Oxygen Indications and Utilization in a Diverse, Urban Community Setting.

Purpose: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions with severe hypoxemia, imposing a large financial burden on the American health care system.

Methods: To better understand oxygen prescription and its use in a multiethnic community hospital, we completed a prospective, observational study with a survey design in our multicultural population to better recognize patient understanding of oxygen indications and utilization.

Results: The survey was conducted at three outpatient pulmonary clinics.

A contemporary review of radiation pneumonitis.

Purpose Of Review: The current article reviews recent literature and summarizes the current understanding, diagnosis, risk, predictors, and management of radiation pneumonitis.

Recent Findings: We discuss the different parameters that contribute to radiation toxicity, the potential biomarkers that predict the risk, and mitigators of radiation pneumonitis.

Summary: Radiotherapy aims to provide care and a better quality of life in cancer patients however with complications.

Nonresolving pneumonia in the setting of malignancy.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews recent literature and experience in the diagnosis of nonresolving and slowly resolving pneumonia as it pertains to malignancy.

Recent Findings: Malignancy must be considered as an important cause of pneumonia that resolves slowly or has incomplete resolution. Airway obstruction is more common than malignant infiltration as a cause of pneumonia that does not resolve appropriately.

Trends in tobacco use.

The use of tobacco can be traced back to ancient times. Its popularity grew exponentially during the twentieth century, surging during wartime and with the advent of mass media. The tobacco industry in the United States has been under constant legal pressure during the past 40 years.

Impact of spiral computed tomography on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in a community hospital setting.

Background: While the optimal role of spiral CT angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial, this technology is already being widely utilized in the community setting.

Objectives: To assess the impact CTA has had on angiography utilization rates and the overall diagnostic rate of PE.

Methods: All patients evaluated for PE during a 4-year period were studied.

Trends in tobacco use.

The use of tobacco can be traced back to ancient times. Its popularity grew exponentially during the twentieth century, surging during wartime and with the advent of mass media. The tobacco industry in the United States has been under constant legal pressure during the past 40 years.

Acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current strategies with pharmacological therapy.

In acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), short-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as salbutamol (albuterol) and ipratropium bromide, have proven useful. In patients who are refractory to these agents, intravenous aminophylline should be considered. Corticosteroids should also be used, either in the outpatient or inpatient setting.

The challenge of nonresolving pneumonia. Knowing the norms of radiographic resolution is key.

Pneumonia that fails to resolve after 10 to 14 days of antibiotic therapy can lead physicians to call for consultation or unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. Understanding the infectious and noninfectious causes of pneumonia and their normal times to resolution is enormously helpful in the judicious evaluation of and timely intervention in this very challenging condition.