Drop-in group medical appointments for patients with asthma: a four-year outcomes study.

Our DIGMA program was established to allow patients time to interact with an allergist, a behaviorist and an asthma educator in a group setting. Weekly meetings targeted patients with chronic asthma. DIGMAs typically last for 90 minute s and include 10 patients per session.

Back pain associated with endobronchial mucus impaction due to Bipolaris australiensis colonization representing atypical Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis.

A 40-year-old white male had a two-year history of right sided upper back pain without dyspnea or coughing. His past history was significant for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Conservative outpatient management of the back pain including medications, rest and physical therapy were ineffective.

Etanercept treatment of cutaneous granulomas in common variable immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, poor antibody responses, and recurrent bacterial infections, usually of the sinorespiratory tract. A not uncommon complication is granuloma of the lungs, spleen, liver, and/or skin. We report the case of an 18-year-old boy with CVID and chronic granulomas of the left arm (since 13 years of age) refractory to treatment with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin, antifungal agents, systemic and intralesional steroids, IFN-gamma, cyclosporine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, localized radiation therapy, and surgical excision.