Thorax
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combined use of positron emission tomography and volume doubling time in lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scanning.
In lung cancer screening the ability to distinguish malignant from benign nodules is a key issue. This study evaluates the ability of positron emission tomography (PET) and volume doubling time (VDT) to discriminate between benign and malignant nodules. ⋯ PET and VDT predict lung cancer independently of each other. The use of both PET and VDT in combination is recommended when screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT.
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The distribution of the microbial aetiology and mortality of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was investigated in relation to the clinical setting and severity scores (pneumonia severity index (PSI) and confusion, blood urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age (CURB-65)). ⋯ CAP due to atypical bacterial pathogens is recognised both clinically and by severity scoring as a low-risk condition. Severity scores are more sensitive in identifying patients with GNEB and P aeruginosa as moderate- and high-risk aetiologies whereas mixed aetiologies may be underestimated.
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Editorial Comment
Imaging in lung cancer: recent advances in PET-CT and screening.
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Neural respiratory drive (NRD) measured from the diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) reflects the load/capacity balance of the respiratory muscle pump and is a marker of lung disease severity. EMGdi measurement is invasive, but recording the EMG from the parasternal intercostal muscles using surface electrodes (sEMGpara) could provide a non-invasive method of assessing NRD and disease severity. Objectives To test the hypothesis that NRD measured by sEMGpara correlates with EMGdi, to provide an index of disease severity in cystic fibrosis (CF) and to relate to exercise-induced breathlessness. ⋯ sEMGpara%max provides a non-invasive marker of neural drive, which reflects disease severity and exercise-induced breathlessness in CF.