Niet-invasieve respiratoire ondersteuning bij acute respiratoire insufficiëntie

Conventional oxygen therapy could be delivered via nasal prongs, face mask, venturi mask, or non-rebreather mask. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) produces a higher flow of FiO2. This higher flow creates a positive pressure on the higher respiratory tract. Collapsed alveoli could be opened due to this positive pressure and CO2 would be eliminated. This improves the oxygenation and reduces the total work of breathing. Continuous positive pressure support (CPAP) realizes a continuous positive expiratory pressure to the respiratory tract, which opens the alveoli and reduces the pre-load by reducing the venous return. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) improves ventilation and reduces the work of breathing. Initiating use of HFNC, CPAP or NIV can prevent intubation but the response should be carefully evaluated after 1-2 hours to not delay intubation

The value of thymus and activation related chemokine immunohistochemistry in classic Hodgkin lymphoma diagnostics

Aims: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) should be distinguished from its wide variety of histological mimics, including reactive conditions and mature B and T cell neoplasms. Thymus and activation-related chemokine (TARC) is produced in extremely high quantities by the Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg (HRS) tumour cells and is largely responsible for the attraction of CD4+ T cells into the cHL tumour micro-environment. In the current study we evaluated the diagnostic potential of TARC immunohistochemistry in daily practice in a tertiary referral centre in the Netherlands. Methods and results: A total of 383 cases, approximately half of which were cHL mimics, were prospectively evaluated in the period from June 2014 to November 2020. In 190 cHL cases, 92% were TARC-positive and the majority of cases showed strong and highly specific staining in all HRS cells (77%). In most cases, TARC could discriminate between nodular lymphocyte-predominant and lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma. HRS-like cells in mature lymphoid neoplasms were rarely positive (6.4%) and there was no TARC staining at all in 64 reactive lymphadenopathies. Conclusions: TARC immunohistochemistry has great value in differentiating between cHL and its mimics, including nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, reactive lymphadenopathies and mature lymphoid neoplasms with HRS-like cells

Sonographic follow-up of diaphragm function in COVID-19: an exploratory study

Introduction Survivors of COVID-19 frequently endure chronic disabilities. We hypothesise that diaphragm function has a long recovery time after COVID-19 hospitalisation and may play a role in post-COVID-19 syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess diaphragm function during COVID-19 hospitalisation and during recovery. Methods We conducted a prospective single-centre cohort study in 49 enrolled patients, of which 28 completed 1-year follow-up. Participants were evaluated for diaphragm function. Diaphragm function was assessed using ultrasound measuring of diaphragm thickening fraction (TF) within 24 h after admission, after 7 days of admission or at discharge, whichever came first, and 3 and 12 months after hospital admission. Results Estimated mean TF increased from 0.56 (95% CI 0.46–0.66) on admission to 0.78 (95% CI 0.65–0.89) at discharge or 7 days after admission, to 1.05 (95% CI 0.83–1.26) 3 months after admission and to 1.54 (95% CI 1.31–1.76) 12 months after admission. The improvements from admission to discharge, 3 months and 12 months were all significant (linear mixed modelling; p=0.020, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), and the improvement from discharge to 3-month follow-up was borderline significant (p<0.1). Conclusion Diaphragm function was impaired during hospitalisation for COVID-19. During recovery in hospital and up to 1-year follow-up, diaphragm TF improved, suggesting a long recovery time of the diaphragm. Diaphragm ultrasound may be a valuable modality in the screening and follow-up of (post-)COVID-19 patients for diaphragm dysfunction