Endobronchial Ultrasound Elastography for Differentiating Benign and Malignant Lymph Nodes.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound elastography that provides information on tissue stiffness may help distinguish malignant from benign mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes.

Objectives: In this prospective trial, we assessed the diagnostic value of elastographic images and the interobserver agreement in its evaluation.

Method: Elastographic images from 77 lymph nodes in 65 patients were reviewed by 3 pneumologists.

Possible value of antifibrotic drugs in patients with progressive fibrosing non-IPF interstitial lung diseases.

Background: Fibrosing, non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (non-IPF) interstitial lung diseases (fILDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by a different amount of inflammation and fibrosis. Therapy is currently based on corticosteroids and/or immunomodulators. However, response to these therapies is highly variable, sometimes without meaningful improvement, especially in more fibrosing forms.

Interventional therapy in patients with severe emphysema: evaluation of contraindications and their incidence.

Background: Endoscopic and surgical interventions may be beneficial for selected patients with emphysema. Rates of treatment failure decrease when the predictors for successful therapy are known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the number of patients with severe emphysema who were not eligible for any intervention, and the reasons for their exclusion.

[Interventional Bronchoscopy: What is Possible and What Makes Sense?].

Interventional bronchoscopy plays a significant role in the treatment of various pulmonary diseases. Different endoscopic therapeutic modalities are available for the management of central airway obstruction (CAO) that represent a common indication for interventional bronchoscopy. The latest development in the field of CAO management are biodegradable stents, that would maintain the airway patency over time, then gradually degrade and vanish from the airway.

New bacterial growth in bronchial secretions after bronchoscopic valve implantation.

Background: Bronchoscopic valve implantation is an established treatment in selected patients with severe lung emphysema. There is evidence in literature of increased bacterial colonization of various implants. So far, it is unclear if an increased bacterial colonization can also be observed after endoscopic valve therapy.

Interventional pulmonology in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema are widespread diseases associated with progressive dyspnea because of airflow limitation and hyperinflation. Fundamental therapeutic strategies consist of pulmonary rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy, long-term oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, and surgical therapeutic approaches.

Recent Findings: In the last 14 years, endoscopic therapeutic modalities emerged as a substantial part of severe COPD and emphysema treatment.

Patients' perspectives on depression case management in general practice - a qualitative study.

Objective: General practice-based case management is effective in improving symptoms, adherence, and the perceived process of care of patients living with major depression. The aim was to explore the patients' perceptions of practice-based depression case management, their satisfaction with it and how living with depression contextualizes case management.

Methods: This qualitative study was nested in a large cluster-randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of case management for patients living with major depression.