Corrigendum to "Tentative study on radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty" [Respir. Med. Case Rep. 36 (2022) 101571].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101571.].

Mesothelioma: A Case in a Diagnostic Timeline and the Efficiency of Robot-Assisted Surgery.

We present a case of a 65-year-old male with a difficulty to diagnose mesothelioma. To be specific, three attempts were made to diagnose the disease, and only with a large sample performed with robot-assisted surgery, our pathologists were able to identify the malignancy. The novelty for our case is mostly based on the timeline of the diagnosis along with the tissue samples where we present the course of the transformation from benign to malignancy. All tissue biopsies were checked by two independent pathologists. Conclusively, diagnosis for small local lesions should be performed with an endoscopic method, video-assisted or robot-assisted.

Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound for Lung Cancer Diagnosis: Tips and Tricks.

Introduction: Endoscopic techniques have been upgraded in the recent 10 years. We can use the radial endobronchial ultrasound to reach distal nodules in the periphery of the lungs, but also we can use it in order to make biopsies in lesions without endobronchial findings. Patients and Methods: We included in our study 248 patients with pulmonary nodules up to 4 cm. We use a radial endobronchial system from FUJI, a PENTAX bronchoscope and a C-ARM. We recorded the cancer type, biopsy method, time of each procedure, cell blocks and slices from cell blocks. Results: Two thirds of patients belonged to males (61.7%), forceps was the main tissue extraction technique (118, 47.6%) and tumors sized 1 to 2 cm were the most encountered (96, 38.7%). Samples with tissue content were present in 175 patients (70.6%) and one cell block dominated in the samples (109, 43.9%). Less than 20 minutes were needed to complete the operative procedure for the half patients (127, 51.2%), the C-Arm implementation concerned 117 persons (47.2%) and the majority of tumors was located in the central area of the lungs (178, 71.8%). Less time was necessary for central lesions and larger biopsy samples were acquired without the extensive use of C-ARM. Conclusion: The larger the nodule ≥2cm and in periphery the less we use the C-ARM and the time of the procedure is between 20-40 minutes. Moreover; we have more tissue sample and cell block slices.

Tentative study on radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty.

AIM: We aimed to observe the clinical practicing value of radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty. METHODS: We selected two patients who received bronchial thermoplasty in our hospital. We measured the thickness of each segmental airway wall of each patient by radial endobronchial ultrasonography, and observed the difference before and after the therapy. All the treatments and measurement were performed by a designated bronchoscopist and the locations and depths of the ultrasound probe were relatively fixed, to reduce the operational error. RESULTS: In both two patients, the mean thicknesses of all segmental airway walls was 4.9 ± 0.7 mm before the first session of BT; the mean thickness was 4.13 ± 0.92 mm before the second session; the mean thickness was 2.69 ± 0.68 mm before the third session; the mean thickness was 2.7 ± 0.5 mm in the follow-up measurement at six months after the BT treatment; all thicknesses of airway wall were significantly reduced comparing with those before treatment; all the thicknesses of the airway walls were stable without any tendency of thickening after six months. Although the airways in the right middle lobe of both two patients were not received BT, their thicknesses were also decreased comparing with those before the treatment; both upper lobes bronchus of both two patients were not activated in the first and second sessions, but their thicknesses were also decreased at the third measurement. CONCLUSION: Radial endobronchial ultrasonography is a simple and practical method to measure the thickness of patient's airway wall. Bronchial thermoplasty can effectively reduce the thickness of airway wall. It can reduce airway smooth muscle by direct activation and other possible more complicated mechanism, which need further research.

Modification Tadalafil and Macitentan tablets to aerosol.

INTRODUCTION: Aerosolised drugs have been approved for several diseases such as cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Moreover; there are already drugs for pulmonary hypertension in aerosol form already on the market. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two drugs for pulmonary hypertension (Tadalafil and Macitentan) were milled and transformed from tablets to powder. Three different jet-nebulizers with seven different residual cups were combined. Moreover, we used 3 different ultrasound nebulizers with two different release methods. RESULTS: The drug and residual cup designs produce alone or jointly different MMAD diameters. The three large (10 mls) residual cups with the jet-nebulisers produced the smallest aerosol droplets. Both ultrasound nebulisers are capable of producing optimal size aerosol droplets ≤5 µm mmad. CONCLUSIONS: These two drugs can be easily administered as aerosol and an vivo clinical study will prove the safety for the airways.

Airway local endoscopic pharmacological treatment; current applications and future concepts.

INTRODUCTION: Local treatment of the airways and lung parenchyma has been used in clinical practice for several years for a variety of diseases. METHODS: A variety of endoscopic tools for local treatment exist, especially for treating malignancies. Using these endoscopic tools, one can administer drugs specifically designed for the airways. DISCUSSION: This article presents all locally administered treatment options and provides useful insights for future local endoscopically applied treatments.

Perinatal management of enlarged bronchogenic cyst causing hydrops fetalis.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital anomalies that they are usually diagnosed prenatally during the routine second trimester scan. We present such a rare case of bronchogenic cyst in a fetus. Our initial scan demonstrated a big cystic mass, which enlarged progressively causing shifting of the mediastinum and compression of the fetal heart. Consequent hydrops fetalis was treated with thoracoamniotic shunt and the pregnancy continued with no further complications. Pontnatal period, surgery and long term follow-up was uneventful.

Tracheal fistula repair with stent placement after failure of reconstruction with muscle tissue. A lung cancer surgery complication.

A report a case of a 63 year old male diagnosed with lung cancer adenocarcinoma. The patient had a right paratracheal mass diagnosed with EBUS-TBNA 22G. The patient had surgery, however 7 days after the billau catheter was removed pneumothorax was diagnosed which did not resolved. Bronchoscopy reveled two minor fistulas in the interior wall of the trachea. An additional surgery was performed in order to add muscle patches on the exterior part of the trachea. Unfortunately additional stent placement was placed after a silicon stent since the muscle patches failed. We chose a metallic auto expandable stent since after three months of follow up a small metastatic lesion was observed in the liver. Stent placement is an option for these patients and the right stent has to be placed for each case.

Biopsy and re-biopsy for PD-L1 expression in NSCLC. association between PD-L1 and checkpoint inhibitor efficacy through treatment in NSCLC. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is diagnosed at a late stage due to lack of early disease symptoms. Therefore an efficient treatment is necessary for prolonged disease free survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study we recruited 124 patients NSCLC patients with adenocarcinoma and squamus cell carcinoma. All recuited patients had Programmed death-ligand 1 expression ≥50 (PD-L1)with DAKO technique. Immunotherapy was administered with as first line treatment. Re-biopsies were performed in the main lung lesion every 4 months with the restaging of the patient and also in the metastastic sites in other organs that occurred during treatment. PD-L1 expressed was evaluated in the biopsies of the metastatic sites. RESULTS: It appears thereafter that the PD-L1 expression could easily be claimed as a promising bio-index with a cutoff value 65, below which a negative prognosis of the disease progress will be evident and above that value a positive continuation of the disease will be prominent. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the PD-L1-65 index works adequately either concerning the neo-metastatic sites or the patient disease responses. Re-biopsies in new metastastic sites are necessary since we probably have a new cancer and chemotherapy should be added. More studies should confirm are results and change the NSCLC treatment approach of these patients.

Priority of PET-CT vs CT Thorax for EBUS-TBNA 22G vs 19G: Mesothorax Lymphadenopathy.

Introduction: Lung lesions and undiagnosed mesothorax lymphadenopathy is an issue that several doctors face in the everyday clinical practice. PET-CT and CT of the thorax are usually the first examinations to identify characteristics of the lesions before biopsy. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study with 450 patients that had EBUS-TBNA with 22G, Upgraded 22G and 19G needles with and without PET-CT in order to identify the cost effeteness of performing EBUS-TBNA before or after PET-CT. All centers used the same PET-CT equipment and EBUS-TBNA system. Three types of needle were used for the endoscopy in order to identify similarities and differences for the cost-effectiveness. The costs in every center for every examination and materials were the same. Results: There were more block slices for 19G>22Gupgraded>21G>22G and there was cost-effectiveness when in general PET-CT was performed prior to biopsy of any lesion. 19G needle was more effective for lymphomas, while 22Gupgraded and 21G needles were more cost-effective when used for smaller lesions for primary lung cancer of metastatic disease. Conclusions: We have been using PET-CT and EBUS-TBNA in the everyday clinical practice according to the current guidelines for initial disease staging and re-staging. However; we can also use both in a cost effective method based on the initial radiologic findings.

Lymphadenopathy and granulomas: benignancy of malignancy and differential diagnosis with endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle biopsy 19G needle fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a very useful tool for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy of the mediastinum. Nowadays, EBUS can substitute video-assisted thoracic surgery when a 19G needle is used. Several studies have provided data for efficient diagnosis not only for lung cancer, but for also sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and lymphoma. We present five cases of EBUS-transbronchial needle biopsy 19G needle used for the diagnosis of mediastinum lymphadenopathy. We present not only the pathological diagnosis, but also the steps for the differential clinical and pathological differential diagnosis for sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, cancer metastasis, respiratory infection and lymphoma.

Effective early diagnosis for NSCLC: an algorithm.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer still remains undiagnosed for most patients until the disease is inoperable. AREAS COVERED: We performed search on PubMed with the keywords: EBUS, radial-EBUS, bronchoscopy, lung cancer, electromagnetic navigation, ct-biopsy, transthoracic biopsy. We present diagnostic equipment and imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography, endoscopical navigation systems, endobronchial ultrasound, radial-endobronchial ultrasound, transthoracic ultrasound biopsy, and computed tomography guided biopsies. EXPERT OPINION: However, lack of early disease symptoms remains the most important issue and therefore we should direct our efforts to screening and early disease diagnosis. An algorithm is proposed for biopsy upon initial disease diagnosis.

Personalized Approach to Tissue and Liquid Biopsy after Failure of First-Line EGFR-TKIs: Is There an Issue When Tissue Is Not the Issue? A Case Series.

Traditionally, tissue availability from rebiopsy is a prerequisite for adequate sequencing of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in therapy for advanced-stage lung cancer. Tissue biopsy truly is the gold standard for genetic analyses, but in some cases, such as with inadequate localization of the lesion or a patient's inadequate performance status, comorbidities, or unwillingness to undergo an invasive procedure, liquid biopsy-based ctDNA analysis can be a noninvasive alternative approach. However, in some cases the gold standard might not shine that much. It is known that tumor heterogeneity or an inadequate amount of tissue might significantly interfere with the results of testing. In this paper, we present cases of patients with a negative tissue biopsy but a positive liquid biopsy which identified coexisting T790M mutation. These results enabled adequate sequencing and treatment with third-line EGFR-TKIs. Such possibilities stress the need to individualize testing for driver mutations in cases where it is clinically highly indicated.

Interventional bronchoscopy for HPV 16 and 66 with the use of spraying interferon-α (2b) plus bevacizumab and anti-reflux agent.

A fifty year old male was diagnosed with bronchial HPV. He was treated with local interventional treatment argon plasma coagulation and subcutaneous injections bevacizumab. Spraying of the regions followed with a specially designed catheter with interferon-α (2b). Systematic treatment of esomeprazole was also administered. After six months the patient is disease free and on close follow-up.

Intratumoral Treatment with Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy for NSCLC with EBUS-TBNA 19G.

Introduction: Immunotherapy is being used for the past five years either as first line or second line treatment with great results. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been also used as combination to immunotherapy to further enhance this type of treatment. Intratumoral treatment has been previously proposed as a treatment option for certain non-small cell lung cancer patients. Patients and Methods: We recruited in total seventy four patients with non-small cell lung cancer in their second line treatment who received only chemotherapy in their first line treatment with programmed death-ligand-1 ≤ 50. Only adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, and all negative for epidermal growth factor receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase-1 and proto-oncogene B-Raf. Data were first examined with descriptive statistics choosing frequencies for categorical variables and histograms for the continuous ones. Twenty five received only intravenous immunotherapy and forty-nine intravenous cisplatin with immunotherapy. Data were first examined with descriptive statistics choosing frequencies for categorical variables and histograms for the continuous ones. Results: The relationships between changes of performance status and disease progression were examined via a single correspondence analysis. The two-dimensional scores (coordinates) derived from the correspondence analysis were then regressed against the predictors to form distinct splits and nodes obtaining quantitative results. The best fit is usually achieved by lowering exhaustively the AICc criterion and looking in parallel the change of R2 expecting improvements more than 5%. both types of therapy are capable of producing best ameliorative effects, when either the programmed death-ligand-1 expression or parenchymal site in joint with low pack years are present in the sampling data. Conclusions: Intratumoral treatment combination with cisplatin plus immunotherapy indifferent of nivolumab or pembrolizumab combination is an effective choice. In specific for those with endobronchial lesions. Moreover; patients with programmed death-ligand-1 ≥ 50 had their performance status and disease progression improved over the eight month observation.

The lengths of trachea and main bronchus in Chinese Shanghai population.

The knowledge of airway length is the theoretical basis in the diagnosis and management of airway disease. The objective of this study is to measure the length of trachea and left and right main bronchus in Chinese Shanghai population. A total of 153 consecutive adult patients with minor pulmonary disease in Xinhua hospital were enrolled for bronchoscopy examination. Measurements were conducted on head and neck neutral position and height, weight and age for each patient were recorded either. Student t test and multiple linear regression was used to compare means between males and females and to analyze correlation among height, weight, sexual dimorphism and the lengths of the trachea and bronchus. The lengths of the trachea and left main bronchus are significantly different between male and female patients (P < 0.01), but not for the lengths of right main bronchus between man and woman. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height but not sexual dimorphism and weight correlated with the lengths of the trachea and right main bronchus. The lengths of the trachea and left main bronchus are significantly longer in males than in females. Moreover, height but not sexual dimorphism and weight influenced the length of airway.

Nutrition and NSCLC; Should We Administer Food Supplements?

Non-small cell lung cancer is usually diagnosed at the advanced stage of the disease. We have novel diagnostic tools. However, prevention is still the best way to deal with this disease. Patients receive different treatments with different adverse effects. Targeted treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy have entered everyday clinical practice. The nutritional status of a patient plays a crucial role in the treatment of the patient. Cachexia is observed in most cancer patients, and it has been identified as an independent factor in the overall survival of the patient. The improvement of nutritional status and metabolism directly impacts the quality of life, daily living, and overall survival of a lung cancer patient. We conducted a search on PubMed and Scopus and identified relevant publications. In this review, we will focus on the nutritional status of NSCLC patients and how food supplements assist in the QoL based on published literature. Additional information from other cancer types will be included where necessary.

Bronchogenic cyst or lung cancer. Only biopsy can tell.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations which derive from primitive ventral foregut. They are usually observed in intrathoracically. A fifty year old male was admitted for the investigation of a three month chest pain. Computed tomography scan of the thorax revealed a lesion around the esophagus and left stem bronchus. Endobronchial ultrasound with convex probe and a 19G needle biopsy revealed a bronchogenic cystic which was removed with video assisted thoracic surgery. Initial radiologic assessment although was thought to be lung cancer because of the smoking habit it turned out to be benignancy. EBUS-TBNAB with 10G needle is safe and absolutely necessary for these lesions, as they take large samples.