Cryorecanalization: keys to success.

Background: Symptomatic airway obstructions are common with endobronchial exophytic tumors and may result in lethal complications. Recently, a cryorecanalization procedure has emerged that plays a role in the immediate management of airway obstruction. This study was conducted to investigate the value of cryorecanalization for the immediate management of endobronchial obstructive pathology and to determine the factors that affect the success of the procedure.

Pulmonary involvement in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To determine the relationship of pulmonary abnormalities and bowel disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Thirty ulcerative colitis (UC) and nine Crohn's disease patients, and 20 control subjects were enrolled in this prospective study. Detailed clinical information was obtained.

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis, and mitotic activity index in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objectives: Tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis-dependent events, and several prognostic factors have been determined in malignant mesothelioma. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis (TN), and mitotic activity index (MAI) in malignant mesothelioma. For the first time (to our knowledge), we also demonstrated the association between VEGF staining, TN, and MAI in malignant mesothelioma.

Nutritional status of COPD patients with acute exacerbation.

The prevalence and features of nutritional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been studied extensively in stable conditions, but are poorly defined in the presence of an acute exacerbation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of COPD patients with acute exacerbation and possible relationship between nutritional parameters and pulmonary functions. The study group consisted of 53 COPD patients acutely admitted to the hospital for standardized medical treatment.

Short-term effect of nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation in patients with restrictive thoracic disease.

Background: The use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) would be expected to ameliorate dyspnea, ventilatory capacity and exercise tolerance durability in individuals with hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to restrictive thoracic disease.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term effect of NIPPV on respiratory muscle endurance, exercise capacity and respiratory functions in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to restrictive thoracic disease.

Methods: Twelve patients with chronic ventilatory failure due to restrictive thoracic disease underwent nasal bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation for 2 h a day during 15 consecutive days.