ObjectiveTracheobronchial foreign bodies (TFBs) aspiration is rare in adults,although it can occur at any age. This study aimed to report our experience in airway foreign body removal by flexible bronchoscopy in adult patients of central south China. MethodsA total of 244 patients with TFBs over the age of 14 years were reviewed retrospectively from January 1997 to February 2012. The incidence,risk factors,clinical manifestations,radiological findings,types and locations of TFBs were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 27719 patients,TFBs were found only in 0.88%(244) cases. The prevalence of TFB aspiration increased steadily with age beginning in the fifth decade. The incidence of TFBs was 0.62% among people aged 70 to 80 years. Risk factors such as cerebrovascular diseases and neural degenerative disease were found among 32 (6.6%) patients. Among 153 patients with clear history of foreign body aspiration,135 patients (88.2%) were addicted to the hot pepper. Paroxysmal cough (81.1%) was the most common clinical manifestations of TFBs. Only 12 cases (4.9%) were found with non-opaque foreign bodies by chest X-ray but 106 cases (43.4%) were found with opaque foreign bodies by chest CT. The most common indirect chest imaging findings were recurrent infections and consolidation of the same area.Bone fragments of animals was the most common type in foreign bodies (47.2%). The most common position of foreign bodies was the right bronchial (65.6%). Total foreign bodies of 234 patients (95.9%) had been successfully removed by flexible bronchoscopy. ConclusionAlthough TFBs is rare in adults in south China,but yield by flexible bronchoscopy (0.88%) is much higher than that is reported in western countries (0.32%-0.33%). Addiction to the hot pepper and speaking loudly when having dinner may be the major risk factor for high incidence in central south China.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value and utility of flexible bronchoscopy in the preoperative assessment in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Methods A total of 111 patients with SPNs of unknown origin treated between January and June 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical characteristics, bronchoscopy findings and surgical strategies were collected. Results In the total 111 cases, malignant and benign SPNs were 79 and 32 cases, respectively. The mean diameter of malignant SPNs was larger than that of benign SPNs [(2.04±0.58) vs. (1.70±0.75) cm, P<0.05]. Bronchoscopy identified 9 cases (8.1%) unsuspected findings. Surgeries were modified or cancelled in 3 patients (2.7%) because of bronchoscopy findings. Transbronchoscopy biopsies were performed in 26 patients, 9 of whom were diagnosed lung cancer preoperatively, with a sensitivity of 45% (9/20) and a specificity of 100% (6/6). Conclusions Flexible bronchoscopy can be contributed to diagnosis of SPN before surgery and determination of surgical strategies. It is suggested that flexible bronchoscopy could be included in the routine preoperative work-up of SPN.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of balloon bronchoplasty and metallic stents in lung transplant-related central airway stenosis.MethodsData of lung transplant recipients with central airway stenosis who underwent therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions between January 2011 and June 2019 at our institution were reviewed. The clinical follow-up included dyspnea index, forced expiratory Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and the rate of bronchoscopic dilation.ResultsThirty-four lung transplant recipients with airway stenosis were included in our study. All these patients were treated by balloon bronchoplasty through flexural bronchoscopy, and 7 additionally needed temporary metal stent implantation for 28 to 67 days in order to palliate recurrent central airway stenosis. The percentages of immediate efficacy were 86% (180/209) and 100% (7/7), respectively. After serial balloon dilatation, the recipients with central airway stenosis had significantly lower dyspnea index (3.24±0.55 vs. 1.91±0.62, P<0.01), higher FEV1 ［(1.43±0.21)L vs. (1.72±0.27)L, P<0.01］ and longer 6MWD ［(317.3±61.7)m vs. (372.9±52.6)m, P<0.01］. Six recipients with central airway stenosis received 33 interventions in 6 months before stent implantation and 10 interventions in 6 months after stent extraction.ConclusionsLung transplant recipients with central airway stenosis have a good respond to balloon bronchoplasty and stent placement. Airway stenosis after lung transplantation can be successfully managed with bronchoscopic dilatation and temporary stent placement.