title: [Value of transthoracic aspiration puncture in the etiologic diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia in patients not admitted to the ICU].
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the etiologic diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized patients outside the intensive care unit. The study was carried out prospectively at the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova in Lerida (Spain) from 1 May 1994 through 28 February 1996, during which 103 cases were diagnosed. Transthoracic needle aspiration (TNA) was chosen as the most useful diagnostic procedure, given its high specificity and low rate of complications. Sixty-seven TNA procedures were carried out; 10 (14.9%) were positive. Sputum was cultured for 62 patients and true positives were observed in 6 (9.7%). Pleural liquid was cultured for 35 patients and germs were isolated for 2 (5.7%). Bronchial brushing with a telescoping catheter was performed in 4 patients and brush culture provided 2 additional positives. Blood samples from 51 patients were cultured provided 4 additional diagnoses (7.8%). The most commonly found germs were P. aeruginosa (13.33%), S. aureus (13.3%), C. pneumoniae (10%) and L. pneumophila (10%). Disease was polymicrobial in 33.3%. Complications were observed, in the form of pneumothorax, in 2 cases (3%), one of which required drainage. We conclude that TNA, which is highly specific and has a low rate of complication, is a useful procedure for diagnosing nosocomial pneumonia in patients who are not being mechanically ventilated.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Nicolás Sánchez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vilá Justribó
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Merino Laborda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubio Caballero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods; D013909:Thorax