Does needle size affect diagnostic yield of transthoracic needle biopsy in malignant pulmonary lesions? Comparison of 18-, 22- and 25-gauge needles in surgical specimens.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of needle size on the diagnostic yield of transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy in malignant pulmonary lesions.

Methods: The study assessed samples from 35 patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer. We used surgical specimens for needle aspiration biopsy.

Typical pulmonary carcinoid tumors: presentation and outcome of 24 cases.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the presenting clinical-radiological features and outcomes of typical pulmonary carcinoid tumors in our center.

Material/methods: The medical records of 24 patients with typical pulmonary carcinoid tumor diagnosed between January 1995 and December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up information on patients was obtained from direct patient contact in February 2004.

The relation of the pleural thickening in tuberculosis pleurisy with the activity of adenosine deaminase.

Background: Residual pleural thickening (RPT) still occurs in most patients with tuberculosis pleurisy despite advances in the treatment of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of RPT in tuberculosis pleurisy with the patients clinical findings, biochemical and microbiological properties of pleural effusion and with the total adenosine deaminase (ADA) and isoenzymes levels.

Methods: 121 tuberculosis pleurisy patients were evaluated retrospectively.

Coexisting bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis in the same lobe: a case report.

The synchronous occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial carcinoid tumor is unusual. Although pulmonary tuberculosis can coexist with all histological types of lung cancer, few coexisting cases of bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis have been reported. We present coexistent bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis in the same lobe.

Computed tomography-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration in diagnosis of lung cancer: a comparison of single-pass needle and multiple-pass coaxial needle systems and the value of immediate cytological assessment.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare single-pass needle and multiple-pass coaxial needle systems and to evaluate the value of immediate cytological assessment during the procedure in the diagnosis of lung cancer with CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration.

Methodology: One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients who underwent CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration were divided into three groups. In the first group (group A, 48 patients), a single-pass needle was used for aspiration, but immediate cytological examination was not performed.

Primary endobronchial leiomyoma: a case report.

Pulmonary leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor. It has been usually described as a single case. The aim of this paper is to present a case of endobronchial leiomyoma.

Pleural complications of pulmonary hydatid disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and diagnostic features of pleural manifestations of pulmonary hydatid disease.

Methodology: Patients with pleural pathology in association with surgery for pulmonary hydatid disease over an 8-year period were evaluated.

Results: Twenty-nine (6%) of 474 patients with histologically confirmed pulmonary hydatid disease had pleural abnormalities.

Factors affecting delays in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: To investigate delays in the diagnosis and treatment of inpatients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and to identify factors affecting these delays.

Material/methods: 204 hospitalized patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were identified. The clinical files of the patients were analyzed and questionnaires were created.

Pulmonary glomus tumour: a case initially diagnosed as carcinoid tumour.

Pulmonary glomus tumours are rare lesions, with few cases reported previously. Herein, we present the clinical and pathological features of a case of pulmonary glomus tumour. A 29-year-old female patient presented to our clinic complaining of cough, dyspnoea and left-sided chest pain.

Evaluation of long-term efficacy of an asthma education programme in an out-patient clinic.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term efficacy of a patient education programme in an asthma out-patient clinic. The study included two groups. Educational group consisted of 25 patients who were given special education for one year.

Usefulness of various diagnostic techniques during fiberoptic bronchoscopy for endoscopically visible lung cancer: should cytologic examinations be performed routinely?

Background: The question of which combination of procedures gives the best diagnostic yield following fiberoptic bronchoscopy is controversial.

Objectives: To evaluate the value of various diagnostic techniques following fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of endoscopically visible lung cancer.

Methods: The study included 98 patients found to have endobronchially visible tumor during routine daily bronchoscopy.

Efficacy of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline in asthmatic subjects.

The aim of present study was to evaluate clinical, functional, and anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled budesonide and oral theophylline treatments in patients with mild to moderate asthma. The study included 38 patients. After a 10-day run-in period, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups.

Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The aim of present study was to investigate whether there was any delay in the diagnosis and treatment of inpatients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis followed-up in our centre. We reviewed clinical records in February 1999 and identified 134 hospitalized patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Clinical files of the patients were analysed and a questionnaire was completed.

Cell type accuracy of transthoracic fine needle aspiration material in primary lung cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic fine needle aspiration (TFNA) materials in establishing the specific cell type in primary lung cancer, and to study the influence of several factors on this accuracy.

Methodology: The present study included 129 patients [(12 females, 117 males; mean age 54.6 years (range 25-75)] who underwent thoracotomy.