Chest
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To ascertain the frequency and to describe the clinical and biochemical features of cirrhotic chylothorax. ⋯ Chylothorax is a rare and apparently underappreciated manifestation of cirrhosis resulting from transdiaphragmatic passage of chylous ascites. Its uniform biochemical characteristics can facilitate its separation from chylous effusions of different etiology, therefore avoiding potentially harmful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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This study was performed to determine whether transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) biopsy under CT guidance can increase its diagnostic yield so that this technique can be used for staging of lung cancer at our institution. ⋯ Despite numerous successful reports in the literature, the general application of the TBNA procedure appears to be limited because of its low sensitivity, although this could be due to numerous factors. However, using CT guidance to be sure that the tip of the needle is exactly inside the node can increase its sensitivity markedly. It may also increase the specificity of normal results of TBNA biopsy.