Pulmonary Thromboembolectomy for Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary thromboembolism is fatal because of abruptly occurring hypoxemia and right ventricular failure. There are several treatment modalities, including anticoagulation, thrombolytics, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenator), and thromboembolectomy, for managing acute pulmonary thromboembolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from January 1999 to December 2004 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed for pulmonary thromboembolectomy. There were 7 patients (4 men and 3 women), who underwent a total of 8 operations because one patient had post-operative recurrent emboli and underwent reoperation. Surgery was indicatedfor mild hypoxemia and performed with CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) in a beating heart state. RESULTS: The patients had several symptoms, such as dyspnea, chest discomfort, and palpitation. Four patients had deep vein thromboembolisms and 3 had psychotic problems, specifically schizophrenia. Post-operative complications included hemothorax, pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion. There were two hospital deaths, one each by brain death and right heart failure. CONCLUSION: Emergency operation should be performed when medical treatments are no longer effective.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax due to Pulmonary Invasion in Multisystemic Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Langerhans cell Histiocytosis can present as a single or multiple lesion and can affect one or several organ systems. A 41-year-old woman with a history of multisystemic Langerhans cell Histiocytosis invading lung and thyroid was admitted with left-sided spontaneous pneumothorax. Here we report a case of uncommon pulmonary Langerhans-cell Histiocytosis presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax as a multisystemic Langerhans cell Histiocytosis.

Results of Bronchial Sleeve Resection for Primary Lung Cancer / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is known that long-term survival rate in patients underwent bronchial sleeve lobectomy for primary lung cancer is at least equal to that in patients underwent pneumonectomy, and bronchial sleeve lobectomy is performed in patients with suitable tumor location even in patients have adequate pulmonary function. Sleeve pneumonectomy is performed when carina was invaded by tumor or tumor location was near to the carina. We performed this study to know our results of sleeve resection for primary lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 45 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy or sleeve pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer by one thoracic surgeon from May 1990 to July 2003 in Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University. Follow-up loss was absent and last follow-up was performed in April 5, 2005. Kaplan-Meyer method and log-lank test were used to know long-term survival rate and p-value. RESULT: Mean age was 60 years old and male to female ratio 41:1. Histologic types were squamous cell carcinoma were 39, adenocarcinoma were 4, and others were 2 patients. Pathologic stages were I 14, II 14, and III 17 patients. Nodal stages were N0 23, N1 13, and N2 9 patients. Types of operation were sleeve lobectomy 40 and sleeve pneumonectomy 5 patients. Operative mortality was 3 patients and its cause was respiratory complications. Early complications were pneumonia 4, atelectasis 8, air leakage more than 7 days 6, and atrial fibrillation 4 patients. In 19 patients tumor was recurred. Local recurrence was 10 and systemic metastasis was 9 patients. Overall 5, 10-year survival rate were 54.2%, 42.5%. The 5, 10-year survival rates according to the pathologic stage were 83.9%, 67.1% in stage I, 55%, 47.1% in II, 33.3%, 25% in III, and significance difference was present between stage I and III. The 5, 10-year survival rate according to the lymph node involvement were 63.9%, 54.6% in N0, 53.8%, 46.5% in N1, 28.5%, 14.2% in N2, and significance difference was present between N0 and N2. CONCLUSION: Because bronchial sleeve lobectomy for primary lung cancer could be performed safely and shows acceptable long-term survival rate, it could be considered primary in case of suitable tumor location if complete resection is possible. Although sleeve pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer shows somewhat high operative mortality rate, it could be considered in view of curative treatment.

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Lung: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung is extremely rare. A 12-year-old child was admitted to the hospital due to an incidentally detected lung mass. A 2.5 x 2.5 cm sized mass located in the right lower lobe was seen on the chest X-ray, the chest computed tomogram and the positron emission tomogram. We resected the mass through a right lateral thoracotomy and the mass was revealed to be a malignant spindle cell neoplasm on the frozen section diagnosis. So, we performed lobectomy of the right lower lobe with systemic dissection of the mediastinal lymph nodes; the final histopathological diagnosis of the mass was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 and adjuvant chemotherapy was not applied.

Pleural Sparganosis: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The major cause of Sparganosis is ingestion of raw snake or frog. The most common clinical manifestation of Sparganosis is subcutaneous moving nodule in abdominal wall, chest wall, thigh, and scrotal area. The most accurate method of diagnosis and treatment for Sparganosis is surgical removal of the parasite. We experienced pleural sparganosis in a 70-years-old male patient, and report it with review of literatures.

Surgical Treatment for Carotid Artery Stenosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy is an effective treatment modality in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, but it may result in serious postoperative complications. We analyzed the results of the carotid endarterectomy performed in our institution to reduce the complications related to the carotid endarterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 74 patients (76 cases) who underwent carotid endarterectomy for carotid artery stenosis by a single surgeon from February 1996 to July 2004. RESULT: There were 64 men and 10 women. The mean age of the patients was 63.6 years old. Carotid endarterectomy only was performed in 63 cases, carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in 8 cases, and carotid endarterectomy with segmental resection of internal carotid artery and end to end anastomosis in 5 cases. Intra-arterial shunt was used in 29 cases. The mean back pressures of internal carotid arteries checked after clamping common carotid arteries and external carotid arteries were 23.48+/-10.04 mmHg in 25 cases with changes in electroencephalography (group A) and 47.16+/-16.04 mmHg in 51 cases without changes in electroencephalography (group B). There was no statistical difference in the mean back pressure of internal carotid arteries between two groups (p=0.095), but the back pressures of internal carotid arteries of all patients with changes in electroencephalography were under 40 mmHg. When there was no ischemic change of electroencephalography after clamping common carotid artery and external carotid artery, we did not make use of intra-arterial shunt regardless of the back pressure of internal carotid artery. Operative complications were transient hypoglossal nerve palsy in four cases, cerebral hemorrhage occurred at previous cerebral infarction site in two cases, mild cerebral infarction in one case, hematoma due to anastomosis site bleeding in one case, and upper airway obstruction due to laryngeal edema probably caused by excessive retraction during operation in two cases. One patient expired due to cerebral hemorrhage occurring at previous cerebral infarction site. CONCLUSION: Carotid endarterectomy is a safe operative procedure showing low operative mortality. We suggest that intra-arterial shunt usage should be decided according to the ischemic change of electroencephalography regardless of the back pressure of internal carotid artery. Excessive retraction during operation should be avoided to prevent upper airway obstruction due to laryngeal edema and if upper airway obstruction is suspected, prompt management is essential.

Primary Sternal Osteomyelitis: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary sternal osteomyelitis is a rare disease. Primary sternal osteomyelitis occurring during childhood is extremely rare; therefore, only eleven cases have been reported in the English language literatures. The predisposing factors of primary sternal osteomyelitis are malnutrition, immune deficiency, intravenous injection, blunt chest trauma, and sickle cell anemia. Drainage of pus with antibiotic therapy is the treatment of choice. We report a case of primary sternal osteomyelitis occurred in a 16-year old boy, who had no predisposing factors, with review of literatures.

Surgical Treatment of Tracheal Restenosis following Operation for Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis: Two cases report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The treatment of choice for post-intubation tracheal stenosis is partial tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The surgical treatment of tracheal restenosis that results from unsuccessful repair of post-intubation tracheal stenosis is not easy. Failed reoperation results in permanent tracheostomy and loss of voice. If the first operation fails, about 4~6 months of period for resolution of inflammatory reaction, edema, and fibrosis is needed. The exact evaluation of the patient's status is necessary and success rate of reoperation for the appropriate candidates is over 90%. We report the results of treatment in two cases of tracheal restenosis that resulted from unsuccessful repair of post-intubation tracheal stenosis with review of literatures.

Urinothorax following Blunt Renal Trauma: One case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Urinothorax occurs when urine leakes into thoracic cavity and it was first reported by Correie in 1968. The mechanism of its occurrence is an accumulation of urine in thoracic cavity by retroperitoneal urinoma formed by urinary tract obstruction or trauma. Retroperitoneal inflammation, malignant neoplasm, kidney transplantation, and kidney biopsy can also induce urinothorax. The diagnosis of urinothorax may be delayed due to its rare incidence rate, but if diagnosis is confirmed the treatment is possible by urinary diversion. We report our experience of a case of urinothorax associated with retroperitoneal urinoma followed by blunt renal trauma with review of literatures.

RVOTO Caused by Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma Originating from Pulmonary Valve: One case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary pulmonary arterial sarcomas, especially those originating from the pulmonary valve are extremely rare. A 35 year-old male patient was admitted for exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Large intraluminal mass in the main pulmonary artery and both pulmonary arteries was detected by chest computed tomogram, chest magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiogram, and pulmonary angiogram. We regarded the mass as a primary pulmonary arterial malignant tumor, and resected under cardiopulmonary bypass. The mass was appeared to originate from the posterior cusp of pulmonary valve, and extended from below pulmonary valve to main pulmonary artery and both pulmonary arteries. We resected the mass by pulmonary endarterectomy and replaced the pulmonary valve. The mass was diagnosed as a pulmonary arterial sarcoma in histopathologic examination.

Aorto-bicarotid-biaxillary Bypass in Takayasu's Arteritis: One case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 30 year-old female patient was admitted for dizziness and palpitation. Pulsation of the both upper extremities and both common carotid arteries were absent. Innominate artery and both common carotid arteries were severely narrowed, and both subclavian arteries were completely obstructed on aortogram. The patient was diagnosed as type I Takayasu's arteritis, and operation was performed to increase blood flow to the brain and both upper extremities. Ascending aorta, both carotid arteries, both subclavian arteries, and both axillary arteries were exposed by four separate incision, and we performed an aorto-bicarotid-biaxillary bypass with Hemashield graft. Previous dizziness and palpation were disappeared after the operation.

Synchronous Double Cancer of the Esophagus and Lung: Two case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The synchronous double cancer of the esophagus and lung is rare. Right lower lobectomy and Ivor Lewis procedure were performed simultaneously in a 75 year-old male patient who had synchronous double primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus and right lower lobe of the lung. Left upper lobectomy was performed in a 69 year-old male patient who had squamous cell carcinoma of the left upper lobe of the lung, and four months later we performed Ivor Lewis procedure for the squamous cell carcinoma that occurred in the thoracic esophagus. The above two patients were doing well 10 months and 24 months after the operation respectively without recurrence. We treated the two cases of synchronous double cancer of the esophagus and lung with complete resection, and report this with review of literature.

Necrotizing Bronchial Aspergillosis: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis usually occurs in the immumocompromised host. Aspergillus invades bronchial epithelium and forms endobronchial mass or endobronchial stenosis. A 78-year-old male patient with diabetus mellitus complaining of dyspnea and cough was admitted to our hospital. Plain chest X-ray and chest computed tomogram showed a large endobronchial mass and total collapse of left upper lobe of the lung. Bronchoscopic biopsy of the endobronchial mass revealed chronic inflammation. To confirm the endobronchial mass, we performed sleeve lobectomy of left upper lobe of the lung. Histologically the mass was diagnosed as necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis. We report a case of necrotizing bronchial aspergillosis in an elderly man who has diabetus mellitus with review of the literature.

Clinical investigation about the result of surgically treated myasthenia gravis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease involving acetylcholine receptor and its autoantibody on neuromuscular junction. The methods of treatment are medical treatment and surgical thymectomy. In this paper we analyzed the result of thymectomy and the factors affecting the postoperative symptom improvement. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study obtained medical records of 37 patients who received the thymectomy for myasthenia gravis from March 1986 to December 1998. RESULT: Out of 37 cases, 21 cases(57%) showed improvement, of which 8 cases (50%) in the group of thymoma(n=16), and 13 cases (62%) in the group of thymic hyperplasia(n=21) showed the improvement of symptoms. Postoperative complications were respiratory insufficiency due to aggravation of symptoms after operation, including tracheal intubation for ventilator support in 9 cases, pneumonia in 3 cases, pneumothorax in 2 cases and left vocal cord palsy in 1 case. There was one postoperative mortality. The relation between postoperative improvement and sex(P=0.3222), age(P=0.7642), thymic pathologic variants,(P=0.4335) and classification of thymoma(P=0.20) showed no statistically significant correlation. However, the lower grade of preoperative symptoms can predict the lower grade of postoperative symptoms significantly(P=0.0032). Follow up study to 36 postoperative survivors was performed in October 2002 based on the out-patient records and call with patients. Out of 36 cases, 33 cases(91.7%) could be investigated and 3 cases could not. Mean follow up period was 83.2 months. Out of 33 cases, 25 cases(75.8%) showed symptomatic improvement, of which 8 cases(53.3%) in the group of thymoma(n=15) and 17 cases(94.4%) in the group of thymic hyperplasia(n=18) showed the improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In myasthenia gravis, thymectomy showed the good improvement, and more important factor affecting the improvement of symptoms was the grdae of preoperative symptoms. Also midterm and long term follow up results showed good symptomatic improvement.

Primary Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Diaphragm: One Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 25-year-old female patient was adimitted due to discomfort in the right chest and left epigastric area. Chest X-ray and chest CT showed a round 4x4x4cm sized mass located in the right lower lobe and abutted on the right diaphragm and metastatic lesions in the right lower lobe and right middle lobe. In exploratory thoracotomy, we discovered a mass originating from the right diaphragm which directly invaded the right lower lobe and metastatic subpleural lesions in the right lower lobe and right middle lobe. The mass was diagnosed as sarcoma by frozen section biopsy and we removed the mass by en bloc resection of the right diaphragm and right lower lobe. Metastatic subpleural lesions in the right lower lobe and right middle lobe were removed by wedge resection. The mass was malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the diaphragm in permanent pathologic examination and chemotherapy was done as adjuvant measure. We report one extremely rare case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the diaphragm with literature.

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Left Lower Posterior Chest wall with Lung Metastasis: One Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

An unusual case of primary leiomyosarcoma at the left lower posterior chest wall with metastasis to the right lung parenchyme is presented. The patient was a 43-year-old man who was asymptomatic but a slow growing hard mass was noted at the left lower posterior chest wall. The chest computed tomography showed a tumor at the left lower posterior chest wall with multiple metastasis to the right lung. The left lower posterior chest wall mass was examined by percutaneous needle aspiration and it was revealed as rhabdomyosarcoma histologically. En bloc resection to the left lower posterior chest wall tumor and metastasectomy to the multiple nodules in the right lung were done and pathological examination finally revealed primary leiomyosarcoma at the left lower posterior chest wall with multiple metastasis to the right lung. Chemotherapy was scheduled as adjunctive measure.

Cadiac Herniation Following Intrapericadial Pneumonectomy: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Cardiac herniation is a rare catastrophic complication of intrapericardial pneumonectomy. Untreated it is invariably fatal. Left pneumonectomy for removal of huge angiomatosis tumor in left lung was performed in a 44 year-old male patient. At the end of operation, the patient had cardiovascular collapse due to cardiac herniation. Repaired pericardial suture was teared and the heart was herniated in the left thorax. The hernated heart was edematous caused by compression and incarceration of the cardiac muscle by the edge of the pericardial rent. The heart was introduced into the pericardial sac and the defect was closed with large Goretex patch; however the patient ' s brain had sever hypoxic damage. This paper reports a case of cardiac herniation following left intrapericardial pneumonectomy.

A Case of Secondary Achalasia Presented by Diffuse Leiomyomatosis of Alport Syndrome / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Alport syndrome (AS) is one of the most common familial nephropathy characterized by microscopic hematuria with or without proteinuria, irregular thickening or thinning of the glomerular basement membrane, progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and ocular changes including anterior lenticonus and retinal lecks. AS with diffuse leiomyomatosis (ASDL) is defined by the association of AS with esophageal, tracheobronchial, and genital leiomyomatosis. Since the first case of ASDL was reported in 1983, a number of cases have been reported in the western countries. ASDL has a X-linked dominant trait with different penetrance and expressivity between female and male. We experienced an ASDL who is the first case in Korea. A 13-year-old boy was diagnosed as AS by microscopic hematuria, sensorineural hearing loss and congenital cataract. And also he had suffered from achalasia symptoms such as severe dysphagia and frequent vomiting due to diffuse esophageal leiomyomatosis. The lesion was confirmed by total esophagectomy and pathologic findings.

Empyema Thoracis Resulting from Migrated Acupuncture Needle: Two Cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

We experienced two cases of empyema thoracis which were caused by migrated acupuncture needle. Two patients were transferred from oriental hospitals because of dyspnea and high fever. Simple chest radiography and computed tomography(CT) of the two cases on admission showed haziness of the lower lung and acupuncture needles in the lung and pleural cavity on admission. Removal of acupuncture needles and decortication were performed.

Extraskeletal Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Mediastinum: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma arising in soft tissue of mediastinum is a very rare tumor. This paper reports an extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma occuring in the posterior mediastinum.