Are breath-holding spells always innocuous: A case report

The diverse clinical manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) present a dilemma to clinicians and pediatricians play an important role in its diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach. LCH, previously known as histiocytosis X, is an uncommon hematological disorder characterized by uncontrolled stimulation and proliferation of normal antigen-presenting cells, Langerhans cells. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a 7-month-old female child with multisystem involvement who presented with breath-holding spells and to discuss the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of LCH.

Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in a previously healthy COVID-19 patient: A case report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is commonly linked with mild cough, fever, and shortness of breath symptoms. However, there have been reports of pneumothorax, which particularly occurred at least 1 week following symptom onset in elderly COVID-19 patients. Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is an uncommon but possibly fatal complication of COVID-19 pneumonia and is rarely reported in non-intubated patients. We report a case of a healthy, non-smoker 35-year-old young woman who presented with a 7-day cough, fever, and sudden shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, experienced a right SP, and developed a second pneumothorax on the contralateral side. She improved gradually following chest tube insertion in the right lung and conservative management for the left pneumothorax.

Neumotórax espontaneo y enfisema bulloso en un paciente joven? A propósito de un caso

Introducción: El neumotórax es una patología prevalente en accidentes de tipo traumático en tórax, pero que también se puede encontrar de forma espontánea por causas atribuibles enfermedad bullosa, neumonía, obstrucción de las vía aérea, malignidad, entre otras. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino joven quien debuta con neumotórax espontaneo requirió manejo en unidad de cuidados intensivos con posterior aparición de bullas en imágenes diagnósticas y patología. Discusión: El neumotórax espontaneo primario (PSP) en población joven, se ve influenciada por factores psicosociales como la edad, genero, hábitos, entorno y factores genéticos, en el 80% de los pacientes con PSP se ha demostrado presencia de bullas o blebs apicales, además de la porosidad de la pleura que suele ocurrir en adolescentes altos con cuerpos atléticos; pero también se observa que el consumo de tabaco que puede aumentar el riesgo. Conclusiones: El neumotórax espontaneo por enfisema bulloso ha incrementado en los jóvenes por el uso de sustancias psicoactivas, vapeadores, cigarrillos.

Introduction: Pneumothorax is a pathology prevalent in traumatic accidents in the thorax, but it can also be found spontaneously due to causes attributable to bullous disease, pneumonia, airway obstruction, malignancy, among others. Case report: Young male patient who debuted with spontaneous pneumothorax who required management in the intensive care unit with subsequent appearance of bullae in diagnostic images and pathology. Discussion: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in the young population is influenced by psychosocial factors such as age, gender, habits, environment, and genetic factors. In 80% of patients with PSP, the presence of bullae or apical blebs has been demonstrated, in addition from the porosity of the pleura that usually occurs in tall adolescents with athletic bodies; but it is also observed that tobacco use can increase the risk. Conclusions: Spontaneous pneumothorax due to bullous emphysema has increased in young people due to the use of psychoactive substances, vapers, and cigarettes.

Hemoptysis after COVID-19 and the importance of differential diagnosis: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome / Hemoptisis luego de COVID-19 y la importancia de los diagnósticos diferenciales: Síndrome de Birt-Hogg-Dubé

Abstract Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome is a genodermatosis of auto somal dominant inheritance characterized by mutations in the folliculin (FLCN) gene. There is an inappropriate inhibition/activation of a protein, the foliculin, which may cause tumor lesions in skin, renal and lung lesions; they could have more risk of developing pneumothorax compared to the normal population. A 38-year-old male patient with bronchial asthma who consulted for hemop tysis three weeks after recovery from COVID-19 infection. A chest tomography was requested, showing an air cyst in the left lower lobe. Physical examination shows evi dence of thoracic skin lesions which a skin biopsy was performed on. The results were compatible with fibrofol liculoma. Differential diagnoses were proposed. A genetic disorder associated with skin lesions was suspected. A multi-genetic panel that includes BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and FLCN genes was requested, which reported the mu tation of the FLCN gene in heterozygosis classified as pathognomonic of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome. Patient is currently under clinical follow-up while genetic counsel ing was requested for relatives.

Resumen El síndrome de Birt-Hogg-Dubé es una genoderma tosis de herencia autosómica dominante caracterizada por mutaciones en el gen foliculina (FLCN), donde existe inhibición/activación inapropiada de una proteína, la foliculina, que puede causar lesiones tumorales sisté micas, principalmente a nivel de la piel, renal y lesiones pulmonares, presentando mayor riesgo de desarrollar neumotórax en comparación con la población normal. Comunicamos el caso de un varón de 38 años con asma bronquial que consultó por hemoptisis 3 semanas des pués de la recuperación de la infección por COVID-19. Se solicitó una tomografía de tórax, que mostró un quiste aéreo en el lóbulo inferior izquierdo. Además, presentaba en el examen físico una lesión cutánea que fue biopsiada, presentando diagnóstico de foliculoma. Se plantearon diagnósticos diferenciales y ante la sospecha de probable desorden genético, un panel genético fue solicitado. Se confirmó síndrome de Birt-Hogg-Dubé ante el hallazgo de la deleción heterocigota que comprende el exón 1 del gen FLCN clasificada como patogénica. Actual mente el paciente se encuentra en seguimiento clínico mientras se solicitó estudio genético para familiares.

Spontaneous pneumothorax in a young male athlete: A case report with review of literature

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a serious and life-threatening condition often caused by ruptured apical lung bulla in young male individuals. It is commonly associated with different syndromes but also occurs in healthy individuals. In this case report, we aim to discuss the etiology, clinical course, and surgical treatment of a 21-year-old male kickboxer with a right-sided pneumothorax that occurred during a sparring session. A chest tube with negative suction was inserted to resolve the pneumothorax. Because there was no visible resolution, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed. During VATS, a large, apically placed, ruptured lung bulla, was revealed and removed. One month after surgery, the patient is in great clinical condition. There are no signs of a recurrence of SP.

Neumotórax espontáneo bilateral en primigestante adolescente, reporte de un caso / Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in a primigestant adolescent, a case report

El neumotórax espontáneo es una patología extremadamente rara durante la gestación. Se define como la presencia de aire dentro de la cavidad pleural que puede generar principalmente dolor torácico y disnea. Esta patología tiene unas bajas incidencia y prevalencia en el embarazo, pero es relevante por una alta tasa de recurrencia, con un buen pronóstico para la madre y el feto si es tempranamente diagnosticada y oportunamente manejada. Se relaciona con factores de riesgo como las maniobras de Valsalva efectuadas durante el trabajo de parto, además de con comorbilidad como el tabaquismo, y con el biotipo longilíneo, entre otros, por lo que son muy importantes una adecuada anamnesis y la evaluación de la exploración física. El obstetra debe sospecharlo ante la clínica de dolor torácico asociado a disnea en gestantes en el trabajo de parto y el parto, y tenerlo en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial. Es de vital importancia tener un manejo multidisciplinario compuesto por ginecoobstetra, internista, neumólogo y neonatólogo, incluido el apoyo por una unidad de cuidado intensivo para evitar complicaciones materno-perinatales que se puedan asociar al neumotórax espontáneo.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an extremely rare pathology during pregnancy. It is defined as the presence of air inside the pleural cavity that can mainly generate chest pain and dyspnea. This pathology has a low incidence and prevalence in pregnancy, but a high rate of recurrence with a good prognosis for the mother and the fetus if it is diagnosed early and managed early. It is related to risk factors such as Valsalva maneuvers performed during labor, in addition to comorbidities such as smoking, longilinear biotype, among others, so it is very important to have an adequate history and evaluation of the physical examination. The obstetrician must be attentive to chest pain symptoms associated with dyspnea in pregnant women during labor and delivery, suspect this pathology and take it into account as a differential diagnosis. It is vitally important to have a multidisciplinary management composed of the gynecologist-obstetrician, internist, pulmonologist, neonatologist, including the support of an intensive care unit to avoid maternal-perinatal complications that may be associated with spontaneous pneumothorax.

Rare Possible Complications : Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema In COVID-19 Patients

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) caused by a newly emergent Coronavirus, that was first recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Genetic sequencing of the virus suggests that it is a Beta Coronavirus closely linked to the SARS virus1. By the end of 2019, several cases of Pneumonia with unknown aetiology were reported in Wuhan, China2-5. Most cases progressed to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)2. As the second wave surge of COVID-19 has occurred, most of the patients already suffered from dyspnoea but rare complications also seen more frequently in respiratory presentation. Cases of Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous emphysema is not seen frequently in COVID-19 patients so far. Here we are presenting two unusual complications in COVID-19 patients of our COVID facility. The possibility of spontaneous Pneumothorax/Tension Pneumothorax should be kept in differential diagnosis in COVID-19 patient presented with severe breathlessness and on higher settings of Non-invasive ventilation and on higher respiratory assistance can cause Subcutaneous emphysema

Neumotórax espontáneo primario durante el embarazo

El neumotórax espontáneo primario es una afección extremadamente rara durante el embarazo y puede ocurrir en cualquier momento. La rotura de una ampolla apical o bula subpleural es la causa más común en embarazadas jóvenes. Se cree que se debe al aumento de la actividad respiratoria asociada al período periparto. La detección temprana y el diagnóstico rápido de esta afección son importantes para la prevención de algunas complicaciones graves. Los métodos terapéuticos utilizados en el embarazo no difieren esencialmente de los utilizados en pacientes no embarazadas. El drenaje ambulatorio del tórax se ha recomendado en el tratamiento. El parto en estas mujeres puede realizarse por vía vaginal, con una segunda fase del parto sin esfuerzo. Se presenta un caso de neumotórax espontáneo primario que ocurrió a las 35 semanas de gestación en una primigesta sana de 34 años. Su aparición fue descrita como dolor pleurítico en el pecho y disnea de aparición repentina. El diagnóstico fue realizado por la radiografía simple de tórax. La paciente fue tratada con éxito con colocación de tubo torácico.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is an extremely rare condition during pregnancy and can occur at any time. Rupture of an apical ampulla or subpleural bulla is the most common cause in young pregnant women. It is thought to be due to increased respiratory activity associated with the peripartum period. Early detection and prompt diagnosis of this condition are important for the prevention of some serious complications. The therapeutic methods used in pregnancy do not differ essentially from those used in non-pregnant patients. Ambulatory drainage of the thorax has been recommended in treatment. Delivery in these women can be performed vaginally, with a second phase of labor without effort. We present a case of primary spontaneous pneumothorax that occurred at 35 weeks of gestation in a healthy 34-year-old primigravida. Its onset was described as pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea of sudden onset. The diagnosis was made by plain chest radiography. The patient was successfully treated with chest tube placement.

Analysis of risk factors for pulmonary complications in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax after micro single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) and the risk factors in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent micro single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods    A total of 158 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent micro single-port VATS in our hospital from April 2017 to December 2019 were retrospectively included, including 99 males and 59 females, with an average age of 40.53±9.97 years. The patients were divided into a PPC group (n=21) and a non-PPC group (n=137) according to whether PPC occurred after the operation, and the risk factors for the occurrence of PPC were analyzed. Results    All 158 patients successfully completed the micro single-port VATS, and there was no intraoperative death. The postoperative chest tightness, chest pain, and dyspnea symptoms basically disappeared. During the postoperative period, there were 3 patients of pulmonary infection, 7 patients of atelectasis, 4 patients of pulmonary leak, 6 patients of pleural effusion, 1 patient of atelectasis and pleural effusion, and the incidence of PPC was 13.29% (21/158). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lung disease [OR=32.404, 95%CI (2.717, 386.452), P=0.006], preoperative albumin level≤35 g/L [OR=14.912, 95%CI (1.719, 129.353), P=0.014], severe pleural adhesions [OR=26.023, 95%CI (3.294, 205.557), P=0.002], pain grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ 24 hours after the surgery [OR=64.024, 95%CI (3.606, 1 136.677), P=0.005] , age [OR=1.195, 95%CI (1.065, 1.342), P=0.002], intraoperative blood loss [OR=1.087, 95%CI (1.018, 1.162), P=0.013] were the risk factors for PPC after micro single-port VATS. Conclusion    There is a close relationship between PPC after micro single-port VATS and perioperative indexes in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. Clinically, targeted prevention and treatment can be implemented according to the age, pulmonary disease, preoperative albumin level, intraoperative blood loss, degree of pleural adhesion and pain grading 24 hours after surgery.

Postoperative management of spontaneous pneumothorax in arthroscopic shoulder superior capsular reconstruction: A case report and review of literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction is an innovative technique for the irreparable rotator cuff tears, but spontaneous pneumothorax after surgery is very rare. The present case was a 66-year-old female with irreparable rotator cuff tears of the right shoulder, treated with the arthroscopic shoulder superior capsular reconstruction. The general anesthesia and operation went smoothly, but the patient experienced stuffiness in the chest and shortness of breath after recovery from anesthesia. Thoracic CT scans showed spontaneous pneumothorax in the right side, which was successfully treated by the conservative treatments (oxygen therapy) according to multidisciplinary team. Prompt and accurate early-stage diagnosis is necessary in controlling postoperative complications and standardized treatment is the key to relieve the suffering. Spontaneous pneumothorax after arthroscopic shoulder surgery has been rarely reported in previous literatures.

Neumotórax espontáneo / Spontaneous pneumothorax

Introducción: El neumotórax espontáneo es la causa más frecuente de ingreso urgente en los servicios de cirugía torácica. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de neumotórax espontáneo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de 93 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de neumotórax espontáneo, se establecieron las variables del estudio y se utilizaron frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes. Para la asociación de las variables se empleó el estadígrafo ji cuadrado con un nivel de confiabilidad del 95 por ciento. Resultados: Predominó el neumotórax espontáneo primario (65,5 por ciento), el sexo masculino fue el más afectado (80,6 por ciento), con mayor frecuencia en el hemitórax derecho (72,2 por ciento) y el tabaquismo como antecedente (83,9 por ciento). La pleurostomía mínima fue el tratamiento definitivo en el 72 por ciento de los pacientes. La complicación más frecuente después de la pleurostomía, fue la fuga persistente de aire. El tratamiento quirúrgico con pleurodesis mecánica, ofreció un 100 por ciento de efectividad. La mortalidad quirúrgica fue nula. Conclusiones: El neumotórax espontáneo predomina en el sexo masculino en una proporción de 4,2:1, en pacientes menores de 40 años de edad. El antecedente patológico personal que más se asocia es la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. El síntoma predominante es el dolor torácico. El neumotórax espontáneo primario fue más frecuente y el hemitórax derecho el más afectado. El tabaquismo está presente como antecedente en ambos tipos de neumotórax espontáneo. La modalidad de tratamiento más utilizada es la pleurostomía mínima(AU)

Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax is the most frequent cause of urgent admission to thoracic surgery services. Objective: To characterize patients admitted with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods: A descriptive study of 93 patients with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax was carried out, the study variables were established and absolute frequencies and percentages were used. For the association of the variables, the chi square statistic was used with a confidence level of 95 percent. Results: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax predominated (65.5 percent), the male sex was the most affected (80.6 percent), with greater frequency in the right hemithorax (72.2 percent) and smoking as the antecedent (83.9 percent). Minimal pleurostomy was the definitive treatment in 72 percent of the patients. The most frequent complication after pleurostomy was persistent air leak. Surgical treatment with mechanical pleurodesis offered 100 percent effectiveness. There was not surgical mortality. Conclusions: Spontaneous pneumothorax predominated in males in a ratio of 4.2: 1, in patients under 40 years of age. The most associated personal pathological history was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The predominant symptom was chest pain. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax was more frequent and the right hemithorax the most affected. Smoking was present as a history in both types of spontaneous pneumothorax. The most widely used treatment modality was minimal pleurostomy(AU)

Treatment plan and clinical effect of the first primary spontaneous pneumothorax in young patients / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the optimal treatment scheme for the first primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in young patients. Methods    The clinical data of 171 patients with the first PSP were retrospectively analyzed who were treated in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University between November 2011 and October 2017. There were 157 males and 14 females with a median age of 18 years at onset and a median body mass index of 18.51 kg/m2. According to the treatment methods, they were classified into two groups, a conservative treatment group (a non-surgical group, n=86) and a surgical group (n=85). The characteristics including clinical data, efficacy evaluation criteria, complications and recurrence of the two groups were analyzed. Results    As a result, 73.68% of the patients suffered PSP in their daily routine. The drainage duration in the non-surgical group was longer than that in the surgical group (4 d vs. 3 d, P=0.008). There was no statistical difference in the success rate of lung re-expansion between the two groups (98.85% vs. 100.00%, P=1.000). The proportion of the surgical group using postoperative analgesic drugs was higher than that in the non-surgical group (48.23% vs. 10.46%, P=0.000). The recurrence rate of the surgical group was lower than that of the non-surgical group (3.53% vs. 46.51%, P=0.000). No relationship between smoking and recurrence of pneumothorax was found in both groups (P=0.301, P=1.000). The success rate of lung re-expansion in the non-surgical group was not statistically different between the 24F subgroup and the 12F subgroup (39/39 vs. 33/34, P=0.458). No advantage of intraoperative pleural fixation was found in the surgical group (P=0.693). Conclusion    Thoracoscopic surgery is the first choice for the treatment of the first PSP in young patients.

Neumotórax espontaneo en paciente gestante / Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Pregnant Woman

RESUMEN Introducción: El neumotórax es una de las enfermedades pleurales más frecuentes en la práctica médica, siendo excepcional su asociación con el embarazo, existiendo pocos casos reportados en la literatura mundial. La linfangioleiomiomatosis es una enfermedad multisistémica poco frecuente, que afecta predominante al sexo femenino en edad fértil y puede verse exacerbada por el embarazo. Objetivo: Realizar el reporte de un caso y la revisión del tema que permitan un diagnóstico precoz y una conducta de forma temprana. Caso clínico: Paciente gestante de 15 semanas, de 36 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud anterior, que debuta súbitamente con disnea a los medianos esfuerzos, tos, dolor torácico y neumotórax derecho espontáneo, recurrente en su evolución y posteriormente bilateral. Su curso fue tórpido requiriendo tratamiento en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por fallo respiratorio agudo, falleciendo luego de 3 meses del inicio del cuadro. Se le realizó, Radiografía de tórax: patrón reticular de tipo panal de abejas, tomografía de tórax: imágenes quísticas múltiples en todo parénquima pulmonar de predominio basal. Biopsia pulmonar compatible con linfangioleiomiomatosis. Conclusiones: La aparición de disnea súbita, dolor pleurítico y neumotórax en una gestante, deben ser siempre suficientes para tener en cuenta la presencia de una linfangioleiomiomatosis. Su inespecificidad sintomática inicial se traduce en un diagnóstico tardío, lo que empobrece su pronóstico(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pneumothorax is one of the pleural diseases most frequent in medical practice. Its association with pregnancy is essential. Few cases are reported in worldwide medical literature. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare multisystem disease that predominantly affects individuals of the female sex and at fertile age; it can be aggravated by pregnancy. Objective: To present a case report and a topic review that allow early diagnosis and early management. Clinical case: A 15-week-pregnant patient aged 36 years and with a previous health history suddenly presented dyspnea for average efforts, cough, chest pain, and spontaneous right pneumothorax, recurrent in its evolution and, later, bilateral. Its evolution was slow, a reason why it required intensive care for acute respiratory failure. The patient died three months after the onset of symptoms. The patient was performed chest x-ray, which showed honeycomb-type reticular pattern; and chest tomography, which showed multiple cystic images throughout pulmonary parenchyma, predominantly at baseline. Lung biopsy consistent with lymphangioleiomyomatosis was performed. Conclusions: Onset of sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain and pneumothorax in a pregnant woman should always be sufficiently indicative of lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Its initial symptomatic non-specificity is determined by late diagnosis, which impoverishes prognosis(AU)

Efficacy of homologous fibrin sealant in the surgery for pneumothorax

Background: Prolonged air leakage following pneumothorax surgery is a significant issue causing increased hospital stay and morbidity. This study aimed to investigate the cost and efficacy of homologous fibrin sealant in preventing the air leakages.Methods: Among the patients who had undergone bullectomy and subtotal parietal pleurectomy for recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax via transaxillary mini thoracotomy between 2010 and 2018, two groups each including 35 cases were conducted as to whether fibrin sealent had been applied. These two patient groups were compared in terms of age, gender, duration of air leakage and cost.Results: Mean age of whole group of patients including 59 males and 11 females was 21.5 years. Mean values of air leakage duration and cost of hospital stay was calculated as 1.94 days and 2777 TL for sealant applied group and 2.97 days and 1200 TL for sealent unapplied group, respectively. The patient groups did not indicate a statistically difference in terms of age and gender whereas duration of air leakage was shorter but cost was higher in the group for whom fibrin sealant had been administered (p<0.001). None of the patients developed mortality but recurrence was present in 4 (5.7%) patients.Conclusions: Although homologous fibrin sealant applied in pneumothorax surgery results in cost increase, it contributes to surgical outcomes by preventing possible additional complications in consideration of shortened duration of air leakage.

Clinical analysis of 350 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with spontaneous pneumothorax / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical features of pneumoconiosis complicated with spontaneous pneumothorax to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.@*Methods@#Analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of 350 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with spontaneous pneumothorax in Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases from May 2016 to May 2018.@*Results@#In 350 patients, 22 cases are pneumoconiosis stage I, accounting for 6.3%, 26 cases are pneumoconiosis stage Ⅱ, accounting for 7.4%, 302 cases were pneumoconiosis stage Ⅲ, accounting for 86.3%.168 cases were recurrent pneumothorax, the recurrence rate was as high as 48%.There were 232 cases occurred in winter and spring, accounting for 66.3%. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary infection were 54.9% and 47.4%, respectively. 233 patients were treated with basic therapy such as high flow oxygen therapy, with an effective rate of 93.1%. 114 cases were treated with thoracic closed drainage, with an effective rate of 86%.@*Conclusion@#Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common complication of pneumoconiosis with high recurrence rate. According to the different conditions to give different treatments in a timely manner can achieve better results.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum after a Trivial Injury: A Case Report

@#Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum is defined as presence of free air or gas in the pleural cavity and mediastinal structures respectively. Spontaneous pneumothorax seems to be associated with anatomical abnormalities such as subpleural blebs or bullae, however not for spontaneous pneumomediastinum which may developed without an apparent precipitating cause. Both usually may occur in young healthy adults without serious underlying lung disease. We report a case of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum after a trivial injury. He was initially presented with dyspnea after two weeks of initial trivial trauma. Chest radiograph showed left apical pneumothorax with pneumomediastinum with no evidence of rib fracture. His condition was deemed non-traumatic by surgical colleague, thus admitted to medical ward for observation and eventually discharged well.

Spontaneous Oesophageal Perforation: A Case Report

@#A 49-year-old gentleman presented with epigastric pain for one day associated with one episode of vomiting and dyspnoea. Respiratory examination showed reduced breath sound over his left lower zone. He was treated as left spontaneous pneumothorax and left lung empyema requiring left chest tube insertion and intravenous antibiotics. His left pleural fluid biochemistry result was exudative while its centrifuge showed empyema. In ward, we noticed food material draining from his left chest tube during feeding. An urgent contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) thorax showed a left oesophageal-pleural fistula with possible broncho-oesophageal fistula. During oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS), air bubbles were seen in his left under-water chest drainage during air-insufflation of the oesophagus. The revised diagnosis was Boerhaave syndrome. He was treated with an esophageal stent to cover the perforation and a left lung decortication via video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for his left empyema. He improved and was discharged well.

The clinical application of tubeless video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the safety, feasibility and superiority of tubeless video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 38 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax treated in our hospital from February 2017 to July 2018. Tubeless bullectomy was performed in 18 patients, including 11 males and 7 females, aged 14.3±1.5 years. Twenty patients underwent conventional thoracoscopic bullae resection, including 12 males and 8 females, aged 14.5±1.7 years. The clinical effectiveness was compared. Results    All the 38 patients completed the operation successfully under the single-port thoracoscopy, without the transfer of intubation and secondary surgery. Operation time (67.3±13.3 min vs. 81.4±13.4 min, P=0.002), preoperative anesthesia time (14.2±2.6 min vs. 18.5±2.6 min, P=0.000), postoperative anesthesia recovery time (17.1±2.6 min vs. 26.5±5.0 min, P=0.000), visual simulation score of postoperative pain (2.3±0.9 vs. 5.2±1.0, P=0.000), postoperative activity time (1.3±0.4 d vs. 2.9±0.6 d, P=0.000), postoperative hospitalization time (2.9±0.8 d vs. 5.6±1.3 d, P=0.000), hospitalization cost (35.0±6.0 kyuan vs. 59.0±10.0 kyuan, P=0.000) were better in the control group. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss (73.2±4.6 mL vs. 73.9±4.1 mL) and postoperative lung revascularization time (29.3±2.4 h vs. 29.7±2.5 h) between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion    Compared with traditional thoracoscopic bullectomy, tubeless VATS technique is safe and reliable in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, with mild pain and quick recovery, in line with the concept of fast track surgery and worthy of clinical promotion.

Is the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax predictable?

Background: Recurrence of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP) constitutes a serious challenge for both physicians and patients.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 115 patients who had chest tubes at their first onset of PSP. Considering the development of recurrence, two groups were composed and comparatively examined in terms of age, body mass index, smoking status, side and size of initial pneumothorax, presence of bulla and duration of chest tube drainage at the first episode.Results: Among 115 patients with PSP, 24 cases developed recurrence. Male gender was prominently relevant to develop recurrent PSP (p=0.034) whereas remaining inspected parameters revealed no significant relationship with a relapse. Interval between first onset and recurrence of PSP was calculated as 9.2 months. Interestingly, most of the patients developed recurrence in low-temperature months.Conclusions: Recurrence of PSP is substantially unpredictable. Therefore, close follow-up of cases in the following year of their first episode and also informing the patients about probability of a relapse and measures to consider under this circumstance is of great importance.

Profile of tuberculous pneumothorax and comparison with pulmonary tuberculosis without pneumothorax

Background: Tuberculosis is the most common cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in India. The prevalence of SSP in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is between 1- 3%. There were only few studies in the literature that specifically analyze tuberculous PNTX. In a study from this hospital, author found PTB was the most common cause of SSP. Now, author aimed at studying the clinical profile of tuberculosis associated PNTX cases and compared with pulmonary tuberculosis cases without PNTX.Methods: This was a single centre prospective observational case control study done at a tertiary care hospital. Fifty patients of tuberculous pneumothorax as cases, and 100 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis without pneumothorax were taken as control. The demographic data, clinical presentation, and radiologic presentation, outcomes after treatment were recorded in both the groups. The data was analyzed using statistical software (SPSS) using appropriate statistical tools.Results: The mean age of patients in the PNTX group was 38.18±14.132, where as in the control group it was 45.29±14.89 (p-value of 0.0052). Past history of tuberculosis was present in 27 (54%) cases of PNTX group and in 41 (41%) cases in the control group (p-value of 0.091). The mean duration of length of hospital stay in PNTX group was 16.5±11.865 days and in non-pneumothorax group was 6.2±2.54 days (p-value was 0.0001).Conclusions: Tuberculous pneumothorax was more common between 30-40 yrs age group. Gender and smoking have no association with PNTX. Tuberculous pneumothorax was more common in previously treated cases of TB. Patients with tuberculous PNTX have prolonged hospital stay and complications resulting in increased morbidity, financial burden and mortality.