Reliability of bronchoalveolar lavage in the routine clinical assessment of patients with sarcoidosis. A retrospective analysis.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of bronchoalveolar lavage in the routine clinical assessment of patients with sarcoidosis.

Study Design: retrospective analysis.

Setting: 2 Divisions of Respiratory Medicine, both in the context of a public general hospital (Ospedale Morelli, Sondalo, Italy and Ospedale Civile, Piacenza, Italy).

A study of posttraumatic disorders in children who experienced an industrial disaster in the Briey region.

Objectives: To study posttraumatic disorders in children who were directly and indirectly involved in an industrial disaster; to assess the respective impact of traumatism exposure, parental disorders and sociodemographic variables on the posttraumatic disorders of the children.

Methods: The children were assessed with self-administered questionnaires (STAIC, CDI, IES) and questionnaires filled in by parents (CPRS, CBCL). Parents were assessed with the GHQ-28.

Association between chronic lymphocytic leukemia and sarcoidosis: clinical value of bronchoalveolar lavage.

We report a case of sarcoidosis, occurred in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) shortly following the completion of initial chemotherapy, who relapsed shortly after a second course. Since bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) demonstrated a predominance of CD4+ lymphocytes, it largely excluded spread of the malignant disorder to the lung, and strongly suggested that sarcoidosis was the cause of the pulmonary infiltrates. This diagnosis was confirmed by the finding of non-caseating granuloma on transbronchial lung biopsy.

Pulmonary edema and acute hypercapnic respiratory failure treated with bi-level nasal-CPAP: case report.

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation has been suggested for the treatment of patients with respiratory failure. We describe the case of a patient affected by bilateral cystic bronchiectasis and acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, due to a cardiogenic pulmonary edema, successfully treated with bi-level nasal-CPAP. This report suggests that in some cases noninvasive ventilatory support may mean avoiding tracheal intubation, even with critically ill patients.