Ashesh Dhungana

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.

Introduction: Inhalation therapy is the administration of the aerosolized medication directly into the lungs and it is the most effective form of management of the obstructive airway disease including chronic obstructive airway disease, asthma and overlap syndrome. There is less data on the knowledge of inhaler therapy among the junior doctors who are managing obstructive airway disease at the first contact point. This study was done to assess the knowledge of undergraduate doctors and resident doctors who are treating the patients before the consultation with senior consultants working in one of the tertiary care hospital . The findings of the study will help find the strategies of filling the gaps of the knowledge of inhalation therapy among junior doctors while managing obstructive airway disease Objective: The primary objective of the study was to find the Knowledge of Inhaler Therapy among Undergraduates and Resident doctors in Bir Hospital. Methods: The study was a cross secti...

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 can be associated with progressive respiratory failure. In addition to respiratory support and other supportive care, use of corticosteroids has shown to improve outcome. Despite the use of steroids, a significant proportion of patients progressively worsen. Adjunct immunomodulators have been studied in addition to steroids in these patients. Here we present a successful use of tofacitinib, a Janus Kinase inhibitor, in conjunction with dexamethasone for a patient with rapid worsening of respiratory status and with high level of serum inflammatory biomarkers.

Introduction: Lung carcinoma is the most common cancer with 2.1 million (11.6%) newly diagnosed cases in 2018. Over the years, many cytotechniques have been developed but their combination with histology is still an area of controversy. Imprint and crush cytology are considered simple, rapid and cost effective for a low resource setting in the early diagnosis and management of lung cancer. Here, we aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of imprint and crush cytology and compare them with histopathology.  Method: A prospective study was conducted from May 2017 to April 2018 at the Pulmonary medicine unit and Department of Pathology at National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital. A total of 53 patients were enrolled in the study who showed visible mass on bronchoscopy. Three to five bits of tissue were obtained, imprint and crush smear were prepared from them and the tissue were then sent for histopathological examination. The level of significance selected was p < 0...

Foreign body aspiration is uncommon in adults and the diagnosis may be delayed in the elderly, as many fail to provide a history of choking during initial evaluation. Flexible bronchoscopy is a useful tool for foreign body extraction from the tracheobronchial tree in selected cases. A Sixty-two year old male presented with history of cough, purulent sputum and intermittent hemoptysis. CT scan of the thorax demonstrated a radio-dense foreign body in the bronchus intermedius causing focal narrowing. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a glistening white bone in the distal bronchus intermedius which was successfully grasped with the flexible forceps and extracted via the oral route with the bronchoscope. Keywords: Elderly; flexible bronchoscopy; foreign body aspiration.

Foreign body aspiration is common in children and adolescents. Foreign body aspiration is often unnoticed and diagnosis may be delayed in children, as many fail to provide a history. Although rigid bronchoscopy is preferred modality, flexible bronchoscopy is also a useful tool for foreign body extraction from the distal airways in selected cases. An eleven-year-old boy presented with a history of fever and dry cough of one month's duration. A chest x-ray showed a linear radiopaque foreign body along the course of the right bronchus. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a metallic nail-like structure in right lower lobe bronchus which was successfully grasped with the flexible forceps and extracted via the oral route with the bronchoscope. Upon extraction aspirated foreign body was found to be a push-pin.

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 (...

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage results from accumulation of red blood cells in the alveolar space originating from alveolar capillaries. Alveolar hemorrhage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is rare but catastrophic and can rapidly progress to respiratory failure. We report a 22-year old lady who presented with dyspnoea on exertion, hemoptysis, bilateral leg swelling and oliguria. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis. Serologic tests and renal biopsy confirmed lupus nephritis. She was treated with systemic immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange, to which she had a favourable response. Lupus presenting as alveolar hemorrhage is rare which warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.

Introduction: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage results from an accumulation of red blood cells into the alveolar space. Symptoms of alveolar hemorrhage are dyspnea, hemoptysis, anemia, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Diagnosis is established by bronchoalveolar lavage and treatment includes a combination of high dose systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressant and plasma exchange. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical radiological profile and laboratory findings and utility of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.Materials and Methods: In a retrospective review between February 2017 and December 2017, medical records of patients with a diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage presenting at the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal, were analyzed. Clinical, radiology and laboratory results along with bronchoalveolar lavage results were extracted. Treatment received and clinical responses were ev...

Introduction: Saprophytic growth of Aspergillus species in preexisting lung cavities commonly presents with hemoptysis. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment for hemoptysis control in pulmonary aspergilloma. In patients, who are not candidates for surgical resection bronchoscopic Voriconazole instillation, is an effective option.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, data of patients presenting with active hemoptysis, radiological evidence of aspergilloma and those undergoing bronchoscopic Voriconazole instillation at National Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to December 2018 were retrieved. Clinical details including the severity of hemoptysis, number, size and location of aspergilloma, number of Voriconazole instillation sessions and symptom control were assessed. Follow up CT scan after four to six sessions were also evaluated to compare the size of aspergilloma.Results: A total of 11 patients presented with aspergilloma and hemoptysis. Of these,...

Evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is often challenging. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a novel technique which provides real time sonographic guidance during Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) from mediastinal and hilar lesions. A 60-year-old smoker presented with two months history of cough and chest pain on the right side. CT thorax revealed a right upper lobe spiculated mass with paratracheal (Station 4R) and subcarinal (Station 7) lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy did not reveal any endobronchial mass. Since EBUS-TBNA is superior to conventional TBNA for malignant mediastinal node, an EBUS- TBNA was performed from both lymph node stations. . Cytopathology and histopathology revealed non-small cell lung cancer. We hereby report the first use of EBUS-TBNA in Nepal, in a patient with lung cancer and mediastinallymphadenopathy.