Antracofibrosis
“Bronchial anthracosis” was the term initially used to describe blackish-blue discoloration of the bronchial mucosa due to carbon deposition. Bronchoscopic observations indicate that biomass exposure is associated with a higher frequency of bronchial anthracofibrosis (30.4%) vs tobacco exposure (3.7%)1. Bronchial anthracofibrosis is characterized by areas of bronchial stenosis in approximately 80% of cases. Multifocal bronchial […]
In memoriam: Dra. Rocío Chapela Mendoza
María del Rocío Chapela Mendoza was born in Mexico City (Mexico) on August 6th, 1946, and passed away on June 6th, 2025. She grew up in a family of nine siblings; it is often recalled that several of the younger children would play and jump around her while she remained undisturbed, immersed in reading. She studied […]
In memoriam. Arnoldo Kraus, MD: a life in bioethics
“When, instead of prolonging life, we prolong death, patients, families, and physicians have the opportunity to gather their strength and say goodbye.” Dr Arnoldo Kraus Dr Kraus recently passed away1, a loss that fills us with sorrow and nostalgia. Fortunately, his work, ideas, and reflections remain for all of us to learn from. Trained in […]
Respiratory function tests: interpretation or classification?
Current strategies for interpreting pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are, in reality, guidelines for classifying them1. The verbs to classify and to interpret are not interchangeable. Interpretation implies assigning meaning to a result. The interpretation of PFT results corresponds to the clinician, who, in light of the medical history, physical examination, and other diagnostic studies, gives […]