Comparison of Brock University, Mayo Clinic and Herder models for pretest probability of cancer in solid pulmonary nodules.

Objective: Risk analysis models, which are used in the diagnostic algorithm of incidental pulmonary nodules, are based on patient data from developed countries. Mayo Clinic, Brock University and Herder are among the most known models. We aim to compare the reliability of these models in patients with indeterminate solid nodules and to investigate the contribution of the predictors used to the model.

Attitude and Practice Toward Use of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes Among Pregnant Women: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate attitude and practice toward use of regular tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes among pregnant women.

Material And Methods: A total of 1123 pregnant women participated on a voluntary basis in this questionnaire survey. Maternal characteristics, cigarette consumption parameters, and personal opinions regarding the adverse effects of smoking during pregnancy were evaluated.

Diagnostic success of transthoracic needle biopsy and PET-CT for 1 to 2 cm solid indeterminate pulmonary nodules.

Objectives: Among the nodule types, the most controversial group are indeterminate solid nodules from 1 to 2 cm in size with the first choice being transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) or positron emission tomography (PET-CT) or both methods together. However, no single diagnostic algorithm could be applied to all cases. This research discusses the diagnostic success of PET-CT and TTNB.

Efficacy of a Structured Exercise Program for Improving Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Stage 3 and 4 Sarcoidosis: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of an exercise program on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with stage 3 and stage 4 sarcoidosis.

Methods: Eighteen patients with stage 3 and 4 sarcoidosis were recruited; 9 received 12 wk of supervised exercise training and 9 received usual care. Patients underwent the following evaluations at baseline and follow-up: 6-min walk test, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure tests, back and leg dynamometer test, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, St George Respiratory Questionnaire, Short Form-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, body plethysmography, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity test, and blood gas analysis.

Artificial Neural Network Approach in Laboratory Test Reporting: Learning Algorithms.

Objectives: In the field of laboratory medicine, minimizing errors and establishing standardization is only possible by predefined processes. The aim of this study was to build an experimental decision algorithm model open to improvement that would efficiently and rapidly evaluate the results of biochemical tests with critical values by evaluating multiple factors concurrently.

Methods: The experimental model was built by Weka software (Weka, Waikato, New Zealand) based on the artificial neural network method.

Fistulization of hydatid mediastinal cyst to the anterior thoracic wall: case report.

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis is a frequent parasitic and zoonotic disease in the population engaged with agriculture and stockbreeding. It is seen most frequently in the liver and lung in adults. Mediastinal location of the disease is very rare.

Bilateral familial elastofibroma dorsi: is genetic abnormality essential?

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare, slowly growing, benign soft tissue tumor located in the periscapular region on the chest wall. Although it is generally unilateral, it may be bilateral in 10% of cases. The tumor is located between the costa and the chest wall muscles.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: effect of the learning curve.

This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve and efficacy of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the examination of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes suspected of having cancer or of benign disease such as sarcoidosis. A success-adjusted cumulative sum model was used to evaluate the learning curve for diagnostic rates and operation time. A total of 99 patients (77 men and 22 women) who underwent EBUS-TBNA from April 2011 to March 2012 in a single centre were analysed retrospectively.

The effect of preoperative albendazole treatment on the cuticular membranes of pulmonary hydatid cysts: should it be administered preoperatively?

The Aim Of This Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative albendazole treatment on the tensile strength of the cuticular membranes of pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Material And Methods: A study including 44 patients operated on for pulmonary hydatid cysts was carried out between January 2009 and November 2010. The patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative albendazole administration.

The role of the tissue culture in granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenitis: tuberculosis or not.

Aim: To evaluate the role of the tissue culture via mediastinoscopic biopsy in granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenitis.

Methods: The dossier data of 92 cases with mediastinal lymphadenitis showing granulomatous lymphadenitis features by cervical mediastinoscopy and whose clinical, radiological and bacteriological definitive diagnosis is tuberculosis and sarcoidosis were examined retrospectively. The rate of the positive tissue culture of mediastynoscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of granulomatous lymphadenitis was calculated.

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome with bloody pleural effusion in a 28 year old woman.

Thoracic endometriosis, rarely encountered, is characterized with the localization of functional endometrium tissue in pleura, lung parenchyma or tracheobronchial system. A 28 years old female patient visited our clinic with complaints of cough and shortness of breath for the last two months. Right-sided massive pleural effusion was detected in the chest radiography and thorax computed tomography.