A contemporary review of radiation pneumonitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current article reviews recent literature and summarizes the current understanding, diagnosis, risk, predictors, and management of radiation pneumonitis. RECENT FINDINGS: We discuss the different parameters that contribute to radiation toxicity, the potential biomarkers that predict the risk, and mitigators of radiation pneumonitis. SUMMARY: Radiotherapy aims to provide care and a better quality of life in cancer patients however with complications. Radiation pneumonitis is important to recognize to appropriately plan and care for this population.

Nonresolving pneumonia in the setting of malignancy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews recent literature and experience in the diagnosis of nonresolving and slowly resolving pneumonia as it pertains to malignancy. RECENT FINDINGS: Malignancy must be considered as an important cause of pneumonia that resolves slowly or has incomplete resolution. Airway obstruction is more common than malignant infiltration as a cause of pneumonia that does not resolve appropriately. Infection due to resistant or unusual organisms must also be considered in the differential diagnosis. SUMMARY: Nonresolving pneumonia remains an important clinical challenge. Bronchoscopic evaluation in conjunction with computed tomography and PET scanning is still the most important technique for diagnosis.

Oxygen Indications and Utilization in a Diverse, Urban Community Setting.

PURPOSE: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions with severe hypoxemia, imposing a large financial burden on the American health care system. METHODS: To better understand oxygen prescription and its use in a multiethnic community hospital, we completed a prospective, observational study with a survey design in our multicultural population to better recognize patient understanding of oxygen indications and utilization. RESULTS: The survey was conducted at three outpatient pulmonary clinics. Among the 94 respondents (42% men and 58% women; age 71.8 ± 13 yr), 64% were current or former smokers. Sixty-one percent had primary diagnoses other than COPD, most commonly interstitial lung disease and congestive heart failure. One-third used oxygen for <12 hr daily. Oxygen use was variable among those to whom it was prescribed. Thirty-two percent of patients described themselves as noncompliant with their prescribed therapy due to poor equipment ergonomics, burdensome machine weight, and negative self-image and social stigma when using oxygen. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represented <50% of LTOT patients who were surveyed. Our data suggest that more structured prescribing practices and patient education should be studied if compliance is to be increased.

Trends in tobacco use.

The use of tobacco can be traced back to ancient times. Its popularity grew exponentially during the twentieth century, surging during wartime and with the advent of mass media. The tobacco industry in the United States has been under constant legal pressure during the past 40 years. Despite the well-known and continually increasing morbidity and mortality related to smoking, it continues to be a prominent feature in worldwide culture and health.

Acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current strategies with pharmacological therapy.

In acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), short-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as salbutamol (albuterol) and ipratropium bromide, have proven useful. In patients who are refractory to these agents, intravenous aminophylline should be considered. Corticosteroids should also be used, either in the outpatient or inpatient setting. The duration of corticosteroids should probably not exceed 2 weeks and the optimum dosage is yet to be determined. Antibacterials, especially in patients with purulent or increased sputum, should be used, guided by the local antibiogram of the key microbes. Controlled oxygen therapy improves outcome in hypoxaemic patients and arterial blood gases should be performed to ensure hypercarbia is not becoming excessive. Should patients be in distress despite the above measures or if there is acidaemia or hypercarbia, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation could be used to improve outcomes without resorting to invasive mechanical ventilation. Mucous-clearing drugs and chest physiotherapy have no proven beneficial role in AECOPD.

Trends in tobacco use.

The use of tobacco can be traced back to ancient times. Its popularity grew exponentially during the twentieth century, surging during wartime and with the advent of mass media. The tobacco industry in the United States has been under constant legal pressure during the past 40 years. Despite the well-known and continually increasing morbidity and mortality related to smoking, it continues to be a prominent feature in worldwide culture and health.

The challenge of nonresolving pneumonia. Knowing the norms of radiographic resolution is key.

Pneumonia that fails to resolve after 10 to 14 days of antibiotic therapy can lead physicians to call for consultation or unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. Understanding the infectious and noninfectious causes of pneumonia and their normal times to resolution is enormously helpful in the judicious evaluation of and timely intervention in this very challenging condition.

Impact of spiral computed tomography on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in a community hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: While the optimal role of spiral CT angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial, this technology is already being widely utilized in the community setting. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact CTA has had on angiography utilization rates and the overall diagnostic rate of PE. METHODS: All patients evaluated for PE during a 4-year period were studied. PE was defined as either a high-probability V/Q scan, a positive conventional angiogram, or a CTA with emboli in the segmental or larger pulmonary vessels. Diagnostic rates of PE per 1,000 hospital admissions were determined and analyzed for time periods before and after the introduction of CTA. CT reports were compared with their concurrent chest radiograph (CXR) reports and additional findings that were not apparent on CXR were abstracted. RESULTS: The diagnostic rate of PE per 1,000 hospital admissions was 1.8 prior to the introduction of CTA and increased to 2.8 per 1,000 admissions after the introduction of CTA (p < 0.0001). Total costs for diagnostic testing per PE diagnosis made went from US 2,518 dollars to US 2,572 dollars. While the number of PE diagnosed by V/Q scan remained constant, the number of PE diagnosed by conventional angiography decreased while the number diagnosed by CTA increased. In patients with intermediate probability V/Q scan results, the percentage of patients receiving subsequent angiography (conventional or CTA) increased from 17 to 26% (p = 0.043). When conventional angiography was performed, CT imaging of the chest still had to be ordered for other reasons 38% of the time. Additional information was obtained in 78% of cases when CTA was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Increased utilization of CTA was associated with an increase in angiography utilization rates and diagnostic rates of PE, was cost effective, and often provided additional, useful, and unanticipated diagnostic information.

Decision analysis of antibiotic and diagnostic strategies in ventilator-associated pneumonia.

The optimal strategy for ventilator-associated pneumonia remains controversial. To clarify the tradeoffs involved, we performed a decision analysis. Strategies evaluated included antibiotic therapy with and without diagnostic testing. Tests that were explored included endotracheal aspirates, bronchoscopy with protected brush or bronchoalveolar lavage, and nonbronchoscopic mini-bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL). Outcomes included dollar cost, antibiotic use, survival, cost-effectiveness, antibiotic use per survivor, and the outcome perspective of financial cost-antibiotic use per survivor. Initial coverage with three antibiotics was better than expectant management or one or two antibiotic approaches, leading to both improved survival (54% vs. 66%) and decreased cost (US dollars 55447 vs. US dollars 41483 per survivor). Testing with mini-BAL did not improve survival but did decrease costs (US dollars 41483 vs. US dollars 39967) and antibiotic use (63 vs. 39 antibiotic days per survivor). From the perspective of minimizing cost, minimizing antibiotic use, and maximizing survival, the best strategy was three antibiotics with mini-BAL.