Neumatocele en paciente pediátrico. ¿Cuándo debemos actuar? / Pneumatocele in a pediatric patient. When should we act?

El neumatocele es una lesión cavitada llena de aire de carácter adquirido que se encuentra en el interior del parénquima pulmonar. Aunque las causas pueden variar, el origen infeccioso bacteriano es lo más frecuente. Los cambios en los serotipos de neumococo y el aumento de las neumonías necrotizantes observado en las últimas décadas hacen de este tipo de lesiones algo cada vez más frecuente. Es importante conocer la evolución esperable, así como también saber qué paciente se beneficia de intervención para evitar secuelas a largo plazo y complicaciones graves. En este artículo se exponen las causas, epidemiología, orientación diagnóstica y una propuesta de manejo para el neumatocele.

A pneumatocele is an air-filled cavitary lesion of acquired nature located within the pulmonary parenchyma. Although causes can vary, bacterial infectious origin is the most common. Changes in pneumococcal serotypes and the increase in necrotizing pneumonia observed in recent decades have made these lesions increasingly frequent. It is important to know the expected evolution and to identify which patients would benefit from intervention to prevent long-term sequelae and severe complications. This article exposes the causes, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and a management proposal for pneumatocele.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Aspergillus and Salmonella after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: An unusual case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising new treatment for different types of cancer. The infectious complications in patients taking ICIs are rare. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old male who received chemotherapy consisting of pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) for esophagus squamous cell carcinoma one month before was admitted to the emergency room with shortness of breath soon after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which was done for the inspection of the lower airway. A computed tomography of the chest revealed a progressive consolidation on the right upper lobe. Salmonella group D was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid culture. The fungal culture of the same clinical sample yielded Aspergillus niger; furthermore, a high titer (above the cut-off values) of Aspergillus antigen was found both in the BAL fluid and serum of the patient. Despite the effective spectrum and appropriate dose of antimicrobial treatment, the patient died due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of unusual pathogens in the etiology of pneumonia after ICI treatment may help to avoid underdiagnosis.

A challenging high-risk surgery for necrotizing pneumonia in a right bilobed lung.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing pneumonia is rare in children and is one of the most serious complications of a lung infection caused by antibiotic failure. We present a 12-year-old leukopenic child with a long-lasting lung infection, presenting as having a lung hydatid cyst, but diagnosing with necrotizing pneumonia in the right bilobed lung. Failure to medical treatment and ongoing leukopenia justified surgical intervention with positive results. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was referred to our teaching hospital's pediatric surgery department. He had previously been diagnosed with intestinal tuberculosis (TB) and received anti-TB treatment. On referral to our hospital, the patient was suffering from restlessness, frequent coughing, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Following the completion of the clinical work-up, a blood test revealed leukopenia (white blood cell count of 2100/microliter), a normal platelet count, and a lesion in the right lung. Computerized tomography scanning (CT-Scan) image reported a lung hydatid cyst. In the pediatrics ward, a broad-spectrum antibiotics regimen with triple-antibiotic therapy (linezolid, vancomycin, and metronidazole) was instituted and continued for a week with no response, but worsening of the condition. In the pediatric surgery ward, our decision for surgical intervention was due to the failure of medical treatment because of a pulmonary lesion. Our team performed right lung upper lobe anterior segment wedge resection due to necrotizing pneumonia and followed the patient 45 days post-operation with a reasonable result. CONCLUSION: Living in remote rural areas with low resources and inaccessibility to proper and specialized diagnostic and treatment centers will all contribute to an improper diagnosis and treatment of lung infection. In total, all of these will increase the morbidity and mortality due to lung necrosis in the pediatric population, regardless of their age. In low-resource facilities, high-risk patients can benefit from surgical intervention to control the ongoing infection process.

Uncommon Cause of Hemoptysis in a 15-Year-Old Boy.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old boy presented with three acute episodes of self-limited hemoptysis. He was being followed by the pediatric pulmonology department for necrotizing pneumonia and a right upper lobe lung abscess with residual pneumatocele 5 years earlier. He had also experienced recurrent perianal abscesses and more than 15 acute suppurative otitis media throughout his life, even after myringotomy and transtympanic drainage; methicillin-sensitive Staphyloccocus aureus was found in a culture of otic exudate. He had no known allergies and was not taking any drugs. The patient's father had presented with more than 20 skin abscesses and was carrier of methicillin-resistant S aureus. After necrotizing pneumonia and along with his family history, the patient had undergone a neutrophil oxidative burst test excluding chronic granulomatous disease; immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte populations were within normal range.

Surfactant for a Patient with Refractory Pyopneumothorax and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Pneumococcal Necrotizing Pneumonia Complicated by a Bronchopleural Fistula.

Background: Necrotizing pneumonia rarely occurs in children, but when it does it can be complicated by bronchopleural fistula, empyema, pneumothorax, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of its management; however, surgery is necessary in some cases. Ideally, surgical interventions are kept to a minimum, but this is not always possible if there is a mass effect from air and fluid in the pleural space, pulmonary necrosis leading to massive hemoptysis, uncontrolled sepsis, or difficulties with assisted ventilation. Case Presentation: Herein we present a patient with refractory pyopneumothorax and ARDS due to pneumococcal necrotizing pneumonia complicated by a bronchopleural fistula. The patient's clinical condition deteriorated despite antibiotics, surgical drainage, and assisted ventilation. Owing to pneumothorax with a high percentage of air leakage, bilateral diffuse collapse of the lungs, and insufficient oxygenation, surgical treatment was considered, but because of the patient's lack of tolerance for surgery due to hemodynamic reasons and the complications associated with surgery, medical treatment was determined to be more appropriate. Surfactant treatment was administered to the patient, resulting in significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of surfactant to treat ARDS due to necrotizing pneumonia. Based on the presented case, we think surfactant can be considered as a salvage treatment for such patients.

Histopathological and virological features of lung, heart and liver percutaneous tissue core biopsy in patients with COVID-19: A clinicopathological case series.

INTRODUCTION: Data on pathological changes in COVID-19 are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the histopathological and virological findings of postmortem biopsies, and the existing clinical correlations, in people who died of COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed postmortem needle core biopsies of the chest in 11 people who died of COVID-19 pneumonia. Tissue examination was done by light microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). RESULTS: The age of the patients were between 61 to 94 years. Of the 11 postmortem chest biopsies, lung tissue was obtained in 8, myocardium tissue in 7, and liver tissue in 5. Histologically of lung, the main findings pertaining to the lung were diffuse alveolar damage in proliferative phase (n = 4, 50%), diffuse alveolar damage in exudative and proliferative phase (n = 3, 37.5%), diffuse alveolar damage in exudative (n=1; 12.5%) and acute pneumonia (n = 2, 25%). Necrotising pneumonia, acute fibrinous and organising pneumonia, and neutrophils were detected in one sample each (12.5%). Another case presented myocarditis. RT-PCR showed RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in 7 of the 8 lung samples (87.5%), 2 of the 7 myocardial tissue samples (28.6%), and 1 of the 5 liver tissue samples (20%). CONCLUSION: The postmortem examinations show diffuse alveolar damage, as well as acute or necrotising pneumonia. RT-PCR of SARS-CoV-2 was positive in most lung samples.

Uncommon pathogens in an immunocompetent host: respiratory isolation of Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and adenovirus in a patient with necrotising pneumonia.

We present the unusual case of a 60-year-old immunocompetent woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who developed a necrotising pneumonia with isolation of Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and adenovirus. The patient recovered with antimicrobial therapy and supportive care in the intensive care unit. The current literature on diagnosis and treatment of these pathogens is reviewed.

Neonatal Manifestations of Chronic Granulomatous Disease: MAS/HLH and Necrotizing Pneumonia as Unusual Phenotypes and Review of the Literature.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI), characterized by a deficient phagocyte killing due to the inability of NADPH oxidase to produce reactive oxygen species in the phagosome. Patients with CGD suffer from severe and recurrent infections and chronic inflammatory disorders. Onset of CGD has been rarely reported in neonates and only as single case reports or small case series. We report here the cases of three newborns from two different kindreds, presenting with novel infectious and inflammatory phenotypes associated with CGD. A girl with CYBA deficiency presented with necrotizing pneumonia, requiring a prolonged antibiotic treatment and resulting in fibrotic pulmonary changes. From the second kindred, the first of two brothers developed a fatal Burkholderia multivorans sepsis and died at 24 days of life. His younger brother had a diagnosis of CYBB deficiency and presented with Macrophage Activation Syndrome/Hemophagocytic Lympho-Histiocytosis (MAS/HLH) without any infection, that could be controlled with steroids. We further report the findings of a review of the literature and show that the spectrum of microorganisms causing infections in neonates with CGD is similar to that of older patients, but the clinical manifestations are more diverse, especially those related to the inflammatory syndromes. Our findings extend the spectrum of the clinical presentation of CGD to include unusual neonatal phenotypes. The recognition of the very early, potentially life-threatening manifestations of CGD is crucial for a prompt diagnosis, improvement of survival and reduction of the risk of long-term sequelae.

Lung Resection in Children with Necrotizing Pneumonia: Outcome and Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients with necrotizing pneumonia has increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to review the incidence, management, and outcome of pediatric necrotizing pneumonia requiring surgical therapy and to prove that lung resection results in favorable development of patients. We hypothesize that overall lung function in children after lung resection does not differ from that of the healthy population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective tertiary referral center study with a prospective follow-up spirometric study of patients with necrotizing pneumonia managed between January 2010 and December 2019 was performed. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 1,295 patients admitted to the pediatric department for community-acquired pneumonia; 47 patients developed necrotizing pneumonia, 36 of whom underwent parenchymal lung resection. A 5-year rise in the occurrence of necrotizing pneumonia requiring resection was 77%, with a significant increase in the last 3 years (p < 0.05). The median age at the time of surgery was 32.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 32.25) months. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most prevalent pathogen (83%), although 53.3% of these patients were vaccinated against the agent. In 67% of patients, preresection procedures were performed: drainage of pneumothorax (17%), drainage of empyema (46%), drainage of empyema with use of alteplase (25%), and thoracoscopic decortication (12%). Surgical procedures included lobectomy (72.2%), wedge resection (13.9%), bilobectomy (8.3%), and pneumonectomy (5.6%). The postoperative complication was bronchopleural fistula in three patients. There were two (5.5%) postoperative deaths due to multiple organ failure. The follow-up spirometry was performed 43.3 (median, IQR 23.8-66.7) months after surgical intervention. Normal lung function was detected in 35 (64.8%) patients, restrictive pattern in 6 (11.1%) patients, obstructive pattern in 11 (20.4%) patients, and combined in 2 (3.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: The number of patients with necrotizing pneumonia requiring resection has increased significantly in the last 3 years (p < 0.05). Aggressive surgical treatment results in significant clinical improvement in most cases and favorable lung function outcome. Long-term follow-up showed normal spirometry in 64.8% of cases.

Neumonía necrotizante: experiencia en el Hospital Roberto del Río período 2014 a 2020 / Necrotizing pneumonia: experience at the Roberto del Río Hospital from 2014 to 2020

La neumonía necrotizante se refiere a la necrosis del parénquima pulmonar producto de una infección. Existe escasa literatura nacional sobre esta complicación. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a los pacientes que cursaron con neumonía necrotizante en el Hospital Roberto del Río entre los años 2014 y 2020. MÉTODO: Revisión retrospectiva y descriptiva. RESULTADOS: 22 pacientes. Promedio de edad 4 años 7 meses, 68% masculino, esta complicación correspondió a 1,3% de todos los casos de neumonía hospitalizados en ese periodo. Un 95,5% presentó fiebre y un 59% dificultad respiratoria y tos. La duración promedio de la hospitalización fue de 31 días y del tratamiento antibiótico de 30,3 días. El 63% de los pacientes requirió cirugía. En el laboratorio destaca la leucocitosis y proteína C reactiva elevados con 71,4% > a 90 mg/L (promedio: 211 mg/L) y 52,3% leucocitosis > 15.000 (promedio: 18.127). La ecografía torácica fue la imagen más frecuentemente utilizada (95,5%). Agentes identificados Streptococcus pneumoniae (40%) y Staphylococcus aureus (40%). Un 63,6% ingresó a UCI, 35,7% requirió ventilación mecánica invasiva, 35,7% recibió drogas vasoactivas, 9% requirió de soporte ECMO (Oxigenación por Membrana Extracorpórea) y 1 paciente falleció (4,5%). DISCUSIÓN: en nuestro estudio encontramos una baja incidencia de esta patología, un alto índice de gravedad y una evolución favorable en la gran mayoría de los casos.

Necrotizing pneumonia refers to necrosis of lung parenchyma resulting from an infection. There is little national literature on this complication. OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients with necrotizing pneumonia at the Roberto del Río Children´s Hospital between 2014 to 2020. METHOD: Retrospective and descriptive review. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients, average age 4 years 7 months, male (68%). Average incidence 1.3% in 7 years; 95.5% had fever 59% had respiratory distress and cough. Average duration of hospitalization was 31 days and antibiotic treatment 30.3 days. A 63% of the patients had surgery. Leukocytosis and C-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated, 71.4% CRP > 90 mg /L (average: 211 mg /L) and 52.3% leukocytosis > 15.000 (average: 18.127). Chest ultrasound was used in 95.5%. Main agents identified were Streptococcus pneumoniae (40%) and Staphylococcus aureus (40%). A 63.6% of patients were admitted to ICU, 35.7% required invasive mechanical ventilation, 35.7% received vasoactive drugs, 9% required ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), and one patient died (4,5%). DISCUSSION: In our study we found a low incidence of this pathology, a high severity index an a favorable evolution in most cases.

[A multicenter retrospective study on the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia in children].

Objective: To investigate the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) in children and the clinical characteristics of NP caused by different pathogens in China. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was performed in children with NP who were admitted to 13 hospitals in China from January 2008 to December 2019. The demographic and clinical information, laboratory data, etiological and radiological findings were analyzed. The data were divided into three groups based on the following years: 2008-2011, 2012-2015 and 2016-2019, and the distribution characteristics of the pathogens in different period were compared. Meanwhile, the pathogens of pediatric NP in the southern and northern China were compared. And the clinical characteristics of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) NP and the bacterial NP were also compared. T-test or Mann-Whitney nonparametric test was used for comparison of numerical variables, and χ2 test was used for categorical variables. Results: A total of 494 children with NP were enrolled, the median ages were 4.7 (0.1-15.3) years, including 272 boys and 222 girls. Among these patients, pathogens were identified in 347 cases and the pathogen was unclear in the remaining 147 cases. The main pathogens were MP (238 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) (61 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (51 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 cases), Haemophilus influenzae (10 cases), adenovirus (10 cases), and influenza virus A (7 cases), respectively. MP was the most common pathogen in all three periods and the proportion increased yearly. The proportion of MP in 2016-2019 was significantly higher than that in 2012-2015 (52.1% (197/378) vs. 36.8% (32/87), χ2=6.654, P=0.010), while there was no significant difference in the proportion of MP in 2012-2015 and that in 2008-2011 (36.8% (32/87) vs. 31.0% (9/29), χ²=0.314, P=0.575).Regarding the regional distribution, 342 cases were in the southern China and 152 in the northern China. Also, MP was the most common pathogen in both regions, but the proportion of MP was higher and the proportion of SP was lower in the north than those in the south (60.5% (92/152) vs. 42.7% (146/342), χ2=13.409, P<0.010; 7.9% (12/152) vs. 14.3% (49/342), χ2=4.023, P=0.045). Comparing the clinical characteristics of different pathogens, we found that fever and cough were the common symptoms in both single MP and single bacterial groups, but chest pain was more common (17.0% (34/200) vs. 6.1% (6/98), χ2=6.697, P=0.010) while shortness of breath and wheezing were less common in MP group (16.0% (32/200) vs. 60.2% (59/98), χ2=60.688, P<0.01; 4.5% (9/200) vs. 21.4% (21/98), χ2=20.819, P<0.01, respectively). The white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the bacterial group were significantly higher than those in the MP group (14.7 (1.0-67.1)×109/L vs. 10.5 (2.5-32.2)×109/L, 122.5 (0.5-277.3) mg/L vs. 51.4 (0.5-200.0) g/L, 2.13 (0.05-100.00) µg/L vs. 0.24 (0.01-18.85) µg/L, Z=-3.719, -5.901 and -7.765, all P<0.01). Conclusions: The prevalence of pediatric NP in China shows an increasing trend during the past years. MP, SP and SA are the main pathogens of NP, and the most common clinical symptoms are fever and cough. The WBC count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in bacterial NP are significantly higher than those caused by MP.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Necrotizing Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we describe the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric necrotizing pneumonia in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2016 Kids Inpatient Database was performed. The Kids Inpatient Database is a large deidentified hospital discharge database of pediatric patients in the United States. PATIENTS: The database was filtered using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition code J85.0 to identify necrotizing pneumonia in children 28 days to 20 years old. INTERVENTIONS: Children with necrotizing pneumonia with and without bacterial isolation and with and without complex chronic conditions were compared. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2,296,220 discharges, 746 patients had necrotizing pneumonia (prevalence: 3.2/10,000 discharges). In patients with necrotizing pneumonia, 46.6% required chest tubes, 6.1% underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and 27.6% were mechanically ventilated. Pneumothorax was identified in 16.7% and pyothorax in 27.4%. The overall mortality rate was 4.1% (n = 31). Bacterial isolation was documented in 40.9%. The leading organisms identified in patients without a complex chronic condition were Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (9.2%) and in patients with a complex chronic condition were S. aureus (13.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.8%). Patients with bacterial isolation were significantly more likely to develop pneumothorax (odds ratio, 2.6; CI, 1.6-4.2) or septic shock (odds ratio, 3.2; CI, 1.9-5.4) and require a chest tube (odds ratio, 2.5; CI, 1.7-3.5) or mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 2.3; CI, 1.5-3.3) than patients without bacterial isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial etiology of necrotizing pneumonia in children varied with the presence or absence of a complex chronic condition. Bacterial isolation is associated with increased invasive procedures and complications. The mortality rate is higher in children with complex chronic conditions. This study provides national data on necrotizing pneumonia among hospitalized children.

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis receiving infliximab.

BACKGROUND: Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus endemic to the arid climates of the Southwest United States, Mexico and parts of Central and South America. Human infection occurs through inhalation of spores with less than half of exposures progressing to a symptomatic state that primarily consists of pulmonary manifestations. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is exceedingly rare, occurring in fewer than 1 % of symptomatic infections. Through hematogenous spread, the fungus can infect most organ systems and may be fatal without systemic antifungal treatment. Individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity either from primary immunodeficiency disorders or secondary to immunosuppression with medications such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors have increased risk of disseminated coccidioidomycosis and previous cases of coccidioidomycosis have been reported with biologic therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a 16-year-old female with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) being treated with prednisone, methotrexate, and infliximab. The patient presented with symptoms of meningeal irritation, bilateral choroidal lesions, and necrotizing peripheral pneumonia. Her infection was thought to be a reactivation of coccidioidomycosis given her history of resolved pneumonia that occurred after traveling to Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso one year prior to presentation. Following diagnosis, she improved with discontinuation of her immunosuppressive medications and two weeks of intravenous amphotericin B and fluconazole with plans for lifetime treatment with fluconazole while immunosuppressed. Due to worsening arthritis, she will begin tofacitinib and continue close monitoring of chest x-rays and coccidioides antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatological conditions are at increased risk of disseminated coccidioidomycosis and should be evaluated with high suspicion when presenting with atypical symptoms and history of travel to endemic regions.

Rhodococcus equi infection as inaugural manifestation of idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia: A rare entity and a therapeutic challenge.

We report a case of disseminated infection by Rhodococcus equi as the inaugural manifestation of idiopathic T-CD4+ lymphopenia. We aim to demonstrate our diagnostic and therapeutic approach and focus on the major dilemmas arising from the lack of scientific evidence regarding best clinical practice of this infection in humans.

Breakthrough Hormographiella aspergillata Infection in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Posaconazole Prophylaxis: A Case Report and Review.

Breakthrough invasive infections occur in immunosuppressed patients while they are receiving antifungal agents for both prophylaxis and therapy. Under such conditions, unusual fungal infections emerge. Hormographiella aspergillata is considered an uncommon human pathogen and causes devastating infections. Here, we present a case report of necrotizing pneumonia caused by H. aspergillata as a breakthrough infection in a neutropenic patient and review all previous cases of H. aspergillata infection reported in the literature.

Surgical treatment of necrotizing pneumonia in children: a 10-year assessment. / Tratamento cirúrgico de pneumonia necrosante em crianças em um período de 10 anos.

OBJECTIVE: Necrotizing pneumonia (PNZ) is a severe and rare complication of a community-acquired pneumonia, affecting mainly children. We aimed to analyze medical records of children undergoing surgical treatment for PNZ and compare our results with those found in the medical literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of children's medical charts who underwent an operation for PNZ, between July 2006 and July 2016, in two hospitals in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 26 children with a median age of 2.70 years and mostly females (61.5%) were included in the current study. The main symptoms were fever (88.5%) and cough (65.4%). There was an average use of 4.31 antibiotics per patient. The primary etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (23.1%), but cultures were negative in 69% of the patients. Decortication and debridement of necrotic areas were performed in 23 patients (88.5%). The mean postoperative pleural drainage was 8.12 days. The presence of bronchopleural fistula occurred in 50.0% in the preoperative period and 46.2% in the postoperative. The total length of hospital stay was, on average, 27.52 days and the postoperative length of stay was 12.60 days (mean). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 children and there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The surgical approach is indicated to patients with no response to clinical treatment. Late surgical intervention is associated with progressive parenchyma infection and higher rates of complications. Surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes and earlier recovery.

OBJETIVO: A pneumonia necrosante (PNS) é uma grave e rara complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade, acometendo principalmente crianças, sendo assim, objetivamos analisar prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de PNS e comparação dos resultados obtidos com os presentes na literatura médica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico por PNS entre julho de 2006 a julho de 2016 em dois hospitais do sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Do total de 26 crianças, com mediana de idade 2,70 anos, maioria mulheres (61,5%). Os principais sintomas foram febre (88,5%) e tosse (65,4%). Houve média de 4,31 antibióticos utilizados por paciente. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus (23,1%) mas as culturas foram negativas em 69% dos pacientes. Em 23 pacientes realizou-se decorticação e desbridamento das áreas necróticas (88,5%). A média de drenagem pleural pós-operatória foi 8,12 dias. Fístula broncopleural ocorreu em 50,0% no pré-operatório e 46,2% após a cirurgia. O tempo total de internação hospitalar foi, em média, de 27,52 dias e tempo pós-operatório com média de 12,60 dias. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 13 crianças e não houve mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: Propõe-se abordagem cirúrgica nos pacientes sem resposta ao tratamento clínico, pois o atraso na intervenção cirúrgica associa-se a infecção progressiva no parênquima pulmonar e taxas maiores de complicações. A cirurgia pode conduzir a melhor evolução clínica e recuperação mais precoce.

Influenza virus infection complicated by bacterial necrotising pneumonia: two case reports.

Necrotising pneumonia (NP) is a potentially severe complication of community-acquired pneumonia characterised by necrosis of consolidated lung tissue. A 7-year-old boy and a 6-year-old boy are presented, both of whom had a complicated influenza infection which evolved into severe NP caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Both needed intensive care for invasive respiratory support. Despite extensive pleural involvement in both cases, only one required thoracic surgery. Case 1 also developed anaemia, hyponatraemia and hypo-albuminaemia, resulting in generalised oedema. Despite the severe morbidity, both boys made a full recovery. The diagnosis of NP should always be considered in a child with pneumonia who remains unwell despite 72 hours of appropriate antibiotics, particularly if there is evidence of pleural disease. Although S. pneumoniae is the main agent for NP, the influenza virus may be a precipitating factor.

Anaerobic Necrotizing Pneumonia: Another Potential Life-threatening Complication of Vaping?

An adolescent girl with a history of frequent electronic cigarette use of nicotine was hospitalized with severe necrotizing pneumonia. Blood cultures obtained before the administration of empirical broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics had positive results for the growth of Fusobacterium necrophorum The pathogen is an uncommon but well-known cause of anaerobic pneumonia with unique features that are collectively referred to as Lemierre syndrome or postanginal sepsis. The syndrome begins as a pharyngeal infection. Untreated, the infection progresses to involve the ipsilateral internal jugular vein, resulting in septic thrombophlebitis with direct spread from the neck to the lungs causing multifocal necrotizing pneumonia. The teenager we present in this report had neither a preceding pharyngeal infection nor Doppler ultrasonographic evidence for the presence of deep neck vein thrombi, leading us to explore alternative mechanisms for her pneumonia. We propose the possibility that her behavior of frequent vaping led to sufficient pharyngeal irritation such that F necrophorum colonizing her oropharynx was inhaled directly into her lungs during electronic cigarette use. Preexisting, but not yet recognized, vaping-related lung injury may have also contributed to her risk of developing the infection. The patient was hospitalized for 10 days. At follow-up one month later, she still became short of breath with minimal exertion.