Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: treatment by bronchofiberscopic lobar lavage

Safety, utility and clinical efficacy of cryobiopsy of lung in paediatric population-A single centre experience

Background

Surgical lung biopsy (SLB) or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been the traditional gold standard modality for diagnosing paediatric interstitial lung diseases. Cryobiopsy of the lung has recently been shown to be a novel technique with very good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of various interstitial lung disorders in adults. Although there are a few case reports of the same in children, pediatric cryo lung biopsies are rarely performed due to the lack of the necessary equipment and the lack of expertise.

Methods

A retrospective single-centre study was conducted with twelve consecutive children with diffuse parenchymal lung disease diagnosed both clinically and on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest which were included in the study between October 2020 and September 2022 to measure the diagnostic yield and safety of the procedure. The site from where cryobiopsy was to be done was chosen after a multidisciplinary meeting with the paediatric radiologist.

Results

Twelve children (eight males and four females) were included in the study who underwent a cryobiopsy in the duration of two years. The mean age of the cases involved was 8 years and 3 months. With the youngest and oldest being 12 days and 15 years, respectively, all children underwent cryobiopsy as mentioned above. Diagnostic yield was achieved in 92% of cases.

Conclusion

Cryobiopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in childhood interstitial lung diseases, which offers a less invasive option for obtaining lung tissue samples with a better yield which can aid in accurate diagnosis, a good safety profile and a shorter hospital stay. Our study emphasizes that in trained centres, TBCB is a safe, effective and less invasive way to obtain tissue diagnosis in children with ChILD.

A case of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis with severe respiratory failure treated with segmental lung lavage and oral statin therapy

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a diffuse lung disease characterized by the accumulation of alveolar surfactants due to dysfunction of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent cholesterol clearance. Whole-lung lavage is the current standard of care for PAP, but it can lead to the exacerbation of hypoxia. A medication targeting cholesterol homeostasis is a promising therapy for refractory PAP. We present a case of autoimmune PAP with severe hypoxia that was successfully treated with segmental lung lavage (SLL). Following SLL for disease relapse, statin treatment for dyslipidemia was started. After initiating statin treatment, the patient did not require bronchoalveolar lavage for 10 months.

Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by myeloid cell dysfunction, abnormal pulmonary surfactant accumulation, and innate immune deficiency. It has a prevalence of 7-10 per million; occurs in individuals of all races, geographic regions, sex, and socioeconomic status; and accounts for 90% of all patients with PAP syndrome. The most common presentation is dyspnea of insidious onset with or without cough, production of scant white and frothy sputum, and diffuse radiographic infiltrates in a previously healthy adult, but it can also occur in children as young as 3 years. Digital clubbing, fever, and hemoptysis are not typical, and the latter two indicate that intercurrent infection may be present. Low prevalence and nonspecific clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings commonly lead to misdiagnosis as pneumonia and substantially delay an accurate diagnosis. The clinical course, although variable, usually includes progressive hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency and, in some patients, secondary infections, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, and death. Two decades of research have raised autoimmune PAP from obscurity to a paradigm of molecular pathogenesis-based diagnostic and therapeutic development. Pathogenesis is driven by GM-CSF (granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor) autoantibodies, which are present at high concentrations in blood and tissues and form the basis of an accurate, commercially available diagnostic blood test with sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Although whole-lung lavage remains the first-line therapy, inhaled GM-CSF is a promising pharmacotherapeutic approach demonstrated in well-controlled trials to be safe, well tolerated, and efficacious. Research has established GM-CSF as a pulmonary regulatory molecule critical to surfactant homeostasis, alveolar stability, lung function, and host defense.

[Segmental Bronchoalveolar Lavage Provided a Favorable Clinical Course in a Case of Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis]

A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed typical CT findings of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: thickening of septa with ground-glass opacities in both lung fields. The diagnosis of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) was based on findings of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid with milky appearance and elevated serum titer of anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody. We decided to perform segmental BAL via bronchoscopy. The surgery was performed under a general anesthesia since the patient had severe hypoxemia and strong cough reflex. Following 3 repeated courses of therapy, his respiratory condition and the ground-glass opacity in both lung fields improved remarkably, with no recurrence in 3 years. There are only a few published case reports in the world of the usefulness of segmental BAL under general anesthesia for PAP. We consider that segmental BAL is a useful therapeutic method for PAP in cases with severe hypoxemia, such as the present patient.

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis with Severe Respiratory Failure Improved by Segmental Lung Lavage with Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy under General Anesthesia

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder in which lipoproteinaceous materials accumulate in the alveolar compartments. A 72-year-old man was diagnosed with autoimmune PAP with severe respiratory failure. We decided to perform segmental lung lavage (SLL) with fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. If improvement was not significant, whole-lung lavage (WLL) would be done. SLL improved the respiratory failure and computed tomography findings. This case showed improvement in not only the area where lavage was done but also the non-lavaged area. SLL with fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia might be an appropriate treatment option for patients with severe PAP.

Artificial stone-associated silicosis with concurrent Cryptococcus infection

Acute silicoproteinosis is a disease that develops in weeks, and lasting for years, after massive exposure to silica dust in relatively closed spaces. It was rare, but the cases have recently increased worldwide due to the development of artificial stone industry. Compared with traditional silicosis, artificial stone-associated silicosis is more rapidly progressive and lethal. Hence, a correct diagnosis and optimal treatment are crucial. Here, we present the clinical course of a 33-year-old artificial stonemason who suffered from acute silicoproteinosis with concurrent Cryptococcus infection resulting in profound respiratory failure. This patient was treated by bronchoscope-assisted therapeutic segmental lung lavage and antifungal agent, under mechanical ventilator and ECMO support and recovered well. A brief review of acute silicoproteinosis and artificial stone-associated silicosis is also presented and highlights the new form of industry exposure to silica.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis complicated with nocardiosis: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a pulmonary syndrome wherein large volumes of phospholipid and protein-rich surfactants accumulate within the alveoli. PAP forms include primary (auto-immune PAP), secondary, and congenital. Nocardiosis is a form of suppurative disease induced upon infection with bacteria of the Nocardia genus. Clinically, cases of PAP complicated with Nocardia infections are rare, regardless of form. Unfortunately, as such, they are easily overlooked or misdiagnosed. We describe, here, the case of a patient suffering from simultaneous primary PAP and nocardiosis.

CASE SUMMARY

A 45-year-old Chinese man, without history of relevant disease, was admitted to our hospital on August 8, 2018 to address complaints of activity-related respiratory exertion and cough lasting over 6 mo. Lung computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse bilateral lung infiltration with local consolidation in the middle right lung lobe. Subsequent transbronchial lung biopsy and CT-guided lung biopsy led to a diagnosis of primary PAP (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody-positive) complicated with nocardiosis (periodic acid-Schiff-positive). After a 6 mo course of anti-infective treatment (sul-famethoxazole), the lesion was completely absorbed, such that only fibrous foci remained, and the patient exhibited significant symptom improvement. Follow-up also showed improvement in pulmonary function and the CT imaging findings of PAP. No whole-lung lavage has been conducted to date. This case highlights that active anti-nocardia treatment may effectively improve the symptoms and alleviate PAP in patients with PAP and nocardia, possibly reducing the need for whole-lung lavage.

CONCLUSION

When evaluating patients presenting with PAP and pulmonary infections, the potential for nocardiosis should be considered.

Whole-Lung Lavage-a Narrative Review of Anesthetic Management

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease characterized by progressive accumulation of lipoprotein material in the alveoli as a result of a dysfunction in surfactant clearance. The whole-lung lavage procedure is considered the current standard of care and consists of the sequential lavage of both lungs for mechanical removal of residual material in the alveoli. However, a lack of standardization has resulted in different procedural techniques among institutions. Even though whole-lung lavage is considered to be a safe procedure, unforeseen complications might occur, and proper knowledge of physiologic implications may allow clinicians to establish the appropriate therapy. This review provides an insight into the underlying physiology of the disease, the technical details of the procedure from an anesthesiologist's perspective, and discussion of potential intraoperative complications.

Combined-modality therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a remote setting: a case report

Background

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by accumulation of phospholipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli. The presentation is nonspecific but typically includes dyspnea; the spectrum of disease includes rapidly progressive hypoxic respiratory failure. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the treatment of choice in symptomatic PAP, but transient worsening of oxygenation sometimes requires salvage modalities of support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plays a role in the pathophysiology of PAP. We highlight a case of severe PAP treated with exogenous GM-CSF and sequential lobar lavage due to the unavailability of salvage methods of oxygenation.

Case presentation

A 36 year old female was admitted with fevers, chills, and progressive dyspnea. On presentation she was tachypneic, tachycardic, and hypoxemic; labs revealed leukocytosis and lactic acidosis. Chest CT identified diffuse ground glass opacities in a ‘crazy-paving’ pattern. Following intubation due to impending respiratory failure, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The lavage return stained positive with Periodic Acid Schiff, confirming the diagnosis of PAP. Continued deterioration necessitated treatment; however, at this geographically remote center without ECMO services WLL was judged to carry significant risk. Nebulized GM-CSF was administered without significant improvement. Subcutaneous GM-CSF was administered and isolated subsegmental lavages of the bilateral upper lobes were performed, with rapid improvement in oxygenation. Additional sequential lobar lavage and continued GM-CSF therapy as an outpatient resulted in complete resolution of oxygen requirement and return to normal pulmonary physiology.

Conclusions

The autoimmune form of PAP is the most common, indicating that therapy with GM-CSF may play an important role for many patients. Treatment with WLL may be impractical in some clinical settings due to the expertise and salvage modalities required. Sequential lobar lavage requires less specialized expertise and may incur less risk of refractory hypoxemia. We posit that this combined-modality therapy is ideally suited to geographically-remote centers such as our own.

Novel method of noninvasive ventilation supported therapeutic lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis proves to relieve dyspnea, normalize pulmonary function test results and recover exercise capacity: a short communication

Whole lung lavage (WLL) under general anesthesia with a double-lumen endobronchial intubation has remained standard treatment option for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) for over fifty years now. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as an innovative alternative, which enables safe and effective treatment. NIV support enabled cost-effective lavage of the most affected segments and resulted in restoration and long-term maintenance of exercise capacity and diffusion, without WLL related hypoxaemia, volume overload, intubation, or mechanical ventilation related complications. The study presents all details of performed procedure, including anesthesia, NIV technique and bronchoscopy, therefore this may be easily implemented into clinical practice at other centers conducting PAP treatment. We assume that presented technique of therapeutic lung lavage (TLL) with NIV support may be considered a novel PAP treatment method, however, target population who will benefit the most from such therapy modification must be assessed in large scale prospective trials.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in adults: pathophysiology and clinical approach

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a diffuse lung disease that results from the accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli and alveolar macrophages due to abnormal surfactant homoeostasis. Identification of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an indispensable mediator of macrophage maturation and surfactant catabolism was the key discovery leading to the current understanding of the pathogenesis of most forms of PAP. Impaired GM-CSF bioavailability due to anti-GM-CSF autoimmunity is the cause of approximately 90% of adult PAP cases. Abnormal macrophage function due to endogenous or exogenous triggers, GM-CSF receptor defects, and other genetic abnormalities of surfactant production account for the remainder of causes. The usual physiological consequence of PAP is impairment of gas exchange, which can lead to dyspnoea, hypoxaemia, or even respiratory failure and death. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs occasionally in patients with PAP. For patients with moderate to severe disease, whole lung lavage is still the first-line treatment of choice. Supplemental GM-CSF is also useful, but details about indications, choice of agent, and dosing remain unclear. Other therapies, including rituximab, plasmapheresis, and lung transplantation have been described but should be reserved for refractory cases.

Whole lung lavage therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a global survey of current practices and procedures

BACKGROUND

Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the current standard of care treatment for patients affected by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). However, WLL is not standardized and international consensus documents are lacking. Our aim was to obtain a factual portrayal of WLL as currently practiced with respect to the procedure, indications for its use, evaluation of therapeutic benefit and complication rate.

METHODS

A clinical practice survey was conducted globally by means of a questionnaire and included 27 centers performing WLL in pediatric and/or adult PAP patients.

RESULTS

We collected completed questionnaires from 20 centres in 14 countries, practicing WLL in adults and 10 centers in 6 countries, practicing WLL in pediatric patients. WLL is almost universally performed under general anesthesia, with a double-lumen endobronchial tube in two consecutive sessions, with an interval of 1-2 weeks between sessions in approximately 50 % of centres. The use of saline warmed to 37 °C, drainage of lung lavage fluid by gravity and indications for WLL therapy in PAP were homogenous across centres. There was great variation in the choice of the first lung to be lavaged: 50 % of centres based the choice on imaging, whereas 50 % always started with the left lung. The choice of position was also widely discordant; the supine position was chosen by 50 % of centres. Other aspects varied significantly among centres including contraindications, methods and timing of follow up, use of chest percussion, timing of extubation following WLL and lung isolation and lavage methods for small children. The amount of fluid used to perform the WLL is a critical aspect. Whilst a general consensus exists on the single aliquot of fluid for lavage (around 800 ml of warm saline, in adults) great variability exists in the total volume instilled per lung, ranging from 5 to 40 liters, with an average of 15.4 liters/lung.

CONCLUSIONS

This international survey found that WLL is safe and effective as therapy for PAP. However these results also indicate that standardization of the procedure is required; the present survey represents the a first step toward building such a document.

Therapeutic limited bronchoalveolar lavage with fiberoptic bronchoscopy as a bridging procedure prior to total lung lavage in a patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Therapeutic total lung lavage under general anesthesia is the current mainstay of treatment for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, which is a rare lung disease characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant. Therapeutic limited bronchoalveolar lavage is considered an alternative treatment to conventional total lung lavage.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old, previously healthy, Sri Lankan Moor woman presented to our facility with progressively worsening difficulty in breathing and persistent dry cough for one year. Her respiratory examination revealed bibasal fine end-inspiratory crepitations. A chest radiograph showed bilateral mid and lower zone alveolar interstitial shadows and a high-resolution computed tomography scan of her chest revealed septal thickening with ground-glass shadows more on mid and lower zones bilaterally. A diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed diastase-resistant protein clumps in periodic acid Schiff stain. The diagnosis was made as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. An arterial blood gas analysis performed prior to intervention revealed a significant hypoxia (partial pressure of oxygen - 64 mmHg) with alveolar-arterial gradient was 35.4 mmHg. Therapeutic limited bronchoalveolar lavage was arranged and her right and her left lung were lavaged separately in two sessions done two weeks apart under local anesthesia. Our patient had significant clinical improvement and resolution of the bilateral septal thickening with minimal resolution of the ground-glass opacities in a repeat high-resolution computed tomography scan done two weeks later. Subsequently, a total lung lavage under general anesthesia was also done, which improved her dyspnea and arterial hypoxemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic limited bronchoalveolar lavage can be successfully performed as an interval bridging procedure, as a 'prewash', prior to conventional total lung lavage for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Unsuspected pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with a slow resolving pneumonia: A case report

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare condition with an incidence of one in two million and is classified as primary or secondary. This is the first reported case presenting as a slow resolving pneumonia.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare syndrome characterized by pulmonary surfactant accumulation within the alveolar spaces. It occurs with a reported prevalence of 0.1 per 100,000 individuals and in distinct clinical forms: autoimmune (previously referred to as the idiopathic form, represents the vast majority of PAP cases, and is associated with Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) auto-antibodies; GMAbs), secondary (is a consequence of underlying disorders), congenital (caused by mutations in the genes encoding for the GM-CSF receptor), and PAP-like syndromes (disorders associated with surfactant gene mutations). The clinical course of PAP is variable, ranging from spontaneous remission to respiratory failure. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the current standard treatment for PAP patients and although it is effective in the majority of cases, disease persistence is not an unusual outcome, even if disease is well controlled by WLL.In this paper we review the therapeutic strategies which have been proposed for the treatment of PAP patients and the progress which has been made in the understanding of the disease pathogenesis.

Respiratory Diseases

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Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas have congenital and hereditary etiology, and patients are at risk for life-threatening rupture requiring surgery.

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Wegener's granulomatosis can affect any organ system, although renal and pulmonary involvement is most common; men ages 40 to 50 are at increased risk.

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Lymphomatoid granulomatosis affects cardiopulmonary, neurologic, and myeloproliferative systems; may result from opportunistic infection, and frequently progresses to lymphoma; men age 50 to 60 are at increased risk. Spontaneous remission occurs in some cases; mortality is 60% to 90% at 5 years.

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Churg-Strauss syndrome is usually associated with long-standing asthma, with men and women affected equally, and can affect any organ system; major cause of death is cardiac related.

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Primary pulmonary hypertension is a diagnosis of exclusion; women are affected twice as likely as men; right-to-left shunt may occur in 30%, secondary to patent foramen ovale; hypoxia with resultant heart failure is typical cause of death.

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Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease, eventually fatal, with increased risk for airway obstruction, fluctuating pulmonary function, and chronic hypoxia; risk for spontaneous pneumothorax is 20%.

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Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is a pulmonary obstructive disease that may be reversible and usually resolves spontaneously.

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Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis is associated with autoimmune disorders; patients have recurrent hemorrhage, pulmonary fibrosis, restrictive lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension, with some cases of spontaneous remission.

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Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia may be preceded by adult-onset asthma; women are at increased risk; prognosis is good.

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Goodpasture's syndrome is a genetic autoimmune disorder involving the pulmonary and renal systems.

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Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, a lipoprotein-rich accumulation in alveoli, has three forms: congenital, decreased alveolar macrophage activity, and idiopathic; some cases of spontaneous remission occur.

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Sarcoidosis may affect any organ system; African American, northern European, and females are at greater risk; many patients are asymptomatic.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus may affect any organ system; women of childbearing age are at increased risk.

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a rare interstitial lung disease, with smokers at increased risk for pulmonary malignancy; survival is usually 2 to 3 years from diagnosis; no effective treatment exists, with lung transplant the only therapeutic option.

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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with underlying critical illness or injury, developing acutely in 1 to 2 days; mortality is 25% to 35%.

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Pulmonary histiocytosis X is an interstitial lung disease associated with cigarette smoking and an unpredictable course; some spontaneous remission occurs.

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Lymphangioleiomyomatosis involves progressive deterioration of lung function, associated with tuberous sclerosis and exacerbated by pregnancy, with women at increased risk; possible spontaneous pneumothorax and chylothorax; death usually results from respiratory failure.

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Ankylosing spondylitis is a genetic inflammatory process resulting in fusion of axial skeleton and spinal deformities, with men at increased risk; radiologic bamboo spine, sacral to cervical progression, and restrictive lung disease with high reliance on diaphragm; extraskeletal manifestations may occur.

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Kyphosis (exaggerated anterior flexion) and scoliosis (lateral rotational deformity) are spinal/rib cage deformities with idiopathic, congenital, or neuromuscular etiology; corrective surgery done if Cobb thoracic angle >50% lumbar angle >40%.

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Bleomycin is an antineoplastic antibiotic used in combination chemotherapy, with no myelosuppressive effect; toxicity can cause life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis.

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Influenza A is highly infectious, presenting with flulike symptoms and possible progression to ARDS; human-to-human exposure is through droplets or contaminated surfaces, with high risk for infants, children, pregnancy, chronically ill, or renal replacement therapy patients. No prophylactic treatment exists; treat patients with high index of suspicion without definitive testing; rRT-PCR and viral cultures are sensitive for pandemic H1N1 strain.

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is highly infectious, transmitted by coronavirus with human-to-human exposure via droplets or surfaces, and may progress to ARDS.

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Echinococcal disease of lung is from canine tapeworm, transmitted by eggs from feces; rupture of cyst may result in anaphylactic reaction or spread of disease to other organs; children are at increased risk. No transthoracic needle aspiration is done; surgery is only option.

Lobar flexible fiberoptic lung lavage: therapeutic benefit in severe respiratory failure in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and influenza A H1N1 pneumonia

Lobar fiberoptic lung lavage is a well-known procedure used in primary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP); the use of this procedure has increased in the recent years. This procedure has also been used in other pulmonary diseases such as desquamative interstitial pneumonia with good results. We describe a case of extremely severe respiratory failure due to concurrence of PAP and Influenza A H1N1 virus pneumonia which resolved with the help of this procedure. The patient, a 41-year-old woman, needed less mechanical ventilation after undergoing lobar fiberoptic bronchoscopic lavage. Moreover, a rapid and progressive improvement in the computed tomography of the lungs was observed. Flexibile fiberoptic bronchoscopic lobar lavage is a simple, safe procedure used not only in milder disease, but also in particular severe cases in which the physiological derangement of whole lung lavage would not be tolerated by patient or when extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation is not available.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and successful therapy with combined lavage procedures: Case reports

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material within alveolar spaces. Whole-lung lavage (WLL) has been the most common therapeutic intervention for this disorder. However, patients presenting with PAP are usually hypoxemic or in poor clinical condition, and WLL may be impossible to perform. In such cases, multiple segmental lavage (MSL) may be advocated as a first-choice therapy prior to WLL. Herein, we present two cases with idiopathic PAP treated successfully with both lavage techniques consecutively. After the MSL procedure, WLL was performed, and both patients showed a marked clinical and physiologic improvement. Therefore, for patients who are not good candidates for general anesthesia, we recommend MSL (or 'prewash') before WLL to produce an increase in the blood oxygen level for long-duration general anesthesia. In the surgical room, close monitoring and repositioning of the patient as well as maintenance and inspection of the correct tube position, and manual chest wall percussion are extremely important for the safety and success of the procedure.

Whole-lung lavage in infants and children with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare alveolar filling syndrome where the mainstay of treatment is therapeutic whole-lung lavage (WLL). WLL techniques used in adults have to be modified for children because of their small-diameter airways.

AIM

To describe a technique for WLL adapted for small children.

METHODS

We describe a WLL technique that combines safe single-lung ventilation with the use of an age-appropriate endotracheal tube and selective occlusion of the other main bronchus with a balloon catheter through which the lavage is performed. Effectiveness measured by change in oxygen requirements and adverse effects was noted.

RESULTS

We performed 64 WLL procedures in four children (age 13 months to 7 years; body weight 4.7-14 kg). Two children had idiopathic and two had secondary PAP. At referral, all children had dyspnoea at rest and required continuous oxygen supplementation. Two patients showed significantly decreased oxygen demands and radiological improvement after WLL. Two patients showed no significant response. The only adverse effect observed was transient hypoxemia. Complications comprised fluid leak at the balloon (4), balloon rupture (1), and pneumothorax (1).

CONCLUSIONS

This technique for WLL combining single-lung ventilation with an endotracheal tube and lung exclusion for lavage with a balloon catheter can be safely and effectively performed in small children with PAP.

Therapy options in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material within the airspaces, resulting in impaired gas transfer, and clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe respiratory failure. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are only a few conditions whose natural history has been so dramatically changed by the influence of advances in basic science, clinical medicine, and translational research in therapeutic approaches. Whole-lung lavage is the current standard of care and it plays a critical role as a modifier factor of the natural history of proteinosis. That notwithstanding, the identification of autoantibodies neutralizing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in serum and lung of patients affected by the form of proteinosis previously referred to as idiopathic, has opened the way to novel therapeutic options, such as supplementation of exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or strategies aimed at reducing the levels of the autoantibodies. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review of the current therapeutic approach to proteinosis.

Management of complications from diagnostic and interventional bronchoscopy

From the humble beginnings as a mere curiosity, the art of bronchoscopy has progressed at a rapid pace. The millennium ushers in new technologies and refinements in established techniques to facilitate early detection of cancer, precise targeting of pulmonary nodules and infiltrates, near-total staging of the mediastinum with combined endoscopic modalities and more effective palliation of inoperable tumours. Bronchoscopists are faced with an increasing myriad of tools and equipment, each promising to carry out better than the previous. It is opportune to review the complications of established bronchoscopic techniques and how to manage them as well as new complications associated with novel technologies. In this article, we provide a concise overview of diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopic modalities, discussion of associated complications and their management strategies.

A case report of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

This is a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis that presented in an inner city hospital in Birmingham, UK. The patient was a previously well 42-year-old man, who went on to experience unusual cerebral complications of the disease. The presentation, imaging findings and diagnostic histology findings are described. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare but important diagnosis. Characteristic high-resolution CT findings include diffuse ground glass density with superimposed interlobular septal thickening, which is described as the "crazy paving" pattern. Diagnosis is made by bronchoalveolar lavage. Pathologically the disease is characterised by alveolar filling with a lipid rich, proteinaceous material (positive to periodic acid-Schiff stain) while the lung interstitium remains relatively normal. Morbidity and mortality can be improved by treatment with whole lung lavage.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in China: a systematic review of 241 cases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary disease. It was first described in China in 1965, and more cases have been reported subsequently. A systematic review was performed on 241 cases of PAP in China and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is discussed.

METHODS

The Chinese biological and medical databases from 1965 to 2006 were searched and 241 cases with complete clinical and pathological data were identified. The clinical characteristics of the disease were summarized and longitudinal comparisons were made of diagnostic and treatment methods over time.

RESULTS

The morbidity associated with PAP has increased in recent years. The clinical manifestations were non-specific. Progressive dyspnoea, cough and sputum were the most common symptoms. The percentage of patients undergoing CT examination has increased over the years. The combination of bronchoscopic biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. Treatment was reported for a total of 142 cases. BAL and whole lung lavage were both effective and were only required once by most patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of PAP patients in China are largely consistent with previous reports. Morbidity has increased dramatically in recent years, mainly due to the broad application of bronchoscopy since 1995. CT is very important for diagnosis of the disease. The long-term effects of treatment by whole lung lavage and BAL are similar.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare syndrome characterized by intra-alveolar accumulation of surfactant components and cellular debris, with minimal interstitial inflammation or fibrosis. The condition has a variable clinical course, from spontaneous resolution to respiratory failure and death due to disease progression or superimposed infections. The standard of care for alveolor proteinosis therapy is represented by whole lung lavage. Important discoveries have been made in the last decade with respect to disease pathogenesis and therapy of both congenital and acquired forms of the disease. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) pathway has been shown to be involved in the disease pathogenesis of both acquired and congenital disease. Furthermore, anti-GM-CSF blocking autoantibodies have been found in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and seem to interfere with the surfactant clearance by alveolar macrophages in many acquired cases. In the congenital form, the most common defects identified to date are several mutations of the genes encoding GM-CSF receptor subunits or surfactant proteins. Using GM-CSF as a therapeutic tool has also been shown to be effective in at least half of the acquired cases treated, while the importance of quantitative determination of anti-GM-CSF antibodies before and during the course of the therapy, as well as the autoantibody titer-GM-CSF dose relationship are to be elucidated. The congenital form of the disease does not respond to therapy with GM-CSF, consistent with the known primary defects and differences in disease pathogenesis.

Proteinose alveolar pulmonar: série de quatro casos

OBJETIVO: Apresentar a evolução de quatro casos de proteinose alveolar pulmonar atendidos na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, enfocando a importância da lavagem pulmonar total como tratamento de escolha. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de quatro pacientes, sendo três do gênero feminino, com idades de 22 a 34 anos, e histórias semelhantes de dispnéia progressiva e tosse seca. O diagnóstico final foi realizado por biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto. A lavagem pulmonar total foi realizada em três pacientes em centro cirúrgico, com anestesia geral e sonda de duplo lúme. RESULTADOS: Um paciente apresentou regressão espontânea da proteinose alveolar pulmonar, não sendo necessária a lavagem pulmonar. Nos outros três casos, o número de lavagens variou: uma única lavagem unilateral com remissão completa do quadro bilateralmente, três lavagens sem melhora significativa e quatro procedimentos intercalados com períodos de melhora. CONCLUSÃO: Constatamos em nossa casuística que a lavagem pulmonar se mostrou eficiente, apesar de alguns pacientes apresentarem certa resistência ao procedimento, enquanto que outros podem ter remissão completa da doença.

Clinical significance of anti-GM-CSF antibodies in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

BACKGROUND

The role of anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibodies as a diagnostic marker in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (iPAP) remains unclear.

METHODS

Anti-GM-CSF antibodies were detected in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) fluid in 13 patients with iPAP. Three patients with secondary PAP, 35 with other pulmonary disorders, and 10 subjects without lung lesions acted as controls. Blood samples only were obtained from 30 healthy medical personnel. Anti-GM-CSF antibodies were detected using immunoblotting and measured semi-quantitatively by serial dilution or concentration methods. The relationship between antibodies and reported severity indicators for iPAP was analysed.

RESULTS

Anti-GM-CSF antibodies could be detected in both blood and BAL fluid samples in 12 of 13 iPAP patients and were undetectable in blood and/or BAL fluid from the other subjects studied. BAL fluid levels of anti-GM-CSF antibodies were highly correlated with the severity indicators for iPAP, including serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, arterial oxygen tension, alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference, (AaPO2), lung carbon monoxide transfer factor, and some lesion scores on chest radiographs and computed tomographic scans. In contrast, blood anti-GM-CSF antibodies were not significantly correlated with the severity indicators evaluated. In addition, patients with iPAP who required subsequent therapeutic lung lavage had significantly higher values of serum LDH, AaPO2, and BAL fluid anti-GM-CSF antibodies, and significantly lower values of PaO2.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to serum LDH levels, PaO2 and AaPO2, BAL fluid levels of anti-GM-CSF antibodies might reflect disease severity in patients with iPAP and predict the need for subsequent therapeutic lung lavage. These findings may expand the role of anti-GM-CSF antibodies in iPAP.

High-frequency jet ventilation through a fibreoptic bronchoscope channel during lung lavage

Simple manual ventilation facilitates removal of intra-alveolar accumulations. High-frequency jet ventilation can be performed through a narrow lumen like that of a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Accordingly, we expected that high frequency jet ventilation through a fibreoptic bronchoscope channel would facilitate lung lavage, and we developed a new bronchoalveolar lavage system, in which high-frequency jet ventilation through the channel of a fibreoptic bronchoscope was combined with conventional bronchoalveolar lavage. We describe a case in which this new lavage system, unlike conventional bronchoalveolar lavage, successfully removed the lipid material in the alveoli associated with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) has been recognized for almost half a century. At least three separate pathophysiologic mechanisms may lead to the characteristic feature of PAP: the excessive accumulation of surfactant lipoprotein in pulmonary alveoli, with associated disturbance of pulmonary gas exchange. The prognosis for adult patients with PAP varies, but disease-specific survival rate exceeds 80% at 5 years. The survival rates for adult PAP patients seem to have increased progressively in the four decades since the initial clinical description of this condition. The last decade has brought new advances in laboratory and clinical research that are lifting a veil not only on PAP but also on general aspects of pulmonary surfactant biology and innate immune defense.

Enhanced Alveolar Clearance With Chest Percussion Therapy and Positional Changes During Whole-Lung Lavage for Alveolar Proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis has traditionally been treated with whole-lung lavage (WLL). The literature describes a variety of techniques used in performing the WLL, including mechanical vs manual chest percussion, use of prone positioning, and variances in lavage volume. We have quantified and compared the effective alveolar clearance for each component of the lavage by measuring the dry weight of material in the lavage effluent. We measured this in five patients who underwent six consecutive WLLs at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. We performed the lavage in the following three stages: stage I, passive drainage; stage II, assisted clearance; and stage III, positional clearance. Aliquots of lavage effluent were centrifuged to determine the dry weight of material present in sequentially recorded bottles within each stage. At the initiation of each augmentation, there was a statistically significant improvement in the clearance of material (stage II, p = 0.009; stage III, p = 0.012). Furthermore, we show that lipoproteinaceous material is present in the lavage effluent in all stages of latter portions of the lavage. The effective removal of material would be expected to have an impact on the physiologic and clinical response to WLL. This finding emphasizes the importance of performing an adequate and standardized lavage.

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is characterized by the accumulation of surfactant phospholipids and proteins within the lung alveoli. Important advances have been made over the past 8 years in our understanding of this disease, offering new directions for research and patient care. First, genetically altered mice that are homozygous for a disrupted granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene developed a lung lesion with histologic resemblance to PAP. The surfactant is thought to be catabolized or cleared mostly by alveolar macrophages, this process being dependent on GM-CSF. Second, a neutralizing autoantibody against GM-CSF was found in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with idiopathic PAP but not in healthy controls, thereby raising the suspicion that human PAP may be an autoimmune disease. The relationship between the antibody and disease pathogenesis remains unclear but data suggest that the GM-CSF antibody may have a potential role as a diagnostic test. No specific therapy exists for PAP. Sequential whole lung lavage is the standard of care. Exogenous therapy with GM-CSF may improve the lung disease in some patients with PAP but this therapy is still experimental. Interventions directed at treating a relative GM-CSF deficiency by administration of GM-CSF or lowering the antibody level (i.e. by plasmapheresis or immunosuppression) may hold promise as future therapy for this rare disease.