We thank Dr. Gerard Silvestri and &#8220;Proceedings of The American Thoracic Society&#8221; for their permission to reproduce their schematic diagram of the Convex-Probe Endobronchial Ultrasound (Figure 2; Proc Am Thorac Soc Vol 6. pp 180&#8211;186, 2009). We thank &#8220;American College of Chest Physicians&#8221; for their permission to reproduce the image of the substernal thyroid biopsy (Figure 4; CHEST Journal 137.6 (2010): 1435-1436). We thank Kelly Watson, RN, for her help in preparation of the procedure video.

The protocol outlined below follows the guidelines of the institution (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo, NY).
1. Initial Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Perform Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) under moderate sedation, monitored anesthesia care (MAC), or deep sedation and general anesthesia. 
	NOTE: Patient surveys show favorable satisfaction scores with moderate sedation19, but recent data shows higher diagnostic yield using general anesthesia20.</li>
	<li>Optionally, perform the procedure without an airway device under moderate sedation. Use a laryngeal mask airway (LMA; size 4) for procedures involving deep sedation or general anesthesia. 
	NOTE: Use LMA for lesions that are higher in the trachea. Because of the high tracheal location of substernal thyroid gland, endotracheal intubation should not be used in these cases</li>
	<li>During the procedure, use the lowest effective dose of 1% or 2% lidocaine (cumulative maximum dose of &#8804;7 mg/kg; maximum serum level &#8804;5 mg/L) for topical airway anesthesia through the bronchoscope&#8217;s working channel 21.</li>
</ol>
2. Pre-procedure Surveillance Bronchoscopy
<ol>
	<li>Introduce a conventional flexible bronchoscope into the airway through the oral cavity, or the LMA. Perform a sequential inspection of each sub-segment of both the left and right tracheobronchial tree for obvious endobronchial abnormalities and ensure adequate airway patency. Clean the airway of any secretion or mucus by suctioning. Remove bronchoscope from the airway when done.</li>
</ol>
3. Localizing the Lesion of Interest
<ol>
	<li>Introduce Convex Probe-Endobronchial Ultrasound (CP-EBUS) bronchoscope with a 35&#176; forward oblique angle view. Observe the anterior airway wall and a small portion of the adjacent lumen while advancing the bronchoscope centrally in the airway. When passing through the vocal cords, ensure that only the anterior angle of the glottic opening is visible. When in trachea, visualize the entire lumen with 35&#176; backward flexion as needed.</li>
	<li>Observe the display-screen while using the white-light bronchoscopy. Advance the bronchoscope to the estimated level of the lesion. Always, ensure that the lumen is not fully visible when advancing the bronchoscope. Full view of the lumen indicates that the tip of the CP-EBUS probe is in backward flexion, and poses the risk of traumatic scraping against the posterior airway wall.</li>
	<li>After reaching the desired site of interest, inflate the balloon using about 2 ml of normal saline. Flex the tip of the CP-EBUS forward to bring it in contact with the airway.</li>
	<li>Turn on the ultrasound view using the dedicated ultrasound processor. Use the two-screen display (or split-screen display) to see both the endoscopic view of the lumen, and the corresponding ultrasound image together on the screen.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the EBUS bronchoscope is in flexion position. Move the CP-EBUS both clockwise and counterclockwise in small angles at the same level to identify the substernal thyroid gland. Identify the lesion. Adjust the CP-EBUS probe by moving it up-and-down so that the largest diameter of the lesion is seen.</li>
	<li>Using the Doppler mode, identify the adjacent vascular structures to determine lesion&#8217;s accurate station22, and avoid accidental puncture of the blood vessels.</li>
	<li>At the level of the lesion, flex the tip of the EBUS bronchoscope forward so its ultrasound probe comes in contact with the airway to obtain an ultrasound view of the lesion. When needed, flex the tip backward for full endoscopic view. Repeat the manoeuver and identify a point of entry for the TBNA needle between two tracheal rings.</li>
</ol>
4. Obtaining Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Biopsy
<ol>
	<li>With the CP-EBUS tip in neutral (non-flexed) position, introduce the dedicated the 22 or 21 G&#160;TBNA needles into the working channel of the EBUS bronchoscope. Fasten the needle assembly onto the working channel using the locking mechanism.</li>
	<li>Loosen the sheath adjuster knob and advance the sheath so that the tip can be barely visualized on the endoscopic image. Fasten the sheath adjuster knob now.</li>
	<li>Flex the CP-EBUS probe forward to bring it in contact with the airway wall. On the ultrasound image, reconfirm that the longest diameter of the lesion is aligned with the projected path of the needle. Ensure that the needle exits the working channel at an angle of 20&#176;.</li>
	<li>Loosen the needle adjuster knob, and puncture through the airway wall into the lesion under real-time ultrasound guidance. With the EBUS needle inside the lesion, shake the internal stylet to clean out the needle tip.</li>
	<li>Remove the internal stylet and attach the 20 ml vacuum-generating syringe to apply negative pressure.</li>
	<li>Move the needle back-and-forth (&#8220;passes&#8221;) inside the lesion, with &#8211; 20 ml negative pressure applied by a special vacuum-generating syringe. A total of 3-7 passes is suggested based on the current literature10,11.</li>
	<li>After making sufficient number of passes, negative pressure knob is turned off, and needle is retrieved out of the working channel.</li>
	<li>Push out the histological core using the internal sheath. Obtain both histological core as well as cytological aspirate by this method. Alternatively, use an air-filled 6 or 12 ml syringe to expel the content of the needle onto the slide or in the specimen cup.</li>
	<li>Determine the adequateness of the specimen using on-site cytology services.</li>
</ol>
5. Post-procedure Surveillance Bronchoscopy
<ol>
	<li>Remove the CP-EBUS bronchoscope out after biopsy. Reintroduce a conventional bronchoscope and perform a surveillance bronchoscopy to confirm absence of significant bleeding at the TBNA site. After hemostasis is ensured, remove the bronchoscope out and conclude the procedure.</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Substernal goiter was first described in 1749 by Haller23. The reported incidence of substernal or mediastinal goiter varies between 0.2% and 45% of all goiters, depending on the definition used24. More than ten definitions of substernal goiter have been proposed. By the simple clinical definition, a part of the substernal thyroid remains permanently retrosternal on physical exam without neck in hyperextension, as opposed to with neck in hyperextension as per Torre&#8217;s definition25. K...

Substernal thyroid goiter (STG) is a slow growing tumor, eventually causing symptoms in 70-80% of cases. As per literature review, between 2.5-22.6% of STG can have malignant transformation2. Compression of the trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and superior vena cava often causes symptoms like dyspnea, stridor, cough, dysphagia, dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis, Horner&#8217;s syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome, and cerebral edema. Occasional cases of overt hyperthyroidism have also been reported. A retrospective study by Shin et al. reported a positive correlation between thyroid size and presence of shortness of breath, globus sensation, and symptoms of hyperthyroidism3. This study, however, did not find a correlation between goiter size and presence of dysphagia, local discomfort, changes in voice, hemoptysis, or symptoms of hypothyroidism. Both substernal and cervical goiters carry similar malignancy risk. However, the retrosternal location makes diagnostic biopsy and treatment of STG very challenging. Most cases eventually require surgical removal using mediastinoscopy or sternotomy.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) was first described in 1992 by Hurter and Hanrath4. Over the years, EBUS-TBNA has become the procedure of choice for diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer. The reported sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy is 94%, 100%, and 100% respectively, with a low complication rate making it very safe, effective and superior to conventional TBNA5. However, both conventional and EBUS-guided TBNA were found to have statistically similar results for subcarinal lymph nodes6.
Two types of EBUS probes have been developed so far &#8211; the radial probe (RP-EBUS) and the curvilinear probe (CP-EBUS). RP-EBUS was the first one to become commercially available in 1999. It has a thin ultrasound probe inside a water-inflatable balloon tip. The probe rotates 360&#176;&#160;at an angle perpendicular to the axis of insertion. The inflated balloon provides a circular contact for the probe, enabling it to obtain 360&#176;&#160;view around the airways. It is used for evaluation of the central airways, assessment of airway invasion and obtaining biopsy of peripherally located lesions7,8. After the lesion is localized, radial probe must be taken out of the guide sheath in the bronchoscope&#8217;s working channel to make way for the biopsy tool. Hence, a real-time ultrasound guided biopsy cannot be performed. Three different radial probes are currently available - 20-MHz and 30-MHz miniature probes, and the 20-MHz ultra-miniature probe. The miniature probes can be inserted through the 2.8 mm working channel of a bronchoscope and reach sub-segmental airways; the higher frequency probe provides better image resolution9. With an outer diameter of 1.4 mm, the ultra-miniature probe fits into the 2 mm working channel of the smaller bronchoscope and reaches more peripheral lesions.
CP-EBUS was introduced in 2005. It is a 7.5 MHz convex probe inside a saline-inflatable balloon at the tip of the bronchoscope (Figure&#160;1). The outer diameter of the bronchoscope tube is 6.3&#160;mm, and of the tip is 6.9 mm. The inner diameter of the working channel is 2.2 mm. The scope looks at a 35&#176;&#160;forward oblique angle, with an angle of view of 80&#176;&#160;(Figure&#160;2). The convex probe itself generates a 50&#176;&#160;image, and scans parallel to the insertion axis. Ultrasound images can be obtained by either placing the probe directly over the bronchial wall using forward flexion, or by additionally inflating the balloon with saline. Water is a better conductor than air of ultrasound waves, and improves image quality. Vascular structures can be differentiated from tissues using the color Doppler mode scan. Biopsy is performed using a dedicated 22 or 21 G&#160;TBNA needle with an echogenic-dimpled tip (Figure&#160;3), which comes out at an angle of 20&#176;&#160;to the long axis of the bronchoscope. The needle has a maximum extruding stroke of 40 mm, with a safety mechanism that stops it at 20 mm to prevent excessive protrusion. The internal wire of the needle minimizes sample contamination while the needle passes through the bronchial wall. It is also used to clean up the needle after it has passed through the bronchial wall and into the targeted lesion. The optimal number of aspiration &#8220;passes&#8221; is reported to be 3-7 for a satisfactory sample, but the highest yield is from the first pass10,11. The images are processed in a dedicated ultrasound processor. Both ultrasound and white-light bronchoscopy images are simultaneously visible on the monitor, allowing for easy navigation to the site of the suspected lesion. CP-EBUS has the ability to perform real-time TBNA with direct ultrasound guidance under moderate sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting, eliminating surgery-related morbidity and need for inpatient admission.
The use of EBUS-TBNA for diagnosis of substernal thyroid is new, and has been reported in only a few case reports12-18. Based on the review of the current literature, this paper seeks to elaborate on the procedural requirements and propose EBUS-TBNA as a modality for biopsy of substernal thyroid gland. Please note that the above equipment description is more specific to Olympus Inc. There are other commercially available products as well, and minor variations do exist.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="443">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:443px;">7.5-MHz Convex Probe-EBUS bronchoscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dedicated 22-gauge or 21-gauge TBNA needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ultrasound processor unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">On-site cytopathology (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Moderate sedation drugs - Benzodiazepines or fentanyl&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Deep sedation / General anesthesia drugs - Propofol or Remifentanil</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Local anesthesia (for airways) - 1% or 2% Lidocaine</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

substernal thyroid biopsy using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Substernal thyroid goiter (STG) represents about 5.8% of all mediastinal lesions1. There is a wide variation in the published incidence rates due to the lack of a standardized definition for STG. Biopsy is often required to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Unlike cervical thyroid, the overlying sternum precludes ultrasound-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration of STG. Consequently, surgical mediastinoscopy is performed in the majority of cases, causing significant procedure related morbidity and cost to healthcare. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a frequently used procedure for diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Minimally invasive needle biopsy for lesions adjacent to the airways can be performed under real-time ultrasound guidance using EBUS. Its safety and efficacy is well established with over 90% sensitivity and specificity. The ability to perform EBUS as an outpatient procedure with same-day discharges offers distinct morbidity and financial advantages over surgery. As physicians performing EBUS gained procedural expertise, they have attempted to diversify its role in the diagnosis of non-lymph node thoracic pathologies. We propose here a role for EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of substernal thyroid lesions, along with a step-by-step protocol for the procedure.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) biopsy of substernal thyroid has been reported in eight case reports as per literature review12-18. The first case of substernal thyroid biopsy using Endobronchial Ultrasound was reported by Rosario et al. in 200612, wherein a CT chest done for metastatic work-up of prostate adenocarcinoma showed mediastinal lymphadenopathies. EBUS-TBNA of the lesion revealed a previously undiagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma met...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration at JoVE.com

Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Substernal thyroid lesions are common, and need to be differentiated from malignancy. Obtaining percutaneous fine needle biopsy is not possible due to its retrosternal location. This article proposes a protocol for biopsy of substernal thyroid lesions using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Substernal thyroid goiter (STG) represents about 5.8% of all mediastinal lesions1. There is a wide variation in the published incidence rates due to the ...

substernal-thyroid-biopsy-using-endobronchial-ultrasound-guided

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25.4K Views.  State University of New York, Buffalo. Substernal thyroid lesions are common, and need to be differentiated from malignancy. Obtaining percutaneous fine needle biopsy is not possible due to its retrosternal location. This article proposes a protocol for biopsy of substernal thyroid lesions using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Video: Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Ultrasound-guided Transthoracic Intramyocardial Injection in Mice

Murine models of cardiovascular disease are important for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and exploring potential regenerative therapies. Experiments involving myocardial injection are currently performed by direct surgical access through a thoracotomy. While convenient when performed at the time of another experimental manipulation such as coronary artery ligation, the need for an invasive procedure for intramyocardial delivery limits potential experimental designs. With ever improving ultrasound resolution and advanced noninvasive imaging modalities, it is now feasible to routinely perform ultrasound-guided, percutaneous intramyocardial injection. This modality efficiently and reliably delivers agents to a targeted region of myocardium. Advantages of this technique include the avoidance of surgical morbidity, the facility to target regions of myocardium selectively under ultrasound guidance, and the opportunity to deliver injectate to the myocardium at multiple, predetermined time intervals. With practiced technique, complications from intramyocardial injection are rare, and mice quickly return to normal activity on recovery from anesthetic. Following the steps outlined in this protocol, the operator with basic echocardiography experience can quickly become competent in this versatile, minimally invasive technique.

Echocardiography-guided percutaneous intramyocardial injection represents an efficient, reliable, and targetable modality for the delivery of gene transfer agents or cells into the murine heart. Following the steps outlined in this protocol, the operator can quickly become competent in this versatile, minimally invasive technique.

Murine models of cardiovascular disease are important for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and exploring potential regenerative therapies. ...

Preparation and Respirometric Assessment of Mitochondria Isolated from Skeletal Muscle Tissue Obtained by Percutaneous Needle Biopsy

Respirometric profiling of isolated mitochondria is commonly used to investigate electron transport chain function. We describe a method for obtaining samples of human Vastus lateralis, isolating mitochondria from minimal amounts of skeletal muscle tissue, and plate based respirometric profiling using an extracellular flux (XF) analyzer. Comparison of respirometric profiles obtained using 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 &#956;g of mitochondria indicate that 1.0 &#956;g is sufficient to measure respiration and that 5.0 &#956;g provides most consistent results based on comparison of standard errors. Western blot analysis of isolated mitochondria for mitochondrial marker COX IV and non-mitochondrial tissue marker GAPDH indicate that there is limited non-mitochondrial contamination using this protocol. The ability to study mitochondrial respirometry in as little as 20 mg of muscle tissue allows users to utilize individual biopsies for multiple study endpoints in clinical research projects.

Methods for biopsy of Vastus lateralis, preparation of purified mitochondria, and respirometric profiling are described. The use of small muscle volume makes this technique suitable for clinical research applications.

Respirometric profiling of isolated mitochondria is commonly used to investigate electron transport chain function. We describe a method for obtaining ...

Povidone Iodine Rectal Preparation at Time of Prostate Needle Biopsy is a Simple and Reproducible Means to Reduce Risk of Procedural Infection

Single institution and population-based studies highlight that infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy (TRUS PNB) are increasing. Such infections are largely attributable to quinolone resistant microorganisms which colonize the rectal vault and are translocated into the bloodstream during the biopsy procedure. A povidone iodine rectal preparation (PIRP) at time of biopsy is a simple, reproducible method to reduce rectal microorganism colony counts and therefore resultant infections following TRUS PNB.
All patients are administered three days of oral antibiotic therapy prior to biopsy. The PIRP technique involves initially positioning the patient in the standard manner for a TRUS PNB. Following digital rectal examination, 15 ml&#160;of a 10% solution of commercially available povidone iodine is mixed with 5 ml&#160;of 1% lidocaine jelly to create slurry. A 4 cm x 4 cm sterile gauze is soaked in this slurry and then inserted into the rectal vault for 2 min after which it is removed. Thereafter, a disposable cotton gynecologic swab is used to paint both the perianal area and the rectal vault to a distance of 3 cm from the anus. The povidone iodine solution is then allowed to dry for 2 - 3 min prior to proceeding with standard transrectal ultrasonography and subsequent biopsy.
This PIRP technique has been in practice at our institution since March of 2012 with an associated reduction of post-biopsy infections from 4.3% to 0.6% (p = 0.02). The principal advantage of this prophylaxis regimen is its simplicity and reproducibility with use of an easily available, inexpensive agent to reduce infections. Furthermore, the technique avoids exposing patients to additional systemic antibiotics with potential further propagation of multi-drug resistant organisms. Usage of PIRP at TRUS PNB, however, is not applicable for patients with iodine or shellfish allergies.

Here, we present a protocol for use at the time of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy (TRUS PNB) that is a simple and cost-effective means to reduce infections following the procedure.

Single institution and population-based studies highlight that infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy ...

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules

Lung nodule evaluation represents a clinical challenge especially in patients with intermediate risk for malignancy. Multiple technologies are presently available to sample nodules for pathological diagnosis. Those technologies can be divided into bronchoscopic and non-bronchoscopic interventions. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy is being extensively used for the endobronchial approach to peripheral lung nodules but has been hindered by anatomic challenges resulting in a 70% diagnostic yield. Electromagnetic navigational guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy is novel non-bronchoscopic method that uses a percutaneous electromagnetic tip tracked needle to obtain core biopsy specimens. Electromagnetic navigational transthoracic needle aspiration complements bronchoscopic techniques potentially allowing the provider to maximize the diagnostic yield during one single procedure. This article describes a novel integrated diagnostic approach to pulmonary lung nodules. We propose the use of endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for mediastinal staging; radial EBUS, navigational bronchoscopy and E-TTNA during one single procedure to maximize diagnostic yield and minimize the number of invasive procedures needed to obtain a diagnosis. This manuscript describes in detail how the navigation transthoracic procedure is performed. Additional clinical studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of this novel technology.

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration E-TTNA for Sampling of Lung Nodules

We describe the novel use of electromagnetic navigational guided transthoracic needle aspiration for the pathologic assessment of human lung nodules.

Lung nodule evaluation represents a clinical challenge especially in patients with intermediate risk for malignancy. Multiple technologies are presently ...

Ultrasound-guided Botulinum Toxin-A Injections: A Method of Treating Sialorrhea

Neurological diseases can be complicated by sialorrhea, an excessive flow of saliva. Patients suffering from moderate to severe sialorrhea have an impaired quality of life, often worsened by correlated complications such as aspiration pneumonia, oral infections, dental caries, and maceration of the skin. Diverse therapeutic approaches have been proposed for the treatment of sialorrhea, including surgery and the use of anticholinergic agents, with limited results and the possible occurrence of serious adverse events. Recently, botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection within the major salivary glands has been proposed in patients refractory to anticholinergic therapy, with the aim of inhibiting local acetylcholine release and gland activity. 
In order to obtain a better outcome in terms of reduction of saliva production, efficacy, duration, and avoidance of major adverse events, we developed an ultrasound-guided BoNT-type A injection technique accurately described in the text. Here we present a method of treating sialorrhea with bilateral parotid and submandibular gland BoNT-type A injections under ultrasound guidance. Four quadrants of the parotid gland and two quadrants of the submandibular gland are visualized and injected using two accesses and one access, respectively. 
The ultrasound-guided procedure provides a simple, non-invasive, real-time visualization of the muscular and glandular tissues and their surrounding structures, optimizing treatment efficacy and safety.

Botulinum toxin is injected into the salivary glands for the treatment of sialorrhea. The ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection in both the parotid and submandibular glands demonstrates a sustained efficacy and the absence of serious side effects.

Neurological diseases can be complicated by sialorrhea, an excessive flow of saliva. Patients suffering from moderate to severe sialorrhea have an ...

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Pneumothorax (PTX) represents accumulation of the air in the pleural space. A large or tension pneumothorax can collapse the lung and cause hemodynamic compromise, a life-threatening disorder. Traditionally, neonatal pneumothorax diagnosis has been based on clinical images, auscultation, transillumination, and chest X-ray findings. This approach may potentially lead to a delay in both diagnosis and treatment. The use of lung US in diagnosis of PTX together with US-guided thoracentesis results in earlier and more precise management. The recommendations presented in this publication are aimed at improving the application of lung US in guiding neonatal PTX diagnosis and management.

Pneumothorax is a common emergency and critical disease in newborn infants that needs rapid, clear diagnosis and timely treatment. Diagnosis and treatment based on chest X-rays are associated with delayed management and radiation damage. Lung ultrasound (US) provides useful guidance for rapid, accurate diagnosis and the precise thoracentesis of pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax (PTX) represents accumulation of the air in the pleural space. A large or tension pneumothorax can collapse the lung and cause hemodynamic ...

Using a Chemical Biopsy for Graft Quality Assessment

Kidney transplantation is a life-saving treatment for a large number of people with end-stage renal dysfunction worldwide. The procedure is associated with an increased survival rate and greater quality of patient&#8217;s life when compared to conventional dialysis. Regrettably, transplantology suffers from a lack of reliable methods for organ quality assessment. Standard diagnostic techniques are limited to macroscopic appearance inspection or invasive tissue biopsy, which do not provide comprehensive information about the graft. The proposed protocol aims to introduce solid phase microextraction (SPME) as an ideal analytical method for comprehensive metabolomics and lipidomic analysis of all low molecular compounds present in kidneys allocated for transplantation. The small size of the SPME probe enables performance of a chemical biopsy, which enables extraction of metabolites directly from the organ without any tissue collection. The minimum invasiveness of the method permits execution of multiple analyses over time: directly after organ harvesting, during its preservation, and immediately after revascularization at the recipient&#8217;s body. It is hypothesized that the combination of this novel sampling method with a high-resolution mass spectrometer will allow for discrimination of a set of characteristic compounds that could serve as biological markers of graft quality and indicators of possible development of organ dysfunction.

The protocol presents utilization of the chemical biopsy approach followed by comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analysis for quality assessment of kidney grafts allocated for transplantation.

Kidney transplantation is a life-saving treatment for a large number of people with end-stage renal dysfunction worldwide. The procedure is associated ...

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction often require biliary drainage to decompress the biliary system. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the primary biliary drainage method whenever possible. Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) is used as a salvage method if ERCP fails. Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) provides a feasible alternative biliary drainage method where one of the methods is EUS guided Hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS). Here we describe the EUS-HGS technique in a case of unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction to achieve biliary drainage.
Presented here is the case of a 71-year-old female with painless jaundice and weight loss for 2 weeks. Computed Tomography (CT) imaging showed a 4 x 5 cm hilar tumor with lymphadenopathy and liver metastasis. EUS fine needle biopsy (FNB) of the lesion was consistent with cholangiocarcinoma. Her bilirubin levels were 212 &#181;mol/L (&lt;15) during presentation.
A linear echoendoscope was used to locate the left dilated intrahepatic ducts (IHD) of the liver. The segment 3 dilated IHD was identified and punctured using a 19 G needle. Contrast was used to opacify the IHDs under fluoroscopic guidance. The IHD was cannulated using a 0.025-inch guidewire. This was followed by the dilation of the fistula tract using a 6 Fr electrocautery dilator along with a 4 mm biliary balloon dilator. A partially covered metallic stent of 10 cm in length was deployed under fluoroscopic guidance. The distal part opens in the IHD and the proximal part was deployed within the working channel of the echoendoscope that subsequently released into the stomach. The patient was discharged three days after the procedure. Follow up performed in the second and fourth weeks showed that the bilirubin levels were 30 &#181;mol/L and 14 &#181;mol/L, respectively. This indicates that EUS-HGS is a safe method for biliary drainage in unresectable malignant biliary obstruction.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) is an alternative method of biliary decompression in malignant biliary obstruction. Here we describe the technique of EUS guided-Hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) in a case of unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction often require biliary drainage to decompress the biliary system. Endoscopic Retrograde ...

Ultrasound-Guided Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Implantation in Myocardial Infarcted Mice

The key objective of cell therapy after myocardial infarction (MI) is to effectively enhance the cell grafted rate, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are a promising cell source for cardiac repair after ischemic damage. However, a low grafted rate is a significant obstacle for effective cardiac tissue regeneration after transplantation. This protocol shows that multiple hiPSC-CM ultrasound-guided percutaneous injections into an MI area effectively increase cell transplantation rates. The study also describes the entire hiPSC-CM culture process, pretreatment, and ultrasound-guided percutaneous delivery methods. In addition, the use of human mitochondrial DNA help detect the absence of hiPSC-CMs in other mouse organs. Lastly, this paper describes the changes in cardiac function, angiogenesis, cell size, and apoptosis at the infarcted border zone in mice 4 weeks after cell delivery. It can be concluded that echocardiography-guided percutaneous injection of the left ventricular myocardium is a feasible, relatively invasive, satisfactory, repeatable, and effective cellular therapy.

Ultrasound-guided cell delivery around the site of myocardial infarction in mice is a safe, effective, and convenient way of cell transplantation.

The key objective of cell therapy after myocardial infarction (MI) is to effectively enhance the cell grafted rate, and human induced pluripotent stem ...