Follow-up outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who underwent dilatation and curettage with the Karakoca resector balloon: A 188-case series over 5 years.

We previously reported satisfactory results with the Karakoca resector balloon in 10 patients with stage IV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who did not respond to medical treatment. In this article, we present the outcomes of the Karakoca resector balloon dilatation and curettage technique in a larger case series (n = 188).A total of 188 COPD patients [mean age (SD): 69.

Adapted T cell interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis.

Background: Better and more rapid tests are needed for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), given the known limitations of conventional diagnostic tests.

Objectives: To estimate diagnostic accuracy of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test (and its components) using data-derived cutoffs in pleural fluid.

Methods: The QFT-GIT test was performed on whole blood and pleural fluid from 43 patients with TPE and 29 control subjects (non-TPE).

Environmental asbestos-related pleural plaque in southeast of Turkey.

It is known that many malignant and benign pleural diseases occur due to environmental exposure to mineral fibers. Calcified pleural plaque (CPP) is an important sign of asbestos exposure on chest radiographic examination. To study the possible change in the prevalence of CPP and diffuse pleural thickening 3 decades after cessation of asbestos exposure.

Incidence of tuberculosis disease and latent tuberculosis infection in patients with end stage renal disease in an endemic region.

Aim: Patients in chronic renal failure suffer impaired cellular immunity and have an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). Our aim in this multicenter study was to determine the incidence of TB and to evaluate latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the frequency of TB in 779 dialysis patients at 13 hemodialysis centers in five different cities in Southeast Turkey.