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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Role of flexible bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in pediatric patients with cancer.

We reviewed 60 consecutive flexible bronchoscopies done during a 36-month period in 48 pediatric cancer patients with undiagnosed pulmonary infiltrates. Diagnostic procedures during bronchoscopy included 40 brushings, 50 bronchoalveolar lavages, and 6 transbronchial and mucosal biopsies. A total of 16 specific diagnoses were made by bronchoscopy (27% diagnostic yield), including infection (12), pulmonary leukemia (3), and lymphoma (1). The largest proportion of specific diagnoses came from lavage (14/50) and the smallest from brushings (1/40). Biopsies were also useful for selected patients. The low overall yield for bronchoscopy was probably due to the routine use of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal therapy, as well as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis. Subsequent specific diagnoses were obtained by other procedures (open biopsy, needle aspiration, or autopsy) for 10 patients with negative bronchoscopy results and 3 patients with diagnostic bronchoscopies. These additional diagnoses included 7 infections (Pneumocystis carinii (1), Candida tropicalis (1), cytomegalovirus (1), and Aspergillus (4), and 6 other diagnoses with nonspecific histologic findings. A positive bronchoscopy result may be useful, but negative bronchoscopy findings do not justify delaying other diagnostic procedures or discontinuing antibiotic and antifungal therapy in children with cancer and pulmonary infiltrates.

Adolescent↗

Bronchoscopy induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction: a possible role for nitric oxide.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effect of bronchoscopy on intestinal mucosal barrier function and its association with intestinal nitric oxide production. METHODS: 30 rats were used. The study group (n=15) underwent rigid bronchoscopy. At 24 h following bronchoscopy, ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were evaluated. The ileum was also examined for mucosal damage, and graded according Chiu's histologic injury scale. RESULTS: In the bronchoscopy group, the ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher than those of controls (398.5 +/- 85.1 and 44.5 +/- 6.6 nmol/g tissue, respectively, P=0.001). In the bronchoscopy group, the mucosal damage was significant, compared with those of controls (mean ranks, 22.8 and 8.2, P<0.0001). The changes varied from denuded villi and dilated capillaries to significant architectural distortion, lamina propria disintegration, ulceration and hemorrhage. Significant correlation was found between ileal nitrite/nitrate levels and mucosal damage in the bronchoscopy group (rs=0.56, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that bronchoscopy induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in association with excess intestinal nitric oxide production. These events may be involved in mechanisms responsible for bacterial translocation after bronchoscopy.

Animals↗

Histopathological evaluation of fluorescence bronchoscopy using resected lungs in cases of lung cancer.

Objective evaluation of the performance of autofluorescence bronchoscopy based on analysis of thin sections of the bronchus of resected lungs was performed and compared with the results of preoperative autofluorescence bronchoscopy. Conventional bronchoscopy and autofluorescence bronchoscopy were performed prior to surgery for lung cancer. Thin sections of the bronchus were obtained from the resected specimens. The thin sections were pathologically analyzed and the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopy was calculated. The subjects were 30 consecutive operable lung cancer cases who received white light and autofluorescence bronchoscopy before operation. A total of 163 thin sections of the bronchi in the resected lungs were made. The sensitivity of white light bronchoscopy for cancer was 90 and 31% for dysplasia. The respective figures for autofluorescence bronchoscopy were 97 and 50% for cancer and dysplasia. The specificity of white light and autofluorescence was 88 and 84%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of autofluorescence bronchoscopy was objectively confirmed. Autofluorescence examination showed better sensitivity for cancerous/precancerous lesions and the evaluation of the extent of cancer invasion was accurate.

Adult↗

The relationship between age and process of care and patient tolerance of bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patient age is associated with differences in flexible bronchoscopy technique and tolerance. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital system. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred fifty-eight adults, including 219 (16.1%) aged 70 and older, undergoing bronchoscopy. MEASUREMENTS: Indications, sampling procedures, medication doses, patient reports of pain, willingness to return, and adverse events associated with bronchoscopy. RESULTS: Indications for bronchoscopy varied with age, with solitary pulmonary nodule (P <.001), mass (P <.001), or lymphadenopathy (P <.001) being more common in older patients. Invasive sampling methods were used more often with increasing age, but variation in disease processes between age groups accounted for the difference in sampling method performed. Mean doses of midazolam and fentanyl given for sedation decreased with increasing age (P <.001). There was no significant difference between older and younger patients in reported very good to excellent pain control (50% of patients >/=70 vs 64% of patients <40; P =.56) or in willingness to return for repeat bronchoscopy (98% vs 92%, respectively; P =.324). Overall risk for an adverse event increased with increasing patient age (P <.01), but adverse events were uncommon and generally not severe. Hypotension and pneumothorax were rare but occurred more often in older persons (1.9% and 3.4% in patients >/=70 vs 0.5% and 0.7% in patients <40, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite more-invasive sampling methods and less sedation during bronchoscopy, elderly patients tolerate bronchoscopy as well as younger patients. There is increased risk for adverse events with increasing age, but the absolute frequency is low, suggesting that chronological age should not be a contraindication for bronchoscopy in older persons.

Adolescent↗

Virtual bronchoscopy versus thin section computed tomography in evaluation of moderate and low grade stenoses: receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of virtual bronchoscopy, under proper threshold settings, on observer level of confidence in the assessment of bronchial abnormalities producing stenoses < or = 75% compared to interpretation of thin section computed tomography (CT) images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients with fiberoptic bronchoscopy positive for tracheobronchial abnormalities were evaluated in a blinded observer study using a commercially available virtual endoscopy software package. The findings of virtual endoscopy were compared with those of fiberoptic bronchoscopy using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) and other statistical tools. RESULTS: A total of 102 lesions were identified by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, with 44 of these producing bronchial stenoses < or = 75%. Concerning the latter lesions, for virtual bronchoscopy the areas under the ROCs were 0.93 and 0.96 for the two observers, respectively, while for thin section CT the corresponding values were 0.86 and 0.88; the differences observed were statistically significant. Contrary to thin section CT, virtual bronchoscopy did not show statistically significant differences from fiberoptic bronchoscopy regarding estimation of degree of stenosis. CONCLUSION: Virtual bronchoscopy under proper threshold settings has a statistically significant impact on observer performance where moderate and low-grade bronchial stenoses are concerned and gives an estimate of the degree of stenosis more precisely than thin section CT.

Adult↗

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

We reviewed the records of 80 patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Forty (50%) had their diagnoses established by sputum smears and cultures alone, 20 (25%) by brush/wash specimens from fiberoptic bronchoscopy alone, 18 (22.5%) from both sources, and two (2.5%) by gastric smears. The average age of the patients was 71.3 years, and only 20% had symptoms typical of pulmonary tuberculosis. Our data reveal that findings in smears from fiberoptic bronchoscopy were of comparable sensitivity (80%) to those of sputum (72.5%); in 25/80 (31.25%), diagnosis was made exclusively by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Such a high sensitivity of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis indicates a threefold rise (P = .018) in the number of diagnoses made in this manner compared to our figures from 1983 (10% of diagnoses made by fiberoptic bronchoscopy). Forty-three of the 80 patients (53.8%) had either a negative sputum smear or no sputum available. Thirty of the 43 patients (69.8%) had diagnostic bronchoscopy, which provided an immediate diagnosis (smear positivity) in 18 patients (60%). Transbronchial biopsy was most useful in excluding associated malignancy. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is playing an increasingly significant role in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Further studies are essential to evaluate cost effectiveness, specificity of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and the influence of the procedure on morbidity and mortality in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Age Factors↗

Anesthesia and periinterventional morbidity of rigid bronchoscopy for tracheobronchial foreign body diagnosis and removal.

BACKGROUND: Undiagnosed tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) or delayed extraction can lead to serious morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate anesthetic and periinterventional morbidity of a straightforward regime using rigid bronchoscopy to rule out or remove a tracheobronchial foreign body in children with suspicion of FBA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed rigid bronchoscopy charts of children with suspicion of acute (< or = 24 h) and subacute (>24 h-2 weeks) tracheobronchial FBA (1990-2003). Patient characteristics, duration of fasting, technique/course of anesthesia induction, and duration/course of rigid bronchoscopy were taken. Anesthetic, periinterventional complications and length of hospital stay were noted. Data are given in median (range [interquartile range]). RESULTS: A total of 287 children were included in this study. Median age was 1.7 years (0.2-14.2 [1.2-2.5]); in 72.1% a tracheobronchial foreign body was found and removed. Fasting time before induction of anesthesia was 5 h (1-14 [4.0-7.0]). Anesthesia adverse events were seen in 0.7%, whereas periinterventional complication from rigid bronchoscopy was observed in 7.6%. Hospital discharge within 4 h after bronchoscopy was possible in 65.2%. Complications of delayed diagnosis (>24 h) were prolonged duration of rigid bronchoscopy because of severe mucosal changes or difficulties in foreign body extraction. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy to rule out a tracheobronchial foreign body in children carries low morbidity. Most of the complications originated from the foreign body itself especially in patients with late diagnosis. The risk for serious complications caused by retained foreign bodies outweighs the low morbidity of explorative rigid bronchoscopy in children with suspected FBA or children with prolonged cough or pulmonary infection unresponsive to medical treatment.

Anesthesia, General↗

Empirical treatment without bronchoscopy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

An empirical approach to treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was adopted in a prospective study of 73 men with antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) presenting with respiratory problems. At presentation 49 patients (group 1) were thought to have a history, findings at clinical examination, chest radiograph, and arterial blood gas tensions typical of pneumocystis pneumonia, and empirical treatment was begun immediately. Twenty four patients (group 2) were thought to have features not typical of pneumocystis pneumonia. All patients were subsequently referred for bronchoscopy to determine the diagnosis. In group 1 four patients were excluded from the analysis because bronchoscopy was not possible. Of the remaining 45, 42 had pneumocystis pneumonia, which was diagnosed at bronchoscopy in 40, and on the basis of the clinical response to co-trimoxazole in two who had negative results from investigations. Of the three patients without pneumocystis pneumonia, one patient with lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis and Branhamella catarrhalis infection would have failed to respond to empirical treatment. The other two had multiple bacterial pathogens at bronchoscopy; one already had Kaposi's sarcoma and the other would have been misdiagnosed as having AIDS. In group 2 a specific diagnosis was made at bronchoscopy in 21 cases, including pneumocystis pneumonia in seven (all had atypical chest radiographs). In three cases no diagnosis was made and spontaneous recovery occurred. Adopting an empirical approach to treatment for typical pneumocystis pneumonia (group 1) led to the correct treatment in 43 of 45 cases (95%) and would have saved 44 of the 45 of bronchoscopies in this group. Adopting an empirical approach would have caused one patient to be misdiagnosed as having AIDS. Overall, 44 out of 69 bronchoscopies (64%) would have been saved; the specificity for the diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia was 85% and the sensitivity was 85%. Adopting an "empirical" treatment policy for typical pneumocystis pneumonia will cause a large reduction in the number of "high risk" bronchoscopies performed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Hemoptysis: comparative study of the role of CT and fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

PURPOSE: A prospective study was performed to compare results of computed tomography (CT) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of cancer in patients with hemoptysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients (64 men, 27 women) with hemoptysis underwent thin-section CT and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. RESULTS: CT scans demonstrated all 27 tumors seen at bronchoscopy and an additional seven, five of which were beyond bronchoscopic range. In patients with normal chest radiographs, bronchial carcinoma was detected in 5% at both bronchoscopy and CT. In patients with abnormal findings on radiographs, bronchoscopy allowed both location and histologic diagnosis in 78% of carcinomas but was unreliable in locating peripheral tumors demonstrated at CT. CT was insensitive in demonstrating early mucosal abnormalities, bronchitis, squamous metaplasia, and a benign papilloma, all detected at bronchoscopy. CONCLUSION: The initial examination should be bronchoscopy when there is high clinical suspicion of carcinoma and relevant radiographic abnormality, and CT when strong clinical suspicion of carcinoma is not substantiated at bronchoscopy in patients with normal findings on chest radiographs.

Bronchiectasis↗

Does rigid bronchoscopy induce bacterial translocation? An experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND: Although some reports suggest that bronchoscopy induces bacterial translocation (BT), the mechanisms of BT remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess whether bronchoscopy or hypoxemia during bronchoscopy is responsible for BT. METHODS: We evaluated 24 rats divided into three subgroups: the control group (group 1, n = 8); the rigid bronchoscopy group (group 2, n = 8), and the group receiving bronchoscopy + mechanical ventilation (group 3, n = 8). Oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) was measured during the bronchoscopic procedure. Blood and tissue cultures from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), liver, spleen and cecal contents were obtained 24 h following bronchoscopy. RESULTS: In group 2, SaO(2) was significantly lower than in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). In group 2, BT significantly increased (6/8, 75%; p < 0.01 vs. group 1, and p < 0.05 vs. group 3). The main site of translocation was MLNs (6/8, 75%) in group 2, while BT was detected in only 1 rat in group 3 (1/8, 12.5%). CONCLUSION: Hypoxemia during rigid bronchoscopy resulted in intestinal mucosal damage in a rat model. Hypoxemia may have been the trigger for BT from the intestine following bronchoscopy.

Animals↗

Evaluating laryngotracheal stenosis in a canine model with virtual bronchoscopy.

We performed a prospective masked animal study to determine whether virtual bronchoscopy, a noninvasive computed tomography technique, can accurately measure upper airway stenosis. Virtual bronchoscopy creates a 3-dimensional endoscopic image from spiral computed tomography data. Laryngotracheal stenosis was endoscopically induced in 18 dogs. The excised larynges were examined by endoscopy, virtual bronchoscopy, and macrodissection. Measurements were made of the anteroposterior (A-P) diameter, the left-right (L-R) diameter, the full length of stenosis in the sagittal plane, and the length of the tightest stenotic segment. Each measurement method was performed independently. All investigators were unaware of measurements made by others. The measurements obtained through virtual bronchoscopy and actual endoscopy were compared to those made at dissection by interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Endoscopy was better than virtual bronchoscopy in measuring the A-P diameter (ICC = .79, p < .0001; ICC = .42, p = .01). Both were equally effective in measuring the L-R diameter (ICC = .53, p = .0062; ICC = .52, p = .0064). The endoscopes could not assess the full length of the stenosis, whereas virtual bronchoscopy measured it fairly accurately (ICC = .72, p = .0001). Virtual bronchoscopy relatively accurately measured the length of the tightest stenotic segment (ICC = .68, p = .0002), whereas endoscopy produced measurements in only 11 of 18 larynges, and the measurements were less accurate (ICC = .45, p = .0068). Virtual bronchoscopy can provide good measurements of stenotic lesions in the airway. It is more accurate than actual endoscopy in determining the length of stenosis. It may therefore be useful as an adjunct imaging method in preoperative planning for reconstructive surgery.

Aged↗

Common fears of patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

In the world of medical literature, little has been reported about the fears of patients undergoing bronchoscopy. The aim of this study was to identify the common fears of patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy and to determine whether any factors might contribute to reducing these fears. One hundred and four consecutive patients undergoing bronchoscopy were interviewed. Sixty one patients expressed fear about the procedure, as follows: afraid of pain (33); afraid of breathing difficulties (11); afraid of oropharyngeal irritation (5); afraid of the bronchoscopy findings (2); afraid of sedation, cross-infection and nasal lignocaine spray, respectively (3); and unable to be specific (7). There was no difference between the "no fear" and "fearful" groups in ethnicity, source of referral, education, previous endoscopy, doctors' explanation and the patients' understanding of the procedure and its indication. "Fearful" patients were significantly younger (t=2.082, p=0.037) and female (chi2=4.180, p=0.038). Doctors were more likely to explain the indication for bronchoscopy than how it would be performed (chi2=6.403; p=0.011), and patients were more likely to understand why they needed a bronchoscopy than how it would be performed (chi2=21.505; p<0.001). Fear preceding bronchoscopy is independent of patients' demographic features except for age and gender. Doctors tend to explain "why" but not "how" the procedure is performed. Provision of detailed information about sensations that are likely to be experienced in bronchoscopy could be used to allay some of these common fears.

Attitude to Health↗

Bronchoscopy for atelectasis in the ICU: a case report and review of the literature.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy has become a commonplace procedure in ICUs. Despite the fact that one of the most common indications for bronchoscopy is the presence of retained secretions and atelectasis, there is little research dedicated to its safety and utility in this clinical situation. This article presents a case of an intubated trauma victim who had undergone numerous bronchoscopic procedures, with varying degrees of success, for retained secretions and atelectasis. This review then seeks to answer the following three main questions regarding bronchoscopy in critically ill patients: (1) Is bronchoscopy effective in resolving atelectasis? (2) Is bronchoscopy superior to other means of resolving atelectasis? (3) Is bronchoscopy safe in critically ill patients? The patient was a 28-year-old man with no significant medical history who presented to the emergency department after his car was hit by a dump truck. He was found to have multiple leg fractures and a splenic rupture, and he was taken to the operating room for an exploratory laparotomy, splenectomy, and reduction of his fractures. He was then brought to the surgical ICU intubated, sedated, and receiving mechanical ventilation. Over the next 6 h, he developed progressive hypoxemia and diffuse, bilateral alveolar infiltrates on a chest radiograph (CXR). Four days postoperatively, a routine CXR revealed total atelectasis of his right upper lobe (RUL). Emergent bronchoscopy was performed, and a large mucus plug obscuring the RUL bronchus was removed. Follow-up CXR demonstrated resolution of the atelectasis. The next day, RUL atelectasis was again seen on his CXR. A repeat bronchoscopic examination and BAL failed to reveal any plug. A follow-up CXR showed continued atelectasis. Over the next week, the patient underwent daily bronchoscopy for atelectasis with variable degrees of improvement. Over the next 3 weeks, his pulmonary status improved until he was eventually extubated, and 1 month after hospital admission he was discharged to rehabilitation.

Adult↗

Diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in current clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Flexible bronchoscopy is a procedure commonly performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and the safety of routine bronchoscopy techniques including transbronchial needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsy at a university hospital in Switzerland. METHODS: 616 consecutive bronchoscopies performed at the Pulmonary Medicine Department (University Hospital Basel) over a period of 6 months were analysed retrospectively using bronchoscopy reports and hospital charts. Diagnostic procedures included bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushings, transbronchial needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsies. RESULTS: 430 bronchoscopies had a diagnostic, 186 a therapeutic indication. The overall diagnostic yield was 57% (245/430). Bronchoscopy performed for suspected tumours confirmed malignancy in 43% of cases. Bronchoscopy in suspected infection and tuberculosis identified pathogenic organisms in 46% and 27% of cases, respectively. The diagnostic yield for central and peripheral TBNA was 37.8 and 43.6%, respectively. Complications were very rare (n = 10, 1.6%) and were only minor. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that routine bronchoscopy techniques including transbronchial needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsy are safe and have a high diagnostic yield.

Adolescent↗

[Bronchoscopies in neonatal intensive care units: safety and efficiency].

The aim of our study is to asses the risks and complications in bronchoscopies at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Between 1991 and 1999, we performed 142 bronchoscopies at the NICU. The mean age was 1.6 +/- 1.4 months (2 days-6 months) and mean weight was 2.5 +/- 1 kg (530 g-4.7 kg). We analysed the complications, arterial oxygen saturation and inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) during bronchoscopy and we compared them related to weight, type of anesthesia and type of bronchoscope used. Mean basal saturation was 92 +/- 8.9% and end saturation was 92.8 +/- 10%. The basal FiO2 was 0.5 +/- 0.3 (0.21-1). There were more complications in patients weighting less than 1500 g and in those procedures made with rigid bronchoscopy (p < 0.05). There were no differences according to the anesthesia. Children who weight fewer than 1500 g and those who underwent rigid bronchoscopy suffered a descent in arterial oxygen saturation and needed higher FiO2 (p < 0.05). Bronchoscopy is a very useful technique and it is well tolerated in neonatal patients. We conclude that flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is safer than the rigid bronchoscopy, specially in children fewer under 1500 g.

Bronchoscopy↗

Bronchoscopy in childhood.

One hundred and seventeen patients underwent 183 bronchoscopies with no fatalities. Thirteen patients had complications related to their bronchoscopy and not the underlying disease state. Only the 33 patients with a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration had a high (88%) correlation of the preoperative diagnosis or condition and the postoperative findings. Fifty-one of the 117 patients had normal bronchoscopies and the number of normal bronchoscopies in patients who had wheezing, croup, hoarseness, stridor, and chronic cough was high. Assessing justification for bronchoscopies despite the negative correlation of pre- and postoperative diagnosis is difficult due to many factors, including pediatrician and parental anxiety, and the recognized consequences of missing a foreign body or other lesion in the airway of a child. Using liberal criteria for justification. fewer than 10% of the patients in this series had an unwarranted bronchoscopy, and the safety of the procedure would indicate that bronchoscopy in a pediatric medical center should be performed with minimal clinical justification.

Bronchoscopy↗

Therapeutic bronchoscopy interventions before surgical resection of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic bronchoscopy is used for endobronchial staging of lung cancer and symptomatic relief of central airway obstruction or postobstructive pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of therapeutic bronchoscopy as a complementary tool in the combined bronchoscopic and surgical management of malignant airway lesions before curative lung surgery. METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma undergoing a therapeutic bronchoscopy procedure followed by surgery with a curative intent were included. RESULTS: A single interventional bronchoscopic method was used in 27 patients (36%) and a combination of methods in 47 patients (64%). Median forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) before and after bronchoscopy were 1.7 L and 2.2 L, respectively, and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 2.5 L and 3.3 L, respectively. Sleeve upper lobectomy was performed in 22 patients (30%), sleeve upper bilobectomy in 16 patients (22%), lower bilobectomy in 2 patients (3%), pneumonectomy with sleeve resection in 2 patients (3%), and pneumonectomy in 28 patients (38%). The following surgeries were performed in 1 patient each: sleeve middle lobectomy, sleeve lower lobectomy, carina resection and complex reconstruction, and exploratory thoracotomy. Overall, parenchyma-sparing surgery (lobectomy or bilobectomy) could be performed in 57% patients after therapeutic bronchoscopy. There were no in-hospital deaths or deaths in the first 30 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic bronchoscopy can be used as a complementary tool in the combined bronchoscopic and surgical management of malignant airway obstruction before curative lung surgery. Therapeutic bronchoscopy might permit parenchyma-sparing surgery in patients with lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Do technical parameters affect the diagnostic accuracy of virtual bronchoscopy in patients with suspected airways stenosis?

PURPOSE: Virtual bronchoscopy has gained popularity over the past decade as an alternative investigation to conventional bronchoscopy in the diagnosis, grading and monitoring of airway disease. The effect of technical parameters on diagnostic outcome from virtual bronchoscopy has not been determined. This meta-analysis aims to estimate accuracy of virtual compared to conventional bronchoscopy in patients with suspected airway stenosis, and evaluate the influence of technical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was used to identify relevant published studies. The primary endpoint was the "correct diagnosis" of stenotic lesions on virtual compared to conventional bronchoscopy. Secondary endpoints included the effects of the technical parameters (pitch, collimation, reconstruction interval, rendering method, and scanner type), and date of publication on the diagnostic accuracy of virtual bronchoscopy. RESULTS: Thirteen studies containing 454 patients were identified. Meta-analysis showed good overall diagnostic performance with 85% calculated pooled sensitivity (95% CI 77-91%), 87% specificity (95% CI 81-92%) and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.947. Subgroups included collimation of 3mm or more (AUC 0.948), pitch of 1 (AUC 0.955), surface rendering technique (AUC 0.935), and reconstruction interval of more than 1.25 mm (AUC 0.914). There was no significant difference in accuracy accounting for publication date, scanner type or any of the above variables. Weighted regression analysis confirmed none of these variables could significantly account for study heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Virtual bronchoscopy performs well in the investigation of patients with suspected airway stenosis. Overall sensitivity and specificity and diagnostic odds ratio for diagnosis of airway stenosis were high. The effects of pitch, collimation, reconstruction interval, rendering technique, scanner type, and publication date on diagnostic accuracy were not significant.

Airway Obstruction↗