J E Macklin | PubMed Health

PubMed1984

Benign pulmonary tumors.

Benign pulmonary neoplasms are relatively uncommon. The symptoms vary, depending on the location of the tumor. Specific diagnosis can be a time-consuming process and requires an orderly plan. Polytomography or computed tomographic scan, bronchoscopy, percutaneous biopsy or thoracotomy may be required. Tissue diagnosis must be sought. Surgical resection is the usual treatment. The family physician should act as coordinator, since multiple consultations may be necessary.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1983

Rapid diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease by bronchoalveolar lavage.

Legionella pneumophila has, in recent years, emerged as a common pulmonary pathogen in the normal and immuno-compromised patient (ICP). Making a specific etiologic diagnosis of pneumonia in the latter group is a common clinical dilemma often complicated by poor specimen availability and risks of invasive procedures. Improved staining and isolation techniques for L pneumophila would suggest that early diagnosis could be possible if adequate specimens were available. This report summarizes our experience with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with which we have diagnosed L pneumophila in eight immunocompromised patients, well in advance of more traditional methods. On the basis of this experience, we would advocate early BAL in the ICP as a rapid, safe, moderately sensitive and specific diagnostic test to aid in the identification of L pneumophila.

Adult↗