The importance of serum and pleural fluid level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF fluid/serum ratio in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma-related pleural effusion.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the parameters that has been studied in differential diagnosis of malignant fluids. This study is aimed at evaluate applicability of serum, fluid VEGF level and fluid to serum VEGF ratio in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients with pleural effusion over age of 18, between 2011 and 2015 were included in the study. They were divided into three groups: group 1 - mesothelioma patients; group 2 - other malignancies; and group 3 - benign aetiologies. Group 1 and 2 were termed as the malignant group. Fluid, serum VEGF levels, and the ratio of fluid/serum VEGF level were studied to evaluate the fluid/serum VEGF ratio in all groups. RESULTS: Twenty cases with mesothelioma, 44 cases with other malignancies, and 20 cases with benign aetiologies were included in this study. No statistically significant difference was found according to serum VEGF levels for all groups, (group 1: 437 ±324 pg/ml, group 2: 354 ±223 pg/ml, group 3: 373 ±217 pg/ml, p = 0.836), while fluid VEGF levels showed a statistically significant difference (group 1: 3359 ±700 pg/ml, group 2: 2175 ±435 pg/ml, group 3: 1092 ±435 pg/ml, p = 0.041). The ratio of fluid to serum VEGF levels showed a difference, at the significance limit, between the malignant (group 1 and group 2) and benign (group 3) groups (8.83 ±1.29 vs. 4.57 ±1.07, p = 0.059) but showed a statistically significant difference between the mesothelioma and benign groups (12.11 ±1.68 vs. 4.57 ±1.07, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The VEGF fluid/serum ratio may be an applicable parameter in the differential diagnosis of malignant fluids, especially MPM.

The demonstration of the inferior sternal cleft using three-dimensional reconstruction: a case report.

Congenital sternal cleft is a rare disorder in which there is a gap in the midline of the anterior chest wall between the two halves of the sternum. Typically, the contour of the mediastinal structures can be seen beneath the skin. It is rare and the exact incidence is not known. It results from failure of fusion of the two lateral mesodermal sternal bars by 8 weeks of gestation. Most cases are diagnosed shortly after birth and are reported only rarely in adults. We report here one of the congenital major chest wall deformities; inferior sternal cleft is rarely seen, associated with sternal and costal variations in a 22-year young man.

Risk factors affecting post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome development in thoracic trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the risk factors affecting post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome development in thoracic trauma patients. METHODS: This two-centered, retrospective study included 3,080 thoracic trauma patients (2,562 males, 518 females; mean age 33.9±19.4 years; range, 2 months to 91 years) treated between January 2005 and January 2019. Demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injury, traumatic injuries, injury severity score and new injury severity score results, treatments, comorbidities, complications, morbidity and mortality rates, and durations of hospital stay were collected. Data were used to predict the risk factors for development of post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome was detected in 81 patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis; age, pulmonary contusion, intracranial hemorrhage, rib fracture (unilateral and four-five pieces), femur and tibia fracture, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, blood transfusion (≥3 units), high white blood cell count at admission, sepsis, and hepatic injury were detected as independent risk factors (p<0.05). Optimal cutoff points (sensitivity/specificity ratios) for acute respiratory distress syndrome development risk were ≥16 (79%/68%) for injury severity score, ≥27 (90%/68.7%) for new injury severity score, and ≥16,000 (75.3%/71.6%) for admission white blood cell count. New injury severity score was superior than injury severity score to predict the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: Acute respiratory distress syndrome causes significant mortality and morbidity in trauma patients. In addition to the well-known risk factors, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were independent risk factors. We defined a cutoff value for new injury severity score to predict post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Comparison of awake and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of pleural diseases: A prospective multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the safety and diagnostic accuracy of awake and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of pleural diseases. METHODS: This prospective randomized study was conducted between October 2016 and April 2018 and included 293 patients (201 males, 92 females; mean age 53.59 years; range, 18 to 90 years) from five medical centers experienced in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The patients were randomized into two groups as awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with sedoanalgesia (non-intubated) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with general anesthesia (intubated). Patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions and pleural pathologies such as nodules and masses were included. Conditions such as pain, agitation, and hypoxia were indications for intubation. The groups were compared in terms of demographic data, postoperative pain, operative time, complications, diagnostic accuracy of the procedures, and cost. All patients completed a follow-up period of at least 12 months for samples that were non-specific, suspicious for malignancy or inadequate. RESULTS: Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 145 and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 148 patients. Pleural disease was unilateral in 83% (243/293) and bilateral in 17% (50/293) of the patients. There was no difference between the groups in terms of presence of comorbidity (p=0.149). One patient in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%) was converted to general anesthesia due to refractory pain and agitation. As postoperative complications, fluid drainage and pneumonia were observed in one patient in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%) and fluid drainage was detected in one patient in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%). There were no differences in pain intensity measured with visual analog scale at postoperative 4, 8, 12, or 24 hours (p>0.05). Distribution and rates of postoperative pathological diagnoses were also similar (p=0.171). Both operative cost and total hospital cost were lower in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (p<0.001, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is safe, has similar reliability and diagnostic accuracy compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery performed under general anesthesia, and is less costly. Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be the first method of choice in all patients, not only in those with comorbidities.

Congenital lobar emphysema: differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach.

BACKGROUND: Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare anomaly of lung development that usually presents in the neonatal period with respirator distress and pulmonary lobar hyperinflation. It is commonly confused with pneumothorax. The aim of the present paper was to review the authors' experience in order to emphasize the importance of differential diagnosis with pneumothorax. METHODS: Children with CLE treatment at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Dicle University School of Medicine, Turkey, between January 1993 and June 2004, were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten children consisting of six boys and four girls (age range, 6 h-12 months) had CLE. Major presenting symptoms were tachypnea(n = 100%) and respiratory distress in (n = 80%). On chest radiograph, emphysema was seen in all patients, and shift-herniation to the opposite lung, atelectasis were observed. Computed tomography was performed in all patients, which indicated emphysema in the affected lobes in all cases. Pulmonary perfusion scan was performed in two patients, showing loss of perfusion in the affected lobe. The most common affected lobe was the left upper lobe (50%). In the present series, three patients were mistakenly diagnosed as pneumothorax and intercostal drains were inserted in the emergency department. Eight patients underwent lobectomy, and postoperative course was uneventful. Two patients were followed conservatively. Emphysema was detected in all pathological specimens. One patient was lost to follow up. Mean follow-up duration of all patients was 26.8 +/- 29.24 months (range, 1-89 months). CONCLUSIONS: CLE is established on combined clinical, radiological and scintigraphic imaging. Surgical excision of the affected lobe is the appropriate treatment. Particularly, differential diagnosis should be made between CLE and pneumothorax.

Evaluation of factors affecting prognosis in penetrating thoracic injuries.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the prognostic factors affecting survival and clinical outcomes in patients exposed to pediatric penetrating thoracic injury. METHODS: A t otal o f 2 67 p ediatric p enetrating t horacic injury patients (217 males, 50 females; mean age 10.8 years; range, 3 to 17 years) who were treated at our hospital during the recent 20 years were analyzed retrospectively. Penetrating thoracic injuries were divided into three groups: incisive/stabbing injuries, gunshot injuries, explosive injuries. Patients" age, gender, New Injury Severity Score, injury type, injuries accompanying thoracic trauma, types of treatment applied, length of hospital stay, and morbidity and mortality outcomes were examined. Their prognostic characteristics were compared to their injury types, New Injury Severity Scores, lengths of hospital stay and complications. RESULTS: Of the patients, 103 were exposed to gunshot injuries, 128 to incisive/stabbing injuries, and 36 to explosive injuries. Of the penetrating thoracic injuries, while 211 (79%) were isolated injuries, 56 (21%) were accompanying non-thoracic injuries. Mean New Injury Severity Score was 13±10. Of the patients, 50 (18.6%) were treated with medical therapy alone, 199 (74.5%) with tube thoracostomy, and 18 (6.7%) with thoracotomy. Fiftyone patients (19%) developed complications. Length of hospital was 9±2.7 days. Twenty-one patients (7.9%) died. New Injury Severity Scores, rates of combined injuries, complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality were higher in explosive injuries (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pediatric penetrating thoracic injuries may be observed in all age groups in children, the most severe type being explosive injuries. Prognostic factors may vary according to injury type, complications, treatment approach, and presence of accompanying non-thoracic injuries.

The role of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis of non-lung cancer diseases.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinoscopy is a good method to evaluate mediastinal lesions. We sought to determine the current role of mediastinoscopy in the investigation of non-lung cancer patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical parameters (age, gender, histological diagnosis, morbidity, mortality) of all patients without lung cancer who consecutively underwent mediastinoscopy in Hospital of Faculty of Medicine of Dicle University between June 2003 and December 2016. RESULTS: Two-hundred twenty nine patients without lung cancer who underwent mediastinoscopy for the pathological evaluation of mediastinum during the study period were included. There were 156 female (68%) and 73 male (32%) patients. Mean age was 52.6 years (range, 16 to 85 years). Mean operative time was 41 minutes (range, 25 to 90 minutes). Mean number of biopsies was 9.3 (range, 5 to 24). Totally, 45 patients (19.6%) had previously undergone a nondiagnostic bronchoscopic biopsy such as transbronchial needle aspiration or endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. Mediastinoscopy was diagnostic for all patients. Diagnosis included sarcoidosis (n=100), tuberculous lymphadenitis (n=66), anthracosis lymphadenitis (n=44), lymphoma (n=11) metastatic carcinoma (n=5), and Castleman's disease (n=1); there was a diagnosis of silicosis in one patient and tymoma in one patient. Neither operative mortality nor major complication developed. The only minor complication was wound infection which was detected in three patients. CONCLUSION: Although newer diagnostic modalities are being increasingly used to diagnose mediastinal diseases, mediastinoscopy continues to be a reliable method for the investigation of mediastinal lesions.

Ectodermal dysplasia: Retrospective study of fifteen cases.

The aim of this article is to review possible cranio-maxillofacial deformative consequences associated with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and embryonic malformations, which include dental ageneses, and describe the oral habilitation. Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia patients had a clinical examination and underwent radiographic and Steiner's analyses and a respiratory capability test before assessment and treatment. Fifteen patients (eight males and seven females, aged 5-45 years) had tooth ageneses (from hypodontia to anodontia) associated with cutaneous dyshydrosis and hair and nail dystrophy. Most patients had sparse or absent hair, a short face with an unusual facial concavity, a maxillary retrusion and a relative mandibular protrusion. Dentists must conduct a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to these patients in order to improve their dental, masticatory, growth and orthognathic conditions.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts: report of 139 cases.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation that is endemic in many sheep- and cattle-raising areas and is still an important health problem in the world. The aim of our study was to present our surgical experience and strategy in the management of pulmonary hydatid disease. One hundred thirty-nine patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts underwent surgical treatment in our clinic between January 1990 and April 2002. A total of 169 cysts were present in 139 patients. Fifteen patients had concomitant hydatid cysts in liver and lung. Our series consisted of 76 male and 63 female patients, and mean age was 28.6 +/- 17 years (range, 5-65 years). Only pulmonary hydatid cysts were seen in 123 patients (88.5%), whereas there were 15 patients (10.8%) with combined pulmonary and hepatic disease. Hydatid cyst was found in a patient both in lung and spleen (0.7%). Lateral thoracotomy was performed in 115 patients (82.73%), bilateral thoracotomy in 9 patients (6.48%), thoracophrenotomy in 11 patients (7.91%), and median sternotomy and phrenotomy in 4 patients (2.88%). Resection techniques were used only in 10 patients. The most common complication was atelectasis (5.0%). The mortality rate was 1.8% (3 patients). Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts. Thoracaphrenotomy can be chosen as the surgical procedure in management of hepatic and pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Evaluation of ectodermal dysplasia.

This case series report outlines possible cranio-maxillofacial deformation consequences associated with ectodermal dysplasia (ED) and embryonic malformations, including dental agenesis. Also described are the oral aspects and rehabilitation. A total of 14 ED patients (7 males and 7 females, aged 5-45 years) underwent clinical examination before assessment and treatment. Lateral cephalometric radiography, Steiner's analysis, and respiratory capacity tests were performed. Most of the patients had sparse or absent hair, a short face with an unusual facial concavity, a maxillary retrusion, and a relative mandible protrusion. Depending on age and orthopedic abnormalities, patients were treated with prosthodontic and orthodontic approaches or implant treatment. Therapists should take a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach with these patients to improve their dental, masticatory, growth, and orthognathic conditions, as well as esthetic appearance.

Do Meteorological Changes Have an Effect on The Occurence of Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous pneumothorax refers to the leakage of air into the space between the parietal and the visceral layers of the pleura. It occurs with or without a known lung disease. We aimed to investigate the effects of atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature changes on the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 551 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax retrospectively screened between January 2009 and December 2013. The medical data of the patients were accessed via their medical records on the hospital automation system. The atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity rate, amount of precipitation, and wind velocity on the day of spontaneous pneumothorax were obtained from the data provided by the general directorate of meteorology. The three consecutive days on which at least 2 cases of SP presented were collectively considered as a cluster. The study data were analyzed with the SPSS version 15 software package, using the Chi-square and the Student's t tests. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 552 patients included in the study, 89.3% had primary spontaneous pneumothorax and 10.7% had secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Ninety-two percent of the patients were male and 8% were female. The mean age was 24 years. Clustering was observed in 71.7% of the study population. No significant differences were observed between yearly and monthly SP incidences. There were, however, differences between the days with SP and the days without SP with respect to atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature, wind velocity, and humidity rate. The differences between the atmospheric pressures were not statistically significant, although the differences between the ambient temperature and the humidity rate were statistically significant (p≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: We determined that the changes in the ambient temperature and the humidity rate affected the rate of spontaneous pneumothorax by altering the meteorological conditions.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the mediastinum.

We report a rare case of lymphoepithelial cyst of the mediastinum. A 38-year-old woman was found to have a right paratracheal mediastinal mass on chest radiograph. Computed tomographic scanning showed a cystic mass on the right side of the trachea. The encapsulated mass was situated in the upper mediastinum and was adherent to the trachea. The lesion was resected via a right thoracotomy. Histopathologic examination showed that the cystic mass was lined with 1 layer of ciliate columnar epithelium. There were no malignant foci. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of multicystic lymphoepithelial cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 7th postoperative day.

Phrenic nerve injury after blunt trauma.

Phrenic nerve injury resulting from blunt trauma is unusual and may closely mimic diaphragmatic rupture. Diagnosis remains difficult and is often delayed. A prompt diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. We describe one patient with phrenic nerve injury in whom the diagnosis was made late at the time of injury. Radiograph, ultrasonography, and computed tomography were helpful in the diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed on our patient for diagnostic purposes. Left phrenic nerve injury and pericardial injury were found. Diaphragmatic plication was performed through a miniature left posterolateral thoracotomy. This case was presented to show the unusual nature of phrenic nerve injury.

[Diaphragmatic injury: condition be noticed in the management of thoracic trauma]. / Toraks travmasi takibinde dikkat edilmesi gereken durum: Diyafragma yaralanmalari.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to emphasize diaphragmatic injuries that can be overlooked in chest traumas. METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2013, fifty-three patients with traumatic diaphragmatic laceration were evaluted among 1349 patients who had chest injuries. Patients were examined regarding age, gender, associated injuries, surgical interventions, postoperative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stays. RESULTS: Of them, fifty-three cases had diaphragmatic lacerations. There were forty-eight male and five female patients, with a mean age of 31.06 (4-60) years and 35.80 (18-50) years. Thoracotomy in 66%, laparotomy in 20.75% and laparotomy+thoracotomy in 13.20% of the cases were performed. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was carried out in 15.09% of the patients. Diaphragm was repaired on the left in thirty-one cases and in the right in twenty-two cases. Pulmonary complications like morbidity was mostly seen in 37.73% of blunt trauma. Mortality was seen in three cases of penetrating trauma. Mean hospital duration was 8.75 days (range, 4-15 days). Patients were followed for a mean duration of 28.13 months (range, 3-60 months). There was no significant statistical difference between types of injury, ages and gender of cases (p=0.05); whereas, morbidity rate was important in patients with blunt trauma. DISCUSSION: Diaphragmatic lacerations should be kept in mind when penetrating and blunt injuries to the thorax are evaluated.

Ruptured hydatid cysts of the lung in children: clinical review and results of surgery.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of a hydatid cyst may cause some unique problems, especially in children. METHODS: Sixty-three children with a total of 68 ruptured lung hydatid cysts were operated on between 1980 and 2000. Mean age was 12.3 years (range, 1 to 15 years). Radiographic findings were hydropneumothorax (20.6%) and air-fluid level (19%). Mean follow-up was 19.3 months. RESULTS: Transthoracic needle aspiration was responsible for the rupture in 3 children. The interval between cyst rupture and operation was less than 24 hours in 10 patients (15.9%), 1 to 4 days in 36 (57.1%), and more than 4 days in 17 (27%). Resection rate was 22.1%. The most frequent operative method was cystotomy and capitonnage (38%). Morbidity was 25.4% (extended air leak 5, empyema 3, bronchopleural fistula 3, atelectasis 3, pneumonia 2). Mortality was 4.7% (hemoptysis 1, pneumonia and sepsis 1, aspiration of hydatid material 1). Morbidity and mortality seem to be more frequent in late cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention with single-lung ventilation and maximum parenchyma preservation are recommended.

Management of multiloculated empyema thoracis in children: thoracotomy versus fibrinolytic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Progression of empyema, with the development of fibrinous adhesions and loculations, makes simple drainage difficult or impossible. The appropriate management remains controversial. Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment to facilitate drainage of loculated empyema instead of open thoracotomy has been advocated recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intrapleural fibrinolytic application. METHODS: In our clinic we used urokinase in 28 patients and performed thoracotomy and decortication in another 43. The two groups of patients had similar characteristics. Mean age was 10.2 (range: 3-14 years). All had undergone medical treatment and tube thoracostomy. Empyema severity score (ESS) was measured in all. RESULTS: Fibrinolytic treatment, and thoracotomy and decortication had complete response rates of 67.8 and 100%, respectively. Treatment was ineffective in six (21.4%) out of 28 patients who underwent urokinase instillation; they recovered after thoracotomy. In three (10.7%) patients, partial resolution was observed. One patient died of sepsis and pleural hemorrhage. Mean hospital stay after urokinase was 10.7 (range: 6-17) days. In the thoracotomy group, all patients recovered completely. No deaths occurred. Postoperative complications were incisional infection in two patients, atelectasis in one and reoperation after hemorrhage in one. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 9.5 (5-19) days. The ESS of cases operated on was lower postoperatively (0.3 versus 0.8). CONCLUSION: Continued conservative therapy risks morbidity and mortality. Thoracotomy-decortication can be used successfully and must remain the preferred method in the treatment of multiloculated pediatric empyema.

Surgical treatment of post-traumatic tracheobronchial injuries: 14-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Tracheobronchial injuries have different clinical pictures and high mortality unless aggressive treatment is used. We reviewed our surgical experience. METHODS: The records of 32 patients from 1988 to 2002 were reviewed. Mean age was 22.3 years (range: 4-53). Three patients were female. Prominent symptoms were dyspnea, subcutaneous air and pneumothorax in chest X-rays. Associated injuries were seen in 22 patients (68.7%): most frequently in the lung parenchyma (11 patients) and esophagus (seven patients). Bronchoscopic detection of a rupture of the trachea or bronchus was the main indication for surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen injuries (59%) were penetrating and 13 blunt (41%). The most common presenting sign of airway disruption was subcutaneous emphysema (25%) and stridor (22%). Of the 32 patients, 22 underwent bronchoscopic examination. Bronchography was used in three patients admitted during the late period. Surgical morbidity was 19.3%. Seven patients died (21.8%), of whom six had been operated on. In operations performed during the first 2 h of trauma, no mortality occurred. There were associated injuries in 100% of patients that died and in 60% of those that survived. The proportion (100 vs. 24%) and duration (2.8 vs. 11.6 days) of ventilatory support were lower in patients that survived than in those that died. Mean injury severity score of patients that died was 34.7+/-8.8 while it was 24.3+/-8.6 in those that survived. Tracheal stenosis developed in three patients (9.3%). CONCLUSION: In civilian life, tracheobronchial injuries occur relatively rarely. Early diagnosis and operative intervention save lives. Associated injury is an important mortality factor.

Management of postpneumonic empyemas in children.

OBJECTIVES: Despite continued improvement in medical therapy, pediatric empyema remains a challenging problem for the surgeon. Multiple treatment options are available; however, the optimal therapeutic management has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to assess different treatment options in the management of postpneumonic pediatric empyemas. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients admitted to Dicle University School of Medicine Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department between 1990 and 2002, with the diagnosis of empyema. Data tabulated included patient demographics, presentation, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: There were 515 children (289 boys and 226 girls) with a mean age of 4.7 ranging from 18 days to 15 years. Empyema was secondary to pneumonia in all children. The most common radiologic finding was pleural effusion in 285 patients (55.32%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently encountered organism and found in 105 patients (20.38%). Pleural fluid cultures were negative in 195 patients (37.86%). In addition to antibiotic therapy, initial treatment included serial thoracenthesis (n = 29), chest tube drainage alone (n = 214), chest tube drainage with intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (n = 72), chest tube drainage with primary operation (n = 191), and primary operation without chest tube drainage (n = 9). Overall response rate with fibrinolytic treatment (complete and partial response) was obtained in 58 patients. In addition to decortication pulmonary resections were performed in 12 patients. Overall mortality rate was 1.55%. There was no operative mortality. Postoperative morbidity included wound infection in 21, delayed expansion in 8, and atelectasis in 35 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple therapeutic options are available for the management of pediatric empyema. Depending on stages, every option has a role in the treatment of postpneumonic pediatric empyema. In the absence of bronchopleural fistula, intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment should be tried in all patients with multiloculations in stage II empyema. In the absence of pneumonia, decortication for empyema is a safe approach with low mortality and morbidity rates.

Thoracic firearm injuries in children: management and analysis of prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic firearm injuries (TFI) have become increasingly prevalent in children. Our purpose is to assess the injury pattern, Injury Severity Score (ISS), length of hospital stay (LOS), management and outcome of children with TFI with respect to the type of injury and to evaluate the value of ISS for predicting injury severity and the eventual need for thoracotomy, as well as the rate of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between January 1987 and June 2002, 110 children (88 boys and 22 girls) 25. SGW and EW groups had a significantly higher ISS. The mean LOS was 10.84+/-4.7 days (range 4-42). The value of LOS was significantly higher in children with SGW and EW. CONCLUSION: The majority of TFI in children can be treated successfully by tube thoracostomy if there are no gross pulmonary lacerations and airway injuries. SGW and EW were commonly associated with higher ISS and LOS. The ISS was found to be an independent predictor of the need for thoracotomy, as well as for rates of morbidity and mortality.

Primary giant hydatid cyst of the diaphragm.

We report a case of an hydatid cyst of diaphragma in a 34-year-old female who was admitted to our clinic for right basithoracic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reported a giant hydatid cyst including multiple vesicles at the right lower thoracic cavity. Surgical exploration revealed an independent giant diaphragmatic hydatid cyst. We performed cystotomy and more than 200 daughter vesicles were removed from the cyst. The rest of the giant cyst cavity was excised.