[Ultrasonographic, CT, and MRI findings of chest wall hydatidosis]. / Apport de l'imagerie au diagnostic du kyste hydatique de la paroi thoracique.

The chest wall is an uncommon localization for hydatid disease even in countries where echinococcosis is endemic. Only isolated sporadic cases have been reported in the literature. We reviewed retrospectively 15 patients who underwent surgery for chest wall hydatid disease. Various imaging techniques were used for diagnosis of our cases. These included chest radiograph, thoracic ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Hydatid cyst involved soft tissues (n=5), ribs and vertebrae (n=5), ribs (n=4) and sternum (n=1). Imaging techniques were of value for diagnosis (radiographs and sonography) and for evaluation of the extent of involvement (CT and MRI). Chest wall hydatidosis requires surgical treatment but recurrence is frequent.

[Endobronchial pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma. A case report]. / Rhabdomyosarcome pulmonaire à présentation endobronchique. A propos d'une observation.

We report a case of pleiomorphous pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma observed in a 64-year-old patient with no history of soft tissue tumor. The tumor was found extending into the right lower and middle lobes. The intra-parenchymatous extension protruded into the middle lobular bronchus and was prolonged by a 4 cm polyp. The polyp extended up to the carina and reached the contralateral common bronchus. Outcome was fatal after surgery performed in an emergency setting due to asphyxia. Explorations could not be continued to determine the primary or secondary nature of the tumor. An intraparenchymatous endobronchial localization is uncommon. Primary rhabdomyosarcoma is generally a purely intra-parenchymatous tumor. The endobronchial localization has been described before but is very exceptional. This localization would also be exceptional for secondary rhabdomyosarcoma mimicking a primary malignant tumor. The histology study revealed an undifferentiated pleiomorphous tumor. Immunohistochemistry provided the final diagnosis.

[Thymolipoma. A case report]. / Le thymolipome. A propos d'un cas.

Thymolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor of the thymus. Asymptomatic, it is an incidental discovery. Pathogenesis remains controversial. We report a new case in a 36-year-old woman that was discovered on a chest x-ray ordered for pneumonia. The MRI findings suggested the diagnosis which was confirmed at the pathology examination of the surgical specimen.

Hydatid disease of the liver with thoracic involvement.

Hydatidosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is an endemic parasitic disease in Mediterranean countries. The most frequent anatomic locations are liver and lung. Intrathoracic rupture of hydatid cysts situated in the hepatic dome is a serious complication resulting in damage to the pleura, pulmonary parenchyma, and bronchi. From January 1984 to December 1997 we operated on 40 patients with intrathoracic rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst. Chest roentgenograms showed a shadow of varying size at the base of the hemithorax. Hepatic and thoracic ultrasonography was performed in all cases. The diagnosis of intrathoracic rupture of a liver cyst was confirmed preoperatively in 30 of the 40 cases. Posterolateral thoracotomy was performed in all patients. This transthoracic approach allowed adhesiolysis and treatment of the pleural lesions, pulmonary lesions, and hepatic cyst. Treatment of the diaphragmatic gap is easily done. We performed 15 lobectomies, 10 wedge resections, 16 decortications, and in one patient simple drainage of a voluminous pleuropulmonary and hepatic purulent hydatic collection. The postoperative course was uneventful in 26 cases, but 14 patients had complications, from which 3 patients died. The therapeutic approach depends on ultrasonographic findings. We believe ultrasonography to be the best examination for assessing biliary, hepatic, diaphragmatic, and pleuropulmonary lesions. When an intrathoracic collection is present, thoracotomy must be performed and is sufficient if the biliary tract is safe. An abdominal approach is necessary when biliary duct drainage is required, and it may be sufficient in cases of direct rupture into the bronchi.

[Immediate postoperative arrhythmias follwing pneumonectomy for lung cancer]. / Les troubles du rythme cardiaque dans les suites de pneumonectomie pour cancer broncho-pulmonaire.

UNLABELLED: Immediate postoperative arrhythmias after pneumonectomy for non small cell lung cancer is a serious complication. Frequency is estimated 10 to 28% of all patients. The goal of this study is to evaluate the incidence of this complication in our experience, preoperative risk factors, therapeutic implications and short outcome. 132 consecutive patients underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer. We retrospectively studied this series of which 29 patients developed arrhythmias postoperatively. Mean age was 58 years (48 to 79), 16 patients were older than 65 years. Seven patients had medical history of either myocardial infarction or hypertension. Arrhythmias appeared post-operatively on days 1 and 2 six times, days 3 ans 4 ten times, days 5 to 6 six times and days 7 to 10 twice. The trouble consisted in atrial fibrillation in 18 patients, atrial associated with ventricular premature beats in 11 patients. Antiarrhythmic medication (amiodarone) was started as soon as the trouble was confirmed by EKG in all cases. Normalization was obtained in 27 patients (95%). One patient remained dysrrhythmic in spite of treatment. One death occurred on day 4 postoperatively. The mean hospitalisation stay was 10 days. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrhythmia in the immediate postoperative course is not rare. Early diagnosis in patients at risk followed by adequat treatment is necessary to avoid haemodynamic storm in these quite fragile patients. Amiodarone is the treatment of choice.

[Radiological and clinical aspects of bronchogenic lung cysts: 4 case reports]. / Aspects radio-cliniques des kystes bronchogéniques pulmonaires. A propos de 4 cas.

Bronchogenic lung cysts are exceptional. We report four cases which raised a problem of differential diagnosis. Our patients included four women and a young boy (age range 12 - 36 years). The first patient consulted for bloody purulent sputum in a context of an infectious syndrome. The second patient had lower right-sided chest pain. The cyst was a fortuitous discovery in the other two cases. In one case, the chest x-ray disclosed a thin-walled cavity of the upper right lobe, confirmed on the CT scan which also evidenced intracavitary partitions. In two other cases, the chest x-ray showed a liquid-filled opacity (one in the lower right lobe and the other in the upper right lobe) and no further specificity on the CT scan. In the last case, a liquid-air cavity was evidenced. Upper right lobectomy was performed for the case with an air-filled cavity and tumorectomy for the other cases. Pathology reported bronchogenic cyst in all cases. The radiological and clinical presentations observed in patients with bronchogenic lung cysts, with or without tracheobronchial communication, are polymorphous, often raising problems of differential diagnosis.

[Acute arterial ischemia due to tumor embolism after pulmonary resection: report of two cases and review of the literature]. / Ischemie arterielle aigue par embolie tumorale apres resection pulmonaire: a propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature.

From january 1984 to december 1999 we operate in our institution, 465 patients affected by lung cancer. In the early post-operative period we observe two arterial peripheral embolic events. Treatment consist in surgical embolectomy by Fogarty probe under femoral way. We don't observe post-operative complications or any functional sequelae. For the two patients tumoral character of the embolism was confirmed this work confirm the need of pre-operative precautions to avoid this complication that way be severe when in diagnosed or treated lately.

[Bronchoesophageal fistula with late revelation]. / A propos d'une fistule broncho-oesophagienne de révélation tardive.

Bronchoesophageal fistula is an uncommon clinical problem which can either occur as a congenital or acquired condition. A 40-year-old male had productive cough with production of sputum mixed with food particles and cough when eating and drinking. There was no weight loss nor weakness. Clinical examination led to the diagnosis of a fistula between the lower esophagus and the Nelson bronchus associated with bronchiectasis. The congenital nature of this fistula was suggested by the clinical, operative and pathology findings. Postoperative recover was uneventful. Esophageal respiratory tract fistula presenting in adult life are rare and can cause severe debilitation and suppurating lung disease. Surgical treatment provides complete resolution of the symptoms. Endoscopic obliteration can be considered as an alternative to surgery.

[Costal chondrosarcoma. 4 cases]. / Chondrosarcome costal. 4 observations.

BACKGROUND: Tumors of the rib cage are uncommon and malignant in 29% of the cases. Chondrosarcoma predominates, accounting for 40% of all cases of malignant costal tumors. CASE REPORTS: Four patients (3 women, 1 man, mean age 28.2 years) were hospitalized for costal chondrosarcoma. Pain and tumefaction dominated the clinical presentation. Calcifications suggested the diagnosis in 3 cases. Curative surgery was performed in all cases. Postoperative radiotherapy was unable to improve prognosis in 2 patients. DISCUSSION: Chondrosarcoma of the ribs is characterized by a strong potential for invasive extension. Diagnosis is suspected on the basis of imaging findings and confirmed at pathology. Surgery is required. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not improve prognosis significantly.

[Endo-bronchial lipoma. Apropos of a case]. / Lipome endo-bronchique. A propos d'un cas.

We report a case of an endobronchial lipoma on a 63 year-old woman, treated surgically. A literature review allows us to show the importance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and computerized tomography in the diagnosis of this kind of benign tumors. The different aspects of treatment with recent progress represented by endoscopic resection are studied.

[Endobronchial neurogenic tumors]. / Les tumeurs neurogènes endobronchiques.

Endobronchial neurogenic tumours are exceptional and little known. The authors report two cases of such tumours: a neurofibroma of the right main bronchus in a 32 year old man and a schwannoma of the left main bronchus in a 10 year old child. Pneumonectomy was necessary in both cases due to destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma distal to the obstruction. The incidence of this type of tumour is estimated to be between 0.2 and 4%. They may be either schwannomas or neurofibromas, the discovery of which always raises the problem of the possible association of von Recklinghausen's disease malignant forms, neurogenic sarcomas or malignant schwannomas may also be encountered. The diagnosis is based on endoscopy which reveals the tumour and allows biopsy. Treatment of these essentially benign tumours should be conservative, provided the diagnosis is made early, prior to parenchymal destruction. The prognosis is poor in the malignant forms and chemotherapy may be useful in malignant schwannomas.

[Secondary bronchogenic pulmonary hydatidosis]. / L'hydatidose pulmonaire secondaire bronchogénétique.

Secondary bronchogenic hydatid disease is a rare and little known complication of primary hydatid cyst of the lung, which is even refuted by some authors. We report 7 cases of secondary bronchogenic hydatid after surgical cure of a hydatid cyst which had ruptured into the bronchi, while the last case concerned a young girl who was treated by corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis and who developed secondary bronchogenic hydatid from a cyst rupturing into the bronchi in the absence of surgery. Hydatid dissemination was ipsilateral to the primary cyst in 5 cases, controlateral in one case and bilateral in one case. Five patients underwent radical surgery. The patient with bilateral dissemination was operated on one side and a large number of residual cysts were eliminated by vomica, as for the last patient; these two patients are still under surveillance. The operation and general anaesthesia played a predisposing role in the pathogenesis of this complication and inhibition of immune mechanisms could also play a role. Prevention is necessary when treating a hydatid cyst of the lung which has ruptured into the bronchi. Treatment is surgical, bearing in mind that a large number of secondary cysts can be eliminated by vomica or may involute spontaneously.

[Secondary bronchogenic pulmonary hydatidosis]. / L'hydatidose pulmonaire secondaire bronchogénétique.

Secondary bronchogenic hydatid disease is a rare and little known complication of primary hydatid cyst of the lung, which is even refuted by some authors. We report 7 cases of secondary bronchogenic hydatid after surgical cure of a hydatid cyst which had ruptured into the bronchi, while the last case concerned a young girl who was treated by corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis and who developed secondary bronchogenic hydatid from a cyst rupturing into the bronchi in the absence of surgery. Hydatid dissemination was ipsilateral to the primary cyst in 5 cases, contralateral in one case and bilateral in one case. Five patients underwent radical surgery. The patient with bilateral dissemination was operated on one side and a large number of residual cysts were eliminated by vomica, as for the last patient; these two patients are still under surveillance. The operation and general anaesthesia played a predisposing role in the pathogenesis of this complication and inhibition of immune mechanisms could also play a role. Prevention is necessary when treating a hydatid cyst of the lung which has ruptured into the bronchi. Treatment is surgical, bearing in mind that a large number of secondary cysts can be eliminated by vomica or may involute spontaneously.

[Place of thoracotomy in thoracic complications of hydatid cysts of the liver]. / Place de la thoracotomie dans les complications thoraciques des kystes hydatiques du foie.

The authors present 16 cases of hydatid cyst of the liver with rupture into the thorax, operated by thoracotomy. In 15 cases, the cyst ruptured into the right hemithorax and in one case, it ruptured into the left hemithorax. We adopted the classification proposed by our master S. Mestiri, which completes that proposed by Dévé. The diagnosis is essentially based on thoraco-abdominal ultrasonography, which visualises the hydatid cyst, reveals intrathoracic collections, demonstrates the diaphragmatic tear and studies the biliary tract looking for obstruction or dilatation. The diagnosis was established in 12 out of 16 cases. There were 3 postoperative deaths (18.7%): two from septic shock and one from cerebral vein thrombosis. Only one patient had to be operated via an abdominal incision one month after thoracotomy for cholangitis secondary to stones in the common bile duct which were not seen on the preoperative ultrasonography. Laparotomy is required whenever there is a biliary problem and may be sufficient in type 1 lesions. Thoracotomy is necessary whenever there is an intrathoracic collection (types II, III, IV) and is sufficient in the absence of any biliary tract lesions.

[Arterial involvement in Behçet's disease]. / L'atteinte artérielle de la maladie de Behçet.

Ten cases of Behçet's disease with arterial lesions were observed in a series of 500 patients over a period of 12 years. The majority of patients were male (9/10) aged between 24 and 36 years with a mean of 30 +/- 5 years. The first group (3 cases) presented with thrombosis of the radial and superficial femoral arteries, the second group (4 cases) presented with aneurysm of the subclavian artery, common and external iliac arteries, brachiocephalic trunk and abdominal aorta and the third group (3 cases) had a combination of thrombosis and aneurysm of the pulmonary, external iliac and renal arteries.