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Background: Rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) is not always available for fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. We have examined the relationships between the presence of “GOOP” (defined as gooey white material) on FNA aspirates, on-site adequacy (OSA), and diagnosis. Methods: Consecutive FNA samples obtained over the study interval were included. Samples were assessed macroscopically for the presence or absence of GOOP (GOOP+ or GOOP−). GOOP+ samples were further characterized as shiny (G+S) or cheesy (G+C). Gross descriptors were correlated with OSA and final diagnoses. Results: Of the 204 sites biopsied, 102 were malignant, 94 benign, and 8 nondiagnostic. The presence of GOOP was highly predictive for adequacy (positive predictive value 98%). While these correlations for GOOP positivity were significant, the absence of GOOP did not rule out adequacy or malignancy. The presence of GOOP was also significantly correlated with a malignant diagnosis. Conclusions: We have prospectively demonstrated that the presence of GOOP correlates strongly with adequacy. This may be of value for those for whom ROSE is not available and, when available, may help prioritize specimens for on-site review.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial stents types, uses, techniques for deployment and extraction have practice variations around the world. METHODS: We collected responses by sending an online survey of 8 questions to world interventional bronchology member societies and social media groups. RESULTS: There were 269 respondents from 47 countries. Europe had 97 respondents from 22 countries. There were 8 respondents from Australia, 7 from Africa (3 countries) and 7 from 4 countries in South America (SA). North America (NA) had 72 respondents from 3 countries. Asia had 78 respondents from 14 countries. For stent placements 15% [41] used fiberoptic bronchoscope (FB) only. Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) was solely utilized by 38% [102]. Forty-six percent [123] used a combination of RB and FB (P value

Background: Ancillary health professionals helping in a procedural service is a common practice everywhere. Objectives: This was a proof-of-concept study to assess feasibility of using ancillary personnel for rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) at interventional pulmonary procedures. Methods: After a training interval, a respiratory therapist (RT) performed ROSE on consecutive interventional pulmonary specimens. Sample sites included lymph nodes, lung, liver, and the left adrenal gland. RT findings were subsequently correlated with blinded cytopathology-performed ROSE and with final histopathology results, with primary foci of adequacy and the presence or absence of malignancy. Results: Seventy consecutive cases involved 163 separate sites for ROSE analysis. Adequacy: There was a high level of concordance between RT-performed ROSE (RT-ROSE) and cytopathology ROSE (CYTO-ROSE). They agreed upon the adequacy of 159 specimens. The Cohen’s κ coefficient ± asymptotic standard error (ASE) was 0.74 ± 0.175, with p < 0.0001. Malignancy: RT-ROSE concurred highly with CYTO-ROSE, with agreement on 150 (92%) of the 163 specimens. Cohen’s κ coefficient ± ASE was 0.83 ± 0.045, with p < 0.0001. When the comparison was for malignancy by case rather than individual site, Cohen’s κ coefficient ± ASE was 0.68 ± 0.08, with p < 0.0001. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ancillary personnel supporting an interventional pulmonary service can be trained to perform initial ROSE. Cytopathology can be called after sampling and staining have produced adequate samples. This setup streamlines ROSE evaluation with regard to time and cost.

Over 70% of smokers visit a physician annually, and physicians are well-positioned to assist patients in smoking cessation. Residency offers the ideal setting to train physicians in best practices for treatment of nicotine dependence. We hypothesized that experiential learning during a smoking cessation medical clinic (SCMC) rotation would be associated with an improvement in smoking cessation practice of internal medicine (IM) interns in outpatient primary care and inpatient settings.This was a prospective study performed at a large university-affiliated hospital. Forty IM interns rotated through SCMC. After a lecture on nicotine addiction and treatment, interns treated SCMC patients under direct supervision of an attending pulmonologist. Interns' smoking cessation practices before and after SCMC rotation were evaluated through chart review over 1 year. Upon study completion, a survey to assess confidence was administered. Paired t tests measured changes in rates of identifying smokers, offering pharmacological treatment and counseling.A total of 5,622 outpatient and 683 inpatient charts of interns' encounters with patients were reviewed. Following SCMC rotation, there was an increase in identifying active smokers (7.1% versus 18.7%), prescribing therapy for smoking cessation (6.5% versus 18.0%), and providing counseling (30.9% versus 42.3%) to outpatients. For inpatients, there was an increase in nicotine replacement during admission (12.9% versus 37.4%) and prescription of therapy upon discharge (5.7% versus 16.1%). Interns reported confidence in providing appropriate counseling and treatment.SCMC experience positively impacted smoking cessation treatment by IM interns, causing a measurable change in their practice.

A 26 year old gravida 2 para 1 woman presented in the third trimester of her pregnancy. She had not had antenatal check ups, but was in good health. She had attended a first trimester scan, and said that the doctor told her she was having twins. She had a family history of twins. Her first pregnancy had resulted in a full term normal vaginal delivery. Routine antenatal checks all were normal. Ultrasonography showed a normally growing fetus, appropriate for dates, and a cystic flattened mass near the placenta. No blood flow to the cystic mass could be seen. At term she delivered a 3200 g male infant by normal vaginal delivery. After the delivery, a pathological specimen was delivered along with the remnants of the placenta. The placenta showed a calcified and nodular area on the fetal surface. Microscopic examination of the placenta showed nests of epithelioid cells and deposits of fibrin. There were no postpartum complications.⇓ Fig 1 Specimen delivered after the normal fetus (top) and calcified nodular surface (arrow) of the placenta (bottom)