Sonography of the pleura. / Sonografie der Pleura.

The CME review presented here is intended to explain the significance of pleural sonography to the interested reader and to provide information on its application. At the beginning of sonography in the 80 s of the 20th centuries, with the possible resolution of the devices at that time, the pleura could only be perceived as a white line. Due to the high impedance differences, the pleura can be delineated particularly well. With the increasing high-resolution devices of more than 10 MHz, even a normal pleura with a thickness of 0.2 mm can be assessed. This article explains the special features of the examination technique with knowledge of the pre-test probability and describes the indications for pleural sonography. Pleural sonography has a high value in emergency and intensive care medicine, preclinical, outpatient and inpatient, in the general practitioner as well as in the specialist practice of pneumologists. The special features in childhood (pediatrics) as well as in geriatrics are presented. The recognition of a pneumothorax even in difficult situations as well as the assessment of pleural effusion are explained. With the high-resolution technology, both the pleura itself and small subpleural consolidations can be assessed and used diagnostically. Both the direct and indirect sonographic signs and accompanying symptoms are described, and the concrete clinical significance of sonography is presented. The significance and criteria of conventional brightness-encoded B-scan, colour Doppler sonography (CDS) with or without spectral analysis of the Doppler signal (SDS) and contrast medium ultrasound (CEUS) are outlined. Elastography and ultrasound-guided interventions are also mentioned. A related further paper deals with the diseases of the lung parenchyma and another paper with the diseases of the thoracic wall, diaphragm and mediastinum.

Impact of Pleural Thickness on Occurrence of Postoperative Complications in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVES: The rates of postoperative mortality and morbidity are high in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Therefore, it is important to identify variables that increase the risk of postoperative complications. Pleural thickness has recently been identified as a prognostic indicator in patients with MPM. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical variables, including pleural thickness, that contribute to postoperative complications in patients with MPM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 47 patients who underwent surgical excision of MPM between 2005 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. Correlations between postoperative complications within 90 days of surgery and preoperative clinical factors were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), and the remaining 20 underwent pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). Macroscopic complete resections were obtained in all but three patients. Of the 47 patients, 23 (49%) experienced postoperative complications of grade 3 or worse. The major complication in patients with EPP was respiratory failure (n = 6), whereas the major complication in patients with P/D was prolonged air leakage (n = 7). Univariate logistic regression analysis found a correlation between postoperative complications and age, surgical side, and pleural thickness, while multivariate logistic regression analysis found surgical side (p = 0.04, 95% Cl 1.10-21.71, OR 4.90) and pleural thickness (p = 0.03, 95% Cl 1.21-23.00, OR 5.26) to significantly influence the occurrence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural thickness has a significant effect on the occurrence of postoperative complications. Patients with thick pleura on the right side are at greater risk of postoperative complications.

Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Mid-Point Transverse Process to Pleura Block for Perioperative Analgesia in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: Mid-point transverse process to pleura (MTP) block is a new regional analgesia technique. This study aimed to assess the perioperative analgesic effects of MTP block in children undergoing open-heart surgery. DESIGN: A single-center, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, superiority study. SETTING: At a University Children's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two patients aged 2 to 10 years who underwent open-heart surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive either bilateral MTP block or no block (control). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was fentanyl consumption in the first postoperative 24 hours. The secondary outcomes were intraoperative fentanyl consumption, modified objective pain score (MOPS) measured at 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours after extubation, and the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean (SD) postoperative fentanyl consumption (µg/kg) in the first 24 hours was significantly reduced in the MTP block group (4.4 ± 1.2) compared to the control group (6.0 ± 1.4, p < 0.001). The mean (SD) intraoperative fentanyl requirement (µg/ kg) was significantly reduced in the MTP block group (9.1 ± 1.9) compared to the control group (13.0 ± 2.1, p < 0.001). The MOPS was significantly reduced in the MTP block group compared to the control group at 1, 4, 8, and 16 hours after extubation but was comparable in both groups at 24 hours. The mean (SD) duration of ICU stay (hours) was significantly reduced in the MTP block group (25.0 ± 2.9) compared to the control group (30.7 ± 4.2, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Single-shot bilateral ultrasound-guided MTP block in children undergoing cardiac surgery reduced the mean fentanyl consumption in the first postoperative 24 hours, intraoperative fentanyl requirements, pain score at rest, time to extubation, and duration of ICU stay.

Single-Injection Midpoint Transverse Process-to- Pleura Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of midpoint transverse process-to-pleura block (MTPB) is unclear. The authors compared the analgesic characteristics of MTPB with those of thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) in patients undergoing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS) and examined the 2 types of blocks for noninferiority. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: A single-institution, university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 82 patients between 18 and 75 years of age. Eighty-one patients were included for final analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to either the MTPB group (Group M) or the TPVB group (Group P). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the mean difference in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score between Group M and Group P at rest and at 12 hours. The secondary outcomes included VAS scores during rest and coughing, nerve block performance, intraoperative consumption of anesthetics and vasoactive medication, time at first use of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), number of uses of PCIA, consumption of sufentanil in PCIA, and side effects. The mean difference in VAS score in the MTPB and TPVB group at rest and 12 hours postoperatively was 0.5 (95% confidence interval, -0.26 to 0.36). There was no significant difference in the time at first use of PCIA, which was 12 (10, 12) hours and 11 (10, 12) hours in Group M and Group P, respectively. The depth of puncture was shallower, and the time to perform block was shorter in Group M compared with Group P (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The analgesic effect of single-level-injection MTPB is noninferior to that of TPVB in patients undergoing uVATS. The target point of the needle in MTPB is shallower and farther away from the pleura compared with TPVB. For these reasons, it is quicker and safer and, thus, may be preferable.

Intraoperative spontaneous tension pneumothorax during robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting.

Patients undergoing robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting are increasing. Several complications have emerged with the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures. We reported a case of spontaneous tension pneumothorax that developed in the ventilated lung during robotic assisted left internal mammary artery harvesting causing severe hemodynamic instability. A sudden rise of airway pressure occurred, and the patient became hypotensive. Immediately, the surgeon was notified to look at the right pleura. Pneumothorax was identified, the right pleura was opened using robotic arms, and the right lung was decompressed. A small emphysematous bulla was identified and stabled. Proper identification of the procedure-associated complications is essential for timely management. Tension pneumothorax is a potentially fatal complication, especially in patients under positive pressure ventilation.

Prediction model of rhomboid major and pleura depth based on anthropometric features to decrease the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling.

BACKGROUND: Although most common adverse events associated with dry needling can be considered minor, serious adverse events including induced pneumothorax cannot be excluded, and safety instructions for reducing the risk of pleura puncture are needed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if anthropometric features can predict the rhomboid major muscle and pleura depth in a sample of healthy subjects to avoid the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling. METHODS: A diagnostic study was conducted on 59 healthy subjects (52.5% male) involving a total of 236 measurements (both sides in maximum inspiration and expiration), to calculate the accuracy of a prediction model for both pleura and rhomboid depth, as assessed with ultrasound imaging, based on sex, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), breathing and chest circumference. A correlation matrix and a multiple linear regression analyses were used to detect those variables contributing significantly to the variance in both locations. RESULTS: Men showed greater height, weight, BMI, thorax circumference and skin-to-rhomboid, rhomboid-to-pleura and skin-to-pleura distances (P < .001). Sex, BMI, and thorax circumference explained 51.5% of the variance of the rhomboid (P < .001) and 69.7% of pleura (P < .001) depth limit. In general, inserting a maximum length of 19 mm is recommended to reach the deep limit of rhomboid major decreasing the risk of passing through the pleura. CONCLUSION: This study identified that gender, BMI and thorax circumference can predict both rhomboid and pleura depth, as assessed with ultrasonography, in healthy subjects. Our findings could assist clinicians in the needle length election in avoiding the risk of induced pneumothorax during dry needling.

Chest percussion, a common yet underutilized art.

Dear Editor Long years of respiratory medicine practice lets one develop a clinical instinct which certainly aids in diagnostic acumen...

First MDCT evidence of ruptured aberrant left subclavian artery aneurysm in right aortic arch, Kommerell's diverticulum and extrapleural hematoma treated by emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Spontaneous ruptured aneurysm involving an aberrant subclavian artery with a right-sided aortic arch and Kommerell's diverticulumis a rare life-threatening condition that can be treated successfully if promptly identified. Multidetector Computed Tomography angiography is the first line imaging modality of thoracic vascular anomalies diagnosis. We report the case of a 74-year-old man suffering from this emergency ondition with mediastinal hematoma mostly extending to the left-side extrapleural cavity. The patient underwent successful emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair and an Amplatzer vascular plug was placed into the first segment of the ALSA. Post-procedural imaging showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm. Emergency endovascular repair can be effective in such cases.

[Minimally invasive, extrapleural-anterolateral approach to the spine]. / Minimálisan invazív, extrapleuralis, anterolateralis gerincfeltárás.

In spine surgery, minimally invasive approaches (MIS) are getting accepted and more popular worldwide during the last decades. It is due to the reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased infection rate, less postoperative pain and earlier discharge from hospital compared to traditional approaches. The present paper puts forward a minimally invasive extrapleural approach to the thoracic spine that is not applied in Hungary. This new approach, in contrast to the standard costotransversectomy, provides direct visual control over the ventral surface of the dural sac. Furthermore, contrary to the transthoracic way, following minimally invasive extrapleural surgery thoracic drainage and intensive care are not necessary. The approach can be applied safely in treatment of ventral or ventrolateral pathologies of the thoracic spine.

[Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage: initial experience]. / Torakoskopicheskie rezektsii legkogo pri metastaticheskom porazhenii bez ustanovki plevral'nogo drenazha: nachal'nyi opyt.

AIM: To analyze the possibility of thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 10 patients aged 53.8 years. Most of patients had solitary lung injury within 3 cm from the visceral pleura on the average. Surgical treatment was performed in standard fashion: hardware atypical pulmonary resection within healthy tissues. Pleural cavity was drained with 24 Fr tube. After that lung was inflated under visual control. Since wounds were closured residual air was evacuated by active aspiration and drainage tube was removed. Control chest X-ray was performed in 2 hours and 1 day after surgery. RESULTS: The technique was successful in all patients. Mean surgery time was 52 minutes. There was no blood loss in all patients. Pneumo- and/or hydrothorax were absent according to control chest X-ray in postoperative period. Mean length of postoperative hospital-stay was 3 days (median 2 days). There were no cases of repeated hospitalization.

Serosal involvement in IgG4-related disease: report of two cases and review of the literature.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently described entity characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, usually mimicking tumors, affecting almost every organ or system. Nevertheless, serosal involvement has been rarely reported. In this article, we report two cases of IgG4-RD with serosal involvement and review the literature. Because of the varied clinical pictures found in our review, we suggest a new terminology for the description of IgG4-RD with serosal involvement.

[Tension Pneumothorax Developing Hemothorax after Chest Tube Drainage].

A 61-year-old man visited a physician complaining of progressive chest pain and dyspnea. The chest radiography showed complete collapse of the right lung suggesting tension pneumothorax. The patient was transferred to our hospital. A small amount of the right pleural effusion was also seen in addition to pulmonary collapse on the chest radiography. Chest drainage was performed, and continuous air leakage was seen. At 2 hours later, air leakage was disappeared but the bloody effusion was noted. The chest radiography revealed massive effusion and the enhanced computed tomography showed active bleeding. The emergency surgery was conducted. The bleeding point was a ruptured vessel between the apical parietal pleura and the pulmonary bulla. Hemostasis and the resection of the bullae was performed. Careful observation after chest drainage is necessary to prepare unexpected hemothorax in case of tension pneumothorax with pleural effusion.

[OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC RELAXATION, USING WELDING OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUES].

The results of examination and treatment of 17 patients for relaxation of the diaphragm were analyzed. There was proved the efficacy of application of the biological tissues welding while operative treatment of patients, using a duplicature method. While the biological welding application a reduction of the intervention total duration time was noted, and of intraoperative blood loss - by 17%, and a need for analgetic preparations - in 1.3 times. Minimal irritation impact of biological welding on parietal pleura and the pain intensity reduction was established.

Anaesthetic and perioperative considerations for extrapleural pneumonectomy and extended pleurectomy/decortication: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and extended pleurectomy/decortication (ePD) are surgical cytoreductive techniques aimed at achieving macroscopic resection in malignant pleural tumours such as pleural mesothelioma, non-mesothelioma pleural malignancies such as thymoma and sarcoma, and rarely for pleural tuberculosis, in a more limited fashion. Despite extensive studies on both surgical techniques and consequences, a significant knowledge gap remains regarding how best to approach the perioperative anaesthesia challenges for EPP and ePD.It is unknown if the risk stratification processes for such surgeries are standardised or what types of functional and dynamic cardiac and pulmonary tests are employed preoperatively to assist in the perioperative risk stratification. Further, it is unknown whether the types of anaesthesia and analgesia techniques employed, and the types of haemodynamic monitoring tools used, impact on outcomes. It is also unknown whether individualised haemodynamic protocols are used to guide the rational use of fluids, vasoactive drugs and inotropes.Finally, there is a dearth of evidence regarding how best to monitor these patients postoperatively or what the most effective enhanced recovery protocols are to best mitigate postoperative complications and accelerate hospital discharge. To increase our knowledge of the perioperative and anaesthetic treatment for patients undergoing EPP/ePD, this scoping review attempts to synthesise the literature and identify these knowledge gaps. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review Protocols methodology. Electronic databases, OVID Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, will be systematically searched for relevant literature corresponding to EPP or ePD and perioperative or anaesthetic management. Data will be analysed and summarised descriptively and organised according to the three perioperative stages: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors in clinical care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was not required. The findings will be disseminated through professional networks, conference presentations and publications in scientific journals.

Aerostasis to limit air leak following extended pleurectomy-decortication.

Extended pleurectomy-decortication is a cytoreductive surgical treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Prolonged air leak remains a major postoperative challenge, lengthening hospital stay and increasing morbidity. In this video report, we present a stepwise approach for visceral decortication and introduce the concept of aerostasis by construction of an artificial neopleura. Our results suggest that improved aerostasis results in shortened air leak duration.

Extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (MARS 2): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Extended pleurectomy decortication for complete macroscopic resection for pleural mesothelioma has never been evaluated in a randomised trial. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after extended pleurectomy decortication plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. METHODS: MARS 2 was a phase 3, national, multicentre, open-label, parallel two-group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial conducted in the UK. The trial took place across 26 hospitals (21 recruiting only, one surgical only, and four recruiting and surgical). Following two cycles of chemotherapy, eligible participants with pleural mesothelioma were randomly assigned (1:1) to surgery and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone using a secure web-based system. Individuals aged 16 years or older with resectable pleural mesothelioma and adequate organ and lung function were eligible for inclusion. Participants in the chemotherapy only group received two to four further cycles of chemotherapy, and participants in the surgery and chemotherapy group received pleurectomy decortication or extended pleurectomy decortication, followed by two to four further cycles of chemotherapy. It was not possible to mask allocation because the intervention was a major surgical procedure. The primary outcome was overall survival, defined as time from randomisation to death from any cause. Analyses were done on the intention-to-treat population for all outcomes, unless specified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02040272, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between June 19, 2015, and Jan 21, 2021, of 1030 assessed for eligibility, 335 participants were randomly assigned (169 to surgery and chemotherapy, and 166 to chemotherapy alone). 291 (87%) participants were men and 44 (13%) women, and 288 (86%) were diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma. At a median follow-up of 22·4 months (IQR 11·3-30·8), median survival was shorter in the surgery and chemotherapy group (19·3 months [IQR 10·0-33·7]) than in the chemotherapy alone group (24·8 months [IQR 12·6-37·4]), and the difference in restricted mean survival time at 2 years was -1·9 months (95% CI -3·4 to -0·3, p=0·019). There were 318 serious adverse events (grade ≥3) in the surgery group and 169 in the chemotherapy group (incidence rate ratio 3·6 [95% CI 2·3 to 5·5], p<0·0001), with increased incidence of cardiac (30 vs 12; 3·01 [1·13 to 8·02]) and respiratory (84 vs 34; 2·62 [1·58 to 4·33]) disorders, infection (124 vs 53; 2·13 [1·36 to 3·33]), and additional surgical or medical procedures (15 vs eight; 2·41 [1·04 to 5·57]) in the surgery group. INTERPRETATION: Extended pleurectomy decortication was associated with worse survival to 2 years, and more serious adverse events for individuals with resectable pleural mesothelioma, compared with chemotherapy alone. FUNDING: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (15/188/31), Cancer Research UK Feasibility Studies Project Grant (A15895).

[Pulmonary mycobacterium intracellulare infection complicated with pneumothorax and chronic empyema].

A 75-year-old woman who had been treated for pulmonary Mycobacterium intracellulare infection was admitted to a nearby hospital because of hemoptysis, right pneumothorax, and empyema. She had been treated by thoracic drainage and pleural lavage, but was reffered to our hospital because of refractory empyema. Her chest radiograph and chest computed tomography( CT) showed right chronic empyema of which pleural aspirate was smear positive for acid-fast bacilli and positive for the polymerase chain reaction method(PCR)-Mycobacterium intracellulare. Serum levels of white blood cell and C-reactive protein(CRP) were found to be slightly elevated. She was treated with combined use of ethambutol, rifampicin, clarithromycin, and kanamycin and with pleural curettage by thoracoscopic surgery. After surgery additional treatment was done using urokinase which was administered into the thoracic cavity via an thoracic tube. Chronic empyema gradually improved with the treatment and the pleural effusion became bacterial free, enabling the patient to discharge from hospital without thoracic drainage.

[Optimization of surgical tactics in treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax].

299 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were treated. All patients were divided in two groups. Patients of the first group (n=182) received thoracic puncture and/or drainage. The second group (n=117) has surgery, directed at liquidation of the source of pneumothorax, i.e., they received either atypical lung resection or subtotal parietal pleurectomy. The recurrent pneumothorax was registered in 24 (13.2%) patients of the first group and in 4 (3.4%) patients of the second. Authors state that radical surgical procedure for the spontaneous pneumothorax is an atypical lung resection with parietal pleurectomy. The use of active surgical tactics allows to decrease the number of recurrencies on 9.8%.

[Experience of application of pulmonectomy and pleuropulmonectomy for multiresistant destructive pulmonary tuberculosis].

The results of performance of pulmonectomy and pleuropulmonectomy in 89 patients, suffering multiresistant destructive pulmonary tuberculosis, were analyzed. Intraoperational methods of the bronchial stump buttressing using polymeric material and pericardial fat tissue on vascular pedicle, the methods of postoperative complications prophylaxis, the postoperative course peculiarities were elaborated and studied. General efficacy of operation while application of the methods proposed have had constituted 86.5% in the terms of observation up to 6 yrs.

Pleural abrasion versus apical pleurectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical approach is the most effective treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The two most widely adopted surgical methods are mechanical abrasion and apical pleurectomy, in addition to bullectomy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine which technique is superior in treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies published between January 2000 to September 2022 comparing mechanical abrasion and apical pleurectomy for treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The primary outcome was pneumothorax recurrence. Secondary outcomes included post-operative chest tube duration, hospital length of stay, operative time and intra-operative of blood loss. RESULTS: Eight studies were eligible for inclusion involving 1,613 patients. There was no difference in the rate of pneumothorax recurrence between pleural abrasion and pleurectomy (RR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.92). However, pleural abrasion led to shorter hospital length of stay (MD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.51 to 0.00), post-operative chest tube duration (MD: -0.30; 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.03), operative time (MD: -13.00; 95% CI -15.07 to 10.92) and less surgical blood loss (MD: -17.77; 95% CI: -24.36 to -11.18). CONCLUSION: Pleural abrasion leads to less perioperative patient burden and shorter hospital length of stay without compromising the rate of pneumothorax recurrence when compared to pleurectomy. Thus, pleural abrasion is a reasonable first choice surgical procedure for management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.