Rendimiento diagnóstico y morbimortalidad de las biopsias pulmonares quirúrgicas en enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa

Introducción: Se denomina Enfermedad Pulmonar Intersticial Difusa (EPID) a un conjunto heterogéneo de patologías caracterizadas por inflamación y fibrosis pulmonar. El diagnóstico basado en patrones clínicos o radiológicos puede, ocasionalmente, ser insuficiente para iniciar un tratamiento. La biopsia pulmonar quirúrgica es una alternativa cuando se requiere aumentar la precisión diagnóstica luego de discusión multidisciplinaria. Objetivo: Describir el rendimiento diagnóstico, morbilidad y mortalidad de las biopsias quirúrgicas pulmonares en un hospital público chileno. Pacientes y Método: Cohorte retrospectiva de todos los pacientes a quienes se realizó biopsia quirúrgica por diagnóstico de EPID entre los años 2010 y 2020, indicada por un comité multidisciplinario. Se excluyen procedimientos similares o biopsias con diagnóstico de EPID como hallazgo incidental. Resultados: 38 pacientes intervenidos, mediana de edad de 63 años, 47% femenino. Solo 1 (2,6%) paciente operado de urgencia, y 34 (89,5%) por videotoracoscopía. 5 (13,1%) pacientes presentaron morbilidad, en 4 de ellos fuga aérea, ninguno requiriendo intervención adicional. No hubo rehospitalización, reoperación ni mortalidad a 90 días. En el 95% de los casos se alcanzó un diagnóstico preciso de la EPID tras discusión multidisciplinaria. Discusión: Se observa un alto rendimiento diagnóstico y una baja morbimortalidad en los pacientes estudiados. La baja frecuencia de procedimientos de urgencia y la adecuada indicación en comité multidisciplinario puede haber contribuido a la baja morbilidad. Conclusión: La biopsia pulmonar quirúrgica en un hospital general tiene un alto rendimiento diagnóstico cuando se discute en comité multidisciplinario para precisar el diagnostico en EPID, con una baja morbimortalidad si se seleccionan adecuadamente los pacientes.

Background: Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the lung. Diagnosis based exclusively on clinical or radiologic patterns may be inaccurate, and if a reliable diagnosis cannot be made, surgical lung biopsy can be strongly considered to increase the diagnostic yield after multidisciplinary committee. Objective: To review the diagnostic results, morbidity, and mortality of surgical biopsies in a chilean public health institution. Patients and Method: Retrospective cohort of patients operated for diagnostic purposes for ILD between 2010 - 2020. Surgical biopsies done for other diagnoses were excluded. Results: 38 patients were included, with a median age of 63 years, 47% were female. Only 1 patient (2.6%) underwent emergency surgery and 89.5% underwent minimally invasive surgery techniques. 5 patients had some morbidity (13.1%), 4 of them being air leak. All complications were successfully managed conservatively. We had no readmission, reoperations, or 90-day mortality in this cohort. In 95% of the cases an accurate diagnosis of ILD was reached after multidisciplinary discussion. Discussion: In our experience surgical lung biopsy has a high diagnostic yield and a low morbidity and mortality. A low number of emergency procedures and accurate surgical indication by an expert committee could explain the low morbidity. Conclusion: Surgical lung biopsy in a general hospital reach a high diagnostic performance when discussed in a multidisciplinary committee to specify the diagnosis in ILD, with low morbidity and mortality if patients are properly selected.

Radiological and histological characteristics of patients with interstitial lung disease undergoing lung biopsy in a reference institution from eastern Colombia / Características radiológicas e histológicas de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial llevados a biopsia pulmonar en una institución del oriente colombiano

Abstract Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnosis requires a mukidisciplinary approach and, in some cases, lung biopsy. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the radiological and histological findings, of patients with ILD who required lung biopsy after a mukidisciplinary board (pneumology, radiology, and pathology) of a reference center for respiratory diseases in Bucaramanga, Colombia, failed to reach the ILD diagnosis. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. The medical records of 56 patients treated at the Instituto Neumológico del Oriente who underwent lung biopsy between 2015 and 2019 were reviewed. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated for demographic and clinical variables, respectively, to characterize them. A bivariate analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test to determine whether there were differences in the distribution of the sociodemographic and clinical variables according to the radiological patterns and the final histological diagnosis. Results: Participants' median age was 67 years (IQR: 59-72) and 55.35% were men. 43 patients had a radiological pattern inconsistent with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP); 4 had a pattern consistent with possible UIP; and 9 had a pattern consistent with UIP. The most common histologic diagnoses were hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) (32.14%), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (17.86%), and UIP (19.64%). Conclusion: In the study population, the primary reason for performing a lung biopsy was the presence of a radiologic pattern inconsistent with UIP, with HP being the predominant histopathological diagnosis. This is the first study to characterize patients with ILD who underwent lung biopsy in eastern Colombia, making a significant contribution to our understanding of the disease's epidemiology in the country.

Resumen Introducción. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) requiere un enfoque multidisciplinar y, en ocasiones, de una biopsia pulmonar. Objetivo. Describir las características sociodemográficas y clínicas, y los hallazgos radiológicos e histológicos de pacientes con EPI que requirieron biopsia pulmonar luego de no lograrse un diagnóstico de esta enfermedad por la junta médica multidisciplinar (neumología, radiología y patología) de un centro de referencia en enfermedades respiratorias de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 56 pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Neumológico del Oriente y que fueron remitidos a biopsia pulmonar entre 2015 y 2019. Se analizaron variables demográficas y clínicas, calculando medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión para su respectiva caracterización. Se realizó un análisis bivariado mediante test exacto de Fisher para determinar si existían diferencias en la distribución de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas de acuerdo con los patrones radiológicos y el diagnóstico histológico definitivo. Resultados. La mediana de edad fue 67 años (RIC: 59-72), 55.35% fueron hombres. 43 pacientes presentaron patrón radiológico inconsistente con neumonía intersticial usual (NIU); 4, patrón de posible NIU y, 9, patrón de NIU. Los diagnósticos histológicos más frecuentes fueron neumonitis por hipersensibilidad (NH) (32.14%), neumonía intersticial no específica (17.86%) y NIU (19.64%). Conclusión. La principal razón para realizar biopsia pulmonar en la población de estudio fue la presencia de un patrón radiológico inconsistente con NIU, siendo la NH el principal diagnóstico histopatológico. Este es el primer trabajo que caracteriza a pacientes con EPI del oriente colombiano llevados a biopsia pulmonar, lo que representa un importante aporte al conocimiento de la epidemiología de esta enfermedad en Colombia.

Biopsia pulmonar en la enfermedad pulmonar difusa por minitoracotomía o cirugía torácica videoasistida / Lung Biopsy in Diffuse Lung Disease by Minithoracotomy or Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa constituye un grupo heterogéneo de lesiones con varias características comunes entre las cuales resaltan la inflamación y cicatrización del órgano. Por lo general, se requiere la obtención de tejido parenquimatoso para el diagnóstico definitivo. Objetivos: Describir los resultados obtenidos, según el método de minitoracotomía o cirugía torácica videoasistida, para obtener las muestras hísticas para estudio histopatológico. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, longitudinal y prospectivo de 52 pacientes consecutivos, con diagnóstico de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa, a quienes se les practicó la toma de muestras tisulares obtenidas mediante cirugía torácica videoasistida o minitoracotomía en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras" entre el 2001 y el 2018. Se estudió la edad y el sexo de los pacientes, la técnica quirúrgica empleada y las complicaciones y mortalidad. Los resultados se exponen en tablas, en números absolutos y relativos. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (59,6 por ciento). La técnica quirúrgica más utilizada fue la minitoracotomía (75,0 por ciento) en pacientes entre 41-50 años, con 15 enfermos. La afección más frecuente fue la fibrosis pulmonar con un 78,8 por ciento. En dos enfermos intervenidos mediante cirugía torácica videoasistida no fue posible obtener tejido para biopsia (15,4 por ciento). Hubo dos complicaciones en pacientes operados mediante minitoracotomía. Conclusiones: La cirugía torácica videoasistida permite una amplia exploración de la superficie pulmonar, pero la biopsia abierta puede tener la misma efectividad para la obtención de muestras hísticas pulmonares, con un mínimo por ciento de complicaciones y bajo índice de mortalidad(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diffuse interstitial lung disease makes up a heterogeneous group of lesions with several common characteristics, among which inflammation and scarring of the organ stand out. Generally, obtaining parenchymal tissue is required for definitive diagnosis. Objectives: To describe the outcomes of using the method of minithoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery to obtain tissue samples for histopathological study. Methods: An observational, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out with 52 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease. Tissue samples obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery or mini-thoracotomy were taken at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical-Surgical Hospital, between 2001 and 2018. The age and sex of the patients, the surgical technique used, and complications and mortality were studied. The results are presented in tables, in absolute and relative numbers. Results: The female sex predominated (59.6 percent). The most widely used surgical technique was minithoracotomy (75.0 percent) in patients between 41-50 years (15 patients). The most frequent condition was pulmonary fibrosis, accounting for 78.8 percent. In two patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery, it was not possible to obtain any tissue for biopsy (15.4 percent). There were two complications in patients operated on by minithoracotomy. Conclusions: Video-assisted thoracic surgery allows wide exploration of the lung surface, but open biopsy can be just as effective in obtaining lung tissue samples, with a minimum percentage of complications and a low mortality rate(AU)

Neumonía eosinofílica en pediatría, a propósito de dos casos clínicos / Pneumonia eosinofilic in pediatrics, clinical cases

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Neumonía Eosinofílica (NE) es una entidad muy poco frecuente en pediatría y se caracteriza por infiltración de eosinófilos en el intersticio pulmonar y alveolar, pudiendo ser primaria o secundaria, así como también presentar un curso agudo o crónico. OBJETIVO: Presentar dos casos clínicos de NE diagnosticados en el período 2014-2017 en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos pediátricos. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Dos lactantes mayores, ambos con antecedente de madre asmática, hospitalizados por in suficiencia respiratoria y diagnóstico de neumonía viral en Clínica Indisa, Santiago, Chile. Ambos presentaron síndrome febril, imágenes de condensación persistentes en la radiografía de tórax y eosinofilia periférica en el transcurso de su enfermedad. Uno de ellos con requerimiento de oxígeno por más de un mes, sin eosinofilia en el lavado broncoalveolar (LBA), al que se le hizo el diagnóstico de NE por biopsia pulmonar. El otro niño requirió ventilación mecánica por 28 días y se hizo diag nóstico de NE por eosinofilia mayor a 20% en LBA. Los dos casos presentaron excelente respuesta a corticoides sistémicos. CONCLUSIÓN: La NE se debe sospechar en el niño con diagnóstico de neumonía con síntomas persistentes sin respuesta al tratamiento, habiéndose descartado otras causas, sobre todo si se asocia a eosinofilia periférica. El diagnostico de NE en pediatría se confirma por eosinofilia mayor a 20% en LBA y en algunos casos es necesaria la biopsia pulmonar.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic Pneumonia (EP) is a very rare disorder in Pediatrics. It is characterized by the infiltra tion of eosinophils in the pulmonary and alveolar interstitium, and may be primary or secondary as well as present an acute or chronic progress. OBJECTIVE: to present 2 pediatric EP clinical cases which were diagnosed at the pediatric intensive care unit of Clinica Indisa in Santiago, Chile between 2014 and 2017. CLINICAL CASES: Two older infants, who were hospitalized due to respiratory failure with a diagnosis of viral pneumonia. Both have asthmatic mothers. Additionally, they both had febrile syn drome, persistent condensation images in the chest x-rays, and peripheral eosinophilia throughout the course of the disease. One of the infants required oxygen for more than one month, and there was no eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In this case, the diagnosis of EP was reached via pulmonary biopsy. The other infant required mechanic ventilation for 28 days, and was diagnosed due to eosinophilia greater than 25% in the bronchoalveolar lavage. Both patients had excellent res ponse to systemic corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: After ruling out other causes, EP should be suspected in children with pneumonia diagnosis, and persistent symptoms that do not respond positively to treatment, especially if associated with peripheral eosinophilia. The diagnosis of EP in pediatrics is confirmed with eosinophilia greater than 20% in BAL and, in some cases, it is necessary to perform a lung biopsy.

Videotoracoscopía con anestesia peridural en paciente despierto / Epidural anesthesia for videoassisted thoracic surgery in awake patient

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is traditionally performed under general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation with a double lumen tube. In recent years, a growing trend towards these procedures being performed under loco regional anesthesia, particularly under epidural block with or without sedation in patients in spontaneous ventilation has appeared. It can be used to perform procedures that include pneumothorax management, wedge resection, lobectomy and surgical reduction of lung volume. The most attractive reason is to eliminate the side effects related to general anesthesia looking for a lower perioperative risks and shorter hospital stays, especially in elderly patients and those with compromised respiratory function. The thoracic epidural anesthesia has been effective allowing an adequate surgical approach, guaranteeing an idoneus level of analgesia, an optimal oxygenation, and facilitating an early postoperative recovery. We present a case of a patient undergoing to lung biopsy performed by VATS patient under epidural block and Ramsay scale sedation level III in spontaneous ventilation, who was discharged 48 hours after the surgical procedure.

La cirugía torácica asistida por vídeo se realiza tradicionalmente bajo anestesia general e intubación endotraqueal con tubo de doble luz. En los últimos años ha existido una corriente creciente hacia la realización de estos procedimientos en pacientes bajo anestesia locorregional, particularmente con bloqueo epidural con o sin sedación y en ventilación espontánea, para procedimientos que incluyen manejo de neumotórax, resección en cuña, lobectomía y cirugía de reducción de volumen pulmonar. La razón más atractiva es evitar los efectos secundarios relacionados con la anestesia general en búsqueda de menor riesgo perioperatorio y menor estancia hospitalaria, especialmente en pacientes mayores y en aquellos con función respiratoria comprometida. La anestesia epidural torácico (AET) ha sido efectiva para permitir un adecuado abordaje quirúrgico, garantizando un idóneo nivel de anestesia, una correcta oxigenación y facilitando la recuperación posoperatoria precoz]. Se presenta el caso clínico de una biopsia pulmonar realizada mediante toracoscopia en un paciente bajo AET con sedación escala Ramsay III y en ventilación espontánea, quien fue dado de alta a las 48 horas posterior a la cirugía.

Lung biopsy with guillotine cutting needle and biopsy forceps though transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopy in dogs with pulmonary alterations / Biópsia pulmonar com agulha cortante guilhotinada e pinça de biopsia por toracoscopia transdiafragmática em cães com alterações pulmonares

Lung diseases are common in small animal clinical routine. Diagnosis is usually affected due to nonspecific symptoms. Imaging features such as radiography and chest ultrasound are acceptable screening tests, although lung biopsy can provides a precise diagnosis. Thus thoracoscopy provides a minimally invasive diagnostic assessment for chest diseases and offers the benefits such as improved illumination and magnification of the image when compared with thoracotomy. In this study we evaluated the transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopic-assisted techniques of lung biopsy with a the guillotine cutting needle and biopsy forceps, in dogs presenting radiographic suspicion on pulmonary tumors. Fourteen dogs regardless of breed, gender, age and body weight admitted at the Hospital of Veterinary Clinics (HCV) of the Veterinary College (FAVET) of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), were assessed. Inclusion criteria were presence of nodules on chest radiography and triage tests without changes that could hinder general anesthesia and surgical approach. The animals were positioned in dorsal recumbence and two thoracoscopic ports were established: the first port for working instruments; the second paraxyphoid port for the telescope. Three samples were collected using each sampling method from each lesion or from tumors macroscopically similar whenever their size was less than one centimeter. The samples were sent for histopathological examination in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of FAVET/UFRGS. Surgical time was recorded from first incision to wound closure and surgical complications were reported. The dogs were evaluated for the presence of subcutaneous emphysema, hematoma, seroma, local infection and dehiscence. No conversion to open surgery was necessary during the thoracoscopic procedure in any patient. Thoracoscopic assisted biopsy using guillotine needle and biopsy forceps was a safe and fast technique, without perioperative complications. Both devices provided good quality samples for histopathological analysis of lung abnormalities. However the cutting guillotine needle was more efficient especially in larger pulmonary nodules. The transdiaphragmatic access provided optimal approach for both hemithoraces.(AU)

As afecções pulmonares são comuns na rotina clínica de pequenos animais, todavia, por apresentarem sintomas inespecíficos, muitas vezes o diagnóstico dessas doenças torna-se limitado. Recursos de imagem como a radiografia e a ultrassonografia torácica são válidos como exames de triagem, mas somente a biopsia pulmonar pode possibilitar um diagnóstico específico da doença. A toracoscopia fornece um meio minimamente invasivo de diagnóstico para as doenças torácicas e oferece os benefícios de melhor iluminação e ampliação da imagem, quando comparado com a toracotomia. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as técnicas de biópsia pulmonar por meio da agulha cortante guilhotinada e da pinça de biopsia, guiadas por toracoscopia, pelo acesso transdiafragmático em cães que apresentavam imagem sugestiva de nódulo pulmonar em exame radiográfico prévio. Foram utilizados 14 cães, independente de raça, sexo, idade e peso corporal. Somente caninos com nódulos visíveis na radiografia torácica e que apresentaram condições clínicas e laboratoriais de serem anestesiados foram incluídos no estudo. Os cães foram posicionados em decúbito dorsal e foram realizados dois acessos à cavidade torácica: um primeiro portal intercostal, para introdução dos dispositivos de biopsia; e outro portal paraxifoide transdiafragmático para introdução do endoscópio. Com cada instrumento de biopsia foram coletadas três amostras do mesmo nódulo ou de nódulos macroscopicamente semelhantes e próximos quando o tamanho destes era inferior a um centímetro. Posteriormente as amostras foram encaminhadas para exame histopatológico. O tempo cirúrgico foi cronometrado da incisão ao fechamento da ferida, etodas as informações foram registradas. No pós-operatório os cães foram avaliados quanto à presença de enfisema subcutâneo, hematoma, seroma, infecção local e deiscência de pontos. Não foi necessário converter os procedimentos toracoscópicos para cirurgia convencional em nenhum dos caninos. Concluiu-se tratar de uma técnica segura, rápida sem complicações trans e pós-operatórias. Ambos dispositivos permitiram aquisição de material suficiente para análise histopatológica das alterações pulmonares, no entanto a agulha cortante guilhotinada apresentou maior eficácia, principalmente, em nódulos pulmonares de maior diâmetro. O acesso transdiafragmático mostrou-se eficiente para exploração de ambos os hemitórax.(AU)

Videotoracoscopia por vía subxifoidea: primera experiencia en Argentina / Videothoracoscopic subxiphoid access: first experience in Argentina

Introducción: En los últimos 30 años las técnicas quirúrgicas mínimamente invasivas en patología torácica modificaron el paradigma. Cada día más procedimientos son efectuados por esta vía desde el advenimiento de la cirugía videotoracoscópica. Objetivo: Demostrar el uso de la videotoracoscopia subxifoidea para biopsia pulmonar y bullectomía. Material y métodos: Vía subxifoidea por videotoracoscopia en 6 casos. Resultados: Se obtuvo diagnóstico histológico en 5 casos y resección de bullas subpleurales en uno sin complicaciones por el acceso subxifoideo. Conclusiones: Es la primera experiencia en un hospital universitario de Argentina con este acceso quirúrgico sin complicaciones, con rendimiento diagnóstico histológico y resultado terapéutico.

Introduction: In the last 30 years minimally invasive surgical techniques for thoracic pathology was changed the paradigm. Every day more procedures are performed in this way since the advent of videothorascopic surgery. Objective: Demonstrate the use of the subxiphoid videothorascopy for lung biopsy and pulmonary wedge resection for bulla. Material and methods: Subxiphoid access by videothorascopy in 6 clinic cases. Results: Histologic diagnosis in 5 cases and pulmonary wedge resection for bulla in another case without complications with subxiphoid access were obtained. Conclusions: Is the first experience in an Argentinian university hospital with this surgery access without complications and with performance histological diagnosis and therapeutic result.

Neumonitis intersticial descamativa en el paciente pediátrico / Desquamative interstitial penumonitis in a pediatric patient

Introducción: la neumonitis intersticial descamativa es una entidad caracterizada en la clínica por mostrar tos, disnea, cianosis e hipercapnia, con un patrón restrictivo de las pruebas funcionales respiratorias, debido a la presencia de fibrosis pulmonar, cuya frecuencia es inusual en Pediatría. Presentación del caso: adolescente que fue remitida al Hospital Docente Pediátrico del Cerro por sospecha de dengue, al referir fiebre de 38 °C de 3 días de evolución, acompañada de dolores musculares en miembros inferiores, escalofríos y cefalea, por lo cual fue internada en la sala de misceláneas. Durante su evolución mostró dificultad respiratoria, tos seca, taquipnea, taquicardia y disminución del murmullo vesicular en la base del pulmón izquierdo. Se observó en la radiografía de tórax una opacidad en dicha zona y fue tratada con antibióticos. En etapa posterior se trasladó a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por ocurrir un incremento de las lesiones pulmonares e insuficiencia respiratoria; por ello, se indicó ventilación mecánica, variedad presión controlada. Posteriormente se aisló en hemocultivo y secreciones bronquiales, Pseudomona Stutzeri, evento considerado como una sepsis asociada a cuidados sanitarios. Se planteó un distrés respiratorio del adulto en niños que no involucionó, y falleció en un cuadro de insuficiencia respiratoria a los 19 días de estadía. Conclusiones: esta paciente mostró síntomas y signos sugestivos de una infección pulmonar bacteriana de evolución tórpida. Los hallazgos necrópsicos describen la presencia de una bronconeumonía bacteriana como causa directa, y una neumonitis intersticial descamativa, como entidad básica del fallecimiento(AU)

Introduction: desquamative interstitial pneumonitis is a characterized condition in the clinical field since it shows cough, dysnea, cyanosis and hypercapnia, with a restrictive pattern of the functional respiratory tests due to the presence of pulmonary fibrosis that is unusual in pediatrics. Case presentation: a female adolescent was referred to the pediatric teaching hospital of Cerro on suspicion of dengue since she presented with 38 °C for three days, accompanied with muscle aches in lower limbs, chills and headache. She was admitted to a general ward. During her progression, she showed respiratory distress, unproductive cough, tachypnea, tachycardia and reduction of vesicular murmur in the left lung basis. The thoracic X ray showed opacity in the area and was treated with antibiotics. In a later phase, she was moced to the intensive care unit due to increase in pulmonary lesions and respiratory failure. She was also under mechanical ventilation with controlled pressure. Later, Pseudomona Stutzeri was isolated in blood culture and bronchial secretions, an event considered to be health care-associated sepsis. It was stated that this case was a respiratory distress of adult in a child that evolved and finally the adolescent died of respiratory failure 19 days after her hospitalization. Conclusions: this patient showed symptoms and signs suggestive of bacterial pulmonary infection of torpid progression. The necropsis finding describe the presence of bacterial bronchopneumonia as a direct cause and desquamative interstitial pneumonitis as the basic condition for death(AU)

Aproximación diagnóstica a las enfermedades pulmonares difusas / Diagnostic approach to diffuse pulmonary diseases

Las enfermedades pulmonares difusas representan un grupo de enfermedades que comparten un mismo criterio radiológico, existiendo más de 200 entidades que se presentan como tal. La clínica es fundamental para aproximar el diagnóstico etiológico que muchas veces resulta complejo. Tos y disnea progresiva son los síntomas clínicos característicos de estas enfermedades y se acompañan de la radiografía de tórax con opacidades difusas como método radiológico inicial. El estudio en general es multi- disciplinario incluyendo patrones radiológicos de la tomografía axial de tórax, estudio de función pulmonar, lavado bronquioal- veolar y biopsia pulmonar en algunos casos.

The diffuse lung diseases are a group of conditions that share common radiological criteria. There are over 200 causes. The clinic skill is essential to approximate the etiologic diagnosis, often complicated. Cough and progressive dyspnea are the clinical features of these diseases and are accompanied by chest radiography with diffuse opacities as the initial radiological method. The study is generally multidisciplinary and including radiological patterns in computer tomography of the chest, lung function study, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy in some cases.

Uso del bisturí ultrasónico para la toma de biopsias pulmonares por toracoscopia en pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial / Use of ultrasonic scalpel for pulmonary biopsy by thoracoscopy in pediatric patients with interstitial lung disease

Introducción. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial en la infancia constituye un reto. La biopsia pulmonar a cielo abierto se ha considerado el mejor procedimiento para obtener tejido pulmonar en niños; sin embargo, la biopsia con toracoscopia puede ser igualmente eficaz y menos agresiva. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los resultados del empleo del bisturí ultrasónico con tres trocares de 5 mm (uno para toracoscopio y dos puertos más de trabajo) para la toma de biopsias pulmonares por toracoscopia. Métodos. Se analizó, retrospectivamente, una serie de casos de niños a quienes se les tomaron biopsias pulmonares mediante toracoscopia, utilizando tres puertos de trabajo y el bisturí ultrasónico, durante el periodo comprendido de enero de 2011 a enero de 2012 en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel de atención. Resultados. Se registraron cinco pacientes con edades desde uno hasta 13 años. No se presentaron complicaciones durante el transoperatorio o postquirúrgicas en ningún caso. Al revisar los reportes histopatológicos, se encontró suficiente muestra en todos los casos. El sangrado transquirúrgico fue de 4.3 ml en promedio (de 0.5 a 10 ml). El tiempo quirúrgico varió de 2 a 3 horas. Dos casos ameritaron sondas pleurales, las cuales se retiraron a los dos o tres días después del evento quirúrgico, momento en que se dieron de alta del servicio sin complicaciones. Conclusiones. Se corroboró la factibilidad y la seguridad de una técnica para la toma de muestras mediante el uso del bisturí ultrasónico. Esta técnica es fácilmente reproducible en cualquier centro hospitalario que cuente con el recurso para realizar toracoscopias.

Background. Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children is challenging. Open lung biopsy was long considered to be the best procedure to obtain lung tissue in children. Thoracoscopic biopsy may be equally effective and less aggressive. In this report we analyze the results of the use of ultrasonic scalpel with the placement of three 5-mm trocars (one for thoracoscope and two working ports) for lung biopsy through thoracoscopy. Methods. We present a retrospective case series of children undergoing lung biopsy through thoracoscopy using three working ports and ultrasonic scalpel. The study was carried out from January 2011 to January 2012 in a third-level pediatric hospital. Results. A total of five patients aged 1 to 13 years were included. There were no complications in the five cases analyzed. The sample obtained was sufficient in all cases for histopathological study. During surgery, bleeding was reported on average of 4.3 ml (range: 0.5-10 ml). Operative time ranged from 2 to 3 h. Two cases required chest tube placement. These were removed 2 to 3 days after the surgical event, and patients were discharged without complications. Conclusions. Feasibility is confirmed of a technique for lung biopsy using an ultrasonic scalpel, which is easily reproducible in any hospital with the necessary resources to perform thoracoscopy. In this series there were no complications, bleeding was low and there was opportune placement of transpleural chest tube.

Pronóstico de pacientes ingresados a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por falla respiratoria asociada a presencia de infiltrados pulmonares / Prognosis of patients with acute respiratory failure and pulmonary infiltrates admitted to intensive care unit

En la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda (IRA) asociada a infiltrados pulmonares de causa desconocida se relaciona con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue conocer el pronóstico de pacientes con IRA, infiltrados pulmonares y necesidad de ventilación mecánica (VM) ingresados a UCI. Como objetivo secundario se planteó evaluar la utilidad de medios diagnósticos de uso habitual en este grupo de pacientes en relación al pronóstico y la conducta terapéutica. Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó todos los pacientes ingresados a la UCI del Hospital Naval Almirante Nef por IRA de causa desconocida asociada a infiltrados pulmonares en radiografía de tórax y que tengan necesidad de VM entre los años 2006 y 2010. Se incluyeron 90 pacientes de los cuales 45,6 por ciento fueron de sexo masculino. La edad promedio fue 66 años (DS 17,1). El puntaje promedio de score APACHE II fue 20,6 (DS 7,7). La mortalidad fue 52,2 por ciento y el tiempo promedio de estadía en UCI fueron 14 días (DS 14,4). La principal causa de IRA fue síndrome de distress respiratorio agudo (32 por ciento).Otras causas fueron neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (28,2 por ciento), neumonía aspirativa (12,2 por ciento), neumonía nosocomial (7,8 por ciento) y neumonía criptogénica organizada (6,7 por ciento). La realización de tomografía computarizada de tórax, lavado broncoalveolar y biopsia pulmonar determinó cambio de conducta terapéutica en 31 por ciento, 58 por ciento y 88 por ciento de los casos, respectivamente. En conclusión, los pacientes con IRA tienen alta mortalidad. La causa más frecuente fue el síndrome de distress respiratorio agudo. El uso de procedimientos diagnósticos pueden cambiar las medidas terapéuticas empleadas, en especial la biopsia pulmonar.

In the intensive care unit (ICU), acute respiratory failure (ARF) associated with unexplained pulmonary infiltrates is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to determine the prognosis of patients with ARF and pulmonary infiltrates admitted to ICU. The secondary objective was proposed to evaluate the usefulness of diagnostic methods frequently used in this patient group and correlated them with prognosis and therapeutic management. We performed a retrospective observational study that included all patients admitted to ICU of Almirante Nef Naval Hospital with ARF of unknown cause associated with pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiography during the years 2006-2010. We included 90 patients of which 45 percent were male. The average age was 66 years. The average APACHE II score was 20.6. Mortality was 52.2 percent and the average length of stay in the ICU was 14 days (SD 14.4). The main cause of ARF was acute respiratory distress syndrome (32 percent). Other causes were community-acquired pneumonia (28.2 percent), aspiration pneumonia (12.2 percent), nosocomial pneumonia (7.8 percent) and cryptogenic organized pneumonia (6.7 percent. The performance of chest computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy determined therapeutic behavior change in 31 percent 58 percent and 88 percent of cases, respectively. In conclusion, patients with ARF have high mortality. The most common cause was acute respiratory distress syndrome. The use of diagnostic procedures may change the therapeutic measures used, particularly lung biopsy.

Segurança e eficácia da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea para avaliação histopatológica do parênquima pulmonar de ovinos clinicamente sadios / Safety and effectiveness of the transthoracic percutaneous lung biopsy technique for histopathological evaluation of the lung parenchyma in healthy sheep

Foram analisados os resultados e complicações decorrentes do emprego da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea em 20 ovinos clinicamente sadios. Os animais foram submetidos ao exame clínico seguido da biopsia com agulha semi-automática no 7º espaço intercostal direito, 5cm acima do olécrano. Foram analisados o número de tentativas para a execução do procedimento e o tamanho dos fragmentos. As amostras obtidas foram avaliadas histologicamente. Posteriormente ao abate, foi realizado o exame pos mortem para avaliação de complicações da técnica e das eventuais lesões provocadas. Entre todos os animais submetidos à biopsia apenas dois demonstraram resistência a técnica, sendo obtidos fragmentos pulmonares de 4-7mm de comprimento, com média de 1,8±1 tentativas por fragmento. As principais alterações relacionadas à técnica foram tosse, dispnéia inspiratória, elevação das freqüências cardíaca e respiratória e aumento do ruído broncobronquiolar. Ao exame post mortem observou-se hemorragia dos músculos intercostais e pleura visceral em todos os animais. Das 20 tentativas de execução da técnica, 18 obtiveram sucesso, enquanto que em duas o fígado foi equivocadamente puncionado. As amostras de tecido pulmonar foram consideradas representativas, pois foi possível a visualização de estruturas íntegras, incluindo bronquíolos e alvéolos. Podemos concluir que a biopsia pulmonar é segura e eficaz para obtenção de amostras pulmonares com fins de diagnóstico histológico.

The results and complications arising from use of the percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy technique in 20 clinically healthy sheep were analyzed. The animals were subjected to clinical examination followed by lung biopsy with a semi-automatic needle in the 7th right intercostal space, 5cm above the olecranon. The number of attempts to implement the procedure and size of the fragments were evaluated. The samples were evaluated histologically. After the slaughter, a postmortem examination assessed the technical complications and possible injuries. Among all animals which underwent biopsy only two did not tolerate the technique. Lung fragments measuring 4-7mm were obtained by an average of 1.8 attempts per fragment. The main changes related to the procedure were cough, labored breathing, increased heart and breathing rate, and increased bronco-bronchiolar sound. The postmortem examination revealed bleeding of the intercostal muscles and visceral pleura of various extend in all lambs, and a wound up to 14mm length in the lung of two animals that did not tolerate the procedure. From 20 attempts to implement the technique, 18 were successful, while in two of them the liver was mistakenly punctured. Samples of lung tissue were representative. It was possible to visualize intact structures, including bronchioles and alveoli. It could be concluded that lung biopsy is a safe and effective procedure to obtain lung samples for histological diagnosis.

Adiaspiromicose pulmonar humana / Human pulmonary adiaspiromycosis

A adiaspiromicose é uma doença fúngica sistêmica que acomete usualmente roedores e raramente atinge o homem. É causada pelo fungo Emmonsia crescens e ocorre após a inalação da forma contagiante (conídios). Embora estas formas não se multipliquem nem se disseminem no organismo humano, induzem uma reação inflamatória crônica granulomatosa de padrão miliar que pode levar a falência respiratória e morte. Apresentamos aqui um caso de adiaspiromicose pulmonar humana em paciente imunocompetente que exibia infiltrado intersticial pulmonar difuso ao exame de imagem e fora diagnosticado mediante biópsia pulmonar.

Adiaspiromycosis is a systemic fungal disease that usually affects rodents and rarely infects humans. It is caused by the fungus Emmonsia crescens and occurs after inhalation of its contagious form (conidia). Although these forms neither multiply nor spread in the human body, they cause a chronic granulomatous inflammatory reaction of miliary pattern, which may lead to respiratory failure and death. In this study we present a case of human pulmonary adiaspiromycosis in an immunocompetent patient that showed a diffuse pulmonary interstitial infiltrate diagnosed by pulmonary biopsy.

Biópsia pulmonar nas pneumopatias intersticiais / Lung biopsy in interstitial lung diseases

As doenças pulmonares intersticiais compreendem um grupo heterogêneo de pneumopatias, com curso clínico e resposta à terapêutica variáveis. A avaliação clínica adequada, aliada ao exame radiológico do tórax, em especial a tomografia de alta resolução, podem dar subsídios suficientes para o diagnóstico de algumas destas doenças dos tipos fibrose pulmonar idiopática, pneumonia organizante criptogênica, sarcoidose, histiocitose de células de Langerhans do pulmão e linfangioleiomiomatose. Nos casos em que a avaliação clinicorradiológica não for conclusiva, a biópsia pulmonar é necessária. São ilustrados neste trabalho, casos clínicos referentes a esses grupos de afecções, com discussão da necessidade de realização ou não da biópsia pulmonar. É importante a abordagem multidisciplinar das doenças pulmonares intersticiais, realizada por profissionais experimentados no tema, para melhor elucidação etiológica e dirimir os problemas relacionados às confusões com relação aos diagnósticos encontrados.

Interstitial lung diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of pneumopaties with variable clinical courses and therapeutic responses. The proper clinical assessment together with radiological study by thoracic imaging—especially the high-resolution tomography—may provide sufficient subsidies to diagnose some of these diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. In cases where the clinical-radiological assessment is non-conclusive, a lung biopsy is necessary. In the present work, clinical cases referring to such pathologies’ groups are illustrated and discussed on whether there is a need for carrying out a lung biopsy. It is important that a multidisciplinary approach be made on interstitial lung diseases, by professionals experienced in the subject, so to better etiological elucidation, thus sorting out problems related to errors in found diagnoses.

Granuloma eosinofílico primário do pulmão: registros clássicos / Primary eosinophilic granuloma of the lung: classical records

Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, cinco casos de granuloma eosinofílico primário do pulmão (GEPP) identificados durante admissão no Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (HULW/UFPB), no interregno de 1982 a 1998, admitidos com história diagnóstica de fibrose intersticial difusa (FID). Foram revisados os seguintes aspectos: formas de apresentação clínica e epidemiológica, presunção diagnóstica na admissão, doenças concomitantes e evolução terapêutica. A presunção clínica do diagnóstico foi confirmada mediante a citometria com níveis elevados de CD1 no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA). A biópsia pulmonar aberta foi indicada pelos sintomas persistentes em acompanhamentos ambulatoriais sem melhora clínica. O relatório anatomopatológicodemonstrou histiocitose de células de Langhans. A terapia à base de corticosteróides não apresentou boa eficácia, uma vez que, observando a evolução clínica dos casos apresentados, ocorreram dois óbitos e os demais não tiveram uma melhora significativa da enfermidade de base, porém existiu um prejuízo nessa avaliação, em virtude do não-abandono do vício tabágico. Enfatiza-se a fisiopatogenia e a importância dessa enfermidade, apesar de rara e pouco conhecida, como causa de FID, ilustrando um dos casos que se reveloubastante exuberante no diagnóstico de GEPP.

We studied retrospectively five cases of eosinophylic granuloma of the lung identified during admission at HULW/UFPB from 1982 to 1998. They were admitted with diagnostical history of difuse intersticial fibrosis. The following aspects were reviewed: clinical and epidemilogical presentation, diagnostic presumption at admission, concomitant diseases and evolution. The diagnostic was confirmed with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung biopsy. The anatomicopathologic exams report histiocytosis of Langhans'cells. The clinical course was variable. There are no accepted successful treatment, although three patients responded poorly to corticosteroids and twodied, in spite of all effort in the treatment with corticosteroids too.

Biópsia pulmonar transbroncoscópica na sarcoidose gânglio-pulmonar: experiência em 33 casos / Transbroncoscópica lung biopsy in sarcoidosis ganglion-lung: experience with 33 cases

Os autores avaliam o rendimento diagnóstico da biópsia pulmonar transbroncoscópica (BPT) em 33 casos de sarcoidose gânglio-pulmonar. Obtiveram fragmento pulmonar em 31 (93,9%) pacientes, concorrendo para o diagnóstico em 27 (81,8%). Três pacientes (9,1%) apresentaram pneumotóraces e 01 (3,0%) apresentou sangramento maior que 50ml. Concluem ser a BPT método útil e um dos primeiros passos na elucidação diagnóstica da sarcoidose gânglio-pulmonar