Variation in medical resource utilisation in the management of pulmonary embolism in Belgium.

The objective of this study was to investigate, through a patient chart analysis, the average and the variation in the medical resource use in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients in Belgium, and to find explanatory variables for the possible variation. A sample of patients with confirmed PE (n = 54) from 5 centres was selected. The centres were representative for size and region.

[Pleurisy in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome].

The syndrome of ovarian hyperstimulation is an exceptional aetiology of pleural effusion. It should be thought of any young women who are under treatment to induce ovulation. The effusions are exudates and not transudates as occurs in Demons-Meigs syndrome.

[Fatal pulmonary hypertension in Sharp syndrome (M.C.T.D.) with pulmonary fibrosis].

We have followed a case of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (M.C.T.

Bronchial cancer and hypereosinophilia.

A 73 yr old man with a marked eosinophilia, associated with generalized bronchial carcinoma was observed. Ten months earlier his blood count was normal. The mechanism of the eosinophilia is discussed.

[Apical pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid polyarthritis].

The authors report a case of apical pulmonary fibrosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The pulmonary lesions were clearly different from the classical features of pleuro-pulmonary disease in rheumatoid arthritis. They were identical to those described in ankylosing spondylitis.

[Adrenergic receptors of the bronchoalveolar system in the obstructive syndrome].

Alpha and beta adrenergic receptors of the lower airways play a role in obstructive airway diseases. These receptors intervene not only in the contraction of the smooth bronchial muscle, but also in mucus secretion, mucociliary clearance and vascular permeability. The pathology of the receptors responsible for perturbations corresponding to these different functions is involved in the pathogenesis of obstructive airway diseases.

[Pleural effusion and Toxocara canis].

Toxocariasis is an infrequent disease which particularly affects children. Toxocara canis is an uncommon parasite of man, who is not the normal host for the nematode. Without doubt Toxocara will be recognised more and more thanks to specific serological tests, in particular the ELISA-ESA test.

[Value and limitations of ultrasonic diagnosis in pneumology].

For a number of valid reasons, echotomography has the reputation of being of little interest in respiratory medicine. Its indications are certainly infrequent in everyday practice. However, if chest physicians lose interest in the technique, the paradoxal situation may arise where echotomography in respiratory medicine would be under-estimated and under-used.

[A new iatrogenic pathology: pneumothorax after acupuncture].

Since 1974 a few cases of pneumothorax after acupuncture have been reported. We report a new case of complete pneumothorax after insertion of needles in the chest wall.