Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PLEURA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Surgical treatment of peripheral lung cancer adherent to the parietal pleura.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to assess the results of surgical treatment retrospectively in a consecutive series of 85 patients with peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading parietal pleura and chest wall. METHODS: From 1994 to 1998, of the 572 patients having pulmonary resection for NSCLC, 29 patients with neoplasm involving the parietal pleura (group I) and 56 with that invading the chest wall (group II) underwent resection. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 3.4% in group I and 1.8% in group II. In groups I and II, pathologic N status was N0 in 20 (69%) cases, N1 in five (17%), N2 in four (13.8%) and 44 (78.6%), seven (12.5%), five (8.9%), respectively. An incomplete resection (R1) was performed in two (6.9%) patients in group I and seven (12.5%) in group II. Postoperative radiotherapy was carried out in 18 patients in group I and 46 in group II. Systemic chemotherapy was also administered in seven patients in group I and eight in group II. There was a significant difference in adjuvant therapy between the groups (P<0.05). Two patients (R1) in group I (7.4%) and 12 patients (seven patients R1+5 R0) in group II (24%) had local recurrence. There was no significant difference in local recurrence between the groups (P=12). Follow-up was completed in 79 cases (28 in group I and 51 in group II). Median survival for groups I and II were 27+/-6 and 16+/-4.6 months, respectively. Five-year survival was longer in group I than in group II (33 vs. 14%), but there was no significant difference (P=13). CONCLUSIONS: We found similar survival rates for extrapleural resection in limited parietal pleura invasion and chest wall resection in exceeded-beyond-parietal pleura invasion. The completeness of resection is important in both groups.

Adult↗

Localized benign and malignant fibrous tumors of the pleura. A clinicopathologic review of 223 cases.

We reviewed 223 localized fibrous tumors of the pleura and divided them histologically into 141 benign and 82 malignant neoplasms. The criteria used for a judgement of malignancy were high cellularity and mitotic activity (more than four mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields), pleomorphism, hemorrhage, and necrosis. The tumors occurred equally in both sexes, most commonly in the sixth to seventh decades of life. Presenting symptoms included chest pain, dyspnea, and cough; they were observed in three-fourths of patients with a malignant tumor. One in every four of these patients had hypoglycemia, clubbed digits, or pleural effusion. Two-thirds of the tumors were attached to visceral pleura, often by a pedicle. The rest arose from the parietal pleura of the chest wall, diaphragm, or mediastinum. Neoplasms in these atypical sites, together with fissural lesions and tumors "inverted" into peripheral lung, were more often malignant. Most neoplasms measured 5-10 cm and weighed 100-400 g. Microscopically, the "patternless pattern," or hemangiopericytic type, was seen in the majority of cases, and mixed patterns were seen in nearly 40% of tumors. Of the 169 tumors where follow-up was available, all of the benign and 45% of the malignant tumors were cured by simple excision. Patients surgically cured of a malignant neoplasm had pedunculated or well-circumscribed lesions. However, 55% of patients with malignant tumors succumbed to their disease secondary to invasion, recurrence, or metastasis. Resectability is the single most important indicator of clinical outcome. No tumor expressed epithelial differentiation, either immunohistochemically or ultrastructurally; therefore, we favor the term "localized fibrous tumor" of pleura instead of "localized mesothelioma."

Adolescent↗

HBME-1 and antithrombomodulin in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of pleura.

AIMS: To determine the usefulness of antibodies HBME-1 and antithrombomodulin in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. METHODS: Using microwave antigen retrieval and streptavidin-biotin complex horseradish peroxidase immunohistochemistry the above antibodies were used to stain sections of 57 malignant mesotheliomas, 17 reactive pleural hyperplasias, 23 cases of carcinoma metastatic in pleura, 20 primary ovarian cell carcinomas, and 20 primary renal cell carcinomas. RESULTS: Eighty six per cent of mesotheliomas and 82% of reactive mesothelial hyperplasias stained strongly with HBME-1. However, 48% of carcinomas metastatic to pleura also stained, as did all serous ovarian carcinomas. Seventy two per cent of mesotheliomas and 24% of reactive mesothelial hyperplasias stained strongly with the antithrombomodulin antibody; 86% and 88%, respectively, of these cases showed staining of any type. While 26% of metastatic carcinomas showed some staining with antithrombomodulin, only one third of these (9%) showed strong, yet focal, staining. Of 40 ovarian and renal carcinomas only two (5%) showed any staining with antithrombomodulin. CONCLUSIONS: HBME-1, although a sensitive mesothelial marker, is not sufficiently specific to be useful diagnostically, as almost half of carcinomas metastatic to pleura also stained positive. Antithrombomodulin is also a sensitive mesothelial marker and is sufficiently specific to be a useful discriminator, positively identifying, in appropriate circumstances, the mesothelial nature of a cell population.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Pulmonary aspergillus infection invading the pleura.

During a 10-year-period, six patients with non-postoperative aspergillus infection of the pleura were seen. In all patients a pulmonary aspergillus infection had been present for some years. The fungus invaded the pleura, causing a bronchopleural fistula and a cavity in the pleural space. A prerequisite for the pleural aspergillosis was that the lung and pleura were previously damaged, usually by therapeutic pneumothorax for active tuberculosis some decades earlier. The fungus can cause destruction of the lung and death of the patient from the chronic infection unless treated. The best treatment is early excision of the pleura with resection of the upper lobe or if necessary the whole lung. To reduce the risk of postoperative aspergillus empyema, the patient should be treated with antifungal agents before and after operation. In inoperable patients, local antifungal treatment may clear the infection but is not always effective.

Aged↗

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura.

BACKGROUND: The solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare primary tumor arising from mesenchymal cells in the areolar tissue subjacent to the mesothelial-lined pleura. Only about 800 cases have been reported in the medical literature. The tumor appears to be unrelated to malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common primary tumor of the pleura. METHODS: In just over half of these cases, the neoplasm presents as an asymptomatic mass, is often quite large, and is benign in 78% to 88% of patients. The initial evaluation and diagnosis, tumor classification, surgical treatment, results of therapy, and long-term prognosis are reviewed, based on a selective review of the literature from MEDLINE beginning 1980. RESULTS: Complete en bloc surgical resection is the preferred treatment of benign and malignant varieties of the tumor. The pedunculated tumors attached to the visceral pleura can be effectively treated with a wedge resection of lung. Sessile tumors arising on the lung require a larger lung resection. Sessile tumors on the chest wall require wide local excision, often with chest wall resection because of their propensity for local recurrence. Adjuvant therapy remains controversial in SFTP. CONCLUSIONS: Benign SFTP has a high cure rate and an 8% local recurrence rate that is usually amenable to curative re-excision. Malignant SFTP, especially the more common sessile type, has a 63% recurrence rate even with complete resection. The majority of patients with recurrent disease die of the tumor within 2 years. Nevertheless, the overall long-term cure rate for all patients is 88% to 92%.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Clinical comparison of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung for each case].

Because we experienced each 1 operative case of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung discovered with pleural effusion, clinical comparison investigated both. The first case was suspected diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura before operation, and we performed pleuropneumonectomy. But the pathologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the lung, what is so called pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma. The second case had inhaled asbestos and his pleural effusion revealed high concentrations of hyaluronic acid. Thoracoscopic biopsy showed malignant mesothelioma, and we performed pleuropneumonectomy. The pathologic final diagnosis was diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. In clinical differential diagnosis of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung, history of inhalation of asbestos and concentrations of hyaluronic acid in pleural effusion are helpful. And thoracoscopic biopsy is necessary in established diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Tuberculous lesions of the pleura].

Tuberculous involvement of the pleura became quite incident of late. Eighty-seven patients with this condition were hospitalized at the phthisiosurgery department of the Kostroma District Antituberculosis Center in 1985-1992. Tuberculous pleurisy was diagnosed in 30 patients, in 29 pleurisy was a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (in 13 cases of infiltrative tuberculosis, in 12 of focal, in 3 of disseminated, and in 1 of cirrhotic pulmonary tuberculosis), in 8 patients acute tuberculous pleural empyema was diagnosed which developed in the presence of infiltrative and cirrhotic pulmonary tuberculosis, and in 18 cases chronic tuberculous pleural empyema with calcification was found. Two patients were operated on for pleural tuberculomas. Tuberculous pleurisy can be completely cured with drugs and therefore presents not a therapeutic but a diagnostic problem. In intricate cases wider use of invasive methods of examination may be recommended, such as puncture biopsy of the pleura, thoracoscopy with spot biopsy of the pleura, open biopsy of the pleura, and biopsy of peristernal lymph nodes.

Adult↗

[Computed tomography of the pleura].

The paper examines CT images of the pleura and interlobar culci in health and in disease. For this, 403 patients were examined (420 CT studies), of whom 218 had pleural lesion and 185 formed a control group. The complex of studies involved computed tomography (CT) as compared with conventional radiation studies. The CT symptomatology of free and sacculated exudates, empyemas of the pleura, pleural depositions and adhesions, tumor lesions of the pleura. Based on the findings, an original scheme of free and sacculated pleural exudates was offered in CT images. The findings have led the authors to the conclusion that computed tomography is a more sensitive method in the evaluation of the pleura than standard X-ray study.

Adolescent↗

Hydraulic conductivity, albumin reflection and diffusion coefficients of pig mediastinal pleura.

Hydraulic conductivity (L), albumin reflection coefficient (sigma), and albumin diffusion coefficient (D) were measured across pig mediastinal pleura. The tissue (7 mm diameter) was bonded between two chambers. Flow (Q) of lactated Ringer solution between the chambers was measured in turn at driving pressures (DeltaP) of 2, 4, and 6 cm H(2)O. Value of L was proportional to the slope of the Q-DeltaP curve. Then Q was measured in turn at three albumin osmotic pressure differences (Deltapi equivalent to -1, -2, and -3 g/dl albumin concentration difference, DeltaC) with DeltaP constant at either 2, 3, 4, or 6 cm H(2)O. From Starling's equation, magnitude of sigma was the slope of the Q-Deltapi curve divided by the slope of the Q-DeltaP curve. We measured the diffusion of 0, 2, 5, and 10 g/dl albumin with tracer (125)I-albumin. Tracer mass (M) that diffused across the pleura was measured for 10 h using a well-type NaI(T1) detector. D was calculated from the slope of the M-time curve. Values of L averaged 2.0 x 10(-8) cm(3). s(-1). dyne(-1) (n = 23). Values of sigma were small (0.02-0.05) and sigma increased as flow increased 20-fold. D (n = 24) increased 3-fold from 2.7 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s as DeltaC increased from 0 to 10 g/dl. The small values of sigma indicated that mediastinal pleura provided little restriction to the passage of protein.

Albumins↗

Lymphatic drainage of the diaphragmatic pleura to the peritracheobronchial lymph nodes.

Non-small cell lung cancer invading the visceral pleura is characterized by a particular richness of mediastinal lymph node (LN) metastases. This may be due to subpleural lymphatic drainage of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to determine mediastinal LN lymphatic drainage from the diaphragmatic pleura. Subpleural lymphatics of 30 adult cadavers and 12 fetuses were injected with a modified Gerota's medium to permit lymph vessels and nodes to be visualized and then dissected. Each stage of the dissection was described and photographed. In 32 cadavers mediastinal visceral LN chains were injected, of which 29 originated from the mediolateral portion of the diaphragm. On the right, injections (n=16) demonstrated lymph vessels (n=20) ascending directly along the inferior pulmonary ligaments (n=8) or after having encircled the inferior vena cava (n=8), and lymph vessels passing between the pulmonary veins (n=4); all these lymphatics were connected to the intertracheobronchial nodes and some ascended along the tracheobronchial LN chains in the upper mediastinum. On the left, injections (n=13) demonstrated lymph vessels (n=16) ascending along the inferior pulmonary ligament (n=5) or along the esophagus (n=11) and connecting to the intertracheobronchial nodes, some of which ascended further in the upper mediastinum (left paratracheobronchial LN chain). These mediastinal LN chains are the same as those that receive lymph from the pulmonary segments. Lymphatic drainage of the diaphragmatic pleura may add to that of the lung involved in cancer and potentially increases lymphatic spread of tumor cells.

Aged↗

The pleura in health and disease.

The normal structure and function of the pleura are discussed here in addition to how physiological abnormalities and various pathological processes can upset the finely balanced situation between the visceral and parietal pleural surfaces, leading to effusion formation, and/or adhesions. The various inflammatory and reactive processes that affect the pleura, together with primary and secondary tumor formations are described. Particular emphasis is placed on those conditions of the pleura that are associated with asbestos exposure because this group of diseases will increase over the next few decades due to the large number of workers who have been exposed to asbestos. They will therefore be of increasing importance to the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist in future years.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

A possible role of the pleura in lung mechanics.

The pressure-volume behavior of excised visceral pleura is studied. The pleura is modeled as a thin incompressible membrane, and the requisite membrane tension is determined from a pseudostrain-energy function. Results are compared to pressure-volume behavior of saline-filled and air-filled parenchyma and to experimental pleural data from the literature. Results suggest that the pleura may play a role as a volume limiter of lung expansion although the need for more detailed analysis is discussed.

Animals↗

Production of experimental malignant pleural effusions is dependent on invasion of the pleura and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor by human lung cancer cells.

We determined the molecular mechanisms that regulate the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (PE) associated with advanced stage of human, non-small-cell lung cancer. Intravenous injection of human PC14 and PC14PE6 (adenocarcinoma) or H226 (squamous cell carcinoma) cells into nude mice yielded numerous lung lesions. PC14 and PC14PE6 lung lesions invaded the pleura and produced PE containing a high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-localized vascular hyperpermeability. Lung lesions produced by H226 cells were confined to the lung parenchyma with no PE. The level of expression of VEGF mRNA and protein by the cell lines directly correlated with extent of PE formation. Transfection of PC14PE6 cells with antisense VEGF165 gene did not inhibit invasion into the pleural space but reduced PE formation. H226 cells transfected with either sense VEGF 165 or sense VEGF 121 genes induced localized vascular hyperpermeability and produced PE only after direct implantation into the thoracic cavity. The production of PE was thus associated with the ability of tumor cells to invade the pleura, a property associated with expression of high levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and low levels of TIMP-2. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the production of malignant PE requires tumor cells to invade the pleura and express high levels of VEGF/VPF.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Localized (solitary) fibrous tumors of the pleura: an analysis of 55 patients.

BACKGROUND: Localized (solitary) fibrous tumors (LFTPs) of the pleura are rare, slow-growing neoplasms thought to originate from submesothelial connective tissue. The aim of this article is to present 55 new cases of LFTP, and to discuss the treatment of choice and the clinical behavior of such neoplasms. METHODS: From July 1990 to November 1999, 55 patients (32 male, 23 female) with an LFTP were surgically treated at our Institution. Neoplasms were considered to be malignant if one or more of the following histologic features were present: high cellularity with crowding and overlapping of nuclei; high mitotic activity; or mild, moderate, or marked pleomorphism. RESULTS: No operative mortality was reported. Forty-eight of the cases arose from the visceral pleura and seven arose from the parietal pleura. A local removal of the neoplasm with free surgical margins was accomplished by video-assisted thoracic surgery in 39 patients and by standard thoracotomy in 10 patients. Four patients underwent formal lung resections, 1 had thymectomy, and 1 had en bloc chest wall resection. Four malignant variants were identified. One patient developed local recurrence and underwent redo surgery with chest wall resection. One patient died of unrelated disease. The remaining patients are alive and disease free at a median follow-up of 53.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: LFTPs show a benign outcome in most of the cases. Video-assisted thoracic surgery, with intraoperative assessment of the surgical margins, represents the treatment of choice.

Adolescent↗

Visceral pleura invasion and pleural lavage tumor cytology by lung cancer: a prospective appraisal.

BACKGROUND: Despite an early-stage diagnosis, lung cancer presenting with visceral pleura invasion (VPI) or malignant pleural lavage cytology (PLC) has a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to correlate VPI to malignant PLC. METHODS: One hundred forty-three consecutive patients scheduled for surgical lung resection having undergone preresectional pleural lavage cytology were reviewed. There were 121 malignant and 22 nonmalignant lesions. All cases were studied by pathology, histology, previous transthoracic puncture, VPI, and presence of pleural lymphatic involvement. RESULTS: PLC was positive (n = 13) or suspected (n = 5) for malignant cells in, respectively, 10.7% and 4.1% of patients with lung cancer. There was no positive PLC in cases of nonmalignant disease. PLC was positive only in pT2 tumors and almost always when the tumor was exposed on the pleural surface, thus possibly exfoliating within the pleural space (12/17 patients, 70.6%; p < 0.01). Positive PLC was obtained whatever the histology but did not appear related to previous transthoracic puncture or involvement of pleural lymphatics by tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: VPI and positive PLC are linked, and the appearance of tumor cells within the pleural cavity can be explained by tumor desquamation. The role that visceral pleura involvement and parietal pleura reabsorption play in lung cancer is of paramount importance and deserves further research. A better understanding of their relationship could have major implications in the therapeutic management of non-small cell lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Snorkel breathing in the elephant explains the unique anatomy of its pleura.

It has been known for over 300 years that the anatomy of the elephant lung is unique among mammals in that the pleural cavity is obliterated by connective tissue. However no satisfactory explanation has been advanced. Recent studies suggest that the elephant has an aquatic ancestry and the trunk may have developed for snorkeling. In addition, the modern day elephant is the only mammal that can remain submerged far below the surface of the water while snorkeling. The resulting differences of pressures within the thorax mean that the small blood vessels of the pleura are in great danger of rupturing or causing severe edema. The same distribution of pressures occurs when the animal raises water inside its trunk prior to drinking although in this case the pressure differences are relatively short-lived. Evolution has provided a remarkable solution to this problem by replacing the normally delicate parietal and visceral pleurae by dense connective tissue, and separating the two pleurae by loose connective tissue to allow some sliding movement.

Animals↗

[Structure and physiology of the pleura and the pleural space].

The pleural space, derived from the intraembryonic coelom, is limited by a serous membrane including the mesothelium formed by cells possessing not only the characteristic features of epithelial cells but also the potential of secretory cells (cytokines and growth factor). Blood supply to visceral pleurae differs depending on the species while the lymphatic circulation is directly connected to the pleural space via pores in the parietal pleura. Pleural physiology and movement of pleural fluid are directly related to the particular structures of the pleura.

Epithelium↗

Electron microscopic alterations of the rat's pleura after experimental haemothorax.

The initial signs of pleural reactivity and the subsequent mechanisms of pleural healing still remain unsolved. The visceral and parietal (costal and diaphragmatic) pleura were investigated following an experimental haemothorax (EH) by transmission electron microscopy. Young-adult Wistar rats were divided in five groups and survived 6 hours, 1, 3, 8 and 15 days respectively after EH. Six hours after EH the mesothelial cells had a more prominent lysosomal system and electron-dense material in the vesicles, as in the dilatated intercellular spaces. On the 1st day of the EH the mesothelial cytoplasm formed a thin interrupted band. The extravasal cells built multiple layers over the basal lamina, leading to a thicker submesothelial layer, occupying the superficial position toward the pleural cavity. The activated mesothelial cells covered both pleural sheets on the 3rd day after EH. Eight days after EH different membrane bodies, large apical evaginations, elastic-like formations, an extensive vesicular and cytofilamentous systems characterized the mesothelium. The wider elastic membrane showed thickenings, protrusions, bifurcations and double course. Fifteen days after EH larger zones in both pleural sheets displayed thinner basal lamina, remnants of elastic membrane and a thicker submesothelial layer. In conclusion, different newly formed structures (reversible and stable) retain the tendency of enlargement of the pleural surface in all investigated periods. Simultaneous intercellular and transcellular transport, as an increase of the lysosomal system characterize the passing of the electron-dense material through the mesothelium. The early period (until 3rd day after EH) is characterized by more prominent mesothelial changes, involving activated cells. The initiation of the late period (on the 8th day after EH) begins with the appearance of lamellar bodies and newly formed elastic membrane. The following late changes (on the 15th day after EH) concern predominantly the components of the connective tissue layer, such as collagen accumulations and blood capillaries. The present data suggest that the alterations over the entire pleura are irregular and asynchronous, showing significant morphological differences in both pleura sheets, some of them are diffuse in character, the final ones appear to be stable and ensure incomplete pleural restoration.

Animals↗