Chest
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Review Meta Analysis
Accuracy of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of pneumonia in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Some studies suggest that lung ultrasonography could be useful for diagnosing pneumonia; moreover, it has a more favorable safety profile and lower cost than chest radiography and CT. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of bedside lung ultrasonography for diagnosing pneumonia in adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ Lung ultrasonography can help accurately diagnose pneumonia, and it may be promising as an adjuvant resource to traditional approaches.
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There is a great interest in developing biomarkers to enable precision medicine and improve health outcomes of patients with COPD. However, biomarker development is extremely challenging and expensive, and translation of research endeavors to date has been largely unsuccessful. ⋯ Ultimately, new biomarker assays must address 5 questions for optimal clinical translation. They include the following: is the biomarker likely to be (1) superior (will the test outperform current standards?); (2) actionable (will the test change patient management?); (3) valuable (will the test improve patient outcomes?); (4) economical (will the implementation of the biomarker in the target population be cost-saving or cost-effective?); and (5) clinically deployable (is there a pathway for the biomarker and analytical technology to be implemented in a clinical laboratory?)? In this article we review some of the major barriers to biomarker development in COPD and provide possible solutions to overcome these limitations, enabling translation of promising biomarkers from discovery experiments to clinical implementation.
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Aspiration of a foreign body into the lower airways is a common occurrence and can cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Most foreign bodies of the tracheobronchial tree are inanimate. However, the medical literature includes reports of live foreign bodies in the airways. ⋯ Fishermen are more prone to experience a live fish aspiration, whereas substandard conditions may expose individuals to leech and roundworm infestations. The dangers of and the approaches to the management of these foreign bodies differ from those associated with aspirated inanimate objects. The focus of this review of the medical literature was on live foreign body aspiration and its management.
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A 27-year-old man with OSA, posttraumatic stress disorder, and chronic mechanical back pain presented with a 3-day history of acute atraumatic worsening of his low back pain as well as right groin numbness that was exacerbated by walking. He also complained of bilateral leg "heaviness," pain, and swelling, all becoming so severe that he rented a wheelchair for mobility.