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Bronchoscopic biopsy results for indeterminate pulmonary nodules remain suboptimal. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) coupled with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for confirmation has the potential to improve diagnostic yield. We present our experience using this multimodal approach to biopsy 17 indeterminate nodules in 14 consecutive patients from April to August 2021. Demographic information, nodule characteristics, and biopsy results were recorded. Procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room equipped with a Siemens Artis Q bi-plane CBCT (Siemens, Munich, Germany). After ENB using the superDimension version 7.1 (Medtronic, Plymouth, MN, USA) to target the lesion, radial endobronchial ultrasound was used as secondary confirmation. Next, transbronchial needle aspiration was performed prior to CBCT to evaluate placement of the biopsy tool in the lesion. The average nodule size was 21.7+/−15 mm with 59% (10/17) < 2 cm in all dimensions and 35% (6/17) showing a radiographic bronchus sign. The diagnostic yield of CBCT-guided ENB was 76% (13/17). No immediate periprocedural or postprocedural complications were identified. Our experience with CBCT-guided ENB further supports the comparable efficacy and safety of this procedure compared to other mature biopsy modalities. Studies designed to optimize the lung nodule biopsy process and to determine the contributions from different procedural aspects are warranted.

Tunneled indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are frequently used to palliate symptomatic dyspnea due to recurrent pleural effusions. The drainage valve of IPCs is an important component of the catheter as fracture of the valve leads to malfunctioning of the IPCs. Replacement of the catheter includes risks such as pain, infection, pneumothorax, and procedure cost. We report two cases of malfunctioning tunneled IPC drainage valves repaired by our noninvasive method and discuss the need for a repair kit and a standardized approach to this repair in case of nonavailability of repair kits.

Introduction: Tracheal neoplasms account for less than 0.1% of all malignancies. The majority of tracheal malignancies are secondary neoplasms from direct tracheal invasion from adjacent structures and less commonly from hematogenous or lymphatic spread from distal malignancies. Evidence-based guidelines for management are lacking. Less invasive bronchoscopic ablation modalities are an option for non-operable patients. We report a case of endotracheal oligometastatic adenocarcinoma successfully treated with photodynamic therapy. Case: A 59-year-old man with past medical history of stage 1 right upper and left upper lobe neoplasm treated with right lobectomy 2 years ago and wedge resection of the lingula ten months ago presented with cough and hemoptysis. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a 10 mm endoluminal exophytic lesion of the mid-trachea confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Considering the lack of extra-cartilaginous spread and the small size, a multidisciplinary team recommended local treatment using photodynamic therapy. Surveillance biopsies out to 2 years confirmed lack of disease recurrence. The patient did not experience any adverse effects. Conclusion: PDT as first line therapy for a 10 mm oligometastatic endotracheal adenocarcinoma from recurrent pulmonary malignancy with no extra-cartilaginous spread is an effective modality that is well tolerated and produces a durable response, which in our patient led to complete response without recurrence at 24 months and with no adverse effects or complications. Determining depth of tumor penetration is paramount if the treatment is with curative intent. PDT should be considered as part of a multidisciplinary approach for endotracheal malignant disease.

An 80-year-old woman with myelofibrosis sought evaluation for progressive dyspnea. Her past medical history included essential thrombocytosis, which transformed to myelofibrosis. Inspiratory computed tomography of chest showed diffuse mosaic attenuation with lymphadenopathy. Flexible bronchoscopy with lymph node and pulmonary parenchymal cryo biopsy revealed nodular deposits of extramedullary hematopoiesis in lung parenchyma and moderate to severe vascular medial and intimal thickening of pulmonary vasculature consistent with pulmonary parenchymal extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with pulmonary hypertension (a rare compensatory mechanism in myeloproliferative disorders). In this report, we explore the manifestations, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis of pulmonary extramedullary hematopoiesis reported in the literature.

Background Long‐term corticosteroid therapy is the standard of care for treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). The efficacy of long‐term corticosteroid‐sparing immunosuppression in CS is unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of methotrexate with or without adalimumab for long‐term disease suppression in CS, and to assess recurrence and adverse event rates after immunosuppression discontinuation. Methods and Results Retrospective chart review identified treatment‐naive CS patients at a single academic medical center who received corticosteroid‐sparing maintenance therapy. Demographics, cardiac uptake of 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose, and adverse cardiac events were compared before and during treatment and between those with persistent or interrupted immunosuppression. Twenty‐eight CS patients were followed for a mean 4.1 (SD 1.5) years. Twenty‐five patients received 4 to 8 weeks of high‐dose prednisone (>30 mg/day), followed by taper and maintenance therapy with methotrexate±low‐dose prednisone (low‐dose prednisone,