Small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumours.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It can broadly be divided into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer. There have been many advances over the recent years in both fields.

Minimally Invasive Sampling of Mediastinal Lesions.

This narrative review examines the existing literature on minimally invasive image-guided sampling techniques of mediastinal lesions gathered from international databases (Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar). Original studies, systematic reviews with meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and case reports published between January 2009 and November 2023 were included. Four authors independently conducted the search to minimize bias, removed duplicates, and selected and evaluated the studies.

MSI-H Detection by ddPCR in Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Biopsy (EUS-FNB) from Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with limited survival. Curative opportunities are only available for patients with resectable cancer. Palliative chemotherapy is the current standard of care for unresectable tumors.

Endoscopic or combined management of post-surgical biliary leaks: a two-center recent experience.

Background And Aims: Post-surgical biliary leaks (PSBL) are one of the most prevalent and significant adverse events emerging after liver or biliary tract surgeries. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) alone or combined with another approach (Rendez Vous) as treatment of PSBL obtains optimal outcomes due to the possibility of modifying the resistances in the biliary tree.

Methods: A retrospective double-center study was conducted in two tertiary centers.

The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Ampullary Lesion Management.

Ampullary lesions, neoplasms originating in the papilla of Vater, represent a rare yet clinically significant group of tumors with diverse etiologies and management challenges. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the pivotal role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis, staging, and management of ampullary lesions. This review begins by providing an overview of ampullary lesions, their epidemiology, and associated risk factors.

Exploring the efficacy and advancements of medical pleurodesis: a comprehensive review of current research.

This narrative review aims to provide an overview of medical pleurodesis techniques, and their indications and potential adverse effects. Pleurodesis is a procedure performed with the aim of obliterating the pleural space. It has indications in the management of both malignant and benign pleural effusions and pneumothorax.

Radiation Principles, Protection, and Reporting for Interventional Pulmonology: A World Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology White Paper.

The use and availability of diverse advanced X-ray based imaging and guidance systems in the field of interventional pulmonology are rapidly growing. This popularity links inextricably to an increase in ionizing radiation use. Knowing ionizing radiation is hazardous, knowledge and competent use of X-ray imaging and guidance systems are important.

Factors associated with risk of death in hospitalized patients for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an updated scoping review.

Introduction: The Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD), especially if leading to hospitalization, increases the risk of death. Our scoping review aims to identify updated mortality risk factors for both short- and long-term periods.

Areas Covered: A comprehensive search, covering the period from January 2013 to February 2024, was performed to identify eligible studies that consider factors associated with death in hospitalized ECOPD.

Beyond diagnosis: a narrative review of the evolving therapeutic role of medical thoracoscopy in the management of pleural diseases.

Background And Objective: Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is an endoscopic technique performed by interventional pulmonologists with a favorable safety profile and few contraindications, providing diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in a single sitting. This narrative review was designed to summarize the therapeutic role of MT based on the latest results from the available literature.

Methods: Pertinent literature published in English, relative to human studies, between 2010-2022 was searched in Medline/PubMed and Cochrane databases.

Antibiotic Strategies for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Despite advancements in health systems and intensive care unit (ICU) care, along with the introduction of novel antibiotics and microbiologic techniques, mortality rates in severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) patients have not shown significant improvement. Delayed admission to the ICU is a major risk factor for higher mortality. Apart from choosing the appropriate site of care, prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy significantly affects the prognosis of sCAP.

Endoscopic management of gastric, duodenal and rectal NETs: Position paper from the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED).

The present paper reflects the position of the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet), the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), and the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED) regarding the management of patients affected by gastric, duodenal, and rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) amenable to endoscopic treatment. The key questions discussed in this paper are summarized in Table 1. Data were extracted from the MEDLINE database through searches; expert opinions and recommendations are provided in accordance with the available scientific evidence and the authors' expertise.

Multiple colorectal adenomas syndrome: The role of MUTYH mutation and the polyps' number in clinical management and colorectal cancer risk.

Background & Aims: Multiple colorectal adenomas (MCRAs) can result from APC (AFAP) or biallelic MUTYH (MAP) mutations, but most patients are wild type and referred to as non-APC/MUTYH polyposis (NAMP). We aim to examine the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the role of endoscopy in managing patients with MCRAs, with a specific focus on clinical features and genotype.

Methods: Records of MRCAs between 2000 and 2022 were retrospectively analysed.

Sex Drives Functional Changes in the Progression and Regression of Liver Fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a common and reversible feature of liver damage associated with many chronic liver diseases, and its onset is influenced by sex. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and regeneration, focusing on understanding the mechanistic gaps between females and males. We injected increasing doses of carbon tetrachloride into female and male mice and maintained them for a washout period of eight weeks to allow for liver regeneration.

Outcomes of a 3-Year Prospective Surveillance in Individuals at High Risk of Pancreatic Cancer.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer (PC) surveillance of high-risk individuals (HRI) is becoming more common worldwide, aiming at anticipating PC diagnosis at a preclinical stage. In 2015, the Italian Registry of Families at Risk of Pancreatic Cancer was created. We aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence of pancreatic findings, oncological outcomes, and harms 7 years after the Italian Registry of Families at Risk of Pancreatic Cancer inception, focusing on individuals with at least a 3-year follow-up or developing events before.

Repeated endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy of solid pancreatic lesions after previous nondiagnostic or inconclusive sampling.

Objectives: Repeated endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition represents the standard practice for solid pancreatic lesions after previous nondiagnostic or inconclusive results. Since data are lacking, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of repeated EUS fine-needle biopsy (rEUS-FNB) in this setting. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy; sample adequacy, sensitivity, specificity, and safety were secondary outcomes.

Exploring a novel composite method using non-contrast EUS enhanced microvascular imaging and cyst fluid analysis to differentiate pancreatic cystic lesions.

Background And Aims: Differentiating pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) remains a diagnostic challenge. The use of high-definition imaging modalities which detect tumor microvasculature have been described in solid lesions. We aim to evaluate the usefulness of cystic microvasculature when used in combination with cyst fluid biochemistry to differentiate PCLs.

Endobronchial ultrasound: a pictorial essay.

Background And Aim: endobronchial ultrasound has gained widespread popularity in the last decade, becoming the primary technique for minimally invasive evaluation of the mediastinum and staging of lung cancer. Several tertiary and quaternary care institutes use this method, performed by trained and accredited specialists. Its main indications are (I) diagnosis and staging of lung cancer, (II) mediastinal lymphadenopathy diagnosis (III) sampling peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Association Between Rome Classification Among Hospitalized Patients With COPD Exacerbations and Short-Term and Intermediate-Term Outcomes.

Background: Recently, the Rome proposal updated the definition of exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD). However, such severity grade has not yet demonstrated intermediate-term clinical relevance.

Research Question: What is the association between the Rome severity classification and short-term and intermediate-term clinical outcomes?

Study Design And Methods: We retrospectively grouped hospitalized patients with ECOPD according to the Rome severity classification (ie, mild, moderate, severe).

Small bowel edema and lymphocytic duodenitis as severe reversible gastrointestinal toxicity of selpercatinib in fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer: a case report.

Introduction: Rearranged during transfection () gene rearrangements occur in 1%-2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because of the results of the study LIBRETTO-001, selpercatinib has been approved as the first-line treatment for patients with fusion-positive advanced NSCLC. Selpercatinib demonstrated to be well tolerated.

Proposed quality indicators and recommended standard reporting items in performance of EBUS bronchoscopy: An official World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology Expert Panel consensus statement.

Background: Since their introduction, both linear and radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) have become an integral component of the practice of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology. The quality of health care can be measured by comparing the performance of an individual or a health service with an ideal threshold or benchmark. The taskforce sought to evaluate quality indicators in EBUS bronchoscopy based on clinical relevance/importance and on the basis that observed significant variation in outcomes indicates potential for improvement in health care outcomes.