Pedunculated pulmonary leiomyoma with large cyst formation.

A case of single pulmonary leiomyoma with giant cyst formation is presented. Metastasizing uterine fibroleiomyoma and fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma both give rise to multiple pulmonary nodules on chest films. Leiomyoma of the lung presenting as a single pedunculated lesion with cyst formation is exceptional. This report documents the existence of other rare cystic lesions that may mimic the more common cystic air space and bullous disease.

Air transport and the fate of pneumothorax in pleural adhesions.

Air travel is contraindicated in patients with a pneumothorax but was necessary because of the exigencies of war in three patients. Three patients with high velocity missile injuries to the chest and pleural adhesions are reported. All had to be evacuated by air, without an intercostal drain or oxygen supplement, from the war stricken area of Northern Somalia (Horn of Africa) to Mogadishu. Two patients with a partial pneumothorax flew on military transport aeroplanes at an altitude of 3000 m in a non-pressurised cabin and recovered rapidly after a few days in hospital. One patient, transported on a small Cessna aeroplane, died after developing bilateral tension pneumothoraces.

Late recurrence of thymoma and myasthenia gravis.

In a case of thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis, symptoms of relapse appeared 14 years after thymectomy. Tumour tissue from repeat resection showed the same histologic pattern and aneuploidy as in the original specimen. The case illustrates the necessity of wide surgical exposure to permit maximal thymectomy, though recurrence remains possible.