Nontuberculous mycobacteria and the lung: from suspicion to treatment.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are resilient bacteria that grow in virtually any environment, especially those where competing microorganisms are destroyed, such as in chlorinated water. They have been discovered in soil, dust, food, water, and domestic and wild animals. Nontuberculous mycobacteria tend to infect individuals with local (e.

Chylothorax: aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutic options.

Chylothorax is a rare condition that results from thoracic duct damage with chyle leakage from the lymphatic system into the pleural space, usually on the right side. It has multiple aetiologies and is usually discovered after it manifests itself as a pleural effusion. Diagnosis involves cholesterol and triglyceride measurement in the pleural fluid.

A systematic approach to the investigation and diagnosis of a unilateral pleural effusion.

Fluid in the pleural space is a common sequela of a wide range of diseases which may be pulmonary, pleural or extrapulmonary. As the differential diagnosis is wide, a systematic approach to investigation and diagnosis is recommended. This review highlights the important features and recommendations for the investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion, a common condition encountered by the general physician.