehabilitation should provide important clinical benefits because it prolongs exercise endurance time and allows sustaining higher stable ventilation.