Experience with mepolizumab in adults with severe eosinophilic asthma: a case series from India.

Severe asthma can be associated with eosinophilic or allergic phenotypes or both. Eosinophilic inflammation is associated with exacerbations and disease severity due to biological activity of interleukin-5 (IL-5). Patients with severe asthma have reported reduced lung function and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and may require systemic corticosteroids for its management. Thus, treatment targeting IL-5 can help improve quality of life and reduce the use of systemic corticosteroids in severe asthma. Mepolizumab is approved for treating severe eosinophilic asthma as it helps reduce exacerbations, improve lung function and asthma control, and reduce the use of systemic glucocorticoids. This further helps in enhancing HRQoL of these patients. This case series includes four adult patients suffering from severe eosinophilic asthma who were treated with mepolizumab.

Transcutaneous closure of chronic broncho-pleuro-cutaneous fistula by duct occluder device.

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a well known complication of several pulmonary conditions posing challenging management problem and is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though no consensus exists on a definite closure management algorithm, strategies for closure widely include various methods like tube thoracostomy with suction, open surgical closure, bronchoscopy directed glue, coiling and sealants which now also includes use of occlusion devices. We report a case in which a novel method of delivery and closure of recurrent post-operative broncho-pleuro-cutaneous fistula by a duct occluder device was done transcutaneously which has not been previously described in literature.

Closure of chronic bronchopleural fistula using atrial septal occluder device.

Chronic persistent bronchopleural fistulae (BPF) are challenging management problems. The management of BPF includes various surgical and medical procedures and of great value is the use of bronchoscopy and different devices. In high-risk surgical patients, bronchoscopic procedures serve as a temporary bridge until the patient's clinical condition improves, whereas in other patients bronchoscopic procedures may be the only option. We present a case of postoperative chronic BPF closed by a less invasive interventional bronchoscopic procedure using an atrial septal occluder device.