From our single-center experience, we conclude that in experienced hands, EBUS-TVNA is feasible, with a high yield, but without complications. Larger prospective trials are warranted to explore its diagnostic potential.

No abstract

Background: Transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) is common, can have adverse effects, and is a costly and limited resource. Interventions that reduce iatrogenic blood losses could reduce transfusions. The objectives of this pilot trial were to assess the feasibility (acceptability of the intervention and suitability of eligibility criteria) and potential effectiveness of pediatric size phlebotomy tubes in adult critically ill patients. Methods: We conducted a pilot, randomized controlled trial in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a universityaffiliated, tertiary care referral hospital from November 2017 to September 2018. A total of 200 patients with hemoglobin of at least 7 g/dL and without bleeding were randomized to pediatric or adult size phlebotomy tubes. Stratification was according to baseline hemoglobin (7-9.49 g/dL, 9.5-11.99 g/dL, and 12 g/dL or greater). Acceptability was measured via the number of blood test recollections and the number of patients that discontinued the use of pediatric tubes. The suitability of patient eligibility criteria was determined by identifying baseline characteristics associated with RBC transfusions. Potential effectiveness was estimated from the time to RBC transfusion or to hemoglobin level below 7 g/dL. Results: The use of pediatric tubes was acceptable as patients experienced a low number of tests recollections (on average 1 every 57 days), and none of the participants discontinued their use. The baseline hemoglobin category was the only factor that appeared to be independently associated with RBC transfusions. A total of 6 patients (6%) in the pediatric tube group and 11 patients (11%) in the adult tube group (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.9) received an RBC transfusion or reached hemoglobin below 7 g/dL. Almost all of these patients (16 of 17 participants) had baseline hemoglobin of 7-9.49 g/dL. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that pediatric phlebotomy tubes are acceptable to patients and can therefore be used in adult ICU patients. A future study should focus on patients with hemoglobin levels below 9.5 g/dL, as these patients have a high risk of transfusions. This intervention has the potential of being successful in selected patients. A definitive trial is warranted. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03286465. Retrospectively registered on September 18, 2017.

Pulmonary lymphoproliferative neoplasms are rare lung tumors and account for <1% of all lung tumors. Among them, primary pulmonary lymphomas (PPL) constitute the majority, which include Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that comprise of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and other rare types of NHL and lymphomatoid granulomatosis. HL, which arises secondary to contiguous spread from the mediastinum, is the rarest type of PPL. Other entities described within the umbrella of pulmonary lymphoproliferative neoplasms include pleural lymphomas and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) – which occurs in the poststem cell and organ transplant patients. These neoplasms although rare, have a favorable prognosis, which does not depend on disease resectability. Moreover, with its nonspecific presentation, diagnosis is challenging, which often leads to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis in many cases. Therefore, knowledge of this entity is important for the practicing pulmonologist. This review article aims to describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of primarily the entities within PPL, as well as pleural lymphomas and PTLD.