Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
-
Primary endobronchial actinomycosis is an exceedingly rare condition which closely mimics bronchial carcinoma both clinically and radiologically. We report the case of a middle-aged Chinese man who had right lower lobe endobronchial actinomycosis associated with inhalation of a presumed chicken bone. The patient made a complete clinical and radiological recovery after a 2 month combined course of amoxycillin and clavulanate, after removal of the foreign body, which was only detected after using contiguous computed tomography. Our experience in the management of this patient should help clinicians in the investigation and management of this rare but treatable condition.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative study of pleurodesis using talc slurry and bleomycin in the management of malignant pleural effusions.
Differing success rates of various pleurodesis agents have been reported in the management of malignant pleural effusions. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of two commonly used agents, talc and bleomycin, for the pleurodesis of malignant pleural effusions. ⋯ These results indicate that talc slurry is as effective as bleomycin in preventing early recurrence of malignant pleural effusions. Pleurodesis with talc instead of bleomycin can result in significant cost savings.
-
The acute respiratory failure caused by pulmonary coccidioidomycosis without dissemination is an extremely unusual event. ⋯ Coccidioidomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute sepsis, particularly in an immunocompromised host who has travelled in an endemic area.
-
Case Reports
Pleural amyloidosis in a patient with intractable pleural effusion and multiple myeloma.
Pleural involvement of systemic amyloidosis has been rarely reported. We report a case with multiple myeloma presenting an intractable right pleural effusion, in which pleural amyloidosis was diagnosed through pleural biopsy using a Cope needle. The diagnosis of pleural amyloidosis is important, because its refractory pleural effusion should be treated with pleurodesis. Since closed pleural biopsy using a Cope needle is much less invasive than thoracoscopy, the former should be attempted first whenever pleural amyloidosis is suspected.