Utility and Safety of Bronchoscopic Cryotechniques-A Comprehensive Review.

Cryosurgical techniques are employed for diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and serve as important tools for the management of pulmonary diseases. The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease requires multidisciplinary team discussions after a thorough assessment of history, physical exam, computed tomography, and lung-function testing. However, histological diagnosis is required in selected patients. Surgical lung biopsy has been the gold standard but this can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is an emerging technique and multiple studies have shown that it has a high diagnostic yield with a good safety profile. There is wide procedural variability and the optimal technique for cryobiopsy is still under investigation. There is emerging data that demonstrate that cryobiopsy is safe and highly accurate in the diagnosis of thoracic malignancies. Furthermore, cryorecanalization procedures are a useful adjunct for the palliation of tumors in patients with central airway obstruction. One should keep in mind that these procedures are not free from complications and should be carried out in a specialized center by a trained and experienced bronchoscopy team. We present a review of the literature on the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of bronchoscopy-guided cryosurgical procedures and their safety profile.

Evaluation of deployment capability of a novel outside-the-scope, detachable catheter system for ablation of lung lesions in ex vivo human lung models.

Objectives: Effective transbronchial ablation of lung nodules requires precise catheter delivery to the target lesion and freedom from the bronchoscope for safety throughout the procedure and to allow for multiple catheter insertions. A fully detachable, outside-the-scope (OTS) probe system was developed that attaches to a flexible bronchoscope. Using this system, the operator can deploy the probe in the target and completely detach it from the scope. Our aim was to demonstrate the endobronchial deployment accuracy and feasibility of an OTS, detachable, simulated ablation catheter driven to peripheral lung targets in ex vivo-ventilated human lung models. Methods: A balloon catheter inflated with radiopaque contrast was used as a simulated peripheral target in freshly explanted lungs from lung transplant recipients. A simulated ablation catheter was positioned outside and aligned to the tip of the bronchoscope using the OTS system. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the bronchoscope and the catheter were driven toward the target in mechanically ventilated lungs. Once the catheter tip was confirmed within the target, the OTS system was released and the probe was detached from the scope. The bronchoscope was retracted and fluoroscopy was used to confirm the position of the catheter. Results: Twelve peripheral targets were simulated. The ablation catheter was successfully deployed with its tip positioned within 5 mm from the target and confirmed stability during multiple cycles of ventilation. Conclusions: A novel, detachable, OTS system can be successfully deployed in peripheral lung targets with potential clinical applications for multiple procedures in advanced bronchoscopy where scope freedom is advantageous.

Living with mesothelioma: A systematic review of patient and caregiver psychosocial support needs.

OBJECTIVE: Practice guidelines emphasize the importance of investigating psychosocial distress in mesothelioma patients and family caregivers. We aimed to synthesize research on the psychosocial support needs of mesothelioma patients and their family caregivers. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with a narrative synthesis and quality assessment. The review process adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PsychArticles, and PsycINFO were searched until December 2020 and 37 studies in English met inclusion criteria. Most (n = 24) included mesothelioma patients as a very small proportion of their cancer samples. A narrative synthesis was conducted on the 13 studies including only mesothelioma patients (n = 297) and/or caregivers (n = 82). Patients and caregivers want improvements in the diagnosis delivery and access to palliative care. Patients want emotional support, patient-centered treatment, improved information about illness progression and death, and to meet others with mesothelioma. Caregivers want one-on-one practical and emotional support. Study quality varied. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies focus on the psychosocial support needs relevant to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients and family caregivers highlight targeted psychosocial care as an unmet need. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Efforts are required to design and test psychosocial interventions for this vulnerable and overlooked group. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (registration number CRD42020167852).

Midland non-invasive ventilation score: a tool to predict non-invasive ventilation failure in people with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure has clear benefits over invasive ventilation. Existing risk prediction models are complex and difficult to apply in the acute setting. We developed the Midland NIV score comprising only five parameters for use to predict NIV failure (in-hospital death or intubation) at initiation. Individuals with Midland NIV score of ≤11 (average 13% NIV failure) may be suitable for general ward care, compared to intensive care for those with Midland NIV score ≥12 (average 66% NIV failure rate). Prospective external validation is required.

The use and effectiveness of adaptive servo ventilation in central sleep apnea: a study of consecutive sleep clinic patients.

The use of adaptive servo ventilation to treat central sleep apnea in the clinical setting is incompletely understood and could be under-utilized. We reviewed our experience of adaptive servo ventilation use in patients with central sleep apnea. This study shows the effectiveness of adaptive servo ventilation in treating patients with central sleep apnea, irrespective of a predisposing factor, as assessed during a 4-week treatment trial. Results show that adaptive servo ventilation was effective and superior to continuous positive airway pressure in controlling central sleep apnea and improving symptoms. Only a small proportion of these patients had comorbid heart failure. Early treatment with adaptive servo ventilation may improve long-term adherence to therapy. These findings highlight the utility of adaptive servo ventilation in the management of central sleep apnea.

External validation of the SAPS3-CNIV score to predict hospital mortality following noninvasive ventilation: a retrospective single-centre study.

A retrospective single-centre study suggesting that patients with higher SAPS3-CNIV scores may be monitored in an ICU setting in order to reduce adverse patient events and optimal utilisation of resources http://ow.ly/F5qp30o2OT7.

Metastatic pancreatic carcinoma masquerading as cystic lung disease: a rare presentation.

This 52-year-old male ex-smoker presented with a six-month history of progressive breathlessness and weight loss. He deteriorated acutely, and was admitted with severe type 1 respiratory failure. Apart from diffuse coarse crackles on chest auscultation, physical examination was unremarkable. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed diffuse cystic changes throughout the lungs. A diagnosis of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) was considered. Further workup identified a coincidental pancreatic lesion of uncertain significance, which remained indeterminate on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and on positron emission tomography (PET). Transbronchial biopsy revealed enteric differentiated adenocarcinoma exhibiting lepidic spread, and autopsy later confirmed primary pancreatic malignancy. This case demonstrates that metastatic pancreatic malignancy can present with severe respiratory failure and masquerade as cystic lung disease.

Intrapleural Fibrinolysis for the Treatment of Indwelling Pleural Catheter-Related Symptomatic Loculations: A Multicenter Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are an effective option in the management of malignant pleural effusion. Up to 14% of patients with IPCs develop symptomatic pleural loculations causing ineffective fluid drainage and breathlessness. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for IPC-related symptomatic loculations. METHODS: All patients who received intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for symptomatic loculations between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2014, in four established IPC centers were retrospectively included. Patient outcomes, treatment effectiveness, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (mean age, 64.7 ± 14.2 years; 52% women) were included. Lung cancer (31.3%) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (20.3%) were the most common malignancies. Fibrinolytic instillation was performed in outpatient (61%) and inpatient settings. Tissue-plasminogen activator (n = 52), urokinase (n = 12), and streptokinase (n = 2) were used. The majority (69.7%) received only one fibrinolytic dose (range, one to six). Pleural fluid drainage increased in 93% of patients, and dyspnea improved in 83% following therapy. The median cumulative pleural fluid volume drained at 24 h posttreatment was 500 mL (interquartile range 300-1,034 mL). The area of opacity caused by pleural effusion on chest radiograph decreased from (mean, SD) 52% (14%) to 31% (21%) of the hemithorax (n = 13; P = .001). There were two cases of nonfatal pleural bleed (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy can improve pleural fluid drainage and symptoms in selected patients with IPC and symptomatic loculation, but it carries a small risk of pleural bleeding. There is significant heterogeneity in its use currently, and further studies are needed to determine patient selection and optimal dosing regimen and to define its safety profile.