Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis Using the Harmonic Scalpel: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 68-year-old man with constrictive pericarditis underwent pericardiectomy. The pericardium was dissected with a Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH). The harmonic scalpel differs from electrocautery in that there is only a minimal transfer of energy and no transfer of electrical energy to the tissues. A significant decrease in intraoperative and possibly even postoperative heart rhythm disorders is to be expected, as there is no conduction of electricity. This new device has many advantages including no muscular stimulation, low heat, a smokeless field and easy hemostasis. We exprienced a patient who underwent pericardiectomy using the Harmonic scalpel, so we report this case with a brief literature.

Cardiac Surgery Using CPB in Moyamoya Disease: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Moyamoya disease is an unusual cerebrovascular disorder characterized by occlusive intimal dysplasia of the distal internal carotid and proximal cerebral arteries, but the etiology remains unclear. Angiographic characteristics include bilateral stenosis or occlusion of the terminal portions of the intracranial internal carotid arteries and bilateral development of fine collateral vessels at the base of the brain known as 'Moyamoya vessels'. Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass due to coronary artery disease and others among patients with moyamoya disease is very rare, and cardiac surgery for such patients has a potential risk of intraoperative and perioperative brain ischemia. We successfully treated a patient who underwent artrial septal defect closure and coronary artery bypass graft using the cardiopulmonary bypass, so we report this case with a brief literature review.

Localized Pneumoconiosis Manifested by Solitary Pulmonary Nodule Mimicking Lung Cancer: One case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Pneumoconiosis is fibrogenic disease, caused by inhalation of mineral dust. It is defined as the accumulation of dust in the lung and tissue reaction to its presence and the dust is considered to be an aerosal of solid and inanimate particles. It is among the most common and the most important occupational lung disease, especially in developing countries. It is required three prerequisites for making a clinical diagnosis of pneumoconiosis: 1) a full clinical and occupational history together with the result of physical examination; 2) previous X-ray for comparison; and 3) a clear understanding of the time scale involved in the progression of the diseases. Most pneumoconiosises are slow to evolve and changes in the appearances take many months -usually years- to occur. Pneumoconiosis is represented on a plain X-ray of the chest as multiple small round opacities, usually smaller than 1cm diameter. In 58 years old female patient, pneumoconiosis is manifested as 5 X 4 X 3cm sized solitary pulmonary nodule without any occupational history and past histoty of exposure of dust. so we treated this case with right upper lobectomy. Therefore we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

Amiodarone-Induced ARDS after MVR: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Amiodarone is an iodinated benzofuran derivative that has been proved effective in the control of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias refractory to other antiarrhythmic drugs. In patients treated with amiodarone, subsequent surgical intervention is a common clinical scenario, but unfortunately we do not have definite data about complications due to amiodarone after cardiac surgery. Some reports have shown that amiodarone treatment can be associated with a state of alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic receptor blockade, which requires more pacing and epinephrine infusion for perioperative hemodynamic support. And some reports have also identified a severe form of ARDS in patients on amiodarone therapy which was associated with siginificant morbidity and mortality. We exprienced a patient who expired after mitral valve replacement due to amiodarone-induced ARDS; therefore, we report this case with a brief literature.

Low Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma in Chest Wall: One case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a recently recognized, uncommon soft tissue neoplasm. It has a tendency to develop in deep soft tissue of young adults and a possibility of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Diagnostic criteria have not been well defined and this tumor has not been accepted as a distinct entity. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of bland spindle cells with mainly whorled pattern of growth, set in alternating areas with a myxoid or fibrous stroma. Careful consideration of the morphological and immunohistochemical features of this tumor permit a positive diagnosis of low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and allow its distinction from a number of other benign and malignant soft tissue neoplasms. We experienced a low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma in chest wall and report this case with a review of the literature.