SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N."

Browsing by Author "Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N."

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Adenocarcinoma the most common cell type in patients presenting with primary lung cancer in the Western Cape
(Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 2011-05) Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Aubeelack, Kushroo; Nanguzgambo, Aldoph B.; Irusen, Elvis M.; Mowlana, Abdurasiet; Von Groote-Bidlingmaier, Florian; Bolliger, Chris T.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide for men and women, causing approximately 1.2 million deaths per year. The absolute and relative frequencies of lung cancer have risen dramatically and in South Africa account for 17% of all cancer deaths. We found that adenocarcinoma is now the most common histological subtype of primary lung cancer diagnosed in the Western Cape and that almost 90% of all patients with non-small cell lung cancer have advanced local or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.
Benefit v. risk when using chloroquine in patients with severe COVID-19 disease
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2020-04-02) Decloedt, Eric H.; Allwood, Brian W.; Parker, Arifa; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Blockman, Marc; Taljaard, Jantjie; Reuter, Helmuth
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Chloroquine (CQ) is widely advocated as treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including the president of the USA publicly supporting the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a ‘game-changer’ on the social media platform Twitter. CQ and HCQ are structurally similar, with HCQ having an N-hydroxyl-ethyl side-chain in place of the N-diethyl group.[1] Currently only CQ is being marketed in South Africa. We encourage the development of curative directed therapy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using appropriate designed trials and regulatory oversight, and caution against the indiscriminate use of CQ or HCQ. Careful patient selection is essential, including assessing prognosis, anticipated benefit and potential harms prior to initiating CQ/HCQ therapy.
Clinical evolution, management and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa : a research protocol
(BMJ Publishing Group, 2020-08-06) Allwood, Brian W.; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Irusen, Elvis; Lalla, Usha; Davids, Razeen; Chothia, Yazied; Davids, Ryan; Prozesky, Hans; Taljaard, Jantjie; Parker, Arifa; Decloedt, Eric; Jordan, Portia; Lahri, Sa'ad; Moosa, Rafique; Schrueder, Neshaad; Du Toit, Riette; Viljoen, Abraham; English, Rene; Ayele, Birhanu; Nyasulu, Peter; COVID-19 Research Response Team
Introduction The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19, declared a global pandemic by the WHO, is a novel infection with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, 55 421 cases have been confirmed as of 10 June 2020, with most cases in the Western Cape Province. Coronavirus leaves us in a position of uncertainty regarding the best clinical approach to successfully manage the expected high number of severely ill patients with COVID-19. This presents a unique opportunity to gather data to inform best practices in clinical approach and public health interventions to control COVID-19 locally. Furthermore, this pandemic challenges our resolve due to the high burden of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in our country as data are scarce. This study endeavours to determine the clinical presentation, severity and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital. Methods and analysis The study will use multiple approaches taking into account the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective observational design to describe specific patterns of risk predictors of poor outcomes among patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to Tygerberg Hospital. Data will be collected from medical records of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, we will investigate the association between the survival time of patients with COVID-19 in relation to one or more of the predictor variables including HIV and TB. Ethics and dissemination The research team obtained ethical approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Research Committee of the Tygerberg Hospital. All procedures for the ethical conduct of scientific investigation will be adhered to by the research team. The findings will be disseminated in clinical seminars, scientific forums and conferences targeting clinical care providers and policy-makers.
Contemporary best practice in the management of malignant pleural effusion
(SAGE Publications, 2018) Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Shaw, Jane A.; Irusen, Elvis M.; Lee, Y. C. Gary
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affects more than 1 million people globally. There is a dearth of evidence on the therapeutic approach to MPE, and not surprisingly a high degree of variability in the management thereof. We aimed to provide practicing clinicians with an overview of the current evidence on the management of MPE, preferentially focusing on studies that report patient-related outcomes rather than pleurodesis alone, and to provide guidance on how to approach individual cases. A pleural intervention for MPE will perforce be palliative in nature. A therapeutic thoracentesis provides immediate relief for most. It can be repeated, especially in patients with a slow rate of recurrence and a short anticipated survival. Definitive interventions, individualized according the patient’s wishes, performance status, prognosis and other considerations (including the ability of the lung to expand) should be offered to the remainder of patients. Chemical pleurodesis (achieved via intercostal drain or pleuroscopy) and indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) have equal impact on patient-based outcomes, although patients treated with IPC spend less time in hospital and have less need for repeat pleural drainage interventions. Talc slurry via IPC is an attractive recently validated option for patients who do not have a nonexpandable lung.
An endotracheal plasmablastic lymphoma
(S. Karger AG, Basel, 2019) Bots, Eva M. T.; Opperman, Johan; Bassa, Fatima; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We describe an exceptionally rare case of a male patient with newly diagnosed advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, who presented with a plasmablastic lymphoma involving the right maxillary alveolar ridge with associated cervical lymphadenopathy. On a staging positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) scan, he was incidentally found to have an endotracheal tumour involving the anterolateral aspect of the mid-trachea. The tumour appeared to be well-vascularised at bronchoscopy and was confirmed as well-differentiated plasmablastic lymphoma. Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is associated with HIV. Tracheal involvement to the extent seen in our patient is exceptionally rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, has never been described.
Iatrogenic bleeding during flexible bronchoscopy : risk factors, prophylactic measures and management
(European Respiratory Society, 2017-03-18) Bernasconi, Maurizio; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Koutsokera, Angela; Ogna, Adam; Casutt, Alessio; Nicod, Laurent; Lovis, Alban
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Significant iatrogenic bleeding during flexible bronchoscopy is fortunately rare and usually self-limiting. Life-threatening bleeding, however, can occur, especially after conventional or cryoprobeassisted transbronchial biopsy. The aim of this review is to provide the practising pulmonologist with a concise overview of the incidence, severity and risk factors for bleeding, to provide sensible advice on prophylactic measures and to suggest a plan of action in the case of significant bleeding. Bronchoscopy units should have a standardised approach and plan of action in the case of life-threatening haemorrhage. Wedging the bronchoscope in the bleeding segment, turning the patient in an anti-Trendelenburg position and onto the side in order for the bleeding lung to be in the dependent position, installing vasoconstrictors and using a tamponade balloon early are the recommended first-line strategies. Involving a resuscitation team should be considered early in the case of massive bleeding, desaturation and haemodynamic instability.
Indications for the use of bronchial thermoplasty in severe asthma
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2015) Dheda, Keertan; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Esmail, Aliasgar; Irusen, Elvis; Wechsler, Michael; Niven, Rob M.; Chung, Kian Fan; Bateman, Eric D.
Approximately 5% of the ~3 million asthmatics in South Africa have severe asthma that is associated with substantial morbidity, cost, absenteeism, preventable mortality, and the requirement for costly chronic medication that may be associated with significant adverse events. There is an unmet need for alternative safer and more effective interventions for severe asthma. A recently introduced option, bronchial thermoplasty (BT), imparts radiofrequency-generated heat energy to the airways to cause regression of airway smooth muscle. The effectiveness of this technique has been confirmed in randomised control trials and is now endorsed by several international guidelines, including the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline, the British Asthma Guideline, and the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline. We recommend BT as a potential therapeutic intervention for severe uncontrolled asthma, provided that it is performed by an experienced pulmonologist at an accredited centre and done within the broader context of appropriate management of the disease by doctors experienced in treating difficult-to-control asthma.
Integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography for evaluation of mediastinal lymph node staging of non-small-cell lung cancer in a tuberculosis-endemic area : a 5-year prospective observational study
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2015) Shaw, Jane A.; Irusen, Elvis M.; Von Groote-Bidlingmaier, Florian; Warwick, James M.; Jeremic, Branislav; Du Toit, Rudolf; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.
Background. Integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) is a well-validated modality for assessing mediastinal lymph node metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which determines management and predicts survival. Tuberculosis (TB) is known to lead to false-positive PET-CT findings. Objectives. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of PET-CT in identifying mediastinal lymph node involvement of NSCLC in a high TB-endemic area. Methods. Patients who underwent both PET-CT and lymph node tissue sampling for the investigation of suspected NSCLC were prospectively included in this observational study. Results were analysed per patient and per lymph node stage. A post-hoc analysis was performed to test the validity of a maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) cut-off for lymph node positivity. Results. PET-CT had a sensitivity of 92.6%, specificity of 48.6%, positive predictive value of 56.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 90.0% in the per-patient analysis. Diagnostic accuracy was 67.2%. Similar values were obtained in the per-lymph node stage analysis. TB was responsible for 21.1% of false-positive results. A SUVmax cut-off of 4.5 yielded an improvement in diagnostic accuracy from 64.0% to 84.7% compared with a cut-off of 2.5, but at the cost of decreasing the NPV from 90.6% to 83.5%. Conclusion. In a high TB-endemic area, PET-CT remains a valuable method for excluding mediastinal lymph node involvement in NSCLC. Patients with a negative PET-CT may proceed to definitive management without further invasive procedures. However, PET-CT-positive lymph nodes require pathological confirmation, and the possibility of TB must be considered.
Recommendations for lung cancer screening in Southern Africa
(AME Publishing, 2019-07-09) Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Dorfman, Shane; Schewitz, Ivan; Richards, Guy A.; Maasdorp, Shaun; Smith, Clifford; Dheda, Keertan
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in southern Africa. Early trials of chest radiograph-based screening in males at high risk for lung cancer found no mortality benefit of a radiograph alone, or a radiograph plus sputum cytology screening strategy. Large prospective studies, including the National Lung Screening Trial, have shown an all-cause mortality benefit when low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) was used as a screening modality in patients that are at high risk of developing lung cancer. The South African Thoracic Society, based on these findings, and those from several international guidelines, recommend that annual LDCT should be offered to patients between 55–74 years of age who are current or former smokers (having quit within the preceding 15 years), with at least a 30-pack year smoking history and with no history of lung cancer. Patients should be in general good health, fit for surgery, and willing to undergo further investigations if deemed necessary. Given the high local prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection and post-TB lung disease, which can radiographically mimic lung cancer, a conservative threshold (nodule size ≥6 mm) should be used to determine whether the baseline LDCT screen is positive (thus nodules <6 mm require no action until the next annual screen). If a non-calcified, solid or partly solid nodule is ≥6 mm, but <10 mm with no malignant features (e.g., distinct spiculated margins), the LDCT should be repeated in 6 months. If a solid nodule or the largest component of a non-solid nodule is ≥10 or ≥6 mm and enlarging or with additional malignant features present, definitive action to exclude lung cancer is warranted. Patients should be screened annually until 15 years have elapsed from date of smoking cessation, they turn 80, become unfit for a curative operation or significant changes are observed.
Recommendations for the use of bronchial thermoplasty in the management of severe asthma
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2015) Dheda, Keertan; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Esmail, Aliasgar; Irusen, Elvis; Wechsler, Michael; Niven, Rob M.; Bateman, Eric D.; Chung, Kian Fan
There are approximately 3 million asthma suffers in South Africa, and the national death rate is ranked as one of the highest in the world. Approximately 5% have severe asthma (uncontrolled despite being adherent on maximal and optimised therapy). Such uncontrolled asthma is associated with high healthcare expenditure and may require treatment with anti-IgE and/or systemic corticosteroids, in addition to inhaler therapy and oral agents. These treatments may be costly, and those such as oral corticosteroids may have potential serious adverse events. There is therefore a need for more effective, affordable and safe therapies for asthma. A new modality of treatment, bronchial thermoplasty (BT), has recently been developed and approved for the treatment of severe asthma. BT involves delivering radio frequency-generated thermal energy to the airways, with the goal of reducing airway-specific smooth-muscle mass. Several clinical studies have confirmed that BT is effective and safe, that it improves control and quality of life in patients whose asthma remains severe despite optimal medical therapy, and that the beneficial effects are sustained for at least 5 years. We provide recommendations for the management of severe asthma, with an emphasis on the role of BT, and endorse the use of BT in patients with severe persistent asthma who remain uncontrolled despite optimal medical therapy as outlined in steps 4 and 5 of the British Thoracic Society (BTS)/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. We outline the context in which BT should be used, how it works and associated potential adverse events and contraindications, and also review unanswered questions and controversies.
The significance of non-occupational asbestos exposure in women with mesothelioma
(Wiley Open Access, 2019-01) Tlotleng, Nonhlanhla; Wilson, Kerry Sidwell; Naicker, Nisha; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Rees, David; Phillips, James Ian
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive pleural or peritoneal tumour almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can cause malignant mesothelioma 30–40 years after exposure. A description of sources of exposure is important for prevention and possible financial compensation. Three women with cases of histologically confirmed malignant mesothelioma diagnosed from non‐occupational asbestos exposure are described. Patients were contacted for an interview to assess their exposure history to asbestos. All three cases had mixed exposure histories related to secondary, environmental contamination, and domestic exposure. This case series highlight how ubiquitous asbestos is in the environment and how diverse the exposures may be. It is anticipated that a significant number of cases of non‐occupational mesothelioma will be seen in many countries for several decades given the extent of asbestos containing materials.
Tricyclic antidepressant overdose necessitating ICU admission
(Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 2012-05) Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.; Joubert, Zirkia J.; Irusen, Elvis M.
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose necessitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission remains a significant problem in the Western Cape. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the course of life-threatening TCA overdose in our centre to identify potential prognostic indicators. TCA levels >1 000 ng/ml were associated with QT and QRS prolongation and convulsions. However, no single parameter predicted non-survival. The overall mortality of TCA overdose was very low. Our findings should encourage clinicians to offer medical care including ICU admission, if necessary, to patients with TCA overdose.
The utility of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the management of respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2020-05-07) Lalla, Usha; Allwood, Brian W.; Louw, Elizabeth H.; Nortje, Andre; Parker, Arifa; Taljaard, Jantjie J.; Moodley, Desiree; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.
COVID-19 is a potentially fatal infection caused by SARS-CoV-2.[1] As of 4 May 2020, more than 6 000 cases had been confirmed in South Africa (SA) with numbers rising steadily, a situation that will place a major strain on the country’s health resources, including its ability to provide intensive care and ventilatory support to patients with severe disease.
The utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial washings obtained in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in a high prevalence setting
(BioMed Central, 2015-09-16) Barnard, Dewald A.; Irusen, Elvis M.; Bruwer, Johannes W.; Plekker, Dante; Whitelaw, Andrew C.; Deetlefs, Jacobus D.; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F. N.
Background: Xpert MTB/RIF has been shown to have a superior sensitivity to microscopy for acid fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum and has been recommended as a standard first line investigation for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Bronchoscopy is a valuable tool in diagnosing PTB in sputum negative patients. There is limited data on the utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial lavage specimens. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial washings in sputum scarce/negative patients with suspected PTB. Methods: All patients with a clinical and radiological suspicion of PTB who underwent bronchoscopy between January 2013 and April 2014 were included. The diagnostic efficiencies of Xpert MTB/RIF and microscopy for AFB were compared to culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: Thirty nine of 112 patients were diagnosed with culture-positive PTB. Xpert MTB/RIF was positive in 36/39 with a sensitivity of 92.3 % (95 % CI 78–98 %) for PTB, which was superior to that of smear microscopy (41 %; 95 % CI 26.0–57.8 %, p = 0.005). The specificities of Xpert MTB/RIF and smear microscopy were 87.7 % (95 % CI 77.4–93.9 %) and 98.6 % (95 % CI 91.6 %–99.9 %) respectively. Xpert MTB/RIF had a positive predictive value of 80 % (95 % CI; 65–89.9 %) and negative predictive value of 95.5 % (95 % CI 86.6–98.8 %). 3/9 patients with Xpert MTB/RIF positive culture negative results were treated for PTB based on clinical and radiological findings. Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF has a higher sensitivity than smear microscopy and similar specificity for the immediate confirmation of PTB in specimens obtained by bronchial washing, and should be utilised in patients with a high suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis.

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