Inter- and intra-observer variability of radial-endobronchial ultrasound image interpretation for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) is often utilized in guided bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. R-EBUS probe positioning has been shown to correlate with diagnostic yield, but overall diagnostic yield with this technology has been inconsistent across the published literature. Currently there is no standardization for R-EBUS image interpretation, which may result in variability in grading concentricity of lesions and subsequently procedure performance. This was a survey-based study evaluating variability among practicing pulmonologists in R-EBUS image interpretation. Methods: R-EBUS images from peripheral bronchoscopy cases were sent to 10 practicing Interventional Pulmonologists at two different time points (baseline and 3 months). Participants were asked to grade the images as concentric, eccentric, or no image. Cohen's Kappa-coefficient was calculated for inter- and intra-observer variability. Results: A total of 100 R-EBUS images were included in the survey. There was 100% participation with complete survey responses from all 10 participants. Overall kappa-statistic for inter-observer variability for Survey 1 and 2 was 0.496 and 0.477 respectively. Overall kappa-statistic for intra-observer variability between the two surveys was 0.803. Conclusions: There is significant variability between pulmonologists when characterizing R-EBUS images. However, there is strong intra-rater agreement from each participant between surveys. A standardized approach and grading system for radial EBUS patterns may improve inter-observer variability in order to optimize our clinical use and research efforts in the field.

Exploring the Possible Phenomenon of Viral Interference Between the Novel Coronavirus and Common Respiratory Viruses.

At the peak of the 2021 wave of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant in North America, there was concern for a superimposed wave of viral respiratory infections. There was, however, an apparent shift in the usual epidemiology of these pathogens, especially during the traditional influenza season from approximately October 2020 to March 2021. This article seeks to briefly describe the epidemiology of notable respiratory pathogens during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on one possible factor for the trends observed. There are many contributory elements to the observed viral trends, but in particular, we present a synopsis of the data supporting the phenomenon of viral interference in relation to the clinically relevant early variants of SARS-CoV-2 (ancestral lineage, alpha, delta, omicron). Viral interference has been implicated in previous pandemics and is currently not well characterized in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to understand this dynamic and its effect on the predominant variants of COVID-19 thus far so that we may appropriately consider its possible influence in patient pathology going forward.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Inducing Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Case Series.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refers to immune-mediated destruction of platelets. Viral infections have been proposed as an etiology of ITP; antibodies developed in response to infection may cross-react with normal platelets and result in their destruction. Case Series: We report 2 cases in which coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) likely induced severe ITP. Conclusion: ITP may also play a role in the thrombocytopenia observed in some patients with COVID-19. ITP in this patient population may be more prevalent than currently documented.

Infections associated with tunnelled indwelling pleural catheters in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusions are common complications of advanced malignancies and are associated with significant morbidity and reduced survival. Tunnelled indwelling pleural catheters (TIPCs) are implantable devices used for palliation of symptomatic malignant pleural effusions. Although complication rates are overall low, their use in the setting of concurrent chemotherapy has not been carefully reviewed. We report our experience with infectious complications directly attributable to TIPCs (pleural or local soft tissue infections) in those patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TIPC placement for malignant pleural effusion in a 6-year period from November 2005 to March 2011. We reviewed the incidence of infection in these patients receiving catheter placement and attempted to determine whether chemotherapy was associated with an increased infectious risk. RESULTS: A total of 262 TIPC procedures, performed in 243 patients, were included in the study. Out of 262, 173 (66%) TIPC were in the chemotherapy group and 89 TIPC were in the nonchemotherapy group. Infections developed in 16 of the 262 TIPC placements (6.1%). The rate of complications in the chemotherapy group was 9 of the 173 TIPCs (5.2%) compared with 7 of the 89 TIPCs (7.9%) in the other group, a difference that was not statistically different (P=0.4). CONCLUSIONS: The overall risk of infection in TIPC is low. Patients undergoing chemotherapy while the TIPC is in place do not seem to have an increased risk of infection, and therefore chemotherapy should not necessarily be viewed as a contraindication to TIPC insertion.