Clinical anatomy of pulmonary connections in young people.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the clinical anatomy of the pulmonary ligaments of young people. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study was carried out when performing 28 autopsies of young people aged 25 to 44 years. Methods of dissection of chest organocomplexes, macro-microscopy, morphometry and planimetry, and statistical processing were used. The shape and topography of the pulmonary ligaments was assessed, their area, the localization of lymph nodes was examined. RESULTS: Results: The pulmonary ligament is an anatomical formation, which is formed as a result of a combination of leaves of the mediastinal pleura, which, covering the surfaces of the roots of the lungs, descend towards the diaphragm and are located between the mediastinal organs and the lungs. Pulmonary connections on both sides have a few edges: the inner, outer and lower free. The pulmonary ligaments with lower free edges do not pass to the diaphragmatic surface of the pleura, but only with inner ones, which are located on the right along the esophagus, and on the left along the aorta. Pulmonary ligaments on both sides pass into the mediastinal part of the pleura, covering the pericardium. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: There are individual differences between the shape and size of the right and left pulmonary ligaments in males and females. There is no significant difference between the sizes of the right and left pulmonary ligaments, but such dimensions as: the width, the angle of inclination and the ratio of their lower free edge to the lower edge of the lungs are not found in all cases.

Topography of pleural epithelial structure enabled by en face isolation and machine learning.

Pleural epithelial adaptations to mechanical stress are relevant to both normal lung function and parenchymal lung diseases. Assessing regional differences in mechanical stress, however, has been complicated by the nonlinear stress-strain properties of the lung and the large displacements with ventilation. Moreover, there is no reliable method of isolating pleural epithelium for structural studies. To define the topographic variation in pleural structure, we developed a method of en face harvest of murine pleural epithelium. Silver-stain was used to highlight cell borders and facilitate imaging with light microscopy. Machine learning and watershed segmentation were used to define the cell area and cell perimeter of the isolated pleural epithelial cells. In the deflated lung at residual volume, the pleural epithelial cells were significantly larger in the apex (624 ± 247 µm2 ) than in basilar regions of the lung (471 ± 119 µm2 ) (p < 0.001). The distortion of apical epithelial cells was consistent with a vertical gradient of pleural pressures. To assess epithelial changes with inflation, the pleura was studied at total lung capacity. The average epithelial cell area increased 57% and the average perimeter increased 27% between residual volume and total lung capacity. The increase in lung volume was less than half the percent change predicted by uniform or isotropic expansion of the lung. We conclude that the structured analysis of pleural epithelial cells complements studies of pulmonary microstructure and provides useful insights into the regional distribution of mechanical stresses in the lung.

Lymphatic Pathways of the Thorax: Predictable Patterns of Spread.

OBJECTIVE. This article reviews thoracic lymphatic pathways and tributaries, discusses lymphatic anatomic variants and their clinical implications, and emphasizes common patterns of thoracic lymphadenopathy from extrapulmonary malignancies. CONCLUSION. Recognition of common patterns and pathways of thoracic lymphatic drainage can help identify the site of tumor origin and allow a more focused examination of disease extent, both of which are important for disease prognosis and management.

Pleural line thickness reference values for preterm and term newborns.

BACKGROUND: In lung ultrasound (LUS), the pleural line is an artifact whose thickness depends on the underlying lung pathology. To date there are no published studies on normal values of pleural line thickness (PLT) in newborns. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to describe normal PLT values in term newborn (TN) and preterm newborn (PTN). METHODS: We recruited eupneic TN and PTN, under 34 weeks of gestation, on their first 24 hours of life. Newborns presenting any respiratory distress since birth were excluded. LUS was performed in four areas: upper anterior, lower anterior, lateral and posterior. At each location, we measured PLT and values where compared. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the kappa coefficient. RESULTS: We included 23 TN with a median birth weight of 3365 g (interquartile range [IQR] 3100-3575 g) and a median gestational age of 39 weeks (IQR, 38-40 weeks). In the PTN group, 23 patients were included with a median birth weight of 1350 g (IQR, 1150-1590 g) and a median gestational age of 31 weeks (IQR, 30-32 weeks). Median PLT values were less than 1 mm, and there were no significant differences between groups at any locations, with the exception of the left lower anterior field (0.79 mm [IQR, 0.72-0.89 mm] vs 0.68 mm [IQR, 0.62-0.72 mm]). Intraobserver agreement was high: consistency ICC 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.92) and absolute ICC 0.78 (95% CI, 0.34-0.93). Interobserver agreement was high for the definition of thin pleural line as less than 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: TN and asymptomatic PTN have similar PLT values. Overall, PLT in healthy newborns should be less than 1 mm.

Retropleural Thoracic Approach.

The lateral retropleural thoracic approach offers minimally invasive access for the treatment of thoracic spine pathology, specifically thoracic herniated discs. Alternatives to the retropleural approach traditionally included posterolateral or anterior approaches, which carry increased morbidity. The retropleural approach affords lateral access to the thoracic spine that allows for addressing pathology such as herniated discs, corpectomy, tumor, or trauma. This article outlines preoperative workup and planning, intraoperative steps, tips, and postoperative care.

Anatomical Relations Between the Esogastric Junction, the Diaphragm, the Pleura, and the Left Lung in Chronic Esogastro-bronchial and/or Esogastro-pleural Fistulas After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Gastric fistula is a severe complication following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Chronic gastric fistula can progress to complex anatomical situations, such as esogastro-bronchial and/or esogastro-pleural (EGBP) fistulas. We decided to analyze the anatomical characteristics of these EGBP fistulas after SG. METHODS: Our work consisted of an analysis of the clinical, endoscopic, and radiological data of patients treated for EGBP fistulas after SG at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital from May 2009 to November 2017. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were retrospectively included with available complete clinical, endoscopic, and radiological data. The origin of the fistula was mostly at the top of the staple line. The fistula's termination was pleural in 5 patients (45%) and bronchial in 6 (55%). In bronchial fistulas, 2 were proximal and 4 were distal, with the left pulmonary posterolateral segment (S10) being reached in each case. The trans-diaphragmatic passage was through the left cupola in 9 out of 11 patients (82%). In 2 patients, the passage was trans-hiatal (18%). Interestingly, the 2 eso-bronchial fistulas had a trans-hiatal passage with a termination in the proximal bronchus, while the 4 gastro-bronchial fistulas had a trans-diaphragmatic passage with a termination in the distal bronchus. All pleural fistulas were gastric with a trans-diaphragmatic passage. CONCLUSIONS: Esogastro-bronchial and gastro-pleural fistulas after SG originated mostly at the top of the staple line. Eso-bronchial fistulas had a trans-hiatal passage with a proximal bronchial termination, while gastro-bronchial fistulas had a trans-diaphragmatic passage with a distal bronchial termination.

New insights and improved strategies for the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The pathophysiology and management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are a subject of debate. Despite advances in the understanding of its etiopathogenesis and improvements in its management, implementation in clinical practice is suboptimal. In this manuscript, we review the recent literature with a focus on PSP pathophysiology and management. Blebs and emphysema-like changes (ELC) are thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of PSP but cannot explain all cases. Recent studies emphasize the role of a diffuse porosity of the visceral pleura. Others found a relationship between smoking, occurrence of a PSP and bronchiolitis, which could be the initial pathological process leading to ELC development. Recent or ongoing studies challenge the need to systematically remove air from the pleural cavity of stable patients, introducing conservative management as a valuable therapeutic option. Evidence is growing in favour of needle aspiration instead of chest tube insertion, when air evacuation is needed. In addition, ambulatory management is considered as a successful approach in meta-analyses and is under exploration in a large randomized study. Because of a high recurrence rate of PSP, the benefit of performing a pleurodesis at first occurrence is under evaluation with interesting but not generalizable results. Better identification of 'at risk patients' is needed to improve the investigation strategy. Finally, recent publications confirm the efficacy, security and cost-effectiveness of graded talc poudrage pleurodesis to prevent PSP recurrence. In conclusion, PSP pathophysiology and management are still under investigation. The results of recently published and ongoing studies should be more widely implemented in clinical practice.

Positional changes in distance to the pleura and in muscle thickness for dry needling.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to measure and to determine differences in tissue depth in the upper back for two prone positions and to stratify the results by body composition and sex of the patient. In addition, muscle thickness changes with positioning were assessed. This information is important for clinicians who dry needle in the thorax area, cognizant of the dangers of inadvertently piercing the pleura or lung tissue. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional. SETTING: Health and Human Performance laboratory at a university campus. PARTICIPANTS: Sample of convenience of 60 college-aged subjects, 20 subjects in three body composition groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distances from skin to lung tissue, skin to ribs and muscle thickness were measured and compared between two prone positions. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in depth to the lung tissue (0.7cm, 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.0cm) when using a bolster under the shoulder. There were also differences in depths between body composition classifications and between sexes, but not between sides. The average thickness of all muscles increased significantly by up to 0.4cm (95% confidence interval 0.3-0.5) when the shoulder was positioned in retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Positioning, body constitution and sex of the patient change tissue depth significantly and should be considered when dry needling. This change is largely attributed to a modification in muscle thickness.

A Dynamic Anatomical Description of the Parietal Pleura Setting Safety Limits for Intercostal Percutaneous Access.

PURPOSE: We came up with a dynamic anatomical study intended to validate the safety of intercostal approach used by our center to access the upper pole of the kidney during percutaneous surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 patients presenting randomly to the radiology department for CT evaluation of the abdomen and superior pelvis were involved in this study. Deep inspiration and expiration sequences in the prone position were evaluated to establish the location of the parietal pleura in relation to different anatomical landmarks. Three-dimensional reconstruction was performed to simulate the access needle course through the retroperitoneum. RESULTS: Our data show that the position of parietal pleura is invariably higher on the right side irrespective of anatomical relation or respiratory changes. Higher position of the parietal pleura was noted in all considered landmarks upon full expiratory sequences. Using the midclavicular line as a landmark, our data show that on the right side, the parietal pleura was higher than the 10th intercostal space (ICS) in 100% of patients. Going up to the level of the ninth and eighth ICS, the pleura is higher in 89.1% and 66.3% of patients, respectively. Moreover, on the left side, the level of the parietal pleura was higher than the 11th ICS in 100% of patients. Reaching the 10th ICS, the parietal pleura still is higher in 92.07% of cases. Going up to the ninth ICS reduces the margin to 64.35% and using the eighth ICS would convey a margin of 24.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Supracostal access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy carries a risk of pulmonary complications, limiting its use worldwide. We have shown in this study that using the differences in inspiration and expiration along with the right anatomical landmarks could substantially lower the risk of complications. However, regardless of the side or landmark used, supracostal access is safe in >90% of cases.

Lymphatic drainage of lung segments in the visceral pleura: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: Although peribronchial lymphatic drainage of the lung has been well characterized, lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura is less well understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the lymphatic drainage of lung segments in the visceral pleura. METHODS: Adult, European cadavers were examined. Cadavers with a history of pleural or pulmonary disease were excluded. The cadavers had been refrigerated but not embalmed. The lungs were surgically removed and re-warmed. Blue dye was injected into the subpleural area and into the first draining visceral pleural lymphatic vessel of each lung segment. RESULTS: Twenty-one cadavers (7 males and 14 females; mean age 80.9 years) were dissected an average of 9.8 day postmortem. A total of 380 dye injections (in 95 lobes) were performed. Lymphatic drainage of the visceral pleura followed a segmental pathway in 44.2% of the injections (n = 168) and an intersegmental pathway in 55.8% (n = 212). Drainage was found to be both intersegmental and interlobar in 2.6% of the injections (n = 10). Lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura followed an intersegmental pathway in 22.8% (n = 13) of right upper lobe injections, 57.9% (n = 22) of right middle lobe injections, 83.3% (n = 75) of right lower lobe injections, 21% (n = 21) of left upper lobe injections, and 85.3% (n = 81) of left lower lobe injections. CONCLUSION: In the lung, lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura appears to be more intersegmental than the peribronchial pathway is-especially in the lower lobes. The involvement of intersegmental lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura should now be evaluated during pulmonary resections (and especially sub-lobar resections) for lung cancer.

BRILMA methylene blue in cadavers. Anatomical dissection / BRILMA azul de metileno en cadáveres. Disección anatómica

No disponible

Visibility and variability of pleural fissures on normal digital chest radiographs of 1,000 healthy adults.

PURPOSE: To investigate the visibility and variability of pleural fissures on digital chest radiographs. METHODS: Posteroanterior digital chest radiographs of 566 males and 434 females were retrospectively reviewed for the frequencies and/or appearances of various pleural fissures. RESULTS: The right only, left only and bilateral minor fissures were visible in 722 (72.2 %), 1 (0.1 %) and 7 (0.7 %) subjects, respectively. The right minor fissures were visible as more than one line in 219 (30.0 %) subjects, i.e., 2, 3 and 4 lines in 214 (29.3 %), 4 (0.5 %) and 1 (0.1 %), respectively. The 955 visible right minor fissures exhibited variable length (<1/3 of right hemithorax, 17.8 %; 1/3-2/3, 60.1 %; >2/3, 22.1 %), alignment (medial higher 40.9 %; lateral higher 54.2 %; horizontal 4.8 %) and contour (convex upward 68.6 %; convex downward 2.7 %; flat 24.9 %; sigmoid 3.8 %). Superolateral major fissures were visualized in 14.8 % (right only 3.0 %; left only 9.0 %; bilateral 2.8 %), superomedial major fissures in 0.3 % (right 0.1 %; left 0.2 %), vertical fissures in 0.5 % (right 0.2 %; left 0.3 %), inferior accessory fissures in 5.4 % (right 4.8 %; left 0.6 %), right superior accessory fissures in 1.2 % and azygos fissures in 0.2 %. CONCLUSION: The right minor fissure was most frequently visible and exhibited variable appearances. Other pleural fissures were occasionally seen.

Congenital pericardial defect: a case of right pericardial partial absence with normal parietal pleura [corrected].

Congenital pericardial defect (CPD) is a rare cardiovascular anomaly. A right-sided CPD is much rarer than left-sided defects. Usually both the pericardium and parietal pleura are absent. We report a rare case of a right partial CPD involving the right atrial appendage, suspected by computed tomography and cine magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed by thoracoscopy, which also demonstrated a normal parietal pleura.

Ultrasound-guided pleural access.

Ultrasonography of the thorax has become a more recognized tool in pulmonary medicine, thanks to continuing clinical research that has proven its many valuable roles in the day-to-day management of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Ultrasound examination is a cost-effective imaging modality that permits the pulmonologist to obtain information about the pathologies in the thorax without the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation, providing the examiner with real-time and immediate results. Its ease of use and training along with its portability to the patient's bedside and accurate examination of the pleural space has allowed for safer pleural procedures such as thoracentesis, chest tube placement, tunneled pleural catheter placement, and medical thoracoscopy. In this review, we summarize the technique of chest ultrasonography, compare ultrasound to other frequently used thoracic imaging modalities, and focus on its use in obtaining pleural access while performing invasive pleural procedures.

Emerging surgical pathways of thoracotomy.

Thoracic incisions are the portals of choice for accessing thoracic organs. There are instances, however, that more than one incision are required at the same or a later stage, in order to access other, thoracic or extrathoracic, organs for more complicated procedures. Then again, a single thoracic incision may offer more than adequate access to extrathoracic organs and in selected cases becomes valuable surgical approach to organs of the upper abdomen or the contralateral hemithorax. The experience with this technique is discussed.

Computerized tomographic anatomic relationships of the thoracic paravertebral space.

OBJECTIVES: A wide range of insertion points lateral to the midline are recommended for paravertebral blockade. The authors hypothesized that in a given subject, using an insertion point at the tip of the transverse process has a superficial but consistent depth to the pleura. The authors also hypothesized that for a given insertion point, depths to the pleura are related directly to the patient's anthropomorphic indices. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Adult tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two adult patients. INTERVENTIONS N/A MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors reviewed the computerized tomography scans of 42 adult patients and correlated patients' body mass index, weight, height, and body surface area with skin and transverse process-to-pleura depths at the level of T4, 25 mm from the midline and from the tip of the transverse process. The authors found that the depth to the pleura from the transverse process was significantly deeper at 25 mm lateral to the midline than at the tip of the transverse process (21 mm [4.2mm] v 12 mm [2.7 mm], p<0.0001), and its variability was significantly larger (p = 0.005). The authors found significant correlation between anthropomorphic indices and depths to pleura and transverse process (r>0.8, p<0.0001); however, the prediction bands around their regression lines proved too broad to be clinically useful. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that an insertion point at the tip of the transverse process may provide effective and safer paravertebral blockade and that depth to the pleura cannot be predicted reliably by patients' morphometric profiles.

Surgical treatment of thoracic disc disease via minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach: analysis of 33 patients.

Thoracic disc herniations are associated with serious neurological consequences if not treated appropriately. Although a number of techniques have been described, there is no consensus about the best surgical approach. In this study, the authors report their experience in the operative management of patients with thoracic disc herniations using minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach. A series of 33 consecutive patients with thoracic disc herniations who underwent anterior spinal cord decompression followed by instrumented fusion through lateral approach is being reported. Demographic and radiographic data, perioperative complications, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Forty disc levels in 33 patients (18F/15M; mean age, 52.9) were treated. Twenty-three patients presented with myelopathy (69 %), 31 had radiculopathy (94 %), and 31 had axial pain (94 %). Among patients with myelopathy, 14 (42.4 %) had bladder and/or bowel dysfunction. In the last eight cases (24 %), the approach was retropleural instead of transpleural. Patients were followed up for 18.2 months on average. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 days. None of the patients developed neurological deterioration postoperatively. Among 23 patients who had myelopathy signs, 21 (91 %) had improved postoperatively. The mean preoperative visual analog scale pain score, Oswestry Disability Index score, SF-36 PCS, and mental component summary scores were 7.5, 42.4, 29.6, and 37.5 which improved to 3.5, 33.2, 35.5, and 52.6, respectively. Perioperative complications occurred in six patients (18.1 %), all of which resolved uneventfully. Minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach is a safe and efficacious technique for achieving adequate decompression in thoracic disc herniations in a less invasive manner than conventional approaches.