Aim : The diagnostic value of real-time convex-probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in mediastinal pathologies, and the factors influencing it are not clearly known. This study has been designed to examine factors affecting the efficacy and diagnostic value of CP-EBUS-TBNA. Methods : Patients (n = 321) with mediastinal mass or enlarged lymph node in the mediastinum, participated in this study, conducted between April 2007 and May 2009. Samples were obtained from the lesions using the TBNA method, with the guidance of CP-EBUS. Histopathologic (in all samples) and microbiologic (in 151 patients' samples) evaluations were carried out. Biopsy using an appropriate surgical method was taken when the result of the TBNA procedure was nondiagnostic. Thirty-four patients were excluded from the analysis due to several reasons. The diagnostic efficacy of the procedure was analyzed in the remaining 287 patients. Results : The diagnostic rate was 92% (89.7% for the benign diseases and 92.6% for the malignant diseases (P = 0.59)). In granulomatous diseases, the rate was 96% for sarcoidosis and 79% for tuberculosis (P = 0.002). Patients in whom only one lymph node was sampled and in whom two or more lymph nodes were sampled had a diagnostic rate of 85% and 95%, respectively (P = 0.03). When left hilar nodes were sampled, a higher diagnostic rate was achieved (P = 0.01). Conclusions : CP-EBUS-guided TBNA has a high diagnostic rate. Sampling of at least two separate lymph nodes and the discovery of left hilar station in these lymph nodes increase the rate of diagnosis.

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is a rare presentation and accounts for about 1% of benign tumors in this area. The diagnosis of disease is delayed due to nonspecific pulmonary symptoms. Therapeutic approaches are required to control progressive pulmonary symptoms for most of the patients. Herein, we report a case of a 68-year-old man admitted with progressive dyspnea to our institution for further evaluation and management. He was initially diagnosed with and underwent management for bronchial asthma for two years but had persistent symptoms despite optimal medical therapy. Pulmonary computed tomography scan revealed severe endotracheal stenosis. Bronchoscopy was performed and showed endotracheal mass obstructing 70% of the distal trachea and mimicking a neoplastic lesion. The mass was successfully resected by mechanical resection, argon plasma coagulation (APC), and Nd-YAG laser during rigid bronchoscopy. Biopsy materials showed deposits of amorphous material by hematoxylin and eosin staining and these deposits were selectively stained with Congo Red. Although this is a rare clinical condition, this case indicated that carrying out a bronchoscopy in any patient complaining of atypical bronchial symptoms or with uncontrolled asthma is very important.

Introduction: The most common cause of tracheal stenosis (TS) continues to be traumas according to the intubation and tracheostomy. Bronchoscopy is considered the gold standard for the detection and diagnosis of tracheobronchial pathology. There are several treatment options. We aimed to discuss our tracheal stenosis patients' treatment options, and their follow-up period. Materials and Methods: Consecutive referred patients between 2009 and 2018 presenting with TS were reviewed for the study. Demographic characteristics, localization, length and degree of stenosis, treatment techniques, postoperative complications, and survival were recorded for all patients. Results: A total of 110 patients included. The mean age was 53.7 +/- 16.7 (1698 years) years. Of 110 patients, 54 (49.1%) were female. Most common type of stenosis was complex stenosis (74.5%). Mechanical dilatation was applied to all patients. Stenotic regions of 22 (20%) patients were cut with bronchoscopic scissor. Tracheal stents were inserted into trachea of 49 (44.5%) patients. During follow-up period; 36 of 110 (32.7%) patients had surgical resection. Six of 36 (16.7%) patients died during follow-up period (one of them died during surgery), 17 (47.2%) patients had total recovery after surgery. Thirteen of 36 (36.1%) patients had restenosis after surgery. Conclusion: Tracheal stenosis is a process seen after postintubation or posttracheostomy frequently and it has a wide range of management modalities. Although, it is believed that surgery is the most efficient technique in cases without medical contraindications, we determined that endoscopic interventions can be alternative therapeutic options for inoperable patients. Patients must be followed-up after interventional therapies because complications, and restenosis can usually be seen.

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) provides guidance for primary screening of the central airways. The aim of our study was assessing the contribution of multidetector computed tomography- two dimensional reconstruction in the management of patients with tracheobronchial stenosis prior to the procedure and during a short follow up period of 3 months after the endobronchial treatment.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and tuberculosis are serious and mortal diseases worldwide. There are few studies about the association between tuberculosis and COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to describe the characteristics of tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection cases in light of the literature. Materials and Methods: Tuberculosis patients who applied to the tuberculosis outpatient clinic between September 1-September 30, 2020, and patients hospitalized in the COVID-19 service between June 1- September 30, 2020, were retrospectively screened. Patients with tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection were recorded. Clinical, radiological, laboratory data, and treatments were recorded and analyzed. For the diagnosis of tuberculosis, sputum acid-resistant bacillus (ARB) smear or culture positivity or pathological diagnosis were used. For the diagnosis of COVID-19, positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and/or typical radiological findings were sought. Results: Seven hundred and fifty-one patients' data at the tuberculosis outpatient clinic, 229 patients' data at the COVID-19 clinic were screened. Sixteen patients meet the criteria. COVID-19 infection rate in tuberculosis patients was 2.1%. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had received COVID-19 disease during diagnosis or initial tuberculosis treatment phase. There were no drug-drug interactions between anti-tuberculosis drugs and COVID-19 treatment. During the COVID-19 treatment, one patient (6%) died, 15 (94%) patients completed the treatment. Conclusion: In our study, no effect of the coexistence of TB and COVID-19 on morbidity or mortality was observed. Although the number of patients is small, it can be said that patients with early TB disease and with widespread involvement may be riskier for COVID-19 infection. Frequent hospital visits by TB patients may be a risk for COVID-19. It may be beneficial to carry out the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis patients by tuberculosis dispensaries as in our country or authorized units to reduce the risk of hospital admissions and COVID-19 transmission.