Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society
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Endobronchial involvement is frequently absent in many patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Malignant involvement may be confined to lymph nodes/peribronchial locations only or may be present along with endobronchial lesions. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a flexible bronchoscopic technique which can be employed to obtain tissue samples from mediastinal lymph nodes or peribronchial locations. Although a safe and cost effective bronchoscopic modality, it is frequently underutilized owing to concerns regarding its diagnostic utility and safety. Herein, we describe our experience over 1 year on the diagnostic utility of TBNA without rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in patients with suspected diagnosis of lung cancer. ⋯ Conventional TBNA without ROSE is a safe and efficacious flexible bronchoscopic procedure which should be performed routinely from bronchoscopically accessible locations in patients with a suspected diagnosis of lung cancer.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a syndrome of progressive airflow limitation caused by the abnormal inflammatory reaction of the airway and lung parenchyma. Osteoporosis is one of the major extrapulmonary manifestations of COPD. The, prevalence of osteoporosis in COPD patients in Indian population is unknown. ⋯ In the present study, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 66.6% and another 19.6% had osteopenia. As the severity of COPD increased, the risk of osteoporosis increased. GOLD stage III and stage IV patient had significantly lower BMD as compared to stage I and stage II of COPD disease. Stage IV COPD disease, use of oral or parenteral glucocorticoids, and repeated number of exacerbations were found to be independent risk factors for osteoporosis in COPD patients. Thus, high clinical suspicion and early diagnosis and treatment is required in the evaluation of osteoporosis in COPD patients so that the quality of life can be improved in these patients.