[Value of transthoracic needle biopsy of the pleura in the diagnosis of diseases of the respiratory tract]. / Znaczenie transtorakalnej iglowej biopsji oplucnej w rozpoznawaniu chorób ukladu oddechowego.

Pleural biopsy with Abram's needle was made in 160 consecutive patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. The sampled fluid and pleural bioptates were examined histologically, cytologically and bacteriologically. In 40 cases malignant changes were found, out of 87 with confirmed malignancy. Neoplastic cells were found in 26 patients, ovreall the diagnosis was made in 65% of lung cancer cases. Out of 41 cases of tuberculosis, pleural biopsy provided this diagnosis in 24 patients (59%). Bacteriological examination and pathological of the biopsy specimen allowed to increase the diagnostic field to 63%. Pleural biopsy did not yield any diagnosis in 9 cases of circulatory insufficiency, nor in ten patients with the following diagnoses -- pleuropneumonia, reumathoid arthritis, pulmonary thromboembolism and thoracic trauma. In 13 cases the diagnosis was not made. The diagnostic yield of pleural biopsy was similar to that reported by others. It is most valuable in cases suspected of malignancy and tuberculosis.

[Studies on the effectiveness of a new model for treating tuberculosis with prolonged administration of isoniazid]. / Badania nad skutecznoscia nowego modelu leczenia gruzlicy z przedluzonym stosowaniem hydrazydu kwasu izonikotynowego.

The aim of the study was to determine the therapeutical effectiveness of a new regimen in freshly diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. In this model PZA and SM were excluded, but INH administration was prolonged. Instead of INH and RMP a combined drug was given--RIFAMAZIDE (Polfa). Therapy was carried out in three stages: I stage lasting 3 months during which Rifamazide (600 mg RMP, 300 mg INH) and EMB (25 mg per kg b.w.) was given; II stage-during which Rifamazide was given (2 tablets.) for 3 months; III stage--INH monotherapy (300 mg daily) was continued for 6 months. During the first stage all patients were hospitalized at the Institute of Tuberculosis. The second stage was carried out under supervision of an out-patient clinic. During the third stage patients received their INH at their homes. The study group consisted initially of 58 patients, of which 11 were dropped out due to primary resistance, change of therapy, non-compliance, and non-tolerance of drugs. The final evaluation was carried out basing on results from 47 patients. In all patients a negative sputum culture was achieved. In most during the first two months of therapy. All demonstrated improvement in radiological evaluation. In 38 patients the follow-up lasted 2-6 years, in the remaining nine 2 years. Recurrencies were not observed. Good acceptation by the patients of Rifamazide was found.

[Bacterial infections in pulmonary aspergilloma]. / Bakteryjne zakazenia grzybniaków kropidlakowych pluc.

28 cavernoscopies were carried out in 26 patients. Complete or partial removal of mycetomas was achieved in 18 patients with 20 caverns. Under aerobic conditions Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the 28 removed mycetomas in 22 cases (78.6%) and bacterial organisms in 20 (71.4%). Bacteria were isolated from mycetomas that had demonstrable A. fumigatus organisms as well as from those that did not have them. In all infected mycetomas Gram negative rods were cultured, in only 4 cases Gram (+) cocci were found. Only in two cases of mycetomas under anaerobic conditions Gram (+) cocci were cultured. In most patients the organism could be demonstrated in sputum as well as in mycetomas. In 18 patients the pathogenic organism disappeared from sputum after removal of mycetomas. Also following removal of aspergillomas a decrease of sputum production was noted and it changed its character from purulent to mucoid.