Bronchial Thermoplasty Including the Middle Lobe Bronchus Significantly Improves Lung Function and Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Severe Asthma.

PURPOSE: Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) is indicated in patients suffering from severe and symptomatic bronchial asthma despite maximal medical therapy. However, treatment of the right middle lobe (RML) bronchus is currently not recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of BT if the RML bronchus is included. METHODS: BT was performed in 17 consecutive patients, quality of life and pulmonary function were characterized before and 90 days after BT completion. Furthermore, we performed a clean-up bronchoscopy following every BT. This study was approved by the IRB of the University of Essen (No. 17-7356 BO) and registered as a retrospective observational study at the German Clinical Trials Registry (No. DRKS 00011550). RESULTS: The median baseline values of FEV1 and Asthma Questionnaire of Life Quality (AQLQ) were 1.33 l (0.91; 1.73) and 3.01 (2.76; 3.61), respectively, and significantly improved 90 days after treatment with FEV 1 at 1.75 l (p-value 0.002) and AQLQ 3.8 (p-value < 0.05). Also the amount of oral corticosteroid necessity decreased significantly. No severe adverse events occurred due to the procedure. Clean-up bronchoscopies-when performed-revealed significant fibrinous exudation after every BT procedure. CONCLUSION: BT including the RML bronchus is feasible. Functionally limited patients with severe asthma could potentially profit. Due to the relevant fibrinous exudation, BT should be followed by clean-up bronchoscopy, not only after RML treatment.

A Network Comparative Meta-analysis of Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomies Using Anatomic Landmarks, Bronchoscopic, and Ultrasound Guidance Versus Open Surgical Tracheostomy.

BACKGROUND: Several different tracheostomy techniques (percutaneous and surgical) have been studied extensively in previous direct pairwise meta-analyses. However, a network comparative meta-analysis comparing all has not been conducted before. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare three percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy techniques with open surgical tracheostomy technique (performed in the operating room or in the intensive care unit by bedside) in terms of their association with procedure-related major complications and procedure time. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed and Cochrane register of randomized active comparator trials. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: A network comparative meta-analysis was performed in Stata using frequentist methodology. Major complications were defined as a composite of a priori-selected procedure-related complications. Tracheostomy techniques that did not require any direct bronchoscopic or ultrasonographic visualization of the entire procedure were grouped under the heading-anatomic landmark-based dilatational tracheostomy (ALDT). This along with bronchoscopic-guided dilatational tracheostomy (BDT), ultrasound-guided (UDT), and surgical tracheostomy (SGT) were compared with each other using network meta-analysis in Stata after all major assumptions (similarity, transitivity, and consistency) for performing a network were met. Log odds ratio (and standard errors) of the comparison of major complications between any two tracheostomy techniques (using indirect estimates) was statistically insignificant. Pairwise meta-analysis showed significant differences in procedure times between SGT and ALDT [mean difference: 9.96 min (SE 3.18)] and between SGT and BDT [15.67 min (SE 3.85)]. The indirect network meta-analysis comparing one versus the other also showed a statistically significant time difference between surgical tracheostomy when compared with every other technique. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our network meta-analysis show that all tracheostomy techniques are comparable with respect to associated procedure-related complications, but all three percutaneous techniques take far less procedure time compared to the surgical tracheostomy.

Early lung cancer detection, mucosal, and alveolar imaging.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Early detection is essential for long-term survival. Screening of high-risk individuals with low-dose computed tomography screening has proven to increase survival. However, current radiological imaging techniques have poor specificity for lung cancer detection and poor sensitivity for detection of mucosal or alveolar preinvasive malignant lesions. Bronchoscopy allows imaging and sampling of early lung cancer, with the highest safety profile and high diagnostic accuracy. RECENT FINDINGS: Available technologies, such as autofluorescence bronchoscopy, narrow band imaging, and radial ultrasound bronchoscopy can significantly increase the yield and diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy for early cancer detection in the central airways. Newer technologies such as optical coherence tomography, confocal bronchoscopy, and Raman spectroscopy may significantly increase the diagnostic yield of both central and parenchymal early cancer lesions. SUMMARY: Although some of these technologies are still investigational and are not readily available in most centers, they may identify early mucosal and alveolar cancer lesions accurately in the least invasive manner to provide appropriate therapy and prolong patient survival from lung cancer.

Lung abscess: the non-conservative management: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Systemic antibiotics are the best treatment options for lung abscesses. However, up to 37% of lung abscesses do not respond to antibiotics and may require additional interventions. Percutaneous transthoracic tube drainage (PTTD), endoscopic catheter drainage (ECD) and surgical resection are additional options available when first line therapy with systemic antibiotics are unsuccessful. In this narrative review, we summarize all available interventional procedures, techniques, complications, safety, and contraindications. Methods: A literature search was performed using Medline/PubMed from January 1980 to October 2023. Key words: "lung abscess", "pulmonary abscess", "endoscopic drainage", "percutaneous drainage", "tube drainage". Pediatric patients were excluded from this study. Key Content and Findings: PTTD and ECD are fairly safe procedures. Performing PTTD or ECD without delay may shorten the duration of hospital stay. This may lower the burden on health care. Moreover, draining abscesses may relieve discomfort in the clinical symptoms associated with abscesses. The primary factor in choosing ECD over PTTD is the location of the abscess, and the presence of a bronchial airway leading to the abscess for successful ECD. ECD has lower rate of complications and mortality; and similar success rate compared to PTTD. While mortality has been reported with PTTD, ECD appears to be safer according to present data. Conclusions: PTTD and ECD are safe procedures, with low complication rates. ECD has a lower complication rate than PTTD does.

Efficacy of oral 20-hydroxyecdysone (BIO101), a MAS receptor activator, in adults with severe COVID-19 (COVA): a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE2 is potentially associated with severe pneumonia due to COVID-19. The aim of the study was to test whether Mas-receptor activation by 20-hydroxyecdysone (BIO101) could restore the Renin-Angiotensin System equilibrium and limit the frequency of respiratory failure and mortality in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Methods: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial. Randomization: 1:1 oral BIO101 (350 mg BID) or placebo, up to 28 days or until an endpoint was reached. Primary endpoint: mortality or respiratory failure requiring high-flow oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Key secondary endpoint: hospital discharge following recovery (ClinicalTrials.gov Number, NCT04472728). Findings: Due to low recruitment the planned sample size of 310 was not reached and 238 patients were randomized between August 26, 2020 and March 8, 2022. In the modified ITT population (233 patients; 126 BIO101 and 107 placebo), respiratory failure or early death by day 28 was 11.4% lower in the BIO101 (13.5%) than in the placebo (24.3%) group, (p = 0.0426). At day 28, proportions of patients discharged following recovery were 80.1%, and 70.9% in the BIO101 and placebo group respectively, (adjusted difference 11.0%, 95% CI [-0.4%, 22.4%], p = 0.0586). Hazard Ratio for time to death over 90 days: 0.554 (95% CI [0.285, 1.077]), a 44.6% mortality reduction in the BIO101 group (not statistically significant). Treatment emergent adverse events of respiratory failure were more frequent in the placebo group. Interpretation: BIO101 significantly reduced the risk of death or respiratory failure supporting its use in adults hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms due to COVID-19. Funding: Biophytis.

Diagnostic value of blood clot core during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspirate.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is being increasingly used in the sampling of pulmonary masses and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The blood clot core (BCC) often obtained during EBUS-TBNA may not be a true core and therefore may not be submitted for histological analysis. The frequency in which the blood clot core is positive in patients with negative cytology undergoing EBUS-TBNA is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of the blood clot core obtained during EBUS-TBNA. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review was performed from January through September 2011 for all patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at The Ohio State University. The data collection included cytology and histology results for each procedure. Blood clot cores obtained from the EBUS-TBNA needle were sent in formalin for histological examination. RESULTS: Seventy patients underwent EBUS-TBNA and 51 (72.8 %) patients had procedures that yielded a BCC for histology and aspirate for cytology. Forty-nine percent of patients with a BCC were diagnosed with malignancy. Of those with a BCC obtained, five (9.8 %) patients diagnosed with malignancy were done so based only on the results of blood clot core alone with negative cytology. CONCLUSIONS: Blood clot cores obtained at EBUS-TBNA contain diagnostic material and should be subjected histopathological examination. When blood clot cores are sent for analysis, there is the potential to spare up to 10 % of patients more invasive diagnostic biopsy procedures.

Infections of the lung: a predictive, preventive and personalized perspective through the lens of evolution, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its pathogenesis.

The long evolutionary battle between humans and pathogens has played an important role in shaping the current network of host-pathogen interactions. Each organ brings new challenges from the perspective of a pathogen to establish a suitable niche for survival while subverting the protective mechanisms of the host. Lungs, the organ for oxygen exchange, have been an easy target for pathogens due to its accessibility. The organ has evolved diverse capabilities to provide the flexibility required for an organism's health and at the same time maintain protective functionality to prevent and resolve assault by pathogens. The pathogenic invasions are strongly challenged by healthy lung architecture which includes the presence and activity of the epithelium, mucous, antimicrobial proteins, surfactants, and immune cells. Competitively, the pathogens in the form of viruses, bacteria, and fungi have evolved an arsenal of strategies that can over-ride the host's protective mechanisms. While bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) can survive in dormant form for years before getting active in humans, novel pathogens can wreak havoc as they pose a high risk of morbidity and mortality in a very short duration of time. Recently, a coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic which provides us an opportunity to look at the host manipulative strategies used by respiratory pathogens. Their ability to hide, modify, evade, and exploit cell's processes are key to their survival. While pathogens like M. tuberculosis have been infecting humans for thousands of years, SARS-CoV-2 has been the cause of the recent pandemic. Molecular understanding of the strategies used by these pathogens could greatly serve in design of predictive, preventive, personalized medicine (PPPM). In this article, we have emphasized on the clinically relevant evasive strategies of the pathogens in the lungs with emphasis on M. tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. The molecular basis of these evasive strategies illuminated through advances in genomics, cell, and structural biology can assist in the mapping of vulnerable molecular networks which can be exploited translationally. These evolutionary approaches can further assist in generating screening and therapeutic options for susceptible populations and could be a promising approach for the prediction, prevention of disease, and the development of personalized medicines. Further, tailoring the clinical data of COVID-19 patients with their physiological responses in light of known host-respiratory pathogen interactions can provide opportunities to improve patient profiling and stratification according to identified therapeutic targets.

State of the Art: Toward Improving Outcomes of Lung and Liver Tumor Biopsies in Clinical Trials-A Multidisciplinary Approach.

PURPOSE: National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored clinical trial network studies frequently require biopsy specimens for pharmacodynamic and molecular biomarker analyses, including paired pre- and post-treatment samples. The purpose of this meeting of NCI-sponsored investigators was to identify local institutional standard procedures found to ensure quantitative and qualitative specimen adequacy. METHODS: NCI convened a conference on best biopsy practices, focusing on the clinical research community. Topics discussed were (1) criteria for specimen adequacy in the personalized medicine era, (2) team-based approaches to ensure specimen adequacy and quality control, and (3) risk considerations relevant to academic and community practitioners and their patients. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Key recommendations from the convened consensus panel included (1) establishment of infrastructure for multidisciplinary biopsy teams with a formalized information capture process, (2) maintenance of standard operating procedures with regular team review, (3) optimization of tissue collection and yield methodology, (4) incorporation of needle aspiration and other newer techniques, and (5) commitment of stakeholders to use of guideline documents to increase awareness of best biopsy practices, with the goal of universally improving tumor biopsy practices.

Point of care ultrasound in thoracic malignancy.

Ultrasonography is a safe, efficient and cost-effective mode of imaging that can assist clinicians with important treatment decisions and provide procedural guidance. Today, point of care ultrasound plays an essential role in the assessment of benign and malignant conditions of chest, both in the outpatient and inpatient setting. Small, ultra-portable, affordable units can now be carried in the coat pocket. Advanced lung cancer, metastatic diseases to the lungs or thoracic malignancies can present with pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, post-obstructive pneumonia, or ascites that can be assessed by the clinician with ultrasound. It can be used to evaluate the extent of thoracic tumors beyond the parenchyma to the parietal pleura or chest wall, assess cervical, supraclavicular lymphadenopathy prior to fine needle aspiration or to determine venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with malignancy. Thoracic ultrasound is currently being practiced by the pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons and intensivists to provide guidance during placement of pleural catheters, chest tubes or to evaluate the pleural cavity before thoracoscopy. Point of care ultrasound can improve efficiency in procedures by decreasing complications, increasing success and reducing financial strain on the health care system.

Validating the Bangla version of the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ-18) for preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: The Preschool version of the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ-18) is a popular instrument to assess children's ability to master the environment through action or activity to explore, influence, or control the physical atmosphere. Although this instrument was originally developed in English, it has now been translated and validated in five other languages: Hungarian, Turkish, Chinese, Spanish, and Persian. As we notice a growing interest in research on the mastery motivation among Bangladeshi preschoolers, we have taken this effort to translate and validate the DMQ-18 and explore the factor structure of the Bangla version of this questionnaire. METHOD: After translating all 39 items of the questionnaire into Bangla, it was administered on 206 children, aged 3 to 6 years, recruited randomly from ten preschools in Dhaka. The schools were selected randomly from the official list of preschools prepared by the Dhaka City Corporation. Class teachers of the respective children completed the questionnaire with the assistant of research assistants. RESULTS: The Bangla version of the questionnaire retained all 39 items, with seven factors as they were in the English version. The Bangla version shows sufficient reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87; test-retest reliability = 0.89 for whole questionnaire and .79-.89 for sub-scales; inter-rater reliability = 0.88 for whole questionnaire and .79-.88 for sub-scales), and validity (correlated positively with the English version; r = 0.85). CONCLUSION: Due to its robust psychometric properties, the Bangla DMQ-18 is suggested to be used for Bangladeshi preschool children to assess their mastery motivation.

Diagnosis of Acute Cellular Rejection Using Probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Prospective, Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) in lung transplant recipients requires demonstration of perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in alveolar tissue samples from transbronchial biopsies (TBBs). Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) allows in vivo observation of alveolar, vascular, and cellular microstructures in the lung with potential to identify ACR. The objective of our prospective, blinded, multicenter observational study was to identify pCLE findings in patients with ACR diagnosed histopathologically by TBB. METHODS: Lung transplant recipients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopies within 1 year posttransplant for suspected ACR had pCLE video imaging obtained immediately prior to tissue sampling via TBB. Findings of 2 pCLE criteria, abundant alveolar cellularity and perivascular cellularity (PVC), were assessed by 4 investigators familiar with pCLE and compared with histopathologic criteria of ACR to derive sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and accuracy. Interobserver agreement was assessed by calculating intraclass coefficient and Fleiss κ. Findings were analyzed before and after a consensus meeting of investigators on interpreting images. RESULTS: Thirty pCLE procedures were performed on 24 patients, 8 showing ACR in TBB. Diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement using pCLE to identify PVC were significantly higher than those of abundant alveolar cellularity (P < 0.01). The number of blood vessels identified with PVC on pCLE was significantly correlated with histopathologic activity grading of ACR (P < 0.01). Perivascular cellularity agreement among investigators significantly improved after consensus meeting (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: When found on pCLE, PVC is a feasible and reproducible criterion for assessment of ACR in vivo, but there is a learning curve for image interpretation.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Intensive Care Unit.

Spreading beyond the realm of tertiary academic medical centers, point-of-care ultrasound in the intensive care unit is an important diagnostic tool. The real-time feedback garnered can lead to critical and clinically relevant changes in management and decrease potential complications. Bedside ultrasound evaluation in the intensive care setting with a small, portable equipment is well-suited for placement of central lines, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis or other bedside ICU procedures and in the evaluation of cardiac activity, pleural and abdominal cavity and the overall fluid volume. Formalized curriculums centering on point-of-care ultrasound are emerging that will enhance its applicability and relevance.

Percutaneous tracheostomy: a comprehensive review.

Tracheostomy is a common procedure. It can be done surgically or percutaneously by dilating the stoma using Seldinger technique. Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) is now routinely performed by surgeons and non-surgeons such as intensivists and anesthesiologists in the intensive care units (ICU) all over the world. Although obesity, emergent tracheostomy, coagulopathy, inability to extend the neck and high ventilator demand (HVD) were initially thought to be a relative contraindication, recent data suggest safety of PT in these patient population. Ultrasound can be helpful in limited cases to identify the neck structure especially in patients with a difficult anatomy. Bronchoscopy during PT can shorten the duration and avoid complications. PT has favorable complication rate, lower infection rate, shorter procedural duration and is cost-effective. Experience with the technique and careful planning is needed to minimize any avoidable potential complication.

Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Accreditation Standards: Executive Summary of the Multisociety Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Accreditation Committee.

Interventional pulmonology (IP) is a rapidly evolving subspecialty of pulmonary medicine. In the last 10 years, formal IP fellowships have increased substantially in number from five to now > 30. The vast majority of IP fellowship trainees are selected through the National Resident Matching Program, and validated in-service and certification examinations for IP exist. Practice standards and training guidelines for IP fellowship programs have been published; however, considerable variability in the environment, curriculum, and experience offered by the various fellowship programs remains, and there is currently no formal accreditation process in place to standardize IP fellowship training. Recognizing the need for more uniform training across the various fellowship programs, a multisociety accreditation committee was formed with the intent to establish common accreditation standards for all IP fellowship programs in the United States. This article provides a summary of those standards and can serve as an accreditation template for training programs and their offices of graduate medical education as they move through the accreditation process.

Analysis of employment data for interventional pulmonary fellowship graduates.

RATIONALE: Interventional pulmonology (IP) is a maturing field in the subspecialty of pulmonary medicine. Over the last few years, there has been an increased number of listed IP fellowship training programs in the United States and Canada, causing debate about the employment market for IP fellowship graduates. OBJECTIVES: To analyze employment data of IP fellowship graduates. METHODS: Interventional pulmonary fellows, during their IP in-service examination, were surveyed on employment position after graduation. The survey occurred in May or June in the years 2012, 2013, and 2014. An IP position was defined as a position encompassing more than 60% of effort directly toward IP. Geographic location and practice structure (i.e., academic, private/hybrid, and existing or initiating IP practice) were collected and analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was an 88.5% response rate, with 53 IP fellows participating in the survey. The majority of IP fellowship graduates (75%; 39/52) had positions in academic IP practices. All seven IP private practice positions were to create an IP program. One IP graduate was in a non-IP academic position, four were in non-IP private practice, one was in a research position, and one had no known employment. Most IP fellowship graduates were men (77.4%). Most IP positions were filled in states east of the Mississippi River; only 8 of 53 (15.1%) positions were filled in states west of the Mississippi river. CONCLUSIONS: Despite speculation about the scarcity of academic jobs after fellowship, recently trained IP fellows are more likely to practice in academic settings and join established practices.

Advanced imaging (positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and image-guided biopsy in initial staging and monitoring of therapy of lung cancer.

The results of the National Lung Screening Trial strongly support early detection and definitive treatment to reduce lung cancer mortality. Once lung cancer is discovered, accurate staging at baseline is imperative to maximize patient benefit and cost-effective use of health care resources. Although computed tomography (CT) remains a powerful tool for staging of lung cancer, advances in other imaging modalities, specifically positron emission tomography/CT and magnetic resonance imaging, can improve baseline staging over CT alone and can allow a more rapid and accurate assessment of response to treatment. Although noninvasive imaging is extremely useful, tissue diagnosis remains the criterion standard for staging lung cancer and monitoring treatment response. Accordingly, tissue sampling using advanced bronchoscopic imaging guidance, such as ultrasound or electromagnetic navigation, allows precise tissue location and sampling of mediastinal nodes or lung nodules in the least invasive manner. In the future, bronchoscopy may allow real-time microscopic analysis.

Novel modification of tracheostomy tube to allow speech and manage tracheal stenosis.

Mid-tracheal, postintubation stenosis can be managed with an extended length tracheostomy tube to bypass the stenotic area. However these extra-long tracheostomy tubes are not fenestrated, and when the stenotic tracheal lumen sits against the tracheostomy tube, phonation is not possible as there is no translaryngeal airflow. A 59-year-old man developed distal tracheal stenosis following a prolonged intubation and tracheostomy after a motorcycle accident. He eventually required an extra-long tracheostomy tube to bypass the stenotic region. We modified a silicone tracheostomy tube by creating a fenestration on its posterior wall. This relieved the obstruction while still allowing phonation and speech.

Unusual case of a vanishing bronchus of the left allograft in a lung transplant recipient.

We present an interesting case of a complete vanishing of the left main bronchus in a lung transplant recipient who had a successful outcome due to acute respiratory support with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in order to perform airway dilation.