Chest
-
Although conventional CT scan-guided needle biopsy is an established diagnostic method for pulmonary lesions, few large studies have been conducted on the diagnostic outcomes of CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy. We have conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the diagnostic outcomes of 1,000 CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsies performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles. ⋯ CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles resulted in a high diagnostic yield, even in the case of small lesions. Factors such as the acquisition of two or fewer specimens, lesions in the lower lobe, malignant lesions, and lesions measuring
-
Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) develops in patients with COPD during incremental exercise with a cycle ergometer. The aims of this study were to determine whether DH can be evidenced after walking with a handheld spirometer and to determine its functional consequences. ⋯ DH can be measured during a 6MWT with a handheld spirometer to allow for its evaluation in daily practice and its contribution to dyspnea while walking.
-
The objective of this study was to find an optimal initial combination chemotherapy that includes clarithromycin (CAM) for treatment-naive patients with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease, as assessed by microbiological conversion using a Mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT). ⋯ The higher dose of CAM allowed for better culture conversion. Daily combination chemotherapy that includes CAM (800 mg) seems appropriate as an initial treatment against treatment-naive patients with nodular and bronchiectatic MAC pulmonary disease.