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ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the knowledge of first year health sciences students at a South African university regarding hearing loss and symptoms attributable to personal listening devices and their practices concerning the use of personal listening devices.MethodThis was a cross-sectional study carried out using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.ResultsOf 336 students, 269 (80.1 per cent) completed the questionnaire. While most participants could identify symptoms that could be caused by extensive use of personal listening devices, almost 30 per cent did not know that it could cause permanent hearing loss. Personal listening devices were used by 90.7 per cent of participants, with 77.8 per cent having used them for more than five years. Use was at a high volume in 14.9 per cent of participants and for more than 2 hours per day in 52.7 per cent.ConclusionThe findings indicate the need for an educational programme to inform students as to safe listening practices when using personal listening devices.

Background. Poor pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) technique remains a challenge in the management of airway diseases. Objectives. To assess pMDI technique among respiratory outpatients and identify the main indications for pMDI use and factors associated with improper use. Methods. This was a prospective, quantitative descriptive study conducted at the adult respiratory clinic of Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A convenience sample of 100 participants was used. Each participant was interviewed and required to demonstrate the use of a placebo pMDI, either alone or with a large-volume spacer. Inhaler technique was evaluated according to the UK Inhaler Group standard for inhaler therapy. Results. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma were the most common indications for pMDI use. Of the 100 participants, 97 preferred a pMDI without a spacer (pMDI alone) and three preferred using the inhaler with a spacer. In the pMDI-alone group, 13 participants (13.4%) demonstrated correct technique and 65 (67%) made more than one error. Conclusion. Poor inhaler technique is common among respiratory outpatients. Every contact with the patient should be an opportunity to reinforce correct pMDI technique.

Diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis is a rare condition of the lung that presents with nonspecific respiratory symptoms, and usually follows a benign course. It should, however, be considered in the differential diagnosis of a miliary pattern on chest-imaging studies, as illustrated in the case reported

Physicians are often asked to evaluate a patient prior to elective surgery for the purpose of risk identification and modification. Postoperative pulmonary complications are the most costly of the major postoperative medical complications, including cardiac, thromboembolic and infectious, and result in the lengthiest hospital stays. Therefore, estimation of respiratory risk should be a routine element of all preoperative medical evaluations. A diligent preoperative clinical evaluation, supplemented with appropriate preoperative pulmonary function testing, would identify the majority of important risk factors for postoperative complications. Risk reduction strategies can then be implemented to reduce complications, cost, and hospital stay.Peer reviewed.