Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Hydrodissection for Neuropathic-Like Pain Arising from Hemodialysis: A Case Report

Peripheral neuropathy is very common in patients with chronic renal failure. The pain arising from hemodialysis can be caused by vascular problems (such as vascular stenosis and steal syndrome) and neuropathy. Hemodialysis patients who need to be dialyzed three times a week should not be told to endure worsening pain every time they are dialyzed. We report that the pain arising from hemodialysis in the lower arm was a concern due to the nerve entrapment in the axillary area, and it was successfully controlled with ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection.

Two-stage Surgery for an Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Tuberculous Esophagitis

An aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare, potentially fatal condition, and aortic surgery is usually performed together with extracorporeal circulation. However, this surgical method has a high rate of surgical complications and mortality. This report describes an AEF caused by tuberculous esophagitis that was treated successfully using a two-stage operation. A 52-yr-old man was admitted to the hospital with severe hematemesis and syncope. Based on the computed tomography and diagnostic endoscopic findings, he was diagnosed with an AEF and initially underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Esophageal reconstruction was performed after controlling the mediastinal inflammation. The patient suffered postoperative anastomotic leakage, which was treated by an endoscopic procedure, and the patient was discharged without any further problems. The patient received 9 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment after he was diagnosed with histologically confirmed tuberculous esophagitis; subsequently, he was followed as an outpatient and has had no recurrence of the tuberculosis or any further issues.

Spontaneous Intramural Full-Length Dissection of Esophagus Treated with Surgical Intervention: Multidetector CT Diagnosis with Multiplanar Reformations and Virtual Endoscopic Display

Intramural esophageal dissection (IED) is an uncommon disorder characterized by separation of the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus. Iatrogenic intervention is the most common cause of IED, but spontaneous dissection is rare. We report an unusually complicated case of spontaneous IED that involved the full-length of the esophagus that necessitated surgical intervention due to infection of the false lumen. In this case, chest computed tomography successfully established the diagnosis and aided in pre-operative evaluation with the use of various image post-processing techniques.

Ischemic monomelic neuropathy: a rare complication after vascular access formation

No abstract available.

A Rare Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura with Extensive Cystic Change

A right pleural mass was detected incidentally in a 52-year-old woman and chest computed tomography showed lobulated pleural mass. Thoracoscopic excision was performed. Histology showed solitary fibrous tumor with extensive cystic change. Solitary fibrous tumor with extensive cystic change is very rare and we treated this tumor successfully with video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Using a Custom-made Fenestrated Stent Graft to Preserve the Left Subclavian Artery

Endovascular repair for thoracic aortic aneurysm is widespread and recently, the advent of new device-fenestrated stent graft enables endovascular repair for aortic aneurysm to be close or involved in the orifice of left subclavian artery. However, fenestrated stent graft is not available in Korea. We report herein a case in which endovascular repair for thoracic aortic aneurysm closed to the orifice of left subclavian artery using custom made fenestrated stent graft. The aneurysm was successfully repaired by a total endovascular approach without open surgical repair.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment of Traumatic Lung Injury: 2 Cases

Mechanical ventilation is usually the treatment of choice for severe respiratory failure associated with trauma. However, in case of severe hypoxia, mechanical ventilation may not be sufficient for gas exchange in lungs. Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) undergo difficulties in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is the ideal therapeutic option for those patients with severe traumatic injuries. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries while increasing survival rate at the same time. We report two cases of patients with traumatic ARDS and Multiple Organ Failure including compromised heart function. The preservation of lung function was successful using ECMO therapy.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment of Traumatic Lung Injury: 2 Cases

Mechanical ventilation is usually the treatment of choice for severe respiratory failure associated with trauma. However, in case of severe hypoxia, mechanical ventilation may not be sufficient for gas exchange in lungs. Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) undergo difficulties in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is the ideal therapeutic option for those patients with severe traumatic injuries. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries while increasing survival rate at the same time. We report two cases of patients with traumatic ARDS and Multiple Organ Failure including compromised heart function. The preservation of lung function was successful using ECMO therapy.

Infective Endocarditis with Cerebral Infarction in a Hemodialysis Patient with Failed Renal Allograft / 대한신장학회지

Infective endocarditis is a dreaded complication in dialysis or kidney transplantation patients, with high morbidity and mortality. Despite the improved early survival of the transplanted kidney with new immunosuppressive agents, the number of patients returning to dialysis after a failed renal allograft is increasing. There is no consensus on the optimal management of immunosuppression in patients with a failed allograft. Continued immunosuppression is associated with infection, and the rapid discontinuation of immunosuppression may lead to acute rejection. Therefore, it is important to taper the immunosuppression properly in patients with a failed renal allograft. We report on a hemodialysis patient with a failed renal allograft who had a cerebral infarction following infective endocarditis. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics and valve replacement.

Bypass Using Autologous Pericardium in the Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Superior Vena Cava

Among the causes of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, intraluminal tumor, especially the inflammatory pseudotumor is very rare. We report a 33-year old male patient who had been suffering from facial edema and flushing for 3 weeks before admission. On physical examination, facial edema and venous engorgement on upper extremities and upper chest wall were showed. The chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a long intraluminal mass lesion resulting in a near total obstruction of the SVC. Surgery was performed through median sternotomy. After complete resection of the tumor, we make bypass of SVC with autologous pericardium. The follow up chest CT scan revealed no abnormality 3 months after the operation.

Endovascular Repair of Acute Type B Aortic Dissection: The Early Results and Aortic Wall Changes / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the early results of endovascular repair of acute type B aortic dissection and the aortic wall changes following endovascular repair. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 2008 to May 2009, the preoperative and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of 5 patients with acute type B aortic dissection were evaluated, and these patients had underwent stent graft implantation within 13 days of the onset of dissection (mean: 7 days; range: 3~13). The whole lumen (WL), true lumen (TL) and false lumen (FL) diameters were measured at the proximal (p), middle (m) and distal (d) third of the descending thoracic aorta. RESULT: The study included four men and one woman with an average age of 59.4+/-20.1 years (age range: 37~79 years). The follow-up CT was performed and evaluated at 7 days and 6 months. The primary tear was completely sealed in all the patients. No paraplegia, paresis or peripheral ischemia occurred and none of the patients died. No endoleaks developed in any of the patients during follow-up. The TL diameters increased from 20.4 to 33.5 mm in the proximal third (p/3), from 19.5 to 29.8 mm in the middle third (m/3) and from 15.2 to 23.5 mm in the distal third (d/3). The FL diameters decreased from 18.7 to 0 mm in the p/3, from 15.4 to 0 mm in the m/3 and from 21.4 to 8.7 mm in the d/3. The changes in the TL diameter were statistically significant in the middle and distal aorta, and those changes in the FL diameter were not statistically significant. There was a decrease in the WL after repair, but this was not statistically significant. In three patients, the false lumen disappeared completely on follow-up CT at 6 months. Two patients had patent false lumens and no thrombosis. CONCLUSION: The early results showed that endovascular repair was effective in treating acute type B aortic dissection, and endovascular repair promoted positive aortic wall changes.

Lymphangiomatosis Involving the Inferior Vena Cava, Heart, Pulmonary Artery and Pelvic Cavity

A 38-year-old woman who had undergone pelvic lymphangioma resection two months previously presented with cough and dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography and CT demonstrated the presence of a mixed cystic/solid component tumor involving the inferior vena cava, heart and pulmonary artery. Complete resection of the cardiac tumor was performed and lymphangioma was confirmed based on histopathologic examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lymphangiomatosis with cardiac and pelvic involvement in the published clinical literature.

Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Desmoid Tumors: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Desmoid tumor is histologically benign, but this tumor is clinically considered to be malignant. Surgical resection is one of the most effective therapeutic options for patients with this tumor and resection is the best choice for cases of recurrence. We experienced two cases of recurrence of thoracic desmoid tumor, and the patients were repeatedly treated by surgical resection. The patients were discharged without any complications, and careful follow up has been performed periodically. Therefore, we report on these cases of recurrent desmoid tumor along with a review of the related literature.

Hybrid Method for Stent-graft Insertion in a Patient with a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Involving the Aortic Arch: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The surgical treatments for aortic arch aneurysm are thought to be very invasive procedures, and high morbidity and mortality rates have been reported after aortic arch aneurysm operations. Many surgeons currently prefer the insertion of a stent-graft rather than an operation for treating an aortic arch aneurysm and if needed, with bypass of the subclavian or carotid arteries, which is called the 'hybrid method'. We managed one patient with an aortic arch aneurysm by using the hybrid method, and so we report on this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Hybrid Endovascular Operation for Aorto-Iliac Artery Aneurysm: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Aorto-iliac artery aneurysms are very rare and the natural course of this disease is not well known. However, the risk of rupture is high and the mortality rate after rupture is extremely high. Preserving the pelvic circulation is important for the treatment of aorto-iliac artery aneurysms. We report here on a case of a patient suffering with aorto-iliac artery aneurysms, and these were treated by a hybrid endovascular operation that combined an open bypass of both iliac vessels with endovascular repair.

Surgical Resection of Renal Cell Carcinoma Extended to the Inferior Vena Cava Using Pump Driven Veno-venous Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

In a 46 year-old man who has complained of epigastric pain and dyspnea for 10 days including melena for 1 month, abdominal ultrasonography and computerized tomography revealed a large, solid mass in the right kidney and thrombus of inferior vena cava (IVC) that extended to the cavoatrial junction. Renal cell carcinoma was performed by percutaneous needle biopsy. IVC thromboembolectomy was performed using centrifugal pump driven veno-venous bypass without cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

The Comparative Study of on Pump CABG during Pulsatile (T-PLS(TM)) and Nonpulsatile (Bio-pump(TM)) Perfusion / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile pumps for extracorporeal circulation have been known to be better for tissue perfusion than non-pulsatile pumps but be detrimental to blood corpuscles. This study is intended to examine the risks and benefits of T-PLS(TM) through the comparison of clinical effects of T-PLS(TM) (pulsatile pump) and Bio-pump(TM) (non-pulsatile pump) used for coronary bypass surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The comparison was made on 40 patients who had coronary bypass using T-PLS(TM) and Bio-pump(TM) (20 patients for each) from April 2003 to June 2005. All of the surgeries were operated on pump beating coronary artery bypass graft using cardiopulmonary extra-corporeal circulation. Risk factors before surgery and the condition during surgery and the results were compared. RESULT: There was no significant difference in age, gender ratio, and risk factors before surgery such as history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary infarction, and renal failure between the two groups. Surgery duration, hours of heart-lung machine operation, used shunt and grafted coronary branch were little different between the two groups. The two groups had a similar level of systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure, but pulse pressure was measured higher in the group with T-PLS(TM) (46+/-15 mmHg in T-PLS(TM) vs 35+/-13 mmHg in Bio-pump(TM), p<0.05). The T-PLS(TM)-operated patients tended to produce more urine volume during surgery, but the difference was not statistically significant (9.7+/-3.9 cc/min in T-PLS(TM) vs 8.9+/-3.6 cc/min in Bio-pump(TM), p=0.20). There was no significant difference in mean duration of respirator usage and 24-hour blood loss after surgery between the two groups. Plasma free Hb was measured lower in the group with T-PLS(TM) (24.5+/-21.7 mg/dL in T-PLS(TM) versus 46.8+/-23.0 mg/dL in Bio-pump(TM), p<0.05). There was no significant difference in coronary infarction, arrhythmia, renal failure and morbidity rate of cerebrovascular disease. There was a case of death after surgery (death rate of 5%) in the group tested with T-PLS(TM), but the death rate was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Coronary bypass was operated with T-PLS(TM) (Pulsatile flow pump) using a heart-lung machine. There was no unexpected event caused by mechanical error during surgery, and the clinical process of the surgery was the same as the surgery for which Bio-pump(TM) was used. In addition, T-PLS(TM) used surgery was found to be less detrimental to blood corpuscles than the pulsatile flow has been known to be. Authors of this study could confirm the safety of T-PLS(TM).

Diagnosis and Endovascular Treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are limited number of reports on May-Thurner syndrome (Iliac vein compression syndrome) in Korea, We analysed the clinical features, diagnostic modalities and endovascular treatment of May-Thurner syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed 12 cases of May-Thurner syndrome between March 2001 and June 2003. Mean age was 57.6+/-2 years. We were used in venography, color doppler and computed tomographic angiography as diagnostic modalities and in thrombolysis, thrombectomy, angioplasty and stent insertion as endovascular treatment. RESULT: Clinical features showed edema of lower extremities in 4 patients, pain of lower extremities in 1 patient, edema with pain in 5 patients, and all in 1 patient. In one patient, he did not have any pain and any edema of lower extremities but was diagnosed as May-Thurner syndrome using venography due to varicose veins on lower extremities. Diagnostic modalities included venography, computed tomographic angiography in all patients with clinical presentation except in one patient and color doppler was only performed only in 4 patients. Four kinds of endovascular treatment were performed for May-Thurner syndrome, angioplasty in 11 patients, stent insertion in 10 patients, thrombectomy in 9 patients and thrombolysis for 7 patients. Nine patients were followed up and we can show good blood flow in Left iliac vein for 7 of 9 patients. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to recognize the possibility of May-Thurner syndrome in Deep vein thrombosis patients and we should use a variety of modalities to diagnose May-Thurner syndrome. Finally, endovascular treatment is a safe and effective therapy for May-Thurner syndrome.

Diagnosis and Endovascular Treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are limited number of reports on May-Thurner syndrome (Iliac vein compression syndrome) in Korea, We analysed the clinical features, diagnostic modalities and endovascular treatment of May-Thurner syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed 12 cases of May-Thurner syndrome between March 2001 and June 2003. Mean age was 57.6+/-2 years. We were used in venography, color doppler and computed tomographic angiography as diagnostic modalities and in thrombolysis, thrombectomy, angioplasty and stent insertion as endovascular treatment. RESULT: Clinical features showed edema of lower extremities in 4 patients, pain of lower extremities in 1 patient, edema with pain in 5 patients, and all in 1 patient. In one patient, he did not have any pain and any edema of lower extremities but was diagnosed as May-Thurner syndrome using venography due to varicose veins on lower extremities. Diagnostic modalities included venography, computed tomographic angiography in all patients with clinical presentation except in one patient and color doppler was only performed only in 4 patients. Four kinds of endovascular treatment were performed for May-Thurner syndrome, angioplasty in 11 patients, stent insertion in 10 patients, thrombectomy in 9 patients and thrombolysis for 7 patients. Nine patients were followed up and we can show good blood flow in Left iliac vein for 7 of 9 patients. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to recognize the possibility of May-Thurner syndrome in Deep vein thrombosis patients and we should use a variety of modalities to diagnose May-Thurner syndrome. Finally, endovascular treatment is a safe and effective therapy for May-Thurner syndrome.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Patent Ductus Arteriosus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery for Patent Ductus Arteriosus is an efficient method to reduce the risk of postoperative residual shunt as well as various complications that can be caused by a thoracotomy. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of ductus arteriosus clipping, using videothoracoscopy in sixty-five patients, and the results and prognosis of the operations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After general anesthesia of the sixty-five Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) patients, double skin incisions of 7 and 5 mm were made and a thoracoscope inserted at the point of the 5 mm skin incision, with clipping of ductus arteriosus using the 7 mm skin incision were conducted. During the procedure, the tidal volume was kept at the minimum level to maintain O2 saturation, without insertion of a chest tube. RESULTS: There have been reported complications in fourteenth cases, with four of these caused by injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve; however, they recovered after two weeks, with the other ten receiving a remnant residual shunt. Nine of ten residual shunt cases cured naturally after about six months, with no special treatments. CONCLUSION: Surgery using Video-Assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the PDA patients can decrease the complications due to a thoracotomy, and is therefore, a much safer and more effective method than other existing solutions.