Sarah Hadique

Transbronchial Lung Biopsy

Transbronchial Lung biopsy (TBBx) also known as “Bronchoscopic Lung Biopsy” is one of the most important sampling procedures performed during flexible bronchoscopy. In majority of cases, TBBx is performed under conscious sedation in an outpatient setting. TBBx is performed for obtaining tissue specimen from peripheral lung masses and focal or diffuse lung infiltrates. The technique is useful in patients with suspected lung cancer, fungal and mycobacterial lung infections, unexplained infiltrates in immunocompromised hosts and in patients with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis, lymphangitic carcinomatosis, and in selected cases of pulmonary Langerhan’s cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. TBBx also plays important role in assessment of rejection and infectious complications following lung transplantation.

Safety of Bronchoscopy in Elderly

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is a commonly performed procedure for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of pulmonary disorders. Due to high prevalence of lung diseases especially lung cancer in the aging population, there is an increasing demand for FB in elderly patients. Flexible bronchoscopy is a well-tolerated procedure with low complication rate and mortality while providing valuable diagnostic and staging information. However, due to age-related decline in cardiopulmonary reserves and frequent presence of co-morbid conditions, procedural safety is the most critical issue in any elderly patient undergoing FB. A thorough understanding of these cardiopulmonary limitations and a careful assessment of medical issues, functional status and social support are essential in every elderly patient before performing bronchoscopy. Several studies have shown that age has no major effect on procedure-related complications or tolerance to bronchoscopy even with recent addition of increasingly complex and longer procedures. Advanced age by itself is not a contraindication to bronchoscopy.

High Incidence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in High-School Students

PURPOSE: Sleep disorders and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in high school students may be associated with poor academic performance and higher risk of motor vehicle accidents. Primary goal was to determine the incidence of EDS among high school students. Also to identify the factors associated with EDS among these students.METHODS: High-school students were invited to fill out an anonymous survey, which included demographic information, the average number of hours slept every night, snoring, and perception of inadequate or non refreshing sleep. Information on number of hours participants spent performing physical activity e.g. school sports, watching television, and playing videogames per week was collected. Excessive daytime sleepiness was defined by an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) > 10. Age-and gender specific BMI between 85th to 95th percentile defined overweight and > 95th percentile defined obesity. Standard statistical tests were applied.RESULTS: Of 234 surveys distributed, 196 (84%) were returned, out of which, 141 (72%) were included in the study and 55 (28%) were rejected due to incomplete data. The average age was 16 ±1.18 years. The average BMI was 23.5±5.7 kg/m2. Forty of 141 (28.4%) of study subject were either obese or overweight. Overall, 55 of 141 (39%) of subjects had EDS with an ESS of > 10. Subjects with ESS of > 10 were more likely to report perception of inadequate or non refreshing sleep than those with ESS 10.CONCLUSIONS: In our study we found excessive daytime sleepiness was common among high-school students. We also found that duration of sleep was restricted in both groups below the 7 hours per night. Lack of association of EDS with the duration of sleep suggests a sleep disorder may be present in high school students.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further studies are warranted to identify underlying causes of EDS in high school students as there are important public health implications related to EDS.DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Pranav Jain, Sarah Hadique, Prasad Devabhaktuni, John ParkerNo Product/Research Disclosure InformationWest Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. Language: en