[EBUS-guided cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions - step by step].

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the gold standard in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lesions. For certain purposes, such as the diagnosis and subtyping of lymphoproliferative disorders or molecular pathology, a larger amount of intact sample material is required. EBUS cryobiopsy is a new and efficient tool for this purpose.

Impact of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with Valves on the Pulmonary Gas Exchange.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with endobronchial valves has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe lung emphysema. Previous studies have reported a benefit in pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life after BLVR-treatment. The effect of BLVR with valves on the pulmonary gas exchange and its association with clinical outcomes has not been analyzed to date.

Predictive value of Chartis measurement for lung function improvements in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.

Background: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) valve implantation can be achieved by targeting severely hyperinflated and emphysematously destructed lung areas in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Lack of collateral ventilation (CV) is important for good outcomes with BLVR. CV can be measured using the catheter-based Chartis system.

Thoracic Ultrasound for Immediate Exclusion of Pneumothorax after Interventional Bronchoscopy.

Background: Pneumothorax is a common side effect in interventional pulmonology. The ideal moment for detection with chest X-ray or ultrasound has not yet been defined. Earlier studies demonstrated the utility of performing these tests with a certain delay, which always results in a potentially dangerous gap.

Integration of Bronchoscopic Transesophageal Ultrasound Examination of the Left Adrenal Gland into Routine Lung Cancer Staging Workup: A Prospective Trial.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) with transbronchial needle aspiration increases the diagnostic yield of lung cancer staging. The left adrenal gland (LAG) is a common site for lung cancer metastasis. The modality of transesophageal examination with an EBUS bronchoscope (EUS-B) routinely for LAG has not been assessed.

Bronchial Thermoplasty Including the Middle Lobe Bronchus Significantly Improves Lung Function and Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Severe Asthma.

Purpose: Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) is indicated in patients suffering from severe and symptomatic bronchial asthma despite maximal medical therapy. However, treatment of the right middle lobe (RML) bronchus is currently not recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of BT if the RML bronchus is included.

Towards Individualized Tracheobronchial Stents: Technical, Practical and Legal Considerations.

Stent placement has been established as a standard procedure for treating airway obstructions. Other indications are localized malacias and fistulas. Though many different stents with various diameters and lengths are available, the shapes are hardly ever ideal because of the distorted anatomy in patients with diseased airways.

Oxidation of cofilin mediates T cell hyporesponsiveness under oxidative stress conditions.

Oxidative stress leads to impaired T cell activation. A central integrator of T cell activation is the actin-remodelling protein cofilin. Cofilin is activated through dephosphorylation at Ser3.