Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients with and without Non-Expandable Lung Secondary to Malignant Pleural Effusion-A Single-Centre Observational Study.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affects up to 15% of patients with malignancy, and the prevalence is increasing. Non-expandable lung (NEL) complicates MPE in up to 30% of cases. However, it is not known if patients with malignant pleural effusion and NEL are more symptomatic in activities of daily living compared to patients with MPE with expandable lung.

Head and neck ultrasound training improves the diagnostic performance of otolaryngology residents.

Objective: Surgeon-performed head and neck ultrasound (US) is increasingly used among otolaryngologists in office-based and surgical settings. However, it is unknown how formal US training affects otolaryngology residents' diagnostic workup of patients with cervical pathology. This study examined how a formal US course for residents affected their outpatient clinic US performance and diagnostic accuracy.

Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Non-Expandable Lung: A Prospective Observational Study of M-Mode, B-Mode, and 2D-Shear Wave Elastography.

Background: Non-expandable lung (NEL) has severe implications for patient symptoms and impaired lung function, as well as crucial implications for the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Indwelling pleural catheters have shown good symptom relief for patients with NEL; hence, identifying patients early in their disease is vital. With the inability of the lung to achieve pleural apposition following thoracentesis and the formation of a hydropneumothorax, traditionally, chest X-ray and clinical symptoms have been used to make the diagnosis following thoracentesis.

Artificial Intelligence Improves Novices' Bronchoscopy Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Simulated Setting.

Background: Navigating through the bronchial tree and visualizing all bronchial segments is the initial step toward learning flexible bronchoscopy. A novel bronchial segment identification system based on artificial intelligence (AI) has been developed to help guide trainees toward more effective training.

Research Question: Does feedback from an AI-based automatic bronchial segment identification system improve novice bronchoscopists' end-of-training performance?

Study Design And Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial in a standardized simulated setting.

Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach.

Flexible bronchoscopy is a technically difficult procedure and has been identified as the most important procedure that should be integrated into a simulation-based training program for pulmonologists. However, more specific guidelines that govern bronchoscopy training are needed to meet this demand. To ensure patients a competent examination, we propose a systematic, stepwise approach, splitting the procedure into four "landmarks" to support novice endoscopists navigating the bronchial maze.

When Pulmonologists Are Novice to Navigational Bronchoscopy, What Predicts Diagnostic Yield?

Predicting factors of diagnostic yield in electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) have been explored in a number of previous studies based on data from experienced operators. However, little is known about predicting factors when the procedure is carried out by operators in the beginning of their learning curve. We here aim to identify the role of operators' experience as well as lesion- and procedure characteristics on diagnostic yield of ENB procedures in the hands of novice ENB operators.

Spinal versus conventional fine needle for ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule biopsy: a protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are very common and constitute an increasing clinical challenge since improved imaging capabilities and utilisation have led to a higher number of incidental findings. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the standard diagnostic tool in the work-up of thyroid nodules suspected of malignancy. Non-diagnostic results remain common and require repeated FNAB, leading to increased costs and delayed treatment of thyroid diseases, including treatment of thyroid cancer.

Asymptomatic lung nodules in dental professionals: A diagnostic challenge.

Dental care workers are frequently exposed to various types of volatile organic and inorganic compounds. In addition to biological materials, these compounds include silica, heavy metals, and acrylic plastics. Such exposures may cause respiratory symptoms, but the nonspecific nature of these symptoms often means that the etiology is difficult to discern.

Correction: Hands-On Time in Simulation-Based Ultrasound Training - A Dose-Related Response Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/a-1795-5138.].

Electroporation and Immunotherapy-Unleashing the Abscopal Effect.

The discovery of electroporation in 1968 has led to the development of electrochemotherapy (ECT) and irreversible electroporation (IRE). ECT and IRE have been established as treatments of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors and locally advanced pancreatic cancer, respectively. Interestingly, the treatment modalities have been shown to elicit immunogenic cell death, which in turn can induce an immune response towards the tumor cells.

Hands-On Time in Simulation-Based Ultrasound Training - A Dose-Related Response Study.

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is widely used, but the sensitivity and specificity of the findings are highly user-dependent. There are many different approaches to ultrasound training. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of hands-on practice when learning POCUS.

Contrast enhancement for ultrasound-guided interventions: when to use it and what to expect?

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has recently become synonymous with high-standard ultrasonography (US). From expanding the reach of US diagnostics to improving the precision of various invasive procedures, CEUS is rapidly becoming a standard in numerous niches. However, proficiency in CEUS comes with a cost, both from a learning curve and material standpoint, and as every growing field, lacks firm evidence and standardization.

Expertise in colonoscopy intubation does not predict diagnostic accuracy: a simulation-based study.

 Studies have linked cecal intubation rate with adenoma detection rate; however, the direct association between technical performance during colonoscopy intubation and withdrawal has never been explored. Thus, it remains unclear whether gentle and efficient intubation predicts superior mucosal inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between performance during intubation and withdrawal in a simulation-based setup.

A rare clinical presentation of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia mimicking lung cancer.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia rarely presents as pulmonary symptoms, and even rarer as chylothorax. We present a patient who presented with bilateral pleural effusion and a 30 mm solid lesion in the lung. Biochemical analysis of the pleural fluid revealed chylothorax.

A national needs assessment to identify technical procedures in plastic surgery for simulation-based training.

Medical simulation is not developed and integrated into plastic surgery unlike other surgical specialties despite the procedures being complex and require practice. First step in enhancing simulation in plastic surgery is to clarify the need among peers. The objective of the study was to identify and prioritize the technical procedures that should be included in a simulation-based curriculum for residency training in plastic surgery.

Adult pulmonary blastoma in an adult with urothelial cancer: A case report.

Pulmonary blastoma is an aggressive lung cancer with incidence ranging from 0.25-0.5 of all the reported lung cancers.

The prevalence of tumour markers in malignant pleural effusions associated with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a retrospective study.

Background: Oncological treatment of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC) includes drugs targeting the pathways involving (PD-L1), (EGFR) mutation and (ALK). The aim of the study was to report the prevalence of these tumour markers in pleural fluid with cytology positive for pulmonary AC and the potential influence of volume pleural fluid tested.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all thoracenteses performed in a two-year period at our interventional unit at Department of Respiratory Medicine at Zealand University Hospital Naestved, Denmark.

Learning Curves for Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy Using CUSUM Analysis.

Background: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a relatively new and technically demanding procedure for the guidance of bronchoscopic biopsy to help locate small lung lesions. The results in experienced hands are well described. However, we do not know the results in unexperienced hands-in other words, we have no knowledge about how fast you can learn the procedure.

Optimal Insertion Depth for Nasal Mid-Turbinate and Nasopharyngeal Swabs.

Millions of people are tested for COVID-19 daily during the pandemic, and a lack of evidence to guide optimal nasal swab testing can increase the risk of false-negative test results. This study aimed to determine the optimal insertion depth for nasal mid-turbinate and nasopharyngeal swabs. The measurements were made with a flexible endoscope during the collection of clinical specimens with a nasopharyngeal swab at a public COVID-19 test center in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Education in the placement of ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheters: a systematic review.

Background: Placing a peripheral vein catheter can be challenging due to several factors, but using ultrasound as guidance increases the success rate. The purpose of this review is to investigate the knowledge already existing within the field of education in ultrasound-guided peripheral vein catheter placement and explore the efficacy and clinical impact of different types of education.

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA-guidelines, a systematic search was performed using three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL).

Automatic and Objective Assessment of Motor Skills Performance in Flexible Bronchoscopy.

Background: Motor skills have been identified as a useful measure to evaluate competency in bronchoscopy. However, no automatic assessment system of motor skills with a clear pass/fail criterion in flexible bronchoscopy exists.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to develop an objective and automatic measure of motor skills in bronchoscopy and set a pass/fail criterion.

Asymptomatic pleural thickening with effusion as the only manifestation of IgG4-related disease.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a systemic fibroinflammatory disorder that can affect almost any tissue. Isolated IgG4 pleural disease is a rare manifestation and, when present, is usually described in patients presenting with dyspnoea. We present a case of asymptomatic isolated IgG4 pleural effusion and highlight that IgG4-related disease should be remembered as a differential diagnosis in patients with pleural effusion and pleural thickening, even if asymptomatic and without any other organ involvement.

Using structured progress to measure competence in flexible bronchoscopy.

Background: Flexible bronchoscopy is a core invasive procedure in pulmonary medicine and training in the procedure is mandatory. Diagnostic completeness and procedure time have been identified as useful measures of competence. No outcome measures have been developed regarding navigational path in bronchoscopy to assess whether the bronchial segments have been identified in an arbitrary or structured order.