Usefulness of Routine Bronchial Aspirate of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is commonly used for the study of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and centrally tumours but no report has discussed the contribution of routine cytological and microbiological BA during the procedure. The aim of the study was to analyse the diagnostic yield of BA during EBUS, and to determine the potential cost reduction. Methods: A prospective study of cytological and microbiological BA collected during EBUS-TBNA was conducted between January 2021 and June 2022. Demographic data, indication, previous BA bronchoscopy or EBUS diagnosis were recorded. The main variable tested was the number of patients in which the result of the BA obtained through EBUS-TBNA determined a change in the diagnosis. Results: A total of 450 (70.9% male) patients were included. BA cytology showed abnormal cells in 33 (7.3%) of patients, and only 1 case (0.2%) provided a previously unknown diagnosis. All these cases were patients with suspected malignancy. BA microbiological samples found germens in 30 (6.7%) patients but only in 5 cases (1.1%) found microbiological specimens not detected in previous bronchoscopy. None of them received antibiotics and evolved correctly. The potential total cost reduction during the study period at our centre if routine BA was deleted would be 21,937.50€ for routinely combined study. Conclusions: The low diagnostic yield of cytological and microbiological bronchial aspirate in EBUS-TBNA supports the idea of not performing routine BA. Although the potential for cost savings in caring for an individual patient is modest, many centres routinely perform BA, so the potential savings could be significant. (AU)

Usefulness of Routine Bronchial Aspirate of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.

INTRODUCTION: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is commonly used for the study of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and centrally tumours but no report has discussed the contribution of routine cytological and microbiological BA during the procedure. The aim of the study was to analyse the diagnostic yield of BA during EBUS, and to determine the potential cost reduction. METHODS: A prospective study of cytological and microbiological BA collected during EBUS-TBNA was conducted between January 2021 and June 2022. Demographic data, indication, previous BA bronchoscopy or EBUS diagnosis were recorded. The main variable tested was the number of patients in which the result of the BA obtained through EBUS-TBNA determined a change in the diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 450 (70.9% male) patients were included. BA cytology showed abnormal cells in 33 (7.3%) of patients, and only 1 case (0.2%) provided a previously unknown diagnosis. All these cases were patients with suspected malignancy. BA microbiological samples found germens in 30 (6.7%) patients but only in 5 cases (1.1%) found microbiological specimens not detected in previous bronchoscopy. None of them received antibiotics and evolved correctly. The potential total cost reduction during the study period at our centre if routine BA was deleted would be 21,937.50€ for routinely combined study. CONCLUSIONS: The low diagnostic yield of cytological and microbiological bronchial aspirate in EBUS-TBNA supports the idea of not performing routine BA. Although the potential for cost savings in caring for an individual patient is modest, many centres routinely perform BA, so the potential savings could be significant.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Infectious Complications of EBUS-TBNA: Prospective Multicenter Study.

The aim of our study was to describe the incidence of infectious complications of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and to analyze the potential risk factors in a prospective cohort of patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter study, with all consecutive patients referred for an EBUS-TBNA with patients at risk of developing an infectious complication (considering>10 nodal samplings, known immunosuppression, bronchial colonization and cavitated or necrotic lesions) and a second group without any risk factor. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy patients were included: 245 with risk factors and 125 without risk factors (as the control group). Overall, 15 patients (4.05%) presented an acute infectious complication: fourteen in cases (5.7%) and 1 in controls (0.8%). Of these, 4 patients presented pneumonia, 1 mediastinitis, 4 obstructive pneumonitis and 6 mild complications (respiratory tract infection that resolved with antibiotic). Also 7 (1.9%) patients had self-limited fever. One-month follow-up showed 1 mediastinitis at sixteenth day post-EBUS, which required surgical treatment, and 3 pneumonias and 3 respiratory tract infections at nineteenth day (1.9%). All patients had a good evolution and there were no deaths related with infectious complication. We observed an increased risk of complication in patients with risk factors and in patients with necrosis (p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of infectious complications in a subgroup of patients with risk factors was higher than in patients without risk factors. Nevertheless, it remains low, and no fatal complication occurred, which reinforces the idea that EBUS-TBNA is a safe technique for the assessment of the mediastinum. Necrotic lesions are a risk factor of post-EBUS infection, and their puncture should be avoided.

Effectiveness of Intermediate Respiratory Care Units as an Alternative to Intensive Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Catalonia.

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of collapse for the health system created great difficulties. We will demonstrate that intermediate respiratory care units (IRCU) provide adequate management of patients with non-invasive respiratory support, which is particularly important for patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Methods: A prospective observational study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, pharmacological, respiratory support, laboratory and blood gas variables were collected. The overall cost of the unit was subsequently analyzed. Results: 991 patients were admitted, 56 to the IRCU (from a of 81 admitted to the critical care unit). Mean age was 65 years (SD 12.8), Barthel index 75 (SD 8.3), Charlson comorbidity index 3.1 (SD 2.2), HTN 27%, COPD 89% and obesity 24%. A significant relationship (p < 0.05) with higher mortality was noted for the following parameters: fever greater than or equal to 39 °C [OR 5.6; 95% CI (1.2−2.7); p = 0.020], protocolized pharmacological treatment [OR 0.3; 95% CI (0.1−0.9); p = 0.023] and IOI [OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.1−12.3); p = 0.025]. NIMV had less of a negative impact [OR 1.8; 95% CI (0.4−8.4); p = 0.423] than IOI. The total cost of the IRCU amounted to €66,233. The cost per day of stay in the IRCU was €164 per patient. The total cost avoided was €214,865. Conclusions: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of IRCUs in facilitating the management of a high patient volume. The treatment carried out in IRCUs is effective and efficient, reducing both admissions to and stays in the ICU.

Novedades en ultrasonografía endobronquial y cáncer de pulmóni / The Latest in Endobronchial Ultrasound and Lung Cancer

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Traqueobronquitis seudomembranosa y ulcerativa causada por Aspergillus fumigatus / Ulcerative pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus

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Normativa sobre el manejo del nódulo pulmonar solitario / Guideline on Management of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Las recomendaciones que se proponen pretenden ser un instrumento que facilite la toma de decisiones en pacientes con nódulo pulmonar solitario (NPS). Para una decisión óptima hay que incorporar la accesibilidad a las distintas técnicas diagnósticas y las preferencias del paciente. La primera valoración, que incluye la tomografía computarizada torácica, separa a un grupo de pacientes con neoplasia extrapulmonar o muy alto riesgo quirúrgico que requieren manejo individualizado. Otros 2 grupos son los pacientes con NPS de hasta 8 mm y los que tienen NPS subsólido, para los que se establecen recomendaciones específicas. Los NPS mayores de 8 mm se clasifican según su probabilidad de malignidad en baja (menor del 5%) donde se recomienda observación, alta (mayor del 65%) que se manejan con el diagnóstico de presunción de carcinoma en estadio localizado, e intermedia, donde la tomografía de emisión de positrones tiene gran rendimiento para reclasificarlos en alta o baja probabilidad. En los casos de probabilidad de malignidad intermedia o alta puede ser una opción la punción o biopsia transbronquial del nódulo. Se recomienda la observación radiológica con tomografía computarizada de baja radiación y sin contraste en el NPS con baja probabilidad de malignidad, y la resección con videotoracoscopia en los casos no diagnosticados y con probabilidad de malignidad intermedia o alta

The aim of the proposed recommendations is to be a tool to facilitate decision-making in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). For an optimal decision, accessibility to the different diagnostics techniques and patient preferences need to be incorporated. The first assessment, which includes a chest computed tomography scan, separates a group of patients with extrapulmonary neoplasm or a high surgical risk who require individualized management. Another two groups of patients are patients with SPN up to 8 mm and those who have a subsolid SPN, for which specific recommendations are established. SPNs larger than 8 mm are classified according to their probability of malignancy into low (less than 5%), where observation is recommended, high (higher than 65%), which are managed with a presumptive diagnosis of localized stage carcinoma, and intermediate, where positron emission tomography-computed tomography has high yield for reclassifying them into high or low probability. In cases of intermediate or high probability of malignancy, transbronchial needle aspiration or biopsy of the nodule may be an option. Radiologic observation with low radiation computed tomography without contrast is recommended in SPN with low probability of malignancy, and resection with videothoracoscopy in undiagnosed cases with intermediate or high probability of malignancy

Guideline on management of solitary pulmonary nodule.

The aim of the proposed recommendations is be a tool to facilitate decision-making in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). For an optimal decision, accessibility to the different diagnostics techniques and patient preferences need to be incorporated. The first assessment, which includes a chest computed tomography scan, separates a group of patients with extrapulmonary neoplasm or a high surgical risk who require individualized management. Another two groups of patients are patients with SPN up to 8mm and those who have a subsolid SPN, for which specific recommendations are established. SPN larger than 8mm are classified according to their probability of malignancy into low (less than 5%), where observation is recommended, high (higher than 65%), which are managed with a presumptive diagnosis of localized stage carcinoma, and intermediate, where positron emission tomography-computed tomography has high yield for reclassifying them into high or low probability. In cases of intermediate or high probability of malignancy, transbronchial needle aspiration or biopsy of the nodule may be an option. Radiologic observation with low radiation computed tomography without contrast is recommended in SPN with low probability of malignancy, and resection with videothoracoscopy in undiagnosed cases with intermediate or high probability of malignancy.

Réplica: Indicaciones de la tomografía por emisión de positrones y la gammagrafía ósea en la estadificación del cáncer de pulmón / Reply: Indications for positron emission tomography and bone gammagraphy in staging lung cancer

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Réplica / Reply

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Normativa SEPAR sobre estadificación del cáncer de pulmón / SEPAR Guidelines for Lung Cancer Staging

La última clasificación tumor, ganglio, metástasis (TNM), elaborada por la Asociación Internacional para elEstudio del Cáncer de Pulmón (IASLC) y basada en el análisis de pacientes procedentes de todo el mundo,introduce cambios en los descriptores, especialmente en lo referente al tamaño del tumor, y propone unanueva agrupación de estadios. También ha elaborado un nuevo mapa ganglionar que pretende facilitarla clasificación del componente «N». SEPAR recomienda utilizar esta nueva clasificación. En cuanto alos procedimientos recomendados para la estadificación, además del uso generalizado de la tomografíacomputarizada (TC), se señala el papel de la tomografía de emisión de positrones (PET) o los métodosde fusión de imágenes (PET/TC), que permiten una mejor evaluación del mediastino y de las metástasisextratorácicas. Se recomienda la incorporación de la ecobroncoscopia (EBUS) y de la ultrasonografíaesofágica (EUS), para la obtención de muestra citohistológica, en el algoritmo de estadificación y se destacala importancia de una reestadificación precisa después del tratamiento de inducción para tomar nuevasdecisiones terapéuticas. Se comenta la previsible incorporación en el futuro próximo de la estadificaciónmolecular y se recomienda la disección ganglionar sistemática con vistas a una más exacta clasificaciónquirúrgico-patológica (AU)

The latest tumour, lymph node and metastasis (TNM) classification by the International Association forthe Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), based on the analysis of patients from all over the world, has incorporatedchanges in the descriptors, especially those regarding tumor size, while proposing new groupstaging. A new lymph node map has also been developed with the intention of facilitating the classificationof the “N” component. SEPAR recommends using this new classification. As for the proceduresrecommended for staging, in addition to the generalized use of computed tomography (CT), it pointsto the role of positron emission tomography (PET) or image fusion methods (PET/CT), which provide abetter evaluation of the mediastinum and extrathoracic metastases. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)and esophageal ultrasound (EUS) for obtaining cytohistological samples have been incorporated in thestaging algorithm, and it emphasizes the importance of precise re-staging after induction treatment inorder to make new therapeutic decisions. Comment is made on the foreseeable incorporation in the nearfuture of molecular staging, and systematic lymph node dissection is recommended with the intentionof making a more exact surgical-pathological classification (AU)

Estadificación mediastínica del cáncer de pulmón en el siglo XXI: un reto de carácter multidisciplinario / Mediastinic staging of lung cancer in the XXI century: a multidisciplinary challenge

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