Pleural effusion following ventriculo-pleural shunt: Case reports and review of the literature

Ventriculo-pleural shunt (VPLS) is an acceptable alternative in the management of hydrocephalus. Imbalance between the production and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid an lead to formation of pleural effusion in patient with VPLS and on occasion produce symptoms. Pleural effusion could be a transudate or a non-specific exudate. We report our experience with this modality in relation to formation of pleural effusion and review the literature to make recommendation for its management. Information related to patients′ demographics, smoking history, prior pulmonary and occupational history, indication, duration and complications of the VPLS and their management was gathered to substantiate current recommendation with our experience

Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration: From acquisition to precision

Introduction: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and cost-effective technique in evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Previously we reported that the skills for C-TBNA can be acquired from the books. We studied the learning curve for C-TBNA for a single bronchoscopist at a tertiary-care center where ultrasound technology remains difficult to acquire . Methods: We prospectively collected results of the first 99 consecutively performed C-TBNA between December 2009 and 2013. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (I): First 33, (II): Next 33 and (III): Last 33. Results were categorized as malignant, non-malignant or non-diagnostic. Diagnostic yield (DY), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and accuracy (ACC) were calculated to learn the learning curve for C-TBNA. Results: Total 99 patients (M:F = 62:37), mean age 58.2 ± 11.5 years, mean LN diameter 26.9 ± 9.8 mm underwent C-TBNA. Sixty-nine patients had lymph nodes (LNs) >20 mm in diameter. Final diagnoses were established by C-TBNA in 44 (yield 44.4%), mediastinoscopy 47, transthoracic needle aspiration 5, endobronchial biopsy 2 and peripheral LN biopsy 1. C-TBNA was exclusively diagnostic in 35.4%. Group I: DY: 42.4%, 64.7% in malignancies, 19% in benign conditions (P = 0.008). SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, ACC = 70%, 100%, 100%, 66.6%, 78.7%, respectively. Group II: DY: 54.5% (36.4% exclusive), 88.2% in malignancies and 19% benign conditions (P = 0.000). SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, ACC=72%, 100%, 100%, 53.3%, 78.7%, respectively. Group III: DY: 36.3% (27% exclusive), 100% in malignancies and 16% in benign conditions. SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, ACC = 92.3%, 100%, 100%, 95.2%, 97%, respectively. No difference was found in relation to LN size or location and TBNA yield. Conclusion: C-TBNA can be easily learned and the proficiency can be attained with <66 procedures. In selected patients, its exclusivity could exceed 35%

Pills and the air passages: a continuum

Recently, we reported a number of key, common medications that affect the air passages in a variety of fashions. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject, including supportive articles published in languages other than English. The presented information was gathered by a review of the English literature, by cross referencing, and by communication with other interventional pulmonologists. We identified several additional medications causing either direct or systemic effects on the air passages. In this review, we update the clinical presentation, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and management of the airway complications related to these medications

Hazards of the ‘hard cash’: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a nonimmunoglobulin E-related immune-mediated parenchymal lung disease. A 45-year-old woman who was a lifelong nonsmoker with a six-month history of frequent episodes of cough and dyspnea was admitted to hospital. She had been working as a money counter for 20 years at a central bank. Bibasilar crackles on lung auscultation, ground-glass opacities and a mosaic pattern on high-resolution computed tomography, restrictive abnormality on pulmonary function tests and mild hypoxemia were the prominent findings. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed a predominance of CD4-positive T cells, and she tested positive on her natural challenge test. She was diagnosed with subacute HP based on established criteria. She was advised to discontinue counting fresh banknotes. Prednisolone was commenced, then tapered to discontinue in the ensuing six months. Clinical and radiological improvement was achieved within two months. To the authors’ knowledge, the present report is the first to describe ‘hard cash HP’, possibly caused by chipping dust or printing dye

Recurrence of primary disease following lung transplantation

Lung transplant has become definitive treatment for patients with several end-stage lung diseases. Since the first attempted lung transplantation in 1963, survival has significantly improved due to advancement in immunosuppression, organ procurement, ex vivo lung perfusion, surgical techniques, prevention of chronic lung allograft dysfunction and bridging to transplant using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Despite a steady increase in number of lung transplantations each year, there is still a huge gap between demand and supply of organs available, and work continues to select recipients with potential for best outcomes. According to review of the literature, there are some rare primary diseases that may recur following transplantation. As the number of lung transplants increase, we continue to identify disease processes at highest risk for recurrence, thus shaping our future approaches. While the aim of lung transplantation is improving survival and quality of life, choosing the best recipients is crucial due to a shortage of donated organs. Here we discuss the common disease processes that recur and highlight its impact on overall outcome following lung transplantation

Natural Compounds as Medical Strategies in the Prevention and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders Seen in Neurological Diseases

Psychiatric disorders are frequently encountered in many neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases along with epilepsy, migraine, essential tremors, and stroke. The most common comorbid diagnoses in neurological diseases are depression and anxiety disorders along with cognitive impairment. Whether the underlying reason is due to common neurochemical mechanisms or loss of previous functioning level, comorbidities are often overlooked. Various treatment options are available, such as pharmacological treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy, somatic interventions, or electroconvulsive therapy. However oral antidepressant therapy may have some disadvantages, such as interaction with other medications, low tolerability due to side effects, and low efficiency. Natural compounds of plant origin are extensively researched to find a better and safer alternative treatment. Experimental studies have shown that phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids as well as lipids have significant potential in in vitro and in vivo models of psychiatric disorders. In this review, various efficacy of natural products in in vitro and in vivo studies on neuroprotective and their roles in psychiatric disorders are examined and their neuro-therapeutic potentials are shed light

Cilazapril-induced pleural effusion: A case report and review of the literature

We describe an unusual case of lymphocytic pleural effusion associated with the use of cilazapril, a novel angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). An 80-year-old male was prescribed cilazapril for hypertension. He subsequently presented with right chest pain and dry cough. He was found to have a lymphocytic pleural effusion on thoracentesis. Extensive workup, including open pleural biopsy, failed to reveal the etiology of the effusion. However, soon after the withdrawal of cilazapril, his clinical symptoms improved and the effusion disappeared. ACEI-induced pleural effusion has only been rarely reported. Drug-induced pleural effusion should be considered when formulating the differential diagnosis in a patient receiving ACEI