Ultrasound-guided transbronchial cryobiopsy of mediastinal and hilar lesions: a multicenter pragmatic cohort study with real-world evidence.

Background: Limited data exist on the reliability, efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided transbronchial cryobiopsy for suspicious mediastinal and hilar lesions. This study shares findings from implementing this method and compares the results with those of the standard endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Methods: Patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy for mediastinal or hilar lesions in four Swiss centres were included.

The Use of Bronchial Rheoplasty in Emphysema Patients Previously Treated with Endoscopic Lung Volume Reduction: A Case Series.

Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) is an established treatment option for patients with severe emphysema. Not all patients are candidates for this type of intervention, and in the context of significant airway secretions, they may be excluded from treatment. Bronchial Rheoplasty (BR) was developed to treat mucus hypersecretion by delivering nonthermal pulsed electric fields to the airway epithelium and submucosa.

Endoscopic treatment of benign tracheal stenosis: a single-centre study.

Background: Benign tracheal stenosis is relatively rare but remains a significant chronic disease due to its drastic symptoms including dyspnoea and inspiratory stridor, and consequent negative effect on quality of life. Traditionally, the surgical approach by resection of the stenotic tracheal segment has been the therapy of choice. However, endoscopic techniques have arisen and may offer a safe and less invasive alternative.

One-Lung Ventilation during Rigid Bronchoscopy Using a Single-Lumen Endotracheal Tube: A Descriptive, Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Using one-lung ventilation (OLV) through a single-lumen endotracheal tube (SLT) in the untreated lung during rigid bronchoscopy (RB) and jet ventilation, high oxygenation can be guaranteed, whilst procedures requiring thermal energy in the other lung are still able to be used. This pilot study aimed to examine the bronchoscopy-associated risks and feasibility of OLV using an SLT during RB in patients with malignant airway stenosis. All consecutive adult patients with endobronchial malignant lesions receiving OLV during RB from 1 January 2017 to 12 May 2021 were included.

Lung Ultrasound for the Exclusion of Pneumothorax after Interventional Bronchoscopies-A Retrospective Study.

A chest X-ray (CXR) is recommended after bronchoscopies with an increased risk of pneumothorax (PTX). However, concerns regarding radiation exposure, expenses and staff requirements exist. A lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising alternative for the detection of PTX, though data are scarce.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Forceps Biopsy: A Retrospective Bicentric Study Using the Olympus 1.5 mm Mini-Forceps.

When evaluating mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy (LAD) or masses, guidelines recommend endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) as an initial technique for tissue analysis and diagnosis. However, owing to the small sample size obtained by needle aspiration, its diagnostic yield (DY) is limited. EBUS transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB) used as a complimentary technique to EBUS-TBNA might allow for better histopathological evaluation, thus improving DY.

Early Spirometry Following Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with Endobronchial Valves.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) by endobronchial valve (EBV) implantation has been shown to improve dyspnea, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in highly selected patients with severe emphysema and hyperinflation. The most frequent adverse event is a pneumothorax (PTX), occurring in approximately one-fifth of the cases due to intrathoracic volume shifts. The majority of these incidents are observed within 48 h post-procedure.

Evaluation of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment of lung cancer using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis.

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer. In recent years, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) emerged as a promising new therapeutic approach. However, a deeper understanding of the immunologic responses adjacent to the tumor known as tumor microenvironment (TME) is needed.

Endobronchial coil therapy in severe emphysema: 6-month outcomes from a Swiss National Registry.

Background: Endobronchial coils have been demonstrated in three randomized, controlled trials to improve quality of life, exercise tolerance, and lung function in patients with severe emphysema. This therapy is CE-marked and commercially available in Switzerland. Coil treated patients are followed in a post-market Swiss registry to collect safety and effectiveness data in routine clinical practice.

Prognostic value of MIB-1 proliferation index in solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura implemented in a new score - a multicenter study.

Background: Although the majority of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) follow a benign course, 10-25% of patients suffer from recurrence or metastatic disease. Several scoring models have been proposed to predict the outcome. However, none of these included immunohistochemical (IHC) markers as possible prognosticators.

Evaluation of Nickel Release from Endobronchial Valves as a Possible Cause of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Patient Treated with Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction.

Background: Endobronchial valve (EBV) placement is an established lung volume reduction procedure aiming to improve lung function and exercise capacity in patients with severe emphysema. As EBVs consist of silicone and nitinol (a metal alloy of nickel and titanium), there are concerns that nickel ions might be released and could have a clinical impact in patients with a contact allergy to nickel. Based on a case with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) after treatment with EBVs, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro nickel release from EBVs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Validation of transpulmonary thermodilution variables in hemodynamically stable patients with heart diseases.

Background: Transpulmonary thermodilution is recommended in the treatment of critically ill patients presenting with complex shock. However, so far it has not been validated in hemodynamically stable patients with heart disease.

Methods: We assessed the validity of cardiac output, global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), an established marker of preload thought to reflect the volume of all four heart chambers, global ejection fraction (GEF) and cardiac function index (CFI) as variables of cardiac function, and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) as indicator of pulmonary edema in 29 patients undergoing elective left and right heart catheterization including left ventricular angiography with stable coronary heart disease and normal cardiac function (controls, n = 11), moderate-to-severe aortic valve stenosis (AS, n = 10), or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 8).

Long-term follow-up of pulmonary function in Fabry disease: A bi-center observational study.

Introduction: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder leading to decreased α-galactosidase A enzyme activity and subsequent abnormal accumulation of glycosphingolipids in various organs. Although histological evidence of lung involvement has been demonstrated, the functional impact of these changes is less clear.

Materials And Methods: Adult patients with FD who had yearly pulmonary function tests (PFT) at two centers from 1999 thru 2015 were eligible for this observational study.

The frequent and underrecognised co-occurrence of acute exacerbated COPD and depression warrants screening: a systematic review.

Patients with acute exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and concurrent depression suffer significant psychological stress and decreased quality of life. The aim of this study was to collate data, guidelines and recommendations from publications on the screening and management of depressive mood disorders in patients hospitalised with AECOPD.We systematically searched four databases for publications reporting screening or management of depression in patients hospitalised for AECOPD.

Low tissue levels of miR-125b predict malignancy in solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura.

Background: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare neoplasia of the chest. A subset of SFTP follows a malignant course, sometimes several years after complete resection. Traditional scoring systems based on clinical and histological features are poor predictors of biological behavior.