Boerhaave Syndrome: An Uncommon Cause of Hydropneumothorax

We report the case of a 52-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed with adenocarcinoma rectum, presenting with the complaint of breathlessness to the emergency department. Chest radiograph done showed a left-sided hydropneumothorax with mediastinal shift to the right side. Tube thoracostomy was done. Pleural fluid was exudative; there was no evidence of malignancy. The patient developed a right-sided pleural effusion; anaerobic bacteria were grown on pleural fluid culture. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest was done in view of the new onset empyema on the right side. The CT showed pneumomediastinum and periesophageal air pockets. Orally administered methylene blue had appeared in the pleural drain confirming the diagnosis. The patient was taken up for feeding jejunostomy and repair of tear was planned for a later date. He succumbed to sepsis due to empyema.

Successful Rescue Therapy with Pumpless Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal in a Patient with Persistent Air Leakage Due to Empyema / 대한구급학회지

A young metastatic lung cancer patient developed empyema due to an infection with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Hydropneumothorax was detected and managed by a tube thoracotomy. However, persistent air leakage through the chest tube was observed due to the presence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). As hypercapnic respiratory failure had progressed and the large air leak did not diminish by conservative management, a pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (pECLA) device was inserted. The pECLA allowed the patient to be weaned from mechanical ventilation and the BPF to heal. The present case shows the effective application of pECLA in a patient with empyema complicated with BPF and severe hypercapnic respiratory failure. pECLA enabled us to minimize airway pressure to aid in the closure of the BPF in the mechanically ventilated patient.

Successful Rescue Therapy with Pumpless Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal in a Patient with Persistent Air Leakage Due to Empyema / 대한중환자의학회지

A young metastatic lung cancer patient developed empyema due to an infection with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Hydropneumothorax was detected and managed by a tube thoracotomy. However, persistent air leakage through the chest tube was observed due to the presence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). As hypercapnic respiratory failure had progressed and the large air leak did not diminish by conservative management, a pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (pECLA) device was inserted. The pECLA allowed the patient to be weaned from mechanical ventilation and the BPF to heal. The present case shows the effective application of pECLA in a patient with empyema complicated with BPF and severe hypercapnic respiratory failure. pECLA enabled us to minimize airway pressure to aid in the closure of the BPF in the mechanically ventilated patient.

Pneumothorax and its etiology

Introduction: Air in the pleural space is defined as Pneumothorax. A case of pneumothorax is a medical emergency which can itself be serious and may endanger the life of the patient because of respiratory insufficiency. Aim of the study: To study the etiological factors of pneumothorax and hydropneumothorax, the inter-relation of spontaneous pneumothorax with different age groups, sexes and precipitating factors. Study the associated complications, degree of collapse of pulmonary parenchyma and outcome of the treatment. Materials and methods: Fifty cases of pneumothorax presenting to the department were admitted and investigated. Cases of pneumothorax with or without fluid, pus or blood in the pleural cavity; accidental and iatrogenic pneumothorax were also included. Pneumothorax is diagnosed by taking standard chest radiographs and computed tomograms (CT) of the chest wherever necessary. Results: A vast majority of the patients in this study were of poor socio economic background. Male to female ratio is 7:1. Of the 50 cases, 16 (32%) had pneumothorax only, 22 (44%) had pyopneumothorax and 10 (20%) had hydropneumothorax. Hemopneumothorax was found in 2 (4%) cases. Conclusion: Spontaneous pneumothorax is generally due to an underlying lung disease. It is important that pneumothorax is managed promptly and in an appropriate manner. Immediate management is largely determined by the extent of cardio-respiratory compromise, degree of symptoms and size of pneumothorax and may involve observation alone, needle aspiration or chest drain insertion.

Broncho-Pleural Fistula with Hydropneumothorax at CT: Diagnostic Implications in Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease with Pleural Involvement

OBJECTIVE: To determine the patho-mechanism of pleural effusion or hydropneumothorax in Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease through the computed tomographic (CT) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 5 patients who had pleural fluid samples that were culture-positive for MAC between January 2001 and December 2013. The clinical findings were investigated and the radiological findings on chest CT were reviewed by 2 radiologists. RESULTS: The 5 patients were all male with a median age of 77 and all had underlying comorbid conditions. Pleural fluid analysis revealed a wide range of white blood cell counts (410-100690/microL). The causative microorganisms were determined as Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in 1 and 4 patients, respectively. Radiologically, the peripheral portion of the involved lung demonstrated fibro-bullous changes or cavitary lesions causing lung destruction, reflecting the chronic, insidious nature of MAC lung disease. All patients had broncho-pleural fistulas (BPFs) and pneumothorax was accompanied with pleural effusion. CONCLUSION: In patients with underlying MAC lung disease who present with pleural effusion, the presence of BPFs and pleural air on CT imaging are indicative that spread of MAC infection is the cause of the effusion.

Hidroneumotórax por tuberculosis en una mujer adulta / Hydropneumothorax due to tuberculosis in an adult woman

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 28 años de edad, que fuera remitida al Servicio de Neumología del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba por presentar síntomas respiratorios (tos húmeda y expectoración mucosa) durante un período aproximado de 6 meses, además de síndrome general y, en ocasiones, febrícula. Posteriormente manifestó una disnea progresiva, que se volvió moderada ante los pequeños esfuerzos, unido a dolor torácico agudo en el lado izquierdo. Se determinó clínica y radiológicamente la existencia de hidroneumotórax; por lo que se le realizó una pleurotomía mínima baja y se inició el tratamiento antibacilar. Igualmente se efectuó la prueba de esputo para la búsqueda de bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes, y se obtuvo codificación 8, de modo que fue confirmado el diagnóstico de tuberculosis pulmonar.

The case report of a 28 year-old patient is presented who was remitted to the Pneumology Service of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba for presenting breathing symptoms (humid cough and mucous expectoration) during an approximate period of 6 months, besides general syndrome and, in occasions, slight fever. Later on she complained of progressive dyspnea which became moderate when making other small efforts, together with acute thoracic pain in the left side. It was determined clinically and radiologically the existence of an hydropneumothorax; for which a low minimum pleurotomy was carried out and the antibacillar treatment was applied. Equally the sputum test was carried out for finding acid-alcohol resistant bacilli, and code 8 was obtained, so the diagnosis of lung tuberculosis was confirmed.

Hemoneumotórax espontáneo: presentación de caso / Spontaneous Hemopneumothorax: A Case Report

El hemoneumotórax espontáneo es una condición inusual, caracterizada por la acumulación de aire y sangre en la cavidad pleural, no precedida por trauma. La radiografía de tórax es la herramienta principal en el diagnóstico de esta entidad. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 22 años con hemoneumotórax espontáneo. El paciente se recuperó sin complicaciones luego de la cirugía.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is an unusual condition, characterized by the accumulation of air and blood in the pleural cavity, not preceded by trauma. Chest radiography is the main tool in the diagnosis of this entity. We present, a case of a 22-year-old male with spontaneous hemopneumothorax. The patient recovered after surgery with no complications.

Boerhaave Syndrome Presenting as Abrupt Onset of Massive Hydropneumothorax

Boerhaave syndrome is a rare and life-threatening disease that often presents a diagnostic challenge. It is usually confused with critical but more prevalent diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, perforated peptic ulcer, and acute pancreatitis. Boerhaave syndrome is caused by forceful vomiting resulting in a full-thickness tear of the middle or lower esophagus, typically an area of natural narrowing and at the esophagogastric junction and the left atrium. Because of these anatomic sites, hydropneumothorax, hemopneumothorax and pneumopericardium can occur. We report a case of a 48-year-old chronic alcoholic man presenting with abrupt onset of massive bilateral hydropneumothorax. In this case, it was hard to take a medical history from the patient due to sudden respiratory arrest when he arrived at the emergency room. Despite ongoing chest tube drainage, hydropneumothorax didn't improve. Pleural fluid amylase level was increased. Because of the possibility of esophageal rupture, esophagography was performed. As a result of the esophagography, he was diagnosed as Boerhaave syndrome with penumopericardium. If massive hydropneumothorax of unknown cause presents abruptly, boerhaave syndrome should be suspected as one of its causes. We recommend that pleural fluid amylase levels to be checked and if it is elevated, esophagography should be performed immediately.