Clinical and Molecular Features of Malignant Pleural Effusion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) of a Caucasian Population.

The diversity of patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the variability in mutations makes it essential to improve molecular characterization. Describe clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics MPE in a Caucasian population. Retrospective study of patients with NSCLC diagnosis who had undergone a molecular study from 1 January 2018-31 December 2022.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has become an increasingly prevalent complication in oncological patients, negatively impacting their quality of life and casting a shadow over their prognosis. Owing to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the heterogeneous nature of the underlying disease, this entity is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Advances in the understanding of MPE have led to a shift in the treatment paradigm towards a more personalized approach.

Current evidence for lung ultrasound elastography in the field of pneumology: a systematic review.

Background And Objectives: Elastography is a technology that has strongly impacted several medical specialties; however, it is not yet applied as part of standard clinical practice in the field of pulmonology. The objective of this systematic review is to analyse the evidence available to date in relation to pleuropulmonary ultrasound elastography, focusing on the three pathologies with the most publications: subpleural consolidations, interstitial lung diseases and pleural effusion.

Methods: Original studies published up until 12 August 2023 in the Embase, MEDLINE or Web of Science databases were included.

Ultrasound in the Study of Thoracic Diseases: Innovative Aspects.

Thoracic ultrasound (TU) has rapidly gained popularity over the past 10 years. This is in part because ultrasound equipment is available in many settings, more training programmes are educating trainees in this technique, and ultrasound can be done rapidly without exposure to radiation. The aim of this review is to present the most interesting and innovative aspects of the use of TU in the study of thoracic diseases.

Is the diagnostic yield of mediastinal lymph node cryobiopsy (cryoEBUS) better for diagnosing mediastinal node involvement compared to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)? A systematic review.

Introduction: New tools such as cryobiopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes (cryoEBUS) have been described to improve the diagnostic usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The literature suggests that this novel procedure could be associated with greater diagnostic usefulness than conventional EBUS-TBNA.

Methods: To develop a systematic analysis and meta-analysis on the diagnostic diagnostic yield and safety of cryobiopsy of hilar and mediastinal adenopathies compared to EBUS-TBNA.

Experience With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and Advanced Disease.

Introduction: Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) was used through the early access programme in Spain from December 2019 in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with homozygous or heterozygous F508del mutation with advanced lung disease.

Methodology: Multicentre, ambispective, observational, study in which 114 patients in follow-up in 16 national CF units were recruited. Clinical data, functional tests, nutritional parameters, quality of life questionnaires, microbiological isolates, number of exacerbations, antibiotic treatments and side effects were collected.

Evolution and long‑term respiratory sequelae after severe COVID-19 pneumonia: nitric oxide diffusion measurement value.

Introduction: There are no published studies assessing the evolution of combined determination of the lung diffusing capacity for both nitric oxide and carbon monoxide (DL and DL) 12 months after the discharge of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: Prospective cohort study which included patients who were assessed both 3 and 12 months after an episode of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Their clinical status, health condition, lung function testings (LFTs) results (spirometry, DL-DL analysis, and six-minute walk test), and chest X-ray/computed tomography scan images were compared.

Effectiveness of nebulized hypertonic saline in patients with bronchial hypersecretion.

Introduction: Nebulized hypertonic saline (HS) improves quality of life and reduces exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis. It is unknown if it would offer the same benefits in other hypersecretory pathologies.

Methods: Retrospective observational study.

[Lung Ultrasound to Predict Unfavorable Progress in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19].

Objective: Thoracic ultrasound has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Several scores for quantifying the degree of involvement have been described, although there is no evidence to show that they have any capacity for predicting unfavorable progress.

Methodology: Prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Results from a Spanish national survey on the application of ultrasound in pulmonology services.

Background: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and multicentre study carried out from October to December 2020, through a survey sent to Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery members in public hospitals with different levels of complexity. Our objective was to complete a national analysis of clinical practice, organisation, infrastructure, the services portfolio, teaching, and research activity related to ultrasound.

Results: Data from 104 hospitals were analysed.

Validity of Lung Ultrasound: Is an Image Worth More Than a Thousand Sounds?

Introduction: There is debate as to whether lung-ultrasound (LUS) can replace lung-auscultation (LA) in the assessment of respiratory diseases.

Methodology: The diagnostic validity, safety, and reliability of LA and LUS were analyzed in patients admitted in a pulmonary ward due to decompensated obstructive airway diseases, decompensated interstitial diseases, and pulmonary infections, in a prospective study. Standard formulas were used to calculate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Alterations in Respiratory Function Test Three Months after Hospitalisation for COVID-19 Pneumonia: Value of Determining Nitric Oxide Diffusion.

Unlabelled: Three to four months after hospitalisation for COVID-19 pneumonia, the most frequently described alteration in respiratory function tests (RFTs) is decreased carbon monoxide transfer capacity (DL).

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that included patients hospitalised because of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, three months after their discharge. A clinical evaluation, analytical parameters, chest X-ray, six-minute walk test, spirometry and DL-DL analysis were performed.

The Diagnostic Contribution of Systematic Lung Ultrasonography in Patients Admitted to a Conventional Pulmonology Hospitalization Unit.

Objective: Although the evidence to date remains limited, we hypothesized that performing protocolized lung ultrasound (LUS) in patients, admitted to a conventional pulmonology hospitalization unit, could improve diagnostic precision. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic contribution and changes in the treatments administered after performing a protocolized LUS in patients hospitalized in a Pulmonology Department ward.

Methodology: This was a prospective, observational study, which included patients admitted from the Emergency Department to a conventional Pulmonology Department hospitalization unit, after first being evaluated by a pulmonologist.

Cost Effectiveness of Malignant Pleural Effusion with Indwelling Catheter: Systematic Review.

The current cost of treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is unclear. We propose a review of the scientific evidence on the cost and effectiveness of this therapeutic option. Systematic review of the literature on the cost and effectiveness of the treatment of MPE by IPC, according to the PRISMA methodology and quality according to the scientific guidelines.

Social and clinical predictors of short- and long-term readmission after a severe exacerbation of copd.

Introduction And Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability of multiple social, and clinical factors for readmission after a severe acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) during various time periods.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in which recruited patients with AECOPD. We systematically collected numerous clinical (symptoms, pulmonary function, comorbidities, and treatment) and social (financial situation, housing situation, family support, caregiver overload, ability to perform activities, and risk of social exclusion) variables using several questionnaires and indices.

Predictive value of a series of inflammatory markers in COPD for lung cancer diagnosis: a case-control study.

Background: There is a relationship between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the development of lung cancer (LC). The aim of this study is to analyse several blood markers and compare their concentrations in patients with only COPD and LC + COPD.

Methods: Case-control study with cases presenting combined LC and COPD and two control groups (patients presenting only COPD and patients presenting only LC).

Predicting delays in lung cancer diagnosis and staging.

Background: Despite growing interest in increasing the efficiency and speed of the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer (LC), the interval from signs and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment remains longer than recommended. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that cause delays in the LC diagnosis/staging process and, consequently, delays in making therapeutic decisions.

Methods: We analyzed audit data from a prospective dataset of 1330 patients assessed at The Lung Cancer Rapid Diagnostic Unit from 26 June 2013 to 26 March 2016.

Influence of the type of emphysema in the relationship between COPD and lung cancer.

Introduction: There are no studies analyzing the relationship between emphysema and lung cancer (LC). With this aim and in order to make some comparisons between different clinical variables, we carried out the present study.

Methods: This is a case-control study, patients with COPD and LC being the cases and subjects with stable COPD being the controls.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Lung Cancer Patients: Prevalence, Underdiagnosis, and Clinical Characterization.

Background: Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The differential clinical and functional features among LC patients with or without COPD have not been defined.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence and underdiagnosis rate of COPD in LC patients and to compare the clinical and functional features of LC patients with and without COPD.

Reliability and usefulness of spirometry performed during admission for COPD exacerbation.

Objectives: Although not currently recommended, spirometry during hospitalization due to exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an opportunity to enhance the diagnosis of this disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness and reliability of spirometry before hospital discharge, comparing it to measurements obtained during clinical stability.

Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study compares spirometry results before and 8 weeks after discharge in consecutive patients admitted for COPD exacerbation.

Validation of the portable Air-Smart Spirometer.

Background: The Air-Smart Spirometer is the first portable device accepted by the European Community (EC) that performs spirometric measurements by a turbine mechanism and displays the results on a smartphone or a tablet.

Methods: In this multicenter, descriptive and cross-sectional prospective study carried out in 2 hospital centers, we compare FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio measured with the Air Smart-Spirometer device and a conventional spirometer, and analyze the ability of this new portable device to detect obstructions. Patients were included for 2 consecutive months.