Localized Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 44-year-old man was transferred to our department for mediastinal mass. He had suffered from only an easily fatiguable condition for 1 month. A physical examination and laboratory finding of the patient disclosed no abnormality. A chest radiograph showed a soft tissue tumor in the posterior mediastinum. It was well circumscribed and ovoid. Invasions to adjacent organs were not seen. Therefore it was though the 5th intercostal space. The tumor mass was attached to the visceral pleura of the right upper lobe by a pedicle and this pedunculated tumor laid entirely within the pleural cavity. Excision of the tumor which measured 7x7x3cm was done easily. Pathologic studies confirmed the diagnosis of localized fibrous tumor of the pleura. Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura is rare, This tumor along ith the evidence from ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies has led most researchers to conclude that localized fibrous tumor is not of the mesothelial origin but arises in the submesothelial connective tissue.

Esophageal Leiomyomatosis in a patient with Alport Syndrome / 대한흉부외과학회지

A-13-urar-old with a history of Alport syndrome had been suffering from progressive dysphagia and postprandial vomiting for over 7 years. Exophagogram and manoemtric studies were consistent with achalasia. Barum study demonstrated marked esophageal dilatation and smooth tapered narrowing of the distal esophagus. However in spite of the medical treatment including the injection of the distal esophagus. However in spite of the medical treatment including the injection of botulinum toxin at the lesion site using an endoscope symptom did not improved and he suffered growth failure and malnutrition. Esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy were performed to relieve the dysphagia. A firm circumferential intramural mass about 7x5x5 cm was found in the distal esophagus. The lumen of the esophagus was markedly dilated and esophageal wall was hypertrophied. Histologic examination of the neoplasm revealed a rather ill defined tumor tissue consisting of interlacing or whirling spindle cells without significant mitosis and esophageal leiomyo-matosis was confirmed. The patient was discharged uneventfully.

Clinical esxperiences of Carotid Endarterectomy for Carotid Stenosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of carotid endarterectomy is to prevent stroke regardless of past neurologic events. Major concern in the carotid endarterectomy is the inadequate blood flow of ipsilateral hemisphere during clamping of the carotid artery. It is well known that internal carotid artery back pressure means collateral cerebral blood flow. Our study is intended to determine the guideline of shunt placement according to the carotid back pressure and electroencephalographic finding. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study population comprised of 16 consecutive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for carotid stenosis in our institution between from February 1996 to March 1999. There were 14 men and 2 women between the ages of 56 and 78 years(mean age 66.25+/-6.53 years). The carotid stenosis in the operative site was ranged from 61% to 95%(mean 73.8+/-12.33%) and the mean carotid stenosis of the contralateral side was 60.99+/-25.03%. During the operation, electroencephalographic monitoring was taken in all cases. The internal carotid artery back pressure was measured to estimate the collateral cerebral blood flow, and in all patients with back pressure below 40 mmHg(11 patients) and patients with complete occulusion of contralateral carotid artery(2 patients), an internal shunt was installed. RESULT: One postoperative death occurred in a patient with large evolving cerebral infarction and severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis, who underwent emergent carotid endarterectomy. The cause of death was hemorrhagic infarction in the corresponding cerebral territory. We observed that immediate operation after a major stroke negatively influenced the postoperative outcome. No intraoperative ischemic neurologic complication developed. During the follow-up upto now(mean follow-up 21.5+/-11.85 months), there has been no early or late recurrence of stroke except one patient ,in whom cerebral infarction developed in the contralateral side on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: At least 4-6 weeks stabilization after a stroke is recommended for surgical management. The carotid endarterectomy is an effective surgical intervention for prevention of anticipated stroke and can be performed safely if an internal shunt is used in patients whose internal carotid arterial back pressure is below 40 mmHg.

Delayed Bronchoplasty in Complete Transection of Left Main Bronchus after Blunt Trauma / 대한흉부외과학회지

Recently, The non-penetrating injury of bronchus has been increased, especially by traffic accident. Early diagnosis and primary repair of bronchial injury not only restore normal lung function but also avoid the difficulties and complications associated with delayed diagnosis and repair. This report describes about a case of total collapse and consolidation of left lung with the complete transection of nearly bifurcated portion of left main bronchus , lasted for 2weeks after traffic accident. This was diagnosed by fiberbronchoscopy and 3-D chest computed tomography (CT). She underwent the sleeve resection and end to end anastomosis, and postoperative PEEP for 2 days, suctioning twice by fiberbronchoscopy, continue postural drainge and physiotherapy were applied. She had almost full expansion of the left lung at discharge.

Results of Segmental Resection and Reconstruction of the Trachea for Obstructive Tracheal Lesions / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are various tracheal diseseas which cause the obstruction of the trachea: postintubation tracheal stenosis, tracheal cancer, thyroid cancer, endotracheal tuberculosis, et al. Recently surgical resection and reconstruction of the trachea has been adopted as the safe method for tracheal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our experience and results of resection and reconstruction for various obstructive tracheal lesions in 38cases from 1985 to 1996. Length of resection of the trachea was up to 6 cm. Twenty lesions were approached by cervical collar incision, 12 lesions by cervicosternal incision and 4cases needed transthoracic approach. Surgical procedures consisted of resection and tracheotracheal anastomosis in 32 cases, resection and laryngotracheal anastomosis in 6cases and in addition laryngeal release was necessary to release anastomotic tension in 3cases. RESULTS: The complications were 4 minor wound infections, 2 mild suture line granulomas, 1 vocal cord palsy, 2 pneumonias and 1 systemic candidiasis. Two patients who had poor consciousness and pnemonia and one who developed systemic candidiasis were expired after operation. CONCLUSION: We suggests resection and reconstruction of trachea is optimal procedure for up to 6cm long tracheal lesions. However, for the patients with poor consciousness or poor general conditions would be the conservative treatment preferred to the tracheal reconstruction because of high serious complications and mortalities.

Primary Undifferentiated Sarcoma of Left Atrium / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primar99y cardiac tumors are rare and about 25% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant. A primary undifferentiated cardiac sarcoma, which very rare, is presented as follows: A 28-year old woman at the 32th week of pregnancy was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea. A large intracardiac (left atrium) tumor was found with cardiac echocardiography and MRI. Emergency operation was performed under the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma. After Cesarean section, LA-tomy was done under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Tumor removal including endocardium of left atrium was done and final pathologic diagnosis was primary undifferentiated laft atrial sarcoma. After adjuvant radiotherapy, she has been followed up in out patient bases without problems up to now.

Familial Atrial Myxoma with Carney's Complex: 1 Case / 대한흉부외과학회지

Myxomas are the most common form of intracardiac tumors and are found primarily in the left atrium. In rare cases, Carney and associates have described a syndrome called "the complex of myxoma" consisting of cardiac myxoma, which characteristically is familial, in assocation with two or more of the follow conditions: myxomatous masses (cardiac myxoma, cutaneous myxosma, and mammary myxoid fibroademoma), spotty pigmented lesions of the skin, and endocrine disorders. We report a case of familial atrial myxoma with Carney's complex in a 19-year old woman who has spotty pigmentations on her face, and left atrial myxomas, and myxoma on the right nipple. Her mother and sister share the left atrial myxoma. The myxomas originated in the septum of the left atrium and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve were successfully excised. In conclusion, family members of affected patients should be screened periodically with echocardiography in an attempt to identify asymptomatic cardiac myxomas. Complete excision and postoperative follow up are necessary to rule out the muticentricity and high rate of recurrent lesions.

Spontaneous Submucosal Dissection of the Esophagus: Report of 1 Case / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 55-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest discomfort, dysphagia and severe pain on swallowing. Esophageal manometry showed that there was no relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter to swallowing. There was double barrelled esophagus or mucosal stripe appearance on esophagogram. Endoscopy revealed an appearance as if an esophago-tracheal fistula had been made at the level of the upper thoracic esophagus. Also, two slit-like mucosal tears was seen on the lower esophagus. There after, fasting and total parenteral nutrition for several weeks failed to bring about any changes in his symptoms. So, as treatment, primary closure of the upper opening of the false lummen was performed under general anesthesia. Soon after the surgical procedure, the patient's symptoms were improved except for mild dysphagia. He was discharged after oral intake had been juduciously commenced with fluids and soft diet subsequently. During follow-up in out-patient department, he had no specific symptoms including fever or dysphagia and massive dissection of the esophagus was improved on esophagogram. We report the experience of a case of spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus which required conservative and surgical management.