Pneumothorax represents a common clinical problem. An overview of relevant and updated information on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of spontaneous (primary and secondary), catamenial, and traumatic (iatrogenic and noniatrogenic) pneumothorax is given.

A clinicoradiological presentation of thoracic sarcoidosis requires histopathology in order to establish the diagnosis. Flexible bronchoscopy has a reasonable diagnostic yield and is the procedure of first choice for diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration/endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration) can help in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.An implementation strategy of endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis following negative flexible bronchoscopy results was examined prospectively in 15 clinics.A total of 137 patients (92 males; median age 43 yrs) were included, and sarcoidosis was found in 115 (84%). Alternative diagnoses were tuberculosis, lymphangitis carcinomatosa, pneumoconiosis and alveolitis. All patients were sent for flexible bronchoscopy, which was performed in 121 (88%), resulting in a definite diagnosis in 57 (42%). A total of 80 patients were sent for endoscopic ultrasound, which could be performed in 72 (90%), yielding a definite diagnosis in 47 (59%). Endoscopic ultrasound following negative flexible bronchoscopy avoided a surgical procedure in 47 out of 80 patients. The sensitivity of flexible bronchoscopy for sarcoidosis was 45% (95% confidence interval 35-54%), but 62% (50-72%) if biopsy specimens were taken. The sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound following negative flexible bronchoscopy results was 71% (58-82%). With this strategy, 97 out of 115 (84% (76-90%)) of proven sarcoidosis was diagnosed using endoscopy.This large prospective implementation study (trial number NCT00888212; ClinicalTrials.gov) shows that endoscopic ultrasound is valuable for diagnosing sarcoidosis after negative flexible bronchoscopy results.

Background: Airway stenting has become a common technique in inoperable benign strictures. An ideal stent does not yet exist for these conditions. Recently, fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have been commercialized with potential use in benign airway strictures. Objective: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical effectiveness of fully covered SEMS in the management of benign strictures. Methods: A total of 17 patients received 20 stents: 7 Silmet®, 8 Taewoong® and 5 Alveolus® stents. Ten stents were deployed in a structural postintubation tracheal stenosis. Other indications were multinodular goiter, anastomotic stricture, endobronchial posttuberculosis scar, damaged cartilage and relapsing polychondritis. Results: In our series, the short-term (<12 weeks after stent deployment) complication rate was 75%, requiring stent removal in 60%. Overall, stent migration was observed in 65%, stent fracture in 15%, shriveling of the stent in 10% and granulation formation in 10%. Conclusion: The use of fully covered SEMS for the treatment of benign airway strictures is associated with a high short-term complication rate requiring stent removal. We have abandoned in our clinical practice the use of fully covered SEMS for benign airway strictures.

Short-term use of tapered-shaped polyvinylchloride cuffs in surgical patients results in more effective sealing of the tracheal lumen in comparison with a traditional barrel-shaped polyvinylchloride cuffs. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether a reduction in post-operative pneumonia can be demonstrated when these cuffs are used.

We propose a forced oscillation test modality for detecting upper airway obstruction (UAO) as an alternative to spirometric UAO indices in patients with tracheal stenosis. From oscillometry performed at different breathing flow rates, airway resistance at 5 Hz was determined at 0.5 l/s (R), and flow dependence of resistance was computed as the regression slope of resistance vs. flow up to 1 l/s (Delta R/Delta V). It was first verified by measurement in 10 normal subjects and 10 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that Delta R/Delta V was unaffected by the presence of peripheral airway obstruction and that external orifices (with lumen area down to 28 mm(2)) induced marked increases in R and Delta R/Delta V. Ten patients eligible for tracheal dilatation underwent spirometry and impulse oscillometry before and after intervention. Considering the lumen area of tracheal stenosis in the patients (42 +/- 28 mm(2), represented as the mean +/- SD), the R and Delta R/Delta V increases were of similar magnitude to those predicted by the external orifices. In addition, R (r = -0.68; P = 0.001) and Delta R/Delta V (r = -0.65; P = 0.001) showed better correlations with minimal tracheal lumen than any spirometric UAO index. Delta R/Delta V, but not R, showed a consistent return to normal after intervention in the stenosis patients. We conclude that the forced oscillation test at different breathing flow rates up to 1 l/s provides a measure of UAO, namely flow dependence of resistance Delta R/Delta V, which can signal a critical level of tracheal stenosis and is not confounded by the presence of concomitant peripheral airway obstruction.

Thoracoscopic ablation of the sympathetic chain is an effective treatment for EH; CH occurs in the majority of patients, but only rarely impairs postoperative quality of life.

TTP is a safe and effective intervention in complicated spontaneous pneumothorax.

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