Tumor necrosis factor alpha in experimental empyema thoracis.

PURPOSE: To determine serum and pleural concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in an experimental model of empyema induced by intrapleural inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae. METHODS: Wistar rats were inoculated with S. aureus (SA group, 17 animals) or S. pneumoniae (SP group, 30 animals). The presence of free fluid or pus in the pleural space was investigated. TNF-α levels >150 pg/ml (minimum detection limit) were determined in pleural fluid and blood. Histopathological examination of pleural tissue was performed to determine the severity of infection. RESULTS: Serum TNF-α was >150 pg/ml in nine SA versus 10 SP rats. In pleural fluid, TNF-α was >150 pg/ml in 11 SA versus 19 SP rats. Pleural and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly different in the SP group (P = 0.035), but not in the SA group (P = 0.727). Pleural TNF-α was similar in both groups (P = 0.92), but serum TNF-α was significantly higher in SA (P = 0.03). Out of 17 SA animals, 1 (5.8%) did not develop empyema, versus 4 (13.3%) out of 30 SP animals. A mild inflammatory response was predominant in both groups, but the inflammatory process was significantly more severe in SP (P = 0.012). However, TNF-α levels were not associated with severity of the inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a simple and effective rat model of empyema. TNF-α levels above 150 pg/ml in the pleural fluid are useful to confirm empyema, but cannot predict the severity of the inflammatory response. TNF-α levels below 150 pg/ml are useful to rule out empyema.

Thoracoscopy in children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage: a multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of thoracoscopy in the management of children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage. METHODS: Retrospective study of 99 children submitted to thoracoscopy for the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage between November of 1995 and July of 2005. The mean age was 2.6 years (range, 0.4-12 years), and 60% were males. Thoracoscopy was performed at three different hospitals following the same treatment algorithm. RESULTS: Thoracoscopy was effective for 87 children (88%). In 12 (12%), a second surgical procedure was required: another thoracoscopy (n = 6) or thoracotomy/thoracostomy (n = 6). Mean duration of chest tube drainage following successful thoracoscopy was 3 days vs. 10 days in patients submitted to a second procedure (p < 0.001). In all of the children, the pleural infection resolved after treatment. Thoracoscopy-related complications included air leak (30%), chest tube bleeding (12%), subcutaneous emphysema associated with trocar insertion (2%) and surgical wound infection (2%). None of the children required additional surgical procedures due to the complications. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of thoracoscopy in children with parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage was 88%. The procedure was safe, with a low rate of severe complications. Thoracoscopy should be the first-choice treatment for children with parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage.

Toracoscopia em crianças com derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado na fase fibrinopurulenta: estudo multi-institucional / Thoracoscopy in children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage: a multi-institutional study

Objetivo: Determinar a eficácia da toracoscopia em crianças com derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado (DPPC) na fase fibrinopurulenta. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 99 crianças submetidas à toracoscopia paratratamento de DPPC na fase fibrinopurulenta entre novembro de 1995 e julho de 2005. A média de idade foi de 2,6 anos (variação, 0,4-12 anos) e 60% eram do sexo masculino. A toracoscopia foi realizada em três hospitais diferentes utilizando-se o mesmo algoritmo de tratamento. Resultados: A toracoscopia foi eficaz em 87 crianças (88%) e 12 (12%) necessitaram de outro procedimento cirúrgico: nova toracoscopia (n = 6) ou toracotomia/pleurostomia (n = 6). O tempo médio de drenagem torácica foi de 3 dias nas crianças em que a toracoscopia foi efetiva e de 10 dias naquelas que precisaram de outro procedimento (p < 0,001). A infecção pleural de todas as crianças foi debelada após o tratamento. As complicações da toracoscopia foram fuga aérea (30%) e sangramento pelo dreno torácico (12%), enfisema subcutâneo na inserção do trocarte (2%) e infecção da ferida operatória (2%). Nenhuma criança necessitou de reoperação devido às complicações. Conclusões: A efetividade da toracoscopia em criançascom DPPC na fase fibrinopurulenta foi de 88%. O procedimento mostrou-se seguro, com baixa taxa de complicaçõesgraves, devendo ser considerado como primeira opção em crianças com DPPC na fase fibrinopurulenta.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of thoracoscopy in the management of children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage. Methods: Retrospective study of 99 children submitted to thoracoscopy for the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage between Novemberof 1995 and July of 2005. The mean age was 2.6 years (range, 0.4-12 years), and 60% were males. Thoracoscopywas performed at three different hospitals following the same treatment algorithm. Results: Thoracoscopy waseffective for 87 children (88%). In 12 (12%), a second surgical procedure was required: another thoracoscopy (n = 6) or thoracotomy/thoracostomy (n = 6). Mean duration of chest tube drainage following successful thoracoscopy was 3 days vs. 10 days in patients submitted to a second procedure (p < 0.001). In all of the children, the pleural infection resolved after treatment. Thoracoscopy-related complications included air leak (30%), chest tube bleeding (12%), subcutaneous emphysema associated with trocar insertion (2%) and surgical wound infection (2%). None of the children required additional surgical procedures due to the complications. Conclusions: The effectiveness of thoracoscopy in children with parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage was 88%. Theprocedure was safe, with a low rate of severe complications. Thoracoscopy should be the first-choice treatment forchildren with parapneumonic pleural effusion at the fibrinopurulent stage.

Surgical treatment of congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in children.

Congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are rare vascular malformations in which an abnormal connection develops between an artery and a vein in the lung. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy with a history of cyanosis since birth and cough for 2 days. Physical examination revealed cyanosis of oral mucosa and extremities, digital clubbing, and 82% O(2) saturation on room air. Chest radiograph showed a nodule in left lower lobe; echocardiogram was normal, but chest computed tomography showed 2 nodules in left lower lobe. Arteriography showed 2 large arteriovenous fistulas in left lower lobe. Patient underwent left lower lobectomy, and surgical outcome was excellent. At hospital discharge, mucosal color was normal and O(2) saturation was 96% on room air. Congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas should be suspected in children with cyanosis but no cardiac malformations. Symptomatic congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas should be treated with embolization when fistulas are small and multiple, or with lung resection when they are large and localized.