Pulmonology

Primary care physicians treat the majority of patients with respiratory diseases, where diagnosis often depends on early recognition of suggestive symptoms. This week’s photo quiz offers several presentations to test your knowledge.

Results of a physical examination and CT scan of the chest offer clues to this patient's diagnosis.

A PET/CT scan shows uptake of tracer consistent with malignancy in the left lower lobe and mediastinal nodes. What would be your next step?

For patients with asthma or COPD, PL554 has the potential to both reverse bronchodilation and reduce inflammation more quickly and with fewer adverse effects.

This is an opportunity for primary care to help avert a public health catastrophe. Physicians need to take ownership over this issue and demand more time for URI patients-E&M criteria do not capture what is lost when these visits are viewed simply as “Level 2 Office Visit, CPT 99212.”

This case focuses on duplicate therapy resulting from the use of prescription medications, which can result in serious adverse effects.

Influenza infection may contribute to increases in cardiovascular hospitalizations and elevated rates of acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Respiratory symptoms are a major reason why outpatients seek medical care, and primary care physicians who treat children frequently see pneumonia. This week’s photo essay tests your knowledge of respiratory problems in kids.

Simple weight reduction may improve the management of asthma in obese patients, according to a new study

Vaccination against influenza substantially reduces the disease’s burden in the United States each year, according to the results of a unique look at the impact of vaccinations.

A unique cell phone application that targets minority adolescents who have asthma aims to reduce exacerbations of the condition and emergency department visits.

Asthma may be a risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea, according to the results of a new longitudinal study.

Patients respond to 5 days of corticosteroid therapy just as well as to 14 days of therapy, according to a study.

New technology can rapidly diagnose TB and other important bacterial infections, as well as determine the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

However, such therapy does not alter mortality, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A new study reports that infection spread among patients with cystic fibrosis despite stringent infection control measures.

Carcinoma?; spirometry to assess chronic cough?; neurofibroma?; laryngeal neoplasm? What do you think?

Take-home advice for primary physicians . . . restrict long-term maintenance erythromycin therapy to subsets of patients to protect against increases in macrolide-resistant bacteria in the broader community. Details here . . .

Images of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, Wegener granulomatosis, interstitial lung disease, and other respiratory disorders show up in this photo essay.

The prevalence of chronic cough is reported to be 5% to 7% in preschoolers and 12% to 15% in older children. Diagnosis and management can present challenges.

Acute bronchiolitis, COPD, giant bullous emphysema, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pulmonary tuberculosis may present diagnostic challenges.

Increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution is associated with certain immune system effects and asthma diagnosis, according to research reported the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Primary care physicians can take the lead in helping address these additional comorbidities in their patients with asthma.

Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at higher risk for plaque formation in the carotid artery, increasing their risk of stroke.

Children who use glucocorticoid inhalers to prevent asthma attacks may be on average a half-inch shorter as adults, according to a recent study.

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) shares clinical symptoms with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) such as daytime sleepiness, headaches, and memory problems. Both the symptoms and their sequelae, however, can be much more severe in OHS. Here, guidance on what to look for and how to manage OHS.

What are the most effective ways to reduce the incidence of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?