A comparison of single breath and re-breathe diffusing capacity in emphysema patients and controls.

In emphysema patients, gas dilutional alveolar volume is underestimated by a 10s single breath maneuver at total lung capacity (TLC) compared with re-breathing at functional residual capacity (FRC); corresponding underestimation of single breath diffusing capacity (DLCO) in emphysema has not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to quantify the degree to which re-breathe DLCO at FRC (DLCO(RB)) differs from single breath DLCO at TLC (DLCO(SB)) in emphysema. In 37 consecutively recruited patients with moderate to severe emphysema (FEV1/FVC 40%±10% predicted), DLCO(RB) as % predicted of 91 controls without cardiopulmonary disease was 79%±24%, significantly greater than % predicted DLCO(SB) (44%±19%; p<0.

Quantification of single-breath underestimation of lung volume in emphysema.

The extent to which a single breath measurement represents available gas dilutional as well as compressible thoracic volume in emphysema patients has not been quantified. We therefore measured single breath (TLCSB) and rebreathe helium dilution (TLCRB), and plethysmographic lung volume (TLCpleth), in fifty-five outpatients with clinical and radiographic emphysema, and in twenty-one normal controls. Among emphysema patients, TLCSB increasingly underestimated both TLCpleth and TLCRB as FEV1% predicted decreased (p for interaction=0.

A newly recognized syndrome--radiation-related bronchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia. A case report and literature review.

Bronchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a syndrome that has been associated with a variety of underlying disorders, including infection, collagen vascular diseases and toxic fume inhalation. Rarely, however, BOOP has been associated with radiation- or chemotherapy-induced pulmonary toxicity. Over the past 3 years, several case series have reported BOOP in the unique setting of radiation in breast cancer patients.

Respiratory emergencies.

Respiratory emergencies may originate from disease in the airways, thoracic vessels, and pulmonary parenchyma. Airway obstruction may be amenable to bronchoscopic therapies, including laser ablation photodynamic therapy (PDT) and stent placement. Asthma is common, but may be mimicked by endobronchial metastasis.