Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula presenting as spontaneous haemothorax.
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We record a case of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula presenting in a dramatic and unusual way. These lesions are generally diagnosed clinically by consideration of their associated features. In this case these were all absent, and the patient presented with a spontaneous haemothorax as an isolated finding. When blood is found on aspiration of the pleural cavity it generally represents bloodstained effusion (trauma excluded), and by far the commonest cause is bronchogenic carcinoma. Less frequently, however, aspiration of blood may represent spontaneous intrapleural bleeding without effusion (spontaneous haemothorax), and a rare cause of this situation is pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. We record this case to demonstrate that innocent pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae can masquerade as carcinoma. (+info)
Nasal and intrapulmonary haemorrhage in sudden infant death syndrome.
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BACKGROUND: Fresh intrapulmonary and oronasal haemorrhages in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) might be markers for accidental or intentional smothering inappropriately diagnosed as SIDS. AIM: To compare the incidence, epidemiological association, and inter-relation of nasal haemorrhage, intrapulmonary haemorrhage, and intrathoracic petechiae in infant deaths certified as SIDS. METHODS: In SIDS cases from a large nationwide case-control study, a wide range of variables were compared in cases with and without reported nasal haemorrhage and, in a subgroup of cases, in those with and without pathologically significant intrapulmonary haemorrhage. RESULTS: Nasal haemorrhage was reported in 60 of 385 cases (15%) whose parents were interviewed. Pathologically significant intra-alveolar pulmonary haemorrhage was found in 47% of 115 cases studied, but was severe in only 7%. Infants with nasal haemorrhage had more haemorrhage into alveoli and air passages than age matched cases without nasal haemorrhage. In multivariate analysis, nasal haemorrhage was associated with younger infant age, bed sharing, and the infant being placed non-prone to sleep. Intrapulmonary haemorrhage was associated with the same three factors in univariate analysis, but in multivariate analysis only younger infant age remained statistically significant. There was no significant association between nasal or intra-alveolar haemorrhages and intrathoracic petechiae. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal and intrapulmonary haemorrhages have common associations not shared with intrathoracic petechiae. Smothering is a possible common factor, although is unlikely to be the cause in most cases presenting as SIDS. (+info)
Traumatic rupture of the aorta: immediate or delayed repair?
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OBJECTIVE: To determine whether delay of the repair of the ruptured thoracic aorta in patients with other major injuries is safe and has a potential positive impact on survival. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The accepted treatment for acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta has been repair of the injury as soon as possible. This form of management, however, has been accompanied by a death rate of 0% to 54% mortality, often related to the presence of other injuries. METHODS: The records of 30 consecutive patients with rupture of the thoracic aorta from blunt trauma treated from 1995 to 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Two of them died shortly after admission and were excluded from further consideration. The remaining 28 patients were divided according to the time of the repair of the rupture into two groups. Group 1 patients underwent repair of the rupture immediately after the diagnosis was made. Group 2 patients, who had associated injuries that were likely to increase the risk of surgical death, had either repair more than 48 hours after injury (subgroup 2A) or had no repair (subgroup 2B). The patients in group 2 had their mean arterial pressure maintained at less than 70 mm Hg with medication to eliminate shear stress on the aortic tear while being observed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (22 men, 6 women) with an average age of 36 years (range 19-76) were treated. Twenty-five had rupture of the descending thoracic aorta and three had rupture in the ascending thoracic aorta. Group 1 comprised 14 patients, 5 of whom died during surgery or in the early postoperative period. Group 2 comprised 14 patients, 9 in subgroup 2A and 5 in subgroup 2B. Two patients in subgroup 2A and three patients in subgroup 2B died of associated injuries or illnesses. Rupture of the traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta did not occur in any of the patients in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed repair of acute traumatic aortic rupture is safe under appropriate treatment and should be considered in selected patients. (+info)
Prevention of infection in war chest injuries.
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Infection is a major complication of military chest injuries. In a series of 142 wounded, infectious complications occurred in 7 (4.9%). Factors influencing the incidence of infection are evaluated. In this group of injuries, 81 patients were admitted soon after wounding. The intrathoracic damage was severe, due to penetration of metallic fragment. The hemothorax was treated by immediate intercostal drainage. Immediate thoracotomy was performed in 10 patients and late thoractomy in 15. One patient developed a lung abscess and 5 patients had infection following thoracotomy (7.4%). Another 61 wounded patients had been first managed in a forward hospital, including three with thoractomy for massive bleeding. Two, not in a forward hospital, had a bullet removed from the lung. Upon admission to this hospital, intercostal drains were inserted when needed and four patients underwent thoracotomy. Larger wounds were debrided in 24 patients. Late thoracotomy was perfromed in seven. Chronic empyema developed in one patient after pneumonectomy performed at the field hospital, resulting in a resuscitation or infection rate of less than 2%. Factors contributing to a low infection rate were: early drainage of hemothoraces and wide debridement of larger wounds with delayed closure and avoidance of thoracotomy as primary treatment. Resection of lung tissue was avoided. Thoraco-abdominal injuries were treated separately. The clotted hemothorax was immediately evacuated. Prolonged antibiotic therapy was usually indicated. (+info)
Bilateral and unilateral spontaneous massive hemothorax as a presenting manifestation of rare tumors.
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Spontaneous true hemothorax is quite a rare manifestation of a presenting disease. This is a report of two patients, one with bilateral spontaneous massive hemothorax as a presenting manifestation of angiosarcoma involving the lungs and pleura, and the other with unilateral spontaneous hemothorax and hemorrhagic shock as a presenting manifestation of 'cystic' chondroblastoma. Differential diagnosis of spontaneous true hemothorax and its evaluation and management are discussed. (+info)
Life threatening haemorrhage after anterior needle aspiration of pneumothoraces. A role for lateral needle aspiration in emergency decompression of spontaneous pneumothorax.
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Needle aspiration is a recognised emergency treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and in the case of suspected tension is usually performed before chest radiography. Three cases are described of apparent life threatening haemorrhage after anterior aspiration in the second intercostal space, mid-clavicular line (2ICS MCL) requiring resuscitation, and transfer to a cardiothoracic unit. In these patients there was no evidence of haemothorax on initial presentation. Lateral needle aspiration, in the site recommended for chest drain insertion, the 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line (5ICS ALL) is technically easy and may be a potentially safer option for decompressing pneumothoraces. (+info)
A new successful therapy for fetal chylothorax by intrapleural injection of maternal blood.
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We present two cases of fetal chylothorax and hydrops diagnosed at 20 weeks' gestation, both of which underwent successful intrauterine treatment. In Case 1, a transient, near total resolution began 2 weeks after an iatrogenic hemothorax following a second thoracocentesis performed at 24 + 6 weeks. Because of pleural fluid reaccumulation, a Cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks. The 3805-g female neonate was admitted to neonatal intensive care but was discharged 50 days later in a healthy condition. In Case 2, resolution occurred after a third thoracocentesis and a second pleural injection of maternal blood, performed at 26 weeks. A 2660-g female neonate was delivered vaginally at 38 weeks. The infant remained asymptomatic and was discharged aged 4 days. Our experience suggests a possible useful role of intrapleural blood injection for the treatment of fetal chylothorax. (+info)
DECORTICATION OF THE LUNG.
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Excision of an empyema sac and thickened pleura from the lung and chest wall has been performed for over 70 years. The most appropriate fields of application of this procedure are in treatment of tuberculous empyema, empyema complicating pneumonic processes (most frequently caused by staphylococcal infection), and clotted hemothorax following chest injury. The authors' experience with 33 such decortications in the past five years is described, observations concerning the techniques, complications, and end results of the procedure are discussed, and illustrative case reports are presented. (+info)