Publications by authors named "Christopher R Gilbert"

Introduction: The incidence of pulmonary imaging abnormalities continues to increase. While standard CP-EBUS is safe and accurate, it has limited reach through smaller bronchi. Olympus BF-Y0069 TCP-EBUS has smaller diameter and improved angulation.

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Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become the standard for initial lung cancer diagnosis and staging. Previous guidelines have generally focused on the "when" and "how" of EBUS-TBNA; however, little guidance is available on handling and processing specimens during and after acquisition to help optimize both diagnostic yield and tissue integrity for ancillary studies. This document examines the available literature on EBUS-TBNA specimen processing and handling.

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Background: Management of complicated pleural infections (CPIs) had historically been surgical; however, following the publication of the second multicenter intrapleural sepsis trial (MIST-2), combination tissue plasminogen (tPA) and dornase (DNase) offers a less invasive and effective treatment. Our aim was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and functional ability of patients' recovery from a CPI managed with either intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) or surgery.

Methods: We identified 565 patients managed for a CPI between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2018.

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Background: Pleural effusions in post-operative thoracic surgery patients are common. Effusions can result in prolonged hospitalizations or readmissions, with prior studies suggesting mixed effects of pleural drainage on hypoxia. We aimed to define the impact of pleural drainage on pulse oximetry (SpO2) in post-thoracic surgery patients.

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Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. American Indian and Alaska Native people use commercial tobacco products at higher rates compared with all other races and ethnicities. Moreover, they show lower adherence to cancer screening guidelines.

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Strict adherence to procedural protocols and diagnostic definitions is critical to understand the efficacy of new technologies. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) for lung nodule biopsy has been used for decades without a solid understanding of its efficacy, but offers the opportunity for simultaneous tissue acquisition via electromagnetic navigational transthoracic biopsy (EMN-TTNA) and staging via endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS, ENB, and EMN-TTNA during a single procedure using a strict definition of diagnostic yield with central pathology adjudication.

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Introduction: Malignant pleural effusions are common in advanced malignancy and associated with overall poor survival. The presence of sarcopenia (decreased muscle mass) is associated with poor outcomes in numerous disease states, however, its relationship to malignant pleural disease has not been defined. We sought to understand if there was an association between decreased survival and decreased muscle mass in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

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Background: Symptomatic pleural effusions and anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication use in postoperative cardiac surgery are common. Guidelines and recommendations are currently mixed regarding medication management related to invasive procedure performance. We aimed to describe the outcomes of postoperative cardiac surgery patients referred for outpatient, symptomatic pleural effusion management.

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Importance: There is a paucity of high-quality prospective randomized clinical trials comparing intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) with surgical decortication in patients with complicated pleural infections.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of an algorithm comparing tissue plasminogen activator plus deoxyribonuclease therapy with surgical decortication in patients with complicated pleural infections.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This parallel pilot randomized clinical trial was performed at a single urban community-based center from March 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, with follow-up for 90 days.

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Purpose: Early referral of patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to outpatient palliative care has been shown to increase survival and reduce unnecessary healthcare resource utilization. We aimed to determine outpatient palliative care referral rate and subsequent resource utilization in patients with stage IV NSCLC in a multistate, community-based hospital network and identify rates and reasons for admissions within a local healthcare system of Washington State.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of a multistate hospital network and a local healthcare system.

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When drainage of complicated pleural space infections alone fails, there exists two strategies in surgery and dual agent-intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy; however, studies comparing these two management strategies are limited. To determine the outcomes of surgery versus fibrinolytic therapy as the primary management for complicated pleural space infections (CPSI). A retrospective review of adults with a CPSI managed with surgery or fibrinolytics between 1/2015 and 3/2018 within a multicenter, multistate hospital system was performed.

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Background: Combination intrapleural fibrinolytic and enzyme therapy (IET) has been established as a therapeutic option in pleural infection. Despite demonstrated efficacy, studies specifically designed and adequately powered to address complications are sparse. The safety profile, the effects of concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation, and the nature and extent of nonbleeding complications remain poorly defined.

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Hepatic hydrothorax can be present in 5% to 15% of patients with underlying cirrhosis and portal hypertension, often reflecting advanced liver disease. Its impact can be variable, because patients may have small pleural effusions and minimal pulmonary symptoms or massive pleural effusions and respiratory failure. Management of hepatic hydrothorax can be difficult because these patients often have a number of comorbidities and potential for complications.

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Background: Complex pleural space infections are commonly managed with antibiotics, pleural drainage, intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, and surgery. These strategies often utilize radiographic imaging during management, however little data is available on cumulative radiation exposure received during inpatient management. We aimed to identify the type and quantity of radiographic studies along with the resultant radiation exposure during the management of complex pleural space infections.

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Background: Indwelling tunneled pleural catheters (IPCs) are used regularly for recurrent pleural effusion management. Catheter obstruction is not uncommon, often requiring intrapleural medications instillation (ie, alteplase) to restore flow. The safety profile of intrapleural medications has been reported previously; however, most studies exclude anticoagulated patients.

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The first indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) received Federal Drug Administration approval in 1997, nearly 40 years after John Chambers first described instillation of talc into the pleural space for palliation of malignant pleural effusions. Since then IPCs have revolutionized the management of malignant pleural effusions, providing an effective means of controlling dyspnea in the end stages of life without the pain and prolonged hospital stays long associated with chemical sclerosing agents. While palliation of symptoms is the primary purpose of IPCs, development of pleurodesis in the outpatient setting is often an important secondary goal.

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Recurrent pleural effusions can be managed with indwelling tunneled pleural catheters (IPC), with some patients undergoing IPC removal after appropriate palliation has occurred. Little data exists regarding complications related to IPC removal. We report on retained granulation cuffs after successful IPC removal.

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Patients with malignant or paramalignant pleural effusions (MPEs or PMPEs) may have tunneled pleural catheter (TPC) management withheld because of infection concerns from immunosuppression associated with antineoplastic therapy. To determine the rate of infections related to TPC use and to determine the relationship to antineoplastic therapy, immune system competency, and overall survival (OS). We performed an international, multiinstitutional study of patients with MPEs or PMPEs undergoing TPC management from 2008 to 2016.

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