A review of the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate/formoterol fixed-dose combination.

Introduction: Fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate (FP/FORM) is one of the newer combinations among inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) combination formulations currently available. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this FP/FORM combination, it is important to review all the available evidence and take a comprehensive look at the current and relevant data in the patient population suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Areas Covered: In this focused review, we summarize the available literature published until January 2021 using the PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases on the efficacy and safety of FP/FORM with its mono-components; concurrent administration of FP+FORM; and with other ICS/LABA combinations in asthma and COPD patients.

Challenges of diagnosing and treating non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease [NTM-PD]: A case series.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) may simulate Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in its clinical and radiological expression posing a diagnostic dilemma and challenge to the treating physician, especially in high TB prevalent countries. Though recent emerging data indicates inter-human transmission, infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is commonly acquired from the environmental sources [1]. NTM can produce disease not only in immunocompromised populations but also in healthy individuals leading to significant morbidity and mortality [2].

Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy presenting with left vocal cord palsy: A rare entity.

A 23-year-old-male student, never-smoker presented to our hospital outpatient department with complaints of loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and low-grade fever for two months, hoarseness of voice (HOV) for two weeks. He was evaluated for HOV with video laryngoscopy which demonstrated left vocal cord palsy. Contrast enhanced CT Chest (CECT) was performed for evaluation of mediastinal lesions which revealed multiple peripheral enhancing conglomerate mediastinal lymph nodes.

Role of Xpert MTB/RIF in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of sputum-scarce, suspected Pulmonary TB patients.

Setting: A prospective observational study conducted in Medical college hospital, in a high-TB- prevalence region of northern Telangana, India.

Objective: To know the diagnostic role of Xpert MTB/RIF assay in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in sputum-scarce, suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients.

Design: Study period was between October 2014 and March 2017.

Focal organizing pneumonia simulating lung malignancy: treated with prednisolone.

Focal cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (FOP) is a localized form of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). It is an uncommon clinicopathological entity associated with non-specific symptoms and radiographic findings simulating lung malignancy. Incidence of idiopathic FOP is not known and only reported as case series.

Active pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with acute respiratory failure.

Four patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) presenting with respiratory failure are reported here. Bronchogenic PTB, simulating an acute febrile illness or diffuse interstitial lung disease with short duration of symptoms, as a cause of acute respiratory failure is less recognized. If diagnosed and treated early, it has good prognosis.

Massive hemoptysis from Rasmussen's aneurysm in active pulmonary tuberculosis; A case report of successful treatment with bronchial artery embolization.

Rasmussen's aneurysm, a very rare complication of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), is a pulmonary artery aneurysm adjacent to or within a tuberculous cavity. It may lead to rupture and life threatening massive hemoptysis, an uncommon but challenging medico-surgical emergency. This complication warrants attention in view of the resurgence of tuberculosis and increasing occurrence of multi-drug resistant TB, especially in resource-poor, high-TB burden countries like India.

Nasal application of petrolatum ointment - A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.

We report a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia from chronic, extranasal use of petrolatum ointment (Vicks VapoRub in this case) for nasal decongestion in a young woman, presenting with cough, dyspnea and fever. Exogenous Lipoid pneumonia is a rare condition, underdiagnosed and is more prevalent in adults. Usually asymptomatic and diagnosed while evaluating predisposed patients who become clinically unstable or an abnormal lung shadow or during evaluation of rhinobronchial allergy.