Clinical characteristics, tumor, node, metastasis status, and mutation rate in domain of epidermal growth factor receptor gene in serbian patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Objective: Mutation rate in domain of EGFR gene varies between populations of lung cancer patients. Primary aim of this study was to analyze clinical and pathological characteristics, and tumor, node, metastasis status and stage of diseases, in relation to mutation status.

Methods: After histological confirmation of lung adenocarcinoma tissue obtained during bronchoscopy was consecutively sent for EGFR testing.

Interleukin-6 and procalcitonin as biomarkers in mortality prediction of hospitalized patients with community acquired pneumonia.

Introduction: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) may present as life-threatening infection with uncertain progression and outcome of treatment. Primary aim of the trial was determination of the cut-off value of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) above which, 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with CAP, could be predicted with high sensitivity and specificity. We investigated correlation between serum levels of IL-6 and PCT at admission and available scoring systems of CAP (pneumonia severity index-PSI, modified early warning score-MEWS and (Confusion, Urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, Blood pressure, ≥65 years of age-CURB65).

Pneumothorax after transthoracic needle biopsy of lung lesions under CT guidance.

Transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is done with imaging guidance and most frequently by a radiologist, for the aim is to diagnose a defined mass. It is integral in the diagnosis and treatment of many thoracic diseases, and is an important alternative to more invasive surgical procedures. FNAC is a method of aspiration cytopathology, which with transthoracic biopsy ("core biopsy") is a group of percutaneous minimally invasive diagnostic procedures for exploration of lung lesions.

Multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis coexisting with metastasizing adenocarcinoma of the lung: a case report.

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and infiltration of various organs by Langerhans cells.

Case Report: We presented a 54-year-old man, heavy smoker, with dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, headache and ataxia, who died shortly after admission to our hospital. On the autopsy, tumor was found in the posterior segment of the right upper pulmonary lobe as well as a right-sided occipitoparietal lesion which penetrated into the right ventricle resulting in internal and external hematocephalus.

Pulmonary metastasectomy: what is the practice and where is the evidence for effectiveness?

Pulmonary metastasectomy is a commonly performed operation and is tending to increase as part of a concept of personalised treatment for advanced cancer. There have been no randomised trials; belief in effectiveness of metastasectomy is based on registry data and surgical follow-up studies. These retrospective series are comprised predominately of solitary or few metastases with primary resection to metastasectomy intervals longer than 2-3 years.

The role of immunohistochemical evaluation in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

Unlabelled: BACKROUND/AIM: The final diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma is made exclusively by histopathological examination of biopsy materials that are routinely complemented by the use of immunohistochemical analysis. The aim of this paper was to determine the significance of immunohistochemical analysis and application of certain antibodies in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included clinical data of 32 patients with the histopathological diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma made in the period 2004-2009 at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases in Sremska Kamenica.

Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Lung cancer is one of the most common human malignancies and remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Many recent technological advances led to improved diagnostics and staging of lung cancer. With development of new treatment options such as targeted therapies there might be improvement in progression free survival of patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Advanced bronchoscopic techniques in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

The role of advanced brochoscopic diagnostic techniques in detection and staging of lung cancer has steeply increased in recent years. Bronchoscopic imaging techniques became widely available and easy to use. Technical improvement led to merging in technologies making autofluorescence or narrow band imaging incorporated into one bronchoscope.

Linear and radial endobronchial ultrasound in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in recent years has become a routine diagnostic procedure in bronchology. Linear EBUS shows high diagnostic yield in evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. It is mainly used for nodal evaluation in lung cancer, but has also proven to be efficient in diagnostic evaluation of mediastinal masses.

When pulmonary nodules, epistaxis and renal lesion do not add up to Wegener's granulomatosis?

Wegener's granulomatosis usually presents with clinical features of systemic vasculitis affecting lung, upper respiratory tract, kidney and even a nervous system. Yet, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is characterised by invasion of blood vessels in the lungs, but the infection often spreads to kidneys, skin and central nervous system. We report a case of a 46-year-old male patient with no prior medical history.

Detection of premalignant bronchial lesions can be significantly improved by combination of advanced bronchoscopic imaging techniques.

Background: The search for the most efficient bronchoscopic imaging tool in detection of early lung cancer is still active. The major aim of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each bronchoscopic technique and their combination in detection of premalignant bronchial lesions.

Methods: This was a prospective trial that enrolled 96 patients with indication for bronchoscopy.

Early detection of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care patients.

Introduction: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often unrecognized and undertreated. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in primary care patients in Serbia, and to examine the agreement between general practitioners and pulmonologists on the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Material And Methods: In this multicenter observational study, the general practitioners identified eligible patients from October 2009 to June 2010.

Diagnostic value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in lung cancer.

The role of autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) was primarily investigated in regard to the detection of precancerous lesions of bronchial mucosa. Most of the results confirmed higher sensitivity for the detection of precancerous bronchial lesions, when compared to white light bronchoscopy (WLB) alone. However, it is commonly known that the specificity of AFB remains low.

Influenza A (H1N1)--past season's wonder flu in Vojvodina.

Background/aim: Influenza A (H1N1) re-emerged in the human population during 2009. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical presentation and treatment outcome among patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Methods: The study was performed at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina including all the patients hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit or High Dependency Unit with confirmed, probable or suspected Influenza A (H1N1) infection between November 6th, 2009 and April 13th, 2010.

Characteristics and outcome of mechanically ventilated patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia: impact of newly established multidisciplinary intensive care units.

Aim: To describe characteristics and outcome of mechanically ventilated patients admitted to three newly established intensive care units (ICU) in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia for 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

Methods: The retrospective observational study included all mechanically ventilated adult patients of three university-affiliated hospitals between November 1, 2009 and March 1 2010 who had 2009 H1N1 influenza infection confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) from nasopharyngeal swab specimens and respiratory secretions.

Results: The study included 50 patients, 31 male (62%), aged 43±13 years.

Relation between vascular patterns visualized by Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) videobronchoscopy and histological type of lung cancer.

Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) videobronchoscopy is a new technique for visualization of microvascular changes in bronchial mucosa. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relation between vascular patterns visualized by NBI and histology of lung cancer. We prospectively evaluated 65 patients with suspected lung cancer scheduled for bronchoscopy.

Patient-related independent clinical risk factors for early complications following Nd: YAG laser resection of lung cancer.

Introduction: Neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser resection is one of the most established interventional pulmonology techniques for immediate debulking of malignant central airway obstruction (CAO). The major aim of this study was to investigate the complication rate and identify clinical risk factors for complications in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Methods: In the period from January 2006 to January 2011, data sufficient for analysis were identified in 464 patients.

The most common isolates from pleural infections.

Isolation and identification of the pathogens are important for appropriate treatment of pleural infections. Distribution of the most frequent causative agents varies throughout the world and may change in time.The objective of the study is to analyze the bacteriological isolates of pleural fluids in order to identify the most frequent infectious agents and assess their variability in time.

The role of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in monitoring a tumorous lesion in the bronchial mucosa: a case report.

Introduction: Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is a diagnostic procedure that is included in all diagnostic algorithms discovering precancerous lesions in the large airways.

Case Report: We presented a 71-year-old patient submitted to exploration due to prolonged cough. Both noninvasive and invasive pulmonary diagnostic management was carried out.

Use of immunochromatographic assay for rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from liquid culture.

A new, simple immunochromatographic assay for rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in liquid cultures has been developed. The principle of the assay is binding of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex specific antigen to the monoclonal antibody conjugated on the test strip. The aim of this study is evaluation of the performance of immunochromatographic assay in identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in primary positive liquid cultures of BacT/Alert automated system.

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.

Introduction: Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is a cavitary, infectious process of lung parenchyma with slow progressive course. Vascular invasion and dissemination to other organs are unusual.

Case Report: We presented a 25-year old man with bilineal acute leukaemia who developed pulmonary and systemic symptoms.

Adult human case of toxocariasis with pulmonary migratory infiltrate and eosinophilia.

Introduction: Toxocariasis is a zoonosis which is in Serbia characterized with a very high infection rate of dogs and excessive contamination of the soil with the eggs of Toxocara canis, the agent of the disease. Toxocara-induced infections have in recent years been established in a few hundreds of children, but toxocariasis has rather rarely been diagnosed in adults.

Case Report: We reported toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans) in an adult, manifested by migratory pulmonary infiltrates and positive serological test finding to Toxocara.

Bronchioloalveolar differentiation in lung adenocarcinomas.

The goals of the study were to determine what percentage of neoplasms with a bronchioloalveolar (BAC) component were considered pure BAC by current World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Next, we wanted to determine the number of mucinous BACs using histochemical staining with Alcian Blue PAS. Finally, we aimed to elucidate by immunohistochemistry the thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) frequency and cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression, particularly in regard to the mucinous and non-mucinous subtypes of BAC tumors.

Relation of functional characteristics and serum alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) concentration in patients with PiMM phenotype and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Introduction: The relation of AAT phenotype and COPD still raises lots of controversy. In this study we aimed to investigate relation lung function characteristics, AAT serum level and COPD in smoking and non smoking population.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective non-randomized study in which we evaluated 45 patients with severe (stage IV) COPD.

Epidemiology of critical care syndromes, organ failures, and life-support interventions in a suburban US community.

Background: ICU services represent a significant and increasing proportion of medical care. Population-based epidemiologic studies are essential to inform physicians and policymakers about current and future ICU demands. We aimed to determine the incidence of critical care syndromes, organ failures, and life-support interventions in a defined US suburban community with unrestricted access to critical care services.