Inhaled Molgramostim Therapy in Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is a rare disease characterized by progressive surfactant accumulation and hypoxemia. It is caused by disruption of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) signaling, which pulmonary alveolar macrophages require to clear surfactant. Recently, inhaled GM-CSF was shown to improve the partial pressure of arterial oxygen in patients with aPAP. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-group trial, we randomly assigned patients with aPAP to receive the recombinant GM-CSF molgramostim (300 µg once daily by inhalation), either continuously or intermittently (every other week), or matching placebo. The 24-week intervention period was followed by an open-label treatment-extension period. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the alveolar-arterial difference in oxygen concentration (A-aDo2) at week 24. RESULTS: In total, 138 patients underwent randomization; 46 were assigned to receive continuous molgramostim, 45 to receive intermittent molgramostim, and 47 to receive placebo. Invalid A-aDo2 data for 4 patients (1 in each molgramostim group and 2 in the placebo group) who received nasal oxygen therapy during arterial blood gas measurement were replaced by means of imputation. For the primary end point - the change from baseline in the A-aDo2 at week 24 - improvement was greater among patients receiving continuous molgramostim than among those receiving placebo (-12.8 mm Hg vs. -6.6 mm Hg; estimated treatment difference, -6.2 mm Hg; P = 0.03 by comparison of least-squares means). Patients receiving continuous molgramostim also had greater improvement than those receiving placebo for secondary end points, including the change from baseline in the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score at week 24 (-12.4 points vs. -5.1 points; estimated treatment difference, -7.4 points; P = 0.01 by comparison of least-squares means). For multiple end points, improvement was greater with continuous molgramostim than with intermittent molgramostim. The percentages of patients with adverse events and serious adverse events were similar in the three groups, except for the percentage of patients with chest pain, which was higher in the continuous-molgramostim group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with aPAP, daily administration of inhaled molgramostim resulted in greater improvements in pulmonary gas transfer and functional health status than placebo, with similar rates of adverse events. (Funded by Savara Pharmaceuticals; IMPALA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02702180.).

The role of endobronchial ultrasonography elastography in the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs) and has sonographic features. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS elastography, which evaluates tissue compressibility integrated into EBUS, on malignant vs. benign mediastinal-hilar LNs. METHODS: A single-center, prospective study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital between 01/10/2019 and 15/11/2019. The features of 219 LNs evaluated by thoracic computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, EBUS sonography and EBUS elastography were recorded. The LNs sampled by EBUS-guided fine needle aspiration were classified according to EBUS elastography color distribution findings as follows: type 1, predominantly nonblue (green, yellow, and red); type 2, part blue, part nonblue; type 3, predominantly blue. The strain ratio (SR) was calculated based on normal tissue with the relevant region. RESULTS: The average age of 131 patients included in the study was 55.86 ± 13 years, 76 (58%) were male. Two hundred and nineteen lymph nodes were sampled from different stations. Pathological diagnosis of 75 (34.2%) LNs was malignant, the rest was benign. When EBUS B-mode findings and pathological results were compared, sensitivity was 65.33%, specificity 63.19%, positive predictive value (PPV) 48%, negative predictive value (NPV) 77.8%, and diagnostic yield (DY) 64%. When the pathological diagnoses and EBUS elastography findings were compared, while type 1 LNs were considered to be benign and type 3 LNs malignant, sensitivity 94.12%, specificity 86.54%, PPV 82.1%, NPV 95.7%, and DY 89.5%. SR of malignant LNs was significantly higher than benign LNs (p < 0.001). When the classification according to color scale and SR were compared, no difference was found in DY (p = 0.155). DISCUSSION: The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS elastography is high enough to distinguish malignant LN from benign ones with the SR option. When compared with EBUS-B mode sonographic findings, it was found to have a higher diagnostic yield.

Moldy Hazelnut Husk and Shell Related Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Possible Novel Occupational Causative Agent.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) triggered by inhalation exposure to environmental or occupational antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. Novel exposure sources and antigens are frequently identified. However, the causative agent remains unidentified in nearly half of HP cases. Early diagnosis for nonfibrotic-HP and quitting the exposure may prevent the disease progression to fibrotic forms and related complications. Here, we present two cases of HP associated with mold exposure in hazelnut husks, leaves, and shells in hazelnut agriculture.

Serum Specific Antibodies Do Not Seem to Have an Additional Role in the Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the contribution of serum IgG testing to the history of exposure in the diagnosis of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study including 63 patients pathologically diagnosed with fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis in line with the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society. Descriptive statistics were presented and Kappa statistic was performed to evaluate the compatibility between panel and the history of exposure. RESULTS: The median age was 63 (22-81) years and 34 (54%) were male. Forty-six patients (73%) had a positive history of exposure. Thirty-nine patients (61.9%) had a positive HP/Avian panel. The most common exposure agent was mold (34.9%), followed by parakeet (31.7%). The antibody detected the most was penicillium chrysogenum lgG (36.5%), followed by aspergillus fumigatus (31.8%). There was no compatibility between HP/Avian panel and history of exposure (kappa coefficient= 0.18, p= 0.14). When the exposure was only assessed based on the history, 4 (6.35%) patients were diagnosed as fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis with low confidence, 6 (9.52%) with moderate confidence, 11 (17.46%) with high confidence and 42 (66.67%) with definite confidence; whereas 4 (6.35%) patients were diagnosed as fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis with low confidence, 6 (9.52%) with moderate confidence, 9 (14.29%) patients with high confidence and 44 (69.84%) patients with definite confidence if exposure was evaluated with history and/or panel. CONCLUSIONS: Serum specific precipitating antibody panel does not seem to provide additional value to the history of exposure in the diagnosis of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Current Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by immune irregularity, vasculopathy and excessive collagen production, which causes skin and internal organ fibrosis. Although SSc often affects multiple organs and/or systems, lung involvement and especially interstitial lung disease (ILD) are the leading cause of death in this disease. The fact that different treatment options have been raised in recent years has given hope to clinicians in the management of this disease. This article will also review the current treatment options of SSc-ILD.

Modified successful desensitization protocol of infliximab in a patient with sarcoidosis unable to tolerate corticosteroids and refractory to alternative therapeutics.

Glucocorticoids are the primary treatment choices for sarcoidosis. However, some patients are resistant to corticosteroids or have side effects and may not respond to alternative treatments added to reduce corticosteroid therapy. Evidence has demonstrated the critical role of Infliximab [anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] which is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody in the pathogenesis of granulomatous inflammation. In this paper, we present a patient who improved clinically and radiologically with infliximab treatment, which was initiated due to the development of serious side effects associated with corticosteroids; however, following unresponsiveness to other therapeutic drugs initiated due to relapse, restarted infliximab, and developed an early hypersensitivity reaction. With infliximab, the frequency of early-type hypersensitivity reactions is 2-3%. In such cases, drug desensitization is an effective and safe treatment option. Different desensitization protocols have been defined with infliximab, and the frequency of reactions during desensitization has been reported as 29%, especially in the last step. With the desensitization protocol we have modified, patients with a history of early-type hypersensitivity reaction with infliximab will have the chance to take this effective drug more safely and effortlessly.

Frequency of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and unexpected results in COPD patients in Turkey; rare variants are common.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (α1-AT) is a protease inhibitor that is largely released from liver cells. It inhibits neutrophil elastase and its deficiency increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The frequency of α1-AT deficiency has been reported with different prevalence rates in different parts of the world. The most common α1-AT variant causing α1-AT deficiency is the Pi*Z allele. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the α1-AT genotypic variant in COPD patients in our country. METHODS: In this study, 196 consecutive COPD patients admitted to our clinic were included. In addition to recording the demographic data of the volunteers, a dry drop of blood sample was taken from the fingertip for the SERPINA1 genotype study. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight (80.6%) of the patients were male and the mean age was 56.92 ± 9.84 years. A variant in the SERPINA1 gene was detected in a total of 14 (7.1%) COPD patients. Pi*ZZ homozygous variant was detected in only 1 (0.51%) patient, while Pi*MZ was detected in 3 (1.53%) patients. The Pi*S variant was never detected. Various rare heterozygous variants were detected in 9 (4.6%) patients and a single point mutation was found in one (0.51%) patient. Serum α1-AT levels were significantly lower in patients with variants compared to the Pi*MM group (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: In this study, which investigated the genotypic α1-AT variant frequency in COPD patients for the first time in our country, we found that the percentage of homozygous Pi*ZZ patients was 0.51%, but when heterozygous α1-AT gene variant and single point mutation were included, the frequency was 7.1%. At the same time, while the Pi*S variant was never detected, rare variants were found more frequently than expected.

Hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin and early hospital admission are beneficial in COVID-19 patients: Turkish experience with real-life data

Background/aim: New treatment regimens for COVID-19, which has threatened the world recently, continue to be investigated. Although some of the treatments are promising, it is thought to be early to state that there is definitive treatment. Experiences and treatment protocol studies from treatment centers are still important. The aim of this study is to evaluate factors affecting the treatment process of the first cases followed in our clinic. Materials and methods: The consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were analyzed in this retrospective and cross-sectional study. Data were recorded from the electronic and written files of patients. Results: Eighty-three patients were evaluated. The median age was 50 ± 15 years. Forty-eight (57.8%) patients had one or more comorbidities. The most common comorbidity was hypertension. The most common symptom was cough in 58 patients (70%). The overall mortality was 15%, and 85% of the patients were discharged. The time between the onset of symptoms and hospitalization was statistically significantly longer in deceased patients (P = 0.039). Age, D-Dimer, troponin, CK, CK-MB, ferritin, procalcitonin, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were statistically significantly higher in deceased patients than survivor patients. In subgroup analysis, in the patients receiving azithromycin plus hydroxychloroquine and other antibiotics plus hydroxychloroquine, the duration of hospitalization was shorter in the azithromycin group (P = 0.027). Conclusion: Early treatment and early admission to the hospital can be crucial for the better treatment process. Combination therapy with azithromycin may be preferred in the first treatment choice because it can shorten the length of hospital stay.

The comparison of favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir combination in COVID-19 treatment

Background/aim: SARS-CoV-2, a ribonucleic acid coronavirus, rapidly spread worldwide within a short timeframe. Although different antiviral, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory drugs are used, current evidence is insufficient as to which drug is more efficient. Our study compared favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) therapies in inpatient care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and methods: Demographic data, test results, treatments, and latest status of patients receiving inpatient COVID-19 pneumonia therapy were recorded. The initial favipiravir and LPV/RTV receiving groups were compared regarding the need for intensive care units (ICU) and mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed by including variables showing significant differences as a result of paired comparisons into the model. Results: Of the 204 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 59 (28.9%), 131 (64.2%), and 14 were administered LPV/RTV, favipiravir, and favipiravir with LPV/RTV, respectively. No difference was found in age, sex, presence of comorbidity, and tocilizumab, systemic corticosteroid, and plasma therapy use between patients administered with these three different treatment regimens. The mean mortality age of the patients was 71 ± 14.3 years, which was substantially greater than that of the survivors (54.2 ± 15.5 years). Compared with patients administered with LPV/RTV, ICU admission and mortality rates were lower in patients administered with favipiravir. CK-MB, AST, CRP, LDH, and creatinine levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower in patients who died. Age, AST, CRP, LDH, and neutrophil counts were higher in patients needing ICU, and eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that favipiravir use independently decreased mortality (p = 0.006). Conclusion: The use of favipiravir was more effective than LPV/RTV in reducing mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Real life results of coil treatment for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in emphysema.

INTRODUCTION: The lung volume reduction coil treatment is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic treatment option for emphysema patients who suffer from severe hyperinflation. Previous studies have reported successful outcomes in selected cases using coil for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). Our aim is to determine the changes in respiratory function tests, perception of dyspnea and exercise capacities after 12 months in patients treated with endobronchial coil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of patients with severe emphysema and treated with coils between 2014-2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Dynamic and static lung volume capacities at baseline and 12 months, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire and six-minute walk test (6-MWT) results were recorded. RESULT: BLVR was performed in thirty patients (one female, twenty-nine males). Five patients were treated bilaterally and twentyfive unilaterally. One patient died after 7 days and 4 patients died during follow-up. Five patients were lost to follow-up. A total of twenty patients with available data were included in the study. A statistically significant difference was found in mMRC results in pre-treatment and 12-month evaluations. There was no significant difference in FEV1, TLC and RV values at the end of 12 months. There was an increase of 18.9 meters (± 83.5 m) between the baseline and 12 months in 6-MWT. 45% of the patients improved their walking distance over 26 meters which is known as minimal clinically important difference (MCID). CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant changes were observed in pulmonary function tests and lung volumes, the increase in exercise capacity and decreased perception of dyspnea indicate the efficacy of endobronchial coil.

The role of interventional pulmonology in endobronchial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Although metastasis of extrapulmonary solid organ malignant tumors to the lungs is very common, endobronchial metastases are very rare. The most common extrapulmonary tumors that make endobronchial metastases are breast, kidney and colorectal carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively examined the data of eleven renal cell carcinoma patients who underwent endobronchial metastases in an eight-year period. RESULT: Ten of the patients were male and the mean age was 55 ± 1 (41-71) years. The most common symptom was cough (45.5%, n= 5), on the other hand 18.2% (n= 2) of the patients had no complaints. Right bronchial system, left bronchial system and tracheal distribution rates of endobronchial lesions were 45.5% (n= 5), 63.6% (n= 7) and 27.3% (n= 3) respectively. The mean time from diagnosis of primary renal cell carcinoma to endobronchial metastases was 47.5 ± 32 (5.2-100.5) months. A total of twenty two interventional procedures were performed. All except one patient underwent endobronchial treatment. Argon plasma coagulation was most commonly used as the endobronchial metastases option (n= 10, 100%). The mechanical resection (n= 6, 60%), laser (n= 5, 50%), cryoextraction (n= 5, 50%) and cryotherapy (n= 4, 40%) methods were used other than argon plasma coagulation. The mean survival time was 19.4 ± 15.7 (3.2-40.5) months after endobronchial metastases and 54.0 ± 40.4 (8.7-107.6) months after renal cell carcinoma diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Extrathoracic malignancy that most metastasis to the airways is renal cell carcinoma. Endobronchial treatment procedures for endobronchial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma can be performed with low complication rates.

Airway stents: a retrospective evaluation of indications, results and complications in our 10-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheobronchial stents (TBS) are the principal modalities in the management of central airway obstruction with intrinsic tracheobronchial pathology and extrinsic airway compression. The aim of the study is to assess the indications, surveillance management, complications, and long-term outcomes of the TBS managed by rigid bronchoscopy (RB) in our 10-year experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of all patients who underwent stenting in two centers from November 2008 to September 2018 were reviewed for background data, type of disease, and indication for the placement of stents, symptoms, treatment, complications and outcome. RESULT: 305 patients were stented with 342 TBS. TBS were placed in both malignant (n= 223) and benign airway diseases (n= 82). The median length of stent stay was 88 (34-280) days in patients with malignancies and 775 (228-2085) days in benign diseases. There was no stent-related mortality. Mucostasis (19%) and granulation tissue formation (17%) were the most common stentrelated complications. Benign nature of the disease, tumors metastatic to tracheobronchial tree, lenght of stent stay, and shape of stent were associated with the development of complications. CONCLUSIONS: TBS offer a safe and effective therapy for patients with both benign and malign tracheobronchial pathologies.

Our eight years experience in postintubation/posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of tracheal stenosis (TS) continues to be traumas according to the intubation and tracheostomy. Bronchoscopy is considered the gold standard for the detection and diagnosis of tracheobronchial pathology. There are several treatment options. We aimed to discuss our tracheal stenosis patients' treatment options, and their follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive referred patients between 2009 and 2018 presenting with TS were reviewed for the study. Demographic characteristics, localization, length and degree of stenosis, treatment techniques, postoperative complications, and survival were recorded for all patients. RESULT: A total of 110 patients included. The mean age was 53.7 ± 16.7 (16-98 years) years. Of 110 patients, 54 (49.1%) were female. Most common type of stenosis was complex stenosis (74.5%). Mechanical dilatation was applied to all patients. Stenotic regions of 22 (20%) patients were cut with bronchoscopic scissor. Tracheal stents were inserted into trachea of 49 (44.5%) patients. During follow-up period; 36 of 110 (32.7%) patients had surgical resection. Six of 36 (16.7%) patients died during follow-up period (one of them died during surgery), 17 (47.2%) patients had total recovery after surgery. Thirteen of 36 (36.1%) patients had restenosis after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal stenosis is a process seen after postintubation or posttracheostomy frequently and it has a wide range of management modalities. Although, it is believed that surgery is the most efficient technique in cases without medical contraindications, we determined that endoscopic interventions can be alternative therapeutic options for inoperable patients. Patients must be followed-up after interventional therapies because complications, and restenosis can usually be seen.

What have we learned in interventional pulmonology in the past decade?

Background/aim: The increasing number of lung diseases and particularly pulmonary malignancies has intensified the need for diverse interventions in the field of interventional pulmonology. In recent years we have seen many new developments and expanding applications in the field of interventional pulmonology. This has resulted in an increased number and variety of performed procedures and differing approaches. The purpose of the present study is to provide information on patient characteristics, range of interventions, complication rates, and the evolving approach of an experienced center for interventional pulmonology. Materials and methods: We retrospectively examined the records of 1307 patients who underwent a total of 2029 interventional procedures in our interventional pulmonology department between January 2008 and December 2017. Results: About half of the interventional procedures (47.2%) were performed on patients with airway stenosis due to malignant disease. Among patients with benign airway stenosis, the most frequent reason for intervention was postintubation tracheal stenosis. The number of patients who developed complications was 81 (6.2%), and the most common complication was hemorrhage (n = 31, 2.99%); 94.9% (n = 1240) of interventional procedures were performed under general anesthesia, without complications or deaths associated with anesthesia. Only one death (0.076%) occurred in the perioperative period. A total of 18 patients (1.38%) died in the 30-day perioperative and postoperative period. None of the patients with benign airway stenosis died. Conclusion: Interventional bronchoscopy is an invasive but considerably safe and efficient procedure for selected cases and effective treatment modality for airway obstructions, massive hemoptysis, and foreign body aspiration. Interventional pulmonology is a field of pulmonary medicine that needs effort to progress and provide an opportunity to witness relevant developments, and increase the number of competent physicians and centers.

Efficacy and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration through the pulmonary arteries for the diagnosis of left hilar lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) is an endoscopic method that aids needle aspiration to see the bronchial wall and adjacent tissues with an ultrasound probe. Pulmonary arteries are rarely present between the bronchus wall and the tissue. In this case, it was necessary to make a selection between invasive processes and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) through the pulmonary artery. There are few case reports about the safety of TBNA through the pulmonary artery. We aimed to present the results of EBUS guided TBNA through the pulmonary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data on four cases (three men) in whom EBUS guided TBNA was performed through the pulmonary artery between August 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Procedures were conducted under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. For TBNA, 22-gauge needles were used. Cases were monitored for 24 hour after the procedures. Antibiotic prophylaxis and onsite cytopathology were not used. RESULT: All lesions existed were on the left hilar localization. Two of the diagnosed cases were carcinoma and one was the granulomatous lymphadenitis. We were not able to diagnose the last case. No complication was observed in any cases during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS guided TBNA through the pulmonary arteries at left hilar lesions is safe. The rate of diagnoses from the tissues obtained is high. No special preparation is needed for the cases have no the pulmonary hypertension.

General features of patients with Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis followed in our instution.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare disease affecting young smokers. It is more common between the ages of 20-40 and equals the male/female ratio. Lung biopsy is the most useful methods for diagnosis. The first treatment is to quit smoking. Corticosteroids or chemotherapeutic agents can be used in severe progressive cases despite of quiting smoking. The patients with PLCH followed in our clinic were assessed with general clinical features in the light of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with PLCH in our clinic between January 1999 and June 2017. RESULT: The female and male distribution of the 21 patients was 11/10. The average age was 35.04 ± 11.78 years. All patients were active smokers at the time of admission. The most common symptom was dyspnea. The most common finding in the pulmonary function tests was obstructive ventilatory defect. The DLCO value of the 70% patient in the carbonmonooxid diffusion test was below 80%. The most common pathologic findings detected in high-resolution chest tomography (HRCT) were cystic lesions involving bilateral upper and middle areas. There were 3 (14%) patients with pneumothorax at the time of admission and 6 (28.5%) patients with pneumothorax history before. The most common diagnostic method was open lung biopsy. All the patients quit cigarette after the diagnosis. There were 6 patients using steroid therapy, 1 patient receiving steroid and bosentan therapy, and 1 patient made pleurectomy due to recurrent pneumothorax. Lung transplantation was done to patient who received combined bosentan treatment with steroids. CONCLUSIONS: PLCH is a rare disease and should be considered in young, smokers with spontaneous pneumothorax and cystic lung disease in the differential diagnosis. As more diffusions are affected in patients, respiratory functions for follow-up should be evaluated with diffusion tests. It is essential to quit smoking in therapy.

A cytopathological approach to diagnosing intrathoracic lymphadenopathy using aspirates obtained by the transbronchial needle aspiration method.

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an effective, safe and cost-effective technique that allows for sampling of the mediastinal lymph node and peribronchial lesions. It is used in bronchogenic carcinoma staging, peribronchial and submucosal lesions, diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, differentiating submucosal invasion, and in diagnosing mediastinal masses. From our experience at the University of Abant Izzet Baysal and from a review of the literature, we discuss the adequacy and the differential diagnosis of aspiration material obtained by TBNA and cytopathological-histopathological evaluation in intrathoracic lymphadenopathies to increase the success rate of the TBNA method.

Moxifloxacin related thrombocytopeniae: A case report.

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia can be caused by various medications, most frequently, antibiotics. There have been reports of thrombocytopenia cases due to the usage of quinolone antibiotics, although moxifloxacin-related thrombocytopenia has been reported very rarely. The case is here presented of a 60-year old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presented with complaints of progressively worsening dyspnea. After hospitalization, progressive thrombocytopenia was detected which had started on the 3rd day of moxifloxacin treatment. Other causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded and the thrombocyte count returned to normal after discontinuation of moxifloxacin.

[Current management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]. / Idiopatik pulmoner fibroziste güncel tedavi yaklasimi.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, irreversible and eventually fatal chronic interstitial pneumonia limited to the lung and associated with the histological and/or radiological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia.The mean age of the disease is 65 and it is more frequent in men than women. The disease was historically considered as an inflammatory disease, but currently this has shifted towards a prominent role of impaired wound healing process. The diagnosis of disease requires exclusion of other known causes of interstitial lung disease, the presence of a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on high -resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients or specific combinations of HRCT and surgical lung biopsy patterns. The patients are considered as mild, moderate and severe according to the symptoms, radiological and pulmonary function tests. It is difficult to predict the course of the disease; clinical exacerbation can be seen after a long stable period. Average median survival is approximately 3 years. Advanced age, smoking, low body mass index, widespread radiological involvement, comorbidities and complications (pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, and bronchogenic cancer) are considered as poor prognostic factors. The treatment approach is the basis on the severity of the disease and patient preference. The recent positive result of the pirfenidone and nintedanib phase II and III clinical trials based on the prevailing mechanism of IPF pathogenesis particularly targeted fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation have currently been reported. Initiating therapy with pirfenidone and nintedanib is recommended for the patients with mild and moderate IPF who do not have underlying liver disease and who live in area where these drugs are available. Nausea and rashes are more common in treatment with pirfenidone while diarrhea and deterioration in liver function tests are seen more frequently in nintedanib. The information regarding participation in randomized trials should be given to all patients and also early referral for transplantation should be considered.

[Bronchial thermoplasty; a new treatment modality in asthma]. / Bronsiyal termoplasti; astimda yeni tedavi seçenegi.

Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug treatment modality for moderate-to-severe asthma that involves the delivery of radio frequency energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. Bronchial thermoplasty is performed under conscious sedation and completed in three bronchoscopy sessions, each lasting less than one hour, and each spaced apart by about three weeks. Bronchial thermoplasty has been demonstrated to reduce severe exacerbations, emergency rooms visits for respiratory symptoms, and time lost from work, school and other daily activities and improve asthma control and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. Adequate patient management is important for patient comfort and safety. In this review, we aim to discuss clinical studies , the evidence for the efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty, the importance of careful patient selection, patient preparation, patient management, procedure.