Current opinion in pulmonary medicine
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Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common. However, regardless of the differences between patients, their underlying cancer type, and pleural fluid characteristics, management options are often limited. These have not advanced significantly over the last 80 years since pleurodesis was first described. Correspondingly, patient-related outcome measures have been neglected. The evidence (or lack of) behind the current treatment recommendations is reviewed and key research questions are described. ⋯ Pulmonologists should be aware of the staggering lack of progress in the evidence that supports the current 'recommended' management of MPE. The need for a re-think about MPE management with a focus on alternative therapeutic targets and treatment objectives should be appreciated, in order to optimize future patient care.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in men and women. Most patients present with advanced disease and face significant morbidity, with many reporting distressing symptoms throughout the course of their illness. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent studies that support the integration of early palliative care into the standard oncology care of patients with advanced lung cancer. ⋯ Palliative care is appropriate for patients at any point in a serious illness. Unlike hospice, palliative care is not limited by prognosis and may be provided at the same time as disease-directed therapies. There is strong evidence underscoring the importance of integrating palliative care across the trajectory of lung cancer. The primary oncology team should routinely assess for pain and other symptoms, and regularly inquire about a patient's understanding of his disease and his goals of care. Specialty palliative care can provide an extra layer of support for patients with lung cancer and their families by helping with more challenging symptom management, psychosocial support, complex decision-making, advance care planning, and transitions in care.
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Light's criteria combine three dichotomous tests into a decision rule that is considered positive if any one of the tests is positive. This strategy clearly maximizes sensitivity, although at the expense of specificity. Although Light's criteria identify 98% of pleural exudates, they misclassify about 25% of transudates as exudates. The way to overcome this limitation is discussed in this review. ⋯ The simplest strategy to reveal the true transudative nature of heart failure-related effusions, labeled as exudates by Light's criteria, is to calculate the serum to pleural fluid albumin gradient. Conversely, for misclassified hepatic hydrothoraces, measurement of the pleural to serum albumin ratio is recommended. The serum to pleural fluid protein gradient should no longer be considered the preferred test for this purpose.
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The aim is to inform the reader on the recent advancements in the minimally invasive treatment of chylothorax. ⋯ Recent advances in the lymphangiography techniques and the accumulation of experience in treating chylous effusions have significantly broadened the adoption of TDE to treat chylothorax. TDE for traumatic chylothorax has been demonstrated to be less morbid and more effective than surgical and conservative treatment. In cases of nontraumatic chylothorax, the patient has to be evaluated by MRI and lymphangiography to exclude causes of chylothorax which cannot be managed by interruption of the thoracic duct (e.g. lymphatic malformations or chylous ascites). Future advancements in noninvasive imaging of the thoracic duct and imaging guidance during TDE will continue to refine the percutaneous management of chylous effusions.
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Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. Recent advances aimed at improving outcomes and reducing CAP disease burden are summarized. ⋯ Despite these developments research aimed at further reducing CAP-related morbidity and mortality is required. Increasing global life expectancy is likely to expand the at-risk population; therefore, research directed at CAP prevention in view of changing demography is essential.