High-dose inhaled budesonide may substitute for oral therapy after an acute asthma attack.

Patients attending the emergency room with acute asthma, participating in a study comparing salbutamol (albuterol in the United States) via a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler) with pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), were included in this 1-week follow-up study with the aim of assessing whether inhaled budesonide via Turbuhaler may be an alternative to prednisolone tablets after an acute asthma attack. Eighty-one patients with a mean age of 38 years and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) of 64% predicted normal value after treatment with salbutamol were randomized in this double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study. The doses given were budesonide 1600 microg b.

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage and postbronchoscopic sputum cytology in peripheral lung cancer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and postbronchoscopic sputum cytology in diagnosing peripheral lung cancer. We performed a prospective study in 55 patients with lesions on chest radiographs who were suspected of having lung cancer and had non-endoscopically visible lesions on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The sequence of procedures in all cases was BAL and transbronchial forceps biopsy.

Beta 2-agonists administered by a dry powder inhaler can be used in acute asthma.

Patients with acute asthma attending the emergency room were included in a double-blind, double-dummy and parallel group study to investigate whether a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler) can be used in acute asthma. If so, the aim was to establish the potency relationship between a beta 2-agonist (salbutamol) administered by the dry powder inhaler and the pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). Eighty-six patients with a mean age of 38 years and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 37% of predicted normal value were randomized at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok to either Turbuhaler (50 micrograms dose -1) or pMDI (100 micrograms dose -1) with spacer (Volumatic).

The efficacy of doxycycline as a pleural sclerosing agent in malignant pleural effusion: a prospective study.

To determine the efficacy of doxycycline in producing pleuroedesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE), 31 documented cases of MPE, aged 19-82 years were prospectively studied. Pleural sclerosis was done with 500 mg of doxycycline. Response regarding respiratory symptoms and pleural fluid accumulation were evaluated monthly.