Evaluation of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculous empyema / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis empyema. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, 122 cases of tuberculous empyema treated by decortication in Department of Surgery, Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 100 males and 22 females, aged(M(IQR)) 29.5(28.0) years (range: 13 to 70 years). According to the surgical approach and drug resistance, patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group A (n=22), and those who underwent thoracotomy decortication were included in group B (n=28). Drug-sensitive patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group C (n=72). There was no statistical difference in the baseline data of the three groups (P>0.05). The operation, early postoperative recovery, and prognosis-related indicators were compared among three groups by Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test by Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni method between groups A and B, groups A and C. Results: The intraoperative blood loss of group A, group B, and group C was 200(475) ml, 300(200) ml, and 225(300) ml, respectively. There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemorrhage (H=2.74, P=0.254) and treatment outcome (χ2=4.76, P=0.575) among the three groups. Compared with group B, the operation time of group A (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 200.0(60.0) minutes, U=171.0, P=0.007) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0 (2.2) months, U=146.5, P=0.032) were longer, and the postoperative drainage duration (9.5(7.8) days vs. 13.0(10.0) days, U=410.0, P=0.044), and the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 14.5(4.8) days, U=462.2, P=0.020) were shorter. There was no significant difference in complications between group A and group B (63.6%(14/22) vs. 71.4%(20/28), χ2=0.34, P=0.558). Compared with group C, the postoperative drainage duration of group A (9.5(7.8) days vs. 7.0(4.0) days, U=543.5, P=0.031), the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 9.0(4.0) days, U=533.0, P=0.031) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0(2.0) months, U=961.5, P=0.001) were longer. The operation time (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 242.5(188.8) minutes, U=670.5, P=0.278), and complications (63.6%(14/22) vs. 40.3%(29/72), χ2=3.70, P=0.054) were not different between group A and group C. Conclusions: For drug-resistant tuberculous empyema, the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication can achieve the same good therapeutic effect as drug-sensitive tuberculous empyema, and it is as safe as thoracotomy. At the same time, it has the advantage of minimally invasive and can accelerate the early postoperative recovery of patients.

Uniportal thoracoscopic decortication for stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema of 158 cases / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the safety and feasibility of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) decortication in patients presenting with stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema. Methods: From August 2017 to July 2020, 158 patients of stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema underwent uniportal VATS decortication with partial rib resection and customized periosteal stripper in Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. There were 127 males and 31 females, aged (M(IQR)) 32(28) years (range:14 to 78 years). Follow-up was performed in the outpatient clinic or via social communication applications, at monthly thereafter. If there was no air leak and chest tube drainage was less than 50 ml/day, a chest CT was performed. If the lung was fully re-expanded, chest tubes were removed. All patients received a follow-up chest CT 3 to 6 months following their initial operations which was compared to their preoperative imaging. Results: There was one conversion to open thoracotomy. The operative time was 2.75 (2.50) hours (range: 1.5 to 7.0 hours), and median blood loss was 100 (500) ml (range: 50 to 2 000 ml). There were no perioperative mortalities. There were no major complications except 1 case of redo-VATS for hemostasis due to excessive drainage and 1 case of incision infection, The incidence of prolonged air leaks (>5 days) was 80.3%(126/157). The postoperative hospital stay was 5.00 (2.25) days (range: 2 to 15 days). All patients were discharged with 2 chest tubes, and the median duration drainage was 21.00 (22.50) days (range: 3 to 77 days). Follow-up was completed in all patients over a duration of 20 (14) months (range: 12 to 44 months). At follow-up, 149 patients(94.9%) recovered to grade Ⅰ level, 7 patients to grade Ⅱ level, and 1 patient to grade Ⅲ level. Conclusion: Uniportal VATS decortication involving partial rib resection and a customized periosteal stripper is safe and effective for patients with stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema.

Empiema de necesidad / Empyema of Necessity

Introducción: El empiema de necesidad o empiema necessitatis (del latín) es un hallazgo raro en la actualidad y la tuberculosis es la causa más común, sobre todo en pacientes inmunodeprimidos. Objetivo: Presentar un caso con un empiema de necesidad como complicación de la tuberculosis extrapulmonar Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo femenino de 47 años de edad, sin antecedentes de enfermedad conocidos. Ingresa por una neumonía de la base derecha y como complicación un empiema de necesidad de naturaleza tuberculosa. Es tratada de forma médica y quirúrgica, tuvo una evolución favorable. Conclusiones: El conocimiento de la epidemiología de la zona donde se diagnosticó la enferma y la medicina personalizada contribuyeron a un diagnóstico rápido y a un tratamiento médico y quirúrgico acorde a los protocolos establecidos para la tuberculosis extrapleural(AU)

Introduction: Empyema of necessity (or empyema necessitatis) is, at present, a rare finding, of which tuberculosis is the most common cause, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Objective: To present a case of empyema of necessity as a complication of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Clinical case: 47-year-old female patient, without known history of disease, who was admitted due to pneumonia of the right base and, as a complication, an empyema of necessity of a tubercular nature. She was treated medically and surgically, and had a favorable evolution. Conclusions: Knowledge of the epidemiology of the area where the patient was diagnosed, together with personalized medical care, contributed to a rapid diagnosis, as well as to the medical and surgical treatment provided according to the protocols established for extrapleural tuberculosis(AU)

Treatment of Tuberculous Empyema by Intrathoracic Transposition of a Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap

No abstract available.

Operative procedure choice for surgical management of chronic tuberculous empyema: a series of 461 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the experiences and operative procedure choice for surgical management of chronic tuberculous empyema.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 461 patients of chronic tuberculous empyema were treated surgically in Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital between January 2006 and December 2011. There were 317 male and 144 female patients, aging from 6 to 79 years with a mean age of 32 years. Preoperative duration lasted from 3 months to 50 years, including 347 cases within 1 year, 61 cases 1 to 2 years, and 53 cases above 2 years. Chest tube drainage or pleuracentesis was performed in 395 patients, decortication in 287 patients, thoracoplasty in 13 patients, pleuropneumonectomy and resection of remaining lung in 11 patients, complex operation in 150 patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no death perioperatively. Four hundred and forty-five patients were cured at once, 6 patients were cured by stages. One patient with empyema and bronchial fistula relapsed bronchial fistula after pulmonary lobectomy and pleural decortication, whom was cured by the combination operation which including fistula repair, muscle flap tamponing and local thoracoplasty according to the closed drainage of thoracic cavity after 6 months. Three cases were suffered incision delayed healing and were cured by dressing change. Five cases were suffered abscess of chest wall within 3 months and were cured by local thoracoplasty. One patient died due to respiratory failure in one year which resulted in tuberculosis spreading because of bronchial fistula after pleuropneumonectomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical management of chronic tuberculous empyema still have irreplaceable roles. Selecting appropriate operations according to different cases will achieve good results.</p>

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Arising from Chronic Tuberculous Empyema

Pyothorax-associated lymphoma is a relatively rare type of lymphoma that occurs in patients who have long histories of tuberculous pleuritis or induced pneumothorax. It is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of mainly the B-cell phenotype and is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. A majority of these cases have been reported in Japan, although some cases have occurred in Western countries. Here, we describe a case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma in a patient with a 30-year history of chronic tuberculous empyema. The patient underwent decortication under the impression of chronic empyema with fistula. The histopathologic diagnosis was a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated chronic inflammation.

Etiology of pleural effusion among adults in the State of Qatar: a 1-year hospital-based study

There have been no systematic studies of diseases causing pleural effusion in Qatar. This prospective, hospital-based study involved all adult patients [> 15 years] with pleural effusions who were admitted to referral hospitals over a 1-year period. A total of 200 cases of pleural effusion were identified [152 males and 48 females]; mean age 45.1 [SD 18.5] years. A majority of patients [73.5%] were non-Qataris, mostly from the Asian subcontinent. The most frequent cause of pleural effusions was tuberculosis [32.5%], followed by pneumonia [19%], cancer [15.5%] and cardiac failure [13%]. The most frequent cause of malignant effusion was bronchogenic carcinoma [38.7%], whereas Gram-positive organisms were the most frequent isolates from empyema fluid [62.5%]. Histological examination and culture of pleural biopsy were the most useful diagnostic workup for tuberculosis effusions, whereas repeated cytological examination of pleural fluid and pleural biopsy were most useful for malignant effusions

Tuberculous Empyema Necessitatis with Osteomyelitis, a Rare Case in the 21st Century / 소아감염

Empyema necessitatis refers to empyema that extends into the extrapleural space through a defect in the pleural surface. Tuberculous empyema necessitatis is a rare complication of tuberculosis. We experienced a 21-month-old boy with tuberculous empyema necessitatis with osteomyelitis in the right 7th rib. He presented with a mass on the right lateral chest wall, which was soft and nontender, enlarging for one month. He also had mild fever. The plain radiograph of his chest revealed soft tissue swelling and calcified lymph node on the left axilla, and his PPD skin test was positive. CT scan of the chest showed empyema necessitatis at the right lower chest and upper abdominal walls with osteomyelitis of the right 7th rib. He did not have concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis. Surgery was performed for diagnosis and treatment. In histopathologic findings, chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis was shown and was positive for acid fast bacilli stain. In addition, M. tuberculosis complex was found as etiology by polymerase chain reaction. The patient has been treated with anti-tuberculous medication without any specific complication.

Derrame pleural: [revisión] / Pleural effusion: [review]

El derrame pleural se define como la acumulación anormal de líquido en el espacio pleural; no es una enfermedad, es el resultado del desequilibrio entre la formación y la reabsorción del líquido como manifestación de alguna condición que incluso puede amenazar la vida del paciente. Es una entidad a la cual el clínico se ve enfrentado con frecuencia, la mayoría de las veces es secundaria a enfermedad pleural o pulmonar, pero puede también ser causada por enfermedades extrapulmonares, sistémicas o neoplásicas (bien sea primarias o metastásicas)...

High Grade Sarcoma Arising from the Chest Wall of a Chronic Tuberculous Empyema: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 50 year old male patient was admitted due to fever and left upper-quadrant abdominal pain. He had a history of previous treatment for pulmonary TB and splenectomy due to aplastic anemia. A large peritoneal abscess with connection to a chronic left side tuberculous empyema thoracis was diagnosed on admission. Chest CT also revealed a soft tissue lesion on the left anterior chest wall. Staged drainage of the peritoneal lesion followed by left side pleuropneumonectomy with chest wall resection was performed. The pathologic studies showed a high grade sarcoma of the chest wall.

Tuberculose pulmonar: associação entre extensão da imagem da lesão radiográfica e alteração da função pulmonar / Pulmonary tuberculosis: association between radiographic extent of the lesion and the alterations in lung function

A tuberculose continua sendo um problema de saúde pública dos mais alarmantes. Seu diagnóstico, ainda, é feito de forma tardia, apesar de todo o aparato tecnológico, por vários fatores: como os decorrentes dos serviços de saúde e aqueles inerentes ao próprio paciente. Em relação à tuberculose pulmonar, muito se tem escrito sobre os desfechos desfavoráveis do seu tratamento, salientando-se, sempre, o óbito, a falência e o abandono do tratamento. Existem, relativamente, poucos estudos na literatura abordando as seqüelas da tuberculose pulmonar, mesmo após a cura bacteriológica alcançada com seu tratamento. O grau de extensão da lesão parece depender, diretamente, do tempo oportuno para o diagnóstico e a instituição da terapêutica. As várias lesões residuais pleuro-pulmonares são apresentadas desde o início da sua formação até as suas conseqüências prejudiciais à qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Às vezes, a incapacidade laborativa resultante e o tratamento dispensado às intercorrências correspondem a um grande ônus para a Sociedade e o Estado. Mais ainda, as conseqüências pessoais que essas seqüelas acarretam: a baixa auto-estima, as limitações na vida profissional, e, até, as dificuldades de convivência com outras pessoas. O objetivo desta revisão é descrever os padrões radiográficos na tuberculose pulmonar e suas seqüelas.

Empyema thoracis: a clinical study

Empyema thoracis is a disease that, despite centuries of study, still causes significant morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to study the age-sex profile, symptomatology, microbiologic findings, etiology and the management and treatment outcome in a tertiary care hospital. A prospective study of empyema thoracis was conducted on 40 consecutive patients with empyema thoracis admitted to the tuberculosis and chest diseases ward of a teaching hospital. The demographic data, clinical presentation, microbiological findings, etiology, the clinical course and management were recorded as per a planned pro forma and analyzed. The peak age was in the range of 21-40 years, the male-to-female ratio was 3.4:1.0 and the left pleura was more commonly affected than the right pleura. Risk factors include pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, smoking, diabetes mellitus and pneumonia. Etiology of empyema was tubercular in 65% cases and nontubercular in 35% cases. Gram-negative organisms were cultured in 11 cases [27.5%]. Two patients received antibiotics with repeated thoracentesis only, intercostal chest tube drainage was required in 38 cases [95%] and more aggressive surgery was performed on 2 patients. The average duration for which the chest tube was kept in the complete expansion cases was 22.3 days. It was concluded that all cases of simple empyema with thin pus and only those cases of simple empyema with thick pus where size of empyema is small should be managed by aspiration/s. Cases failed by the above method, all cases of simple empyema with thick pus and with moderate to large size of empyema and all cases of empyema with bronchopleural fistula should be managed by intercostal drainage tube connected to water seal. It was also observed that all cases of empyema complicated by bronchopleural fistula were difficult to manage and needed major surgery

Clinical Study of the Treatment of Chronic Empyema with Open Window Thoracostomy: 10 Years Experience / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The curative treatment of choice for empyema is decortication of the pleura. The risks of this treatment however are increased for the patient with reduced pulmonary function, complicated calcification or septic shock. In the past, open window thoracostomy was a final stage treatment for chronic empyema. Relatively safe treatment of empyema could be achieved in difficult cases with a closure of the open window after open drainage and use of a myocutaneous flap (one stage or staged). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of the cause, progression and final outcome of empyema patients who received open window thoracostomy was performed. 21 patients were followed from 1995 to 2004 in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the College of Medicine, Pusan National University. RESULT: The average age of the patients was 57.5+/-15.5 years (range 25~78 years), of whom 16 (76.2%) were men and five (23.8%) were women. Pulmonary function test results showed an average FEV1 of 1.58+/-0.49 L. The type of empyema was tuberculous empyema in 13 cases (61.9%), aspergillosis in three cases (14.3%), parapneumonic empyema in three cases (14.3%) and post-resectional empyema in two cases (10%). Bronchopulmonary fistula was seen in 14 cases. Eight cases were complicated by severe calcification of the pleura. For the four cases of bronchopulmonary fistula, the patients' serratus anterior muscle was covered in their first operation. The average number of ribs resected was 4+/-1. Closure of the open window thoracostomy was performed in 12 cases. The average time to closure after open drainage was 10.22+/-3.11 months and the average defect of the empyemal cavity before the final operation was 330+/-110 cc. Among the 12 cases, there were two cases of spontaneous closure. In two cases closure was only achieved by using the reserved skin fold during the first surgery. Of the remaining eight cases, in seven we used the myocutaneous flap (four cases of lattisimus dorsi muscle and three cases of pectoralis major muscle), and in one case we used soft tissue. As regards complications of the closure, tissue necrosis occurred in one case, which led to failed closure, and there was one case of abdominal hernia in the rectus abdominis muscle flap. One patient died within 30 days of the surgery and one patient died of metastatic cancer. CONCLUSION: A staged operation with a final closure using open window thoracostomy, which consists of open drainage, transposition of the muscle and a myocutaneous flap, can be a safe and effective option for the chronic empyema patient who is difficult to cure with traditional surgical methods.

Tuberculose pleural / Tuberculous pleural effusions

O derrame pleural tuberculoso pode ser devido a uma manifestação da forma primária da doença ou da reativação de uma infecção latente pelo M. tuberculosis. Os avanços nos métodos laboratoriais contribuíram sobremaneira para um melhor diagnóstico e para a compreensão da fisiopatologia desta doença. No entanto, embora o derrame pleural predominante linfocítico seja indicativo de tuberculose em nosso meio, uma rotina de abordagem diagnóstica deve ser instituída a fim de orientar o tratamento precoce e evitar seqüelas.

Tuberculous pleural effusion is a common manifestation of the primary form of the disease or consequence of the reactivation of a latent infection due to the M. tuberculosis. Advances in the laboratory methods have contributed to better diagnose and understand the pathophysiology of the effusion secondary to tuberculosis. However, although a predominant lymphocytic pleural effusion is suspicious of tuberculosis, a diagnostic routine shall be instituted to orient treatment and prevent undesirable sequels.

Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculous Empyema / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: In contrast to tuberculous pleurisy, tuberculous empyema is a chronic active infectious disease of the pleural cavity that is frequently accompanied by cavitary or advanced pulmonary lesions. The condition requires long-term anti-tuberculous medication with external drainage. The clinical features and treatment outcome of tuberculous empyema are unclear despite the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea. METHODS: From January 1991 through April 2004, 17 patients diagnosed with tuberculous empyema in Kyungpook National University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Their medical records and chest radiographs were reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve patients(71%) had a history of tuberculosis and six of the 12 patients were under current anti-tuberculous medication. Productive cough, fever, and dyspnea were the main complaints. There was no predominance between the right and left lungs. Nine patients(53%) had far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, two(12%) had a cavitary lesion, and seven(41%) had a pyopneumothorax on the chest radiograph. All eight cases in whom the data of pleural fluid WBC differential count was available showed polymorphonuclear leukocyte predominance. Eight patients(47%) had other bacterial infections as well. The overall rates of a positive sputum AFB smear and culture for M. tuberculosis were 71% and 64%, respectively. The positive AFB smear and culture rates for M. tuberculosis from the pleural fluid were 33% and 36%, respectively. Twelve of the 16 patients(75%) were treated successfully. Three underwent additional surgical intervention. Two patients (12%) died during treatment. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous empyema is frequently accompanied by advanced pulmonary lesions, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes are predominant in the pleural fluid. Other accompanying bacterial infections in the pleural cavity are also common in tuberculous empyema patients. Therefore, tuberculous empyema should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with polymorphonuclear leukocyte-predominant pleural effusion. In addition, more active effort will be needed to achieve a bacteriological diagnosis in the pleural fluid.

Diagnostic value of Adenosine deaminase isoenzyme [ADA2] and total ADA in tuberculous pleural effusion

Determination of adenosine deaminase [ADA] activity is one of the most promising markers in diagnosing of tuberculous pleural effusion. ADA has two main isoenzymes: ADA1 and ADA2.The ADA2 is the predominant isoform in tuberculous pleural effusion, suggesting its important role as a diagnostic marker. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of ADA and ADA2 measurement in tuberculous pleural effusion. Total ADA and ADA2 isoenzyme activities were measured in 93 case of pleural effusion, including tuberculosis [26males/5females], malignancy [22males/8females], empyema and para-pneumonic [11males/4females], transudate [6males/4females], rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic [4males/3females]. ADA levels were determined by Giusti and Galanti methods. ADA2 was measured with a potent inhibitor of ADA1 isoenzyme. Total ADA and ADA2 activities in tuberculous exudates were 96.6 +/- 29.1 and 74.4 +/- 29 U/L, respectively. With diagnostic thresholds of 46 and 42 U/L, the sensitivities of ADA and ADA2 for tuberculous exudates were 100% and 97%; their specificities 82 and 88%; and their efficiencies 88% and 93.5%, respectively. All tuberculous exudates, 2 neoplastic, 8 para- infective [including 4 empyemas] and one rheumatoid arthritis had total ADA levels > 46 U/L; of these, only one lymphoma and one rheumatoid arthritis had ADA2/ADA activity ratio > 50%. Considering simultaneous criteria of total ADA more than 46U/L, ADA2 > 42 U/L and ADA2/ADA more than 50%, we had only two false positive results, rising the specificity up to 96%. 1. ADA2 is a more efficient diagnostic marker for Tuberculous pleural effusion compared with total ADA. 2. Overall, diagnostic value of ADA would be enhanced by the determination of its isoenzymes, especially for distinguishing between the tuberculous and para-infective effusions

Empyema in children.

Closed chest drainage is very effective in the management of empyema thoracis. Fifty cases of empyema thoracis in children were treated in the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal between 1994 and 2000. The cases were referred from TB Hospital, Chingmeirong, Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Porompat and chest and paediatric wards of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. Most of the cases were managed with dosed chest intercostal drainage. The lung expanded well in majority of the cases. Forty cases were aspirated initially in the concerned departments. Only 10 cases of massive empyema were aspirated in this department. Thirty-eight cases were treated with drainage and 4 cases were subjected to repeated aspiration. Eight cases of empyema (tuberculous) were subjected to thoracotomy and decortication. One case had recurrent empyema after decortication. Forty cases were given antituberculosis drugs.

Change in Pulmonary Function Following Empyemectomy and Decortication in Tuberculous and Non-Tuberculous Chronic Empyema Thoracis

Chronic empyema thoracis results from various etiologies. Improvement in pulmonary function after empyemectomy and decortication has proved difficult to predict when the etiology of chronic empyema thoracis is tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to confirm the changes in pulmonary function according to the etiology after an operation. Sixty-five patients were classified into two groups according to their etiology: Group A (tuberculous) and Group B (non-tuberculous), and they were retrospectively evaluated with regard to their forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), percentage of predicted normal value of FEV1 (% FEV1) and FVC (%FVC). Empyemectomy and decortication was performed for all the patients and the two groups were similar in age, gender and preoperative spirometric parameters. In Group A (n=41), the pre- and postoperative mean values were 2.31L and 2.88L in FEV1, 65.8% and 80.5% in %FEV1, 2.62L and 2.55 L in VC, 61.9% and 71.8% in %VC, respectively. In Group B (n=24), the pre- and postoperative mean values were 2.13L and 2.49L in FEV1, 66.4% and 73.8% in %FEV1, 2.55L and 2.95 L in FVC, 64.9% and 71.8% in %FVC, respectively. All the spirometric parameters improved significantly in both groups compared to their preoperative values. However, no significance was shown in the rate of increase of the spirometric parameters between the two groups. In conclusion, improvement of lung function is expected after empyemectomy and decortication, regardless of the etiology of the chronic empyema thoracis.