A study of the proteomic expression in patients with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion.

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the differences in the proteomic expression between uncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (UPPE) and complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (CPPE). Material and methods: There were 10 patients with UPPE and 10 patients with CPPE. These patients were combined due to the complication of pleural effusion and further divided into group A and group B. An LC-MS analysis was conducted with the extraction of high-abundance proteins, and proteins with 1.5-fold or higher difference multiples were identified as differential proteins. Then, gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses were conducted on the differential proteins between the groups. Results: Compared with the UPPE group, there were 38 upregulated proteins and 29 downregulated proteins in the CPPE group. The GO analysis revealed that the CPPE group had enhanced expressions in monosaccharide biosynthesis, glucose catabolism, fructose-6-phosphate glycolysis, glucose-6-phosphate glycolysis, and NADH regeneration as well as reduced expressions in fibrinogen complexes, protein polymerization, and coagulation. Moreover, the KEGG analysis showed that the CPPE group had enhanced expressions in amino acid synthesis, the HIF-1 signalling pathway, and glycolysis/glycoisogenesis and decreased expressions in platelet activation and complement activation. Conclusions: In pleural effusion in patients with CPPE, there are enhanced expressions of proteins concerning glucose and amino acid metabolism, NADH regeneration, and HIF-1 signalling pathways together with decreased expressions of proteins concerning protein polymerization, blood coagulation, platelet activation, and complement activation.

Intrapleural Thrombolytics as First Line Therapy for Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyema in Patients with Prohibitive Surgical Risk: A Cases Series.

OBJECTIVE: In complicated parapneumonic effusion or Empyema, approximately 25% of patients require surgical intervention which can be associated with a mortality risk of almost 20%. However, the use combination of rt-tPA and DNase in elderly patients with prohibitive surgical risk has improved outcomes. The main goal of our study is to highlight the utility of intrapleural thrombolysis in patients with prohibitive risk for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective record review study of patients (n=23) with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion or empyema treated with tPA and DNase from January 1st of 2015 to March 18th, 2019 at VACHCS. Data collected to describe the outcome of intrapleural thrombolytics included demographic, pleural fluid analysis, surgical risk assessment, diagnosis and initiation treatment day, doses, chest imaging, drainage rate, chest tube size and average days in place, inflammatory markers, microbiology, antibiotics, and complications. RESULTS: Only 21.7% of patients were considered surgical candidates. Seventy-four percent had a 30-day post-surgical mortality risk of > 2.5% using the National Surgery Office (NSO) risk calculator. Post-operative inpatient stay was 99.7% and estimated post operative ICU stay average was >80%. Primary outcome (pleural drainage improvement) obtained in 73.9%. Most common serious complications included sepsis (52.2%) and nonserious was residual hydropneumothorax (47.8%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that administration of intrapleural thrombolytics through a percutaneous pleural catheter achieved successful drainage safely and without the need for surgical interventions in a selected group of advanced age, elderly patients with pleural infections who were deemed to be high surgical risk.

Pleural fluid lactate as a point-of-care adjunct diagnostic aid to distinguish tuberculous and complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions during initial thoracentesis: Potential use in a tuberculosis endemic setting.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pleural effusions (TBEs) and parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPEs) have similar clinical presentations and fluid biochemistry. A pleural biopsy is usually required to diagnose TBE but complete fluid evacuation may not be necessary, contrasting with complicated PPE (CPPE). A point-of-care test that distinguishes between TBE and CPPE enables the appropriate procedures to be performed during the initial diagnostic thoracentesis. Lactate is a metabolic product measurable by a blood-gas analyzer. This study measured pleural fluid (Pf) lactate levels in TBE and compared them with those in PPE/CPPE. We hypothesized that Pf lactate would be significantly higher in PPE because of active metabolic activities than in TBE which is driven by delayed hypersensitivity. METHODS: All patients undergoing an initial diagnostic thoracentesis over 18 months with Pf lactate measured using a calibrated point-of-care blood gas analyzer were assessed. RESULTS: The diagnoses of the enrolled patients (n = 170) included TBE (n = 49), PPE (n = 47), malignancy (n = 63), and transudate (n = 11). Pf lactate level in TBE, median 3.70 (inter-quartile range 2.65-4.90) mmol/l, was significantly lower than in PPE and CPPE. In the subgroup of TBE and CPPE patients whose initial Pf pH and glucose could suggest either condition, Pf lactate was significantly higher in those with CPPE. Pf lactate (cutoff ≥7.25 mmol/l) had a sensitivity of 79.3%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 89.1% for discriminating CPPE from TBE (area under the curve 0.947, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.89-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care Pf lactate measurements may have practical value in early separation of TBE or CPPE during initial thoracentesis, and warrants further investigation.

Diagnostic performance of C-reactive protein for parapneumonic pleural effusion: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) refers to effusion secondary to lung infection, the accurate diagnosis of which remains a clinical challenge. Many studies have suggested that the C-reactive protein (CRP) may be useful for diagnosing PPE, but the results have varied. This study aimed to summarize the overall diagnostic ability of serum/pleural CRP for PPE through a meta-analysis. METHODS: Eligible studies were searched for within PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases up to March 1, 2018. The main diagnostic indexes, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio/negative likelihood ratio (PLR/NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), were then pooled from the individual studies. The summary receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) were used to summarize the overall test performance. RESULTS: Eighteen publications were included in this meta-analysis. Summary estimates of the diagnostic performance of pleural CRP for PPE were as follows: sensitivity, 0.80; specificity, 0.82; PLR, 4.51; NLR, 0.25; DOR, 18.26; and AUC, 0.88. The AUC of serum CRP in diagnosing PPE was 0.79. The diagnostic indexes for pleural CRP in differentiating complicated PPE (CPPE) from uncomplicated PPE were as follows: sensitivity, 0.65; specificity, 0.85; PLR, 4.26; NLR, 0.41; DOR, 10.38; and AUC, 0.83. There was no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Both serum and pleural CRP help to diagnose PPE but with moderate diagnostic ability. Pleural CRP measurements also can aid in differentiating CPPE from uncomplicated PPE. However, the results of the CRP assay should be interpreted with additional biomarker tests.

Videothoracoscopic surgery before and after chest tube drainage for children with complicated parapneumonic effusion / Cirurgia torácica vídeoassistida antes e depois de drenagem torácica em crianças com derrame parapneumônico complicado

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of videothoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and to determine whether there is a difference in the videothoracoscopic surgery outcome before or after the chest tube drainage. Methods The medical records of 79 children (mean age 35 months) undergoing videothoracoscopic surgery from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The same treatment algorithm was used in the management of all patients. Patients were divided into two groups: in group 1, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed as the initial procedure; in group 2, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed after previous chest tube drainage. Results Videothoracoscopic surgery was effective in 73 children (92.4%); the other six (7.6%) needed another procedure. Sixty patients (75.9%) were submitted directly to videothoracoscopic surgery (group 1) and 19 (24%) primarily underwent chest tube drainage (group 2). Primary videothoracoscopic surgery was associated with a decrease of hospital stay (p = 0.05), time to resolution (p = 0.024), and time with a chest tube (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference between the groups regarding the time until fever resolution, time with a chest tube, and the hospital stay after videothoracoscopic surgery. No differences were observed between groups regarding the need for further surgery and the presence of complications. Conclusions Videothoracoscopic surgery is a highly effective procedure for treating children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion. When videothoracoscopic surgery is indicated in the presence of loculations (stage II or fibrinopurulent), no difference were observed in time of clinical improvement and hospital stay among the patients with or without chest tube drainage before videothoracoscopic surgery.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar a eficácia da cirurgia torácica videoassistida no tratamento de derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado e determinar se há diferença no resultado da cirurgia torácica videoassistida realizada antes ou depois da drenagem torácica. Métodos Analisamos retrospectivamente prontuários médicos de 79 crianças (idade média de 35 meses) submetidas a cirurgia torácica videoassistida de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2011. O mesmo algoritmo de tratamento foi utilizado no manejo de todos os pacientes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: o Grupo 1 foi submetido a cirurgia torácica videoassistida como procedimento inicial; o Grupo 2 foi submetido a cirurgia torácica videoassistida após drenagem torácica prévia. Resultados A cirurgia torácica videoassistida foi eficaz em 73 crianças (92,4%); as outras seis (7,6%) necessitaram outro procedimento. Sessenta pacientes (75,9%) foram diretamente submetidos a cirurgia torácica videoassistida (Grupo 1) e 19 (24%) foram primeiramente submetidos a drenagem torácica (Grupo 2). A cirurgia torácica videoassistida primária foi associada à redução do tempo de internação (p = 0,05), do tempo para resolução (p = 0,024) e do tempo com o tubo torácico (p < 0,001). Contudo, não houve diferença entre os grupos a respeito do tempo até que não tivessem mais febre, do tempo com o tubo torácico e do tempo de internação após a cirurgia torácica videoassistida. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos com relação à necessidade de cirurgia adicional e à presença de complicações. Conclusões A cirurgia torácica videoassistida é um procedimento altamente eficaz para tratar crianças com derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado. Quando a cirurgia torácica vídeoassistida é indicada na presença de loculações (fase II ou fibrinopurulenta) não há diferença no tempo de melhora clínica e no tempo de internação entre os pacientes com ou sem drenagem torácica antes da cirurgia torácica videoassistida.

Videothoracoscopic surgery before and after chest tube drainage for children with complicated parapneumonic effusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of videothoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and to determine whether there is a difference in the videothoracoscopic surgery outcome before or after the chest tube drainage. METHODS: The medical records of 79 children (mean age 35 months) undergoing videothoracoscopic surgery from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The same treatment algorithm was used in the management of all patients. Patients were divided into two groups: in group 1, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed as the initial procedure; in group 2, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed after previous chest tube drainage. RESULTS: Videothoracoscopic surgery was effective in 73 children (92.4%); the other six (7.6%) needed another procedure. Sixty patients (75.9%) were submitted directly to videothoracoscopic surgery (group 1) and 19 (24%) primarily underwent chest tube drainage (group 2). Primary videothoracoscopic surgery was associated with a decrease of hospital stay (p=0.05), time to resolution (p=0.024), and time with a chest tube (p<0.001). However, there was no difference between the groups regarding the time until fever resolution, time with a chest tube, and the hospital stay after videothoracoscopic surgery. No differences were observed between groups regarding the need for further surgery and the presence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Videothoracoscopic surgery is a highly effective procedure for treating children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion. When videothoracoscopic surgery is indicated in the presence of loculations (stage II or fibrinopurulent), no difference were observed in time of clinical improvement and hospital stay among the patients with or without chest tube drainage before videothoracoscopic surgery.

Asociación clínico imagenológica en el derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado en el niño / Clinical and imaging association in the complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion in children

Introducción: en los niños con un derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado existe una gran variabilidad en la forma de presentación, tanto en el ámbito clínico como imagenológico, pero hay una falta de correlación entre estos elementos.Objetivo: identificar la asociación que existe entre las características clínicas y los estudios imagenológicos en el derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado en el niño.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en el Hospital Pediátrico Provincial Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja de la provincia de Holguín, Cuba. El universo estuvo constituido por 58 niños que fueron ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por presentar un derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado, en el período de enero de 2005 a abril de 2015, la muestra finalmente quedó constituida por 55 pacientes.Resultados: el derrame pleural de mediano volumen, según la radiografía de tórax anteroposterior, fue el más frecuente con 53 por ciento de los pacientes, y el grupo clínico II fue el que representó mayor número de pacientes, con 49 por ciento. Los volúmenes de derrame pleural entre 100 y 200 mL en la ecografía del tórax, fueron los de mayor determinación (42 por ciento). El hemitórax más afectado fue el izquierdo (58 por ciento). La radiografía del tórax no mostró correlación directa con el volumen de líquido pleural extraído.Conclusiones: no existe una asociación entre las características clínicas y los estudios imagenológicos realizados en niños con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado(AU)

Introduction: children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion present great variability in the form of presentation both at the clinical and radiographic levels, but there is no correlation between them.Objective: to identify the association between the clinical characteristics and the imaging studies in the complicated parapneumonic effusion in children.Methods: retrospective and observational study conducted in Octavio de la Concepción y de la Predaja provincial pediatric hospital of Holguin, Cuba. The universe of study was made up of 58 children who had been admitted to the intensive care unit because they presented with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion in the period of January 2005 to April 2015. The final sample was 55 patients.Results: according to the anteroposterior thoracic X-ray, the medium volume pleural effusion was the most frequent accounting for 53 percent of patients and clinical group II represented the highest number of patients with 49 percent. The pleural effusion volumes ranged 100 to 200 mL in the thoracic echography and were the most found (42 percent). Left hemithorax was the most affected (58 percent). Thorax X-ray did not show direct correlation with the removed pleural fluid volume.Conclusions: there is no association between the clinical characteristics and the imaging studies performed in children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion(AU)

A simple weighted scoring system to guide surgical decision-making in patients with parapneumonic pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: The selection of ideal candidates for surgical intervention among patients with parapneumonic pleural effusion remains challenging. In this retrospective study, we sought to identify the main predictors of surgical treatment and devise a simple scoring system to guide surgical decision-making. METHOD: Between 2005 and 2014, we identified 276 patients with parapneumonic pleural effusion. Patients in the training set (n=201) were divided into two groups according to their treatment modality (non-surgery vs. surgery). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we devised a scoring system to guide surgical decision-making. The score was subsequently validated in an independent set of 75 patients. RESULTS: A white blood cell count >13,500/µL, pleuritic pain, loculations, and split pleura sign were identified as independent predictors of surgical treatment. A weighted score based on these factors was devised, as follows: white blood cell count >13,500/µL (one point), pleuritic pain (one point), loculations (two points), and split pleura sign (three points). A score >4 was associated with a surgical approach with a sensitivity of 93.4%, a specificity of 82.4%, and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.879 (95% confidence interval: 0.828-0.930). In the validation set, a sensitivity of 94.3% and a specificity of 79.6% were found (AUC=0.869). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed scoring system reliably identifies patients with parapneumonic pleural effusion who are candidates for surgery. Pending independent external validation, our score may inform the appropriate use of surgical interventions in this clinical setting.

Management of Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion in Adults.

Pleural infections have high morbidity and mortality, and their incidence in all age groups is growing worldwide. Not all infectious effusions are parapneumonic and, in such cases, the organisms found in the pleural space are not the same as those observed in lung parenchyma infections. The diagnostic difficulty lies in knowing whether an infectious effusion will evolve into a complicated effusion/empyema, as the diagnostic methods used for this purpose provide poor results. The mainstays of treatment are to establish an early diagnosis and to commence an antibiotic regimen and chest drain as soon as possible. This should preferably be carried out with fine tubes, due to certain morphological, bacteriological and biochemical characteristics of the pleural fluid. Fluid analysis, particularly pH, is the most reliable method for assessing evolution. In a subgroup of patients, fibrinolytics may help to improve recovery, and their combination with DNase has been found to obtain better results. If medical treatment fails and surgery is required, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is, at least, comparable to decortication by thoracotomy, so should only undertaken if previous techniques have failed. Further clinical trials are needed to analyze factors that could affect the results obtained, in order to define new evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that provide more effective, standardized management of this disease.

Utility of measurement of interleukin-1ß and interleukin-8 in the diagnosis of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions.

OBJECTIVES: Thirty percent of patients with pneumonia develop pleural effusion, and of these, 20% have complicated effusion (CPPE), which may require a chest tube or surgery for resolution. The objective of the study is to compare the diagnostic yield of determining interleukin-1ß and interleukin-8 in pleural fluid (PF) (PFIL-1ß and PFIL-8) with respect to classic criteria (pH <7.2, lactate dehydrogenase [LD] >1,000 IU/mL, and/or glucose <60 mg/dL) in the early diagnosis of CPPE. METHODS: Of the 559 patients studied, 40 had CPPE. All underwent PF analysis: pH, glucose (PFGLUC), LD (PFLD), PFIL-1ß and PFIL-8, and PF/serum ratios (PF/SIL-1ß and PF/SIL-8). RESULTS: The diagnostic criterion that showed the best area under the curve was the combination of PF/SIL-8 and PFIL-1ß (0.906), with a statistically significant difference (P < .05) compared with the classic criterion of pH and PFGLUC or PFLD (0.826). The combination of PF/SIL-8 and PFIL-1ß (cutoffs >5.73 and >9.14 pg/mL, respectively) was significantly more sensitive (72.7%) and more specific (97.9%) (P < .05) than the rest of the parameters used. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of IL-1ß and IL-8 in pleural fluid may be useful in the early diagnosis of CPPE, although individually, it may not improve the results obtained with the PFLD. Further studies are needed to more firmly establish what role these new parameters can play in the diagnosis of CPPE.