Etiology and clinical characteristics of a non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis cohort in a middle eastern population.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a widely prevalent airway disease characterized by airway dilatation and recurrent infections, that can lead to respiratory failure in severe cases. The etiology of bronchiectasis varies geographically, but there is a lack of published data examining its etiology specifically within the Middle Eastern population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of our bronchiectasis patient registry, extracting clinical and demographic characteristics from electronic medical records.

Outcomes of a Newly Established Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy Service in the Middle East.

Aims: Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (EMNB) is a useful tool for the bronchoscopist to target peripheral pulmonary lesions. It has a well-established efficacy and safety profile; however, there are no studies describing its utility in a Middle Eastern population. In this paper, we describe the efficacy and safety outcomes of a newly established EMNB service.

The Journey for Lung Cancer Screening where we Stand Today.

Background: Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide with many patients presenting with advanced disease.

Objective: We reviewed the available literature for lung cancer screening using low dose computed tomography (LDCT). We reviewed the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), Early Lung Cancer Action Program (ELCAP) and the (Nederlands-Leuvens Longkanker Screenings Onderzoek (NELSON) trials.

Classic Cystic Fibrosis Presentation in Two Middle Eastern Siblings with a rare CFTR mutation (c.80G>T).

Unlabelled: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common autosomal recessive disorder which is mainly found in Caucasians but has also been reported in Asian populations. CF is primarily caused by mutations in the CFTR gene which regulates the transport of chloride ions across the cell membrane. We describe the cases of two siblings with CF diagnosed with the rare missense mutation c.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Associated with Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia in a Young Patient.

Unlabelled: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is associated with other autoimmune disorders and probably with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) as well. Here we present the case of a 14-year-old girl presenting with typical NMOSD together with radiological evidence of COP. Our case is unique as the previous two reports of this association were in elderly patients.

Genetic and Clinical Demographics of Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients in a Middle Eastern Population.

Objective: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest life-limiting inherited illness in the Caucasian population but is uncommon in the Middle East, and so the genotypes and clinical course of disease in this population is not well known.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we collected and reviewed the data on CF mutations, body mass index (BMI), lung function, microbiology, and the demographics in adult CF patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Results: Data was reviewed for 39 adult CF patients.

Correlation between Reduced FEF25-75% and a Positive Methacholine Challenge Test in Adults with Nonobstructive Baseline Spirometry.

Objective: To clarify whether in adults with a nonobstructive spirometry a reduced FEF25-75% is associated with a positive methacholine challenge test (MCT).

Methods: Data was collected for all the patients who had a MCT done between April 2014 and January 2020 but had nonobstructive baseline spirometry. Logistic regression was utilized to estimate the log odds of a positive methacholine test as a function of FEF25-75% and also for age, gender, BMI, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC.

Invasive Mediastinal Mucormycosis with Pulmonary and Cardiac Involvement in an Adult with Chronic Granulomatous Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that often causes rhinocerebral disease. However, there have been rare cases of mediastinal involvement. These patients remain a therapeutic challenge and mortality in this group is very high.

Demographic and clinical patterns of severe asthma in the Middle East.

Background: Severe asthma is a major burden on health-economic resources; hence, knowing the epidemiology of these patients is important in planning and provision of asthma care. In addition, identifying and managing the comorbidities helps improve symptoms and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: Epidemiology of difficult asthma has not been well studied in the Middle East, so in this study, we present the demographic and clinical characteristics of severe asthma in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Efficacy and Safety of Biologic Agents in Chronic Urticaria, Asthma and Atopic Dermatitis - A Real-life Experience.

Introduction: Several biologic agents have been approved for the treatment of asthma, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis. These therapeutic agents are especially useful for patients with severe or refractory symptoms. We present the real-life experience of four of the commonly used biologic agents in the United Arab Emirates.

Pulmonary cavitation: an under-recognized late complication of severe COVID-19 lung disease.

Background: Pulmonary radiological findings of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been well documented and range from scattered ground-glass infiltrates in milder cases to confluent ground-glass change, dense consolidation, and crazy paving in the critically ill. However, lung cavitation has not been commonly described in these patients. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of pulmonary cavitation in patients with COVID-19 and describe its characteristics and evolution.

Complications of surgical and percutaneous tracheostomies, and factors leading to decannulation success in a unique Middle Eastern population.

Introduction: Surgical and percutaneous tracheostomy remains a commonly performed procedure in the intensive care unit (ICU). Given the unique patient population in the Middle East we decided to perform a review of the procedures performed in our hospital over a two-year period.

Methods: Single centre, retrospective observational study.

Managing malignant pleural effusion.

Malignant pleural effusion can be managed in different ways, including clinical observation, thoracentesis, placement of an indwelling pleural catheter, and chemical pleurodesis. The optimal strategy depends on a variety of clinical factors. This article uses cases to illustrate the rationale for determining the best approach in different situations.

Usefulness of Clinical Prediction Rules, D-dimer, and Arterial Blood Gas Analysis to Predict Pulmonary Embolism in Cancer Patients.

Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is seven times more common in cancer patients than non-cancer patients. Since the existing clinical prediction rules (CPRs) were validated predominantly in a non-cancer population, we decided to look at the utility of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and D-dimer in predicting PE in cancer patients.

Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed between December 2005 and November 2010.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: An increasing number of patients are being infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) since the first case was identified in September 2012. We report the characteristics and outcomes of MERS-CoV-confirmed patients who developed critical illness requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of all MERS-CoV-confirmed cases who were admitted to our ICU from March 20, 2014, till June 1, 2014.

An unusual presentation of endobronchial Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Endobronchial involvement of Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rare presentation of the disease. However, it needs to be considered in patients presenting with non-resolving pneumonia in the setting of Hodgkin's disease. In such cases, clinicians need to ensure adequate and multiple biopsies as patients may have co-existent pulmonary infection and disease involvement.

A new pattern of pulmonary graft vs host disease in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient.

Background: The primary pulmonary manifestation of chronic graft vs host disease (GvHD) is the development of bronchiolitis obliterans. Other pulmonary manifestations of chronic GvHD that have been reported include diffuse alveolar damage, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, bronchiolitis organising pneumonia and lymphocytic bronchiolitis/bronchitis.

Case Presentation: We report an unusual case of a 34-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukaemia, status post-allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who subsequently developed GvHD with skin involvement.

Survey of academic pulmonologists, oncologists, and infectious disease physicians on the role of bronchoscopy in managing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients with pulmonary infiltrates.

Background: In the absence of evidence-based guidelines, there is potential for variability in the management of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients with pulmonary infiltrates. We decided to perform a nationwide survey of pulmonologists, oncologists, and infectious disease physicians on the role of bronchoscopy in managing HSCT patients.

Methods: An 18-question survey was prepared, and after being internally reviewed it was sent through electronic mail to all hematology oncology, pulmonary and critical care, and infectious disease fellowship programs in the United States.

Development of massive pneumopericardium after intubation and positive pressure ventilation.

Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of chest trauma, mechanical ventilation and cavitating pneumonia. We report a case of a 7-year-old patient with chronic myeloid leukemia who developed massive pneumopericardium immediately after being electively intubated for a diagnostic radiological procedure in the setting of ongoing Enterococcal pneumonia. As intensive care medicine becomes more prevalent in hospitals, we believe that clinicians need to be aware of this uncommon but potentially fatal condition.

Use of microdebrider bronchoscopy for the treatment of endobronchial leiomyoma.

Aims: Pulmonary leiomyomas are rare benign tumors that may cause symptoms when they spread endobronchially. Traditionally they were managed surgically or through interventional bronchoscopy with the aid of thermal modalities to assist in debulking of tumor. We report the novel use of microdebrider bronchoscopy to debulk an endobronchial leiomyoma in a symptomatic patient.