Clinicians' interpretation of ventilation/perfusion lung scan reports: Where are we today?

Background: Clinicians' interpretation of lung scan reports will determine which further management decisions are taken when potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) is suspected.

Objectives: To assess current referring clinicians' interpretation of the terminology used in ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan reports, whether this interpretation is affected by experience level, and how it affects clinical management decisions.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

Circulating Biomarkers, Fraction of Exhaled Nitric Oxide, and Lung Function in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis.

Background: Identification of proinflammatory factors responding to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important to reduce long-term sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: We examined the association between plasma biomarkers, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and lung function among a prospective cohort of 105 adults newly diagnosed with TB/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa. Participants were followed for 48 weeks from antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation with serial assessments of plasma biomarkers, FeNO, lung function, and respiratory symptoms.

Lung function and collagen 1a levels are associated with changes in 6 min walk test distance during treatment of TB among HIV-infected adults: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with tuberculosis (TB) and HIV often present with impairments in lung function and exercise capacity after treatment. We evaluated clinical and immunologic variables associated with a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the change in the 6 min walk test distance during the first 24 weeks of antiretroviral (ART) and anti-tubercular therapy.

Methods: Adults initiating ART and anti-TB treatment in the setting of newly-diagnosed HIV and pulmonary TB were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in South Africa.

Critical Appraisal of Radionuclide Calibrators and Gamma Cameras Prior to Lutetium-177 Internal Dosimetry at Two South African Hospitals.

 The functionality of radionuclide dose calibrator and nuclear medicine imaging systems hasa direct effect on the accuracy and preciseness of internal dosimetry evaluations. Our study, therefore, aimed to critically appraise the radionuclide calibrators and gamma cameras prior to Lutetium-177 ( Lu) internal dosimetry in a developing country.  Two radionuclide calibrators' and three gamma cameras at two South African hospitals were critically appraised in preparation for internal dosimetry of Lu.