The role of bacterial culture by bronchoscopy in patients with lung cancer: a prospective study.

Background: Patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical and medical treatment are at increased risk for pulmonary complications. The importance of routine bronchoscopy procedure in populations with lung cancer has rarely been defined. We aimed to determine the growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) among patients evaluated by bronchoscopy for lung cancer.

Increased hypoxemia in patients with COPD and pulmonary hypertension undergoing bronchoscopy with biopsy.

Background And Objective: Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) are considered to be at risk for complications associated with flexible bronchoscopy (FB), but data concerning the degree of PH are often lacking. We investigated whether COPD patients with PH who undergo bronchoscopy are at greater risk for complications.

Methods: This prospective study included 207 consecutive COPD patients undergoing FB.

Incidence of bacteremia following bronchoscopy with argon plasma coagulation: a prospective study.

Background: This evaluation was undertaken to determine the incidence of bacteremia and infectious complications associated with argon plasma coagulation (APC) procedures.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing bronchoscopy with APC for treatment of endobronchial lesions were studied. Venesection was performed for blood cultures within 60 s of the APC procedure.

Long-term reflux-related symptoms after bariatric surgery: comparison of sleeve gastrectomy versus laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Background: Long-term pulmonary reflux-related symptoms following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) have not been reported.

Methods: We designed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent LAGB or LSG between January 2000 and December 2010. All patients provided detailed history and physical examination.

Clinical and radiological features of Mycobacterium kansasii and other NTM infections.

Background: Mycobacterium kansasii infection is one of the most common causes of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in the world. However, it is not possible to differentiate completely between M. kansasii and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) because of a lack of direct comparative studies.

Pleural ELFA D-dimer assay: a surrogate marker for malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is associated with enhanced fibrinolysis. However, no data are available concerning the precise role of pleural D-dimer assay in pleural effusion. We therefore assessed the role of pleural D-dimer assay in predicting malignant pleural effusion.

Pulmonary complications following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Laparoscopic adjustable silicone banding (LAP-BAND) has rapidly gained acceptance and is now considered the most common bariatric operation. The accumulated experience with LAP-BAND has established this surgical method as safe and effective. However, no data have been issued concerning pulmonary complications following the procedure.