Mail-order notification would replace permits for US field tests.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Lehrman.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
We reviewed the records of 58 patients with haemoptysis and normal chest roentgenograms who underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy. A diagnosis of malignancy was made in six patients at bronchoscopy. Three patients had bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma, one a carcinoid tumour and two laryngeal carcinoma. Sputum for cytology was negative for malignant cells in all six patients. Follow-up data were available for the other 52 patients for an average period of 55.7 +/- 29.6 (SD) months. Two patients had a subsequent diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma at 2 and 6 years after initial evaluation. Three patients died from conditions not related to pulmonary malignancy and the remaining patients followed a benign course. Our patients come from a predominantly male, elderly population of cigarette smokers. Among such patients, we conclude that bronchoscopy is indicated in the evaluation of those with haemoptysis and a normal chest roentgenogram.
In 46 consecutive patients undergoing transcutaneous needle aspiration of the lung, we evaluated the number of passes required to reliably predict the presence of malignancy. A diagnosis of malignancy was made in 38 of the 46 patients (84%), none of whom required more than 6 separate aspirations for a positive cytologic diagnosis to be made. The remaining 8 patients with a nonmalignant cytologic diagnosis on 6 separate aspirations were subsequently shown to have a benign lesion, either by surgical excision (5 patients), fiberoptic bronchoscopy (2 patients), or clinical follow-up (1 patient). Pneumothorax occurred in 12 of 46 patients (26%). We confirm that TCNA is a safe and reliable procedure in the valuation of lung masses and that, when adequate cellular material is obtained, 6 separate aspirations reliably predict the presence of malignancy.
Pulmonary vasodilators are variably efficacious in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). None has consistently improved hemodynamics enough to obviate the need for complex and potentially hazardous testing of several vasodilators. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), a potent, short-acting pulmonary vasodilator, was administered to seven patients with PPH in order to determine whether PGE1 could accurately predict the hemodynamic and gas exchange effects of other commonly used vasodilators. Prostaglandin E1, nifedipine and hydralazine were administered to the patients while measuring pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and arterial blood gases. Prostaglandin E1 was easily titrated but was inconsistent as a predictor of the effects of the other vasodilators with respect to pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output and adverse effects on arterial oxygenation. This study suggests that patients with PPH must still receive carefully monitored trials of several vasodilators to determine whether there is a beneficial response and to select the appropriate treatment.
Aspiration lung biopsy with ultrathin needles (gauge 24-25) was performed in 232 patients. A diagnosis was established with ultrathin needles in 134 of 164 patients with malignancy. Comparison of cytologic diagnosis and histologic diagnosis was made in 49 patients. There were no false-positive results, and histologic diagnosis was similar to cytologic diagnosis in 69% of cases. Only 8 of 55 patients with non-malignant conditions had the specific diagnosis established with ultrathin needle biopsy. Our data support the safety and efficacy of the procedure in patients with malignant disease. Although the yield in non-malignant conditions was low, the relative safety of the procedure justifies its use since patients may be spared of more invasive procedures.