Abstract

This new volume has been conceived with the objective of demonstrating to the reader that any clinical problem is likely to have several alternative solutions and that rarely do they present as the textbook example. Here the editors have selected more than twenty cases that present complex and challenging choices for the pulmonary physician. Contributing experts have presented a number of problem scenarios, which might be difficult cases, complications or dilemmas that challenge the skills of most practitioners. After reviewing the background to the problem, the authors present possible solutions, beginning with the preferred option, but also offering additional perspectives, taking alternative 'what-if' scenarios that might stem from the initial intervention, e.g., complications, or which highlight issues that pertain to other sectors of the patient population (age-related, co-morbidities and so on). A concluding section summarizes the key points and draws together the arguments for the different strategies presented.