Tuberculosis-induced tracheobronchial stenosis during pregnancy.

Central airway stenosis is extremely rare in pregnancy and could lead to respiratory and cardiovascular embarrassment, especially at the time of delivery. Initially, patients may not show obvious signs of respiratory difficulty. Early recognition of the disease and anticipatory management of a complicated delivery are very important.

Thalidomide-Related Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A case report and brief literature review.

Thalidomide has regained value in the multimodality treatment of leprosy, multiple myeloma, prostate, ovarian and renal cancer. Complications related to arterial and venous complications are well described. However, pulmonary complications remain relatively uncommon.

Fluid balance and weaning outcomes.

Objective: To examine the relationship of fluid balance and weaning outcomes.

Methods: We prospectively collected demographic, physiological, daily fluid balance (measured inputs minus outputs), and weaning data from 87 mechanically ventilated patients.

Patients: We examined 87 patients, a median age of 66 years, APACHE II of 22, and performed 205 breathing trials (BT); 38 patients (44%) were successfully extubated after their first BT with minimal or no pressure support.

Patients' understanding of advance directives and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Objective: To describe understanding of end-of-life issues and compare characteristics of patients with and without advance directives.

Setting: A 325-bed community teaching hospital.

Measurements: Questionnaires were administered to all patients admitted to the medical-surgical wards.

Endobronchial pseudo-tumour caused by herpes simplex.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes tracheobronchitis and pneumonitis; however, to date, there has only been one report of an endobronchial mass caused by HSV type II. This case study describes a 68-yr-old female with severe kyphoscoliosis who was intubated for acute on chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure and developed blood-tinged endotracheal secretions. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy demonstrated an endobronchial mass in the right middle lobe.