Utilidad de la punción aspirativa transbronquial guiada con ultrasonografía endobronquial (USEB) radial para el diagnóstico de adenopatías mediastínicas

Introduction

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique that has been shown to be useful for sampling enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. The yield of this technique can be increased by using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to guide needle placement. The aim of the present study was to compare the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA to that of conventional TBNA in the analysis of mediastinal lymph nodes.

Patients and Methods

All patients undergoing either EBUS-guided or conventional TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes between January 2006 and May 2007 were studied consecutively. Histology results were used as a reference standard in the patients treated surgically. In cases in which surgery was not indicated, the results of cytology or of clinical follow-up of at least 6 months duration were used.

Results

TBNA was performed in 117 patients, and a total of 143 lymph nodes were punctured (mean shortest [SD] diameter, 17.9 [8] mm). The samples obtained were diagnostic in 58 patients (49.6%) and in 70 lymph nodes (49.0%). For paratracheal and hilar stations, the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA was superior to that of conventional TBNA (59.2% compared to 34.1%, P=.02).

Conclusions

Radial EBUS guidance increases the diagnostic yield of TBNA in paratracheal and hilar lymph node stations.     

Utilidad de la ultrasonografía endobronquial radial en el diagnóstico de lesiones pulmonares periféricas. Estudio controlado con fluoroscopia

Introduction

Fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy is usually performed for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL), but the diagnostic yield varies widely among studies. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) can increase the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic diagnosis of PPL.

Objective

To compare the diagnostic yield of fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy and EBUS with fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy in the study of PPL.

Methods

All patients who underwent bronchoscopy to study PPL from January 2009 to December 2012 were prospectively included. 145 consecutive patients were randomly distributed in two groups: EBUS and fluoroscopy (50 patients, 71.3 ± 8.2 years) or fluoroscopy alone (95 patients, 68 ± 10.5 years). The mean diameter of the lesions was 41.97 ± 19.22 mm. Cytological brushing and transbronchial biopsies were obtained. All procedures were performed under fluoroscopic guidance with intravenous conscious sedation. EBUS was performed using an endoscopic ultrasound system equipped with a 20-MHz radial miniprobe introduced via a guide-sheath. Bronchoscopist, cytologist, study protocol, techniques and tools were the same throughout the whole study.

Results

129 (89%) patients had malignant disease. A diagnosis with bronchoscopy was established in 105 (72.4%) patients. EBUS plus fluoroscopy obtained a diagnostic yield in 78% of patients and fluoroscopy alone in 69.5% (non-significant). In contrast, for lesions smaller than 30 mm, EBUS plus fluoroscopy guidance provided significantly greater diagnostic performance than fluoroscopy alone (90 vs. 52%; P = .05).

Conclusions

Bronchoscopy under EBUS plus fluoroscopy guidance is a technique that has become useful for the diagnostic of LPPs, especially those smaller than 30 mm in diameter.     

Utilidad de la PAAF guiada por TC en el diagnóstico de lesiones mediastínicas

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for mediastinal lesions by using histology or follow-up clinical diagnosis as gold standard.

Patients and Methods

CT-guided percutaneous FNAC was performed on 131 patients with mediastinal lesions. Helical CT was used with 3–10 mm image thickness range and low radiation dose (40 mAs, 120 kV). Samples were immediately examined by a cytologist to determine if they were representative. Histological samples were obtained by means of biopsy or resection specimens in 73 patients and clinical follow-up in 50.

Results

The material was satisfactory for diagnosis in 126 patients (95.2 %), in whom 103 lesions (78.6%) were considered malignant (62 primary tumours and 41 metastases) and 23 (17.6%) benign. In the 123 patients with clinical monitoring or pathological diagnosis, using FNAC led to the identification of malignancy with a sensitivity of 95.2 % (95%CI: 89.2–97.9%), specificity 84.2% (95%CI: 62.4–94.5%), positive predictive value 97.1% (95%-CI: 91.7–99.0%), negative predictive value 76.2% (95%CI: 54.9–89.4%), likelihood-ratio positive 6.03 (95%CI: 2.13–17.05) and accuracy 93.5% (95%CI: 87.7–96.7%). Pneumothorax was the most frequent complication (3 cases). There was good agreement between the cytological findings and the histological findings, not only for malignant lesions (kappa coefficient: 0.641) but also for benign (kappa 0.607).

Conclusions

CT-guided percutaneous FNAC is a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of the mediastinal masses, with a high diagnostic yield for malignancy depicting.     

Estadificación del cáncer de pulmón mediante punción aspirativa con aguja fina guiada por ultrasonografía endoscópica y endobronquial

Endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound are complementary techniques. When combined, they allow for nearly complete mediastinal staging in lung cancer. Each technique has inherent strengths and weaknesses, but when used simultaneously they become far more powerful, to the extent that mediastinoscopy —a more expensive and invasive procedure— is expected to decline in use as the application of endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound becomes more widespread. The incorporation of these ultrasound techniques has been shown to lead to fewer thoracotomies, benefiting patients and also society, given that costs are thereby reduced. We reflect on recent developments in the field, discuss current debates, and propose a view of what the future holds in store.     

Aportación del bloque celular en el diagnóstico de adenopatías y masas mediastínicas o hiliares realizado por ecobroncoscopia

Background

Cell block material from puncture can be obtained with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in many cases. The aim of this study was to analyse the value of additional information from cell blocks obtained with EBUS-TBNA samples from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes and masses.

Methods

Review of pathology reports with a specific diagnosis obtained from EBUS-TBNA samples of mediastinal or hilar lesions, prospectively obtained over a two-year period. The generation of cell blocks from cytology needle samples, the contribution to morphological diagnosis, and the possible use of samples for immunohistochemistry were analysed.

Results

One hundred and twenty-nine samples corresponding to 110 patients were reviewed. The diagnosis was lung cancer in 81% of cases, extrapulmonary carcinoma in 10%, sarcoidosis in 4%, lymphoma in 2.7%, and tuberculosis in 0.9%. Cell blocks could be obtained in 72% of cases. Immunohistochemistry studies on the cell blocks were significantly easier to perform than on conventional smears (52.6% vs. 14%, P < .0001). In 4 cases, the cell block provided an exclusive morphological diagnosis (3 sarcoidosis and one metastasis from prostatic carcinoma) and in 3 carcinomas, subtype and origin could be identified. Exclusive diagnoses from the cell block were significantly more frequent in benign disease than in malignant disease (25% vs 0.9%, P = .002).

Conclusions

Cell blocks were obtained from 72% of EBUS-TBNA diagnostic procedures. The main contributions of cell blocks to pathology examinations were the possibility of carrying out immunohistochemical staining for the better classification of neoplasms, especially extrapulmonary metastatic tumours, and the improved diagnosis of benign lesions.     

Diagnóstico de lesiones paratraqueobronquiales no adenopáticas mediante ecobroncoscopia lineal

Linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows samples of lesions close to the airways to be obtained, as it enables aspiration to be performed under visual control in real time, opening new possibilities for minimally invasive examination of the mediastinum. While there are many publications on its usefulness in the study of mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathies, there are few that analyse the role of EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for the diagnosis of other lesions adjacent to the airways or digestive tract. We describe the characteristics and results obtained in a series of 26 cases of non-nodal lesions of different aetiologies studied by EBUS- guided transbronchial needle aspiration through the airways or oesophagus, demonstrating the usefulness and safety of this technique in the diagnosis of these types of lesions.     

Qué aporta la ultrasonografía endoscópica en el diagnóstico de los tumores neuroendocrinos de páncreas

Neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NEPT) are relatively infrequent tumors, with an incidence of approximately 1 case per 100.000 inhabitants, representing only 1-2% of pancreatic neoplasms. Localization and staging of NEPT prior to surgery is essential to allow treatment optimization. However, localizing these tumors is often difficult, mainly because of their small size. On ultrasound, NEPT usually appear as rounded, hypoechoic and homogeneous lesions, with precise limits and peripheral enhancement due to their significant vascularization. The most precise technique for the diagnosis and localization of NEPT is endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), with a sensitivity and specificity as high as 95%, clearly superior to those of other imaging procedures. Overall diagnostic accuracy may even be increased by associating EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration.     

Uso combinado de aspiración por punción transbronquial y tomografía computarizada de emisión fotónica única con Tc-2-metoxi-isobutil-isonitrilo para el diagnóstico de ganglios linfáticos mediastínicos agrandados

Background

To demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of an integrated approach of blind trans-bronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and ^99mTc-2-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile single photon emission computed tomography (^99mTc-MIBI-SPECT) in diagnosing mediastinal lymph adenopathy.

Methods

Sixty one consecutive patients with mediastinal lymph adenopathy undergoing both TBNA and ^99mTc-MIBI-SPECT were prospectively enrolled. Mediastinoscopy was attended in case of negative TBNA.

Results

Eighty three adenopathies were sampled (73 malignant and 10 benign). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of TBNA was 74%, 100%, 100%, and 34%, respectively; and of ^99mTc-MIBI-SPECT was 96%, 80%, 97%, and 73%, respectively. Combining TBNA and ^99mTc-MIBI-SPECT results sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of 97%, 100%, 100%, and 83%, respectively, was obtained. TBNA alone avoided medistianoscopy in 65% of cases, while an integrated approach could have potentially obviated mediastinoscopy in 76%.

Conclusions

^99mTc-MIBI-SPECT improved the sensitivity and the NPV of TBNA, reducing the need of mediastinoscopy.     

Un caso de schwannoma intrapulmonar diagnosticado mediante aspiración por punción transbronquial guiada con ecografía endobronquial

A 47-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination of a lung tumor. CT of the chest revealed a round, well-defined 2.4-cm nodule in S2, adjacent to right superior lobe bronchus. Endobronchial ultrasonography showed a well-defined, hypoechoic tumor with echogenic capsule and posterior acoustic enhancement. Diagnosis of schwannoma was confirmed from the specimen obtained by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. She underwent tumorectomy due to the possibility of obstructive pneumonia. Pathology diagnosis from the surgical specimen was also schwannoma. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration and findings with endobronchial ultrasonography might be helpful in the diagnosis of intrapulmonary schwannoma.     

Evaluación económica de la elastografía de transición (FibroScan) en el diagnóstico de fibrosis hepática en pacientes con hepatitis C coinfectados con VIH

Introduction

The assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial for taking therapeutic decisions in patients infected with HIV/AIDS coinfected with HCV, because it allows the prognosis of the disease and the prioritization of hepatitis C treatment in these patients.

Methods

A discrete events model simulation (DEMS) and a Markov model have been developed to represent the evolution of liver fibrosis to cirrhosis in patients coinfected with HIV/HVC. The model evaluated two alternatives for the diagnosis and monitoring of these patients, transient elastography performed annually and liver biopsy performed every seven years. The models have been developed under Health Care System perspective and only considered direct medical costs (disease treatment and health state costs). One-way sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the impact of parameters with higher uncertainty. A discount rate of 3% was applied.

Results

Base case analysis shows that the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with transient elastography is a dominant strategy compared with to liver biopsy, resulting in greater life expectancy at lower cost. The sensitivity analysis performed confirmed the robustness of these results.

Conclusion

Transient elastography has proved to be a dominant strategy compared to liver biopsy in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with HIV/HCV in Spain.     

Predicción en tiempo real de la malignidad de ganglios linfáticos mediastínicos mediante ecografía endobronquial

Objective

To evaluate the utility of different ultrasonographic (US) features in differentiating benign and malignant lymph node (LN) by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and validate a score for real-time clinical application.

Methods

208 mediastinal LN acquired from 141 patients were analyzed. Six different US criteria were evaluated (short axis ≥ 10 mm, shape, margin, echogenicity, and central hilar structure [CHS], and presence of hyperechoic density) by two observers independently. A simplified score was generated where the presence of margin distinction, round shape and short axis ≥ 10 mm were scored as 1 and heterogeneous echogenicity and absence of CHS were scored as 1.5. The score was evaluated prospectively for real-time clinical application in 65 LN during EBUS procedure in 39 patients undertaken by two experienced operators. These criteria were correlated with the histopathological results and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated.

Results

Both heterogenicity and absence of CHS had the highest sensitivity and NPV (≥ 90%) for predicting LN malignancy with acceptable inter-observer agreement (92% and 87% respectively). On real-time application, the sensitivity and specificity of the score > 5 were 78% and 86% respectively; only the absence of CHS, round shape and size of LN were significantly associated with malignant LN.

Conclusions

Combination of different US criteria can be useful for prediction of mediastinal LN malignancy and valid for real-time clinical application.     

Presentación de un sarcoma extraóseo de Ewing como una masa mediastínica posterior

The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors is an uncommon group of malignant neoplasms that may be located in both skeletal and extraskeletal regions. Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is quite rare and predominantly involves the soft tissues of the trunk or the extremities. Herein, we report the case of a 19-year-old female patient who complained of left arm pain. Simple chest radiography revealed an opacity occupying almost the entire left hemithorax. Diagnostic imaging techniques demonstrated a solid contrast-enhanced mass in the posterior mediastinum. There was an evident mediastinal shift, and the left lung was collapsed. Even though lymphoma was considered as an initial diagnosis, a biopsy was taken and its histopathological analysis revealed EES. In the literature, there have been only a few case reports of ESS located in the mediastinum. We conclude that, although this is an unusual location, EES should be contemplated in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses.     

Utilidad clínica e impacto económico de la punción transbronquial convencional de adenopatías mediastínicas en el carcinoma broncogénico

Objectives

To analyze the clinical utility and economic impact of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in patients with diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma (BC) and mediastinal lymphadenopathies in thoracic computed tomography (CT). To assess the predictive factors of valid aspirations.

Patients and methods

Retrospective observational study between 2006 and 2011 of all TBNA performed in patients with final diagnosis of BC and accessible hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathies on thoracic CT.

Results

We performed TBNA on 267 lymphadenopathies of 192 patients. In 34.9% of patients, two or more lymph nodes were biopsied. Valid aspirations were obtained in 153 patients (79.7%) that were diagnostic in 124 (64.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with valid or diagnostic results are the diameter of the lymph node and the number of lymph nodes explored. TBNA was the only endoscopic technique that provided the diagnosis of BC in 54 patients (28.1%). Staging mediastinoscopy was avoided in 67.6% of patients. The prevalence of mediastinal lymph node involvement was 74.4%, sensitivity of TBNA was 86.2% and negative predictive value was 63.6%. Including mediastinoscopy and other avoided diagnostic techniques, TBNA saved 451.57 € per patient.

Conclusions

TBNA is a clinically useful, cost-effective technique in patients with BC and mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathies. It should therefore be performed on a regular basis during diagnostic bronchoscopy of these patients.     

La espectrometría de masas en el laboratorio de microbiología clínica

Infectious diseases are still a cause of high mortality and morbidity rates. Current microbiological diagnostic methods are based on culture and phenotypic identification of isolated microorganisms, which can be obtained in about 24-48 h. Given that the microbiological identification is of major importance for patient management, new diagnostic methods are needed in order to detect and identify microorganisms in a timely and accurate manner. Over the last few years, several molecular techniques based on the amplification of microbial nucleic acids have been developed with the aim of reducing the time needed for the identification of the microorganisms involved in different infectious processes. On the other hand, mass spectrometry has emerged as a rapid and consistent alternative to conventional methods for microorganism identification. This review describes the most widely used mass spectrometry technologies —matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization time-of-flight (ESI-TOF)—, both for protein and nucleic acid analysis, as well as the commercial platforms available. Related publications of most interest in clinical microbiology are also reviewed.     

Avances en el diagnóstico molecular de la enfermedad de Wilson

Wilsońs disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by toxic copper accumulation in the liver and subsequently in the brain and other organs. Clinical diagnosis is based on the detection of low serum ceruloplasmin concentrations, increased urinary copper excretion, Kayser-Fleisher rings in the cornea, and/or high copper levels in hepatic tissue. Diagnosis can be difficult when the typical symptoms of the disease are absent, a situation that can lead to a lack of prophylactic therapy in these patients. Molecular study has improved the diagnosis of this disease, even in doubtful cases. The present article outlines the various techniques applied in the molecular diagnosis of Wilson's disease and the most commonly described mutations. Currently, direct sequencing of the ATP7B gene is the most widely used method to detect mutations. Molecular study and identification of ATP7B gene mutations allow diagnosis of individuals with Wilson's disease and their relatives, as well as the possibility of genetic counselling and prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnosis.     

Aplicaciones de la proteómica en el laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is rapidly becoming a new routine resource in Clinical Microbiology laboratories. Its usefulness for bacterial identification is now generally accepted, although there is still some reluctance as regards specific bacterial groups and some other microorganisms, such as moulds. There are other potential applications of this technology in Clinical Microbiology, which are beginning to be developed. A review is presented on the current data on the identification of microorganisms, including the most problematic groups, such as mycobacteria, anaerobic bacteria and moulds. We also analyse its applications for direct sample identification, its impact on pathogenic characteristics of microorganisms, and its potential epidemiological applications. Finally, we review the studies published on its applications for determining antimicrobial susceptibility, and its applications on amplicons, instead of microorganism protein extracts.     

Factores asociados con el control del asma en pacientes de atención primaria en España: el estudio CHAS

Background

Asthma control is inadequate in all populations studied to date, leading to a major part of the cost of the disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in primary care patients and identify the associated factors.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study of the population of primary care asthmatic patients over 18 years old in Spain (n=2159). Asthma control was measured with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). The sociodemographic variables and treatment compliance were measured using a questionnaire. We built logistic-regression models using Asthma control, a dichotomous variable generated from ACQ score.

Results

The prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 63.9%. Treatment with oral corticosteroids (OCS) (OR=6.55), greater asthma severity (OR=3.11), presence of a distressing event (OR=2.44), lower significance given to treatment compliance (OR=1.66) and living in a rural area (OR=1.29) are associated with uncontrolled asthma. On the contrary, sex, age, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake and educational level had no effect on asthma control.

Conclusions

In Spain asthma is still uncontrolled and some factors leading to this situation appear to be modifiable by the health system.     

Valor pronóstico de la oclusión total crónica de una arteria no responsable en el infarto agudo de miocardio tratado con angioplastia primaria

Introduction and objectives

The prognostic value of chronic total occlusion in nonculprit coronary arteries in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty remains controversial. Several publications have described different methodologies and conflicting findings. In addition, causes of death were not reported. Our aim is to analyze the prognostic impact of chronic total occlusion in nonculprit coronary arteries and the role of left ventricular ejection fraction in this analysis.

Methods

Prospective inclusion of consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary angioplasty. We recorded baseline characteristics, in-hospital clinical course, and mortality and its causes during follow-up. We assessed the impact of chronic total occlusion on mortality using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Chronic total occlusion in nonculprit arteries was present in 125 of 1176 patients (10.6%); in 79 of these 125 patients, chronic total occlusion was present in the proximal segments. The mean follow-up was 339 days; 64 (5.8%) patients died during the first 6 months. Patients with chronic total occlusions had more comorbidities, poorer ventricular function, and higher mortality (hazard ratio=2.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.71-4.56). Chronic total occlusion was also associated with noncardiac death (hazard ratio=3.83; 95% confidence interval, 2.10-7.01). Chronic total occlusion in proximal segments was associated with both cardiac (hazard ratio=3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-7.30) and noncardiac deaths (hazard ratio=3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-7.06). The multivariate analysis performed without including left ventricular ejection fraction showed a significant association between chronic total occlusion and mortality. However, when left ventricular ejection fraction was included in the analysis, this association was nonsignificant (hazard ratio=1.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-3.65; P=.166).

Conclusions

Chronic total occlusion in this clinical setting identified patients at higher risk with more comorbidities and higher mortality, but did not behave as an independent predictor of mortality when left ventricular ejection fraction was included in the analysis.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en