[Gastroesophageal reflux and asthma--pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment].

Gastroesophageal reflux and bronchial asthma are frequently encountered comorbidities that maintain an ambivalent relationship, generating a vicious circle where gastroesophageal reflux increases asthmatic symptoms or precipitates bronchial asthma and asthma can trigger or worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pathogenetic mechanisms of these interrelation are imperfectly understood, despite intense concerns of specialists in both areas. There have been incriminated: eso-bronchial constrictor vagal mediated reflexes, bronchial hyperreactivity, neurogenic inflammation induced by hydrochloric acid penetration in the oesofagus, airways hydrochloric acid microaspiration with asthmatic trigger effects, increased bronchial resistance or increased immune response to antigens.

[Solitary pulmonary nodule: diagnosis criteria and management].

The solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a frequent aspect on the chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT). The diagnosis and management of the SPN is not yet standardized. A high percentage of the SPNs is represented by the malignant lesions (primary lung cancer or metastasis of other extra pulmonary tumors).