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Background. The newer wireless portable scanners seem to permit a quicker bedside ultrasound (US) assessment, shortening the transfer times of the portable US unit and without the hindering of connection cables. However, no substantial evidence is currently available regarding of the clinical effectiveness of such new generation devices. Objective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a wireless US system with respect to a high-end US unit in a cohort of consecutive respiratory patients. Materials and Methods. This prospective observational study included a total of 72 respiratory patients admitted in the department of Internal Medicine. The US examination were independently performed by two experienced blinded examiners with a high-end Esaote MyLab-Twice scanner and a wireless double-head linear and convex probe OTE-L/C501CD. The findings resulting from the high-end US assessment and the wireless US examination were then compared each other. All the patients had a confirmation chest CT scan. Results. The high-end US machine identified 64 positive cases for pleuro-pulmonary alterations, in comparison to which the wireless US unit resulted in 13 false negative results. The respective overall sensitivity and specificity for the portable wireless US unit were of 79.69% and 100.00%, respectively. The resolution of the portable wireless US device was judged as good in 22 (31%) cases, affected by minor diagnostic limitations in 26 (36%) cases and affected by major diagnostic limitations in 24 (33%). The main diagnostic strength of the wireless probe was in the detection of pleural effusion (sensitivity 100%). The diagnostic sensitivity of the wireless probe in assessing abnormalities of the pleural line (67%), pulmonary subpleural consolidations (65%), pleural lesions (33%) and pericardial effusion (0%) was reduced. Conclusions. The newer wireless US probes may have clinical roles for the detection and management of pleural effusion when used by experienced examiners. However, sensitivity in detecting other pleuro-pulmonary pathologies is not comparable to high-end ultrasound machines.

Background There is a gap of knowledge about the factors that may determine the quality and the accuracy of diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures when setting up a new Interventional Pulmonology Unit. As little evidence-based medicine is available on this matter, an online consensus opinion of experts was gathered and compared with real-life data coming from a new Interventional Pulmonology (IP) Unit. Methods A survey was emailed to the heads of all Italian IP Units to investigate the factors influencing the success of the diagnostic yield of a new IP Unit. The survey consisted of 24 items grouped by topic; the level of agreement ranged from 1 (no influence) to 7 (strong influence). After responses were collected, we submitted the data on the accuracy of the endoscopic procedures performed during the first two years of our new IP Unit to the attention of the participants for a second round of survey; the level of consistency between the first and second round of responses was assessed. Results After having been shown the results of the first two years of activity of our Unit, in the second round of the survey the responders indicated the personal skills of the Interventional Pulmonologist, the availability of echoendoscopic technology and the expertise in evaluating cytological samples as the factors able to positively influence the performance of a newly established IP Unit. Neither the role of dedicated nursing assistance, the availability of a rapid on-site evaluation, nor the presence of anesthesiology assistance were considered to be limiting factors for the final accuracy results. Conclusions A consensus of opinion of a group of expert interventional pulmonologists highlighted the factors that may be responsible for the diagnostic success of a newly established Italian IP Unit. These factors are mainly three: personal skills of the interventional pulmonologist, the availability of echoendoscopic technology, and the expertise in reading cytological samples.

First- and second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as gefitinib, erlotinib, icotinib, and afatinib are the standard-of-care for first-line therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating EGFR mutations. Unfortunately, after initial activity of an average 9-13 months, disease progression has been reported in the majority of patients. In about 50% of cases the progression is due to the onset of the T790M mutation in exon 20 of the EGFR gene. Third-generation EGFR-TKIs targeting this mutation were investigated, with osimertinib the only reaching clinical practice. Areas covered: A structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature and of main meetings using a focused review question addressing osimertinib, was undertaken. Expert opinion: Osimertinib is the standard-of-care for EGFR-mutated patients progressing to first-line EGFR-TKIs due to the acquired EGFR T790M mutation. Results from the head-to-head first-line trial comparing osimertinib versus gefitinib or erlotinib in activating EGFR mutations might change the front-line approach. Osimertinib in combination regimens, such as immunotherapy, and in adjuvant setting are ongoing. Thus, the strategic approach for the management of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients will change further in the next few years.

A 44-year-old man was admitted to our Internal Medicine Unit because of fatigue and weight loss (about 6 Kg in 10 months). Prior medical history included a personality disorder and polysubstance abuse (opioids, cannabis, benzodiazepines). The patient was being treated with methadone, diazepam and