[Home mechanical ventilation, another unique French phenomenon?].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to O Roque d'Orbcastel.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The authors report the results of a study into mycobacterial contamination of bronchial fibroscopes over a 6 year period during which 8,750 fibroscopies were performed. On 19 occasions, there were two positive results on the same day which could have led to contamination (0.07 p. 100). In 12 cases, there was heavy bacterial contamination on the first examination and at least 5 colonies on the second. Crossed transmission was not observed. The authors emphasize the role of the accessory parts and connections which are often neglected and which may lead to false positive results in the following patients; a sterilisation procedure is proposed which seems to be effective as no mycobacterial contamination has been observed since it was introduced.
The treatment of status asthmaticus remains poorly defined. Even the definition of the condition is controversial. We have therefore attempted to define a therapeutic protocol consisting of a combination of terbutaline, aminophylline and hydrocortisone administered parenterally. We have conducted a prospective evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerance of this protocol. 44 consecutive patients with status asthmaticus (defined as an abnormally severe episode of asthma with early or marked alveolar hypoventilation: PaCO2 greater than or equal to 5.20 kPa) were entered into the study over a period of 56 months. The effectiveness of this combination is reflected by the rapid improvement in the clinical and blood gas parameters, the relatively rare use of mechanical ventilation (of brief duration) and the low mortality. The tolerance proved to be excellent, as the terbutaline only had to be stopped in 1 case (permanently) and the aminophylline in one other case (temporarily). These initial results encourage us to a more aggressive approach in the early treatment of status asthmaticus with particular attention to the associated metabolic acidosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Amyloidosis of the lower respiratory tract is a rare condition. We report three new cases and we review the literature. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is the most frequent form. The diagnostic is made by fiberoscopy and biopsies with a risk of bleeding. Our patients were usually treated with intermittent bronchoscopic resections. In one of the three cases reported, desobstruction of the large airway was performed with laser. Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis is usually asymptomatic, and surgical resection results in cure in all cases. Diffuse pulmonary amyloidosis is very unusual and fatal.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.