American College of Chest Physicians and American Association for Bronchology [corrected] consensus statement: prevention of flexible bronchoscopy-associated infection.
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Bronchoscopy↗
Biomedical subjects
Atul C Mehta
Publications and source records attributed to Atul C Mehta.
Fever, chills, and chest radiographic infiltrates in a middle-aged woman.
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Antifungal Agents↗
A 35-year old man with recurrent hoarseness.
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Adult↗
Central airway obstruction.
Central airway obstruction is a problem facing all medical and surgical subspecialists caring for patients with chest diseases. The incidence of this disorder appears to be rising because of the epidemic of lung cancer; however, benign causes of central airway obstruction are being seen more frequently as well. The morbidity is significant and if left untreated, death from suffocation is a frequent outcome. Management of these patients is difficult, but therapeutic and diagnostic tools are now available that are beneficial to most patients and almost all airway obstruction can be relieved expeditiously. This review examines current approaches in the workup and treatment of patients suffering from airway impairment. Although large, randomized, comparative studies are not available, data show significant improvement in patient outcomes and quality of life with treatment of central airway obstruction. Clearly, more studies assessing the relative utility of specific airway interventions and their impact on morbidity and mortality are needed. Currently, the most comprehensive approach can be offered at centers with expertise in the management of complex airway disorders and availability of all endoscopic and surgical options.
Airway Obstruction↗
Cell-mediated immune response to influenza vaccination in lung transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND: Lung transplant recipients are susceptible to complications from influenza infection. Antibody responses to influenza vaccination have been shown to be decreased in lung transplant recipients. Cellular immune mechanisms serve an important role in influenza clearance. The cellular immune response to influenza vaccination has not been studied in transplant populations. METHODS: Interleukin-2, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, and granzyme B levels to the three viral antigens included in the 1999 to 2000 influenza vaccine were measured before and 4 weeks post-vaccination in 43 lung transplant recipients and 21 healthy adult controls. RESULTS: Interleukin-2, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, and granzyme B levels did not increase from pre- to post-vaccination in the lung transplant group. Both pre- and post-cytokine levels were lower in the transplant group compared to the control group. Pre- and post-granzyme B levels did not differ significantly between the groups. The T-helper response in the control group varied with the different viral strains. A correlation between acute rejection episodes and the absence of both azathioprine and mycophenolate was found. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination does not stimulate a cell-mediated immune response in lung transplant recipients as judged by interleukin-2, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, and granzyme B levels. Alternative prevention strategies may be needed.
Case-Control Studies↗
Removal of self-expandable metallic stents: is it possible?
Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have become an important component of the management of central airway disease. These stents are not, however, without problems and stent-related complications (SRCs) can be more formidable to treat than the original indication for SEMS placement. As use of SEMS has increased, the number of patients returning to hospital for management of SRCs has similarly risen. A small group of these patients will have, as their only therapeutic option, stent removal Thus far limited experience exists with late stent removal. Stent extraction is difficult and requires expertise in a variety of techniques. A multidisciplinary approach to both SEMS placement and extraction is strongly advocated.
Journal Article↗
Reprocessing the bronchoscope: the challenges.
Spread of infection through the flexible bronchoscope is underrecognized and underreported. Prevention of bronchoscopy-induced infection requires increased vigilance by the physician, assiduous implementation of reprocessing protocols, and closer collaboration between bronchoscopy personnel, infection control practitioners, and instrument manufacturers. Patient safety depends on adequate disinfection of bronchoscopes and accessories used, as well as proper training of bronchoscopists, nurses, and ancillary staff. It is important to recognize that microbial transmission may occur via any part of instruments or anything in contact with the instruments including cleaning solutions, automated washers, and rinsing water. Numerous surveys have suggested poor adherence to published preventive guidelines. To address the challenges of reprocessing bronchoscopes, all users must comply with guidelines for cleaning and disinfection and each procedure should be performed with a clean, disinfected bronchoscope.
Journal Article↗
Pulmonary nodules in lung transplant recipients: etiology and outcome.
BACKGROUND: The pulmonary nodule (PN) poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the immunocompromised host. Common causes of PNs in lung transplant (LT) recipients include bacterial or fungal infections and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). However, experience in diagnosis and management of PNs is limited. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-four LTs were performed between February 1990 and December 2000. Medical records of all patients with PNs were reviewed retrospectively. Data on presentation, radiographic features, diagnostic methods, therapy, and outcome were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had PNs after a follow-up of 20.1 +/- 20.1 months (mean +/- SD). The mean age was 45.5 +/- 14.4 years, with a male:female ratio of 17:6. Thirteen patients received single LT, 9 patients received bilateral LT, and 1 patient received heart-LT. Cough and dyspnea were the most common symptoms at presentation, and PNs were better detected by CT than chest radiography. Solitary PNs were due to bronchogenic carcinoma and PTLD, while multiple PNs were due to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), cytomegalovirus pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, and metastatic carcinoma. Bronchoscopy with BAL and transbronchial lung biopsy was the usual method of diagnosis (n = 17, 74%), and our mortality rate was 70%. CONCLUSION: PNs are not uncommon in patients following LT. The majority were due to IPA and PTLD. Prophylaxis with itraconazole against Aspergillus, and acyclovir for Epstein-Barr virus-negative LT recipients, serial CT and surveillance bronchoscopy for early detection of Aspergillus infections, and rituximab therapy for PTLD could improve the outcome of these patients.
Aspergillosis↗
Role of flexible bronchoscopy in immunocompromised patients with lung infiltrates.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 104 consecutive non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients with lung infiltrates in whom FB was performed. METHODS: The primary outcome measure was the diagnostic yield of FB, which was derived as the number of the diagnoses made using FB results divided by all final diagnoses. Final diagnoses were established using data from FB, surgical lung biopsy (SLB), and microbiology and serology testing, and by the clinical response to empiric therapy. We also studied the diagnostic yields of individual sampling procedures such as BAL, transbronchial biopsy (TBB), and protected-specimen brush (PSB) sampling. RESULTS: Overall, 128 diagnoses were made in 104 patients. The overall diagnostic yield of FB was 56.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47 to 64%). FB provided at least one diagnosis in 53 of 104 patients (51%; 95% CI, 40 to 62%). FB was more likely to establish the diagnosis when the lung infiltrate was due to an infectious agent (81%; 95% CI, 67 to 90%) than to a noninfectious process (56%; 95% CI, 43 to 67%; p = 0.011). The diagnostic yields of BAL (38%; 95% CI, 30 to 47%) and TBB (38%; 95% CI, 27 to 51%) were similar (p = 0.94). The diagnostic yield of PSB sampling was lower (13%; 95% CI 6 to 24%; p = 0.001) than that of BAL. The combined diagnostic yield of BAL and TBB (70%; 95% CI, 57 to 80%) was higher than that of BAL alone (p < 0.001). Finally, the diagnostic yield of FB with PSB sampling, BAL, and TBB was similar to that of FB with BAL and TBB. The complication rate from FB was 21% (95% CI, 15 to 31%). Minor bleeding (13%) and pneumothorax (4%) were the most common complications. CONCLUSIONS: FB has a high diagnostic yield in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates. Based on our results, we recommend performing TBB in these patients, whenever possible.
Adult↗
Transbronchial needle aspiration in diagnosing intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenitis.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in diagnosing intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenitis (TB-LA). METHODS: In a tertiary referral center for thoracic medicine and surgery, using a CT scan as a guide, transbronchial aspirates were obtained with a 19-gauge flexible histology needle in consecutively enrolled patients with sputum smears negative for acid-fast bacilli, and with isolated mediastinal or hilar adenopathy suspicious for tuberculosis (TB). RESULTS: Of 84 eligible patients who were all found to be HIV-negative, 63 (75%) cases of TB were diagnosed by TBNA (histology, 48 patients [76%]; cytology, 9 patients [14%]; and bacteriologic studies, 21 patients [33%; smear, 8 patients; culture, 17 patients]). TBNA was used to diagnose sarcoidosis in two patients, angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy in one patient, and Hodgkin lymphoma in one patient. In the 17 TBNA-negative patients, the results of transthoracic needle aspiration were positive in 12 patients (TB, nine patients; lung cancer, two patients; sarcoidosis, one patient), the results of mediastinoscopy were positive in three patients (TB, two patients; Hodgkin lymphoma, one patient), and the results of thoracotomy were positive in two patients (TB, two patients). Thus, 76 patients had TB, and all responded to anti-TB treatment. TB was corroborated by culture or histology of another specimen obtained from subsequently developed lesions in 40 patients (53%) during anti-TB treatment or posttreatment follow-up. TBNA was immediately diagnostic in 59 patients (78%), and exclusively in 52 patients (68%), among all bronchoscopic procedures and prebronchoscopic sputum studies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of TBNA for TB were 83%, 100%, 100%, 38%, and 85%, respectively. The only complication, self-limiting hemorrhage of < 30 mL volume, occurred in 65 patients (77%), with a volume of < 5 mL in 59 patients (70%). CONCLUSION: TBNA is efficient and safe in the bacteriologic and pathologic diagnosis of intrathoracic TB-LA in HIV-negative and sputum smear-negative patients.
Adolescent↗
The role of self-expandable metallic stents for the treatment of airway complications after lung transplantation.
BACKGROUND: Airway complications continue to be an important source of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). Different approaches have been used for their nonsurgical management. We describe our experience using self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) in patients with airway complications post-LTx. METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of stent related-data of all the LTx patients who received SEMSs to treat postoperative airway complications. RESULTS: Between January 1992 and December 2001, 36 of 253 patients (14.2%) developed post-LTx airway complications involving 40 of 348 anastomoses (11.5%). A total of 15 SEMSs were placed in 12 patients (mean age 47.3+/-9.6 years) for tracheobronchomalacia, stenosis, and anastomotic dehiscence, including one patient referred from an outside hospital. Mean follow-up was 20.1+/-19.5 months (range 1.2-58 months). Patency and symptom improvement were achieved in 11 of 12 patients. Stenting of the airway led to successful weaning of two patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. Suture dehiscence was effectively managed in two patients who were not candidates for surgical repair. Overall, the complication rate was 0.040 complications per patient per month (total number of complications and total number of months using the stent). Bacterial bronchitis (four patients) and obstructive granulomas (three patients) were the most frequent complications. The survival of LTx patients with airway SEMSs was similar when compared with the survival of all other LTx patients (P=0.74). CONCLUSIONS: SEMSs are safe and effective in the management of airway complications in selected patients post-LTx. Weaning from mechanical ventilation and management of anastomotic dehiscence are the unique attributes of this device.
Adult↗
Infection control in the bronchoscopy suite: a review of outbreaks and guidelines for prevention.
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Bronchoscopy↗
Endobronchial post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and its management with photodynamic therapy: a case report.
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a recognized complication of solid-organ transplantation. We describe a 56-year-old man with end-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who underwent right-sided single-lung transplantation and who had biopsy-proven PTLD involving the main bronchi 3 months later. The lesions recurred despite endobronchial electrosurgery and systemic therapy with interferon for 3 months. Interferon was deceased and anti-CD20 therapy and photodynamic therapy were performed concurrently using flexible bronchoscopy. The subsequent follow-up endobronchial biopsy specimen results were negative for PTLD. This case is the first reported use of photodynamic therapy combined with anti-CD20 for treating PTLD. Endobronchial PTLD is a rare complication of lung transplantation and can be managed successfully with photodynamic therapy.
Bronchial Diseases↗
Bronchoscopy in sarcoidosis: diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Flexible bronchoscopy has revolutionized the evaluation of patients with suspected sarcoidosis and the treatment of sarcoid patients with significant endobronchial disease. The authors explore the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of flexible bronchoscopy by reviewing the pertinent literature with a special interest in recent studies. Bronchoscopy allows multiple diagnostic modalities in suspected sarcoidosis. Recent studies show sometimes surprising results, and the authors review the additive contributions of transbronchial lung biopsy, endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration, and bronchoalveolar lavage to diagnose sarcoidosis. New data specifically show the additive benefit of routine endobronchial biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration to traditional transbronchial biopsy specimens. In addition, the techniques have been optimized via recent studies and these results are discussed. Endobronchial therapy is reviewed with the recent findings of the superiority of balloon bronchoplasty. Flexible bronchoscopy has a very high diagnostic yield in all stages of suspected sarcoidosis. Transbronchial lung biopsy and endobronchial biopsy should be used routinely, and transbronchial needle aspiration should be considered in cases of significant adenopathy. Bronchoalveolar lavage should be used routinely to exclude alternative diagnoses. Therapeutic bronchoscopy is rarely needed, but when necessary the authors' procedure of choice is bronchoscopic balloon dilatation.
Biopsy↗
Diagnosis of lung cancer: the guidelines.
Lung cancer is usually suspected in individuals who have abnormal chest radiograph findings or have symptoms caused by either local or systemic effects of the tumor. The method of diagnosis of suspected lung cancer depends on the type of lung cancer (ie, small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer), the size and location of the primary tumor, the presence of metastasis, and the overall clinical status of the patient. Achieving a diagnosis and staging are usually done in concert because the most efficient way to make a diagnosis often is dictated by the stage of the cancer. The best sequence of studies and interventions in a particular patient involves careful judgment of the probable reliability of a number of presumptive diagnostic issues, so as to maximize the sensitivity and to avoid performing multiple or unnecessary invasive procedures. In this article, we consider all manner of clinical presentations of lung cancer in light of currently available diagnostic procedures. Published data supporting a particular diagnostic approach is weighed based on the quality of the benefit as well as the estimated net benefit. Recommendations are graded in terms of strength to provide clinicians with guidance as to the most efficient and approach to the diagnosis of lung cancer in individual patients.
Biopsy, Needle↗
Respiratory failure and sepsis are the major causes of ICU admissions and mortality in survivors of lung transplants.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify outcome predictors and prognostic factors in long-term survivors (> 30 days post-transplant) of single-lung and double-lung transplants on readmission to the medical ICU (MICU). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: MICU of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, a lung transplantation center. PATIENTS: As of August 2000, 210 lung transplantations have been performed at our institution. The records of 33 lung transplant recipients who required readmission to the MICU after the initial 30-day post-transplant period over a 4-year period from August 16, 1996 to August 15, 2000 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had a total of 46 MICU readmissions. Twenty-seven MICU admissions (59%) were due to respiratory deterioration with mechanical ventilation (10 deaths), and 16 MICU admissions (35%) were due to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; 8 deaths). The MICU mortality rate was 37% per admission in our group of patients. A preadmission diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was observed in 7 of 14 nonsurvivors (50%) and in 5 of 25 patients (20%) surviving to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory failure and SIRS are the predominant causes of MICU readmissions and are frequent causes of death. APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) III scores, nonpulmonary organ system dysfunction, initial serum albumin level, and duration of mechanical ventilation are important prognostic factors.
APACHE↗
Self-expandable metallic airway stents and flexible bronchoscopy: long-term outcomes analysis.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: s: To report and analyze our 6-year experience with implanting 112 self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) using flexible bronchoscopy (FB). DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study, tertiary-care hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The studied population consisted of 82 patients (mean age, 59.1 years; range, 37 to 83 years), who received SEMSs from 1995 to 2001 using Wallstent (Boston Scientific; Galway, Ireland) or Ultraflex (Boston Scientific) stents. RESULTS: The indications for stent placement were airway obstruction caused by neoplasia (lung carcinoma [CA], n = 50), airway complications of lung transplantation (LTx) [n = 11], and miscellaneous benign conditions (BCs) [n = 21]. The most frequent clinical presentations for the airway obstruction were moderate-to-severe dyspnea (80%) and coughing (45%). The median follow-up duration for the CA group was 42.0 days (range, 1 to 672 days), 329.0 days (range, 35 to 1,540 days) for patients receiving LTx, and 336.0 days (range, 7 to 2,184 days) for the patients with miscellaneous BCs. The observed complications included infection (15.9%), obstructive granulomas (14.6%), and migration (4.7%). The incidence of granulomas was significantly lower in the patients with CA (4.0%) vs LTx and BC groups (17.3% and 33.3% respectively; p = 0.002). All other assessed variables showed no difference between the three analyzed groups. No cases of mucus plugging or fatal hemoptysis were observed. Forty-four patients (53.7%) had no complications related to the SEMS. The incidence of complications was not related to the type of stent (Wallstent or Ultraflex) or SEMS version (covered or uncovered). Fourteen of the 16 patients (87.5%) who were receiving mechanical ventilation could be weaned after the procedure. There were no deaths related to SEMS placement. CONCLUSIONS: An SEMS is a safe and effective modality for malignant as well as selected benign airway obstruction. An SEMS is an acceptable therapeutic alternative in patients with central airway obstruction who are not considered good surgical candidates and are receiving mechanical ventilation. Careful patient selection is of outmost importance for a good outcome after airway stenting. Insertion using FB adds to the ease of the procedure.
Adult↗
Endobronchial findings of fibrosing mediastinitis.
Fibrosing mediastinitis is underdiagnosed because of the nonspecific character of the presenting symptoms. The endobronchial findings obtained via flexible bronchoscopy are not defined in the literature. We describe 3 cases of fibrosing mediastinitis, most likely caused by histoplasmosis. All 3 patients presented with hemoptysis and were found to have tracheobronchial concentric narrowing, severe hyperemia, and mucosal edema. The hyperemic blood vessels were treated with neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and argon plasma coagulation. We believe that recognition of specific endobronchial findings aids in prompt diagnosis of fibrosing mediastinitis.
Adult↗