Streptococcus constellatus Causing Empyema and Sepsis, Necessitating Early Surgical Decortication.

Streptococcus constellatus is an oropharyngeal commensal Gram-positive coccus, frequently associated with the respiratory tract. S. constellatus is part of the Streptococcus anginosus or milleri group, which has traditionally been considered to have propensity to cause empyema and purulent abscesses, a property that is sometimes overlooked as the severity of infections it causes may have a varying degree. In this case, we present the case of a 54-year-old male with known liver cirrhosis who developed a severe empyema during an acute liver failure episode, requiring extensive decortication and prolonged hospital admission.

Giant solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura an unpredictable entity: case series and literature review.

A small proportion of tumours can undergo malignant transformation. We report a case series of five patients diagnosed with giant solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura. These cases highlight the unpredictable nature of this disease process, with significant variability in clinical course observed, from indolence to aggressive progression. Three patients were found to have malignant disease on explant, with two of these having preoperative imaging and histology suggesting benign pathology. This finding emphasises that accurately differentiating between benign and malignant disease on imaging and/or biopsy has low specificity and sensitivity and cannot be relied upon in guiding the management of these tumours. Patients with solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura should be managed cautiously, owing to the unpredictable and potentially aggressive clinical course. We would advocate the position that all patients with solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura should be managed as if they have malignant disease. Prolonged follow-up is required due to the risk of disease recurrence, even in patients with benign disease.

An unusual left upper quadrant mass: a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation.

We report a case of a lady who presented with epigastric discomfort. Physical examination revealed a large left upper quadrant mass filling the left upper quadrant. Following extensive preoperative evaluation, she underwent resection of this 9 × 10 × 11 centimeter mass with en bloc excision of a portion of the left hemidiaphragm. She made an uneventful postoperative recovery. Histopathology revealed a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation with pulmonary sequestration. This developmental anomaly of the foregut typically occurs in the thoracic cavity; however, it can occur below the diaphragm. Herein we report a case and a detailed review of the embryology, clinical features, and management of these extremely rare clinical entities.

[Lung carcinoids diagnosed as small cell lung cancers--important diagnostic problem]. / Rakowiaki pluca mylnie rozpoznane jako raki drobnokomórkowe--istotny problem diagnostyczny.

The four cases of bronchial carcinoids were presented. Based on bronchoscopic biopsies the initial diagnosis of small cell lung cancer was established in them. The analysis of medical history was strongly suggested for carcinoid but not for small cell carcinoma. In each of them thoracotomy was performed and correct diagnosis of carcinoid was estimated based on resected tumour. The diagnostic criteria for bronchial carcinoid were discussed.