Two cases of Dieulafoy lesions of the bronchus with novel comorbid associations and endobronchial ablative management

RATIONALE

Dieulafoy lesions are aberrantly large submucosal arteries most frequently associated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. They are rarely identified in the bronchial submucosa and can cause massive hemoptysis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present three episodes of massive hemoptysis in two patients, the first with comorbid Alagille syndrome including multiple cardiac and pulmonary vascular abnormalities and the second with thyroid cancer metastatic to the mediastinum.

DIAGNOSES

All episodes were due to Dieulafoy lesions of the bronchus based on bronchoscopic appearance.

INTERVENTIONS

Bronchoscopic ablation using Nd:YAP laser was attempted both patients.

OUTCOMES

Nd:YAP laser successfully ablated the Dieulafoy lesion in the first case with long-term relief from recurrent hemoptysis. The first episode in the second patient responded to bronchial artery embolization; laser ablation of a different Dieulafoy lesion responsible for the second episode was unsuccessful but additional bronchial artery embolization has provided relief from further episodes.

LESSONS

Bronchoscopic ablation of Dieulafoy lesions of the bronchus can provide durable relief from recurrent symptoms. Clinical and anatomical features should be considered carefully before intervention, which should only be attempted by experienced operators with appropriate ancillary support available.

Transbronchial cryobiopsy for diffuse parenchymal lung disease: a state-of-the-art review of procedural techniques, current evidence, and future challenges

Transbronchial lung biopsy with a cryoprobe, or cryobiopsy, is a promising new bronchoscopic biopsy technique capable of obtaining larger and better-preserved samples than previously possible using traditional biopsy forceps. Over two dozen case series and several small randomized trials are now available describing experiences with this technique, largely for the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), in which the reported diagnostic yield is typically 70% to 80%. Cryobiopsy technique varies widely between centers and this predominantly single center-based retrospective literature heterogeneously defines diagnostic yield and complications, limiting the degree to which this technique can be compared between centers or to surgical lung biopsy (SLB). This review explores the broad range of cryobiopsy techniques currently in use, their rationale, the current state of the literature, and suggestions for the direction of future study into this promising but unproven procedure.

Tracheal ring fracture secondary to percutaneous tracheostomy: is tracheal flaccidity a risk factor?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk factors of tracheal ring fracture and whether previous tracheal ring flaccidity predisposes to it in consecutive, mechanically ventilated, intensive care unit patients undergoing different percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedures (Ciaglia Blue Rhino, PercuTwist, and Ciaglia BlueDolphin).

DESIGN

Single-center retrospective study performed between November 2006 and July 2013.

SETTING

Single-center university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred nineteen consecutive intensive care unit patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Video bronchoscopic percutaneous dilatational tracheostomies using different techniques, including Ciaglia Blue Rhino, PercuTwist, and Ciaglia BlueDolphin, were performed consecutively. During the procedure, the tracheal wall response to the routine external palpation was evaluated endoscopically to find the interanular space. An abnormal change in the tracheal ring shape (fingerprint) with anterior airway wall collapse was diagnosed as tracheal flaccidity.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Tracheal ring fracture occurred in 21 patients (9.6%). The proportion of tracheal ruptures was 16 (76.2%) after PercuTwist, 3 (14.3%) after Ciaglia Blue Dolphin, and 2 (9.5%) after the Blue Rhino technique. Significant risk factors for tracheal rupture were PercuTwist procedure (p = 0.02), tracheal flaccidity (p = 0.0001), and a period of intubation before a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedure>14 days (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the PercuTwist technique and intubation>14 days before tracheostomy, tracheal flaccidity was a significant risk factor for tracheal ring fracture. In the presence of this finding, a less traumatic tracheostomy procedure should be applied.