Diagnosing pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common, treatable, highly lethal emergency, which despite advances in diagnostic testing, remains an under diagnosed killer. The mortality rate of diagnosed and treated pulmonary embolism ranges from 3-8%, but increases to about 30% in untreated pulmonary embolism. PE is a part of the spectrum of venousthromboembolic disease and most pulmonary emboli have their origin from clots in the iliac, deep femoral, or popliteal veins. Nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms with low sensitivity and specificity of routine tests such as arterial blood gas, chest roentgenogram and electrocardiogram make the diagnosis of PE very challenging for the clinician. Pulmonary angiography is the gold standard diagnostic test, but this technique is invasive, expensive, not readily available and labor intensive. Diagnostic strategies have revolved around establishing clinical probabilities based on predictive models, then ruling in or ruling out the diagnosis of PE with various tests. The aim of this article was to review the literature and present an evidence- based medicine approach to diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

A case of massive airway clotting after use of activated factor VII for massive hemoptysis management with flexible bronchoscopy and cryoadhesion

Summary: This case describes the use of flexible bronchoscopy and cryoadhesion in an 83-year-old man who developed large airway clots following treatment with activated factor VII for a complication of pulmonary hemorrhage during coronary artery bypass graft. Copyright © 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Pleural fluid procalcitonin to distinguish infectious from noninfectious etiologies of pleural effusions

In this study we investigate the diagnostic value of pleural fluid procalcitonin (PCT) in distinguishing infectious and noninfectious etiologies of pleural effusion. We reviewed the medical records of 75 hospitalized patients who underwent thoracentesis between 2011 and 2012. Data on pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, albumin, cell count and differential, pH, Gram stain and culture, cytology, triglyceride, cholesterol, amylase, and PCT were collected. Data on serum LDH, protein, albumin, prothrombin time, normalized, and blood culture were also collected. Pleural effusions were classified into 2 groups, infectious and noninfectious. There were 18 infectious pleural effusions (IPE) and 57 noninfectious pleural effusions (NIPE). Median pleural fluid PCT was 1.088 ng/mL (0.312-2.940 ng/mL) in IPE and 0.123 ng/mL (0.05-0.263 ng/mL) in NIPE, with a P value \u3c 0.0001. Pleural fluid PCT \u3e 0.25 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 77.78% and specificity of 74.14% for diagnosing an IPE. A subgroup analysis of PCT in exudative infectious effusions versus exudative noninfectious malignant/paramalignant effusions showed higher levels in the former. PCT is a novel biomarker for diagnosing infectious pleural effusion, and it would be worthwhile to investigate the role of pleural PCT in assessing severity of illness, risk stratification, and antibiotic stewardship in hospitalized patients with pleural effusions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016. 2016 Society of Hospital Medicin

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of pleural-based intrathoracic lesions

BACKGROUND: Pleural-based intrathoracic lesions pose a diagnostic challenge. Image-guided percutaneous biopsy with fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT) scan, and ultrasound (US) have been used to establish a diagnosis. We report the yield of US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of these lesions at our center. METHODS: Twenty patients with pleural-based intrathoracic lesions underwent US-guided FNAB. All were considered to have an unresectable malignant process based on clinical evaluation. Nineteen patients had pleural-based parenchymal lesion and 1 had an anterior mediastinal mass touching the chest wall. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent 21 US-guided FNAB procedures. A final diagnosis was established in all the patients: 19 malignancies and 1 benign lesion. US-guided FNAB established a diagnosis of malignancy in 17 of 19 patients (89.5%) in the first attempt. In 1 patient, a diagnosis of malignancy was made on a repeat US-guided FNAB, increasing the overall yield to 18 of 19 (95%). In 1 patient with a nondiagnostic US-guided FNAB, a diagnosis of malignancy was established with CT scan-guided FNAB. US-guided FNAB was able to diagnose 15 of 16 cases of non-small cell carcinoma and 3 of 3 (100%) small cell carcinoma. In 1 patient with benign lesion, US-guided FNAB showed pulmonary macrophages. This patient was diagnosed as having pneumonia after antibiotic therapy and repeat CT scan showed complete resolution. For a diagnosis of malignancy, US-guided FNAB had 94.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 95% diagnostic accuracy, 100% positive predictive value, and 50% negative predictive value. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided FNAB of pleural-based intrathoracic lesions is a rapid, simple, and safe procedure with a high yield for malignancy. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc