NCCP-ICS joint consensus-based clinical practice guidelines on medical thoracoscopy.

ABSTRACT: Medical Thoracoscopy (MT) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based information regarding all aspects of MT, both as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic aid for pulmonologists across India. The consensus-based guidelines were formulated based on a multistep process using a set of 31 questions. A systematic search of published randomized controlled clinical trials, open labelled studies, case reports and guidelines from electronic databases, like PubMed, EmBase and Cochrane, was performed. The modified grade system was used (1, 2, 3 or usual practice point) to classify the quality of available evidence. Then, a multitude of factors were taken into account, such as volume of evidence, applicability and practicality for implementation to the target population and then strength of recommendation was finalized. MT helps to improve diagnosis and patient management, with reduced risk of post procedure complications. Trainees should perform at least 20 medical thoracoscopy procedures. The diagnostic yield of both rigid and semirigid techniques is comparable. Sterile-graded talc is the ideal agent for chemical pleurodesis. The consensus statement will help pulmonologists to adopt best evidence-based practices during MT for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma: A position statement of the Indian chest society.

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is an interventional bronchoscopic treatment for severe asthma. There is a need to define patient selection criteria to guide clinicians in offering the appropriate treatment options to patients with severe asthma. METHODOLOGY: An expert group formed this statement under the aegis of the Indian Chest Society. We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to extract evidence on patient selection and the technical performance of BT. RESULTS: The experts agreed that the appropriate selection of patients is crucial and proposed identification of the asthma phenotype, a screening algorithm, and inclusion/exclusion criteria for BT. In the presence of atypical clinical or chest radiograph features, there should be a low threshold for obtaining a thoracic computed tomography scan before BT. The patient should not have had an asthma exacerbation in the preceding two weeks from the day of the procedure. A 5-day course of glucocorticoid should be administered, beginning three days before the procedure day, and continued until the day following the procedure. General Anesthesia (total intravenous anesthesia with a neuromuscular blocker) provides ideal conditions for performing BT. A thin bronchoscope with a 2.0 mm working channel is preferable. An attempt should be made to deliver the maximum radiofrequency activations. Middle lobe treatment is not recommended. Following the procedure, overnight observation in the hospital, and a follow-up visit, a week following each treatment session, is desirable. CONCLUSION: This position statement provides practical guidance regarding patient selection and the technical performance of BT for severe asthma.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in diagnosing mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

CONTEXT: The diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is always a challenge. There always a need of a technique that is highly accurate as well as safe for diagnosis the same. AIMS: The aim of the study is to assess the clinical usefulness and safety profile of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in diagnosing the patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an observational prospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred adult patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA with aspirate obtained from the most hypoechoic lymph node (with a 22 gauge needle) and its cytopathological analysis were included in the study. Patients were observed for postprocedure complications. RESULTS: Out of 100, 92 cases were reported as adequate (diagnostic yield = 92%). Among these 92, there were 71 granulomatous lymphadenitis (tuberculosis [TB] = 41 [44.5%], sarcoid-like granuloma = 30 [32.2%]). Malignancy was reported in 16 (17.3%) patients, and 5 (5.43%) were reported to have reactive lymphadenopathy. There was one case each of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus. Out of 16 cases of malignancy, six cases were adenocarcinoma, four cases of squamous cell carcinoma, and two cases of small cell carcinoma. There were three cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma and one case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. No major complications were noted, except fever (26), nausea (20), mild bleeding (4), bronchospasm (3), and transient intraprocedural hypoxia (2). CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA is highly accurate (diagnostic yield 92%) and safe procedure for diagnosing mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In our experience, granulomatous lymphadenitis was most common with TB as the main etiology.

Chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis: a rare complication in a case of silicosis.

Chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is a rare complication of silicosis whose diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion as it mimics tuberculosis. We report a case of a 52-year-old male with a long history of silica dust exposure and progressively increasing dyspnoea for the past eight years, productive cough, fever, weight loss for past three months and hemoptysis for preceding three weeks. Based on the clinical, radiological and microbiological evidence, he was diagnosed to be a case of CNPA with aspergilloma complicating silicosis.