An update of the long-term outcome of patients with nonspecific pleurisy at medical thoracoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is recommended in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion and offers a degree of diagnostic sensitivity for pleural malignancy. However, not all patients who undergo MT receive an exact diagnosis. Our previous investigation from 2014 summarized the long-term outcomes of these patients with nonspecific pleurisy (NSP); now, we offer updated data with the goal of refining our conclusions. METHODS: Between July 2005 and August 2018, MT with pleural biopsies were performed in a total of 1,254 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. One hundred fifty-four patients diagnosed with NSP with available follow-up data were included in the present study, and their medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients were included in this study with a mean follow-up duration of 61.5 ± 43.7 months (range: 1-180 months). No specific diagnosis was established in 67 (43.5%) of the patients. Nineteen patients (12.3%) were subsequently diagnosed with pleural malignancies. Sixty-eight patients (44.2%) were diagnosed with benign diseases. Findings of pleural nodules or plaques during MT and the recurrence of pleural effusion were associated with malignant disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although most NSP patients received a diagnosis of a benign disease, malignant disease was still a possibility, especially in those patients with nodules or plaques as noted on the MT and a recurrence of pleural effusion. One year of clinical follow-up for NSP patients is likely sufficient. These updated results further confirm our previous study's conclusions.

Success rate of medical thoracoscopy and talc pleurodesis in malignant pleurisy: A single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Malignant pleurisy is associated with advanced oncological disease and dyspnoea is the most common presenting symptom. Pleurodesis is the preferred palliative and supportive treatment option, targeting symptom relief. The identification of clinical and endoscopic features that determine the success of talc pleurodesis in malignant pleurisy could guide clinical decision-making. METHODS: All symptomatic patients with malignant pleurisy subjected to talc pleurodesis through medical thoracoscopy between January 2012 and December 2015 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with successful pleurodesis. RESULTS: Of the 155 patients, 122 (78%) were classified as having a successful pleurodesis based on clinical and radiological criteria. Factors associated with unsuccessful pleurodesis (univariate analysis) were the presence of pleural adhesions (odds ratio (OR): 0.43 (95% CI: 0.19-0.96); P = 0.04), extensive spread of pleural lesions (OR: 0.17 (95% CI: 0.05-0.59); P = 0.001), the use of systemic corticosteroids (OR: 0.28 (95% CI: 0.10-0.83); P = 0.02) and a prolonged time period between the clinical diagnosis of the pleural effusion and the moment of pleurodesis (OR: 0.14 (95% CI: 0.06-0.32); P < 0.0001). The latter being associated with failure of pleurodesis in a multivariate analysis (OR: 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01-0.25); P < 0.0001). Chest ultrasound prior to pleurodesis showed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 88% in predicting the success of pleurodesis. CONCLUSION: The success rate of pleurodesis in malignant pleurisy could potentially be enhanced by correct patient selection and early referral for pleurodesis. Ultrasonic assessment of pleural adhesions and potential lung expansion prior to pleurodesis is useful in clinical decision-making.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Lateral Decubitus Chest Radiography before Pleural Maneuvers for the Management of Pleurisies in the Era of Chest Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Chest ultrasound (CUS) is the gold standard to detect pleural adhesions before pleural maneuvers. However, the CUS technique is not available in all countries where the assessment is only based on clinical examination and chest radiography. OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of lateral decubitus chest radiography (LDCR) to detect pleural adhesions. METHODS: Consecutive patients with pleural effusions undergoing LCDR followed by medical thoracoscopy the day after were identified from an institutional database. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for LDCR were calculated. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were included in the study. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of LDCR for the presence of adhesions taking into account the shape of the horizontal level were 71.2% (56.7-82.5), 44.1% (27.6-61.9), 66.1% (52.1-77.8), and 50% (31.7-68.3), respectively. The accuracy to predict pleural adhesions for the sign "incomplete horizontal level" was 60.5 (49.3-70.7). The accuracy to predict pleural adhesions in case of irregular aspect of the horizontal level was 53.5 (42.5-64.2). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of LDCR for the detection of pleural adhesions is low in patients with pleural effusion and LDCR is not sufficient before pleural maneuvers. This has to be taken into account in countries with a high prevalence of pleural tuberculosis which usually lead to loculated pleural effusions. CUS has to be urgently included in dedicated educational programs in these areas in order to decrease the complications related to unexpected pleural adhesions and achieve better planning for the management of pleural effusions.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pleuritis.

BACKGROUND: While nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pleuritis rarely complicates pulmonary NTM infection, high mortality has been reported in case reports and small studies. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical features and treatment outcomes of pulmonary NTM infection cases accompanied by NTM pleuritis. METHODS: Medical records of 1,044 patients with pulmonary NTM disease were retrospectively reviewed to select patients complicated by NTM-proven pleuritis. We investigated clinical characteristics, pathogens, pleural effusion examinations, radiographic findings, treatments, and clinical course of the NTM pleuritis patients. RESULTS: Among 1,044 cases with pulmonary NTM, NTM pleuritis occurred in 15 cases (1.4%). The mean age was 69 years with a performance status of mostly 2 or better (80.0%), and 6 cases (40.0%) were complicated by pneumothorax. Subpleural cavities were radiologically detected in 11 cases (73.3%), and extrapulmonary air-fluid level was detected in 14 cases (93.3%). Eleven patients were treated with combinations of 2-4 antimycobacterial drugs, including clarithromycin, and 2 patients were treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. Chest tube drainage was performed in 11 cases, and surgical approach was added in 6 cases. The pleural effusion of 2 patients treated with only antimycobacterial medications gradually deteriorated. Two patients died from NTM pleuritis, and 1 patient died from pneumonitis during a mean of 1.8 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid NTM pleuritis was difficult to treat by medical therapy alone and resulted in a poor prognosis. In addition to antimycobacterial agents, chest tube drainage and surgical procedures in the early stages should be considered to treat NTM pleuritis.

Can malignant and inflammatory pleural effusions in dogs be distinguished using computed tomography?

Computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality used to investigate human patients with suspected malignant or inflammatory pleural effusion, but there is a lack of information about the clinical use of this test in dogs. To identify CT signs that could be used to distinguish pleural malignant neoplasia from pleuritis, a retrospective case-control study was done based on dogs that had pleural effusion, pre- and postcontrast thoracic CT images, and cytological or histopathological diagnosis of malignant or inflammatory pleural effusion. There were 20 dogs with malignant pleural effusion (13 mesothelioma, 6 carcinoma; 1 lymphoma), and 32 dogs with pleuritis (18 pyothorax; 14 chylothorax). Compared to dogs with pleuritis, dogs with malignant pleural effusions were significantly older (median 8.5 years vs. 4.9 years, P = 0.001), more frequently had CT signs of pleural thickening (75% vs.44%, P = 0.04), tended to have thickening of the parietal pleura only (65% vs. 13%, P = 0.01) and had more marked pleural thickening (median 3 mm vs. 0 mm, P = 0.01). Computed tomography signs of thoracic wall invasion were observed only in dogs with malignant pleural effusions (P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in pleural fluid volume, distribution or attenuation, degree of pleural contrast accumulation, amount of pannus, or prevalence of mediastinal adenopathy. Although there was considerable overlap in findings in dogs with malignant pleural effusion and pleuritis, marked thickening affecting the parietal pleural alone and signs of thoracic wall invasion on CT support diagnosis of pleural malignant neoplasia, and may help prioritize further diagnostic testing.

[DIFFERENTIATED TACTICS OF VIDEOTHORACOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF THE PLEURAL EXUDATE SYNDROME].

Differentiated tactics of diagnostic videothoracoscopy (VTHS) in a pleural exudate syndrome, which ought to be treated with hydrothorax elimination and artificial pneumothorax creation, was proposed. Further roentgenological investigation permits to create a plan for the operation conduction and a certain anesthesia application. Criteria for the operation planning and the anesthesiological support choice were elaborated. Results of VTHS conduction in 261 patients in Department of Thoracic Surgery were analyzed. The differentiated tactics for the VTHS performance application have had saved the patients from the unnecessary endotracheal narcosis conduction, and reduced a pharmacological load on a patient, as well as a rate of contraindications for the operation usage and the stationary treatment duration.

Role of CT in assessing pleural malignancy prior to thoracoscopy.

The definitive diagnosis of pleural malignancy depends upon histological confirmation by pleural biopsy. CT is reported to have a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignant pleural disease, and is part of the routine diagnostic workup of these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of CT in detecting pleural malignancy prior to definitive histology obtained via thoracoscopy in a large cohort of patients with suspected malignant pleural disease. Retrospective review of thoracoscopies between January 2008 and January 2013 at two UK tertiary referral centres: Oxford and Preston. The histological results were compared with the CT reported diagnosis before the procedure. CT scan reports were assessed by independent respiratory physicians as to whether the radiologist concluded evidence of malignant pleural disease or benign features only. 211 (57%) of 370 patients included in the analysis had malignant disease: CT scans were reported as 'malignant' in 144, giving a sensitivity of 68% (95% CI 62% to 75%). Of the 159 patients with benign disease, 124 had CT scans reported as benign: specificity 78% (72% to 84%). The positive predictive value of a malignant CT report was 80% (75% to 86%), with a negative predictive value of 65% (58% to 72%). A significant proportion of patients being investigated for malignant disease will have malignancy despite a negative CT report. The use of CT alone in determining which patients should have invasive pleural biopsies should be re-evaluated, and further studies to define the diagnostic pathway are now required.

Pleural irrigation trial (PIT): a randomised controlled trial of pleural irrigation with normal saline versus standard care in patients with pleural infection.

Pleural infection is increasing in incidence. Despite optimal medical management, up to 30% of patients will die or require surgery. Case reports suggest that irrigation of the pleural space with saline may be beneficial.A randomised controlled pilot study in which saline pleural irrigation (three times per day for 3 days) plus best-practice management was compared with best-practice management alone was performed in patients with pleural infection requiring chest-tube drainage. The primary outcome was percentage change in computed tomography pleural fluid volume from day 0 to day 3. Secondary outcomes included surgical referral rate, hospital stay and adverse events.35 patients were randomised. Patients receiving saline irrigation had a significantly greater reduction in pleural collection volume on computed tomography compared to those receiving standard care (median (interquartile range) 32.3% (19.6-43.7%) reduction versus 15.3% (-5.5-28%) reduction) (p<0.04). Significantly fewer patients in the irrigation group were referred for surgery (OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.23-41.0; p=0.03). There was no difference in length of hospital stay, fall in C-reactive protein, white cell count or procalcitonin or adverse events between the treatment groups, and no serious complications were documented.Saline irrigation improves pleural fluid drainage and reduces referrals for surgery in pleural infection. A large multicentre randomised controlled trial is now warranted to evaluate its effects further.

Patient with Recurrent Polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever).

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary autosomal recessive ,systemic, auto-inflammatory disorder characterized by sporadic, unpredictable attacks of fever and serosal inflammation. FMF is caused by mutations in MEFV, a gene located on the short arm of chromosome 16 (16p13) which encodes a protein 'Pyrin'. The disorder has been given various names including familial paroxysmal polyserositis, periodic peritonitis, recurrent polyserositis, benign paroxysmal peritonitis, and periodic disease or periodic fever, As the name indicates, FMF occurs within families and is much more common in individuals of Mediterranean descent than in persons of any other ethnicity. It has been described in several ethnic groups including Sephardic Jews, Armenians, Turks, North Africans, Arabs, Greeks, and Italians. However, the disease is not restricted to these groups and sporadic cases have been reported. Diagnosis is usually clinical and it classically presents with unprovoked, recurrent attacks of fever and painful polyserositis mainly affecting the peritoneum (most common), synovium, and pleura that usually (but not always) begin in childhood. We present a atypical case of FMF with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and FMF who had no fever, Mediterranean ancestory or family history and discuss his clinical features,diagnosis and management.

Shrinking lung syndrome complicating pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) can affect the lungs and pleura, usually manifesting with pleural effusions or diffuse parenchymal disease. A rare manifestation of SLE is shrinking lung syndrome, a severe restrictive respiratory disorder. While pleuropulmonary complications of pediatric SLE are common, shrinking lung syndrome is exceedingly rare in children. We present a case of a 13-year-old girl previously diagnosed with lupus, who developed severe dyspnea on exertion and restrictive pulmonary physiology. Her chest radiographs on presentation demonstrated low lung volumes, and CT showed neither pleural nor parenchymal disease. Fluoroscopy demonstrated poor diaphragmatic excursion. While shrinking lung syndrome is described and studied in adults, there is only sparse reference to shrinking lung syndrome in children.

[Pleurisy of unexpected etiology: a foreign body within the pleural cavity]. / Pleurésies d'étiologie inattendue: le corps étranger au sein de la cavité pleurale.

Following three brief clinical reports, we review the literature concerning a rare cause of exudative pleural effusion: the presence of a foreign body in the pleural cavity. Frequently iatrogenical, this rare etiology of pleural effusion must be envisaged when this complication develops after any invasive peri-thoracic surgery and must be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent pleural effusions. These effusions have a favorable prognosis after withdrawal of the foreign body.

A foe incognito: an interesting case of pleurisy.

Though pleuritis and pleural effusion are common in lupus patients they are distinctly rare as the initial manifestation of lupus. Diagnosis of lupus pleuritis is also a difficult task and often costly and lengthy immunological panels are employed to diagnose it. We report one case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with lupus pleuritis as the first manifestation. We propose that demonstration LE cells have a very prominent role in differentiating lupus pleuritis from other causes of pleural effusions in SLE patients. We believe that our case is the first report from India which shows pleuritis may be a first manifestation of lupus.

High prevalence of upper lung field pulmonary fibrosis radiologically consistent with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in patients with round atelectasis.

BACKGROUND: Upper-lung field pulmonary fibrosis (upper-PF), radiologically consistent with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), was reported to develop in patients with a history of asbestos exposure and tuberculous pleurisy, indicating that chronic pleuritis is correlated with upper-PF development. Round atelectasis reportedly emerges after chronic pleuritis. This study aimed to clarify the association between round atelectasis and upper-PF. METHODS: We examined the radiological reports of all consecutive patients with round atelectasis between 2006 and 2018 and investigated the incidence of upper-PF development. RESULTS: Among 85 patients with round atelectasis, 21 patients (24.7%) were confirmed to finally develop upper-PF lesions. Upper-PF was diagnosed after round atelectasis recognition in more than half of the patients (13/21, 61.9%), whereas upper-PF and round atelectasis were simultaneously detected in the remaining 8 patients. At the time of round atelectasis detection, almost all patients (19/21, 90.5%) had diffuse pleural thickening and round atelectasis was commonly observed in non-upper lobes of 19 patients (90.5%). Fourteen patients had round atelectasis in unilateral lung, and the remaining 7 patients had round atelectasis in bilateral lungs. Among all 14 patients with unilateral round atelectasis, upper-PF developed on the same (n = 11) or both sides (n = 3). Thus, upper-PF emerged on the same side where round atelectasis was present (14/14, 100%). The autopsy of one patient revealed a thickened parietal-visceral pleura suggestive of chronic pleuritis. Subpleural fibroelastosis was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Upper-PF occasionally develops on the same side of round atelectasis. Upper-PF may develop as a sequela of chronic pleuritis.

[Pleural plaques: when and how to treat?]. / Pachypleurite: quand et comment investiguer?

Which course of action should be taken during the incidental finding of pleural thickening on chest X-ray? Aftereffect, without consequence, of an injury of the pleura, or potentially serious subclinical pathology? The differential diagnosis is wide, the radiograph nonspecific and the interobserver variability significant. In the absence of epidemiological studies and guidelines, the history and clinical examination remain the main factors in dictating investigations and management. Apical pleural thickening, which is nonspecific in the absence of parenchymal lesions, does not influence treatment recommendations for tuberculosis. Pleural plaques do not appear to increase the risk of cancer associated with asbestos and, thus, do not modify post-exposure follow-up. Incidental finding of pleural thickening remains a gray zone that opens the door to new studies.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of cattle and buffaloes with respiratory disorders.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cattle and buffaloes with respiratory disorders, determine the extent of the lesions, and assess prognosis. The results were compared with the findings determined following physical examination and at slaughter. Animals were referred to Veterinary Teaching Hospitals because of inappetance, loss of body condition, cough, dyspnea, and nasal discharges. Ultrasonographically, it was possible to detect bronchopneumonia, consolidation, pleural effusion, pulmonary emphysema, and pleuritis. It was not possible to visualize lesions located deeper within the lungs where peripheral tissue was not affected. Laboratory findings included a neutrophilic leukocytosis, γ-globulinemia, and increased activity of aspartate aminotransferase. A diagnosis of respiratory disease was made on the basis of clinical and ultrasonographic findings and confirmed in 25 cases at slaughter. Bovine ultrasonography appears to be suitable as a screening tool for detection of pathologic lung processes near the pleura. Thoracic ultrasonography allows assessment of the extent and severity of pulmonary changes so that further evaluations can be considered.