Chest
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Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an inflammatory lung disease characterized by granulation tissue in the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli. BOOP can be caused by a number of etiologies including infection, toxic inhalation, medications, radiation, and collagen vascular disease, or it can be idiopathic. ⋯ Capsaicin and other jalapeño-derived compounds are known causes of epithelial damage and airway inflammation but to our knowledge have never been implicated in the development of BOOP. This case adds to the growing list of exposures associated with BOOP and highlights the importance of taking a thorough exposure history in patients with lung injury of unknown etiology.
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A multicenter study in the late 1990s demonstrated suboptimal emergency asthma care for pregnant women in US EDs. After a decade, follow-up data are lacking. We aimed to examine changes in emergency asthma care of pregnant women since the 1990s. ⋯ Between the two time periods, emergency asthma care in pregnant women significantly improved. However, with one in three pregnant women being discharged home without systemic corticosteroids, further improvement is warranted.
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An 81-year-old man presented with a 1-week history of dry cough. He also complained of mild dyspnea, wheezing, and low-grade fever. ⋯ The patient's medical history included coronary artery bypass surgery, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and COPD. The patient was a retired welder and an ex-smoker.
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Chest CT scanning has become an integral part of the workup for undiagnosed pleural effusions. We aimed to develop a CT scan-based scoring system for differentiating between benign and malignant pleural effusions. ⋯ A simple CT scan-based scoring system can help physicians to separate malignant from benign pleural effusions.