Thoracic splenosis: Case report of a symptomatic case / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.

Chronic hepatothorax due to right diaphragmatic rupture: an anesthetic challenge in a rare case / Hepatotórax crônico devido à ruptura do diafragma direito: um desafio anestésico em um caso raro

Abstract Background: Diaphragmatic rupture is an uncommon condition, with 90% of ruptures occurring on the left side. However, its incidence on the right side is increasing along with the increase in traffic accidents. Liver herniation may become progressive causing severe atelectasis of the right lung, resulting in impaired respiratory status and hemodynamic changes. Case report: We report the case of a 40 years old female, ASA III, scheduled for hepatothorax repair that evolved from right diaphragmatic hernia after a car accident when she was 8 years old. Clinically, she had severe restrictive respiratory syndrome caused by the hepatothorax. The anesthetic evaluation was normal, except for the chest X-ray showing elevation of the dome of the right hemidiaphragm without tracheal deviation. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan. After liver replacement in the abdominal cavity, a transient increase in central venous pressure, stroke volume index and flow time corrected (35%), and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance were observed. After complete hemodynamic and hepatosplenic stabilization, as well as ventilation, the patient was transferred intubated, under controlled ventilation and monitored, to the liver transplant unit. Conclusions: Hepatothorax is a rare condition and its repair may represent an anesthetic challenge. After liver replacement in the abdominal cavity during corrective surgery under general anesthesia complications may occur, particularly associated with pulmonary re-expansion. Effective teamwork and careful planning of surgery, between the surgical and anesthetic teams, are the key to success.

Resumo Justificativa: A ruptura diafragmática é uma condição incomum e ocorre em 90% no lado esquerdo. No entanto, a incidência de ruptura à direita tem vindo a aumentar junto com o aumento dos acidentes automobilísticos. A herniação do fígado pode tornar-se progressiva, causar atelectasia grave do pulmão direito, resultar num débil estado respiratório e alterações hemodinâmicas. Relato de caso: Mulher de 40 anos, estado físico ASA 3, marcada para reparação de hepatotórax que evoluiu de hérnia diafragmática direita, adquirida aos 8 anos, após um acidente automobilístico. Clinicamente apresentava síndrome respiratória restritiva grave, causada pelo hepatotórax. A avaliação anestésica era normal, com exceção da radiografia do tórax, que evidenciava elevação da hemicúpula diafragmática direita, sem desvio traqueal. Diagnóstico foi confirmado por tomografia computadorizada. Depois da recolocação do fígado na cavidade abdominal foram observados um aumento transitório da pressão venosa central, do Stroke Volume Index e Flow Time Corrected (35%) e uma diminuição da resistência vascular sistêmica. Uma vez alcançada a estabilização hemodinâmica geral e hepatoesplênica, bem como da ventilação, a paciente foi transferida entubada, sob ventilação controlada e monitorada para a Unidade de Transplantação Hepática. Conclusões: O hepatotórax é uma condição rara e a sua correção pode representar um desafio anestésico. Após a recolocação abdominal do fígado, durante uma cirurgia corretiva, sob anestesia geral, podem ocorrer complicações, principalmente as associadas à reexpansão pulmonar. Um trabalho em equipe eficaz e o planejamento cuidadoso da cirurgia, entre as equipes cirúrgica e anestésica, são a chave para o sucesso.

Repair of diaphragmatic injury and placement of tube thoracostomy during right upper quadrant peritonectomy / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer often have metastatic disease in the upper abdominal region, especially to the right hemidiaphragm, which requires diaphragmatic resection in order to achieve optimal cytoreduction. The aim of this surgical video is to demonstrate repair of a diaphragmatic injury and placement of tube thoracostomy during right upper quadrant peritonectomy in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer. METHODS: This is the case of a 45-year-old woman presented with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Abdomen computed tomography also confirmed peritoneal carcinomatosis and pelvic recurrent mass. HIPEC was administered after complete cytoreduction including bilateral upper quadrant peritonectomy, during which diaphragmatic injury occurred near the central tendon and pleural cavity was entered. We inserted a chest tube through the 6th intercostal space in the anterior axillary line in order to prevent postoperative massive pleural effusion. Diaphragmatic defect was closed primarily after the tube placement. The chest tube was withdrawn on the third postoperative day and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 25 without any complications. RESULTS: The central tendon of diaphragm is the most vulnerable part for lacerations. Diaphragmatic repairs could be performed by various techniques; interrupted or continuous, locking or non-locking sutures, with either permanent or absorbable materials. In our view, all of the techniques provide similar results and surgeons can choose any of them as long as they are comfortable with the procedure. CONCLUSION: In most cases, these lacerations can be repaired primarily without necessitating tube thoracostomy. However, performance of HIPEC can cause massive pleural effusions which can lead to significant pulmonary morbidity. Therefore, retrograde placement of the chest tube under direct vision is quite straightforward when the diaphragm is opened.

Phrenic Arterial Injury Presenting as Delayed Hemothorax Complicating Simple Rib Fracture

Delayed hemothorax after blunt torso injury is rare, but might be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of delayed hemothorax bleeding from phrenic artery injury in a 24-year-old woman. The patient suffered from multiple rib fractures on the right side, a right hemopneumothorax, thoracic vertebral injury and a pelvic bone fracture after a fall from a fourth floor window. Delayed hemothorax associated with phrenic artery bleeding, caused by a stab injury from a fractured rib segment, was treated successfully by a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery. Here, we have shown that fracture of a lower rib or ribs might be accompanied by delayed massive hemothorax that can be rapidly identified and promptly managed by thoracoscopic means.

Isolated post-traumatic right-sided diaphragmatic hernia.

A 3-yr-old boy presented with respiratory distress of 2 days duration. There was a history of blunt trauma to the lower chest having occurred 5 days earlier. Although missed initially, serial chest X-rays and a computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed an isolated traumatic right-sided diaphragmatic hernia without any injury to the viscera or the ribcage. Laparotomy with reduction of the herniated right lobe of the liver and the transverse colon was performed. Recovery was uneventful. The presentation, diagnosis and management of this relatively uncommon injury is discussed. The need for a high index of suspicion and critical evaluation of appropriate investigations to prevent diagnostic delay and optimize management in patients with traumatic diaphragmatic injury is emphasized.

Computed tomography in blunt chest trauma.

Objective. To assess the role of multidetector spiral CT in patients with blunt chest trauma. Methods. Forty-two patients (38 males and four females), age range from 6 to 80 years, of blunt chest trauma were evaluated with multidetector computed tomogram (MDCT) after initial radiographs and the results were tabulated. Results. The most common mode of injury was motor vehicle accidents (64%). On computed tomography (CT), major injuries were haemothorax (83.33%), consolidation (66.6%), rib fractures (61.90%), pneumothorax (54.76%), diaphragmatic injury (30.95%), lung contusions (28.57%), spinal injury (16.66%), lacerations (9.52%), tracheo-bronchial injury (4.76%), mediastinal haematoma (4.76%), thoracic-aortic injury (4.76%) and oesophageal injury (2.38%). Operative intervention was performed in 11 (26.19%) patients. Of these, diaphragmatic rent repair was done in seven patients (63.63%), exploratory laparotomy alone was done in two (18.18%) and resection and anastomosis and polytetrafluoroethylene graft in one patient each. Three patients each with chest wall injury, thoracic vascular injury and diaphragmatic injury died; while only one patient with lung injury died. Conclusion. Multidetector computed tomogram is the modality of choice for rapid assessment of emergency chest trauma patients.

Occurrence of iatrogenic pneumothorax during laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

The occurrence of a pneumothorax during laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is rare. A pneumothorax was developed during a LADG under general anesthesia in a 67-year-old woman with gastric cancer. About 140 minutes after CO2 insufflation, sudden hemodynamic collapse occurred. A defect was noted in the diaphragm. After immediate repair under laparoscopy, hemodynamic stability was achieved within several minutes. In the anesthetic management of a LADG, the anesthesia provider should be aware of the possible occurrence of a pneumothorax.

Controversies in the management of asymptomatic patients sustaining penetrating thoracoabdominal wounds: [review]

The most challenging diagnostic issue in the management of thoracoabdominal wounds concerns the assessment of asymptomatic patients. In almost one-third of such cases, diaphragmatic injuries are present even in the absence of any clear clinical signs. The sensitivity of noninvasive diagnostic tests is very low in this situation, and acceptable methods for diagnosis are limited to videolaparoscopy or videothoracoscopy. However, these procedures are performed under general anesthesia and present real, and potentially unnecessary, risks for the patient. On the other hand, diaphragmatic hernias, which can result from unsutured diaphragmatic lesions, are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. In this paper, the management of asymptomatic patients sustaining wounds to the lower chest is discussed, with a focus on the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injuries and the necessity of suturing them.

Clinical analysis of 27 cases of thoraco-abdominal injury with diaphragmatic rupture / 中国综合临床

Objective To study the clinical features and treatment experience in the treatment of thoraco abdominal injury with diaphragmatic rupture.Methods Clinical data of 27 patients suffering from thoraco-abdominal injury with diaphragmatic rupture were analysed retrospectively.Results Injuries of this kind are usually complicated involving mostly the organ injuries,which are not obvious in clinical indications. In the present study group,27 cases were treated surgically,of whom 24 healed and 3 died(11.1%).Conclusion Early diagnosis and timely operation are the key steps in reducing the complications and mortality.