Chest
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Pressure-dependent pneumothorax is a common clinical event, often occurring after pleural drainage in patients with visceral pleural restriction, partial lung resection, or lobar atelectasis from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction or an endobronchial obstruction. This type of pneumothorax and air leak is clinically inconsequential. Failure to appreciate the benign nature of such air leaks may result in unnecessary pleural procedures or prolonged hospital stay. ⋯ A pressure-dependent pneumothorax occurs during pleural drainage in patients with lung-thoracic cavity shape/size mismatch. It is caused by an air leak related to a pressure gradient between the subpleural lung parenchyma and the pleural space. Pressure-dependent pneumothorax and air leak do not need any further pleural interventions.
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It has been observed widely that, on average, Black individuals in the United States have lower FVC than White individuals, which is thought to reflect a combination of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that are difficult to disentangle. Debate therefore persists even after the American Thoracic Society's 2023 guidelines recommending race-neutral pulmonary function test (PFT) result interpretation strategies. Advocates of race-based PFT results interpretation argue that it allows for more precise measurement and will minimize disease misclassification. ⋯ Furthermore, the use of race-based algorithms in medicine in general is increasingly being questioned for its risk of perpetuating structural health care disparities. Given these concerns, we believe it is time to adopt a race-neutral approach, but note that more research is urgently needed to understand how race-neutral approaches impact PFT results interpretation, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes. In this brief case-based discussion, we offer a few examples of how a race-neutral PFT results interpretation strategy will impact individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups at different scenarios and stages of life.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
The U-shaped relationship between eosinophil count and bronchiectasis severity: the effect of inhaled corticosteroids.
Although a proven relationship exists between the blood eosinophil count (BEC) and the severity of both asthma and COPD, its relationship with bronchiectasis has not been well established. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between BEC and the number and severity of exacerbations, and patients' responses to inhaled corticosteroid (IC) treatment in bronchiectasis RESEARCH QUESTION: Does an association exist among BEC, the number of exacerbations and severity of bronchiectasis, and IC treatment? ⋯ A significant U-shaped relationship was found between BEC and severity and exacerbations in bronchiectasis that was more pronounced in the eosinopenic group. IC treatment decreased the number and severity of exacerbations only in the eosinophilic group.
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Observational Study
COMPLICATIONS AND PRACTICE VARIATION IN THE USE OF PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are used commonly to administer antibiotics to people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but their use can be complicated by venous thrombosis and catheter occlusion. ⋯ This study affirmed the safety of contemporary approaches to inserting and using PICCs in people with CF. Given the low rate of complications in this study, observations may reflect a widespread shift to selecting smaller-diameter PICCs and using ultrasound to guide their placement.
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Prediction models for mediastinal metastasis and its detection by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) have not been developed using a prospective cohort of potentially operable patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ PLUS-M and PLUS-E can be used effectively for decision-making for invasive mediastinal staging in NSCLC.