Videolaryngoscopes may reduce cervical spine movement during tracheal intubation in patients with neck trauma. This manikin study aimed to compare the performance of disposable non-channeled and channeled blades of the King Vision™ videolaryngoscope in simulated cervical spine injury. Fifty-eight anesthesiologists in training intubated the TruMan manikin with the neck immobilized using each blade in a randomized order. The primary outcome was the time needed for tracheal intubation, secondary aims included total success rate, the time required for visualization of the larynx, number of attempts, view of the vocal cords, and subjective assessment of both methods. Intubation time with the channeled blade was shorter, with a median time of 13 s (IQR 9–19) vs. 23 s (14.5–37.5), p < 0.001, while times to visualization of the larynx were similar in both groups (p = 0.54). Success rates were similar in both groups, but intubation with the non-channeled blade required more attempts (1.52 vs. 1.05; p < 0.001). The participants scored the intubation features of the channeled blade significantly higher, while visualization features were scored similarly in both groups. Both blades of the King Vision™ videolaryngoscope are reliable intubation devices in a simulated cervical spine injury in a manikin model when inserted by non-experienced operators. The channeled blade allowed faster intubation of the trachea.

Introduction Despite many technological advances, the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic peripheral lung nodule analysis remains limited due to frequent mispositioning. Needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) enables real-time microscopic feedback on needle positioning, potentially improving the sampling location and diagnostic yield. Previous studies have defined and validated nCLE criteria for malignancy, airway and lung parenchyma. Larger studies demonstrating the effect of nCLE on diagnostic yield are lacking. We aim to investigate if nCLE-imaging integrated with conventional bronchoscopy results in a higher diagnostic yield compared with conventional bronchoscopy without nCLE. Methods and analysis This is a parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Recruitment is performed at pulmonology outpatient clinics in universities and general hospitals in six different European countries and one hospital in the USA. Consecutive patients with a for malignancy suspected peripheral lung nodule (10–30 mm) with an indication for diagnostic bronchoscopy will be screened, and 208 patients will be included. Web-based randomisation (1:1) between the two procedures will be performed. The primary outcome is diagnostic yield. Secondary outcomes include diagnostic sensitivity for malignancy, needle repositionings, procedure and fluoroscopy duration, and complications. Pathologists will be blinded to procedure type; patients and endoscopists will not. Ethics and dissemination Primary approval by the Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam University Medical Center. Dissemination involves publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Support Financial and material support from Mauna Kea Technologies. Trial registration number NCT06079970.

Interventional management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion: state of the art in 2021

Background: The accurate measurement of the distances within the airways during bronchoscopy is necessary for diagnostic purposes; however, a reliable and simple device does not exist. Methods: The LJ system, consisting of a probe, a box with a display, an encoder, and a microcontroller, has been developed, and its prototype has been tested in vitro and validated in clinical practice in suitable procedures of interventional bronchoscopy. Results: In vitro, the device measurements showed a good correlation with the control performed with a digital caliper. Subsequently, ten patients were included in a pilot study evaluating this novel prototype of a measurement device. The device was used on four patients with tracheal stenosis indicated for Y-stent placement, four patients indicated for open surgery, and two cases of tracheoesophageal fistula. The measurements have been validated using computed tomography imaging or by direct inspection and measurement during open surgical procedures. Conclusions: The first experience and pilot study evaluating this novel instrument for distance measurements during interventional bronchology procedures showed that the LJ device can provide precise readings of the distance from the vocal cords, the lengths of tracheal stenoses, or the size of tumorous and other lesions. Its use might be widened to other endoscopic indications.

The significance of extraesophageal reflux as a risk factor in lung adenocarcinoma has been understudied. In this study, we investigated whether extraesophageal reflux leads to higher pepsin concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma compared to controls. Subjects were recruited from non-smoker patients (lifelong non-smokers and ex-smokers with more than 5 years of non-smoking history) who had undergone bronchoscopy due to pulmonary abnormalities on a CT scan and met the inclusion criteria. Based on histological verification of the lung process, the patients were divided into three groups: (1) lung adenocarcinoma, (2) pulmonary metastases, and (3) lung sarcoidosis. Lung adenocarcinoma cases were further categorized as central or peripheral. BAL samples collected during bronchoscopy were quantitatively analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure pepsin levels. No statistically significant difference in pepsin concentration was observed between the lung adenocarcinoma group and control groups (p = 0.135). After excluding hemorrhagic BAL samples, the pepsin concentration was significantly the lowest in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (p = 0.023) compared to the control groups. The results of the study do not support the hypothesis of a higher occurrence of extraesophageal reflux (evaluated as the amount of pepsin in BAL) in non-smoker patients with lung adenocarcinoma.