[The role of endoscopy in exploration of the mediastinum, indications and results]. / Place de l'endoscopie dans l'exploration du médiastin, indications et résultats.

Since 2005, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a standard pulmonological tool. The procedure is safe and well tolerated by patients, with minimal morbidity and almost no mortality. A previous review on the technique was published in 2012. However, over the last ten years, a number of new studies have been published on "benign" (sarcoidosis, tuberculosis…) as well as "malignant" diseases (lung cancer, metastases of extra-thoracic cancers, search for mutations and specific oncogenic markers…). These developments have led to expanded indications for EBUS-TBNA, with which it is indispensable to be familiar, in terms of "staging" as well as "diagnosis". In view of optimizing lymph node sampling, several publications have described and discussed EBUS exploration by means of newly available tools (biopsy forceps, larger needles…), and proposed interpretation of the images thereby produced. Given the ongoing evolution of linear EBUS, it seemed indispensable that information on this marvelous tool be updated. This review is aimed at summarizing the novel elements we have found the most important.

[Transbronchial cryobiopsy in diffuse interstitial lung diseases]. / Cryobiopsies trans-bronchiques au cours des pneumopathies interstielles diffuses ­ expériences préliminaires.

INTRODUCTION: In the diagnostic approach to interstitial lung disease (ILD), the use of transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBC) may offer an alternative to surgical lung biopsy (SLB). We report the diagnostic effectiveness and the safety of TBC in ILD based on the preliminary experience in two French university centers. METHODS: Twenty four patients underwent TBC for the diagnosis of ILD in the operating room between 2014 and 2017. All the histological diagnoses obtained were then reviewed and validated during multidisciplinary discussions (MDD). RESULTS: Patients had an average of 3 TBC.TBC samples were analyzable in 22/24 (91.7%) patients. In these, samples allowed a histological diagnosis to be made in 14/22 (63.6%) patients and a diagnosis with certainty in 13/22 (59%) after MDD. The overall diagnostic yield from TBC was 13/24 (54.2%). Nine (37.5%) patients had a pneumothorax. Five (20.8%) patients had a bleeding. There were no deaths. Taking into account a possible initial learning curve and considering only the 15 patients who had their TBC after 2015, we note that a diagnosis could be made after MDD for 12 of them, that is, 80%. CONCLUSION: A prospective randomized study is needed to evaluate the technique in France in order to specify its diagnostic performance and its safety profile in comparison to SLB.

[Lower respiratory tract infections related to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii]. / Infections bronchopulmonaires à Stenotrophomonas maltophilia et à Acinetobacter baumannii.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii are both non-fermenting ubiquitous Gram-negative bacilli. The incidence of lower respiratory tract infections related to these microorganisms is increasing, especially in intensive care units. Their capacity to acquire resistance against several antimicrobials is challenging for clinicians and microbiologists. Despite their low virulence, these pathogens are responsible for colonization and infection in patients with comorbidities, immunosuppression, and critically ill patients. S. maltophilia and A. baumannii are mainly identified in nosocomial infections: ventilator-associated pneumonia, bacteremia and surgical wound infection. Infections related to these microorganism are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole and carbapenem are the first line treatment for infections related to S. maltophilia and A. baumannii respectively. However, the increasing rate of resistance against these agents results in difficulties in treating patients with infections related to these pathogens. New antimicrobial agents and further randomized studies are needed to improve the treatment of these infections. Prevention of spared of these multidrug-resistant bacteria is mandatory, including hand-hygiene, environment cleaning, and limited usage of large spectrum antibiotics.