Efficacy and Safety of Indwelling Catheter for Malignant Pleural Effusions Related to Timing of Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the efficacy and safety of indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) in relation with the timing of systemic cancer therapy (SCT) (i.e., before, during, or after SCT) in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). METHODS: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT), quasi-controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts, and case series of over 20 patients, in which the timing of IPC insertion in relation to that of SCT was provided. Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception to January 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool for RCTs and the ROB in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) for non-randomized designs. RESULTS: Ten studies (n=2907 patients; 3066 IPCs) were included. Using SCT while the IPC was in situ decreased overall mortality, increased survival time, and improved quality-adjusted survival. Timing of SCT had no effect on the risk of IPC-related infections (2.85% overall), even in immunocompromised patients with moderate or severe neutropenia (relative risk 0.98 [95%CI: 0.93-1.03] for patients treated with the combination of IPC and SCT). The inconsistency of the results or the lack of analysis of all outcome measures in relation to the SCT/IPC timing precluded drawing solid conclusions about time to IPC removal or need of re-interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on observational evidence, the efficacy and safety of IPC for MPE does not seem to vary depending on the IPC insertion timing (before, during, or after SCT). The data most likely support early IPC insertion.

Translation of a tissue epigenetic signature to circulating free DNA suggests BCAT1 as a potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for lung cancer.

Lung cancer patients are diagnosed at late stages when curative treatments are no longer possible; thus, molecular biomarkers for noninvasive detection are urgently needed. In this sense, we previously identified and validated an epigenetic 4-gene signature that yielded a high diagnostic performance in tissue and invasive pulmonary fluids. We analyzed DNA methylation levels using the ultrasensitive digital droplet PCR in noninvasive samples in a cohort of 83 patients. We demonstrated that BCAT1 is the candidate that achieves high diagnostic efficacy in circulating DNA derived from plasma (area under the curve: 0.85). Impact of potentially confounding variables was also explored.

Argon plasma coagulation for management of hemoptysis in endobronchial metastasis from soft-tissue sarcoma.

Hemoptysis is a manifestation of a wide variety of diseases. Endobronchial metastases from nonpulmonary neoplasms are unusual. Among these causes, soft-tissue sarcoma is also discretely rare and scarcely documented. Argon plasma coagulation is a useful tool for the interventional pulmonologist that can allow control of bleeding from these lesions. Here we report a case of hemoptysis from an endobronchial metastasis of soft-tissue sarcoma. Argon plasma coagulation of the bleeding lesion was performed successfully.

Benefit of Chest Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Thoracic Lesions in an Interventional Pulmonology Unit. / Utilidad de la ecografía en el diagnóstico de lesiones torácicas periféricas realizadas en una unidad de técnicas de neumología.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The use of ultrasound in peripheral thoracic lesions offers advantages over other radiological guiding methods. This diagnostic procedure has been applied in most studies published by radiologists. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided punctures and biopsies of peripheral thoracic lesions performed by pulmonologists. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of 58 patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided transthoracic punctures and biopsy of peripheral thoracic lesions between March 2011 and September 2014 in the pulmonology department of our hospital. Cases were classified into the following diagnostic categories: malignant, benign and non-diagnostic (non-specific benign without evidence of malignancy and insufficient specimen). RESULTS: A conclusive diagnosis was obtained in 47 procedures (81%), of which 13 (22.4%) were specific benign lesions and 34 (58.6%) cancers. In the remaining 11 (19%) patients, a non-diagnostic result was obtained [non-specific benign in 5 cases (8.6%) and insufficient specimen in 6 (10.3%)]. Sensitivity was 75.6%, negative predictive value was 54.2%, specificity and positive predictive value were 100%, and diagnostic accuracy was 81%. Excluding procedures with insufficient specimens, the results were 87.2%, 72.3%, 100%, 100% and 90.4% respectively. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided puncture and biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral thoracic lesions performed by pulmonologists is a safe procedure with high diagnostic accuracy. We achieved similar results to those previously obtained by radiologists.

Pulmonary nocardiosis: risk factors and outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is an infrequent but severe infection caused by Nocardia spp., which can behave either as opportunistic or primary pathogens. The present study identifies the risk factors for PN, clinical symptoms and radiographic features and the factors that affect its prognosis. METHODS: An observational study of all the patients diagnosed with PN over a 13-year period at the authors' institution. RESULTS: Thirty-one adult patients were identified with PN, 11 of whom had disseminated nocardiosis. The predisposing conditions were COPD (23%), transplantation (29%), HIV infection (19%), alcoholism (6.5%) and treatment with steroids (64.5%). Respiratory tract sampling using non-invasive techniques had a diagnostic yield of 77%, while specimens from invasive methods had a yield of 47%. Mean time to diagnosis was 42 days. Dissemination to the central nervous system was related to alcoholism. The mortality rates were 41% for PN and 64% for disseminated nocardiosis; when Nocardia disseminated to the central nervous system, the mortality was 100%. CONCLUSION: Specific risk factors were found in 94% of patients, with the most common being corticosteroid treatment and immunosuppressive therapy. The time to reach diagnosis and to prescribe specific treatment was considerable and mandatory assessment for nocardia in high-risk patients is required. The mortality rate of PN is high and early diagnosis and treatment are needed. Medications other than co-trimoxazole may be required.