- •Foreword
- •Preface
- •Contents
- •About the Editors
- •Contributors
- •1: Tracheobronchial Anatomy
- •Trachea
- •Introduction
- •External Morphology
- •Internal Morphology
- •Mucous Layer
- •Blood Supply
- •Anatomo-Clinical Relationships
- •Bronchi
- •Main Bronchi
- •Bronchial Division
- •Left Main Bronchus (LMB)
- •Right Main Bronchus (RMB)
- •Blood Supply
- •References
- •2: Flexible Bronchoscopy
- •Introduction
- •History
- •Description
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Absolute Contraindications
- •Procedure Preparation
- •Technique of FB Procedure
- •Complications of FB Procedure
- •Basic Diagnostic Procedures
- •Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
- •Transbronchial Lung Biopsy (TBLB)
- •Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA)
- •Bronchial Brushings
- •Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
- •EBUS-TBNA
- •Ultrathin Bronchoscopy
- •Transbronchial Lung Cryobiobsy (TBLC)
- •Therapeutic Procedures Via FB
- •LASER Bronchoscopy
- •Electrocautery
- •Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
- •Cryotherapy
- •Photodynamic Therapy
- •Airway Stent Placement
- •Endobronchial Valve Placement
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Procedure Description
- •Procedure Planning
- •Target Approximation
- •Sampling
- •Complications
- •Future Directions
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •4: Rigid Broncoscopy
- •Innovations
- •Ancillary Equipment
- •Rigid Bronchoscopy Applications
- •Laser Bronchoscopy
- •Tracheobronchial Prosthesis
- •Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA)
- •Rigid Bronchoscope in Other Treatments for Bronchial Obstruction
- •Mechanical Debridement
- •Pediatric Rigid Bronchoscopy
- •Tracheobronchial Dilatation
- •Foreign Bodies Removal
- •Other Indications
- •Complications
- •The Procedure
- •Some Conclusions
- •References
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Preprocedural Evaluation and Preparation
- •Physical Examination
- •Procedure-Related Indications
- •Application of the Technique
- •Topical Anesthesia
- •Anesthesia of the Nasal Mucosa and Nasopharynx
- •Anesthesia of the Mouth and Oropharynx
- •Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block
- •Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Block (RLN)
- •Conscious Sedation
- •Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)
- •General Anesthesia
- •Monitoring the Depth of Anesthesia
- •Interventional Bronchoscopy Suites
- •Airway Devices
- •Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)
- •Endotracheal Tube (ETT)
- •Rigid Bronchoscope
- •Modes of Ventilation
- •Spontaneous Ventilation
- •Assisted Ventilation
- •Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIV)
- •Positive Pressure Controlled Mechanical Ventilation
- •Jet Ventilation
- •Electronic Mechanical Jet Ventilation
- •Postprocedure Care
- •Special Consideration
- •Anesthesia for Peripheral Diagnostic and Therapeutic Bronchoscopy
- •Anesthesia for Interventional Bronchoscopic Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •Background
- •Curricular Structure and Delivery
- •What Is a Bronchoscopy Curriculum?
- •Tradition, Teaching Styles, and Beliefs
- •Using Assessment Tools to Guide the Educational Process
- •The Ethics of Teaching
- •When Learners Teach: The Journey from Novice to Mastery and Back Again
- •The Future Is Now
- •References
- •Interventional Procedure
- •Assessment of Flow–Volume Curve
- •Dyspnea
- •Analysis of Pressure–Pressure Curve
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Adaptations of the IP Department
- •Environmental Control
- •Personal Protective Equipment
- •Procedure Performance
- •Bronchoscopy in Intubated Patients
- •Other Procedures in IP Unit
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Safety
- •Patient Safety
- •Provider Safety
- •Patient Selection and Screening
- •Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Staging
- •Inpatients
- •COVID-19 Clearance
- •COVID Clearance: A Role for Bronchoscopy
- •Long COVID: A Role for Bronchoscopy
- •Preparing for the Next Pandemic
- •References
- •Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Clinical Presentation
- •Diagnosis
- •Treatment
- •History and Historical Perspectives
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Benign and Malignant Tumors
- •Tumors with Uncertain Prognosis
- •Application of the Technique
- •Evidence Based Review
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •12: Cryotherapy and Cryospray
- •Introduction
- •Historical Perspective
- •Equipment
- •Cryoadhesion
- •Indications
- •Cryorecanalization
- •Cryoadhesion and Foreign Body Removal
- •Cryoadhesion and Mucus Plugs/Blood Clot Retrieval
- •Endobronchial Cryobiopsy
- •Transbronchial Cryobiopsy for Lung Cancer
- •Safety Concerns and Contraindications
- •Cryoablation
- •Indications
- •Evidence
- •Safety Concerns and Contraindications
- •Cryospray
- •Indications
- •Evidence
- •Safety Concerns and Contraindications
- •Advantages of Cryotherapy
- •Limitations
- •Future Research Directions
- •References
- •13: Brachytherapy
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Application of the Technique
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Adjuvant Treatment
- •Palliative Treatment
- •Complications
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •14: Photodynamic Therapy
- •Introduction
- •Photosensitizers
- •First-Generation Photosensitizers
- •M-Tetrahidroxofenil Cloro (mTHPC) (Foscan®)
- •PDT Reaction
- •Tumor Damage Process
- •Procedure
- •Indications
- •Curative PDT Indications
- •Palliative PDT Indications
- •Contraindications
- •Rationale for Use in Early-Stage Lung Cancer
- •Rationale
- •PDT in Combination with Other Techniques for Advanced-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
- •Commentary
- •Complementary Endoscopic Methods for PDT Applications
- •New Perspectives
- •Other PDT Applications
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •15: Benign Airways Stenosis
- •Etiology
- •Congenital Tracheal Stenosis
- •Iatrogenic
- •Infectious
- •Idiopathic Tracheal Stenosis
- •Distal Bronchial Stenosis
- •Diagnosis Methods
- •Patient History
- •Imaging Techniques
- •Bronchoscopy
- •Pulmonary Function Test
- •Treatment
- •Endoscopic Treatment
- •Dilatation
- •Laser Therapy
- •Stents
- •How to Proceed
- •Stent Placement
- •Placing a Montgomery T Tube
- •The Rule of Twos for Benign Tracheal Stenosis (Fig. 15.23)
- •Surgery
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •16: Endobronchial Prostheses
- •Introduction
- •Indications
- •Extrinsic Compression
- •Intraluminal Obstruction
- •Stump Fistulas
- •Esophago-respiratory Fistulas (ERF)
- •Expiratory Central Airway Collapse
- •Physiologic Rationale for Airway Stent Insertion
- •Stent Selection Criteria
- •Stent-Related Complications
- •Granulation Tissue
- •Stent Fracture
- •Migration
- •Contraindications
- •Follow-Up and Patient Education
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Overdiagnosis
- •False Positives
- •Radiation
- •Risk of Complications
- •Lung Cancer Screening Around the World
- •Incidental Lung Nodules
- •Management of Lung Nodules
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Minimally Invasive Procedures
- •Mediastinoscopy
- •CT-Guided Transthoracic Biopsy
- •Fluoroscopy-Guided Transthoracic Biopsies
- •US-Guided Transthoracic Biopsy
- •Thoracentesis and Pleural Biopsy
- •Thoracentesis
- •Pleural Biopsy
- •Surgical or Medical Thoracoscopy
- •Image-Guided Pleural Biopsy
- •Closed Pleural Biopsy
- •Image-Guided Biopsies for Extrathoracic Metastases
- •Tissue Acquisition, Handling and Processing
- •Implications of Tissue Acquisition
- •Guideline Recommendations for Tissue Acquisition in Mediastinal Staging
- •Methods to Overcome Challenges in Tissue Acquisition and Genotyping
- •Rapid on-Site Evaluation (ROSE)
- •Sensitive Genotyping Assays
- •Liquid Biopsy
- •Summary, Recommendations and Highlights
- •References
- •History
- •Data Source and Methodology
- •Tumor Size
- •Involvement of the Main Bronchus
- •Atelectasis/Pneumonitis
- •Nodal Staging
- •Proposal for the Revision of Stage Groupings
- •Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
- •Discussion
- •Methodology
- •T Descriptors
- •N Descriptors
- •M Descriptors
- •Summary
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Historical Perspective
- •Fluoroscopy
- •Radial EBUS Mini Probe (rEBUS)
- •Ultrasound Bronchoscope (EBUS)
- •Virtual Bronchoscopy
- •Trans-Parenchymal Access
- •Cone Beam CT (CBCT)
- •Lung Vision
- •Sampling Instruments
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Narrow Band Imaging (NBI)
- •Dual Red Imaging (DRI)
- •Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
- •Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy and Endocytoscopy
- •Raman Spectrophotometry
- •Application of the Technique
- •Supplemental Technology for Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Summary and Recommendations, Highlight of the Developments During the Last Three Years (2013 on)
- •References
- •Introduction
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Endoscopic AF-OCT System
- •Preclinical Studies
- •Clinical Studies
- •Lung Cancer
- •Asthma
- •Airway and Lumen Calibration
- •Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- •Future Applications
- •Summary
- •References
- •23: Endobronchial Ultrasound
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Equipment
- •Technique
- •Indication, Application, and Evidence
- •Convex Probe Ultrasound
- •Equipment
- •Technique
- •Indication, Application, and Evidence
- •CP-EBUS for Malignant Mediastinal or Hilar Adenopathy
- •CP-EBUS for the Staging of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
- •CP-EBUS for Restaging NSCLC After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
- •Complications
- •Summary
- •References
- •Introduction
- •What Is Electromagnetic Navigation?
- •SuperDimension Navigation System (EMN-SD)
- •Computerized Tomography
- •Computer Interphase
- •The Edge Catheter: Extended Working Channel (EWC)
- •Procedural Steps
- •Planning
- •Detecting Anatomical Landmarks
- •Pathway Planning
- •Saving the Plan and Exiting
- •Registration
- •Real-Time Navigation
- •SPiN System Veran Medical Technologies (EMN-VM)
- •Procedure
- •Planning
- •Navigation
- •Biopsy
- •Complications
- •Limitations
- •Summary
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Image Acquisition
- •Hardware
- •Practical Considerations
- •Radiation Dose
- •Mobile CT Studies
- •Future Directions
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •26: Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy
- •Historical Perspective
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Diagnostic Yield
- •Monarch RAB
- •Ion Endoluminal Robotic System
- •Summary
- •References
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •General
- •Application of the Technique
- •Preoperative Care
- •Patient’s Position and Operative Field
- •Incision and Initial Dissection
- •Palpation
- •Biopsy
- •Control of Haemostasis and Closure
- •Postoperative Care
- •Complications
- •Technical Variants
- •Extended Cervical Mediastinoscopy
- •Mediastinoscopic Biopsy of Scalene Lymph Nodes
- •Inferior Mediastinoscopy
- •Mediastino-Thoracoscopy
- •Video-Assisted Mediastinoscopic Lymphadenectomy
- •Transcervical Extended Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Case 1
- •Adrenal and Hepatic Metastases
- •Brain
- •Bone
- •Case 1 Continued
- •Biomarkers
- •Case 1 Concluded
- •Case 2
- •Chest X-Ray
- •Computerized Tomography
- •Positive Emission Tomography
- •Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- •Endobronchial Ultrasound with Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
- •Transthoracic Needle Aspiration
- •Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
- •Endoscopic Ultrasound with Needle Aspiration
- •Combined EUS-FNA and EBUS-TBNA
- •Case 2 Concluded
- •Case 3
- •Standard Cervical Mediastinoscopy
- •Extended Cervical Mediastinoscopy
- •Anterior Mediastinoscopy
- •Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
- •Case 3 Concluded
- •Case 4
- •Summary
- •References
- •29: Pleural Anatomy
- •Pleural Embryonic Development
- •Pleural Histology
- •Cytological Characteristics
- •Mesothelial Cells Functions
- •Pleural Space Defense Mechanism
- •Pleura Macroscopic Anatomy
- •Visceral Pleura (Pleura Visceralis or Pulmonalis)
- •Parietal Pleura (Pleura Parietalis)
- •Costal Parietal Pleura (Costalis)
- •Pleural Cavity (Cavitas Thoracis)
- •Pleural Apex or Superior Pleural Sinus [12–15]
- •Anterior Costal-Phrenic Sinus or Cardio-Phrenic Sinus
- •Posterior Costal-Phrenic Sinus
- •Cost-Diaphragmatic Sinus or Lateral Cost-Phrenic Sinus
- •Fissures18
- •Pleural Vascularization
- •Parietal Pleura Lymphatic Drainage
- •Visceral Pleura Lymphatic Drainage
- •Pleural Innervation
- •References
- •30: Chest Ultrasound
- •Introduction
- •The Technique
- •The Normal Thorax
- •Chest Wall Pathology
- •Pleural Pathology
- •Pleural Thickening
- •Pneumothorax
- •Pulmonary Pathology
- •Extrathoracic Lymph Nodes
- •COVID and Chest Ultrasound
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •Introduction
- •History of Chest Tubes
- •Overview of Chest Tubes
- •Contraindications for Chest Tube Placement
- •Chest Tube Procedural Technique
- •Special Considerations
- •Pneumothorax
- •Empyema
- •Hemothorax
- •Chest Tube Size Considerations
- •Pleural Drainage Systems
- •History of and Introduction to Indwelling Pleural Catheters
- •Indications and Contraindications for IPC Placement
- •Special Considerations
- •Non-expandable Lung
- •Chylothorax
- •Pleurodesis
- •Follow-Up and IPC Removal
- •IPC-Related Complications and Management
- •Competency and Training
- •Summary
- •References
- •32: Empyema Thoracis
- •Historical Perspectives
- •Incidence
- •Epidemiology
- •Pathogenesis
- •Clinical Presentation
- •Radiologic Evaluation
- •Biochemical Analysis
- •Microbiology
- •Non-operative Management
- •Prognostication
- •Surgical Management
- •Survivorship
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •Evaluation
- •Initial Intervention
- •Pleural Interventions for Recurrent Symptomatic MPE
- •Especial Circumstances
- •References
- •34: Medical Thoracoscopy
- •Introduction
- •Diagnostic Indications for Medical Thoracoscopy
- •Lung Cancer
- •Mesothelioma
- •Other Tumors
- •Tuberculosis
- •Therapeutic Indications
- •Pleurodesis of Pneumothorax
- •Thoracoscopic Drainage
- •Drug Delivery
- •Procedural Safety and Contraindications
- •Equipment
- •Procedure
- •Pre-procedural Preparations and Considerations
- •Procedural Technique [32]
- •Medical Thoracoscopy Versus VATS
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •Historical Perspective
- •Indications and Contraindications
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Endobronchial Valves
- •Airway Bypass Tracts
- •Coils
- •Other Methods of ELVR
- •Summary and Recommendations
- •References
- •36: Bronchial Thermoplasty
- •Introduction
- •Mechanism of Action
- •Trials
- •Long Term: Ten-Year Study
- •Patient Selection
- •Bronchial Thermoplasty Procedure
- •Equipment
- •Pre-procedure
- •Bronchoscopy
- •Post-procedure
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
- •Technical Aspects of BAL Procedure
- •ILD Cell Patterns and Diagnosis from BAL
- •Technical Advises for Conventional TLB and TLB-C in ILD
- •Future Directions
- •References
- •Introduction
- •The Pediatric Airway
- •Advanced Diagnostic Procedures
- •Endobronchial Ultrasound
- •Virtual Navigational Bronchoscopy
- •Cryobiopsy
- •Therapeutic Procedures
- •Dilation Procedures
- •Thermal Techniques
- •Mechanical Debridement
- •Endobronchial Airway Stents
- •Metallic Stents
- •Silastic Stents
- •Novel Stents
- •Endobronchial Valves
- •Bronchial Thermoplasty
- •Discussion
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Etiology
- •Congenital ADF
- •Malignant ADF
- •Cancer Treatment-Related ADF
- •Benign ADF
- •Iatrogenic ADF
- •Diagnosis
- •Treatment Options
- •Endoscopic Techniques
- •Stents
- •Clinical Results
- •Stent Complications
- •Other Available Stents
- •Other Endoscopic Methods
- •References
- •Introduction
- •Anatomy and Physiology of Swallowing
- •Functional Physiology of Swallowing
- •Epidemiology and Risk Factors
- •Types of Foreign Bodies
- •Organic
- •Inorganic
- •Mineral
- •Miscellaneous
- •Clinical Presentation
- •Acute FB
- •Retained FB
- •Radiologic Findings
- •Bronchoscopy
- •Airway Management
- •Rigid Vs. Flexible Bronchoscopy
- •Retrieval Procedure
- •Instruments
- •Grasping Forceps
- •Baskets
- •Balloons
- •Suction Instruments
- •Ablative Therapies
- •Cryotherapy
- •Laser Therapy
- •Electrocautery and APC
- •Surgical Management
- •Complications
- •Bleeding and Hemoptysis
- •Distal Airway Impaction
- •Iron Pill Aspiration
- •Follow-Up and Sequelae
- •Conclusion
- •References
- •Vascular Origin of Hemoptysis
- •History and Historical Perspective
- •Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
- •Therapeutic Bronchoscopy
- •General Measures
- •Therapeutic Bronchoscopy
- •Evidence-Based Review
- •Summary
- •Recommendations
- •References
- •History
- •“The Glottiscope” (1807)
- •“The Esophagoscope” (1895)
- •The Rigid Bronchoscope (1897–)
- •The Flexible Bronchoscope (1968–)
- •Transbronchial Lung Biopsy (1972) (Fig. 42.7)
- •Laser Therapy (1981–)
- •Endobronchial Stents (1990–)
- •Electromagnetic Navigation (2003–)
- •Bronchial Thermoplasty (2006–)
- •Endobronchial Microwave Therapy (2004–)
- •American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) and Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (JOBIP) (1992–)
- •References
- •Index
Medical Thoracoscopy |
34 |
|
Melissa Tukey, KeriAnn Van Nostrand,
and Gaëtane C. Michaud
Introduction
Medical thoracoscopy is both a diagnostic and therapeutic pleural procedure to visualize the pleural space, obtain biopsies, and in certain cases perform localized interventions. It may be performed safely in either an inpatient or outpatient setting, requiring only moderate sedation, local anesthesia, and a small amount of analgesia. It offers a minimally invasive alternative to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Medical thoracoscopy is sometimes referred to as pleuroscopy and is most often performed in the setting of undiagnosed exudative effusions, malignant pleural effusions, or recurrent pneumothorax. It is frequently considered when pleural uid analysis and cytology from thoracentesis fail to identify the etiology of a recurrent, exudative pleural effusion. Worldwide, medical thoracoscopy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions with a high degree of safety and effcacy. It is also highly sensitive and specifc for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions, while also achieving a high rate of pleurodesis when chemical pleurodesis is performed.
The very frst case report of medical thoracoscopy dates back to 1866 when Richard
M. Tukey (*) · K. Van Nostrand · G. C. Michaud Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA e-mail: melissatukey@usf.edu; keriannv@usf.edu
Cruise described his single patient experience. Hans Christian Jacobeus further developed the technique in the early 1900s and is considered the “father” of medical thoracoscopy. In the pre- antibiotic era, medical thoracoscopy was primarily used in the management of infectious pleural effusions, particularly tuberculous effusions, but its use declined with the discovery and optimization of antibiotic regimens. Interest in the procedure was renewed when Roche and his colleagues frst described the use of medical thoracoscopy to achieve pleurodesis by instilling talc into the pleural space in 1963. Interestingly, these procedures were mainly performed by pulmonary physicians until the early 1990s when thoracic surgeons adapted these techniques along with advances in abdominal laparoscopic surgery to the thorax [1]. No data exists regarding the exact prevalence of the use of medical thoracoscopy around the world, although variation may mirror the prevalence of diseases for which it is commonly performed, such as malignancy and tuberculosis (TB), and with the availability of other expertise such as video-assisted or robotic-thoracic surgery. According to a survey of US pulmonology training programs published in 2005, only 12% of programs offered training in medical thoracoscopy [2]. The availability of the procedure is thought to be much more widespread in Europe, as many of the pioneers and champions of this procedure are European.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023 |
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J. P. Díaz-Jiménez, A. N. Rodríguez (eds.), Interventions in Pulmonary Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22610-6_34
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Diagnostic Approach to Pleural Efusions
The initial step in the management of nearly all pleural effusions is diagnostic and/or therapeutic thoracentesis. Light and his colleagues classifed pleural effusions into the diagnostic categories of exudates and transudates based on the pleuraluid composition obtained via thoracentesis [3]. Transudative effusions are defned as having low pleural to serum ratios of protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and are often associated with conditions leading to increased hydrostatic pressure such as heart failure, liver or renal disease. On the other hand, exudative effusions are defned by the presence of elevated pleural to serum ratios of total protein (>0.5) and/or LDH (>0.6 or pleural LDH >2/3 the upper limit of the normal serum value). The differential diagnosis of exudative effusions remains broad. Worldwide the most common causes are infections, including tuberculosis, and malignancy. Light’s classifcation system, developed nearly 50 years ago, has been widely criticized as the results may be in uenced by manipulation of the pleural space either mechanically or chemically. Disruption of the pleural space results in localized in ammation which may change the cellular and biochemical makeup of the pleural uid. In addition, diuretic therapy may alter the pleural uid composition resulting in the misclassifcation of a transudate as an exudate. Although the purpose of classifying pleural effusions as transudative and exudative is to limit the differential diagnosis and mitigate patient risk from futile diagnostic testing, it must also be noted that approximately 10% of transudative effusions may be malignant and necessitate appropriate evaluation [4]. There are a few plausible explanations as to how a malignant effusion could be meet diagnostic criteria of a transudate. Early malignant effusions may simply be the result of the tumor causing obstruction of the lymphatics as opposed to frank invasion or tumor emboli to the pleura. The other consideration is that the cancer patient may have a concomitant medical issue leading to a transudative pleural effusion such as pulmonary edema. In the setting where there is a high pre-test prob-
ability of malignancy, further evaluation of the pleural space with medical thoracoscopy in transudative effusions should be considered.
Medical thoracoscopy is a powerful tool in the diagnostic evaluation of undiagnosed or what are commonly called “unclear” exudative effusions. An unclear exudate is defned as an effusion meeting Light’s Criteria for an exudate, but the etiology remains unidentifed after initial routine evaluation including imaging, thoracentesis for cytology, microbiology and biochemistries, as well as special tests for certain populations. Approximately 15% of exudative effusions are categorized as unclear exudates [5]. These effusions require additional diagnostic testing, particularly to exclude malignancy. Although it is commonly believed that pleural uid appearance predicts malignancy, a recent study has demonstrated that bloody appearance is not necessarily indicative of malignancy [6]. The sensitivity of thoracentesis for malignancy is unfortunately only 40% for the initial specimen, rising to around 70% with 3 consecutive thoracenteses [7]. The procedures with high sensitivity and specifcity for diagnosing malignancy include closed pleural biopsy, medical thoracoscopy, and VATS. Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy is also a consideration; however, this procedure is often limited by access to the procedure, risk of pneumothorax, bleeding, and technical aspects related to movement particularly when lesions are near or on the hemidiaphragm. With respect to closed pleural biopsy, it can readily be done at the bedside; however, relatively few practicing pulmonologists or even newer generation interventional pulmonologists have much experience with this procedure. In a 2005 survey of pulmonary and critical care program directors, only 48% of programs stated that their fellows performed the requisite fve procedures considered the minimal standard for competence [2]. Interestingly, in a similar survey of interventional pulmonology fellowships nearly a decade later, closed pleural biopsy is not mentioned as a core competence [8]. In a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing the sensitivity and specifcity of closed pleural biopsy compared with medical thoracoscopy,
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