Effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to lignocaine nebulization: A comparative study during awake flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Background and Aims: Mild to moderate sedation during bronchoscopy is essential for patient safety, comfort during and after the procedure, and to facilitate the performance of the bronchoscopist. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective, centrally acting α-2 agonist used to provide conscious sedation during various procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three different doses of dexmedetomidine nebulization as an adjuvant to lignocaine during bronchoscopy. Material and Methods: Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II patients, aged from 18 to 60 years, scheduled for an elective bronchoscopy, were recruited. They were divided into three groups: 30 patients in each group. Group I: The patient was nebulized with a mixture of 4 ml of 4% lignocaine and dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg. Group II: The patient was nebulized with a mixture of 4% lignocaine, 4 ml, and dexmedetomidine, 1 µg/kg. Group III: The patient was nebulized with 4% lignocaine 4 ml and dexmedetomidine 1.5 µg/kg. Results: The mean cough score was (1.17 ± 0.37), (1.40 ± 0.49), and (1.70 ± 0.75) in group III, group II, and group I, respectively. A significant difference was found between the groups. Patients were more comfortable with a statistically significant difference in the comfort score in group III as compared to group II and group I. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine nebulization in a dose of 1.5 µg/kg (compared to 1 µg/kg or 0.5 µg/kg) as an adjuvant to lignocaine, provides better bronchoscopy conditions and patient satisfaction.

Pulmonary mucormycosis diagnosed by ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsy: A case series.

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare but highly lethal fungal infection, usually affecting immunocompromised patients. Pulmonary mucormycosis was also a critical problem that complicated the later part of the clinical course of COVID-19 in India. Early diagnosis of the disease, combined with aggressive treatment, is crucial for patient survival. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy is a useful procedure for diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis, but image-guided percutaneous biopsy efficiently samples lesions abutting the chest wall. Biopsy is more yielding than cultures and imaging guided biopsy is required for lesions that cannot be microbiologically confirmed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. We present a case series of four patients of pulmonary mucormycosis in whom ultrasound guided biopsy clinched the diagnosis. All the four patients were poor surgical candidates and underwent medical management with antifungal agents, and had successful clinical recovery and radiological resolution. Our case series illustrates the utility of ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsy as a diagnostic tool for sampling cavitatory disease due to pulmonary mucormycosis, when fibreoptic bronchoscopy failed to yield a diagnosis and the beneficial role antifungal agents as salvage therapy in poor surgical candidates.

Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Admitted to Intensive Care Units in India (Preg-CoV): A Multicenter Study.

Aim: The aim was to examine the outcomes of pregnant women admitted to intensive care unit with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in India. The primary outcome of the study was maternal mortality at day 30. The secondary outcomes were the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, fetal mortality and preterm delivery. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective multicentric cohort study. Ethical clearance was obtained. All pregnant women of the 15-45-year age admitted to ICUs with SARS-CoV-2 infection during 1st March 2020 to 31st October, 2021 were included. Results: Data were collected from nine centers and for 211 obstetric patients admitted to the ICU with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. They were divided in to two groups as per their SpO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen) level at admission on room air, that is, normal SpO2 group (SpO2 > 90%) and low SpO2 group (SpO2 < 90%). The mean age was (30.06 ± 4.25) years and the gestational age was 36 ± 8 weeks. The maternal mortality rate was10.53%. The rate of fetal death and preterm delivery was 7.17 and 28.22%, respectively. The average ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) were 6.35 ± 8.56 and 6.78 ± 6.04 days, respectively. The maternal mortality (6.21 vs 43.48%, p < 0.001), preterm delivery (26.55 vs 52.17%, p = 0.011) and fetal death (5.08 vs 26.09%, p = 0.003) were significantly higher in the low SpO2 group. Conclusion: The overall maternal mortality among critically ill pregnant women affected with COVID-19 infection was 10.53%. The rate of preterm birth and fetal death were 28.22 and 7.17%, respectively. These adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were significantly higher in those admitted with low SpO2 (<90%) at admission compared with those with normal SpO2. How to cite this article: Sinha S, Paul G, Shah BA, Karmata T, Paliwal N, Dobariya J, et al. Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Admitted to Intensive Care Units in India (Preg-CoV): A Multicenter Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(3):265-272.

Interference of anti-nuclear antibodies on determination of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in patients suspected of vasculitis: a case series.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are mainly associated with medium and small vessel vasculitis. Two main methodologies currently available for detection of these antibodies are indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and monospecific proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) based immunoassays. However, well-defined guidelines regarding mode of testing for ANCA in laboratories still don't exist, leading to problems in diagnosis and further patient management. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies testing by IIF and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) often pose a significant challenge in diseases other than vasculitis and in overlapping autoimmune conditions. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies reporting by IIF can be challenging in certain circumstances. This case series aims to discuss four cases with probable interference of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) during ANCA testing by IIF resulting in ANCA false positivity. All four cases on subsequent reflex testing by line immunoassay (LIA) for PR3, MPO and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens proved otherwise. While analysing for the presence of ANCA by IIF, the possible interference of ANA leading to a false positive ANCA result should be kept in mind and alternative methods of testing like ELISA, extended granulocyte based IIF assays with MPO and PR3 coated beads, etc., should also be advised. Probability of atypical ANCA in diseases other than vasculitis should also be considered in case of ambiguous results.

Approach to post COVID-19 persistent cough: A narrative review.

A large proportion of patients who completely recovered from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection later continued to experience symptoms even after recovery, irrespective of the severity of the disease. Various terms with varying duration were used for those who had persistent symptoms, of which cough was the most common. We systematically searched the published literature concerning post-COVID-19 cough, its prevalence, and the potential ways to reduce it in clinical practice. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of existing literature concerning post-COVID-19 cough. Literature shows that augmented cough reflex sensitivity is responsible for persistent cough after acute viral upper respiratory infection (URI). Overall, the heightened cough reflex associated with SARSCoV2 induces neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmunomodulation via the vagal sensory nerves. Therapies for post-COVID-19 cough aim at the suppression of cough reflex. For a patient who does not respond to early symptomatic treatment, Inhaled corticosteroids can be given a trial to suppress airway inflammation. More trials of novel cough therapies in patients with post-COVID-19 cough using various outcome measures need to be studied in future research. Several agents are currently available for symptomatic relief. However, non-response or refractory cough continues to preclude adequate symptom relief.

Clinical outcomes of bronchiectasis in India: data from the EMBARC/Respiratory Research Network of India registry.

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for poor outcomes can help with risk stratification and targeting of treatment. Risk factors for mortality and exacerbations have been identified in bronchiectasis but have been almost exclusively studied in European and North American populations. This study investigated the risk factors for poor outcome in a large population of bronchiectasis patients enrolled in India. METHODS: The European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India (EMBARC-India) registry is a prospective observational study of adults with computed tomography-confirmed bronchiectasis enrolled at 31 sites across India. Baseline characteristics of patients were used to investigate associations with key clinical outcomes: mortality, severe exacerbations requiring hospital admission, overall exacerbation frequency and decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. RESULTS: 1018 patients with at least 12-month follow-up data were enrolled in the follow-up study. Frequent exacerbations (≥3 per year) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 3.23, 95% CI 1.39-7.50), severe exacerbations (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.92-3.83), future exacerbations (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 3.08, 95% CI 2.36-4.01) and lung function decline. Coexisting COPD, dyspnoea and current cigarette smoking were similarly associated with a worse outcome across all end-points studied. Additional predictors of mortality and severe exacerbations were increasing age and cardiovascular comorbidity. Infection with Gram-negative pathogens (predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae) was independently associated with increased mortality (HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.62-6.06), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was associated with severe exacerbations (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97) and overall exacerbation rate (IRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies risk factors for morbidity and mortality among bronchiectasis patients in India. Identification of these risk factors may support treatment approaches optimised to an Asian setting.

A Delphi consensus statement for the management of post-COVID interstitial lung disease.

INTRODUCTION: As millions of people worldwide recover from COVID-19, a substantial proportion continue to have persistent symptoms, pulmonary function abnormalities, and radiological findings suggestive of post-COVID interstitial lung disease (ILD). To date, there is limited scientific evidence on the management of post-COVID ILD, necessitating a consensus-based approach. AREAS COVERED: A panel of experts in pulmonology and thoracic radiology was constituted. Key questions regarding the management of post-COVID ILD were identified. A search was performed on PubMed and EMBASE and updated till 1 March 2022. The relevant literature regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of post-COVID ILD was summarized. Subsequently, suggestions regarding the management of these patients were framed, and a consensus was obtained using the Delphi approach. Those suggestions which were approved by over 80% of the panelists were accepted. The final document was approved by all panel members. EXPERT OPINION: Dedicated facilities should be established for the care of patients with post-COVID ILD. Symptom screening, pulmonary function testing, and thoracic imaging have a role in the diagnosis. The pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options for the management of post-COVID ILD are discussed. Further research into the pathophysiology and management of post-COVID ILD will improve our understanding of this condition.

A study of the pattern of sensory return in various flaps in different body areas.

Insensate flaps are used in several reconstructions. A search of the literature showed that most studies are limited to particular flaps in specific body areas. There is a lack of uniform scientific data on the pattern of sensory recovery in various body parts for different kinds of flaps. We conducted a prospective observational study for over one year to study the pattern of sensory return in 74 flaps and studied the disparity in the return of sensation of touch, pain, warmth and cold. After that, we analyzed the relationship between sensory return in flaps and the region of the body (head and neck/upper limb/lower limb), type of flap (cutaneous/fasciocutaneous/musculocutaneous), age of patient and type of wound bed (surgically created defect/raw area such as post trauma, post debridement). Touch sensations were assessed by Semmes-Weinstein (SW) monofilament of 5.01 number, pain was assessed using a sterile 26 G needle, cold sensation was assessed using water at 4 °C and warm sensation was assessed using water at 44 °C. The sensations were evaluated at one-fourth and one-half of distance from the periphery to the center, at eight equidistant points along the circumference and at the center of the flap. Sensations were observed to return in the periphery of the flap earlier and in the center later. Touch sensation was recovered the earliest (three months onwards), followed by sensations of pain, warmth and cold (around the sixth month). Flaps performed in the head and neck showed the best recovery of sensation. Best recovery of sensation was observed in cutaneous flaps. Flaps performed on surgically created defects showed better recovery of sensation compared with flaps performed to cover raw areas; however, the differences were statistically nonsignificant. Children showed better recovery of sensations; however, this was not statistically significant. Sensory nerve coaptation is recommended in flaps folded on themselves and in fasciocutaneous flaps of the lower limb.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) of the lung is a rare histological subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer and comprises a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging group of tumors. We report a patient of SC of the lung in an elderly patient who presented with a lung mass. Computed tomography-guided biopsy of the lung mass was done, which clinched the diagnosis. We present this case because of the rarity of this histological subtype and to expand understanding regarding this rare cancer.

Diagnostic yield of semi rigid thoracoscopy in unexplained exudative pleural effusion- Experience from tertiary care hospital of east India.

INTRODUCTION: In most of the pleural effusion, fluid analysis generally gives the etiological diagnosis but in almost 20% it remains unclear. This study was designed to determine the diagnostic yield of a pleural biopsy using semi rigid thoracoscope and its complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, AIIMS Patna. All the patients diagnosed as unexplained pleural effusion between Jan 2018 and December 2019 were included in the study. RESULTS: Total 76 out of 97 patients with unexplained exudative pleural effusion underwent medical thoracoscopy in the given period of 2 years. The mean age of the patients was 57.63 years. There were 46 males and 30 females. 38 patients (50%) had right-sided pleural effusion. More than half (52.6%) of study patients were on Anti-tubercular treatment in which only 11.84% had tuberculosis. In both unilateral and bilateral pleural effusion, the proportions of small, moderate, and large size of pleural effusions were 10.52, 42.10, and 47.36%, respectively. Thoracoscopy yielded a definitive diagnosis in 66 out of 76 patients (86.84%), and in 10 patients (13.15%), biopsy was inconclusive. Of 76 patients, malignancy was confirmed in 58 (76.31%), and tuberculosis in 8 (11.84%) patients CONCLUSION: This study concludes that, medical thoracoscopy with semi-rigid thoracoscope is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis of patients with unexplained exudative pleural effusion. It is a very simple and safe method with high diagnostic yield and associated with few complications. Malignancy was found to be the most common cause of unexplained exudative pleural effusion.

Radiological difference between new sputum-positive and sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: The current guidelines for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are based primarily on the demonstration of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on sputum microscopy and chest radiograph. Knowing various radiological manifestations and their association with sputum microscopy findings can allow for early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment. AIMS: This study was performed to compare the chest radiograph features seen in sputum-positive and sputum-negative tuberculosis patients, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective observational study, which included 147 consecutive patients newly diagnosed and treated as PTB between Jan 2018 and July 2018. Chest X-ray was reviewed by 2 independent radiologists and the findings were compared between sputum-positive and sputum-negative PTB cases. The obtained data were analyzed by statistics using SPSS version 15 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and χ2 test and Student t test were used for statistical analysis. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of a total of 147 patients, 38 (25 males and 13 females, mean age 35.23 ± 18.40) were sputum positive and 109 (77 males and 32 females, mean age 36.07 ± 18.15) were sputum negative. The frequency of patchy consolidation (78.94% vs 49.54%) and cavitation (36.84% vs 15.59%) was significantly higher in sputum-positive PTB (P < 0.05). Radiological lesions like nodular shadow (10.09% vs 2.63%), cystic lesion (13.76% vs 5.26%), fibrosis (12.84% vs 7.89%), miliary shadows (2.75% vs 2.63%), and pleural effusion (1.83% vs 0%) were seen more commonly with sputum-negative PTB but the difference was not statistically significant for any of these features. Sputum-positive PTB tends to occur more commonly on the left side (47.36%) compared with sputum-negative PTB (27.52%) (P < 0.05). 34.21% and 35.77% of the chest X-ray lesions were bilateral in sputum-positive and sputum-negative PTB, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patchy infiltration and cavitation on chest X-ray are seen more frequently in sputum-positive cases of PTB compared with sputum-negative cases.

Bronchiectasis in India: results from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India Registry.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a common but neglected chronic lung disease. Most epidemiological data are limited to cohorts from Europe and the USA, with few data from low-income and middle-income countries. We therefore aimed to describe the characteristics, severity of disease, microbiology, and treatment of patients with bronchiectasis in India. METHODS: The Indian bronchiectasis registry is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Adult patients (≥18 years) with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled from 31 centres across India. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis or traction bronchiectasis associated with another respiratory disorder were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (recruitment) with follow-up visits taking place once per year. Comprehensive clinical data were collected through the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration registry platform. Underlying aetiology of bronchiectasis, as well as treatment and risk factors for bronchiectasis were analysed in the Indian bronchiectasis registry. Comparisons of demographics were made with published European and US registries, and quality of care was benchmarked against the 2017 European Respiratory Society guidelines. FINDINGS: From June 1, 2015, to Sept 1, 2017, 2195 patients were enrolled. Marked differences were observed between India, Europe, and the USA. Patients in India were younger (median age 56 years [IQR 41-66] vs the European and US registries; p<0·0001]) and more likely to be men (1249 [56·9%] of 2195). Previous tuberculosis (780 [35·5%] of 2195) was the most frequent underlying cause of bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in sputum culture (301 [13·7%]) in India. Risk factors for exacerbations included being of the male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1·17, 95% CI 1·03-1·32; p=0·015), P aeruginosa infection (1·29, 1·10-1·50; p=0·001), a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (1·20, 1·07-1·34; p=0·002), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (1·32, 1·25-1·39; p<0·0001), daily sputum production (1·16, 1·03-1·30; p=0·013), and radiological severity of disease (1·03, 1·01-1·04; p<0·0001). Low adherence to guideline-recommended care was observed; only 388 patients were tested for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 82 patients had been tested for immunoglobulins. INTERPRETATION: Patients with bronchiectasis in India have more severe disease and have distinct characteristics from those reported in other countries. This study provides a benchmark to improve quality of care for patients with bronchiectasis in India. FUNDING: EU/European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Innovative Medicines Initiative inhaled Antibiotics in Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis Consortium, European Respiratory Society, and the British Lung Foundation.

Gallbladder cancer presenting with brain and bone metastasis: case report.

Although gallbladder cancer is a rare disease worldwide, north India has one of the highest incidences of this disease. We report a case of asymptomatic gall bladder cancer with brain metastasis. The patient presented with a scalp lump as the sole presenting feature, with no symptoms attributable to abdominal malignancy. Previously, the lump had been incised by a local practitioner who had probably misdiagnosed it as an abscess.

Pulmonary tuberculoma and miliary tuberculosis in silicosis.

Tuberculosis is a disease with protean manifestations. We present a case which was initially suspected as bronchogenic carcinoma with lymphangitic carcinomatosis, based on radiological appearance but later diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculoma with military tuberculosis and silicosis after thoracotomy and open lung biopsy. The patient was treated successfully with Antituberculosis Therapy (ATT). Rarity of presentation in form of pulmonary tuberculoma co-existing with histological features of miliary tuberculosis and silicosis, led us to report this case.