Ivan Vollmer

Utilidad de la punción aspirativa transbronquial guiada con ultrasonografía endobronquial (USEB) radial para el diagnóstico de adenopatías mediastínicas

INTRODUCTION Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique that has been shown to be useful for sampling enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. The yield of this technique can be increased by using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to guide needle placement. The aim of the present study was to compare the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA to that of conventional TBNA in the analysis of mediastinal lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients undergoing either EBUS-guided or conventional TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes between January 2006 and May 2007 were studied consecutively. Histology results were used as a reference standard in the patients treated surgically. In cases in which surgery was not indicated, the results of cytology or of clinical follow-up of at least 6 months duration were used. RESULTS TBNA was performed in 117 patients, and a total of 143 lymph nodes were punctured (mean shortest [SD] diameter, 17.9 [8]mm). The samples obtained were diagnostic in 58 patients (49.6%) and in 70 lymph nodes (49.0%). For paratracheal and hilar stations, the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA was superior to that of conventional TBNA (59.2% compared to 34.1%, P=.02). CONCLUSIONS Radial EBUS guidance increases the diagnostic yield of TBNA in paratracheal and hilar lymph node stations.

Pulmonary hemorrhage after cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Pulmonary vein isolation has evolved over the past years as an alternative for the treatment of symptomatic recurrences of atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic drug treatment. Both radiofrequency energy and cryoballoon ablation have proven useful in this setting. We present the case of a 55-year-old male patient undergoing cryoballoon ablation complicated with pulmonary hemorrhage. The cause of this rare complication may be found in the damage of vascular venous structures near the ablation zone or, alternatively, in hemorrhagic damage of the pulmonary vein surrounding tissue (or less probably to direct injury of the lingular bronchus). The extremely low temperatures achieved in this case (which are often associated with deep balloon position inside the veins) are alarming and should alert the physician about the possibility of an excessively intrapulmonary vein deployment of the cryoablation balloon.

Mass of intercostal muscles associates with risk of multiple exacerbations in COPD.

BACKGROUND The potential role of decreased respiratory muscle mass, if any, in mediating the susceptibility to exacerbation in COPD patients has not been determined. We hypothesized that a decrease in respiratory muscle mass is associated with increased risk of multiple hospital admissions due to acute exacerbations of the disease. METHODS Eligible cases and controls (n=20) were identified from records of our departments pulmonary clinic. Ten subjects diagnosed with COPD (males, 66+/-7yr, Body Mass Index (BMI)=26+/-4kg/m(2)) were identified as fragile patients. Fragility was defined as four or more admissions in the previous year due to severe exacerbations of the disease. Fragile patients were matched with 10 non-fragile controls, defined as COPD patients who had required only one admission due to exacerbation of the disease. Criteria for 1:1 matching included ethnicity, gender, age, BMI, degree of airflow obstruction (i.e., FEV(1)), comorbidity and chronic treatment. Multiple computed tomography (CT) scan slices were obtained to assess area and attenuation coefficients of multiple upper limb, thorax, abdomen and lower limb muscles. RESULTS CSA of intercostal and abdominal muscles was significantly decreased in fragile COPD patients (right side intercostals, mean relative difference (MRD)=-14%, p=0.010; OR (95% CI)=2.2 (1.1-4.8), p=0.021; left side, MRD=-13%, p=0.007; OR=2.2 (1.1-4.5), p=0.027). CSA and attenuation coefficients of all other muscle compartments showed no statistical differences between the two study groups but showed the same trend. Strength of the inspiratory and expiratory muscles did not differ between the two study groups. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the risk for multiple admissions due to a COPD exacerbation associates with a marked decrease in the CSA of the intercostal muscle compartment.

Left Ventricular Noncompaction: Imaging Findings and Diagnostic Criteria

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this article are to review the imaging findings of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) at echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and MDCT; to discuss diagnostic criteria for and the advantages and limitations of these imaging techniques; and to describe pitfalls that can lead to misinterpretation of findings of LVNC. CONCLUSION LVNC is a cardiac disease of emerging importance, and imaging has a key role in its diagnosis. Accordingly, radiologists should be familiar with LVNC imaging findings to realize an accurate diagnosis.

Impacto del 18F-FDG PET/TC en el abordaje terapéutico del cáncer de pulmón no microcítico

INTRODUCTION Disease stage is the most important prognostic factor in lung cancer, and optimal staging is important to determine the best therapeutic option. FDG-PET/CT has demonstrated its value in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but there is still insufficient data to define its role in other stages. HYPOTHESIS Information provided by FDG-PET/CT has an impact on the therapeutic management of patients with NSCLC. METHODS A retrospective review was made of patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT between January 2008 and December 2010 for the diagnosis of NSCLC. Clinical stage before and after FDG-PET/CT and information about any change in therapeutic decision due to information provided by FDG-PET/CT were collected. Using pathologic evaluation as the gold standard, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for CT and FDG-PET/CT were calculated. RESULTS Of the 522 patients diagnosed of NSCLC, FDG-PET/CT was performed in 246 (47.1%). In 85 cases (34.6%) FDG-PET/CT led to stage migration. Treatment was modified in 60 patients (24.4% of all FDG-PET/CT performed), avoiding a futile thoracotomy in 13 cases (5.2%), and allowing treatment with curative intent in 26 (10.5%). Out of 90 patients (36.5%) evaluated as stage iii by CT staging, FDG-PET/CT modified the therapeutic approach in 36 (40%). For the 133 cases (54%) with pathological assessment of the mediastinal lymph nodes, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.57, 0.64, 0.48 and 0.72 for CT, and 0.68, 0.86, 0.75 and 0.81 for FDG-PET/CT. DISCUSSION Our data support previous reports that FDG-PET/CT is essential in the staging process not only for patients with potentially operable NSCLC but also for stage iii patients, as demonstrated by our data.

Activating and Resistance Mutations of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Gene and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Clinical Reality

Abstract In non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR gene mutations identify a patient sub-population with different clinical characteristics and treatment responses than those who do not present these mutations. There are mutations that lead to increased sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapy, as well as mutations that result in resistance. The determination of EGFR mutations involves a change in the therapeutic approach to lung cancer patients in current clinical practice. In this article we present a case of a patient suffering from a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with an activating mutation on diagnosis, initially responding to treatment with erlotinib, who subsequently developed a secondary resistance due to acquiring the T790M mutation in exon 20 of the EGFR gene.

Mutaciones de sensibilidad y resistencia del gen epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) en el cáncer de pulmón de célula no pequeña: una realidad clínica

In non-small cell lung cancer, the EGFR gene mutations identify a patient sub-population with different clinical characteristics and treatment responses to those that do not have these mutations. There are mutations that derive in increased sensitive to EGFR targeted therapy, as well as mutations that result in resistance. The determination of EGFR mutations involves a change in the therapeutic approach to lung cancer patients in current clinical practice. In this article we present a case of a patient suffering from a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with an activating mutation on diagnosis, initially responding to treatment with erlotinib, who subsequently developed a secondary resistance due to acquiring the T790M mutation in exon 20 of the EGFR gene.

Non-invasive Functional Evaluation of the Reserve in Fatigue and the Diaphragm Structure using Transthoracic Echography in B and M Modes

a b s t r a c t The diaphragm is the principal respiratory muscle. Its special characteristics have made it difficult to design instruments capable of performing a non-invasive evaluation of its structure and function in humans. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential use of ultrasound as a non-invasive method to fulfil these objectives. Methods: The study consisted of three phases: (1) ultrasound study in autopsy samples (n=10) of a segment of the thoracic-abdominal wall, from the bottom to the parietal peritoneum (i.e., thoracic wall, diaphragm, pleura and peritoneum structures), (2) static ultrasound study of the previous structures and the diaphragm in healthy subjects (n=10) to standardised lung volumes; and (3) dynamic ultrasound study of the contraction-relaxation of the diaphragm in the same subjects, calculating its maximum velocity of relaxation (MVrdi, mm/sec) during a specific inspiratory resistance test. Results: The ultrasound enabled the pleural and peritoneal limits of the diaphragm to be identified, and quantify its thickness (Tdi), both ex-vivo and in-vivo, in all cases. The dynamic study of the Tdi showed a linear increase directly associated with the lung volume measurement, as well as a cyclical increase during inspiratory movements at rest. In the resistance test, the MVrdi was maximal with low loads and gradually decreased until reaching a minimum nadir (∆≈ -70% of the initial value) in claudication (fatigue). The MVrdi has a high precision in diagnosing claudication. Conclusions: Transthoracic ultrasound of the diaphragm is a non-invasive method that gives promising results in the structural and functional evaluation (i.e. fatigue risk) of that muscle. These findings are of pathophysiological interest and could be of use in the clinical care context.

Evaluación funcional no-invasiva de la reserva ante la fatiga y la estructura del diafragma mediante ecografía transtorácica en modos B y M

UNLABELLED The diaphragm is the principal respiratory muscle. Its special characteristics have made it difficult to design instruments capable of performing a non-invasive evaluation of its structure and function in humans. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential use of echography as a non-invasive method to fulfil these objectives. METHODS The study consisted of three phases: (1) echographic study in autopsy samples (n=10) of a segment of the thoracic-abdominal wall, from the bottom to the parietal peritoneum (i.e., thoracic wall, diaphragm, pleura and peritoneum structures), (2) static echographic study of the previous structures and the diaphragm in healthy subjects (n=10) to standardised lung volumes; and (3) dynamic echographic study of the contraction-relaxation of the diaphragm in the same subjects, calculating its maximum velocity of relaxation (MVrdi, mm/sec) during a specific inspiratory resistance test. RESULTS The echography enabled the pleural and peritoneal limits of the diaphragm to be identified, and quantitate its thickness (Tdi), both ex-vivo and in-vivo, in all cases. The dynamic study of the Tdi showed a linear increase directly associated with the lung volume measurement, as well as a cyclical increase during inspiratory movements at rest. In the resistance test, the MVrdi was maximal with low loads and gradually decrease until reaching a minimum nadir (Δ≈-70% of the initial value) in claudication (fatigue). The MVrdi has a high precision in diagnosing claudication. CONCLUSIONS Transthoracic echography of the diaphragm is a non-invasive method that gives promising results in the structural and functional evaluation (i.e. fatigue risk) of that muscle. These findings are of pathophysiological interest and could be of use in the clinical care context.

[Usefulness of radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes].

Abstract Introduction Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique that has been shown to be useful for sampling mediastinal lymph nodes. The yield of this technique can be increased by using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to guide needle placement. The aim of the present study was to compare the yield of EBUS-guided TBNA to that of conventional TBNA in the analysis of mediastinal lymph nodes. Patients and Methods All patients undergoing either EBUS-guided or conventional TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes between January 2006 and May 2007 were studied consecutively. Histology results were used as a reference standard in patients treated surgically. In cases in which surgery was not indicated, the results of cytology or of clinical follow-up of at least 6 months duration were used. Results TBNA was performed in 117 patients and a total of 143 lymph nodes were punctured (mean shortest [SD] diameter, 17.9 [8] mm). The samples obtained were diagnostic in 58 patients (49.6%) and in 70 lymph nodes (49.0%). For paratracheal and hilar stations, the yield of EBUS-guided TBNA was superior to that of conventional TBNA (59.2% compared to 34.1%, P =.02). Conclusions Radial EBUS guidance increases the diagnostic yield of TBNA in paratracheal and hilar lymph node stations.