Importance of mediastinal granulomatous/sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy in extrathoracic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: In patients with extrathoracic malignancies (ETM), granulomatous lymph adenopathy called sarcoid-like reactions (SLR) can be seen in the regional or draining lymph nodes. We hypothesized that SLR may be a sign of imminent metastasis and investigated the clinical course and rate of recurrence in patients with ETM and granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLN). METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical files of patients with known ETM and who underwent EBUS-TBNA for initial staging or detection of recurrence from 2011 to 2023. Patients with granulomatous MLN were included. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (29 female) enrolled in the study. Breast and colorectal carcinomas were the most common malignancies. A total of 81 lymph nodes were sampled. The final diagnosis of patients was five sarcoidosis, one tuberculosis, one second primary, one drug reaction, and 33 SLR. Among patients with SLR, in one patient lymph nodes progressed during the follow-up and were accepted as false-negative without confirmatory biopsy. The negative predictive value (NPV) of granulomatous MLN for metastasis was 97.05%. CONCLUSION: Granulomatous MLN may be due to tuberculosis, drug reaction, sarcoidosis, or SLR in patients with ETM. SLR has a high NPV in patients with ETM. Follow-up imaging rather than confirmatory biopsy is reasonable in these patients.

Immature platelet fraction as a systemic inflammation marker in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, there has been an increasing interest to find a simple, low cost, widely available biomarker for outcome predictors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Absolute immature platelet count (AIPC), the percentage of AIPC to the total platelet count (immature platelet fraction [IPF%]), symptoms, spirometry results, age-dyspne-airflow obstruction index, and C-reactive protein tests of COPD patients and control group were recorded. Neutrophil/lymphocyte, monocyte/lymphocyte, and platelet/lymphocyte ratios and Charlson comorbidity index scores were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four COPD patients and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Eighty-nine patients were in exacerbation (AECOPD) and 45 of them were in stable COPD period. There was a difference between IPF% values and AIPC of COPD group and control group (3.45 ± 2.41 vs. 2.04 ± 1.12, p = 0.01; 5.87 ± 2.45 vs. 5.20 ± 3.02, p = 0.01). A positive correlation was observed between IPF% with white blood cell count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio in all patients (r = 0.352, p < 0.001; r = 0.399, p < 0.001; r = 0.186, p = 0.032; r = 0.200, p = 0.021) and AECOPD (r = 0.356, p < 0.001; r = 0.414, p < 0.001; r = 0.239, p = 0.025; r = 0.273, p = 0.010). At a cut-off of 3.4, IPF% showed the highest accuracy in identifying COPD (sensitivity: 80.3%, specificity: 82.5%) using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine the relationship between AIPC, IPF%, and COPD. The higher IPF% values in COPD and the positive correlation between IPF% and other inflammatory markers are suggested that IPF may be an indicator of systemic inflammation in COPD.

IS FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY A SAFE PROCEDURE FOR CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY FAILURE?

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) plays an important role in critical care patients. But, critical care patients with respiratory failure are at an increased risk of developing complications. Considering the developments in intensive care unit care in recent years, we aimed to evaluate the use of FB in these patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent FB in critical care between 2014 and 2020. A total of 143 patients underwent FB during the study period. Arterial blood gas measurement on the FB day revealed a mean PaO2/FiO2 of 186.94±28.47. Eighty-one (56.6%) patients underwent an fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure under conventional oxygen supplementation, 10 (7%) on noninvasive ventilation, 13 (9.1%) on high flow nasal cannula, and 39 (27.3%) on invasive mechanical ventilation. During and immediately after bronchoscopy, none of the patients experienced life-threatening complications. Fifty-five (38.5%) patients developed complications that could be controlled. Multivariate analysis indicated that increased Apache-II score and presence of cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with an increased complication risk. Although critical care patients with respiratory failure are more prone to complications, diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy may be performed following appropriate patient selection, without leading to major complications.

A new device for bronchoscopy for better protection.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has not been precisely known in bronchoscopy procedures. We have designed a cabinet device called Ankara University Bronchoscopy Cabinet (Aubrocab®) to protect healthcare. We aimed to evaluate preventing effect of Aubrocab® on aerosol spreading by measuring the particles in the bronchoscopy suite. METHODS: The patients were categorized into two groups as those who underwent bronchoscopy with and without Aubrocab®. We measured PM 0.5 levels before and after bronchoscopy in the bronchoscopy suite. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients, 62 of whom underwent bronchoscopy with Aubrocab®, were enrolled in the study. The PM 0.5 level measured before bronchoscopy was similar in both groups, whereas the PM 0.5 level measured after bronchoscopy was lower in the Aubrocab® group (42,603 ± 8,632 vs. 50,377 ± 10,487, p = 0.001). The percent of particle change (50.76 ± 19.91 vs 67.15 ± 24.24, p = 0.003) and the difference of the particle numbers between pre and postprocedure (13,638 ± 4,292 and 19,501 ± 5,891, p < 0.001) were lower in the Aubrocab® group. DISCUSSION: Our institution developed a barrier device named Aubrocab® which was shown to prevent excessive aerosol release in addition to routine precautions during bronchoscopy procedures.

An Integrated Approach Toward the Clinical and Polysomnographic Characteristics of OSA Accompanying IPF.

OBJECTIVES: Coincidance of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) may have important effects on the pathogenesis of each other. Our aim is to define clinical characteristics of patients with IPF and OSA and to identify a combined index to determine the severity of both diseases together. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of 22 patients with OSA and IPF who underwent nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) were retrospectively evaluated and compared with 23 OSA patients without any other pulmonary comorbidities. RESULTS: We demonstrated high frequency of OSA within our study group (94,7%) all of whom had at least one of the majör symptoms of OSA. Lower AHI, lower neck circumference, higher percentage of deep sleep (nREM3) and less comorbidities were observed in the study group when compared to OSA with no other pulmonary comorbidities (p<0,05). When restaged into a compound index according to the gender, age and physiology (GAP) index, the patients with mild IPF and OSA showed the same life and sleep quality with the patients who have higher GAP index. CONCLUSION: All patients with IPF must be questioned for the major symptoms of sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD). Clinical suspicion for OSA must prompt NPSG. With the presence of moderate-severe OSA, the life and sleep quality of patients with mild IPF can be at the same level of patients with severe IPF.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Non-Apneic Asthma: A Clinical Review of Current Evidence.

The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in asthma has been a point of debate over the past several years. Various studies, including those on animals and humans have attempted to understand the role and pathophysiology of CPAP in patients with either well controlled or poorly controlled asthma. The aim of this manuscript is to review the currently available literature on the physiologic and clinical effects of CPAP in animal models of asthma and on humans with stable asthma.

Flexible bronchoscopy and mechanical ventilation in managing Mounier-Kuhn syndrome: a case report / Broncoscopia flexível e ventilação mecânica no tratamento da síndrome de Mounier-Kuhn: relato de caso

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a rare congenital condition with distinct dilatation and diverticulation of the tracheal wall. The symptoms may vary and the treatment usually consists of support. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 60-year-old male with recurrent hospital admission. He was admitted in this case due to dyspnea, cough and sputum production. An arterial blood sample revealed decompensated respiratory acidosis with moderate hypoxemia. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed dilatation of the trachea and bronchi, tracheal diverticula and bronchiectasis. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed, which revealed enlarged airways with expiratory collapse. Furthermore, orifices of tracheal diverticulosis were also detected. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) was added, along with long-term oxygen therapy. At control visits, the patient's clinical and laboratory findings were found to have improved. CONCLUSION: Flexible bronchoscopy can be advocated for establishing the diagnosis and non-invasive mechanical ventilation can be used with a high success rate, for clinical wellbeing in Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A síndrome de Mounier-Kuhn é uma condição congênita rara com dilatação e diverticulação distintas da parede traqueal. Os sintomas podem ser variáveis ​e o tratamento geralmente é de suporte. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, de 60 anos, com internação hospitalar recorrente, foi internado neste caso devido a dispneia, tosse e produção de expectoração. A amostra de sangue arterial revelou acidose respiratória descompensada, com hipoxemia moderada. A tomografia computadorizada de tórax mostrou dilatação da traqueia e brônquios, divertículos traqueais e bronquiectasias. Realizou-se broncoscopia flexível, que revelou aumento das vias aéreas com colapso expiratório. Além disso, também foram detectados orifícios de diverticulose traqueal. Foi adicionada ventilação com pressão positiva não invasiva (NPPV) juntamente com a oxigenoterapia a longo prazo. Foram verificadas melhoras dos resultados clínicos e laboratoriais do doente nas visitas de controle. CONCLUSÃO: A broncoscopia flexível pode ser defendida para estabelecer o diagnóstico, e a ventilação mecânica não invasiva pode ser utilizada com alta taxa de sucesso, para bem-estar clínico, na síndrome de Mounier-Kuhn.

Flexible bronchoscopy and mechanical ventilation in managing Mounier-Kuhn syndrome: a case report.

CONTEXT: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a rare congenital condition with distinct dilatation and diverticulation of the tracheal wall. The symptoms may vary and the treatment usually consists of support. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 60-year-old male with recurrent hospital admission. He was admitted in this case due to dyspnea, cough and sputum production. An arterial blood sample revealed decompensated respiratory acidosis with moderate hypoxemia. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed dilatation of the trachea and bronchi, tracheal diverticula and bronchiectasis. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed, which revealed enlarged airways with expiratory collapse. Furthermore, orifices of tracheal diverticulosis were also detected. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) was added, along with long-term oxygen therapy. At control visits, the patient's clinical and laboratory findings were found to have improved. CONCLUSION: Flexible bronchoscopy can be advocated for establishing the diagnosis and non-invasive mechanical ventilation can be used with a high success rate, for clinical wellbeing in Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.