Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Mediastinal Staging in a Community Medical Center.

Rationale: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) are valuable tools for lung cancer staging. Data from tertiary referral centers suggest that these modalities are superior to mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging.

Objectives: To validate EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer staging in a community center with operators with various levels of experience.

Ceftaroline-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

We present a case of eosinophilic pneumonia due to ceftaroline used for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with a postoperative spinal infection. Our patient developed shortness of breath and hypoxemia on the fifth week of ceftaroline therapy. Chest imaging disclosed diffuse bilateral infiltrates.

Vitamin D deficiency and reduced lung function in connective tissue-associated interstitial lung diseases.

Background: Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with pleiotropic effects including immune system modulation, lung tissue remodeling, and bone health. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency would be associated with an underlying connective tissue disease (CTD) and reduced lung function.

Endobronchial Carcinoid Tumor in an HIV-infected Patient.

Endobronchial carcinoid is an uncommon pulmonary neoplasm. In this brief report, we present a case of an HIV-infected patient with an incidentally identified endobronchial carcinoid. This case illustrates the importance of a broad differential diagnosis for lung lesions in HIV-infected patients.

Screening for lymphangioleiomyomatosis by high-resolution computed tomography in young, nonsmoking women presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax is cost-effective.

Rationale: Women with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) who present with a sentinel spontaneous pneumothorax (SPTX) will experience an average of 2.5 additional pneumothoraces. The diagnosis of LAM is typically delayed until after the second pneumothorax.

Thiopurine S- methyltransferase [corrected] testing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a pharmacogenetic cost-effectiveness analysis.

Azathioprine in combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and steroids is a standard therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Its use, however, is limited by its side effects, principally leukopenia. A genotypic assay, thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), has been developed that can potentially identify those at risk for developing leukopenia with azathioprine, and thereby limit its toxicity.

Admission chest radiograph lacks sensitivity in the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia.

Introduction: : The clinical and epidemiological significance of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with a chest radiograph demonstrating no parenchymal infiltrate has not been studied. We determined the percentage of patients with a clinical diagnosis of CAP who did not have radiographic opacifications and compared this group with patients with CAP and radiographic infiltrates.

Methods: : Patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP were identified.

Getting physicians to make "the switch": the role of clinical guidelines in the management of community-acquired pneumonia.

The authors sought to assess physician awareness and usage of American Thoracic Society guidelines for early conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics ("switch therapy") in those with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We then determined if adoption of a CAP guideline would improve either. Patients (N = 510) hospitalized with CAP from June 2002 to May 2003 were identified retrospectively, and chart reviews were done on a random sample (130 [25%]) of these.