Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews - Volume 13, Issue 2, 2017

Objective: This review discusses available clinical data regarding PDE4-inhibitors in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Background: COPD is an inflammatory disease characterized by progressive decline of lung function with periods of acute exacerbations. Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with the development of COPD. Current therapies are not optimal and few COPD-specific medic Read More

Background: For decades there were no significant advances in the development of diagnostic procedures for drug resistant TB (DR-TB), or the availability of new, effective drugs specifically developed for DR-TB. Now, we have witnessed during the last decade, the arrival of several new diagnostic techniques and new drugs, already available for clinical use. This review aims to critically analyze evidence-based recommen Read More

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a method of positive pressure ventilation that does not require an endotracheal tube. NIV is used in pediatrics in numerous clinical conditions, but it is necessary to systematize the available knowledge to better understand its application and effectiveness in disease management. Objective: To discuss the scientific evidence published in the last five years (2011 to 2016) regardi Read More

Background: The use of cryosurgery for the treatment of airway diseases has recently gained popularity. Cryotherapy can be applied through a flexible or rigid bronchoscope and delivered via cryotherapy probe or cryospray. Cryosurgical techniques can be used to freeze tissue to approximately negative 80 degrees Celsius, resulting in cell death and tissue necrosis. Treatment of malignant airway obstructions can b Read More

Background: The use of natural products, especially from plant origin is antique. Undoubtedly, a type of plant-derived product, essential oils have gained much attention, due to their promising biological activities and diverse applicability. Diterpenes, the family members of essential oils are reported for various important biological activities. This revision aimed to sketch a current scenario on diterpenes acting on the respirat Read More

Introduction: Phenotypic characterization of COPD subjects may rely on clinical and physiological manifestations, imaging, assessment of patient-related outcomes (health related quality of life), COPD comorbidities, COPD exacerbations and systemic inflammation. The aim of the study was to evaluate and to analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in COPD patients classified into different phenotypes. Methods: 395 cons Read More

Background and Aims: In late November 2015 and early February 2016, an outbreak of H1N1 influenza A virus infection occurred in the north of Iran. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of mortality due to H1N1 influenza among patients admitted in hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in north of Iran. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done using th Read More

Background: For several years, surgical therapies have been the mainstay for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, due to higher complication rates and the advent of potent antituberculosis (anti-TB) medications, the use of surgical therapies has declined. With the increase in the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and failure to achieve satisfactory cure rates with anti-TB medications, surgical treatment m Read More

Mediastinal abscess is an uncommon medical condition usually secondary to infection elsewhere. This study reports a case of a young male with fever, dry cough, reduced appetite and weight loss for one month presenting radiologically as a mediastinal mass. Flexible video-bronchoscopy with trans-tracheal needle aspiration revealed thick pus which was sterile on microscopy and culture. The patient was hospitalized and broad Read More