Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Two Cases

Among the clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome (ARDS) is the most rapid and fatal form of clinical symptoms, and since conventional treatment cannot achieve satisfactory results, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be tried. We report two cases, one of the COVID-19 patients who received ECMO treatment for ARDS at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital received long-term ECMO treatment but improved without any complications, and one patient who received ECMO treatment for viral myocarditis rapidly deteriorated and died. We describe ECMO treatment in COVID-19 through the two cases mentioned above.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Two Cases

Among the clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome (ARDS) is the most rapid and fatal form of clinical symptoms, and since conventional treatment cannot achieve satisfactory results, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be tried. We report two cases, one of the COVID-19 patients who received ECMO treatment for ARDS at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital received long-term ECMO treatment but improved without any complications, and one patient who received ECMO treatment for viral myocarditis rapidly deteriorated and died. We describe ECMO treatment in COVID-19 through the two cases mentioned above.

Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema after Use of a High-Speed Dental Handpiece

Subcutaneous facial emphysema after dental treatment is an uncommon complication caused by dental procedures. However, in severe cases, it can spread to the neck, mediastinum, and thorax, resulting in pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. Here we report two cases of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after dental treatment using an air-compressed, high-speed dental handpiece. We describe the diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic pneumomediastinum.

A Staged Surgical Treatment for Aortoesophageal Fistula in Esophageal Cancer

An aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare and lethal disorder. However, aortic surgery is usually performed with extracorporeal circulation, and there is a high rate of surgical complications and mortality. This report describes a case of AEF caused by radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. A 59-year-old man was treated with preoperative chemoradiation, and developed a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) 3 months later (3 cycles of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil). He complained of hemoptysis and hematemesis. Based on computed tomography and diagnostic endoscopic findings, he was diagnosed with an AEF and TEF, and initially underwent endovascular coiling, which failed. Because of bleeding, emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed. Esophageal resection and reconstruction were performed 45 days later to control mediastinal inflammation. The patient was followed up as an outpatient. He has had no recurrence of cancer or any further complications.

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.

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.

Video-assisted Talc Poudrage for the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion: Analysis of Effects and Benefits / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion is a common condition in neoplastic patients and palliative therapy is the usual treatment. Talc has been generally accepted to be the most effective sclerosant for chemical pleurodesis, but the optimal route of administration remains controversy. We compared the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage (VTP) with administering a bedside talc slurry through a chest tube (BTS) for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From December 2004 to May 2006, 20 patients with malignant pleural effusion underwent chemical pleurodesis via VTP (group A, n=10), and BTS (group B, n=10). RESULT:The durations of chest tube placement after the procedure were 7.0+/-4.0 days (group A) and 6.7+/-3.6 days (group B). The hospital stays were 24.3+/-9.4 days (group A) and 30.7+/-21.5 days (group B), respectively. The symptoms of dyspnea were much more improved in group A (p-value=0.014) after discharge (mean f/u group A=8.5+/-2.2 months, group B 8.0+/-7.4 months). The collapsed portions of lung were better expanded in group A than in group B (p-value= 0.011). CONCLUSION: We recommend VTP for the selected patients with malignant pleural effusion because of the advantages of dissecting the fibrous peel to relieve the atelectasis and dyspnea, and excising the pleura for diagnosis with direct viewing of the lesion.

Bilateral Elastofibroma Dorsi in the Infrascapular Region: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

An 81-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with bilateral chest wall mass in the infrascapular region. Considering the possible diagnosis of a malignant chest wall tumor at such location, we performed excision and biopsy. Both masses were histologically diagnosed as elastofibroma. We experienced this rare disease, bilateral elastofibroma, so we report this case with a bibliography.

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 Effects of Diluted Fibrin Glue about Continuous Air Leakage after Lung Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUNG: Continuous air leakage through chest tube after lung surgery may increase pt's hospital stay and lead to many complications including empyema etc. Chemical pleurodesis has frequently been used for prevention of air leakage. Therefore, we performed chemical pleurodesis using diluted fibrin glue in patients with continuous air leakage and observed the effects and efficiency of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From September, 2001 to August, 2005, 16 patients whose continuous air leakage lasted more than 7 days underwent chemical pleurodesis with diluted fibrin glue. The effects of treatment, complications and recurrences were reviewed. Dissolved fibrinogen 1.0 g and aprotinin 500,000 KIU were mixed in a 50 cc syringe (Mixed solution A). And dissolved thrombin 5,000 IU and Calcium chloride 600 mg were mixed in a 50 cc syringe (Mixed solution B). Cefazolin 1.0 g was mixed in a 50 cc syringe (Mixed solution C). Rubber tube was inserted between the chest tube and the collecting bottle. An inserted rubber tube was positioned 60cm above the patient and forming a loop appearance was done. Mixed solutions A, B and C were injected into the highest rubber tube. RESULTS Continuous air leakages disappeared in all 16 patients at next day. Chest tubes were removed after 3 days in all patients. Complications were chest pain in 12 patients (75%), leukocytosis in 14 patients (88%), fever and chill in 14 patients (88%). All complicaitons were transient and disappeared without specific treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that diluted fibrin glue chemical pleurodesis was effective in patients with continuous air leakage lasting more than 7 days. Diluted fibrin glue chemical pleurodesis had good results with acceptable complications. Long term follow-up is necessary to evaluate the accurate effects of treatment and recurrence in a large number of patients.

Reported Lung Adenocarcinoma with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis after Open Lung Biopsy / 대한흉부외과학회지

The specific diagnosis in diffuse interstitial lung disease may be obtained through open lung biopsy. Diffuse interstitial lung disease is often associated with lung cancer. We report one case of lung adenocarcinoma with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in whom previous open lung biopsy had been performed. We need general concepts about sites of open lung biopsy in these patients. Therefore, we report this case and document other references.

PAINFUL DYSESTHESIA FOLLOWED AFTER IMPLANT PLACEMENT IN POSTERIOR MANDIBLE AND THEIR PROGNOSIS

PURPOSE: This study is to examine the painful dysesthesia of lip & gingiva followed after implant surgeries and to evaluate the prognosis of microsurgical epineurotomy & tubulization with e-PTFE tubes. METHOD: Three patients who had been suffered from painful anesthesia and dysesthesia following dental implant surgeries were examined periodically and followed for over 1 year after epineurotomy and e-PTFE tubulization. Neurosensory dysfunctions were examined by Static Light Touch Threshold, Moving Direction Discrimination. Two Point Discrimination, Pin-Prick Nociception. Visual Analog Scales and Tinel sign. The subjective symptoms were confirmed by SSEP and DITI prior to surgical exploration. RESULT: Two patients complained of continuous tearing and lancinating pain disclosed complete avulsion of IAN and degenerative changes with neuroma. One patient complained of mild painful dysesthesia revealed partial adhesion & fibrous epineural changes. Two patients whose IAN were explored after over 1 year resulted in only mild improvement in sensory recovery and moderate reduction of pain score. While the patient to whom decompression & epineural repair were given in 3 months after nerve injuries resulted in satisfactory improvement in sensory function and pain reduction. CONCLUSION: Painful dysesthesias occurred after implant placement were resulted from neurotmesis and disclosed degenerative neuropathy. Therefore, the micro-surgical explorations and repairs (epineurotomy, decompression neurolysis, and neurorrhaphy) can be recommended for known injuries as early as possible. For the delayed painful dysesthesia lasted over year, however, epineurotomy & tubulization could be an option to improve the painful discomfort but not satisfactory.