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Biomedical subjects

A O Soubani

Publications and source records attributed to A O Soubani.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical significance of lower respiratory tract Aspergillus culture in elderly hospitalized patients.

In order to evaluate the clinical significance of Aspergillus-positive culture results from the lower respiratory tract specimens of elderly hospitalized patients, and to identify the clinical variables that differentiate between colonization and infection with Aspergillus spp. in this patient population, a retrospective study was conducted. The records of 66 elderly patients whose lower respiratory tract specimens yielded Aspergillus spp. between January 1995 and July 2000 were examined. The majority of the patients ( n=61) were determined to be colonized with Aspergillus spp., and serious lung infection due to Aspergillus spp. was rare. Clinical, radiological, and microbiological data did not help differentiate between infection and colonization.

Age Distribution↗

Flexible bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates following autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation for advanced breast cancer.

Flexible bronchoscopy is an important tool in the diagnosis of pulmonary complications following bone marrow transplantation. However, the value of this procedure in autologous peripheral stem cell transplant (APSCT) recipients with pulmonary complications is not well defined. We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield of 27 consecutive bronchoscopies done on 23 APSCT recipients following high-dose chemotherapy for breast cancer. FB resulted in a positive diagnosis in 16 cases (59%). Broncheoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on all patients, and transbronchial biopsies (TBB) were carried out in 14. TBB were diagnostic in 10 (71%), with pulmonary drug toxicity as the most common finding (n = 8), followed by metastatic breast cancer (n = 2). BAL was diagnostic in six (22%): bacterial pneumonia (n = 3), aspergillosis (n = 2), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (n = 1) and Influenza B (n = 1). The procedure was well tolerated with no major complications except a small pneumothorax in one patient that did not require chest tube insertion. In conclusion, flexible bronchoscopy is a useful tool in the evaluation of pulmonary complications following APSCT for breast cancer. TBB can be done safely with relatively high diagnostic yield. Pulmonary drug toxicity is the most common pathological finding.

Adult↗

Noninvasive monitoring of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Pulse oximetry and capnography are widely used in clinical practice. They provide quick and noninvasive methods to estimate arterial oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide tension in different situations including emergency departments, intensive care units, and during procedures. This article reviews the principles of surgery, accuracy, limitations, and clinical applications of these instruments.

Capnography↗

Pleural fluid findings in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: correlation with concomitant pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: We sought to define the spectrum of conditions associated with pleural effusion (PE) in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who submitted to diagnostic thoracentesis. METHODS: The medical records of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and PE studied by thoracentesis over a 5-year period, were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentation, concomitant illnesses, pleural fluid analysis, management, and outcome. RESULTS: Thoracentesis was done in 30 patients, 24 men and 6 women, with an overall mean age of 36 +/- 9 years. Mean CD4 cell count was 157 +/- 249/mm3. The cause of the PE was infectious in 21 (70%) and noninfectious in 9 (30%). Bacterial pneumonia was the most common cause of PE (57%). Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were the major organisms recovered. Mycobacterial infections were present in 3 patients, and Nocardia sp was isolated from 1 patient. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (5 cases) was the leading noninfectious cause of PE, followed by Kaposi's sarcoma (3 cases) and adenocarcinoma of the lung (1 case). Twelve of the 30 patients died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Pleural effusion is an important problem in patients with advanced HIV infection. It is most frequently associated with bacterial pneumonia. Cytologic and microbiologic examination of the pleural fluid is helpful in determining the cause of PE in this patient population.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: a clinical update.

BACKGROUND: Because of recent advances in the treatment and improved outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we present an overview of ARDS to update general practitioners on the management of this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched MEDLINE for original articles, editorials, and reviews on ARDS, acute lung injury, and mechanical ventilation. A large amount of data is available on this subject. We reviewed relevant articles that address definition, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management of ARDS, giving special emphasis to ventilatory support of patients with ARDS. CONCLUSION: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a severe form of acute lung injury associated with significant mortality and morbidity. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the understanding of this condition, but the management of ARDS remains complex and requires multidisciplinary and specialized care.

Humans↗

Life-threatening "round pneumonia".

Round pneumonia is a rare manifestation of lower respiratory tract infection in adults. Previous reports emphasize that this entity is typically a mild, easily treatable illness that often masquerades radiographically as a neoplasm. We present two cases of round pneumonia, in patients with abnormal immunity, that progressed rapidly to life-threatening septic shock and respiratory failure.

Adult↗