-
Cureus May 2024Pneumorrhachis, a rare clinical entity, refers to the presence of air in the spinal canal. Air can enter the spinal canal through various pathways, including the lungs...
Pneumorrhachis, a rare clinical entity, refers to the presence of air in the spinal canal. Air can enter the spinal canal through various pathways, including the lungs and mediastinum (the space between the lungs), or directly from external sources due to trauma or infection. In rare cases, pneumorrhachis may result from repeated secondary Valsalva maneuvers, which is a complication of large-area pneumothorax. In this case report, we discuss a 36-year-old male patient who was involved in a high-intensity road accident. The injury assessment revealed significant findings including a large left pneumothorax, a right pneumothorax, multiple rib fractures, and the presence of pneumorrhachis. The entry of air into the spinal canal originated from the pleural space, likely through injuries to the parietal pleura. Rarely reported, closed thoracic trauma is an exceptional cause of pneumorrhachis. This unique mechanism of injury has been described in a limited number of publications addressing traumatic pneumorrhachis. The identification of pneumorrhachis in a traumatized patient should prompt further investigation to explore other potential injuries that may elucidate the formation of this intraspinal gas collection.
PubMed: 38826888
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59437 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jun 2024To investigate the risk factors of pneumothorax of using computed tomography (CT) guidance to inject autologous blood to locate isolated lung nodules. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
To investigate the risk factors of pneumothorax of using computed tomography (CT) guidance to inject autologous blood to locate isolated lung nodules.
METHODS
In the First Hospital of Putian City, 92 cases of single small pulmonary nodules were retrospectively analyzed between November 2019 and March 2023. Before each surgery, autologous blood was injected, and the complications of each case, such as pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage, were recorded. Patient sex, age, position at positioning, and nodule type, size, location, and distance from the visceral pleura were considered. Similarly, the thickness of the chest wall, the depth and duration of the needle-lung contact, the length of the positioning procedure, and complications connected to the patient's positioning were noted. Logistics single-factor and multi-factor variable analyses were used to identify the risk factors for pneumothorax. The multi-factor logistics analysis was incorporated into the final nomogram prediction model for modeling, and a nomogram was established.
RESULTS
Logistics analysis suggested that the nodule size and the contact depth between the needle and lung tissue were independent risk factors for pneumothorax.
CONCLUSION
The factors associated with pneumothorax after localization are smaller nodules and deeper contact between the needle and lung tissue.
Topics: Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Pneumothorax; Female; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Middle Aged; Lung Neoplasms; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule; Aged; Adult; Blood Transfusion, Autologous
PubMed: 38824602
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02810-y -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery May 2024Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Surgical lung resection is the best treatment modality in the early...
BACKGROUND
Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Surgical lung resection is the best treatment modality in the early stages of lung cancer as well as in some locally advanced cases. Postoperative air leak is one of the most common complications after pulmonary resection with incidence ranging between 20 and 33%. The majority of air leaks seal, within 5 days after surgery, on their own by conservative management. However, at least 5% of patients still have prolonged air coming out from the residual lung at discharge. This report describes the management of a thin lady with right lung cancer who underwent a right lower lobectomy and then suffered from a delayed air leak 7 weeks after surgery and required extensive thoracic and general surgery collaboration.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 72-year-old heavy smoker female patient diagnosed with stage I lung cancer underwent right robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery converted to thoracotomy because of a fused fissure, right lower lobectomy, and mediastinal lymphadenectomy presented with delayed air leak 49 days after surgery. VATS decortication and mechanical pleurodesis were done 2 weeks after unsuccessful conservative treatment. Still, the lung failed to expand four weeks later so the patient was sent to surgery; she is underweight (BMI of 18) with not many options for a big flap to fill the chest cavity empty space. Accordingly; the decision was to use multiple pedicle flaps; omentum, intercostal muscle, and serratus anterior muscle to cover the bronchopleural fistulas and fill the pleural space in addition to mechanical and chemical pleurodesis. Full expansion of the lung was obtained. The patient was discharged on Post-Operative day 5 without remnant pneumothorax.
CONCLUSIONS
Air leaks After lobectomy usually presents directly postoperatively; various management options are available ranging from conservative and minimally invasive to major operative treatment. We presented what we believe was unusual delayed bronchopleural fistula post-lobectomy in a thin lady which demonstrates clearly how a delayed air leak was detected and how collaborative efforts were crucial for delivering high-quality, safe, and patient-centered care till treated and complete recovery.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Pneumonectomy; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchial Fistula; Pleural Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 38822353
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02795-8 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports May 2024Most cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis are caused by rupturing of the visceral pleura caused by . The...
Most cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis are caused by rupturing of the visceral pleura caused by . The check-valve airway mechanism in the lungs is generally involved in the formation of pulmonary cysts, which often cause spontaneous pneumothorax. Herein, we describe a rare case of repeated spontaneous pneumothorax suspected to have been caused by pulmonary cyst formation as a result of a tuberculoma. The patient was a man with a family history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Pulmonary cysts were gradually enlarged on the peripheral side of a lung mass in the upper lobe of the patient's right lung, who experienced two spontaneous pneumothoraxes in the area. Exploratory surgery was performed to diagnose the lung mass and treat the pneumothorax, resulting in a final diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculoma. A check-valve mechanism caused by the pulmonary tuberculoma was suspected based on the patient's clinical course.
PubMed: 38817789
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae365 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports May 2024This case report details the management of a 79-year-old man who developed massive postoperative pneumothorax following redo coronary artery bypass grafting due to...
This case report details the management of a 79-year-old man who developed massive postoperative pneumothorax following redo coronary artery bypass grafting due to severe lung adhesions. We successfully treated the patient using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without femoral cannulation, allowing for early rehabilitation initiation. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a reasonable option for cases of severe respiratory failure due to pneumothorax with lung destruction caused by re-sternotomy during re-do cardiac surgery.
PubMed: 38817783
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae360 -
Cureus Apr 2024Kidney tumors have an important place among urological malignancies. The increased utilization of imaging methods has led to a rise in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)...
INTRODUCTION
Kidney tumors have an important place among urological malignancies. The increased utilization of imaging methods has led to a rise in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnoses, albeit with declining mortality rates, particularly in developed countries. Radical nephrectomy remains the gold standard treatment. The aim of this study was to share a tertiary oncology hospital's initial experiences with laparoscopic nephrectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective study analyzes data from patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy, focusing on demographic characteristics, tumor features, and operative outcomes. Information regarding age, gender, tumor size, operative details, and pathology results was collected and analyzed.
RESULTS
One hundred forty-two patients were included in the study; 69 (48.60%) were female and 73 (51.40%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 57.11 ± 12.6 years, with tumors primarily located on the left kidney (52.80%). The mean tumor size was 53.01 ± 24.01 mm. Intraoperative complications included the need for conversion to open surgery in five cases and vascular, pneumothorax, or duodenal injuries in a subset of patients. However, postoperative complications, such as sepsis or mortality, were not observed.
DISCUSSION
Despite an initial learning curve associated with longer operation times, laparoscopic techniques offer benefits, including reduced blood loss, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic outcomes. Histologically, clear cell RCC was the most common tumor type encountered. This study underscores the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, advocating for its widespread adoption while emphasizing the importance of surgeon experience and patient selection in optimizing outcomes.
PubMed: 38817455
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59382 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases May 2024In the context of mediastinal emphysema/pneumomediastinum, the main aetiologies are associated with oesophageal perforation, lung pathology or post head and neck surgery...
In the context of mediastinal emphysema/pneumomediastinum, the main aetiologies are associated with oesophageal perforation, lung pathology or post head and neck surgery related. The main way to differentiate the pathologies would be through Computed Tomographic Imaging of the Thorax and abdomen with oral and intravenous contrast in the context of triple phase imaging. The causes of pneumomediastinum should be differentiated between traumatic and non-traumatic. Oesophageal perforation (Boerhaave syndrome) is associated with Mackler's triad in upto 50% of patients (severe retrosternal chest pain, pneumomediastinum, mediastinitis). Whereas in cases of lung pathology this can be associated with pneumothorax and pleural effusion.
PubMed: 38817226
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i15.2479 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery May 2024This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of one-stage computed tomography (OSCT)- to that of two-stage computed tomography (TSCT)-guided... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of one-stage computed tomography (OSCT)- to that of two-stage computed tomography (TSCT)-guided localization for the surgical removal of small lung nodules.
METHODS
We collected data from patients with ipsilateral pulmonary nodules who underwent localization before surgical removal at Veteran General Hospital Kaohsiung between October 2017 and January 2022. The patients were divided into the OSCT and TSCT groups.
RESULTS
We found that OSCT significantly reduced the localization time and risky time compared to TSCT, and the success rate of localization and incidence of pneumothorax were similar in both groups. However, the time spent under general anesthesia was longer in the OSCT group than in the TSCT group.
CONCLUSIONS
The OSCT-guided approach to localize pulmonary nodules in hybrid operation room is a safe and effective technique for the surgical removal of small lung nodules.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Male; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Female; Middle Aged; Lung Neoplasms; Aged; Pneumonectomy; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule; Surgery, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 38816751
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02823-7 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Ultrasound waves were initially used as a diagnostic tool that provided critical insights into several pathological conditions (e.g., gallstones, ascites, pneumothorax,... (Review)
Review
Ultrasound waves were initially used as a diagnostic tool that provided critical insights into several pathological conditions (e.g., gallstones, ascites, pneumothorax, etc.) at the bedside. Over the past decade, advancements in technology have led to the use of ultrasound waves in treating many neurological conditions, such as essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, with high specificity. The convergence of ultrasound waves at a specific region of interest/target while avoiding surrounding tissue has led to the coined term "focused ultrasound (FUS)." In tumor research, ultrasound technology was initially used as an intraoperative guidance tool for tumor resection. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in utilizing FUS as a therapeutic tool in the management of brain tumors such as gliomas. This mini-review highlights the current knowledge surrounding using FUS as a treatment modality for gliomas. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of FUS in enhanced drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) and highlight promising clinical trials that utilize FUS as a treatment modality for gliomas.
PubMed: 38813245
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1387986 -
Cureus May 2024Contralateral tension pneumothorax is a rare but fatal complication of one-lung ventilation. The life-saving decompression of pleural space was frequently delayed by the...
Contralateral tension pneumothorax is a rare but fatal complication of one-lung ventilation. The life-saving decompression of pleural space was frequently delayed by the difficult confirmation of diagnosis because of general anesthesia that masks specific clinical presentations when the patient is alert. We reported a case of tension pneumothorax in a patient who underwent thoracic spine instrumentation. There were no contralateral tension pneumothorax cases on file from the search of the Anesthesia Quality Institute Closed Claims Database from 2001 to 2017. We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Over the past 30 years, there were 21 single case reports and two case series were retrieved. It was a consensus that difficult confirmation of the diagnosis of contralateral tension pneumothorax is the culprit of delayed life-saving intervention. Difficulty of oxygenation with increasing inspiratory pressure was usually the first sign suggesting contralateral pneumothorax; however, earlier presentations of cardiovascular system failure than respiratory failure have significantly increased the incidence of cardiac arrest and death. It is paramount to maintain a high suspicion of tension pneumothorax. The application of esophageal stethoscope, lung ultrasound, and simulator training may improve the chance of early diagnosis and patient outcome.
PubMed: 38813077
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61306