Hepatic and pulmonary cystic echinococcosis in a patient from the Central African Republic.

Apical lung opacity was diagnosed in an asymptomatic 30 year-old woman native of Central African Republic by routine chest X-ray. CT scan demonstrated an excavated pulmonary mass and revealed a simple hepatic cyst. Tuberculosis was suspected but mycobacterial cultures remained negative. Three months later, ultrasonography showed septations within the hepatic lesion suggestive of cystic echinococcosis. The detection of seric anti-Echinococcus antibodies was positive. Hepatic and pulmonary cysts were removed surgically and association with three-month course of albendazole resulted in a favorable outcome. Cystic echinococcosis is exceptional in Central Africa and to our knowledge never reported from the Central African Republic.

Impact of MDCT angiography on the management of patients with hemoptysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of MDCT angiography to modify early results in patients undergoing endovascular embolization for hemoptysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was performed of two consecutive cohorts with 200 patients each who were treated by endovascular embolization for severe hemoptysis; one cohort underwent MDCT angiography and the other did not, but patients underwent further exploration with global aortography. We compared the two groups for patients' age and sex and for the volume, cause, and mechanisms of hemoptysis. Evaluation included the number of sessions needed to control the hemoptysis, the primary failure of bronchial artery embolization, the recurrence of hemoptysis, pulmonary artery vasoocclusion, urgent surgical resection, and death by massive hemoptysis during hospitalization. Failure was defined as the absence of embolization during the first session. Recurrence was defined as rebleeding despite technically successful bronchial artery embolization. RESULTS: Differences between the groups were statistically significant for patient age (p < 0.05), endovascular treatment failure among patients older than 70 years (p < 0.05), pulmonary artery vasoocclusion in comparison with diagnostic pulmonary artery angiography (p < 0.0001), and urgent surgical resection (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The impact of MDCT angiography was significant in reducing the rate of vascular catheterization failure in patients older than 70 years, increasing the number of pulmonary artery vasoocclusions, and reducing the number of urgent surgical resection.

Risk and protective factors for major complications after pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

Pneumonectomy carries a high-risk for postoperative complications. The aim of the study was to identify factors that may predispose to the development of major postoperative complications after pneumonectomy for lung cancer. All consecutive patients from January 2000 to December 2005 were retrospectively studied. Major postoperative complications were defined by respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, shock, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, myocardial ischaemia or symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia. One hundred and twenty-nine patients were included. The overall hospital mortality rate was 10.8%, and complications occurred in 42.6%. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) class >2 [odds ratio (OR) 8.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.19-36.55] and liberal fluid administration during surgery (OR, 1.96 for each litre; 95% CI, 1.45-3.16) to be risk factor for major cardiopulmonary complication or mortality. Preoperative haemoglobin > or =10 g/dl (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.01-0.91) and low tidal volume administrated during surgery (< or =7.35 ml/kg; OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.10-0.92) were identified as protective factors. Pneumonectomy remains a high-risk surgery. Postoperative complications may be influenced by the comorbidities but also the management of fluid infusion and mechanical ventilation during the surgical procedure.

Surgical lung resection for severe hemoptysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of surgical lung resection in the management of severe hemoptysis has evolved after advances in interventional radiology. We sought to describe the indications for surgical lung resection in such patients and to identify predictive factors of postoperative complications. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis (May 1995 to July 2006) of consecutive patients referred to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital for severe hemoptysis who underwent surgical lung resection. RESULTS: Among 813 patients referred for severe hemoptysis, 111 underwent surgical lung resection. Interventional radiology had been first attempted in 87 patients (78%); 68 underwent surgery because of a failed procedure (n = 28) or bleeding persistence or recurrence within 72 hours despite a completed procedure (n = 40); 19 patients underwent surgery after bleeding control. The remaining 24 patients (22%) were directly referred to the surgeon (5 for emergency surgery). Overall, surgery was performed in emergency (n = 48), scheduled after bleeding control (n = 48), or planned after discharge (n = 15). The main indications for surgery were mycetoma, cancer, bronchiectasis, and active tuberculosis. Surgery for mycetoma (odds ratio, 9.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.8 to 32), emergency surgery (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 16), and pneumonectomy (odds ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 18) independently predicted complications. Fifteen patients died in the intensive care unit, of whom 14 underwent emergency surgery. Chronic alcoholism (odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 19), the need for mechanical ventilation or vasoactive drugs on admission (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 35), and blood transfusion before surgery (odds ratio, 8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 42) predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Attempting at controlling bleeding with first-line nonsurgical approaches appears necessary to optimize the operative conditions and improve outcome of patients with severe hemoptysis.

Approach to diagnosis and pathological examination in bronchial Dieulafoy disease: a case series.

BACKGROUND: There are limited series concerning Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus. We describe the clinical presentation of a series of 7 patients diagnosed with Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus and provide information about the pathological diagnosis approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for massive and unexplained recurrent hemoptysis in a referral center during a 11-year period. RESULTS: Seven heavy smoker (49 pack years) patients (5 males) mean aged 54 years experienced a massive hemoptysis (350-1000 ml) unrelated to a known lung disease and frequently recurrent. Bronchial contrast extravasation was observed in 3 patients, combining both CT scan and bronchial arteriography. Efficacy of bronchial artery embolization was achieved in 40% of cases before surgery. Pathological examination demonstrated a minute defect in 3 cases and a large and dysplasic superficial bronchial artery in the submucosa in all cases. CONCLUSION: Dieulafoy disease should be suspected in patients with massive and unexplained episodes of recurrent hemoptysis, in order to avoid hazardous endoscopic biopsies and to alert the pathologist if surgery is performed.

An integrated approach to diagnosis and management of severe haemoptysis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a case series from a referral centre.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available concerning patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe haemoptysis. We reviewed a large series of patients managed in a uniform way to describe the clinical spectrum and outcome of haemoptysis in this setting, and better define the indications for bronchial artery embolisation (BAE). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 196 patients referred for severe haemoptysis to a respiratory intermediate care ward and ICU between January 1999 and December 2001. A follow-up by telephone interview or a visit. RESULTS: Patients (148 males) were aged 51 (+/- sd, 16) years, with a median cumulated amount of bleeding averaging 200 ml on admission. Bronchiectasis, lung cancer, tuberculosis and mycetoma were the main underlying causes. In 21 patients (11%), no cause was identified. A first-line bronchial arteriography was attempted in 147 patients (75%), whereas 46 (23%) received conservative treatment. Patients who underwent BAE had a higher respiratory rate, greater amount of bleeding, persistent bloody sputum and/or evidence of active bleeding on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. When completed (n = 131/147), BAE controlled haemoptysis in 80% of patients, both in the short and long (> 30 days) terms. Surgery was mostly performed when bronchial arteriography had failed and/or bleeding recurred early after completed BAE. Bleeding was controlled by conservative measures alone in 44 patients. The ICU mortality rate was low (4%). CONCLUSION: Patients with evidence of more severe or persistent haemoptysis were more likely to receive BAE rather than conservative management. The procedure was effective and safe in most patients with severe haemoptysis, and surgery was mostly reserved to failure of arteriography and/or early recurrences after BAE.

Paravertebral block with ropivacaine 0.5% versus systemic analgesia for pain relief after thoracotomy.

PURPOSE: Paravertebral block in combination to intravenous analgesics could be an alternative to epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracotomy, but it has been scarcely evaluated so far. We thus assessed the efficacy of paravertebral block using a continuous infusion of ropivacaine in a multimodal analgesic approach. DESCRIPTION: Forty patients were randomized to receive ketoprofen, paracetamol, and patient-controlled-analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine (control group) or the same treatment with a continuous 48-hour infusion of ropivacaine 0.5% (0.1 mL/kg(-1)/h(-1)) in a thoracic paravertebral catheter (thoracic paravertebral block [TPVB] group). Visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and when coughing, morphine consumption, and side effects were recorded during the first 48 hours after surgery. Venous blood was sampled at 24 and 48 hours for ropivacaine plasma concentration measurements. EVALUATION: Mean VAS scores at rest and when coughing were significantly decreased in the TPBV group (p < 0.005). Despite a decrease in the morphine-titrated dose given in the postanesthesia care unit, cumulated morphine consumption was not significantly different between the two groups (51 +/- 29 mg and 57 +/- 24 mg in the TPVB and control groups, respectively). Side effects (nausea, vomiting, urinary retention) were less frequent in the TPBV group (30% vs 75%; p < 0.005). Plasma ropivacaine concentrations remained below the toxic threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous paravertebral ropivacaine 0.5% infusion improves pain control after thoracic surgery using a multimodal analgesic approach.

[Standards, Options and Recommendations for the management of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations 2000 pour la prise en charge des patients atteints d'un cancer bronchopulmonaire non á petites cellules (rapport abrégé).

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of French Cancer Centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French cancer centers and specialists from French public university and general hospitals and private clinics. Its main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop, according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations, clinical practice guidelines for the management of non small cell lung carcinoma patients. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and the personal reference lists of members of the expert groups, then submitted for review to independent reviewers. This is a short version of the SOR guideline covering diagnosis, treatment and follow-up and includes the algorithms for the management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

[2000 Standards, Options and Recommendations for prognostic value of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in non small cell lung cancer]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations 2000 pour l'intérêt pronostique des oncogènes et gènes suppresseurs de tumeurs dans les cancers bronchopulmonaires non à petites cellules.

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of French cancer centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French cancer centers, and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and the outcome of cancer patients. The methodology is based on a literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines for non small cell lung cancer patients according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline , web sites, and using the personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers. RESULTS: This article presents the chapter "Prognosis significance of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes" from the full report "Standards, Options and Recommendation for non small cell lung cancer" validated in August 2000. The main recommendations are: 1) No clear clinical prognostic value of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (p53, bcl-2, Ki-ras, c-erbB-2, Rb, p16) in non small cell lung cancer, can be established from the available evidences (standard, level of evidence C). 2) Prospective multicenter studies should be performed to assess prognostic significance of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in non small cell lung cancer.