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Deutsches Arzteblatt International May 2019Pleural effusion is common in routine medical practice and can be due to many different underlying diseases. Precise differential diagnostic categorization is essential,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pleural effusion is common in routine medical practice and can be due to many different underlying diseases. Precise differential diagnostic categorization is essential, as the treatment and prognosis of pleural effusion largely depend on its cause.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and on the authors' personal experience.
RESULTS
The most common causes of pleural effusion are congestive heart failure, cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Pleural fluid puncture (pleural tap) enables the differentiation of a transudate from an exudate, which remains, at present, the foundation of the further diagnostic work-up. When a pleural effusion arises in the setting of pneumonia, the potential devel- opment of an empyema must not be overlooked. Lung cancer is the most common cause of malignant pleural effusion, followed by breast cancer. Alongside the treatment of the underlying disease, the specific treatment of pleural effusion ranges from pleurodesis, to thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopy (with early consultation of a thoracic surgeon), to the placement of a permanently indwelling pleural catheter.
CONCLUSION
The proper treatment of pleural effusion can be determined only after meticulous differential diagnosis. The range of therapeutic options has recently become much wider. More data can be expected in the near future concerning diagnostic test- ing for the etiology of the effusion, better pleurodetic agents, the development of interventional techniques, and the genetic background of the affected patients.
Topics: Adult; Exudates and Transudates; Humans; Pleural Effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Thoracentesis
PubMed: 31315808
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377 -
RoFo : Fortschritte Auf Dem Gebiete Der... Oct 2019High diagnostic accuracy, increasing clinical experience and technical improvements are good reasons to consider lung ultrasound (US) for the assessment of pleural... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
High diagnostic accuracy, increasing clinical experience and technical improvements are good reasons to consider lung ultrasound (US) for the assessment of pleural and pulmonary diseases. In the emergency room and in intensive care, it is well acknowledged, but application in other settings is rare. The aim of this review is to update potential users in general radiology about the diagnostic scope of lung US and to encourage more frequent use of this generally underestimated lung imaging modality.
METHOD
Literature review was done independently by the two authors in MEDLINE (via PubMed) covering a time span from 2002 until 2017 using free text and Medical Subject Headings/MeSH. Article selection for the bibliography was based on consensus according to relevance and evidence.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The technical prerequisites include a standard ultrasound unit with a suitable transducer. Pleural effusion and pneumothorax, atelectasis, interstitial edema, pneumonia, exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma and pulmonary embolism can be distinguished by particular ultrasound signs, artifacts and their combinations. A highly standardized selection of access points and terminology for the description of imaging findings contributes to high diagnostic accuracy even in challenging patients and settings. Besides the assessment of acute respiratory failure in the emergency room, lung US may be used for monitoring interstitial fluid accumulation in volume therapy and for the diagnosis of pneumonia or the assessment of pleural effusion and pleurisy in a routine outpatient setting. Last but not least, the increasing concerns about medical radiation exposure warrant a more extensive use of this sometimes underestimated modality as a cost-, time- and radiation-saving alternative or valuable adjunct to the standard imaging modalities.
KEY POINTS
· Lung US is a safe, quick and readily available method with options for dynamic imaging of respiratory function.. · Proper selection of technical parameters customized to the clinical question and standardized terminology for the precise description and interpretation of the imaging signs regarding patient history determine its diagnostic accuracy.. · In dyspnea lung US differentiates pneumothorax, lung edema, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, atelectasis and pleural effusion.. · In intensive care, lung US allows monitoring of lung ventilation and fluid administration.. · It saves radiation exposure in serial follow-up, in pregnancy and pediatric radiology..
CITATION FORMAT
· Radzina M, Biederer J, Ultrasonography of the Lung. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2019; 191: 909 - 923.
Topics: Acute Disease; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Pleural Diseases; Point-of-Care Testing; Pulmonary Embolism; Thoracic Wall; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 30947352
DOI: 10.1055/a-0881-3179 -
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Apr 2019Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes and is... (Review)
Review
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality through a wide range of clinical manifestations which can affect almost any organ. Pulmonary involvement is prevalent and seen in 50 to 70% of SLE patients and may even be the presenting feature in 4 to 5% of patients. By 10 years postdiagnosis, 12% will have accumulated an element of permanent lung damage. Pulmonary complications are broad and include pleural disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), vasculitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, large airway disease, shrinking lung syndrome, and infection. Conditions can range mostly from asymptomatic, for example, in mild cases of pleural effusion or obstructive airway disease, to life-threatening disease, for example, in acute lupus pneumonitis or diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. ILD and pulmonary hypertension are both frequently seen in other autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic sclerosis; however, in SLE, they tend to be milder and have a comparatively favorable prognosis. Although collectively pulmonary involvement in SLE is common, the heterogeneity of SLE and rareness of individual complications make clinical trials difficult and treatment is usually based on case series reports and anecdotal experience with various immunosuppressive agents. Some of these immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide have also been linked with drug-induced lung injury.
Topics: Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lung Diseases; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Pleural Diseases
PubMed: 31137062
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685537 -
Chest Aug 2017Alveolar-pleural fistulas causing persistent air leaks (PALs) are associated with prolonged hospital stays and high morbidity. Prior guidelines recommend surgical repair... (Review)
Review
Alveolar-pleural fistulas causing persistent air leaks (PALs) are associated with prolonged hospital stays and high morbidity. Prior guidelines recommend surgical repair as the gold standard for treatment, albeit it is a solution with limited success. In patients who have recently undergone thoracic surgery or in whom surgery would be contraindicated based on the severity of illness, there has been a lack of treatment options. This review describes a brief history of treatment guidelines for PALs. In the past 20 years, newer and less invasive treatment options have been developed. Aside from supportive care, the literature includes anecdotal successful reports using fibrin sealants, ethanol injection, metal coils, and Watanabe spigots. More recently, larger studies have demonstrated success with chemical pleurodesis, autologous blood patch pleurodesis, and endobronchial valves. This manuscript describes these treatment options in detail, including postprocedural adverse events. Further research, including randomized controlled trials with comparison of these options, are needed, as is long-term follow-up for these interventions.
Topics: Air; Chest Tubes; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Pleural Diseases; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Respiratory Tract Fistula; Risk Factors; Sex Factors
PubMed: 28267436
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.02.020 -
JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2019Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity and is believed to affect 6%-10% of reproductive-age... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity and is believed to affect 6%-10% of reproductive-age women. Endometriosis within the lung parenchyma or on the diaphragm and pleural surfaces produces a range of clinical and radiological manifestations. This includes catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoptysis, and pulmonary nodules, resulting in an entity known as thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES).
DATABASE
Computerized searches of MEDLINE and PubMed were conducted using the key words "thoracic endometriosis," "catamenial pneumothorax," "catamenial hemothorax," and "catamenial hemoptysis." References from identified sources were manually searched to allow for a thorough review.
CONCLUSION
TES can produce incapacitating symptoms for some patients. Symptoms of TES are nonspecific, so a high degree of clinical suspicion is warranted. Medical management represents the first-line treatment approach. When this fails or is contraindicated, definitive surgical treatment for cases of suspected TES uses a combined video laparoscopy performed by a gynecologic surgeon and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery performed by a thoracic surgeon. Postoperative hormonal suppression may further reduce disease recurrence.
Topics: Adult; Diaphragm; Endometriosis; Female; Hemothorax; Humans; Laparoscopy; Pleural Diseases; Pneumothorax; Recurrence; Thoracic Diseases; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 31427853
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine Jul 2016Although thoracentesis is generally considered safe, procedural complications are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In this article,... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Although thoracentesis is generally considered safe, procedural complications are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In this article, we review the risk factors and prevention of the most common complications of thoracentesis including pneumothorax, bleeding (chest wall hematoma and hemothorax), and re-expansion pulmonary edema.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent data support the importance of operator expertise and the use of ultrasound in reducing the risk of iatrogenic pneumothorax. Although coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia and the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications have traditionally been viewed as contraindications to thoracentesis, new evidence suggests that patients may be able to safely undergo thoracentesis without treating their bleeding risk. Re-expansion pulmonary edema, a rare complication of thoracentesis, is felt to result in part from the generation of excessively negative pleural pressure. When and how to monitor changes in pleural pressure during thoracentesis remains a focus of ongoing study.
SUMMARY
Major complications of thoracentesis are uncommon. Clinician awareness of risk factors for procedural complications and familiarity with strategies that improve outcomes are essential components for safely performing thoracentesis.
Topics: Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Hemothorax; Humans; Incidence; Pleural Diseases; Pneumothorax; Pressure; Pulmonary Edema; Risk Factors; Thoracentesis; Thoracic Wall
PubMed: 27093476
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000285 -
Cancer Discovery Nov 2021Malignant pleural diseases, comprising metastatic lung and breast cancers and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), are aggressive solid tumors with poor therapeutic...
Malignant pleural diseases, comprising metastatic lung and breast cancers and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), are aggressive solid tumors with poor therapeutic response. We developed and conducted a first-in-human, phase I study of regionally delivered, autologous, mesothelin-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Intrapleural administration of 0.3M to 60M CAR T cells/kg in 27 patients (25 with MPM) was safe and well tolerated. CAR T cells were detected in peripheral blood for >100 days in 39% of patients. Following our demonstration that PD-1 blockade enhances CAR T-cell function in mice, 18 patients with MPM also received pembrolizumab safely. Among those patients, median overall survival from CAR T-cell infusion was 23.9 months (1-year overall survival, 83%). Stable disease was sustained for ≥6 months in 8 patients; 2 exhibited complete metabolic response on PET scan. Combination immunotherapy with CAR T cells and PD-1 blockade agents should be further evaluated in patients with solid tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional delivery of mesothelin-targeted CAR T-cell therapy followed by pembrolizumab administration is feasible, safe, and demonstrates evidence of antitumor efficacy in patients with malignant pleural diseases. Our data support the investigation of combination immunotherapy with CAR T cells and PD-1 blockade agents in solid tumors...
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Mesothelin; Mesothelioma; Pleural Diseases
PubMed: 34266984
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-0407 -
Annals of Hepatology 2018Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is a pleural effusion that develops in a patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension in the absence of cardiopulmonary disease. Although the... (Review)
Review
Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is a pleural effusion that develops in a patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension in the absence of cardiopulmonary disease. Although the development of HH remains incompletely understood, the most acceptable explanation is that the pleural effusion is a result of a direct passage of ascitic fluid into the pleural cavity through a defect in the diaphragm due to the raised abdominal pressure and the negative pressure within the pleural space. Patients with HH can be asymptomatic or present with pulmonary symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, hypoxemia, or respiratory failure associated with large pleural effusions. The diagnosis is established clinically by finding a serous transudate after exclusion of cardiopulmonary disease and is confirmed by radionuclide imaging demonstrating communication between the peritoneal and pleural spaces when necessary. Spontaneous bacterial empyema is serious complication of HH, which manifest by increased pleural fluid neutrophils or a positive bacterial culture and will require antibiotic therapy. The mainstay of therapy of HH is sodium restriction and administration of diuretics. When medical therapy fails, the only definitive treatment is liver transplantation. Therapeutic thoracentesis, indwelling tunneled pleural catheters, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and thoracoscopic repair of diaphragmatic defects with pleural sclerosis can provide symptomatic relief, but the morbidity and mortality is high in these extremely ill patients.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Empyema; Humans; Hydrothorax; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Transplantation; Pleural Effusion; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Thoracentesis; Thoracoscopy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29311408
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.7533 -
American Journal of Respiratory Cell... Feb 2022
Topics: Fibrosis; Humans; Pleural Diseases; Pleurisy
PubMed: 34758277
DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0411ED -
JAMA Jun 2019An intraoperative higher level of positive end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) with alveolar recruitment maneuvers improves respiratory function in obese patients... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Intraoperative High Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) With Recruitment Maneuvers vs Low PEEP on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Obese Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
IMPORTANCE
An intraoperative higher level of positive end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) with alveolar recruitment maneuvers improves respiratory function in obese patients undergoing surgery, but the effect on clinical outcomes is uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a higher level of PEEP with alveolar recruitment maneuvers decreases postoperative pulmonary complications in obese patients undergoing surgery compared with a lower level of PEEP.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Randomized clinical trial of 2013 adults with body mass indices of 35 or greater and substantial risk for postoperative pulmonary complications who were undergoing noncardiac, nonneurological surgery under general anesthesia. The trial was conducted at 77 sites in 23 countries from July 2014-February 2018; final follow-up: May 2018.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients were randomized to the high level of PEEP group (n = 989), consisting of a PEEP level of 12 cm H2O with alveolar recruitment maneuvers (a stepwise increase of tidal volume and eventually PEEP) or to the low level of PEEP group (n = 987), consisting of a PEEP level of 4 cm H2O. All patients received volume-controlled ventilation with a tidal volume of 7 mL/kg of predicted body weight.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was a composite of pulmonary complications within the first 5 postoperative days, including respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchospasm, new pulmonary infiltrates, pulmonary infection, aspiration pneumonitis, pleural effusion, atelectasis, cardiopulmonary edema, and pneumothorax. Among the 9 prespecified secondary outcomes, 3 were intraoperative complications, including hypoxemia (oxygen desaturation with Spo2 ≤92% for >1 minute).
RESULTS
Among 2013 adults who were randomized, 1976 (98.2%) completed the trial (mean age, 48.8 years; 1381 [69.9%] women; 1778 [90.1%] underwent abdominal operations). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the primary outcome occurred in 211 of 989 patients (21.3%) in the high level of PEEP group compared with 233 of 987 patients (23.6%) in the low level of PEEP group (difference, -2.3% [95% CI, -5.9% to 1.4%]; risk ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.83 to 1.04]; P = .23). Among the 9 prespecified secondary outcomes, 6 were not significantly different between the high and low level of PEEP groups, and 3 were significantly different, including fewer patients with hypoxemia (5.0% in the high level of PEEP group vs 13.6% in the low level of PEEP group; difference, -8.6% [95% CI, -11.1% to 6.1%]; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among obese patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, an intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategy with a higher level of PEEP and alveolar recruitment maneuvers, compared with a strategy with a lower level of PEEP, did not reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02148692.
Topics: Adult; Anesthesia, General; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Intraoperative Care; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Pleural Diseases; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Postoperative Complications; Pulmonary Atelectasis; Respiratory Insufficiency; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Tidal Volume; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31157366
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.7505