A rare case report: Left middle lobectomy in recurrent hemoptysis and chest infections of Kartagener syndrome patient.

INTRODUCTION: Kartagener syndrome is rare, with an incidence of 1 in 32,000 live births. It consists of a triad of bronchiectasis, situs inversus, and sinusitis. Normally, the middle lobe is part of the right lung, but due to situs inversus, the middle lobe is part of the left lung, making it prone to bronchiectasis and infections. CASE REPORT: We present a unique case of a 16-year-old adolescent with a known history of Kartagener syndrome who presented with recurrent chest infections and hemoptysis refractory to conservative management. He was diagnosed with bronchiectasis of the left middle lobe through a computed tomography (CT) scan and subsequently underwent a posterolateral thoracotomy and left middle lobectomy. This is a rare finding with limited literature available on such cases, to the best of our knowledge. DISCUSSION: Conservative treatment is usually the first line of approach. However, in cases of recurrent chest infections and hemoptysis, surgical management is considered to prevent the infection from spreading to the healthy lung and to avoid life-threatening complications when medical therapy fails. Surgical intervention, while more invasive, can provide a definitive solution and improve the patient's quality of life. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome is crucial for determining the appropriate management course. In patients presenting with recurrent hemoptysis and chest infections, surgical resection is an effective treatment approach to prevent complications and enhance long-term outcomes.

Intrapulmonary schwannoma presenting as an asymptomatic lung mass: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas are solitary well-circumscribed encapsulated benign tumors that exhibit Schwann cell differentiation, and arise directly from myelinated peripheral or central nerves. Although they are usually asymptomatic and found incidentally, schwannomas can cause symptoms due to compression of nearby structures which, depending on the location, can make clinical presentations widely variable. Despite their rarity, schwannomas have been documented in a number of locations including the limbs, cerebellopontine angle, posterior mediastinum, and, far more infrequently, the lungs. CASE PRESENTATION: In this article, we report an incidental finding of an intrapulmonary schwannoma in a 59-year-old Pakistani woman who was grossly asymptomatic upon presentation to the cardiothoracic surgery clinic. An [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan revealed a lobulated soft-tissue lesion measuring 23 mm × 23 mm in the lower lobe of the right lung. A computed tomography-guided core biopsy of the mass was performed, which revealed a benign spindle cell lesion based on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. The mass was surgically resected via a right lower lobectomy, and subsequently confirmed to be an encapsulated neoplastic lesion composed of well-differentiated Schwann cells. There were no short- or long-term complications, morbidities, or recurrences based on 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: This report underscores the predominantly asymptomatic nature of schwannomas and reemphasizes the efficacy of surgical resection as a safe and curative procedure for a tumor of this nature. Albeit very rare, intrapulmonary schwannomas can be considered a differential diagnosis when encountering solitary asymptomatic pulmonary nodules or masses.

Operating Ethically: A Review of Surgical Ethics in Pakistan and Recommendations for the Way Forward.

Medical ethics underpin the moral framework that delineates the professional relationship between physicians and their patients and thereby is an integral part of making patient-centric healthcare decisions. The concept of ethics is deeply embedded in the field of surgery as surgeons confront a myriad of dilemmas as a part of their routine, whether it be in a preoperative or postoperative environment. The current review aims to describe the state of surgical ethics in Pakistan, with the intent of encouraging dialogues about the ethical considerations relevant to the field surgery that will identify actionable areas for improvement. While most surgeons are aware of the traditional principles of ethics and their practice, their surgical and clinical decisions may fall short of these standards because of time constraints and prevailing cultural and religious beliefs and taboos. The rigorous application of ethical principles in areas of patient-related communication, such as consenting, trainee education, palliative and end-of-life care, and surgical innovation and research, will have significant implications for patients, surgeons, and society. Our review has identified the lack of formal bioethics education and insufficient oversight and ethical regulations to be at the core of inadequate ethical practices in Pakistan and has highlighted actionable areas to be addressed in the future.

Left Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Secondary to Metastatic Lung Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Aneurysms are characterized by focal dilation of the blood vessel wall due to weakening. The involvement of two layers of the vessel wall is classified as a pseudoaneurysm while the involvement of all three layers is called a true aneurysm. Involvement of neoplastic lesions is rare, but the few reported cases have been associated with pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms as opposed to true pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs). Our case of a true left PAA of a patient with metastatic sarcoma of the lung shows an association that has previously not been reported to the best of our knowledge.

A rare case of diffuse ectasia in the coronary arteries and proximal aneurysm in the left anterior descending artery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery aneurysm is defined as dilatation of a segment of coronary artery, greater than 1.5 times the diameter of the largest normal coronary artery of the patient. Major cause of coronary artery aneurysm is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery aneurysm maybe an incidental finding during coronary angiography or it may present with symptoms including chest pain, myocardial infarction or even death. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of a 59-year-old gentleman, who had, previously, underwent multiple left heart catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions. He presented to us with symptomatic diffuse ectasia of the coronary arteries with proximal aneurysm in the Left Anterior Descending Artery. DISCUSSION: Coronary artery aneurysms are very rare with an incidence of about 0.02 %-0.04 % and a prevalence of 0.3 %-12 %. Right Coronary Artery is the principal site coronary artery aneurysms with a predominance of 83.8 %. The occurrence of multiple aneurysms is a very rare finding. About 73 % patients present with single aneurysms while only 27 % present with multiple aneurysms. Coronary artery aneurysms predispose to various complications including compression of the chambers, thrombosis and rupture. CONCLUSION: From the presented case it can be concluded that even though, conservative management is available, surgical repair is the gold standard treatment, especially in the presence of multiple, symptomatic and large aneurysms in order to avoid fatal ischemic complications.

Implementation evaluation of a medical student-led intervention to enhance students' engagement with research: Findings and lessons learned.

INTRODUCTION: Medical colleges globally have student organizations that serve to enable students' involvement in research. However, details of their approach and activities are seldom published to serve as learning for student organizations in other settings. The Student Research Forum (SRF), a student organization based at a private medical school in Pakistan aims to facilitate students in acquiring research skills. Following the observation of a downward trajectory of student initiative and interest, SRF leadership restructured the organization and improve its impact. This study describes the development and implementation evaluation of the interventions. METHODOLOGY: The operational framework was revised using the Theory of Change by the core group. Major interventions included enhanced social media and outreach coordination, research workshops, journal clubs, and mentorship to increase research output, mentorship opportunities, and knowledge of medical research; ultimately improving quality in research. The outcomes generated over the course of the study's duration from July 2019 to September 2021 were analyzed using the process metrics of reach, adoption, and efficacy. RESULTS: As a result of the interventions, SRF expanded its reach by conducting a total of 41 events during the duration of the study, facilitated by social media growth on each of SRF's online platforms, with a 300% increase in followers on Facebook, and a nationwide network of 91 student ambassadors. An annual workshop series taught research skills to more than 3800 participants. Students leading their own events, SRF featuring international speakers, and the abstracts submitted to SRF's annual conference, along with the conference's reach of 10,000 students, are seen as improvements in the ToC-informed interventions' adoption. The efficacy of the interventions manifested as the REACH program allocated 56 research projects to vetted applicants. CONCLUSION: The applied interventions have accelerated SRF's progress towards achieving its long-term outcome of increased quality in research as translated by increased research output quantity, mentorship, and knowledge of medical research. Further evaluation is required to assess the success of the ToC. As SRF continues to grow, a continued analysis of the implementation outcomes is imperative to gauge its effectiveness.

Case report: Aorto-left atrial fistula-A rare complication of native aortic valve endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Aorto-cavitary fistula is a rare complication of infective endocarditis. Multimodal imaging is commonly required to assess the severity and extent of infection because of the complex pathology of the valvular and paravalvular apparatus in endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an unusual case of a middle-aged man with recent history of meningoencephalitis who developed infective endocarditis complicated by ruptured abscess in inter-valvular fibrosa between aortic and mitral valve resulting in free communication or fistula formation between aorta and left atrium. Patient underwent double valve replacement (aortic and mitral) along with repair of the aorta. CONCLUSIONS: Our case highlights recognition of this rare clinical presentation of aorto-left atrial fistula in infective endocarditis and the diagnostic role of transesophageal echocardiography in good clinical outcome with aggressive and timely management.

Mediastinal paraganglioma of the aortopulmonary subtype - A surgical challenge.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: This case report describes the successful surgical management of a 30-year-old male with a non-functional carotid body tumor and a mediastinal paraganglioma occupying the aortopulmonary space. The report highlights the rarity of mediastinal paragangliomas and the challenges in their surgical management. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient underwent pre-op angioembolisation of the carotid body tumor, followed by excision and left cervical lymph node dissection. A large mediastinal mass was identified and resected during surgery without needing a cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered well from surgery. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of clinically recurrent paraganglioma. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Mediastinal paragangliomas are rare and challenging to manage due to their proximity to major vascular structures. Surgical intervention is the preferred treatment, but the risk of complications is high. In this case, the surgical approach involved resection of the mediastinal mass without cardiopulmonary bypass. This approach reduced the risk of complications associated with bypass procedures. The procedure's success underscores the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the successful surgical management of a rare and clinically challenging mediastinal paraganglioma without cardiopulmonary bypass. The report underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention in mediastinal paragangliomas.

Foreign body aspiration presenting as a chronic lung disease: a unique finding in an elderly patient.

Foreign body aspiration is a serious clinical manifestation in the elderly and has a significant potential to cause life-endangering harm. In this unique report, we highlight the case of a seventy-year-old conscious male, who reported with complaints of chronic cough initially diagnosed as chronic bronchitis; however, on radiological examination, the infectious nidus was identified as a 5 cm long metallic nail in the right lower lung.

An unusual case of multiple aspergillomas in the right lower lobe of the lung: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Aspergilloma is a pathological condition that affects the pulmonary tissues, and it is usually associated with Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus being the most common causative pathogen. The presence of multiple asperillomas in a single lung lobe is an unusual manifestation of Aspergilloma and therefore very little literature can be found regarding this. CASE PRESENTATION: Below we report a rare case of numerous pulmonary cavities containing aspergillomas, about 15-16, as an atypical presentation of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, all of which were present in a single lung lobe of the patient. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The most common clinical presentation of pulmonary aspergilloma is hemoptysis. It can manifest as a single aspergilloma or multifocal aspergillomas, which usually occur in unilateral lung cavities or bilateral lung cavities. The predominant site being the upper lung lobe, therefore, the appearance of several aspergillomas in a single lung lobe, with unusual manifestation in the lower lobe, is a very rare finding. Surgical resection is considered gold standard treatment in the form of lobectomy. According to various reports, the patient mortality rate after surgical intervention for aspergilloma is reported to be 0 %-22.6 %. CONCLUSION: From the discussed case report, the conclusion can be made that even though, surgical resection holds a certain amount of risk, since there no effective alternate treatment yet, hence surgical resection of the affected segment still remains the Gold-standard treatment in both single and multiple aspergillomas.

Advancements in left ventricular assist devices to prevent pump thrombosis and blood coagulopathy.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are very useful in improving outcomes in patients with advanced-stage heart failure. Despite recent advances in LVAD development, pump thrombosis is one of the most severe adverse events caused by LVADs. The contact of blood with artificial materials of LVAD pumps and cannulas triggers the coagulation cascade. Heat spots, for example, produced by mechanical bearings are often subjected to thrombus build-up when low-flow situations impair washout and thus the necessary cooling does not happen. The formation of thrombus in an LVAD may compromise its function, causing a drop in flow and pumping power leading to failure of the LVAD, if left unattended. If a clot becomes dislodged and circulates in the bloodstream, it may disturb the flow or occlude the blood vessels in vital organs and cause internal damage that could be fatal, for example, ischemic stroke. That is why patients with LVADs are on anti-coagulant medication. However, the anti-coagulants can cause a set of issues for the patient-an example of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is given in illustration. On account of this, these devices are only used as a last resort in clinical practice. It is, therefore, necessary to develop devices with better mechanics of blood flow, performance and hemocompatibility. This paper discusses the development of LVADs through landmark clinical trials in detail and describes the evolution of device design to reduce the risk of pump thrombosis and achieve better hemocompatibility. Whilst driveline infection, right heart failure and arrhythmias have been recognised as LVAD-related complications, this paper focuses on complications related to pump thrombosis, especially blood coagulopathy in detail and potential strategies to mitigate this complication. Furthermore, it also discusses the LVAD implantation techniques and their anatomical challenges.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Secondary to the Largest Reported Thoracic Hydatid Disease.

Hydatid cyst disease, caused by Echinococcus species, can present with a variety of symptoms depending on the location in the body. In this report, we present a rare case of a 25-year-old male with a hydatid cyst who presented with progressive dyspnea and swelling of the facial, neck, and arm veins, i.e., the symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome. CT scan showed a huge cystic lesion on the right side of the thorax compressing the superior vena cava. The total size of the cyst was 183 X 209.5 X 333 mm, which is the largest collection of hydatid cysts reported in the thorax. A median sternotomy was performed, and numerous hydatid cysts were removed. The patient was placed on albendazole for 12 months and post-operative follow-ups up to three years showed no disease on chest x-ray.

Coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula: Catheter or scalpel? A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an abnormal connection between coronary artery and a major vessel or cardiac chamber with left to right shunt having an incidence of 0.002 % in recent literature. Fistulous communication of coronary artery with pulmonary artery (PA) is a rare subtype and comprises of about 17 % of all the CAF cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a middle-aged gentleman, known case of asymptomatic CAF for the last 20 years. He presented to us with 6 months history of chest pain on exertion. On coronory angiogram he was diagnosed to have a preexisting CAF of proximal LAD to main PA and severe coronary artery disease in left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). He was managed surgically and underwent ligation of the fistula along with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Management of CAF is medical, percutaneous or open-heart surgery. Due to rarity of the disease no international guidelines exists and treatment is controversial. Complications of CAF include endocarditis, early atherosclerosis, rupture, hemopericardium, pulmonary hypertension and myocardial ischemia, hence early correction is warranted. Our case emphasizes on the natural course of this rare disease and how to change management plan accordingly in the better interest of patient. CONCLUSION: Our case presents the natural course and management of a rare congenital cardiac disease. Surgery was chosen as an appropriate option due to CAD involving proximal LAD and concomitant coronary artery to PA fistula.

Atypical presentation of a rare gestational trophoblastic neoplasm: A case report.

A 34-year-old woman had a history of 3 miscarriages and presented with symptoms of an unproductive cough and rising serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) levels. There were no gynaecological symptoms. A diagnosis of Choriocarcinoma with pulmonary metastasis was made. In Pakistan, the incidence of Choriocarcinoma remains exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 0.3% of all gynaecologic tumours. Though rare, if managed appropriately, it has a reasonably good prognosis, as demonstrated by the outcome of the current case.

Sequelae of Infective Endocarditis: Ruptured Aortic Root Abscess in a 38-Year-Old Female With Complicated Infective Endocarditis.

A 38-year-old female with no known comorbidities or previous history of heart disease presented to the hospital with a three-day history of drowsiness and shortness of breath. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed, which showed large vegetations on aortic and tricuspid valves. In addition, there was severe aortic regurgitation with a possible abscess on the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve. The patient was admitted, and a provisional diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis, Infective endocarditis (IE), and sepsis was made. Surgical intervention was planned. Intraoperative findings revealed that a fistula had formed connecting the aorta and right atrium, which was closed with an autologous graft derived from the patient's pericardial tissue. Vegetations were removed, and the aortic valve was replaced with a metallic valve. This case report presents a patient with complicated IE with a ruptured aortic root abscess. Mechanical complications associated with IE, such as in our case, are rare among patients with IE. However, surgical intervention should be considered as an option in complicated cases of IE when standard therapy fails.

Conceptual framework for a cardiac surgery simulation laboratory and competency-based curriculum in Pakistan - a short innovation report.

Simulation is a commonly utilized technique in healthcare education as it provides trainees a realistic, but safe, environment to learn a variety of skills. Trainees belonging to fields known for high stakes with low margins for error, such as cardiac surgery, can greatly benefit from simulation-based education. We propose the establishment of the first multi-tier high fidelity cardiac surgery simulation lab with a structured curriculum that will eventually provide multidisciplinary training to promising cardiac surgeons across Pakistan. The simulation lab may also be used for research, grant acquisition and patent development. Our setup will include the following levels of simulation: a simple bench model, a virtual reality simulator and a unique human performance simulator. Our multitiered approach allows for appropriate sequential trainee skill progression. Finally, we hope that our model inspires the development of similar curricula and modules for trainees belonging to other surgical fields.

Radial artery coronary bypass grafting: Surgical outcomes of an unexplored innovation in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To explore postoperative outcomes, particularly prolonged length of hospital stay, in radial artery coronary artery bypass graft patients in a tertiary-care setting. METHODS: The pilot prospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2019 to September 2020, and comprised adult patients of either gender due to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting for coronary artery disease involving two or more vessels. The subjects were approached for the use of their radial artery as a conduit. Prolonged length of hospital stay was defined as postoperative stay >9 days. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of the length of hospital stay. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients, 84(86.6%) were males. The overall mean age of the sample was 58.33±8.34 years. Mean length of hospital stay was 8.10±2.37 days, and 23(23.7%) patients had prolonged stay. Higher age was a significant predictor of prolonged hospital stay (p<0.05). Besides, 23(23.7%) patients developed acute kidney injury. There was no incidence of wound, infection or deep venous thrombosis, while 1(1.03%) patient had to be reopened due to excessive postoperative bleeding, and it represented the lone mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age was found to be a significant predictor of prolonged hospital stay in patients undergoing radial artery coronary artery bypass graft, while almost a quarter of the sample was affected by acute kidney injury.

The environment under the knife: A review of current Eco-surgical strategies and recommendations for Pakistan.

The healthcare sector at its core is based on the fundamentals belief to do no harm and bring about betterment in the lives of the people. Paradoxically, hospitals are one of the leading contributors to pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and toxic waste material worldwide. Surgical care delivery is quite resource intensive, consuming significant amount of energy and equipment as well as producing large quantities of waste. With climate change being a global priority, it is crucial that hospitals re-evaluate the environmental impact of such practices. The current review was planned to identify areas of improvement in surgical care in terms of sustainability, as well as describe efficient and innovative strategies for hospitals in Pakistan to lessen their impact on the environment. The implementation of the 5 R's strategy for surgical care (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink and Research) as well as general measures to improve energy efficiency, waste management and inter-sectoral collaboration will provide significant benefits to the environment and advance efforts to creating a more sustainable future for surgical healthcare in Pakistan.

Pulmonary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Presenting Late With Intrapericardial Extension: Case Report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma, also known as cylindroma, is one of the rare and unexplored clinical presentations of lung cancer, for which existing knowledge is scarce. This case report discusses a presentation of this tumor in the right lung, which subsequently extended to the left atrium through the right superior pulmonary vein. The extension of this rare tumor into the left atrium makes this case both uniquely distinctive and clinically relevant. The management strategy opted for this case was a right posterolateral thoracotomy and right pneumonectomy with partial resection of the left atrium. The desired outcome of this report is to shed light on the unusual clinical pathophysiology, register its atypical extensions, and navigate surgeons who may encounter this manifestation in the future.

Novel Reconstruction of Neosternum With Steel Wires for Recurrent Chondrosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma is a primary chest wall tumor causing huge masses arising from rib, sternum, or costochondral junction. Successful treatment warrants complete surgical resection with wide, free margins followed by reconstruction of the bony chest wall and soft tissue coverage of the defect. We report the case of excision of giant recurrent sternal chondrosarcoma followed by reconstruction of neosternum using steel wires. This novel technique portrays steel wire-based reconstructions as a safe, reproducible, and readily available prosthetic material for complex chest wall surgeries.