Impact of pectus excavatum on pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients treated with 3D custom-made silicone implants.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, whose cardiopulmonary consequences are controversial. PE surgery is in our experience usually performed for aesthetic reasons. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PE on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with PE before patient-specific silicone implant correction. METHODS: This monocentric prospective study conducted at Toulouse University Hospital included sixty patients scheduled for custom-made silicone implants correction. Respiratory function (pulmonary function tests (FPTs)) and exercise capacity (VO2 max) were measured before surgery. RESULTS: Before surgery, no (0/60) restrictive lung disease was detected, with a mean total lung capacity (TLC) of 98.5% of predicted value (IC 95%; 80.4-137). Median VO2 max (n=56) was normal (89% predicted), with no cardiac limitation. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, PE had no impact on respiratory function nor exercise capacity. In patients without cardiac or respiratory effects of PE, silicone implants should be considered the preferred approach as it adequately addressed patients' main complaint of low self-esteem.

[Epidemiology of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases in the department of Haute Garonne]. / EPIDemio : épidémiologie des pneumopathies interstitielles diffuses (PID) fibrosantes en Haute-Garonne.

EPIDemio study is a multicenter, prospective and observational study. The objective is to estimate the prevalence and incidence of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in the department of Haute Garonne (31) in France. Fifty-five pulmonologists from the Toulouse university hospital and 8 private establishments participated in this study. Two hundred and fifty-six cases of fibrosing ILDs were reported (gross overall prevalence: 22.8/100,000 and estimated 30.1/100,000. Idiopathic ILDs represent 55.8% of fibrosing ILDs ahead of systemic disease-related ILDs (24.6%) and ILDs associated with environmental exposure (13.3%). Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) represents 35.9% of fibrosing ILDs, which corresponds to a minimal prevalence of 8.2/100,000 and an estimated prevalence of 11.2/100,000. This study confirms epidemiological data collected in France and Europe.

Severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: Clinical, functional and imaging outcomes at 4 months.

INTRODUCTION: Given the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), persistent pulmonary abnormalities are likely. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in severe COVID-19 patients who had oxygen saturation<94% and were primarily admitted to hospital. We aimed to describe persistent gas exchange abnormalities at 4 months, defined as decreased diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco) and/or desaturation on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), along with associated mechanisms and risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 72 patients included, 76.1% required admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), while 68.5% required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). A total of 39.1% developed venous thromboembolism (VTE). After 4 months, 61.4% were still symptomatic. Functionally, 39.1% had abnormal carbon monoxide test results and/or desaturation on 6MWT; high-flow oxygen, MV, and VTE during the acute phase were significantly associated. Restrictive lung disease was observed in 23.6% of cases, obstructive lung disease in 16.7%, and respiratory muscle dysfunction in 18.1%. A severe initial presentation with admission to ICU (P=0.0181), and VTE occurrence during the acute phase (P=0.0089) were associated with these abnormalities. 41% had interstitial lung disease in computed tomography (CT) of the chest. Four patients (5.5%) displayed residual defects on lung scintigraphy, only one of whom had developed VTE during the acute phase (5.5%). The main functional respiratory abnormality (31.9%) was reduced capillary volume (Vc<70%). CONCLUSION: Among patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted to hospital, 61% were still symptomatic, 39% of patients had persistent functional abnormalities and 41% radiological abnormalities after 4 months. Embolic sequelae were rare but the main functional respiratory abnormality was reduced capillary volume. A respiratory check-up after severe COVID-19 pneumonia may be relevant to improve future management of these patients.

[Parsonage-Turner syndrome following severe SARS-CoV-2 infection]. / Syndrome de Parsonage-Turner compliquant une infection sévère à SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: Complications following COVID-19 are starting to emerge; neurological disorders are already described in the literature. CASE REPORT: This case is about a 20-year old male with a severe COVID-19, hospitalized in a Reanimation and Intensive Care Unit with an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, thromboembolic complication and secondary bacterial infection. This patient had a non-specific neurological disorder with a pseudobulbar palsy, (MRI, ENMG and lumbar puncture were normal), associated 4 months later with persistent left shoulder motor deficit and respiratory failure. Respiratory and neurological check-up led to a diagnosis of the Parsonage-Turner syndrome or neuralgic amyotrophy affecting C5-C6 nerve roots, the lateral pectoral and phrenic nerves at the origin of the scapular belt, amyotrophy and left diaphragm paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows that persistant dyspnoea after COVID 19 infection should lead to a search for a diaphragmatic cause which is not always the result of Reanimation Neuropathy but may also indicate a neuralgic amyotrophy. It is the fourth case of neuralgic amyotrophy following COVID-19. This brings the medical community to consider the risk of diaphragm paralysis apart from critical illness polyneuropathy. Respiratory muscle evaluation and diaphragmatic ultrasound should be considered in case of persistent dyspnoea.

[Use of endobronchial ultrasound in the management of cryptogenic haemoptysis]. / Apport de l'échoendoscopie radiaire dans la prise en charge de l'hémoptysie cryptogénique.

Currently about 50% of cases of haemoptysis are thought to be cryptogenic. Haemorrhage from the pulmonary arterial system is rare and usually due to aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms, the radiological diagnosis of which is often difficult. We report here the case of a patient admitted with a heavy haemoptysis in whom the thoracic CT scan did not reveal the diagnosis. Bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound showed a vascular malformation of a branch of the pulmonary artery allowing a radiological embolisation. This case underlines the importance of bronchoscopy and the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of haemoptysis, considered ideopathic, complicating vascular malformations.

Swimming-induced immersion pulmonary edema while snorkeling can be rapidly life-threatening: case reports.

It is well known that immersion pulmonary edema can be life-threatening for divers using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba). Swimming-induced pulmonary edema in otherwise healthy individuals is not an object of dispute but its real severity is not well known and is probably underestimated. We report two cases of life-threatening acute respiratory distress while swimming and snorkeling, one of which is well documented for swimming-induced pulmonary edema. The interest of these case reports lies in the suddenness of these life-threatening events. Such accidents can mimic a loss of consciousness due to cardiac dysrhythmia and lead to drowning. In the case of swimming-induced pulmonary edema, the prognosis is far better than for a cardiac disorder, but it is also dependent on the efficiency of the supervision. Swimmers, divers, race organizers and supervising physicians should be given knowledge of this pathology and its potentially acute occurrence. Adequate organizational dispositions are mandatory to prevent swimming-induced pulmonary edema-related deaths.

[Evaluation of preoperative non-invasive ventilation in thoracic surgery for lung cancer: the preOVNI study GFPC 12-01]. / Évaluation de la ventilation non invasive préopératoire avant chirurgie de résection pulmonaire. Étude préOVNI GFPC 12-01.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the best treatment for stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer. Despite an improvement in the perioperative management of cancer patients and specialization of surgical teams, morbidity and mortality remains significant. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is an effective therapeutic option in hypercapnic respiratory failure. It also improves functional and gasometric parameters when undertaken before surgery. The objective of the preOVNI study is to demonstrate that preoperative non-invasive ventilation for 7 days, at home, reduces the postoperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications of lung resection surgery, in a high-risk population. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled open-labelled multicentric French study, under the supervision of the Groupe Français de Pneumocancérologie (GFPC), comparing 7 days of preoperative non-invasive ventilation with standard treatment. Inclusion criteria are: patients suitable for lobectomy or segmentectomy for primary bronchial carcinoma and presenting with obstructive or restrictive lung disease, obesity or chronic cardiac insufficiency. The primary criterion is a composite one, including all respiratory and cardiac complications. The number of patients is 150 in each treatment arm, 300 in total. EXPECTED RESULTS: We think that preoperative NIV will be able to reduce the rate of postoperative complications. If this objective is achieved, the management of these patients could be changed.

[EGFR activating mutation in lung adenocarcinoma: risk factor of thromboembolic event?]. / Mutation EGFR dans les adénocarcinomes broncho-pulmonaires: facteur de risque de MVTE ?

Cancer is a known risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and in particular, adenocarcinoma of the lung is known to be associated with a higher risk of thromboembolic event. EGFR activating mutations are more frequently found in this histological subtype than in other lung cancers. We report three cases of VTE in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung and EGFR activating mutation. Our reported case series is atypical because the VTE event occurred early in the adenocarcinoma history: either leading to the diagnosis of cancer, or appearing very early in the management of the neoplasm.

[Tuberculous involvement of the esophagus]. / Atteinte œsophagienne d'une tuberculose.

Tuberculous involvement of the oesophagus is a rare disease in our country. We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with tuberculous involvement of the oesophagus, who developped an oesophago-lymph nodes fistula. These fistulas are used to be treated by antituberculous chemotherapy. The surgical treatment is rarely needed.

[Discovery of a yellow nail syndrome with major hypothyroidism]. / Découverte d'un syndrome des ongles jaunes lors d'une insuffisance thyroïdienne majeure.

The yellow nail syndrome is rare. It associates the triad: yellow nails, lymphedema and thoracic events. We report two cases of this syndrome with major hypothyroidism. These observations suggest an association between these two diseases.

[Septic pulmonary embolism after removal of a venous access device for septic thrombophlebitis]. / Emboles pulmonaires septiques après ablation d'une chambre implantable pour thrombophlébite septique.

Septic thrombophlebitis on a central venous access device (CVAD) is a rare and serious complication. According to current guidelines, the device should be removed and antibiotics be given. The risk of septic thrombophlebitis is related to the migration of septic emboli to the lung, a potentially fatal event, particularly in frail patients with lung cancer. We report a case observed in a 66-year-old man with multiple metastatic lung cancer who had a CVAD and who developed septic thrombophlebitis leading to coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteriemia. After removal of the CVAD, the thrombophlebitis was complicated by pulmonary embolism affecting the entire network of the right lung.

[A case of a carcinoid tumour presenting as an "upper lobe syndrome"]. / Un cas de tumeur carcinoïde typique diagnostiqué sur un « syndrome du lobe supérieur ¼

A 53-year-old woman presented with progressive cough related to an endobronchial carcinoid tumour. The location of the tumour in the right upper lobe bronchus could be described as an "upper lobe syndrome" by analogy with the "middle lobe syndrome" or Brock's syndrome. Surgical management consisted of lobectomy and lymph node dissection. This established the diagnosis of typical carcinoid tumour. There was no mediastinal nodal invasion. Three months after surgery all symptoms had disappeared.