Canadian respiratory journal : journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Accuracy of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Pneumothorax: A Comparison between Neonates and Adults-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pneumothorax in neonates and adults. ⋯ The diagnosis of pneumothorax using ultrasound is accurate and reliable; additionally, it can result in timely diagnoses specifically in neonatal pneumothorax. Using this method facilitates the therapy process; lack of ionizing radiation and easy operation are benefits of this imaging technique.
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Chest wall circumference measurements are common evaluation methods in clinical settings by therapists in order to obtain chest wall mobility. Previous published results have been conflicting, and there is a lot of variability in the method of testing, which needs testing in different conditions. Seventy subjects (25 healthy nonsmokers, 25 healthy smokers, and 20 COPD) aged between 18 and 70 years participated in the study. ⋯ Upper and lower CE measurements with inch tape showed good intra- and interrater reliability and reproducibility in healthy nonsmokers, healthy smokers, and COPD subjects. Compared to upper, lower CE correlated well with the lung function parameters. Upper and lower CE may be more useful in clinical practice to evaluate chest mobility and to give indirect information on lung function but interpretation with caution is required when considering implementation into clinical setting.
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The Aerobika® oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device is a hand-held, drug-free medical device that has been shown to improve lung function and improve health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We estimated the cost-effectiveness of this device among postexacerbation COPD patients in the Canadian healthcare system. ⋯ Given one of the major treatment goals in the GOLD guidelines is to minimize the negative impact of exacerbations and prevent re-exacerbations, the Aerobika® OPEP device should be viewed as a potential component of a treatment strategy to improve symptom control and reduce the risk of re-exacerbations in patients with COPD.