When performing TBNA in the setting of suspected sarcoidosis, we found c-TBNA with ROSE and EBUS-TBNA (with or without ROSE) to be superior to c-TBNA alone. Whether c-TBNA with ROSE is equivalent to EBUS-TBNA cannot be determined from our study due to small sample size/low power.

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. However, bronchoscopy practices vary widely across India and worldwide. The three major respiratory organizations of the country supported a national-level expert group that formulated a comprehensive guideline document for FB based on a detailed appraisal of available evidence. These guidelines are an attempt to provide the bronchoscopist with the most scientifically sound as well as practical approach of bronchoscopy. It involved framing appropriate questions, review and critical appraisal of the relevant literature and reaching a recommendation by the expert groups. The guidelines cover major areas in basic bronchoscopy including (but not limited to), indications for procedure, patient preparation, various sampling procedures, bronchoscopy in the ICU setting, equipment care, and training issues. The target audience is respiratory physicians working in India and well as other parts of the world. It is hoped that this document would serve as a complete reference guide for all pulmonary physicians performing or desiring to learn the technique of flexible bronchoscopy.

AIMTo prospectively evaluate the reproducibility of diaphragm thickness measurement by ultrasonography at the bedside by critical care physicians in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation.METHODSIn a prospective observational study of 64 invasively ventilated patients, diaphragmatic thickness measurement was taken by 2 different observers at the same site. Three measurements were taken by each observer and averaged. The intraobserver and interobserver variability was assessed by estimation of intraclass correlation coefficient. The limits of agreement were plotted as the difference between two observations against the average of the two observations in Bland and Altman analysis.RESULTSThe mean diaphragm thickness at the functional residual capacity was 2.29 ± 0.4 mm and the lower limit of the normal, i.e., the 5th percentile was 1.7 mm (95%CI: 1.6-1.8). The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver variability was 0.986 (95%CI: 0.979-0.991) with a P value of < 0.001. The intraclass correlation coefficient for interobserver variability was 0.987 (95%CI: 0.949-0.997) with a P value of < 0.001. In Bland and Altman analysis, both intraobserver and interobserver measurements showed high limits of agreement.CONCLUSIONOur study demonstrates that the measurement of diaphragm thickness by ultrasound can be accurately performed by critical care physicians with high degree of reproducibility in patients on mechanical ventilation.

Dieulafoy's disease is an uncommon condition, the usual site of occurrence being the gastrointestinal tract. The condition refers to the presence of a dysplastic submucosal artery with mucosal vascular branches that has propensity to cause recurrent bleeding. Dieulafoy's disease of the bronchus is rare. Herein, we describe the case of a 26-year-old male who presented with recurrent bouts of hemoptysis and bronchial Dieulafoy's disease was diagnosed. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed, and argon plasma coagulation (APC) of the bleeding lesion was done. The procedure was successful and was followed by complete eradication of the vascular malformation and cessation of hemoptysis. APC is a useful tool in the armamentarium of an interventional pulmonologist that can allow rapid and safe control of bleeding from superficially located and bleeding endobronchial lesions, and can be easily and effectively applied using a flexible bronchoscope.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and in Nepal. Non small cell carcinoma is the commoner histological type. The incidence of adenocarcinoma subtype is increasing globally. This study aims to evaluate the clinical-radiological and histological profile and the diagnostic yield of various modalities in the diagnosis of lung cancer at a tertiary hospital in Nepal.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu. Patients presenting with clinical and radiological features consistent with lung cancer and undergoing tissue sampling were included. The clinical and radiological characteristics, distribution of various histological subtypes and the diagnostic yield of various modalities were evaluated.Results: Of the 253 patients screened, 77 meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled into the study. Lung cancer was diagnosed in 53 patients. Forty (75.5%) patients had non small cell carcinoma and 13 (24.5%) had small cell carcinoma. Among the non small cell variants, 20 (37.7%) had adenocarcinoma and 19 (35.9%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Hitopathological diagnosis of lung cancer was established in 39 of the 42 (92.9%) patients by bronchoscopy. Image guided biopsy and/or aspiration yielded the diagnosis in 13 (24.5%) patients. The diagnostic yields of endobronchial biopsy, needle aspiration, bronchial brush and bronchial wash cytology were 86.5%, 70%, 63% and 34.3%respectively. Conclusions: The result of this study concurs with the global trend of rising incidence of adenocarcinoma subtype. Bronchoscopy remains the most commonly used tool for diagnosis of lung cancer and combination of procedures such as biopsy, bronchial brush, needle aspiration and bronchial wash provided the highest yield in our study.Keywords: Bronchoscopy, Histological subtypes, Lung cancer, Tertiary hospital, Nepal.