[Significance of diagnostic pneumothorax and pneumoperitoneum in differential diagnosis of thoracic diseases].
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The authors report their experience in VATS technique employed in the diagnosis and treatment of pleural and mediastinal diseases and lung tumors. Between 1992 and 1996, 50 thoracoscopic procedures were carried out in 48 patients. The following operations were performed: six thoracic sympathectomies, two cases of closing bronchial stump fistulas, six cases of successfully treated spontaneous pneumothorax. In eight cases (16.3%) it was necessary to convert this procedure into thoracotomy because of pleural adhesions. The diagnostic thoracoscopies (35 cases) included: mediastinal and lung tumor biopsies, taking up samples of pleural exudate. There were no complications connected with these procedures. We consider thoracoscopic technique to be a suitable method for the diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal and pleural lesions.
Multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) with three-dimensional (3D) volume rendering provides a unique perspective on thoracic anatomy and disease. Multi-detector row CT allows shorter acquisition times, greater coverage, and superior image resolution. Three-dimensional volume rendering now permits real-time, interactive modification of relative pixel attenuation in an infinite number of planes and projections. In vascular imaging, this technique provides image quality that equals or surpasses that of conventional angiography. Its use has expanded to aid in diagnosis and surgical planning, often obviating conventional or digital angiography and reducing costs. It is reliable in depicting clot and the pulmonary vasculature and may also be used to evaluate thoracic venous anomalies (eg, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations) and to plan therapy. Airway imaging with multi-detector row CT with 3D volume rendering is particularly useful in the planning and follow-up of stent placement. In diffuse lung disease, this technique can increase nodule detection and help differentiate between small nodules and vessels. It is also helpful in imaging the musculoskeletal system and the thoracic cage. Multi-detector row CT with 3D volume rendering has enhanced the conventional roles of thoracic CT and challenged the supremacy of other imaging modalities. It will likely play a leading role in future radiologic research and practice.
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PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this present retrospective study we examined 62 long-term ventilated patients, whose weaning from respirator failed, for endoscopic airway complications and the frequency of consecutive surgery required. Furthermore noninvasive volume-controlled intermittent ventilation was evaluated as an alternative method to tracheostomy for maintaining mechanical ventilation and weaning of patients with chest wall disorders, neuromuscular and chronic obstructive lung disease. RESULTS: 25 patients with endotracheal tube and 37 with tracheostomy who had been long-term ventilated in different intensive care units for 18 +/- 12 respectively 57 +/- 27 days (19 +/- 12 days via endotracheal tube) could be weaned successfully consequently using a volume-controlled intermittent ventilation via an individually adapted face mask. We found 2 patients of the group with endotracheal intubation (median age 59 +/- 15 years, 11 female, 14 male, median duration of mechanical ventilation via tube 18 +/- 12 days) to have visible injuries of the respiratory tract without consecutive surgery being necessary. All of them were successfully weaned from respirator via noninvasive ventilation (in 2 of them completely spontaneous breathing was re-established, 23 patients needed intermittent ventilation at home). Of the 37 patients with tracheostomy (median age 59 +/- 15 years, 15 female, 22 male, median duration of mechanical ventilation 57 +/- 27 days, tracheostomy on day 19 +/- 12) 19 cases (51%) showed endoscopically visible injuries of the respiratory tract of whom 7 cases (19%) were severe and made consecutive surgery necessary. 29 patients were discharged with noninvasive ventilation at home, 5 needed further invasive ventilation via tracheostomy and 3 patients breathed spontaneously without ventilatory support. The incidence of severe tracheal stenosis following long-term ventilation via tracheostomy was nearly 20% (1 tracheoesophageal fistula) and needed surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: As even duration of ventilation via tracheal tube and mode of ventilation before transfer to our clinic was comparable in both groups noninvasive ventilation is an appropriate alternative to tracheostomy following endotracheal intubation for maintaining ventilatory support, especially for patients with chronic ventilatory insufficiency.
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BACKGROUND: Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is an important therapy for patients with respiratory insufficiency on the basis of neuromuscular diseases (NMD), chest wall deformities (CWD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the long-term results of all 144 patients (CWD = 47, COPD = 54, NMD = 43) who underwent a trial of non-invasive HMV from March 1990 to September 1997. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients did not accept the HMV (19%), 7 with CWD (15%), 17 with COPD (32%) and 4 with NMD (9%). Thirty-nine of 113 patients, who accepted HMV, completed nasal ventilation for a minimum of 1 year. For all 3 groups the hypercapnia improved significantly (CWD 58 +/- 6 to 48 +/- 4 mm Hg, p < 0.001, COPD 61 +/- 7 to 46 +/- 6 mm Hg, p < 0.001, NMD 53 +/- 8 to 42 +/- 6 mm Hg, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HMV improves the hypercapnic ventilatory failure independent of the underlying disease. The rate of acceptance is lower in patients with COPD in comparison to CWD and NMD.
One hundred and forty-one patients have undergone mediastinoscopy in the Hong Kong University Surgical Unit since March 1974. Among these there were 109 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma. In approximately 50% of these patients the carcinoma had already spreed to involve the mediastinal lymph nodes at the time of examination. Mediastinoscopy may be the only source of positive histological proof of the diagnosis in bronchogenic carcinoma as well as in other types of intrathoracic disease such as tuberculosis. We believe that mediastinoscopy reduces the number of unnecessary exploratory thoracotomies.
Common and uncommon diseases whose symptom picture includes signs that may lead to an incorrect diagnosis are examined. Questions of this kind are obviously important in both medicine and emergency surgery, since incorrect diagnosis may involve either delay in the commencement of suitable treatment or the taking of what may even be dangerous therapeutic measures. Instances of heart and lung disease frequetly marked by abdominal symptomatologies are presented: bronchopulmonitis of various aetiologies, myocardial infarct, rhythm disturbances. In addition to the more atypical signs, such as epigastric pain in infarct and right hypochondriac pain in right basal bronchopulmonitis, manifestations such as vomiting, diarrhoea, diffuse abdominal pains and intestinal occlusion must be borne in mnd in establishing the correct diagnosis.
This article reviews the major indications for chest sonography in children. Sonography should be performed after chest radiographs have been obtained in order to assess the need for further imaging with CT and/or MRI. Sonography allows accurate assessment of the pleural compartment especially for evaluation of pleural effusions, the diaphragm, peripheral lung lesions and anterior, middle and postero-inferior mediastinal lesions. Imaging of the thymus is emphasized because normal thymus can mimic pathologic situations and tumors may arise within the thymus. This technique allows tissue characterization and it is superior to other modalities in characterization of fluid. Sonography may be used to guide aspirations and biopsies. Sonography of the chest is the modality of choice in children because of its lack of ionizing radiation and ease to perform.