Book review: selected chapters from pulmonology

Editors: Stjepanović M, Popević S, Dimić-Janjić S. Selected Chapters from Pulmonology. Medical Faculty in Belgrade, 2023.
Chief Editor: Sekulić S. Pulmonary Diseases. Medical Faculty in Belgrade, 2000.
ISBN - 978-86-7117-681-1

I present the textbook "Selected Chapters from Pulmonology" edited by Mihailo Stjepanović, Spasoje Popević, and Sanja Dimić Janjić, which was designated for specialist education at the Medical Faculty in Belgrade for the postgraduate training of physicians at a session held on May 30, 2022. The publisher is the Medical Faculty of the University of Belgrade, Center for Publishing, Library, and Information Activities of the Medical Faculty in Belgrade (CIBID). All reviewers of the book are regular professors from medical faculties in Serbia: Prof. Dr. Zorica Lazić, Medical Faculty in Kragujevac, Prof. Dr. Tatjana Pejčić, Medical Faculty in Niš, Prof. Dr. Arsen Ristić, Medical Faculty in Belgrade, and Prof. Dr. Violeta Mihailović-Vučinić, Medical Faculty in Belgrade.

The book is characterized by a unique approach to the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases, which are presented through 39 thematic units or chapters. The chapter titles and order are as follows: Early diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases based on pulmonary function tests, The importance of ergospirometry in pulmonology, Biomarkers in the diagnosis of pleural effusions, Contemporary diagnosis and therapeutic approach to non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung infections, The importance of determining activating mutations in the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma, Radiological diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Bronchoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis, Contemporary bronchoscopic diagnosis of sarcoidosis, Bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of lung tumors, Post-intubation tracheal stenosis-diagnosis and bronchoscopic treatment, Hemoptysis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-diagnostic significance of new findings, Comorbidities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: prevalence, impact on disease outcomes, and treatment, Diabetes mellitus as one of the comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its association with systemic inflammation, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the COVID-19 pandemic-what have we learned, Pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Surgical aspects of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Tuberculosis-current topics, Immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis, Diagnosis and treatment of neurosarcoidosis, Innovations in the treatment of sarcoidosis, New oral anticoagulants in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism, Acute pulmonary edema, Therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension, Thoracic surgical manifestations of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Innovative therapy in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, Innovative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of NSCLC-immunotherapy, Clinical manifestations of thymoma, Malignant pleural mesothelioma, Pharmacotherapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Mechanical ventilation, Contemporary treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, Does postCOVID exist? Physical activity after COVID-19 infection, Respiratory Rehabilitation in Restrictive Lung Diseases, Electrocardiographic Pitfalls in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cardiovascular Considerations Related to Bronchoscopy, "End of Life Care" – from Intensive Care Units to Lung Cancer. These chapters are the result of the work and multidisciplinary approach of 67 authors (medical doctors); among them are respected university professors, assistant professors, and assistants from the Medical Faculty in Belgrade. In addition to the predominant representation of pulmonologists, mostly members of the Department of Pulmonology at the Medical Faculty and doctors from the Clinic for Pulmonology of the University Clinical Center of Serbia, there are also doctors from other specialties who are of particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases, such as radiologists, thoracic surgeons, cardiologists, pathologists, physiatrists, microbiologists, anesthesiologists, and immunologists [1].

For over two decades, there hasn't been a textbook on pulmonology in Serbian literature, making this edition valuable and long-awaited. The last printed textbook "Pulmonary Diseases," edited by Srboljub Sekulić, was published in 2000 and approved as a textbook for postgraduate training of physicians with over 50 authors from various specialties [2]. As the field of pulmonology, like other branches of medicine, is developing rapidly, there has been a great need in domestic literature for such a textbook. The book describes, through chapters, the latest knowledge on the etiology, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic insights, and the latest internationally recognized recommendations on the treatment of pulmonary diseases. The editors have modestly named this first textbook "Selected Chapters from Pulmonology," leaving room for new, updated editions in line with changes and developments in pulmonology. It is particularly noteworthy that in some chapters, the authors have used original images, diagrams, and tables, providing a unique and clear overview of the issues related to pulmonary diseases (for example, in the chapter on Bronchoscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endobronchial Tuberculosis, Contemporary Bronchoscopic Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis, Bronchoscopy in the Diagnosis of Lung Tumors, Post-intubation Tracheal Stenosis – Diagnosis and Bronchoscopic Treatment, Surgical Aspects of Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease...).

Despite the involvement of a large number of authors in writing the book, it is integrated into a cohesive whole as the chapter leaders are eminent experts in their respective fields. The book is written in clear language, and understandable for subspecialists as well as medical doctors, students, and anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of pulmonary diseases. It is primarily intended as a textbook for postgraduate training of specialist doctors in internal medicine, subspecialist pulmonologists, and doctoral students in the field of pulmonology, but also for all doctors who diagnose and treat patients with pulmonary diseases.

By reading and thoroughly familiarizing oneself with the textbook "Selected Chapters from Pulmonology," it can be said that it significantly contributes to pulmonology in Serbia as well as to domestic medical literature in general.

Mihailo Stjepanović