The Respiratory Consultant

03/24/2026

Did you know that Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent? 🌍

Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.23 million people died from TB in 2024, and an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill across all age groups and countries [1]. Furthermore, multidrug-resistant TB remains a massive public health crisis, with only about 2 in 5 people able to access the treatment they need [1].

The good news? Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 83 million lives since the year 2000 [1].

Read the latest overview and key facts to learn more about the ongoing global fight against TB and why continued awareness is so important. ⬇️

01/31/2025

Completely opaque Hemithorax on a Chest X-ray can be due to many reasons. To help with the Differential diagnosis, the next step is to look at the position of Trachea.

In Pleural Effusion, the Trachea will be pushed away from the side of opacification.

In Collapse and Pneumonectomy, the Trachea will be pulled towards the side of opacification.

In consolidation, the Trachea will be central.

09/25/2024

Today is World Lung Day 2024. This year’s theme is ‘Clean air and healthy lungs for all’. We have collated resources from ERS Publications around this theme for you to read and share with your colleagues: https://erj.ersjournals.com/cc/world-lung-day

09/25/2024

Our vision is a world where everyone has the right to Clean Air and Healthy Lungs! Join over 250 FIRS members and partners to raise awareness of lung health. Together, we can make a difference.

Read more: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/world-lung-day-2024-international-respiratory-societies-call-for-urgent-action-on-air-pollution/

09/24/2024

Are you ready for this week's radiology challenge?

Case study: 22-year-old male admitted with severe chest pain and in hypovolaemic shock.

1. What is the next most appropriate investigation?
a. Percutaneous catheter angiography
b. Cardiac gated magnetic resonance imaging
c. Lordotic chest radiograph of the lung apices
d. Ultrasound
e. Computed tomography aortic angiogram

Comment your answer below and check back on Thursday to see if you are correct!

In the meantime, you can try more case studies on the ERS Respiratory Channel: https://channel.ersnet.org/channel-52-radiology-image-challenge

09/24/2024

Earlier this month, the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign launched its activities in Vienna as part of the . A press conference marked the launch, sharing results from a groundbreaking study looking at the lung health of 15,000 people in Vienna.



Learn more about the LEAD Study and Healthy Lungs for Life campaign in Vienna here: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/healthy-lungs-for-life-in-vienna-how-fit-are-the-lungs-of-the-viennese/

09/24/2024

Chest X-ray in Tuberculosis. 😷

This is an X-ray of an elderly female with a history of low-grade fever and cough for 2 months, associated with anorexia and weight loss. 🤒

The X-ray shows non-homogeneous opacification in the right upper zone with an air bronchogram representing consolidation. 🫁 There is volume loss indicated by tracheal shifting, and the fissure is also pulled up, indicating a chronic disease process.

🔎 Confirmation of the diagnosis will require Sputum examination for AFB and PCR testing.

07/10/2024

Every man is a fool or a physician at Forty

06/02/2024

📢 New Clinical Practice Guidelines Alert! 📢

The Joint ERS/EACTS/ESTS panel has released updated recommendations for managing adults with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP):

✅ **Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP):**
- **Conservative care** for minimally symptomatic, stable patients (conditional).
- **Needle aspiration** over chest tube drain for initial treatment (strong).
- **Ambulatory management** for initial treatment (conditional).
- **Early surgical intervention** for those prioritizing recurrence prevention (conditional).

✅ **Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (SSP):**
- **Autologous blood patch** for patients with persistent air leak (conditional).

🔍 No recommendations for bronchial valves, suction, pleurodesis in addition to surgical resection, or type of surgical pleurodesis.

Stay informed and ensure the best care for your patients!

Read more: [ERS Guidelines on Spontaneous Pneumothorax](https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/63/5/2300797)

02/24/2024

The only thing smoking does is burn your lungs and your money. Don’t let to***co control you.



Every cigarette you smoke takes away 11 minutes of your life. How many minutes have you lost?

12/14/2023