Assessment of Diaphragm Function and Pleural Pressures During Thoracentesis.

BACKGROUND: This prospective observational study reports on diaphragm excursion, velocity of diaphragm contraction, and changes in pleural pressure that occur with thoracentesis. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with pleural effusion underwent therapeutic thoracentesis. Diaphragm excursion and velocity of diaphragm contraction were measured with M-mode ultrasonography of the affected hemidiaphragm. Pleural pressure was measured at each aliquot of 250 mL of fluid removal. Fluid removal was continued until no more fluid could be withdrawn, unless there was evidence of nonexpandable lung defined as a pleural elastance greater > 14.5 cm H2O/L and/or ipsilateral anterior chest discomfort. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had expandable lung, and five patients had nonexpandable lung. Velocity of diaphragm contraction (mean ± SD) increased from 1.5 ± 0.4 cm/s to 2.8 ± 0.4 cm/s pre-thoracentesis and post-thoracentesis, respectively (CI, 0.93-1.61; P < .001) in subjects with expandable lung. Velocity of diaphragm contraction (mean ± SD) increased from 2.0 ± 0.4 cm/s to 2.3 ± 0.4 cm/s pre-thoracentesis and post-thoracentesis (P = .45) in subjects with nonexpandable lung. Diaphragm excursion was significantly increased in subjects with expandable lung at the end of thoracentesis; diaphragm excursion did not increase to a significant extent in patients with nonexpandable lung. CONCLUSIONS: The velocity of diaphragm contraction and diaphragm excursion increased in association with fluid removal with thoracentesis in patients with expandable lung, whereas it did not significantly change in patients with nonexpandable lung. This may derive from improvement in loading conditions of the diaphragm in patients with expandable lung related to its preload and length-tension characteristics.

Mediastinal lipoma as a cause of dyspnea.

Mediastinal lipoma is a rare intrathoracic tumor which can present as shortness of breath. We describe a morbidly obese patient with progressive dyspnea who got diagnosed endoscopically and is scheduled for surgical resection for a large benign mediastinal lipoma.

Pulmonary synovial sarcoma.

Primary Synovial sarcoma of the lung is an extremely rare entity. Our patient was healthy prior to presentation and came in with a short course of dyspnea and was found to have a large synovial sarcoma on the lung.

Papillary lung adenocarcinoma with psammomatous calcifications.

We present the case of a 71 y/o man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who presented with 3 weeks of cough, phlegm, fever, and failed outpatient antibiotic therapy for pneumonia. CT of the chest showed unilateral interstitial changes and bronchoscopic biopsies demonstrated primary lung papillary adenocarcinoma and extensive concentric psammomatous calcifications.

Convex Probe EBUS-guided Fiducial Placement for Malignant Central Lung Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) had become a therapeutic modality in patients with primary tumors, locally recurrent as well as oligometastasis involving the lung. Some modalities of SBRT require fiducial marker (FM) for dynamic tumor tracking. Previous studies have focused on evaluating bronchoscopic-guided FM placement for peripheral lung nodules. We describe the safety and feasibility of placing FM using real-time convex probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) for SBRT in patients with centrally located hilar/mediastinal masses or lymph nodes. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who were referred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program for FM placement to pursue SBRT. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent real-time CP-EBUS were included. Patients had a median age of 71 years [interquartile range (IQR), 59.5 to 80.5]. The median size of the lesion was 2.2 cm (IQR, 1.4 to 3.3 cm). The median distance from the central airway was 2.4 cm (IQR, 0 to 3.4 cm). A total of 51 FMs (median of 1 per patient) were deployed in 37 patients. At the time of SBRT planning, 46 (90.2%) were confirmed radiologically in 32 patients. Patients with unsuccessful fiducial deployment (n=5) underwent a second procedure using the same technique. Of those, 3 patients had a successful fiducial placement via bronchoscopy, 1 patient required FM placement by percutaneous computed tomography-guided approach and 1 patient required FM placement through EUS by gastroenterology. CONCLUSION: CP-EBUS-guided FM placement for patients with malignant lymph nodes and central parenchymal lung lesions appears to be safe and feasible.

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma: a rare cause of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage.

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare disease with a dismal prognosis. We report a case of a 50-year-old man who presented with haemoptysis, cough and worsening dyspnoea. An intracardiac mass was visualised on echocardiogram. He was treated for diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome but died from refractory hypoxaemic respiratory failure leading to cardiac arrest. The diagnosis of primary cardiac angiosarcoma with haemorrhagic pulmonary metastases leading to diffuse alveolar damage was confirmed on autopsy.

Serial Diaphragm Ultrasonography to Predict Successful Discontinuation of Mechanical Ventilation.

INTRODUCTION: Diaphragm excursion and contraction velocity measured using ultrasonography have been used to assess diaphragm function. We aimed to evaluate the performance of diaphragm ultrasonography during weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: Diaphragm ultrasonography was performed on 73 mechanically ventilated patients who were being considered for extubation on three separate occasions: (1) on assist control mode (A/C) during consistent patient triggered ventilation, (2) following 30 min during a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), (3) 4-24 h following extubation. Right hemidiaphragm excursion and contraction velocity were measured on A/C, during SBT, and following extubation. These measurements were correlated with the outcome of extubation. RESULTS: Twenty patients failed extubation: 6 of whom required re-intubation and 14 of whom required non-invasive ventilatory support. During SBT, the mean diaphragm excursions were 1.7 ± 0.82 cm in the group who failed extubation compared to 2.1 ± 0.9 cm in the group who were successfully extubated (p = 0.06). To predict successful extubation, a decrease in diaphragm excursion of < 16.4% between A/C and SBT had a sensitivity of 84.9% and a specificity of 65%. The area under curve (AUC) for receiver operative characteristics for above cut-off was 0.75. Diaphragm contraction velocity performed poorly in predicting weaning outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragm excursion measured during SBT is an imperfect predictor of the outcome of extubation. Maintenance of diaphragm excursion between A/C and SBT has good performance characteristics by AUC analysis. Diaphragm contraction velocity has poor ability to predict outcome of extubation.

Case of chest pain in a young man.

A young man with a history of smoking presented with acute-onset chest pain after lifting weights. He also noticed a change in his voice, tightness in his neck and difficulty breathing. A chest radiograph showed soft tissue emphysema in the neck. A CT scan of the chest revealed moderate amount of pneumomediastinum tracking into the neck and down to the diaphragm. He was haemodynamically stable and had no hypoxia or dysphagia. He was monitored for 48 hours and discharged home after resolution of his symptoms. A chest radiograph repeated after 6 weeks was normal.

Diaphragm Excursion-Time Index: A New Parameter Using Ultrasonography to Predict Extubation Outcome.

BACKGROUND: The diaphragmatic response to increased mechanical load following withdrawal of mechanical ventilation is critical in determining the outcome of extubation. Using ultrasonography, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the excursion-time (E-T) index-a product of diaphragm excursion and inspiratory time, to predict the outcome of extubation. METHODS: Right hemidiaphragm excursion, inspiratory time, and E-T index were measured by ultrasonography during mechanical ventilation: (1) on assist-control (A/C) mode during consistent patient-triggered ventilation, (2) following 30 min during a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), and (3) between 4 and 24 h following extubation. These measurements were correlated with the outcome of extubation. Patients in the "failure" group required reintubation or noninvasive ventilation within 48 h of extubation. RESULTS: Of the 73 patients studied, 20 patients failed extubation. During SBT, diaphragm excursion was 1.65 ± 0.82 and 2.1 ± 0.9 cm (P = .06), inspiratory time was 0.89 ± 0.30 and 1.11 ± 0.39 s (P = .03), and the E-T index was 1.64 ± 1.19 and 2.42 ± 1.55 cm-s (P < .03) in the "failure" and "success" groups, respectively. The mean change in E-T index between A/C and SBT was -3.9 ± 57.8% in the failure group and 59.4 ± 74.6% in the success group (P < .01). A decrease in diaphragmatic E-T index less than 3.8% between A/C and SBT had a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 75%, to predict successful extubation. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragm E-T index measured during SBT may help predict the outcome of extubation. Maintenance or increase in diaphragm E-T index between A/C and SBT increases the likelihood of successful extubation.

The multiple dimensions of Platypnea-Orthodeoxia syndrome: A review.

Platypnea-Orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare clinical entity characterized by dyspnea and arterial desaturation while in the upright position. The various pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to POS has puzzled clinicians for years. The hypoxia in POS has been attributed to the mixing of the deoxygenated venous blood with the oxygenated arterial blood via a shunt. The primary mechanisms of POS in these patients can be broadly classified based on intracardiac abnormalities, extracardiac abnormalities and miscellaneous etiologies. A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) was the most common reported site of an intracardiac shunt. In addition to PFO, intracardiac shunt leading to POS has been reported from either an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or an Atrial Septal Aneurysm (ASA). Most patients with an intracardiac shunt also demonstrated a secondary anatomic or a functional defect. Extracardiac causes of POS included intra-pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and lung parenchymal diseases. A systematic evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause and institute an appropriate intervention. We conducted a review of literature and reviewed 239 cases of POS. In this article, we review the etiology and pathophysiology of POS and also summarize the diagnostic algorithms and treatment modalities available for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of patients presenting with symptoms of platypnea and/or orthodeoxia.

Postcorrective surgery improvement of nocturnal hypoxemia in a case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection and aberrant hepatic vein drainage.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital anomaly that leads to an anatomical left-to-right shunt. Termination of the intrahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) with its azygos continuation associated with the hepatic venous connection to the left atrium (LA) is also a rare congenital anomaly that results in an anatomical right-to-left shunt. A 65-year-old male presented with severe dyspnea on exertion and pedal edema. He was further diagnosed at our clinic and was found to have both the aforementioned congenital abnormalities, creating a bidirectional shunt. On further investigation, he was found to have nocturnal hypoxemia on overnight oximetry. The patient was successfully treated via surgical corrections of the congenital anomalies leading to symptomatic improvement as well as the resolution of nocturnal hypoxemia.

Pregnancy and pulmonary arterial hypertension: A clinical conundrum.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and devastating disease characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance which eventually leads to right ventricular failure and death. PAH inflicts most commonly women, majority of who are of childbearing age. Pregnancy in the setting of PAH is absolutely contraindicated due to high maternal fetal morbidity and guidelines do not exist for the management of such cases. A MEDLINE/PubMed search was performed identifying all relevant articles with "pulmonary arterial hypertension" and "pregnancy" in the title. Six case series were reviewed as well as our own center's experience outlined. Though there exists generalized treatment measures that are followed in such cases, management varies among different national centers as well an on an international level. At our center patients are managed using a multidisciplinary approach at a high risk obstetric center with preference for intravenous prostacyclin therapy. Women of child bearing age with possible signs and symptoms of PAH must be promptly diagnosed and managed expectantly with an emphasis on maternal-fetal safety.

Post splenectomy related pulmonary hypertension.

Splenectomy predisposes patients to a slew of infectious and non-infectious complications including pulmonary vascular disease. Patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolic events due to various mechanisms that may lead to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The development of CTEPH and pulmonary vasculopathy after splenectomy involves complex pathophysiologic mechanisms, some of which remain unclear. This review attempts congregate the current evidence behind our understanding about the etio-pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease related to splenectomy and highlight the controversies that surround its management.

Cryotechnology for staged removal of self-expandable metallic airway stents.

Self-expandable covered metallic airway stents (SEMAS) deployed for relieving inoperable central airway obstruction frequently develop complications that require removal of the device. Current techniques for SEMAS removal also involve serious complications. We are reporting a novel two-staged endoscopic approach using cryotechnology for removal of SEMAS obstructed by exuberant granulation tissue in two patients. During the first stage, the obstructing intraluminal granulation tissue was removed with cryodebridement and residual extraluminal deposits were lysed with cryotherapy. During the second stage, performed two days later, the SEMAS was liberated by mechanical means and removed in one piece. The staged approach with cryotechnology was successful and without complications.

Risk stratification, prevalence by hand-held microdoppler and in-hospital mortality of deep venous thrombosis in indoor geriatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To screen indoor geriatric patients for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) risk, assess them for the presence of DVT with hand-held microdoppler (HHMD) and correlate DVT risk score with inpatient mortality. METHODS: 111 patients (> or = 60 years) admitted for > or = 72 hours [51 patients from intensive care unit (ICU) and 60 patients from general medical wards (GMW)] over 15 months were included. Patients with suspected venous thromboembolic disease on admission were excluded. On admission, patients were screened with HHMD for the presence of DVT; those with evidence of lower limb DVT were excluded. DVT risk was stratified using the SMART Tool and patients classified into mild (1), moderate (2), high (3-4) and very high (> or = 5) risk groups. Patients were screened periodically clinically and with HHMD for DVT till discharge. The effect of thromboprophylaxis (heparin) on all-cause mortality was correlated. Levene's test for equality of variances and Pearson's Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean risk score (SMART TOOL) in study group was 5.15. Among 111 patients, 75 (67.56%) had high to very high risk for DVT. Immobilization, sepsis, heart failure, and acute coronary syndrome were most common risk factors for DVT. Only 2.7% of indoor geriatric patients had clinical evidence of DVT while 13.5% had presumptive evidence of DVT as detected by HHMD. The mean risk score for DVT in expired patients was higher than in discharged patients (p = 0.052). ICU patients receiving thromboprophylaxis had significantly lower mortality (9.5%) compared to those who did not (50%). (p = 0.004). Patients with presumptive evidence of DVT on HHMD had significantly higher mortality (53.33 percent) compared to those without evidence of DVT (15.62 percent); p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor geriatric patients constitute high risk group for DVT. There could be an increased risk of mortality in patients with presumptive evidence of DVT on HHMD.