Samira Shojaee

Ultrasound-guided pleural access

Ultrasonography of the thorax has become a more recognized tool in pulmonary medicine, thanks to continuing clinical research that has proven its many valuable roles in the day-to-day management of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Ultrasound examination is a cost-effective imaging modality that permits the pulmonologist to obtain information about the pathologies in the thorax without the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation, providing the examiner with real-time and immediate results. Its ease of use and training along with its portability to the patients bedside and accurate examination of the pleural space has allowed for safer pleural procedures such as thoracentesis, chest tube placement, tunneled pleural catheter placement, and medical thoracoscopy. In this review, we summarize the technique of chest ultrasonography, compare ultrasound to other frequently used thoracic imaging modalities, and focus on its use in obtaining pleural access while performing invasive pleural procedures.

Exophytic Tracheal Mass. A Rare Presentation of Rosai–Dorfman Disease

A 77-year-old female with a history of previously treated breast cancer presented with intractable cough for 6 weeks and no other associated symptoms. Physical examination disclosed coarse breath sounds throughout both lung fields, but no wheezing or stridor. Routine laboratory studies were notable only for an elevated white blood count of 12,400/ml with 86.3% neutrophils. Computed tomographic chest imaging (Figure 1) showed a roughly spherical exophytic mass arising from the anterior wall of the trachea with near occlusion of the airway. Associated mediastinal and left hilar adenopathy was also observed. Given the history of breast cancer, metastatic disease was considered a strong possibility. A primary tracheal malignancy was also considered as part of the differential diagnosis. As the patient was stable, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed in the bronchoscopy suite under moderate sedation. The lesion was visualized in the mid-trachea (Figure 2). An electrocautery snare (Olympus, Center Valley, PA) was then used to ablate and debulk the mass (Figure 3). The patient tolerated the procedure uneventfully. The next day, she was taken to the operating room. With the assistance of an anesthesiologist, she underwent direct intubation with a rigid tracheoscope (BryanDumon 12/11 mm; Bryan Corporation, Woburn, MA) under general anesthesia. Jet ventilation was used throughout the procedure. The remaining tumor was cored out with the rigid scope. A Xomed microdebrider (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) was used to further shave down the tumor along the anterior and lateral walls of the trachea. Argon plasma coagulation was used on the residual tumor surface to achieve coagulation (Figure 4). There was no bleeding and the patient was extubated uneventfully. Histological examination of biopsy samples showed that the mass consisted predominantly of large histiocytes with ample finely vacuolated eosinophilic cytoplasm. A mixed inflammatory infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils was interspersed in between the large cells. Emperipolesis was noted (Figure 5). Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD68 and S-100 (Figure 5) and negative for pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and pan-melanoma cocktail. The morphology and immune profile of the mass confirmed a diagnosis of Rosai–Dorfman disease. Adjunct treatment with prednisone (60 mg daily for 2 wk) was initiated and she was discharged home. Repeat imaging 5 months later showed that the tumor had regrown. Low-dose radiation therapy (20 Gy

A systematic approach to the management of massive hemoptysis

Massive hemoptysis is regarded as a potentially lethal condition that requires immediate attention, and prompt action. Although minor hemoptysis is frequently encountered by most clinicians, massive hemoptysis in far less frequent and most physicians are not prepared to manage this time-sensitive clinical presentation in a systematic and timely fashion. Critical initial steps in management need to be implemented in an expedited fashion, such that patients may have a chance at a more definitive treatment. In this article, we review the definition, vascular anatomy, etiology, diagnostic evaluation, epidemiology and prognostic markers of massive hemoptysis. A systematic approach to management, stabilization and treatment options is followed. An algorithm is proposed for the management of massive hemoptysis and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized.

Thoracoscopy: medical versus surgical-in the management of pleural diseases.

Diseases of the pleura continue to affect a large population of patients worldwide and in the United States. Pleural fluid analysis and accompanying imaging of the pleura including chest X-rays, chest computed tomography (CT) scan and chest ultrasonography are among the first steps in the management of pleural effusions. When further diagnostic or therapeutic work up is necessary, open thoracotomy and thoracoscopy come to mind. However, given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with open thoracotomy, and the advances in medicine and medical instruments, thoracoscopy has now become a routine procedure in the management of the disease of the chest including pleura. Debates about surgical vs. medical thoracoscopy (MT) are ongoing. In the following pages we review the literature and discuss the similarities and differences between the two procedures, as well as their indications, contraindications, complications and efficacy in the management of pleural diseases.

Repeat Thoracentesis in Hepatic Hydrothorax and Non-Hepatic Hydrothorax Effusions: A Case-Control Study

Background: Repeat thoracentesis for symptom control is offered to patients with refractory hepatic hydrothorax (HH) but the risk profile for this management strategy remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to compare complication frequency and nature during repeat thoracentesis in patients with and without HH. Methods: Complication rates in patients undergoing repeat thoracentesis for symptom relief was compared between patients with HH and a control group (non-HH group) at a single center from 2010 to 2015. Records were reviewed for demographics, laboratory values, number of thoracentesis, and associated complications with each procedure. Results: 82 patients with HH (274 thoracenteses) and 100 control patients (188 thoracenteses) were included. A complication was noted in 17/462 (0.03%) procedures in the entire cohort. There was a higher overall complication rate with repeat thoracentesis in the HH group (8 vs. 0%, p = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.5–14.6). In the HH group, the cumulative risk of complications increased with sequential thoracenteses; a complication occurring in the preceding intervention was the strongest predictor for subsequent complication (OR = 17.1, p = 0.0013) and more than 1 previous complication was associated with a 15-fold increased risk of a subsequent complication (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis within the HH group, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was an independent predictor of hemothorax (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.03–1.36, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Repeat thoracentesis is an overall low-risk procedure, although a higher complication rate is observed in HH compared with non-HH patients. The presence of a previous complication significantly increases the risk of future complications in the HH population.

Recent advances in the management of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. However, over the last few years, we have witnessed improved outcomes that are largely attributable to early detection, increased efforts in tobacco control, improved surgical approaches, and the development of novel targeted therapies. Currently, there are several novel therapies in clinical practice, including those targeting actionable mutations and more recently immunotherapeutic agents. Immunotherapy represents the most significant step forward in eradicating this deadly disease. Given the ever-changing landscape of lung cancer management, here we present an overview of the most recent advances in the management of non-small cell lung cancer.

Palliative Interventional Pulmonology Procedures in the Incarcerated Population with Cancer: A Case Series

RationaleCancer is the second most common cause of death in incarcerated population and lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in this group. Inmates are excluded from most published surveys and research, thus the effectiveness of lung cancer palliation in this population is not known.ObjectiveTo report the feasibility and safety of palliative interventional pulmonary procedures in inmates with cancer.Study DesignRetrospective review of registry data from a single center.Materials and MethodsInmate data on prospectively enrolled data registry (2009–2012) from the interventional pulmonology procedural registry at Virginia Commonwealth University was extracted and analyzed for safety and efficacy. Inmates with lung cancer and advanced malignancies with pleural or airway metastasis requiring airway debulking (mechanical/thermal), airway stenting, and tunneled pleural catheter (TPC) placement were included in the analysis.ResultsA total of 16 procedures were performed in 12 incarcerated patients. These included six TPC placements in six patients. Ten procedures were performed in seven patients with airway obstruction. These procedures included rigid and flexible bronchoscopy with mechanical (rigid and balloon dilation) and thermal (laser, argon plasma coagulation, and cautery) tumor debulking and dilation, airway stenting, and tracheostomy in one case. All six TPC patients had immediate symptomatic relief and improved lung aeration on chest radiograph. Three of six patients had successful auto-pleurodesis. In the seven patients with airway obstruction, three patients reported symptomatic relief and one had resolution of post-obstructive pneumonia. No immediate- or long-term procedure-related complications were reported.ConclusionIncarcerated patients with advanced malignancy may benefit from interventional pulmonology procedures with low complications. Palliative interventional pulmonology procedures in inmates should not be withheld solely on their incarceration status.

Endoscopic lung volume reduction. An American perspective.

There are limited therapies for severe emphysema. Bronchoscopic treatments of emphysema were introduced to achieve the beneficial physiological changes seen in surgical lung volume reduction; however, at the present time these treatments are mostly aimed at improving quality of life and functional status in patients with emphysema. At this time, none of these minimally invasive approaches have been approved in the United States for treatment of emphysema; however, several novel interventions have demonstrated potential in early-phase clinical trials. We performed a systematic evaluation of the relevant medical literature and present herein an evidence-based review of bronchoscopic treatments for emphysema, with a focus on the current status of this technology in the United States as compared with Europe.

Safety of Propofol versus Nonpropofol-Based Sedation in Children Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The majority of children who undergo gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy require anesthesia or procedural sedation for comfort, cooperation, and procedure efficiency. The safety profile of propofol is not well established in children but has been studied in the literature. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the safety of propofol-only sedation for GI endoscopy procedures to other anesthetic regimes in the pediatric population. Methods A search was conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized clinical trials and prospective cohorts were included in the study. Results No significant difference was noted in total complications between the two cohorts with a pooled OR of 1.31 (95% CI: 0.57–3.04, chi2 = 0.053, I 2 = 54.31%). The pooled rate of complications in the studies was 23.4% for those receiving propofol only and 18.2% for those receiving other anesthetic regimens. Sensitivity analysis was performed removing a study with a very different control comparison compared to the rest of the studies included. Once excluded, there was minimal heterogeneity in the remaining studies and a significant difference in overall complications was detected, with more complications seen in the propofol-only group compared to the other anesthetic groups (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.09–3.20). Conclusion Significantly higher incidence of cardiorespiratory complications was noted in the propofol-only versus other anesthetic regimens in pediatric patients undergoing GI endoscopy in this meta-analysis. However, the overall quality of the evidence is very low. How to Apply This Knowledge for Routine Clinical Practice Clinicians providing sedation to a pediatric population for GI endoscopy should consider there may be increased risks when using a propofol-only regimen, but further study is needed.

Safety and Efficacy of Remimazolam Compared With Placebo and Midazolam for Moderate Sedation During Bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND: While the complexity of flexible bronchoscopy has increased, standard options for moderate sedation medications have not changed in three decades. There is a need to improve moderate sedation while maintaining safety. Remimazolam was developed to address shortcomings of current sedation strategies. METHODS: A prospective, double‐blind, randomized, multicenter, parallel group trial was performed at 30 US sites. The efficacy and safety of remimazolam for sedation during flexible bronchoscopy were compared with placebo and open‐label midazolam. RESULTS: The success rates were 80.6% in the remimazolam arm, 4.8% in the placebo arm (P < .0001), and 32.9% in the midazolam arm. Bronchoscopy was started sooner in the remimazolam arm (mean, 6.4 ± 5.82 min) compared with placebo (17.2 ± 4.15 min; P < .0001) and midazolam (16.3 ± 8.60 min). Time to full alertness after the end of bronchoscopy was significantly shorter in patients treated with remimazolam (median, 6.0 min; 95% CI, 5.2‐7.1) compared with those treated with placebo (13.6 min; 95% CI, 8.1‐24.0; P = .0001) and midazolam (12.0 min; 95% CI, 5.0‐15.0). Remimazolam registered superior restoration of neuropsychiatric function compared with placebo and midazolam. Safety was comparable among all three arms, and 5.6% of the patients in the remimazolam group had serious treatment‐emergent adverse events as compared with 6.8% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam administered under the supervision of a pulmonologist was effective and safe for moderate sedation during flexible bronchoscopy. In an exploratory analysis, it demonstrated a shorter onset of action and faster neuropsychiatric recovery than midazolam.