Diagnostic yield of closed pleural biopsy in exudative pleural effusion.

Objective: Closed pleural biopsy is known to be diagnostic in approximately 75% of pleural effusion undiagnosed by thoracocentesis or pleural fluid evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of closed pleural biopsy in a Saudi tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the diagnostic utility of all closed pleural biopsies performed from January 1988 to December 1997 at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Changes in rates of natural rubber latex sensitivity among dental school students and staff members after changes in latex gloves.

Background: A high rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves has been reported in dental students and staff members.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a change in glove use from high-protein/powdered to low-protein/powder-free latex gloves at a previously surveyed dental school reduced the prevalence of NRL sensitivity among students and staff members.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed through use of a questionnaire and skin prick testing to low ammoniated NRL extract; the method was similar to that used in a study conducted in 1995.