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European Respiratory Review : An... Dec 2020Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) is a pathological connection between the trachea and the oesophagus that is associated with various underlying conditions including... (Review)
Review
Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) is a pathological connection between the trachea and the oesophagus that is associated with various underlying conditions including malignancies, infections, inhalation injuries and traumatic damage. As the condition spans multiple organ systems with varying aetiologies and acuities, TOF poses unique diagnostic and management challenges to pulmonologists, gastroenterologists and thoracic surgeons alike. Although stents have been a cornerstone in the management of TOF, there exists a large gap in our understanding of their efficacy and precise methodology, making stenting procedure both art and science. TOFs relating to underlying oesophageal or tracheal malignancies require advanced understanding of the airway and digestive tract anatomy, dimensions of the fistula, stent characteristics and types, and the interplay between the oesophageal stent and the airway stent if dual stenting procedure is elected. In this review article, we review the most up-to-date data on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, management methods and prognosis. Consequently, this article serves to evaluate current therapeutic strategies and the future directions in the areas of 3D-printed stents, over-the-scope clipping systems, tissue matrices and atrial septal closure devices.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Prognosis; Stents; Trachea; Tracheoesophageal Fistula
PubMed: 33153989
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0094-2020 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... 2023Bronchopleural fistula is a potentially fatal disease most often caused after pneumonectomy. Concomitant problems such as pulmonary infection and respiratory failure are... (Review)
Review
Bronchopleural fistula is a potentially fatal disease most often caused after pneumonectomy. Concomitant problems such as pulmonary infection and respiratory failure are typically the main contributors to patient mortality because of the improper contact between the bronchial and pleural cavity. Therefore, bronchopleural fistulas need immediate treatment, which requires the accurate location and timely closure of the fistula. Currently, bronchoscopic interventions, because of their flexibility and versatility, are reliable alternative therapies in patients for whom surgical intervention is unsuitable. Possible interventions include bronchoscopic placement of blocking agents, atrial septal defect (ASD)/ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluders, airway stents, endobronchial valves (EBVs) and endobronchial Watanabe spigots (EWSs). Recent developments in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation technology and three-dimensional (3D) printed stents have also contributed to the treatment of bronchopleural fistula, but more research is needed to investigate the long-term benefits. This review focuses on the effectiveness of various bronchoscopic measures for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula and the directions for future development.
Topics: Humans; Bronchoscopy; Postoperative Complications; Pleural Diseases; Bronchial Fistula; Pneumonia; Pneumonectomy
PubMed: 37067054
DOI: 10.1177/17534666231164541 -
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases Oct 2023The aim of our review is to summarize specific clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The lung is the organ second most affected... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The aim of our review is to summarize specific clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The lung is the organ second most affected by cystic echinococcosis with approximately a quarter of cystic echinococcosis cysts. Most cysts are in the liver. Apart from the watch and wait approach for selected inactive cysts [cystic echinococcosis CE4, CE5], the well established WHO cystic echinococcosis cyst classification-based treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis cannot be applied to pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts. Some standard interventions can even be harmful when applied to pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts.
RECENT FINDINGS
Cystic echinococcosis is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Development of new diagnostics and treatment modalities is hampered by low investment into research and is accordingly slow.
SUMMARY
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts. Parenchyma-sparing surgical techniques should be used whenever possible. Albendazole induces decay of the parasitic cyst membrane, opening of cystobronchial fistulas and cyst complications, which can be life threatening. It is strongly recommended to seek advice from expert centres, including differential diagnoses, treatment and a long-term management plan.
Topics: Humans; Echinococcosis; Echinococcosis, Hepatic; Albendazole; Cysts; Lung
PubMed: 37578473
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000962 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and... Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Arteriovenous Fistula; Pulmonary Veins; Pulmonary Artery
PubMed: 37972756
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2023.101717 -
Korean Journal of Radiology Feb 2022Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular disease in which interventional radiologists can play both diagnostic and therapeutic roles in... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular disease in which interventional radiologists can play both diagnostic and therapeutic roles in patient management. The diagnosis of pulmonary AVM is simple and can usually be made based on CT images. Endovascular treatment, that is, selective embolization of the pulmonary artery feeding the nidus of the pulmonary AVM, and/or selectively either the nidus or draining vein, has become a first-line treatment with advances in interventional devices. However, some vascular diseases can simulate pulmonary AVMs on CT and pulmonary angiography. This subset can confuse interventional radiologists and referring physicians. Vascular mimickers of pulmonary AVM have not been widely known and described in detail in the literature, although some of these require surgical correction, while others require regular follow-up. This article reviews the clinical and radiologic features of pulmonary AVMs and their mimickers.
Topics: Arteriovenous Fistula; Embolization, Therapeutic; Humans; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Veins
PubMed: 35029077
DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2021.0417 -
Chest May 2023Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are rare and most often identified in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). We describe a patient with...
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are rare and most often identified in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). We describe a patient with severe hypoxemia and orthodeoxia with imaging findings consistent with PAVMs. Resected lung pathologic findings confirmed the presence of numerous microscopic vascular abnormalities within the right lower lobe that was consistent with diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous shunts. Family history was negative for HHT but was positive for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in two second-degree relatives. A vascular malformation gene panel was negative for genes that commonly are associated with HHT but identified a pathogenic variant in the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein receptor-2 (BMPR2 p.Cys123∗). Pathogenic variants in BMPR2 are a well-known cause of hereditary PAH; there have been several reports to date of patients with PAVMs and PAH. However, this is the first patient to be reported with a pathogenic variant in BMPR2 to have PAVMs in isolation.
Topics: Humans; Arteriovenous Malformations; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic; Lung; Arteriovenous Fistula; Pulmonary Veins; Pulmonary Artery; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
PubMed: 37164583
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.01.020 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Jul 2021Stereotactic body radiation therapy of thoracic tumors close to the central airways implies risk of severe toxicity. We report a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial...
INTRODUCTION
Stereotactic body radiation therapy of thoracic tumors close to the central airways implies risk of severe toxicity. We report a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial for tumors located less than or equal to 1 cm from the proximal bronchial tree with primary end point of local control and secondary end point of toxicity.
METHODS
Stereotactic body radiation therapy with 7 Gy × 8 was prescribed to the 67% isodose encompassing the planning target volume. The patients were stratified to group A (tumors ≤ 1 cm from the main bronchi and trachea) or group B (all other tumors). Risk factors for treatment-related death were tested in univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was developed for fatal bronchopulmonary bleeding versus dose to the main bronchi and trachea.
RESULTS
A total of 65 patients (group A/group B, n = 39/26) were evaluated. The median distance between the tumor and the proximal bronchial tree was 0 mm (0-10 mm). The 2-year local control was 83%. Grade 3 to 5 toxicity was noted in 22 patients, including 10 cases of treatment-related death (bronchopulmonary hemorrhage, n = 8; pneumonitis, n = 1; fistula, n = 1). Dose to the combined structure main bronchi and trachea and tumor distance to the main bronchi were important risk factors. Dose modeling revealed minimum dose to the "hottest" 0.2 cc to the structure main bronchi and trachea as the strongest predictor for lethal bronchopulmonary hemorrhage.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the presented data, 7 Gy × 8, prescribed to the planning target volume-encompassing isodose, should not be used for tumors located within 1 cm from the main bronchi and trachea. Group B-type tumors may be considered for the treatment on the basis of an individual risk-benefit assessment and a maximum dose to the main bronchi and trachea in the order of 70 to 80 Gy (equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions).
Topics: Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Radiosurgery; Radiotherapy Dosage
PubMed: 33823286
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.03.019