Middle lobe suffering due to malposition and 180° tilt of the 2 remaining lobes after right upper lobectomy.

Middle lobe (ML) suffering after right upper lobectomy (RUL) is rare but represents a major complication usually due to lobar torsion. We report 3 atypical consecutive cases of ML suffering due to malposition of the 2 remaining right lobes with a 180° tilt. All 3 female patients had surgery for non-small-cell carcinoma including RUL associated with radical hilar and mediastinal lymph node removal. Postoperative chest X-ray abnormalities appeared at days 1-3 respectively. The diagnosis of malposition of the 2 lobes was done on contrast-enhanced chest CT scan at days 7, 7 and 6, respectively. A reoperation for suspected ML torsion was required in all patients. Three repositionings of the 2 lobes and 1 middle lobectomy were performed. The postoperative courses were then uneventful, and the 3 patients were alive at a mean follow-up of 12 months. Before thoracic approach closure after RUL, systematic check of good positioning of the 2 reinflated remaining lobes is indispensable. It may prevent ML suffering secondary to 180° lobar tilt leading to whole pulmonary malposition.

Spontaneous Resolution of a Pulmonary Cystic Amyloidosis Mass.

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a rare illness characterized by the deposition in organs of amyloid, which can be detected by histological staining. Amyloidosis restricted to the lower respiratory tract is unusual. Results: We reported the case of a 68-year-old woman with no history of chronic diseasewho presented with dyspnoea on exertion, cough and fatigue. The physical examination was unremarkable. A CT scan showed a cystic mass with a thickened wall in the apical segment of the left lower lobe. A biopsy of the mass was performed, and histological and immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. The patient's clinical and radiological symptoms spontaneously improved without treatment after 3 years. Conclusion: Amyloid-related cystic lung disease is a rare presentation of amyloidosis in the thorax. More case reports are required to determine if such masses can resolve without treatment and whether amyloid-associated cystic lung disease actually exists. LEARNING POINTS: Dyspnoea and cough are a rare atypical presentation that can reveal pulmonary amyloidosis.A cystic lung mass should raise suspicion for pulmonary amyloidosis.Clinical symptoms and radiological findings of a cystic mass spontaneously resolved without treatment after 3 years in this patient with pulmonary amyloidosis.

One-stage surgery for both hepatic and left ventricular hydatid cysts using transthoracic route.

Hydatid disease is a major health problem. Multiorgan involvement including the heart and the liver is a very rare presentation. Management of multivisceral hydatidosis through a sole incision should be considered when possible. Median sternotomy is considered in our case.

Thoracoscopic retrieval of an intrapulmonary sewing needle: A case report.

The intrathoracic sewing needle is an exceedingly rare condition mildly documented in the literature. Given the needle's tendency to migrate, it must be removed as soon as possible, and the minimally invasive technique should be tried first.

Bilateral pulmonary hydatidosis associated with uncommon muscular localization.

INTRODUCTION: The lung is the second most commonly affected organ by hydatidosis, and the bilateral involvement is rare even in endemic regions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 27-year-old patient who presented with right basithoracic pain and cough evolving for three months. Thoracic CT scan revealed two homogeneous, rounded cystic formations enhancing after injection of the contrast media, located in the lateral basal segments of the lower lobe. An abdominal CT scan was performed to rule out a hepatic localization of the hydatid cyst, revealed a cystic formation of the left psoas muscle. The diagnosis of bilateral hydatid lung cyst associated with hydatid psoas muscle location was then made. The patient underwent a two-stage thoracic surgery. The second step involved partial cystectomy of the psoas muscle hydatid cyst via a left iliac incision and using an extraperitoneal approach. The postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Management of bilateral pulmonary hydatid cyst is controversial. Some authors recommend operating bilateral cysts in two-stage surgery, with an interval of three to four weeks between procedures. The involvement of the psoas muscle is rare and is generally secondary to the rupture of splenic, hepatic or renal hydatid cysts. Generally, its diagnosis is delayed as the latter is most of the time asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Bilateral pulmonary hydatidosis associated with hydatid cyst of the psoas muscle is a rare entity. Radiological investigations and especially CT scan are the mainstay of diagnosis. Surgery remains to be the treatment modality of choice.

Gigantic Mediastino-Abdominal Hydatic Cyst Through Esophageal Hiatus.

Hydatid disease is one of the most widespread and endemic infections causing a substantial health and economic burden. The liver and lungs remain the most affected viscera. We report the case of a 41-year-old man with an atypical presentation: a hydatid cyst of the liver with a massive extension to the mediastinum through the esophagus hiatus. This patient underwent a single-stage surgical session to treat the mediastinal and abdominal parts of the cyst through a unique thoracic route.

Post traumatic left cardiac luxation: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Rupture of the pericardium complicating blunt thoracic trauma may lead to cardiac luxation if not early recognized and appropriately surgically treated. This condition is exceedingly rare and carries a high mortality rate. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old man presented with severe multiple injuries following a road traffic crash, including blunt trauma to the thorax and abdomen. He was in a hemodynamically stable condition. The chest radiograph and CT scan revealed a leftward heart herniation through a pericardial tear, there were also non surgical hepatic and splenic lesions. The diagnosis of left cardiac luxation with no associated valvular lesions was made. Surgical exploration via a midline sternotomy revealed a protruding heart herniating into the left pleural cavity through a large tear (15 cm) of the left pericardium. Sutures with Teflon felt pledgets were performed. The postoperative chest radiograph was normal and the postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Post traumatic heart luxation diagnosis is clinically difficult because the scarcity of signs and lack of specificity. Chest X ray can be suggestive, and specific findings can only be detected by computed tomography, which is the most sensitive diagnostic method. Surgical management in this condition is mandatory to avoid fatal complications such as great vessels strangulation. It consists of replacing the heart in the pericardial sac and repairing the pericardial tear. CONCLUSION: Despite its rare occurrence, trauma surgeons must be aware of cardiac luxation. Any suspicion of such a diagnosis would warrant surgical exploration to avoid fatal complications.