G-CSF is safe and effective in the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and improves liver function as well as survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Although a simple and useful pulmonary function test, spirometry remains underutilized in India. The Indian Chest Society and National College of Chest Physicians (India) jointly supported an expert group to provide recommendations for spirometry in India. Based on a scientific grading of available published evidence, as well as other international recommendations, we propose a consensus statement for planning, performing and interpreting spirometry in a systematic manner across all levels of healthcare in India. We stress the use of standard equipment, and the need for quality control, to optimize testing. Important technical requirements for patient selection, and proper conduct of the vital capacity maneuver, are outlined. A brief algorithm to interpret and report spirometric data using minimal and most important variables is presented. The use of statistically valid lower limits of normality during interpretation is emphasized, and a listing of Indian reference equations is provided for this purpose. Other important issues such as peak expiratory flow, bronchodilator reversibility testing, and technician training are also discussed. We hope that this document will improve use of spirometry in a standardized fashion across diverse settings in India.

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Tuberculosis (TB) presenting with Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a rare and difficult clinical situation for any physician to identify and to manage because of very similar clinical presentation. Herein we report a case of 29 year old woman who presented with enlarged lymph nodes, diagnosed and initiated on therapy for TB, based on the cervical node biopsy that showed granulomatous lymphadenitis suggestive of TB. Despite being on regular isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol regimen, she did not improve but worsened clinically! After an extensive work up that included endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and mediastinoscopy, a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease of nodular sclerosis type was made. She was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy along with her TB therapy. Patient showed significant improvement following therapy.

Intrapleural foreign body is an uncommon condition, usually encountered in the setting of thoracic trauma, but can rarely complicate diagnostic procedures such as thoracentesis. The management involves urgent identification and removal of the foreign body. Although surgical extraction using thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia constitutes the primary management strategy, intrapleural foreign body can also be removed using medical thoracoscopy. Herein, we report the successful removal of 2 intrapleural foreign bodies using a rigid thoracoscope under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. We also performed a systematic review of the literature describing the use of medical thoracoscopy in the retrieval of an intrapleural foreign body.