Thorax
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Case Reports
Apparent response of small cell lung cancer to an extract of mistletoe and homoeopathic treatment.
A patient with small cell lung carcinoma was treated initially with extracts of mistletoe and homoeopathic treatment and appeared to respond. Subsequently radiotherapy was given and the patient lived for five years seven months, which is much longer than is usual with this type of tumour.
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Case Reports
Bilateral recurrent haemorrhagic pleural effusion in asymptomatic chronic pancreatitis.
In a case of bilateral recurrent haemorrhagic pleural effusion due to asymptomatic pancreatitis the diagnosis was suggested by the presence of amylase in the pleural fluid when other possible causes had been excluded. Abdominal computed tomography and laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis. No communications could be seen between the peritoneal and pleural space at laparotomy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Spontaneous pneumothorax: comparison of simple drainage, talc pleurodesis, and tetracycline pleurodesis.
From 1978 to 1985 96 patients with their first spontaneous pneumothorax were randomised into three groups, receiving either treatment with simple drainage (34 patients), drainage with tetracycline pleurodesis (33 patients), or drainage with talc pleurodesis (29 patients). There were 58 men and 38 women, aged 18-88 years. There was no significant difference between the three groups in the mean time in hospital or the period for which the drains were retained. ⋯ Thoracoscopy, performed on admission in 85 patients, showed normal appearances in 73 patients and small cysts in 12. The thoracoscopic findings were of no value in predicting recurrence. Talc pleurodesis resulted in a significantly lower recurrence rate than simple drainage, tetracycline pleurodesis having intermediate efficacy.