Pleural procedures: an audit of practice and complications in a regional Australian teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pleural procedures are essential for the investigation and management of pleural disease and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of pleural procedure complication data in the Australian and New Zealand region. AIMS: To review pleural procedure practices at Wollongong Hospital with an emphasis on the assessment of complications, use of thoracic ultrasound (TUS), pathology results and comparison of findings with international data. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records was performed on pleural procedures identified through respiratory specialist trainee logbooks at Wollongong Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021. Comparison of complication rates was made to the British Thoracic Society 2011 a national pleural audit. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one pleural procedures were identified. There were 71 chest drains, 49 thoracocentesis and one indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) insertion. Ninety-seven per cent of procedures were performed for pleural effusions and 3% for pneumothorax. This audit demonstrated a complication rate (excluding pain) of 16.9% for chest drains and 4.1% for thoracocentesis. This gave an overall complication event rate of 10.8% (excluding pain) for pleural procedures. There was no major bleeding, organ puncture, pleural space infection or death. Bedside TUS was used in 99% of procedures. CONCLUSION: Complication rates for pleural procedures performed by respiratory specialist trainees at Wollongong Hospital are comparable with international outcomes. This audit provides data for comparison on pleural procedure complication rates in Australia. Future studies are required to determine complication rates with IPCs.

Does previous asbestos exposure increase the risk of a post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) pleural effusion - a routine data study?

BACKGROUND: Development of pleural effusion (PE) following CABG is common. Post-CABG PE are divided into early- (within 30 days of surgery) and delayed-onset (30 days-1 year) which are likely due to distinct pathological processes. Some experts suggest asbestos exposure may confer an independent risk for late-onset post-CABG PE, however no large studies have explored this potential association. RESEARCH QUESTION: To explore possible association between asbestos exposure and post-CABG PE using routine data. METHODS: All patients who underwent CABG 01/04/2013-31/03/2018 were identified from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Database. This England-wide population was evaluated for evidence of asbestos exposure, pleural plaques or asbestosis and a diagnosis of PE or PE-related procedure from 30 days to 1 year post-CABG. Patients with evidence of PE three months prior to CABG were excluded, as were patients with a new mesothelioma diagnosis. RESULTS: 68,150 patients were identified, of whom 1,003 (1%) were asbestos exposed and 2,377 (3%) developed late-onset PE. After adjusting for demographic data, Index of Multiple Deprivation and Charlson Co-morbidity Index, asbestos exposed patients had increased odds of PE diagnosis or related procedure such as thoracentesis or drainage (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.76, p = 0.04). In those with evidence of PE requiring procedure alone, the adjusted OR was 1.66 (95% CI 1.14-2.40, p = 0.01). Additional subgroup analysis of the 518 patients coded for pleural plaques and asbestosis alone revealed an adjusted OR of post-CABG PE requiring a procedure of 2.16 (95% CI 1.38-3.37, p = 0.002). INTERPRETATION: This large-scale study demonstrates prior asbestos exposure is associated with modestly increased risk of post-CABG PE development. The risk association appears higher in patients with assigned clinical codes indicative of radiological evidence of asbestos exposure (pleural plaques or asbestosis). This association may fit with a possible inflammatory co-pathogenesis, with asbestos exposure 'priming' the pleura resulting in greater propensity for PE evolution following the physiological insult of CABG surgery. Further work, including prospective studies and clinicopathological correlation are suggested to explore this further.

Prevalence and treatment outcome of bronchopleural fistula: a multi-center study in Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the magnitude, risk factors, and management outcome of patients with a bronchopleural fistula at multiple centres in Ethiopia. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A ten years (September 2012 - August 2021) institution-based multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted from September 13 to September 30, 2021. we surveyed the cards of all patients having a diagnosis of bronchopleural fistula for the last 10 years. The document was reviewed using an extraction checklist. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentages) and crosstabulation were used to describe the outcome variable. RESULT: A total of 52(2%) patients were diagnosed to have bronchopleural fistula out of 2546 patients admitted to the cardiothoracic unit in three hospitals from September 2012 - August 2021 and 69% of study participants were male. The mean age of study participants was 33.42 years with SD = 12.5. Thirty-one (60%) of the cases spontaneously developed a bronchopleural fistula and 20 (38%) were post-surgical and 1(2%) was a post-traumatic fistula. Of the total of post-surgical bronchopleural fistula, 14 (26.9%) of them were lung resection, 4 (7.7%) were hydatid cystectomy and 1(1.9%) are decortications, and bullectomy respectively. of the total post-lung resection, 8 (57%) were pneumonectomies followed by 3 (21.5%) Lobectomy, 2 (14.5%) wedge resection and 1(7%) bilobectomy respectively. Fifty patients were managed surgically and two patients were managed conservatively. Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) was closed in 40 (85.4%) and there were two (3.9%) deaths, and the cause of death was sepsis secondary to pneumonia of the contralateral lung in one case. CONCLUSION: Having thoracic surgery is a risk factor for the development of bronchopleural fistula. Management of bronchopleural fistula needs to be individualized.

The Global Burden of Pleural Diseases.

Pleural diseases include a spectrum of disorders broadly categorized into pneumothorax and pleural effusion. They often cause pain, breathlessness, cough, and reduced quality of life. The global burden of diseases reflects regional differences in conditions and exposures associated with pleural disease, such as smoking, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asbestos, cancer, and organ failure. Disease burden in high-income countries is overrepresented given the availability of data and disease burden in lower-income countries is likely underestimated. In the United States, in 2016, there were 42,215 treat-and-discharge visits to the emergency room for pleural diseases and an additional 361,270 hospitalizations, resulting in a national cost of $10.1 billion.

Apéndices pleurales: descripción, incidencia y relación con el índice de masa corporal / Pleural appendages: Description, incidence and relations with body mass index

Antecedentes y objetivo Los apéndices pleurales son grasa extrapleural que cuelga de la pared torácica. Han sido descritos mediante videotoracoscopia, pero no se conocen exactamente ni el aspecto ni la frecuencia con que se observan apéndices pleurales en tomografía computarizada (TC) ni tampoco si están relacionados con la cantidad de grasa del paciente. Pretendemos describir el aspecto y conocer la prevalencia de los apéndices pleurales observados en TC, así como saber si su presencia, tamaño y número es mayor en pacientes obesos que en no obesos. Pacientes y métodos Se han revisado retrospectivamente las imágenes axiales de tomografía computarizada de 226 pacientes con neumotórax. Fueron excluidos del estudio los pacientes con antecedentes de enfermedad pleural, cirugía torácica o neumotórax pequeños. Se dividió a los pacientes en dos grupos según el índice de masa corporal (IMC): obesos (IMC?≥?30) y no obesos (IMC<30). Se recogieron el número y tamaño de apéndices pleurales en cada paciente. Se emplearon una prueba de χ2 y el test exacto de Fisher para evaluar las diferencias entre los dos grupos. Un valor de p<0,05 se consideró significativo. Resultados 101 pacientes presentaron estudios de TC válidos. Se identificaron apéndices pleurales en 50 de los 101 pacientes (49,5%). La mayoría se presentan de forma solitaria (n=31), en el seno cardiofrénico (n=27) y tienen un tamaño inferior a 5cm (n=39). No hubo diferencia significativa entre los pacientes obesos y los no obesos en relación con la presencia o ausencia (p=0,315), número (p=0,458) y tamaño (p=0,458) de apéndices pleurales. Conclusiones Los apéndices pleurales se observan en el 49,5% de los pacientes con neumotórax estudiados con TC en este estudio. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los pacientes obesos y los no obesos respecto a la presencia, número y tamaño de apéndices pleurales (AU)

Background and aims Pleural appendages (PA) are portions of extrapleural fat that hang from the chest wall. They have been described on videothoracoscopy, however their appearance, frequency and possible relationship with the amount of patient's fat remain unknown. Our aim is to describe their appearances and prevalence on CT, and determinate whether their size and number is higher in obese patients. Patients and methods Axial images of 226 patients with pneumothorax on CT chest were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included known pleural disease, previous thoracic surgery and small pneumothorax. Patients were divided in obese (BMI > 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30) groups. Presence, position, size and number of PA were recorded. Chi square and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate differences between the two groups, considering p<0.05 as significant. Results Valid CT studies were available for 101 patients. Extrapleural fat was identified in 50 (49.5%) patients. Most were solitary (n=31). Most were located in the cardiophrenic angle (n=27), and most measured < 5cm (n=39). There was no significant difference between obese and non-obese patients regarding the presence or absence of PA (p=0.315), number (p=0.458) and size (p=0.458). Conclusions Pleural appendages were seen in 49.5% patients with pneumothorax on CT. There was no significant difference between obese and non-obese patients regarding presence, number and size of pleural appendages (AU)

Pleural Plaques and the Role of Exposure to Mineral Particles in the Asbestos Post-exposure Survey.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have inconsistently reported associations between refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) or mineral wool fibers (MWFs) and the presence of pleural plaques. All these studies were based on chest radiographs, known to be associated with a poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of pleural plaques. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the risk of pleural plaques increase with cumulative exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica? If the risk does increase, do these dose-response relationships depend on the co-exposure to asbestos or, conversely, are the dose-response relationships for asbestos modified by co-exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Volunteer workers were invited to participate in a CT scan screening program for asbestos-related diseases in France. Asbestos exposure was assessed by industrial hygienists, and exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica was determined by using job-exposure matrices. A cumulative exposure index (CEI) was then calculated for each subject and separately for each of the four mineral particle exposures. All available CT scans were submitted to randomized double reading by a panel of radiologists. RESULTS: In this cohort of 5,457 subjects, significant dose-response relationships were determined after adjustment for asbestos exposure between CEI to RCF or MWF and the risk of PPs (ORs of 1.29 [95% CI, 1.00-1.67] and 1.84 [95% CI, 1.49-2.27] for the highest CEI quartile, respectively). Significant interactions were found between asbestos on one hand and MWF or RCF on the other. INTERPRETATION: This study suggests the existence of a significant association between exposure to RCFs and MWFs and the presence of pleural plaques in a large population previously exposed to asbestos and screened by using CT scans.

Head and neck cancer and asbestos exposure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse, within a French cohort of workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos, incidence and mortality from various sites of head and neck cancers (larynx excluded) and to examine the potential link of these cancers with pleural plaques. METHODS: A 10-year follow-up study was conducted in the 13 481 male subjects included in the cohort between October 2003 and December 2005. Asbestos exposure was assessed by industrial hygienist analysis of a standardised questionnaire. The final cumulative exposure index (CEI; in equivalent fibres.years/mL) for each subject was calculated as the sum of each employment period's four-level CEI. The number of head and neck cancers recorded by the National Health Insurance fund was collected in order to conduct an incidence study. Complementary analysis was restricted to men who had performed at least one chest CT scan (N=4804). A mortality study was also conducted. We used a Cox model with age as the time axis variable adjusted for smoking, time since first exposure, CEI of exposure to asbestos and pleural plaques on CT scans. RESULTS: We reported a significant dose-response relationship between CEI of exposure to asbestos and head and neck cancers after exclusion of laryngeal cancers, in the mortality study (HR 1.03, 95% CI (1.01 to 1.06) for an increase of 10 f.years/mL) and a close to significant dose-response relationship in the incidence study (HR 1.02, 95% CI (1.00 to 1.04) for an increase of 10 f.years/mL). No statistically significant association between pleural plaques and head and neck cancer incidence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale study suggests a relationship between asbestos exposure and head and neck cancers, after exclusion of laryngeal cancers, regardless of whether associated pleural plaques were present.

Prognosis of resected non-small cell lung cancer with pleural plaques on intrathoracic findings.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with lung cancer who demonstrate pleural plaques intraoperatively, which may be associated with exposure to asbestos, is unclear. Here, we compared the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these patients to those of patients without pleural plaques. METHODS: We included patients who underwent curative-intent resection for non-small cell lung cancer. We retrospectively investigated the relationship of intrathoracic findings of pleural plaques with clinicopathological features and prognosis. RESULTS: Pleural plaques were found in 121/701 patients (17.3%) during surgery. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.001) and the pathological stage (P = 0.021) were higher in patients with pleural plaques. Overall survival was significantly worse in patients with pleural plaques (5-year rate; 64.5% vs. 79.3%; P < 0.001), and the same finding was noted in clinical stage I patients (5-year rate; 64.8% vs. 83.4%; P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the presence of pleural plaques was a significant predictor of overall survival in patients with clinical stage I (hazard ratio, 1.643; P = 0.036). In the analysis among patients with emphysema more severe than Goddard score 5 points or interstitial pneumonia, overall survival was significantly worse in those with pleural plaques than in those without pleural plaques (5-year rate; 66.3% vs. 49.5%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent resection and demonstrated pleural plaques intraoperatively had a significantly worse prognosis. It is important to recognize the presence of pleural plaques intraoperatively, and our findings will be useful in determining the treatment and follow-up strategy for such patients with lung cancer and pleural plaques on intrathoracic examination.

Pleuropulmonary pathologies in the early phase of acute pancreatitis correlate with disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure worsens the outcome of acute pancreatitis (AP) and underlying factors might be early detectable. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic relevance of early pleuropulmonary pathologies and pre-existing chronic lung diseases (CLD) in AP patients. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective cohort study. Caudal sections of the thorax derived from abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) performed in the early phase of AP were assessed. Independent predictors of severe AP were identified by binary logistic regression analysis. A one-year survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank test was performed. RESULTS: 358 patients were analysed, finding pleuropulmonary pathologies in 81%. CECTs were performed with a median of 2 days (IQR 1-3) after admission. Multivariable analysis identified moderate to severe or bilateral pleural effusions (PEs) (OR = 4.16, 95%CI 2.05-8.45, p<0.001) and pre-existing CLD (OR = 2.93, 95%CI 1.17-7.32, p = 0.022) as independent predictors of severe AP. Log rank test showed a significantly worse one-year survival in patients with bilateral compared to unilateral PEs in a subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing awareness of the prognostic impact of large and bilateral PEs and pre-existing CLD could facilitate the identification of patients at high risk for severe AP in the early phase and thus improve their prognosis.

Environmental asbestos exposure and nonmalignant pleural findings: a retrospective evaluation of a five-year chest CT repository.

This registry-based case-control study aimed to assess the association between asbestos deposits in the birthplace and/or residence and nonmalignant pleural findings, namely pleural plaques (PPs) and pleural thickening (PT), on chest CT scans. In total, 39,472 CT scans obtained over five years in a tertiary referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey, were evaluated. Cases involving patients with PP (n = 537), PT (n = 263), PP&PT (n = 69), and controls (n = 543) from the same study base without those conditions were included. Each case group was compared to controls using unconditional logistic regression. The presence of asbestos deposits in the district of birthplace (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.35-3.37) and both birthplace and residence (aOR = 4.32, 95% CI: 2.26-8.27) was significantly related to the PPs. As the importance of environmental asbestos exposure in Turkey continues, future prospective studies could contribute to developing screening strategies.

Epidemiology of Adult Pleural Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive US epidemiologic data for adult pleural disease are not available. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the epidemiologic measures related to adult pleural disease in the United States? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using Healthcare Utilization Project databases (2007-2016). Adults (≥ 18 years of age) with malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant pleural effusion, nonmalignant pleural effusion, empyema, primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, iatrogenic pneumothorax, and pleural TB were studied. RESULTS: In 2016, ED treat-and-discharge (T&D) visits totaled 42,215, accounting for charges of $286.7 million. In 2016, a total of 361,270 hospitalizations occurred, resulting in national costs of $10.1 billion. A total of 64,174 readmissions contributed $1.16 billion in additional national costs. Nonmalignant pleural effusion constituted 85.5% of ED T&D visits, 63.5% of hospitalizations, and 66.3% of 30-day readmissions. Contemporary sex distribution (male to female ratio) in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (2.1:1) differs from older estimates (6.2:1). Decadal analyses of annual hospitalization rates/100,000 adult population (2007 vs 2016) showed a significant (P < .001) decrease for malignant pleural mesothelioma (1.3 vs 1.09, respectively), malignant pleural effusion (33.4 vs 31.9, respectively), iatrogenic pneumothorax (17.9 vs 13.9, respectively), and pleural TB (0.20 vs 0.09, respectively) and an increase for empyema (8.1 vs 11.1, respectively) and nonmalignant pleural effusion (78.1 vs 100.1, respectively). Empyema hospitalizations have high costs per case ($38,591) and length of stay (13.8 days). The mean proportion of readmissions attributed to a pleural cause varied widely: malignant pleural mesothelioma, 49%; malignant pleural effusion, 45%; nonmalignant pleural effusion, 31%; empyema, 27%; primary spontaneous pneumothorax, 27%; secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, 27%; and iatrogenic pneumothorax, 20%. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax had the shortest time to readmission in 2016 (10.3 days, 95% CI, 8.8-11.8 days). INTERPRETATION: Significant epidemiologic trends and changes in various pleural diseases were observed. The analysis identifies multiple opportunities for improvement in management of pleural diseases.

Pleural space management after lung transplant: Early and late outcomes of pleural decortication.

BACKGROUND: Pleural complications after lung transplant may restrict allograft expansion, requiring decortication. However, its extent, indications, risk factors, and effect on allograft function and survival are unclear. METHODS: From January 2006 to January 2017, 1,039 patients underwent primary lung transplant and 468 had pleural complications, 77 (16%) of whom underwent 84 surgical decortications for pleural space management. Multivariable time-related analysis was performed to identify risk factors for decortication. Mixed-effect longitudinal modeling was used to assess allograft function before and after decortication. RESULTS: Cumulative number of decortications per 100 transplants was 1.8, 7.8, and 8.8 at 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years after transplant, respectively. Indications for the 84 decortications were complex effusion in 47 (56%), fibrothorax in 17 (20%), empyema in 11 (13%), and hemothorax in 9 (11%). Thoracoscopic operations were performed in 52 (62%) and full lung re-expansion was achieved in 76 (90%). Complications occurred after 30 (36%) decortications, with 15 pulmonary complications (18%), including 2 patients requiring extracorporeal support due to worsening function. Ten reinterventions occurred via thoracentesis (2), tube thoracostomy (1), and reoperation (7). In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 5.2% (n = 4/77). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second increased from 50% to 60% within the first year after decortication, followed by a slow decline to 55% at 5 years. Postdecortication survival was 87%, 68%, and 48% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high risk of reoperative surgery, decortication after lung transplant allows salvage of pleural space and graft function with a reasonable morbidity profile.

Advances in pleural infection and malignancy.

Pleural infection and malignancy are among the most common causes of pleural disease and form the mainstay of pleural practice. There has been significant research and increase in scientific understanding in these areas in the past decade. With regard to pleural infection, the rising incidence remains worrying. An increased awareness allowing earlier diagnosis, earlier escalation of therapy and the use of validated risk stratification measures may improve outcomes. In pleural malignancy, research has enabled clinicians to streamline patient pathways with focus on reducing time to diagnosis, definitive management of malignant pleural effusion and achieving these with the minimum number of pleural interventions. Trials comparing treatment modalities of malignant pleural effusion continue to highlight the importance of patient choice in clinical decision-making. This article aims to summarise some of the most recent literature informing current practice in these two areas.

Natural History of Pleural Complications After Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in lung transplantation, 5-year survival remains at 56%. Although the focus has been on chronic lung allograft dysfunction and infection, pleural complications in some may contribute to adverse outcomes. Therefore, we determined (1) the prevalence of, and risk factors for, pleural complications after lung transplantation and (2) their association with allograft function and mortality. METHODS: From 2006 to 2017, 1039 adults underwent primary lung transplantation at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Multivariable analyses were performed in the multiphase mixed longitudinal and hazard function domains to identify risk factors associated with allograft function and survival. RESULTS: A total of 468 patients (45%) had pleural complications, including pleural effusion in 271 (26%), pneumothorax in 152 (15%), hemothorax in 128 (12%), empyema in 47 (5%), and chylothorax in 9 (1%). Risk factors for pleural complications within the first 3 months included higher recipient-to-donor weight ratio, lower recipient albumin, and recipient-to-donor race mismatch; risk factors extending beyond 3 months included older age, hypertension, smoking history, lower lung allocation score, and donor death from anoxia. Cardiopulmonary bypass and previous thoracic interventions were not risk factors in patients with pleural effusions who were treated with thoracentesis only, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second improved after drainage; however, repeat percutaneous or surgical interventions did not impart a similar benefit. Pleural complications were associated with worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural complications are common after lung transplantation and are associated with worse allograft function and survival. These complications are likely secondary to other underlying clinical problems. Malnourishment and size mismatch are modifiable risk factors.

Pleural infection-an indicator of morbidity and increased burden on health care.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with pleural infections frequently have several comorbidities and inferior long-term survival. We hypothesized that these patients represent a vulnerable cohort with high rates of hospitalization and frequent use of healthcare services. This study aims to ascertain the need for and causes of treatment episodes after pleural infections during long-term follow-up. METHODS: Patients treated for pleural infections at Tampere University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2008 (n = 191, 81% males, median age 58 years) were included and compared to a demographically matched population-based random sample of 1910 controls. Seventy percent of the pleural infections were caused by pneumonias and 80% of the patients underwent surgery. Information regarding later in-hospital periods and emergency room and out-patient clinic visits, as well as survival data, was obtained from national registries and compared between patients and controls. RESULTS: Patients treated for pleural infections had significantly higher rates of hospitalizations (8.19 vs 2.19), in-hospital days (88.5 vs 26.6), emergency room admissions (3.18 vs 1.45), out-patient clinic visits (41.1 vs 11.8) and procedures performed (1.26 vs 0.55) per 100 patient-months when compared to controls during 5-year follow-up, in addition to having increased mortality (30% vs 11%), P-value <0.00001 each. Particularly, episodes due to respiratory and digestive diseases, malignancies and mental disorders were more frequent. The patients' comorbidities, such as alcoholism or chronic pulmonary disease, were associated with more frequent use of healthcare services. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated for pleural infections have high rates of hospitalizations, emergency room admissions and out-patient clinic visits during follow-up.

Factors associated with variations in the rate of referrals and microbiology of pleural infection.

OBJECTIVES: Invasive pneumococcal disease is seasonal and associated with influenza, but the same is uncertain for pleural infection. We set out to investigate whether pleural infection referrals similarly correlate with the seasonal variation in influenza burden and whether the microbiologic etiology varies according to certain factors. METHODS: Cases of pleural infection were retrieved from the database of a Pleural Unit in a tertiary hospital in the UK. The rate of referrals for pleural infection was compared to contemporary national rates of influenza hospitalizations and primary care presentation with influenza like illnesses. RESULTS: Between August 2015 and December 2019, 157 cases of pleural infection were diagnosed. The monthly rate of referrals with pleural infections was 3.8 cases/month, but this varied between months [range 0-6 cases]. No clear increase in pleural infection referrals coinciding or falling after peak influenza diagnosis was observed. However, the rate of infection referrals correlated positively with the overall monthly volume of pleural referrals (ß 0.035, p = 0.004). Gram negative bacteria seemed more common during the hotter months, in hospital-acquired infections and in younger adults. Young adults were more commonly infected with pneumococci than older adults, who were more vulnerable to anaerobic infections. CONCLUSION: Direct association between the rate of pleural infection cases and influenza activity was not identified. Pleural infection microbiology appears to differ according to age and environmental temperatures.

Evaluation of the Possible Risk Factors on Bronchial Closure Techniques for Bronchopleural Fistula after Lung Resection.

BACKGROUND: Broncho-pleural fistula (BPF) can occur after pulmonary resections as a complication with high morbidity and mortality rates. AIM: In the present study, we analyzed the relation between the possible risk factors and the two major bronchial closure techniques for BPF after lung resections, and the management methods of BPF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 cases detected and managed with BPF diagnosis in our clinic between September 2005 and September 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=14); bronchial closure performed manually and Group 2 (n=12) bronchial closure with stapler. We analyzed cases for age, gender, body mass index, pulmonary function tests, time to fistula, total protein/albumin level, length of hospital stay, bronchial stump distance, presence of bronchial stump coverage, and the mean survivals. RESULTS: Twenty-three of the cases were males (88.5%) with a mean age of 60.03±8.7 years (range 38-73). While BPF was detected in twenty-three (88.5%) of the cases after pneumonectomy, three (11.5%) of them were after lobectomy. There was no statistically significant correlation between the two groups in gender, age, BMI, preoperative FEV1, time to fistula, total protein/albumin level, length of hospital stay, bronchial stump distance, and presence of bronchial stump coverage (chi-square test, p>0.05). As a result of the applied Kaplan-Meier analysis, we found no statistically significant difference in the mean survival rates between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Broncho-pleural fistulas still remains a major challenge. Although there is no statistical relationship between bronchial closure techniques and possible risk factors in our study, patients should be assessed in terms of possible risk factors. The management strategy for BPF varies according to individual patients' clinical condition, the size of the fistula, and development time.

Radiographic Changes in Colombian Asbestos Factory Workers.

Background: Until recently, Colombia has been a country actively using asbestos. A major factory in Bogota manufactures friction products. Objective: To determine if the use of chrysotile asbestos in a friction products facility leads to workers developing disease. Methods: One hundred forty-eight factory workers, former workers, or retirees volunteered for X-ray and pulmonary function testing after informed consent. X-rays were read by two readers who needed to agree on positive findings. Results: Nineteen of the 148 X-rays had changes consistent with the known prior exposure to asbestos, mostly parenchymal in nature. Pulmonary function was not altered in most of the studied population. Conclusion: Asbestos disease is clearly present among Colombian asbestos factory workers, as is seen in other exposed populations around the world.

Postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula: analysis of risk factors and the role of bronchial stump coverage.

PURPOSE: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a potentially fatal complication of pneumonectomy. We analyze its occurrence rate, risk factors, and the methods used for its prevention. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent pneumonectomy at our Institution between January, 1990 and March, 2016. The risk factors for postoperative BPF were analyzed by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Over the study period, 511 patients underwent pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and had the bronchus closed by manual suturing. BPF developed in 23 patients (4.5%). Multiple logistic regression identified no coverage of the bronchial stump, right-sided pneumonectomy, residual tumor in the bronchial stump, postoperative ventilatory support, and completion pneumonectomy, as independent risk factors for BPF. The cumulative rate of BPF decreased significantly over time from 18% between 1990 and 1995 to 1% between 2011 and 2016 (p < 0.001). Concurrently, the data of several patients showed a significant positive trend over time, including bronchial stump coverage (BSC). DISCUSSION: Several known risk factors for BPF were confirmed. The more frequent usage of tissue flaps for coverage of the bronchial stump may have contributed to the reduction in the rate of postoperative BPF over time.

Pleural Plaques and the Risk of Lung Cancer in Asbestos-exposed Subjects.

Rationale: Asbestos exposure is associated with a dose-dependent risk of lung cancer. The association between lung cancer and the presence of pleural plaques remains controversial.Objectives: To define the relationship between pleural plaques and lung cancer risk.Methods: Subjects were from two cohorts: 1) crocidolite mine and mill workers and Wittenoom Township residents and 2) a mixed-asbestos-fiber, mixed-occupation group. All subjects underwent annual review since 1990, chest X-ray or low-dose computed tomography scan, and outcome linkage to national cancer and mortality registry data. Cox regression, with adjustment for age (as the underlying matching time variable), was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for lung cancer incidence by sex, tobacco smoking, asbestos exposure, presence of asbestosis, and pleural plaques.Measurements and Main Results: For all 4,240 subjects, mean age at follow up was 65.4 years, 3,486 (82.0%) were male, 1,315 (31.0%) had pleural plaques, and 1,353 (32.0%) had radiographic asbestosis. Overall, 3,042 (71.7%) were ever-smokers with mean tobacco exposure of 33 pack-years. In total, 200 lung cancers were recorded. Risk of lung cancer increased with cumulative exposure to cigarettes, asbestos, and presence of asbestosis. Pleural plaques did not confer any additional lung cancer risk in either cohort (cohort 1: HR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-1.67; P = 0.89; cohort 2: HR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.25; P = 0.28).Conclusions: The presence of pleural plaques on radiologic imaging does not confer additional increase in the risk of lung cancer. This result is consistent across two cohorts with differing asbestos fiber exposures and intensity.