Total unilateral pulmonary collapse secondary to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a case series of an unusual cause of complete atelectasis

Background Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a bronchopulmonary disease caused by a complex hypersensitivity to Aspergillus and is usually associated with underlying respiratory diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. Mucus plugging can lead to segmental or lobar atelectasis, but complete lung atelectasis has been exceptionally reported in the literature, making it difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis of ABPA may however be suggested in patients without known predisposing respiratory disorder, even in the absence of other relevant radiographic findings. Case presentation We report five cases of total unilateral lung collapse secondary to ABPA in 70–81-year-old women. Two of them had a past history of ABPA, while total unilateral lung collapse was the first sign of the disease in the other three patients, contributing to the initial misdiagnosis. Flexible bronchoscopy was initially performed to remove mucus plugs from the obstructed airways but was inefficient in four cases. Corticosteroid and/or antifungal treatment was needed. Conclusion ABPA can cause total unilateral lung collapse even in patients without known underlying chronic respiratory disease, making the diagnosis difficult. Flexible bronchoscopy should be considered when lung collapse is associated with respiratory distress but corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for ABPA.

Perioperative Pulmonary Atelectasis: Part II. Clinical Implications

The development of pulmonary atelectasis is common in the surgical patient. Pulmonary atelectasis can cause various degrees of gas exchange and respiratory mechanics impairment during and after surgery. In its most serious presentations, lung collapse could contribute to postoperative respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and worse overall clinical outcomes. A specific risk assessment is critical to allow clinicians to optimally choose the anesthetic technique, prepare appropriate monitoring, adapt the perioperative plan, and ensure the patient’s safety. Bedside diagnosis and management have benefited from recent imaging advancements such as lung ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography, and monitoring such as esophageal manometry. Therapeutic management includes a broad range of interventions aimed at promoting lung recruitment. During general anesthesia, these strategies have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in improving intraoperative oxygenation and respiratory compliance. Yet these same intraoperative strategies may fail to affect additional postoperative pulmonary outcomes. Specific attention to the postoperative period may be key for such outcome impact of lung expansion. Interventions such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilatory support may be beneficial in specific patients at high risk for pulmonary atelectasis (e.g., obese) or those with clinical presentations consistent with lung collapse (e.g., postoperative hypoxemia after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeries). Preoperative interventions may open new opportunities to minimize perioperative lung collapse and prevent pulmonary complications. Knowledge of pathophysiologic mechanisms of atelectasis and their consequences in the healthy and diseased lung should provide the basis for current practice and help to stratify and match the intensity of selected interventions to clinical conditions.

Prone Positioning May Increase Lung Overdistension in COVID-19-Induced ARDS

Background: Real-time effects of changing body position and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on regional lung overdistension and collapse in individual patients remain largely unknown and not timely monitored. The aim of this study was to individualize PEEP in supine and prone body positions seeking to reduce lung collapse and overdistension in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that prone positioning with bedside titrated PEEP would provide attenuation of both overdistension and collapse.Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS under mechanical ventilation were included. We used electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with decremental PEEP titration algorithm (PEEPEIT-titration), which provides information on regional lung overdistension and collapse, along with global respiratory system compliance, to individualize PEEP and body position. PEEPEIT-titration in supine position straightaway followed by PEEPEIT-titration in prone position were performed. Immediately before each PEEPEIT-titration, the same lung recruitment maneuver was performed: 2 min of PEEP 24 cmH2O and driving pressure of 15 cmH2O.Results: Forty-two PEEPEIT-titration were performed in ten patients (21 pairs supine and prone positions). We have found larger % of overdistension along the PEEP titration in prone than supine position (P = 0.042). A larger % of collapse along the PEEP titration was found in supine than prone position (P = 0.037). A smaller respiratory system compliance was found in prone than supine position (P < 0.0005).Conclusions: In patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS, prone body position, when compared with supine body position, decreased lung collapse at low PEEP levels, but increased lung overdistension at PEEP levels greater than 10 cm H2O.Trial registration number: NCT04460859

Alveolar Regeneration in COVID-19 Patients: A Network Perspective

A viral infection involves entry and replication of viral nucleic acid in a host organism, subsequently leading to biochemical and structural alterations in the host cell. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, over-activation of the host immune system may lead to lung damage. Albeit the regeneration and fibrotic repair processes being the two protective host responses, prolonged injury may lead to excessive fibrosis, a pathological state that can result in lung collapse. In this review, we discuss regeneration and fibrosis processes in response to SARS-CoV-2 and provide our viewpoint on the triggering of alveolar regeneration in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Use of Lung Ultrasound for Assessment of Lung Recruitment Maneuvers in Patients with ARDS

BACKGROUND: Positive pressure mechanical ventilation is a non-physiological intervention that saves lives but is not free of important side effects. It invariably results in different degrees of collapse of small airways. Recruitment maneuver (RM) aims to resolve lung collapse by a brief and controlled increment in airway pressure while positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) afterward keeps the lungs open. Therefore, ideally RM and PEEP selection must be individualized and this can only be done when guided by specific monitoring tools since lung’s opening and closing pressures vary among patients with different lung conditions. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical value of ultrasonic monitoring in the assessment of pulmonary recruitment and the best PEEP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 120 patients, 30 were excluded as in whom lung collapse cannot be confirmed then the rest were 90 patients from whom another 25 patients excluded as they were hemodynamically unstable the rest 65 patients were divided into two groups: Group A: Included 50 mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS, underwent lung recruitment using lung ultrasound and Group B: Included 15 mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS, underwent lung recruitment using oxygenation index. This prospective study was held at many critical care departments around Egypt. RESULTS: We noticed that lung recruitment in both groups significantly increased Pao2/Fio2 ratio immediately after recruitment compared with basal state and also significantly increase dynamic compliance compared with basal state. The increase in PF ratio immediately was significantly more in ultrasound group than in oxygenation group. Furthermore, we noticed that that P/F ratio 12 h after recruitment decreased compared with P/F ratio immediately after recruitment but significantly increased compared with basal state before recruitment and also we found that the increase in P/F ratio 12 h after recruitment was more significantly in lung ultrasound group than in oxygenation group. Furthermore, we noticed that lung recruitment (both lung ultrasound and oxygenation group) significantly increase RV function using TAPSE compared with basal state. Both opening pressure and optimal PEEP were significantly higher in lung ultrasound group than in oxygenation group. In our study, opening pressure was 37.28 ± 1.25 in lung ultrasound group and was 36.67±0.98 in oxygenation group and optimal PEEP was 14.64 ± 1.08 in lung ultrasound group and was 13.13 ± 0.74 in oxygenation group. CONCLUSION: Lung US is an effective mean of evaluating and guiding alveolar recruitment in ARDS. Compared with the maximal oxygenation–guided method, the protocol for reaeration in US-guided lung recruitment achieved a higher opening pressure, resulted in greater improvements in lung aeration, and substantially reduced lung heterogeneity in ARDS.

Pneumatocele Induced Pneumothorax in a patient with Post-COVID-19 Pneumonitis. A Case Report

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging medical professionals and facilities for over a year now. Much of the literature describes pathologic lung changes and complications associated with SARS-CoV-2, with pneumothorax and pneumatoceles not being uncommon. The Case: We describe a case involving a patient that presented to the emergency department with a pneumothorax. Three weeks prior, the patient was hospitalized for 10 days in acute respiratory distress secondary to COVID-19 pneumonitis, which did not require ventilator support. Follow up imaging revealed a 7 cm (AP) x 4.6 cm (transverse) x 2.5 (cc) cm pneumatocele. Conclusion: We speculate that antecedent rupture of an unrecognized pneumatocele likely caused lung collapse leading to the patient’s pneumothorax. This review delves into the etiology of both pneumothoraces and pneumatoceles along with their relation to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Comparison of Double-Lumen Tube and EZ-Blocker for Lung Separation in Thoracic Surgery - A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Background:Double lumen tube (DLT) intubation is the most commonly used technique for lung separation. Bronchial blockers (BB) are an alternative, especially for difficult airways. The EZ-bronchial blocker (EZB) is the newest device of the BB family. Methods:A randomised, controlled trial was conducted in 80 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery using DLT or SLT plus EZB for lung separation (German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00014816). The objective of the study was to compare the clinical performance of EZB with DLT. Primary endpoint was total time to successful lung separation. Secondary endpoints were time subsections, quality of lung collapse, difficulty of intubation, any complications during the procedure, incidence of objective trauma of the oropharynx and supraglottic space and intubation-related subjective symptoms.Results:74 patients were included, DLT group (n = 38), EZB group (n = 36). Median total time for lung separation [IQR] in DLT group was 234 seconds [207 to 294] versus 298 seconds [243 to 369] in EZB group (P=0.007). Quality of lung collapse was equal in both groups, DLT group 89.5% were excellent vs. 83.3 % in the EZB group (P=0.444). Inadequate lung collapse in five patients of the EZB group resulted in unsuccessful repositioning attempts and secondary DLT placement. Endoscopic examinations revealed significantly more carina trauma (P=0.047) and subglottic haemorrhage (P=0.047) in the DLT group. Additionally, postoperative subjective symptoms (sore throat, hoarseness) were more common in the DLT group, as were speech problems.Conclusions:Using the EZB results in prolonged lung separation compared to DLT, prima facie with equal quality of lung collapse for the thoracic surgeon. Five crossover cases demonstrated the superiority of the use of left-sided DLT especially in the indication for EZB for a right open thoracotomy or right video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Using the EZB showed only little evidence for reducing objective airway trauma e.g. less carina trauma as well as subjective complaints.Trial registration:German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00014816, prospectively registered on 07.06.2018https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00014816

Accuracy Comparison of Endotracheal Tube (ETT) Placement Using Chula Formula With Manubrium Sternal Joint (MSJ) Formula

Introduction: Intubation mistakes, such as ETT malposition, will result in serious complications. Endobronchial intubation can cause pneumothorax and contralateral lung collapse (atelectasis). On the contrary, superficial ETT could increase the risk of being released easily, leading to desaturation or even cardiac arrest. A shallow ETT position could cause the compression of the vocal cord and laryngeal nerve by ETT's cuff. An optimal position can be reached if the cuff position is 1.5-2.5 cm under the vocal cord and the tip is 3-5 cm above the carina. Several methods of ETT depth measurement based on airway length data can be an alternative, especially during the COVID-19 era, where the use of a stethoscope to check ETT depth is limited. Objectives: To analyze the accuracy of ETT depth placement using Chula and MSJ formula. Methods and Material: We conducted the prospective comparative analytic research on 50 patients who had elective surgery in GBPT operating room at Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya. The research data during the intubation and FOL (Fyber Optic Laryngoscope) from each patient were height, MSJ length, initial ETT length, the distance of carina-ETT tip, the distance of cuff-vocal cord, and final ETT length. Result and Discussion: In the Chula formula group, the average patients' height was 160.60cm ± 9.738 for men and 157.76 cm ± 8.604 for women. The average MSJ length was 20.28 cm. The application of the Chula formula is more accurate because ETT revision was carried out in only 8.0% of the samples, with an average revision is 0.04. On the other hand, the ETT revision with an average of 0.868 on the MSJ formula group was conducted in 84% of the samples. This research also found a linear correlation between increasing ETT depth and body height. Conclusion: Applying the Chula formula to measure the ETT depth for Indonesian (Javanese) people is more appropriate than the MSJ formula.