The Lost Crown: A Case of an Aspirated Tooth Crown Causing Post-Obstructive Pneumonia.

Non-asphyxiating foreign body aspiration (FBA) is an uncommon occurrence in adults, but it can lead to serious complications and sequelae. Diagnosis of FBA can be difficult as symptoms can mimic other respiratory diseases and the majority of foreign bodies are not visible on chest X-ray. We report a case of an older male who presented with respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia after aspiration of a dental crown.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Elderly Patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prevalent in the elderly population, with high impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. The diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and spirometry values that support the presence of airflow obstruction. However, the condition is frequently underdiagnosed.

Pleural fluid analysis and radiographic, sonographic, and echocardiographic characteristics of hepatic hydrothorax.

Background: There are limited published data defining complete pleural fluid analysis, echocardiographic characteristics, or the presence or absence of ascites on sonographic or CT imaging in patients with hepatic hydrothorax.

Methods: We reviewed pleural fluid analysis and radiographic, sonographic, and echocardiographic findings in 41 consecutive patients with hepatic hydrothorax referred to the Pleural Procedure Service for thoracentesis.

Results: Ascites was detected on sonographic or CT imaging in 38 of 39 patients (97%).

Dasatinib-induced pleural effusions: a lymphatic network disorder?

Dasatanib, which has been approved for rescue therapy for patients with imatinib-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a novel, orally available multitargeted kinase inhibitor of BCR-ABL and SRC family kinases (Quintas-Cardama et al, J Clin Oncol 2007;25:3908-14). It binds to both active and inactive conformations of the ABL gene and is 325 times more potent than imatinib in inhibiting the growth of BCR/ABL cells in vitro (Morelock and Sahn, Chest 1999;116:212-21; Huggins and Sahn, Clin Chest Med 2004;25:141-53). Although dasatinib is a generally well-tolerated drug in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive hematopoetic malignancies, pleural effusions have been frequently noted and have been reported in up to 35% of patients (Sahn SA.

Prevention of acute mountain sickness by acetazolamide in Nepali porters: a double-blind controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy, tolerability, and practicality of acetazolamide for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in Nepali trekking porters early in the trekking season.

Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial with 400 male Nepali porters in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, trekking from Namche Bazaar (3440 m) to Lobuche (4930 m), the study endpoint. Participants were randomized to receive 250 mg acetazolamide daily or placebo, and AMS symptom scores (Lake Louise) were compared in highlanders vs lowlanders.