Thoracic Key

Introduction Asthma is one of the oldest known diseases, but it has only been recognized as a major public health problem since the mid-1970s. The prevalence of asthma has increased…

Introduction Pathogenic parasites that involve the lungs include multicellular helminths as well as unicellular protozoa. Although parasitic infections have classically been associated with tropical and subtropical regions, some are prevalent…

Introduction Soon after the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882 by Robert Koch, several other species of mycobacteria were described. It was not until half a century later, however, that…

Introduction Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries are different from those undergoing most noncardiac surgeries. Although the risk for perioperative major cardiac complications is significant, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) contribute equally, if…

Introduction Bioterrorism, once limited to military-directed biowarfare, has developed considerable prominence due to increasing world threats and the anthrax outbreak in the United States in 2001. Clinicians and public health…

Introduction Cough is a symptom that has been experienced by every human and is an essential innate protective mechanism that ensures the removal of mucus, noxious substances, and infections from…

Introduction This chapter focuses on three areas that have received considerable interest recently. The first is the use of small biopsies and cytology, which are used not only for tissue…

Introduction Image-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB), which is typically performed using computed tomographic (CT) guidance under local anesthesia and conscious sedation, is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide a…

Introduction and Historical Background Gustav Killian performed the first rigid bronchoscopy in 1897 to extract a piece of a pork bone from the right main bronchus. This innovation resulted in…

Introduction and Historical Background Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is one of the prime examples of an area of pulmonary medicine transformed by technological advances. Today it has become one of the…