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Re: 'PulmoNAILy' injury: surgical management of rare tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in an adult

Lansing MG, Sivaraman Kannan KK, Hayati F

ANZ J Surg, 2021 10;91(10):2224.
PMID: 34665496 DOI: 10.1111/ans.17042
Fulltext A rare double pathology- coexistent large cell neuroendocrine cell carcinoma of the lung with Basal cell carcinoma of the skin

Rashid Ali MR, Ibrahim A, Rajahram GS, Sivaraman Kannan KK

Med J Malaysia, 2014 Oct;69(5):227-8.
PMID: 25638237 MyJurnal

No abstract available.
Fulltext Individualised second line anti-tuberculous therapy for an extensively resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (XDR PTB) in East Malaysia

Muhammad Redzwan SR, Ralph AP, Sivaraman Kannan KK, William T

Med J Malaysia, 2015 Jun;70(3):200-4.
PMID: 26248785 MyJurnal

Clinical experience with extensively Drug Resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has not been reported in Malaysia before. We describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors, progress and therapeutic regimen for a healthcare worker with XDR-TB, who had failed therapy for multidrug resistant TB (MDR TB) in our institution. This case illustrates the risk of TB among healthcare workers in high TB-burden settings, the importance of obtaining upfront culture and susceptibility results in all new TB cases, the problem of acquired drug resistance developing during MDR-TB treatment, the challenges associated with XDR-TB treatment regimens, the value of surgical resection in refractory cases, and the major quality of life impact this disease can have on young, economically productive individuals.
Fulltext Pleural fluid milkshakes: three cases with different aetiologies

Huan NC, Tan HA, Ramarmuty HY, Ponnuvelu S, Letcheminan S, Sivaraman Kannan KK

Respirol Case Rep, 2023 Apr;11(4):e01116.
PMID: 36910134 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1116

In clinical practice, chylothorax is usually suspected in any patient with milky pleural fluid. However, contrary to popular belief, milky appearance of pleural fluid is seen in less than half of patients with chylothorax. A high index of suspicion for chylothorax is therefore needed in any turbid, bloody, or serosanguinous effusions of unclear aetiology. In this case series, we present three patients with biochemically proven chylothorax: each with a different presentation, pleural fluid appearance, underlying cause, management strategy and clinical outcome. The first patient developed 'milky' chylothorax secondary to lymphoma while the second patient's 'yellow' chylothorax is related to pleural tuberculosis. The final patient suffered from 'pink' chylothorax in the setting of systemic amyloidosis. In each of the cases, prompt diagnosis of chylothorax followed by efforts to elucidate the underlying cause are crucial steps to guide subsequent management with the main aim to ensure a better clinical outcome.
Multiple intrathoracic extramedullary haematopoiesis as visualised on medical thoracoscopy

Lee JH, Nyanti LE, Huan NC, Ramarmuty HY, Sivaraman Kannan KK

Thorax, 2024 Jul 05.
PMID: 38969502 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2024-221593
Fulltext Early experience of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy: a case series from Sabah, Malaysia

Ramarmuty HY, Huan NC, Nyanti LE, Khoo TS, Renganathan T, Manoh AZ, et al.

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2024;18:17534666241231122.
PMID: 38357899 DOI: 10.1177/17534666241231122

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Continuous efforts are underway to improve the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the introduction of a new technique called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method allows for the retrieval of larger and well-preserved histologic samples from the mediastinum. We present a case series of four patients who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC procedures in our centre. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using a convex probe EBUS scope (Pentax EB-1970UK). Two patients were diagnosed with malignancy and two with benign disorders (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the malignant cases, both EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy provided a diagnosis but cryobiopsy yielded more material for ancillary tests in one patient. However, in the benign cases, there was discordance between EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy. Only cryobiopsy detected granuloma in the patient with TB (tuberculosis), and in the patient with silicosis, TBNC provided a better overall histological evaluation, leading to a definitive diagnosis. No complications were observed. This case series supports the potential diagnostic value of combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC, particularly in benign mediastinal lesions (granulomatous diseases), and in cases requiring additional molecular tests in cancer diagnosis.
Brown-Colored Malignant Pleural Fluid With High Bilirubin Levels: A Case Series

Huan NC, Nyanti LE, Lee XY, Ramarmuty HY, Eng DTS, Sivaraman Kannan KK, et al.

Case Rep Pulmonol, 2024;2024:5807681.
PMID: 39605876 DOI: 10.1155/crpu/5807681

Brown-colored pleural effusion is rare and may result from high bilirubin levels such as bilothorax (often described as a pleural fluid-to-serum bilirubin ratio of > 1.0). We describe four patients with malignant pleural effusion that appeared macroscopically brown with a pleural fluid-to-serum bilirubin ratio between 3.7 and 16.2. All had metastatic adenocarcinomas; three were from lung and one from gastric origin. None demonstrated clear pleurobiliary fistulas on investigations. Postulates for the development of brown effusion include heme oxygenase 1 overexpression in malignant cells situated in the pleura, intrapleural hemolysis, passive movement of bile through microscopic diaphragmatic pores, and drainage of biliary fluid into the pleural lymphatics.
Pleural fluid residue as a diagnostic tool for cytology-negative malignant pleural effusion: A proof-of-concept study

Nyanti LE, Huan NC, Ramarmurty HY, Renganathan T, Bin Abdul Aziz MA, Low JL, et al.

Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med, 2023;29(4):e1149.
PMID: 38239775 DOI: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i4.1149

BACKGROUND: Pleural fluid residue, or macroscopic tissue, circulating freely in the pleural fluid obtained through direct filtration, may carry diagnostic histopathological information. We aimed to determine the histopathological concordance of pleural fluid residue in diagnosing TPE and MPE, compared with conventional pleural biopsy. This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive inpatients with cytology-negative exudative effusion who underwent pleuroscopy and had their initial suctioned pleural fluid filtered for residue samples. Pleural fluid residue demonstrated malignant cells in four out of seven cases of pleural biopsy-confirmed malignancy. Pleural fluid residue has comparable cytomorphology but reduced cellularity compared with pleural biopsy. No tuberculous histological features were present in the pleural fluid residue samples. In this preliminary study pleural fluid residue provided histopathological information for malignant pleural effusion, but no incremental diagnostic information for tuberculous effusion. However larger and more definitive studies are required to clarify these findings, and to explore the utility and suitability of pleural fluid residue for mutational analysis.
WHAT THE STUDY ADDS: This study demonstrates the potential of pleural fluid residue as a non-invasive diagnostic method for confirming malignancy in cytology-negative exudative effusion.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In resource-limited settings or patients contraindicated for pleural biopsy, pleural fluid residue may provide a viable diagnostic alternative; however, this observation needs further validation.
Dry Medical Thoracoscopy with Artificial Pneumothorax Induction Using Veress Needle

Huan NC, Kho SS, Nyanti LE, Ramarmuty HY, Abd Rahim MA, Ho RL, et al.

Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul), 2024 Nov 14.
PMID: 39542010 DOI: 10.4046/trd.2024.0029

BACKGROUND: In the absence of, or minimal-volume pleural effusion, conventional medical thoracoscopy (MT) is often precluded by the risk of lung injury. Dry medical thoracoscopy (dry MT) aims to ameliorate these dangers by inducing an artificial pneumothorax via needle insufflation or blunt dissection. Veress needle is a device used by surgeons to induce pneumoperitoneum before laparoscopic surgeries, but is not commonly reported in dry MT.
METHODS: We present data from a series of 31 patients in which dry MT with artificial pneumothorax induction using Veress needle were performed under thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) guidance. Procedures were deemed technically successful if all the following criteria were met: (i) successful pneumothorax induction, allowing smooth insertion of semi-rigid thoracoscope during the procedure; (ii) no immediate significant procedural-related complications; and (iii) no delayed complications such as persistent air leak, defined as leakage lasting more than 5 days necessitating prolonged chest tube placement.
RESULTS: Complete pneumothorax induction was successful in 25 cases (80.6% technical success rate); nevertheless, biopsies were successfully performed in all cases. The most common histopathological diagnosis was malignancy (n=9, 29.0%), followed by inflammatory pleuritis (n=8, 25.8%) and tuberculosis (n=8, 25.8%). No complications were reported secondary to the procedure.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that TUS-guided dry MT with a Veress needle is technically feasible and safe in the hands of experienced MT performers who are competent in TUS.
Utilizing medical thoracoscopy for the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma presenting with pleural effusion: A case series

Huan NC, Ng KL, Nyanti LE, Khaw JY, Lee JH, Mohd Aminudin NH, et al.

Respirol Case Rep, 2024 Nov;12(11):e70061.
PMID: 39563685 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.70061

A third of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) develop pleural effusion during the disease course for various reasons. In most cases, lymphoma-related pleural effusion is a manifestation of widespread systemic disease, signifying a high tumour burden and therefore, a poorer prognosis. On the other hand, primary pleural lymphomas (PPLs) exhibit exclusive or dominant involvement of serous cavities, without detectable solid tumour masses. PPL is an uncommon disease and is of two types: primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation (DLBCL-CI). PPLs not related to PELs and DLBCL-CIs are exceedingly rare. Herein, we describe four patients with biopsy proven B-cell NHL. One had no extra-pleural involvement at the time of diagnosis, indicating PPL. In all cases, histopathological examination of pleural biopsies obtained via medical thoracoscopy (MT) were crucial in clinching the final diagnosis. Clinicians are alerted to the potential relationship between exudative effusion and NHL as well as the role of MT in the diagnosis of B-cell NHL.
Clinical and radiological characteristics of mediastinal melioidosis: A four-year retrospective cohort from Sabah, Malaysia

Nyanti LE, Abdul Muien MZB, Abu Othman A, Chia YL, Peshi MS, Toh V, et al.

Respir Med, 2024;234:107818.
PMID: 39332778 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107818

BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is a potentially fatal tropical infection. Little is known about mediastinal involvement in melioidosis. This study aimed to (a) describe the prevalence and demographics of various morphologies of mediastinal melioidosis, (b) propose a classification for radiological morphologies of mediastinal melioidosis.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Case records of consecutive patients with culture-positive melioidosis who underwent computed tomography (CT) thorax from January 1, 2018-February 28, 2022, were reviewed.
RESULTS: 486 culture-positive melioidosis patients were identified, of which 70 underwent CT thorax. 41 patients demonstrating mediastinal involvement were included in the final analysis, of which four were mediastinal collections, while the rest were classified into those with necrotic or matted appearances, and subcentimeter and larger than 1 cm. Culture-positivity was proven from blood in 83 % of patients (n = 34), with the remaining from chest wall pus, neck abscess pus, sputum, liver abscess, seminal vesicle, pleural, pericardial and peritoneal fluid. The most commonly associated pulmonary manifestations were consolidation and pleural effusion. Half had diabetes; a quarter had chronic kidney disease, while one had syphilis. Exposure to soil was present in six patients: quarry (n = 1), construction (n = 2), farmer (n = 1), living environment (n = 2). Seven patients succumbed before the end of 6-week intensive phase antibiotic treatment.
CONCLUSION: Mediastinal melioidosis is a spectrum with multiple overlapping features consisting of necrosis, matted lymph nodes, multiseptated and non-septated collections. Further studies will elucidate the prognostic implications of mediastinal melioidosis.