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.In pleural diseases, TU has been a real revolution. It helps to differentiate between different types of pleural effusions, guides the performance of pleural biopsies when necessary and is more cost-effective under these conditions, and assists in the decision to remove thoracic drainage after talc pleurodesis.With the advent of COVID19, the use of TU has increased for the study of lung involvement. Nowadays it helps in the diagnosis of pneumonias, tumours and interstitial diseases, and its use is becoming more and more widespread in the Pneumology ward.In recent years, TU guided biopsies have been shown to be highly cost-effective, with other advantages such as the absence of radiation and the possibility of being performed at bedside. The use of contrast in ultrasound to increase the cost-effectiveness of these biopsies is very promising.In the study of the mediastinum and peripheral pulmonary nodules, the introduction of echobronchoscopy has brought about a radical change. It is a fully established technique in the study of lung cancer patients. The introduction of elastography may help to further improve its cost-effectiveness.In critically-ill patients, diaphragmatic ultrasound helps in the assessment of withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, and is now an indispensable tool in the management of these patients. (AU)

Contribución de PET/CT a la diferenciación de derrame pleural benigno y maligno en pacientes con cáncer de ovario / The contribution of PET/CT to the differentiation of benign and malignant pleural effusion in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Objetivo En nuestro estudio el objetivo fue investigar la contribución de los hallazgos de la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET)/tomografía computarizada (TC) en la diferenciación no invasiva entre el derrame pleural (DP) de origen benigno (DPB) y maligno (DPM) en pacientes diagnosticadas de un carcinoma de ovario (CO). Material y método Se incluyeron en el estudio a 32 pacientes diagnosticadas de CO con DP. Se efectuó análisis comparativo entre el DPB y el DPM para los siguientes parámetros: SUVmáx. del DP, índice objeto/fondo (TBRp: target/background ratio) del DP, dividiendo el SUVmáx. del DP por el SUVmedio del flujo sanguíneo mediastínico (MBP: medistinal blood pool), engrosamiento pleural, adenopatías supradiafragmáticas, DP unilateral o bilateral, diámetro del DP, edad de la paciente y niveles de CA125. Resultados La edad media de las 32 pacientes fue de 57±2,8 años. Se observó mayor frecuencia significativa de un TBRp>1,1, engrosamiento pleural y ganglios linfáticos supradiafragmáticos en el DPM respecto al DPB. Aunque no se detectó ningún nódulo pleural en las pacientes con DPB, estos estuvieron presentes en 7 pacientes con DPM. En la distinción DMP-DBP la sensibilidad del TBRp fue del 95,2% y la especificidad del 72,7%, la sensibilidad del engrosamiento pleural fue del 80,9%, y la especificidad del 81,8%, la sensibilidad de los ganglios linfáticos supradiafragmáticos fue del 38% y la especificidad del 90,9%, y la sensibilidad del nódulo pleural fue del 33,3% y la especificidad del 100%. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los 2 grupos respecto al resto de factores. Conclusión El engrosamiento pleural y el valor de TBRp determinados en la PET/TC pueden contribuir a la diferenciación entre DMP y DBP, especialmente en aquellas pacientes con CO en estadio avanzado y mal estado general, o que no son tributarias de ser sometidas a tratamiento quirúrgico (AU)

Objective The present study investigates the ability of non-invasive contribution of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to distinguish between benign pleural effusions (BPE) and malignant pleural effusions (MPE) in patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma (OC). Material and method Included in the study were 32 OC patients with a PE diagnosis. The cases with BPE and MPE were compared in terms of the PE maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), PE SUVmax/mean standardized uptake (SUVmean) value of the mediastinal blood pool (TBRp), the presence of pleural thickening, the presence of supradiaphragmatic lymph node, unilateral or bilateral PE, pleural effusion diameter, patient age and CA125 value. Results The mean age of the 32 patients was 57±2.8 years. TBRp>1.1, pleural thickening and supradiaphragmatic lymph node were observed significantly more frequently in the MPE than the BPE cases. While no pleural nodules were detected in patients with BPE, they were present in 7 of the patients with MPE. The rates of distinction between the MPE and BPE cases were as follows: the sensitivity of the TBRp value was 95.2% and specificity was 72.7%; the sensitivity of pleural thickness was 80.9% and specificity was 81.8%; the sensitivity of supradiaphragmatic lymph node was 38% and specificity was 90.9%; and the sensitivity of the pleural nodule was 33.3% and specificity was 100%. There were no significant differences between two groups in any other factors. Conclusion Pleural thickening and TBRp values ascertained through PET/CT may aid the distinction between MPE-BPE, especially in patients with advanced stage OC with a poor general condition, or those who cannot undergo surgery (AU)

A PET-CT score for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions / Desarrollo de una categorización de la PET-TAC para la diferenciación entre derrames pleurales benignos y malignos

Background and objectives The results of previous PET-CT studies are contradictory for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions. We purpose to develop a PET-CT score for differentiating between benign and malignant effusions. Patients and methods We conducted a prospective study of consecutive patients with pleural effusions undergoing PET-CT from October 2013 to October 2019 (referral cohort). PET-CT scan features evaluated using the SUV were: linear thickening; nodular thickening; nodules; masses; circumferential thickening; mediastinal and fissural pleural involvement; intrathoracic lymph nodes; pleural loculation; inflammatory consolidation; pleural calcification; cardiomegaly; pericardial effusion; bilateral effusion; lung mass; liver metastasis and other extra-pleural malignancy. The results were validated in an independent prospective cohort from November 2019 to June 2021. Results One hundred and ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the referral cohort (91 with malignant effusions and 108 benign). The most useful parameters for the development of a PET-CT score were: nodular pleural thickening, pleural nodules with SUV>7.5, lung mass or extra pleural malignancy (10 points each), mammary lymph node with SUV>4.5 (5 points) and cardiomegaly (−1 point). With a cut-off value of >9 points in the referral cohort, the score established the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion with sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 90.7%, positive predictive value 88.9%, negative predictive value 89.9%, positive likelihood ratio 7.81 and negative likelihood ratio 0.106. These results were validated in an independent prospective cohort of 75 patients. Conclusions PET-CT score was shown to provide relevant information for the identification of malignant pleural effusion (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos Los estudios PET-TAC previos en el análisis del derrame pleural son contradictorios. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar una puntuación mediante PET-TAC para diferenciar entre derrames benignos y malignos. Pacientes y métodos Estudio prospectivo en pacientes con derrame pleural a los que se realizó una PET-TAC desde octubre de 2013 hasta octubre de 2019 (cohorte de referencia). Los datos analizados fueron: engrosamiento lineal; engrosamiento nodular; nódulos; masas; engrosamiento circunferencial; afectación pleural mediastínica y cisural; ganglios linfáticos torácicos; loculación pleural; consolidación; calcificación pleural; cardiomegalia; derrame pericárdico; derrame bilateral; masa pulmonar; metástasis hepáticas y otras neoplasias malignas extrapleurales. Se calculó el SUV de todos estos parámetros. Los resultados se validaron en una cohorte independiente. Resultados Se incluyó a 199 pacientes en la cohorte de referencia (91 derrames malignos y 108 benignos). Los parámetros que mostraron más utilidad para discriminar ambos derrames y desarrollar una puntuación fueron: engrosamiento pleural nodular, nódulos pleurales con SUV > 7,5, masa pulmonar o malignidad extrapleural (10 puntos cada uno), ganglio en cadena mamaria con SUV > 4,5 (5 puntos) y cardiomegalia (–1 punto). Con un punto de corte > 9 en la cohorte de derivación, se estableció el diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno con una sensibilidad del 87,9%, especificidad del 90,7%, valor predictivo positivo del 88,9%, valor predictivo negativo del 89,9% razón de verosimilitud positiva del 7,81 y razón de verosimilitud negativa del 0,106. Estos resultados fueron validados en una cohorte prospectiva independiente de 75 pacientes. Conclusiones Una puntuación basada en PET-TAC proporciona información relevante para el diagnóstico del derrame pleural maligno (AU)

Efficacy and Safety of Indwelling Catheter for Malignant Pleural Effusions Related to Timing of Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review

Introduction: To compare the efficacy and safety of indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) in relation with the timing of systemic cancer therapy (SCT) (i.e., before, during, or after SCT) in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT), quasi-controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts, and case series of over 20 patients, in which the timing of IPC insertion in relation to that of SCT was provided. Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception to January 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool for RCTs and the ROB in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) for non-randomized designs. Results: Ten studies (n=2907 patients; 3066 IPCs) were included. Using SCT while the IPC was in situ decreased overall mortality, increased survival time, and improved quality-adjusted survival. Timing of SCT had no effect on the risk of IPC-related infections (2.85% overall), even in immunocompromised patients with moderate or severe neutropenia (relative risk 0.98 [95%CI: 0.93–1.03] for patients treated with the combination of IPC and SCT). The inconsistency of the results or the lack of analysis of all outcome measures in relation to the SCT/IPC timing precluded drawing solid conclusions about time to IPC removal or need of re-interventions. Conclusions: Based on observational evidence, the efficacy and safety of IPC for MPE does not seem to vary depending on the IPC insertion timing (before, during, or after SCT). The data most likely support early IPC insertion. (AU)

Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Torácica para el manejo del derrame pleural maligno / Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery for the management of malignant pleural effusion

Este artículo resume la guía clínica de diagnóstico y tratamiento del derrame pleural maligno (DPM) auspiciada por la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Torácica (SECT). Se elaboraron 10 controversias clínicas bajo la metodología de preguntas PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) y la calidad de la evidencia y graduación de la fuerza de las recomendaciones se basó en el sistema Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). El análisis inmunocitoquímico y molecular del líquido pleural puede evitar procedimientos invasivos ulteriores con finalidad diagnóstica. Actualmente, el control definitivo del DPM se puede realizar indistintamente a través de una pleurodesis (talco poudrage o slurry) o de la inserción de un catéter pleural tunelizado (CPT). Es probable que la combinación de ambas técnicas (p.ej. toracoscopia con talco poudrage e inserción de un CPT, o instilación de talco slurry a través de un CPT) ocupe un lugar predominante en el manejo terapéutico futuro. (AU)

This article summarizes the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) sponsored by the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT). Ten clinical controversies were elaborated under the methodology of PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions and the quality of the evidence and grading of the strength of the recommendations was based on the GRADE system. Immunocytochemical and molecular analyses of pleural fluid may avoid further invasive diagnostic procedures. Currently, the definitive control of MPE can be achieved either by pleurodesis (talc poudrage or slurry) or the insertion of a indwelling pleural catheter (IPC). It is likely that the combination of both techniques (i.e., thoracoscopy with talc poudrage and insertion of a IPC, or instillation of talc slurry through a IPC) will have a predominant role in the future therapeutic management. (AU)

Multimodal Approaches Toward Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion: Establishing Treatment Goals is Paramount

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Pleural Effusion Occurring During Lung Cancer Immunotherapy: A Challenge for the Clinician / Derrame pleural durante inmunoterapia por cáncer de pulmón: un desafío para el médico

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Diagnostic utility of LDH, CA125 and CYFRA21-1 in tuberculosis pleural effusion

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of several markers for tuberculosis pleural effusion (TPE) using the combined analysis of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), Cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA21-1).MethodsFrom January to December in 2018, a total of 37 patients with pleural effusion (22 cases of transudative pleural effusion, 15 cases of tuberculosis pleural effusion and 22 cases of Transudative pleural effusion who were hospitalized in our hospital were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression equations was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each marker.ResultsThe levels of LDH and CYFRA21-1 of tuberculosis pleural effusions were obviously higher than those of transudative pleural effusion with statistically significant difference (<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve of LDH, CA125 and CYFRA21-1 were 0.92, 0.344 and 0.656, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of LDH, CA125 and CYFRA21-1 were 100%, 13.3%, 73.3%, respectively. The combined detection of LDH, CA125 and CYFRA21-1 were higher than those of any other combinations of the indexes.ConclusionsThe study showed a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of combined speculation of LDH, ADA and CYFRA21-1 in Tuberculosis pleural effusion.

Criobiopsia en toracoscopia médica: A propósito de un caso con un diagnóstico infrecuente / Cryobiopsy in medical thoracoscopy: a case with an infrequent diagnosis

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Manejo del derrame pleural maligno / Malignant Pleural Effusion Management

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Hemotórax como forma de debut de neoplasias pancreatobiliares: un reto diagnóstico / Haemothorax as an unusual presentation of pancreatobiliary neoplasms: a diagnostic challenge

El hemotórax es una entidad causada habitualmente por traumatismos. Sin embargo, puede aparecer en el contexto de otras etiologías como las neoplasias, las coagulopatías o las enfermedades autoinmunes. Mujer de 77 años que acudió al Servicio de Urgencias por tos y disnea. La radiografía de tórax mostró derrame pleural izquierdo. Se colocó un drenaje pleural obteniendo contenido hemático. Se realizó una TAC que descartó patología torácica, pero mostró una neoplasia pancreática. La pleuroscopia confirmó la existencia de carcinomatosis pleural. El estudio anatomopatológico de las biopsias pleurales junto con los hallazgos clínicorradiológicos fueron altamente sugestivos de la etiología maligna pancreática como etiología del hemotórax. La etiología del hemotórax no traumático supone en ocasiones un reto diagnóstico. En pacientes con hemotórax y sin antecedentes traumáticos debe descartarse la etiología neoplásica del mismo

Haemothorax is more often caused by trauma. However, non-traumatic haemothorax has been associated to other aetiologies such as neoplasms, coagulopathy or autoimmune diseases. A 77-year-old woman was admitted to Hospital because of cough and dyspnoea. Chest-X-ray showed left pleural effusion. A chest tube revealed the presence of an haemothorax. A CT-scan dismissed thoracic aetiology of haemothorax but showed a pancreatobiliary neoplasm. Pleuroscopy confirmed pleural carcinomatosis. The anatomopathological features of pleural biopsies altogether with clinical and radiological findings suggested pancreatobiliary malignancy as the aetiology of the haemothorax. The aetiology of non-traumatic haemothorax is sometimes a diagnostic challenge. In patients with non-traumatic haemothorax, neoplastic aetiology should be always dismissed

LENT Score: Predicting the Survival of Malignant Pleural Effusion - A Prospective Study of Three Years / Score LENT: prediciendo la supervivencia del derrame pleural maligno - un estudio prospectivo de tres años

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Estudio de los niveles basales de survivina y otros marcadores para la predicción de los resultados de la pleurodesis con talco en derrames pleurales malignos / Study on the baseline levels of survivin and other markers to predict the results of pleurodesis with talc in malignant pleural effusions

La survivina se encuentra sobre-expresada en tumores, y podría ser un buen biomarcador diagnóstico y pronóstico en derrames pleurales malignos. OBJETIVO: estudiar la concentración de survivina en pacientes con derrame pleural maligno sometidos a pleurodesis con talco, relacionarla con el resultado de ésta y comparar sus resultados con otros marcadores como pH, glucosa y LDH en líquido pleural. MÉTODOS: se han incluido 84 pacientes con derrame pleural maligno (32 con cáncer de mama, 25 de pulmón y 27 mesoteliomas) sometidos a toracoscopia y pleurodesis con talco. Se recogieron muestras de líquido pleural antes (basal) y 24 horas después de la pleurodesis, y en ellas se midieron los niveles de survivina, pH, glucosa y LDH. También se estudió la carga tumoral en la pleura y la re-expansión del pulmón tras la toracoscopia y pleurodesis.R RESULTADOS: la presencia de niveles basales de survivina > 30 pg/mL se asoció a alto índice de fracaso de la pleurodesis (p = 0,002), y superó en poder predictivo a pH (p = 0,004), glucosa (p = 0,005) y LDH (p = 0,013) CONCLUSIÓN: la survivina juega un poderoso papel como marcador pronóstico en derrames pleurales malignos, y se suma a otros marcadores clásicos como pH, glucosa y LDH, que están asociados a la agresividad tumoral

Survivin is found to be overexpressed in tumors and could be a good diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in malignant pleural effusions. OBJECTIVE: To study the concentration of survivin in patients with a malignant pleural effusion who undergo pleurodesis with talc, associate it with the result of the procedure and compare the results with other markers like pH, glucose and LDH in pleural liquid. METHODS: 84 patients with malignant pleural effusion (32 with breast cancer, 25 lung cancer and 27 mesotheliomas) who underwent thoracoscopy and pleurodesis with talc were included in the study. Pleural liquid samples were taken before (baseline) and 24 hours after the pleurodesis, measuring the levels of survivin, pH, glucose and LDH. The tumor burden in the pleura and the re-expansion of the lung after thoracoscopy and pleurodesis were also studied. RESULTS: The presence of baseline levels of survivin >30 pg/mL was associated with a high rate of pleurodesis failure (p = 0.002) and surpassed the predictive power of pH (p = 0.004), glucose (p = 0.005) and LDH (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Survivin plays a powerful role as a prognostic marker in malignant pleural effusions and joins other classic markers like pH, glucose and LDH, which are associated with tumor aggression

Impacto clínico de una unidad de patología pleural en un hospital de tercer nivel / Clinical Impact of a Pleural Unit in a Tertiary Level Hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad pleural conlleva un gran número de ingresos y elevadas estancias hospitalarias. Con el fin de mejorar esto, se creó en nuestro hospital una unidad de patología pleural (UPP). Nuestro objetivo es analizar el impacto clínico de dicha unidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo en el que incluimos a los pacientes ingresados en la UPP del Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias por neumotórax espontáneo primario (NEP), secundario (NES), derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado (DPPC) y derrame pleural maligno (DPM), entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2018. Analizamos parámetros descriptivos, estancias medias, reingresos al mes, necesidad de cirugía y, en los DPPC, también la mortalidad hospitalaria. Los datos se compararon con los de los pacientes ingresados por la misma enfermedad en neumología durante los 2 años previos (2013-2014). Describimos además todos los procedimientos realizados en la UPP, tanto ambulatorios como en pacientes ingresados. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 741 pacientes. Objetivamos una disminución progresiva de los ingresos totales por enfermedad pleural y de la estancia media (días) en dichas afecciones, excepto en el DPM: NEP de 6,2 a 4,2 (p = 0,004), NES de 13,2 a 8,6 (p = 0,005), DPM de 10,3 a 12,3 (p = 0,05) y DPPC de 18,3 a 11,3 (p = 0,001). Existió una reducción de los reingresos al mes y de la mortalidad hospitalaria por DPPC en el periodo de la UPP (14,9% al 5,5%) (p = 0,021). CONCLUSIONES: La creación de una UPP podría disminuir el número de ingresos innecesarios, favoreciendo una reducción de las estancias medias y, en los DPPC, también la mortalidad hospitalaria

INTRODUCTION: Pleural disease involves a large number of admissions and long hospital stays. In order to improve this situation, a Pleural Unit (PU) was created in our hospital. Our aim was to analyze the clinical impact of this unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, we included patients admitted to the PU of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (CPPE), and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) between January 2015 and December 2018. We analyzed descriptive parameters, mean length of stay, readmissions at 1 month, need for surgery, and in the CPPE group, in-hospital mortality. The data were compared with those of patients admitted to the respiratory medicine department for the same diseases during the previous two years (2013-2014). We also describe all procedures performed in the PU, in both inpatients and outpatients. RESULTS: A total of 741 patients were included, We observed a progressive decrease in total admissions for pleural diseases and mean length of stay (days) (with the exception of MPE), as follows: PSP: from 6.2 to 4.2 (P = .004); SSP: 13.2 to 8.6 (P = .005), MPE: 10.3 to 12.3 (P = .05); and CPPE: 18.3 to 11.3 (P = .001) There was a reduction in hospital readmissions at 1 month and in in-hospital mortality due to CPPE in the PU period (14.9% to 5.5%) (P = .021). CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a PU could decrease the number of unnecessary admissions, and reduce mean lengths of stay and, in the case of CPPE, in-hospital mortality

Manejo domiciliario del catéter pleural tunelizado permanente: a propósito de un caso / Home management of permanent tunneled pleural catheter: a case report

El derrame pleural maligno representa una entidad frecuente en pacientes con enfermedades neoplásicas. Su aparición representa un estadio avanzado de la enfermedad e indica mal pronóstico, y puede conllevar una elevada carga sintomática con el deterioro de la calidad de vida. Aunque su manejo debe individualizarse, en determinados casos, la utilización de catéteres pleurales tunelizados permanentes puede ser una alternativa segura y eficaz para intentar alcanzar un adecuado control de los síntomas. Presentamos el caso de una paciente diagnosticada en nuestro departamento de un mesotelioma pleural maligno con derrame pleural recidivante, a la que se le colocó un catéter pleural tunelizado puesto que los intentos previos de pleurodesis habían fracasado. Describimos el procedimiento, así como el manejo domiciliario. En este caso, se optó por un abordaje integral con apoyo domiciliario de la Unidad de Hospitalización a Domicilio de nuestro hospital. En definitiva, el catéter pleural permanente tunelizado representa una alternativa eficaz y segura en el manejo ambulatorio de los pacientes con derrame pleural maligno recidivante y sintomático. Este sistema permite la extracción de líquido pleural en el domicilio del paciente y alcanzar un mayor control de los síntomas respiratorios y una mayor calidad de vida en este grupo de pacientes

Malignant pleural effusion represents a frequent entity in patients with neoplastic diseases. Its appearance represents an advanced stage of the disease and indicates a poor prognosis and can lead a high symptomatic burden with the deterioration of the quality of life. Although its management must be individualized, in certain cases, the use of permanent tunneled pleural catheters can be a safe and effective alternative to try to reach an adequate control of symptoms. We present the case of a patient diagnosed in our department of a malignant pleural mesothelioma with recurrent pleural effusion, to which a tunneled pleural catheter was placed because previous pleurodesis attempts had failed. We describe the procedure, as well as home management. In this case, we chose a comprehensive approach with home support from the Hospital at Home of our hospital

Echogenic Swirling Seen on Ultrasound and Outcome of Pleurodesis in Malignant Pleural Effusion / Ecografía con signo de remolino y resultado de la pleurodesis en un derrame pleural maligno

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