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Chylothorax and pseudochylothorax.

Chylothorax is the occurrence of chylus (lymph) in the pleura due to damage to the thoracic duct. There is a high content of triglycerides, and chylomicrons can be seen. It is usually right-sided, since most of the duct is within the right hemithorax. With damage at the level of the aorta, the chyle will appear on the left. Traumatic rupture occurs after accidents or surgery. Of nontraumatic causes, the most common is a malignant lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax and upper abdomen should be performed. Lymphography can show where the leakage or blockage is situated. With repeated drains, large amounts of fat, proteins, and lymphocytes are lost. Treatment is with low-fat diet or parenteral nutrition to decrease the amount of chyle, but chemical pleurodesis or ligation of the thoracic duct, usually via thoracoscopy, is often necessary. Pseudochylothorax (cholesterol pleurisy) occurs with long-standing fluid in a fibrotic pleura. The fluid has a high content of cholesterol but no triglycerides or chylomicrons. In both conditions, the pleural fluid is thick, opalescent, whitish or the colour of cafe-au-lait.

Cholesterol↗

Port site recurrences after laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures in malignancy.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: A review of the literature was performed to determine the number of cases of port site recurrences (PSR) after laparoscopy or thoracoscopy. CANCERLINE and MEDLINE were searched, as were citings from retrieved and related papers. RESULTS: There have been 35 reported cases of PSR after laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal carcinoma, and 23 cases after thoracoscopic procedures for lung neoplasms. All of these have been reported since 1993. Since 1991, 12 cases have been described after laparoscopic cholecystectomy of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma, and another case after biopsy of a known gallbladder carcinoma. Ten cases of PSR have been reported after laparoscopic procedures for ovarian lesions, often in the presence of peritoneal seeding at diagnosis. Other rare PSRs have been documented after several procedures in various malignancies. CONCLUSION: Enrollment of patients onto the ongoing intergroup study evaluating open versus laparoscopic resection of colon cancer should be encouraged. Until valid prospective data on PSR frequency are available, laparoscopic or thoracoscopic resection of malignancy off-protocol should be undertaken with circumspection.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Phase II study of a liposome-entrapped cisplatin analog (L-NDDP) administered intrapleurally and pathologic response rates in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

PURPOSE: To determine pathologic response rates to liposome-entrapped cis-bisneodecanoato-trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane platinum(II) (L-NDDP) administered intrapleurally in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and free-flowing pleural effusions received intrapleural L-NDDP once every 3 weeks at a dose of 450 mg/m2. Thoracoscopic evaluation with pleural biopsies was performed before therapy and then after every two cycles. The primary end point was pathologic response as determined by thoracoscopic biopsy. RESULTS: After at least two cycles, post-treatment pleural biopsy analysis was negative in 14 patients for a pathologic response rate of 42% (95% CI, 25% to 61%). Median survival was 11.2 months. There were three treatment-related deaths secondary to peritonitis, cellulitis at the thoracoscopy site, and empyema. Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities included infection, fever, dyspnea, and anorexia, which occurred in five (15%), one (3%), one (3%), and one (3%) patients, respectively. There were no grade 4 nonhematologic toxicities. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia occurred in five (15%), three (9%), and two (6%) patients, respectively. Two patients with pathologic responses subsequently underwent pleural decortication. Both surgical specimens revealed residual tumor in regions that were not in direct communication with the pleural space. CONCLUSION: Intrapleural L-NDDP therapy in this patient population is feasible with significant but manageable toxicity. Although pathologic responses are highly encouraging, areas of mesothelioma that are not in direct communication with the pleural space will evade drug exposure and limit efficacy in some patients. The optimal role of intrapleural L-NDDP therapy currently remains to be determined.

Adult↗

The effect of race on invasive staging and surgery in non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Black patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have worse overall survival than white patients. Decreased likelihood of resection has been implicated. To isolate the effect of decision making from access to care, we used receipt of surgical staging as a proxy for access and willingness to undergo invasive procedures, and examined treatments and outcomes by race. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined registry and claims data of Medicare-eligible patients with nonmetastatic NSCLC in areas monitored by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program from 1991 to 2001. Patients who obtained invasive staging, defined as bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, or thoracoscopy, were included. Logistic regression and Cox modeling calculated the odds of having staging and surgery, and survival outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 14,224 patients underwent staging, and 6,972 had surgery for lung cancer. Black patients were less likely to undergo staging (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.83), and once staged, were still less likely to have surgery than whites (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.64). Survival for blacks and whites was equivalent after resection (hazard ratio = 1.02; P = .06). Staged black patients were less likely to receive a recommendation for surgery when it was not clearly contraindicated (67.0% v 71.4%; P < .05), and were more likely to decline surgery (3.4% v 2.0%; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Black patients obtain surgery for lung cancer less often than whites, even after access to care has been demonstrated. They are more likely not to have surgery recommended, and more likely to refuse surgery. Additional research should focus on the physician-patient encounter as a potential source of racial disparities.

Adult↗

Successful thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in a newborn with single ventricle physiology.

UNLABELLED: A neonate with VACTERL association including tricuspid atresia was scheduled for thoracoscopic esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair and laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. In addition to standard noninvasive monitoring, arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, and cerebral oxygen saturation were monitored. Gastric distension resulting from positive pressure ventilation prevented laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. Thoracoscopy with a CO2 insufflation pressure of 6 mm Hg at low flow (1 L/min) was well tolerated hemodynamically despite hypercarbia and cerebral oxygen saturation was maintained. Careful monitoring and good communication were critical to the safe management of this single ventricle patient during thoracoscopic EA/TEF repair. IMPLICATIONS: Esophageal and tracheoesophageal fistula in conjunction with single ventricle physiology carries a significant risk of mortality. We present the anesthetic management of a neonate with unpalliated tricuspid atresia who underwent thoracoscopic tracheoesophageal fistula repair.

Esophageal Atresia↗

Thoracoscopic placement of dual-rod instrumentation in thoracic spinal trauma.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Traditionally, thoracic fractures that require anterior stabilization are treated through an open thoracotomy approach. Thoracoscopic instrumentation avoids many of the complications associated with an open thoracotomy but is technically challenging. We report the first cases of dual-rod internal fixation systems placed thoracoscopically for thoracic spinal trauma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two male patients sustained midthoracic spinal trauma falling from motorcycles in separate incidents. Both injuries led to unstable spinal columns, but the patients had no neurological deficits and had minimal spinal cord compression. One patient had a complex spiral fracture from T6 to T8; the other had T7 burst and T8 compression fractures. Based on the complex morphological features of the patients' fractures, anterior internal fixation was the treatment of choice for both. The two available options for an anterior stabilization were open thoracotomy and thoracoscopic instrumentation. Because extensive decompression was unnecessary, a thoracoscopic approach was used. INTERVENTION: A dual-rod internal fixation system (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc., Memphis, TN) was placed with two screws each in the T6 and T9 vertebral bodies of each patient. Thoracoscopy was used for direct visualization of the operative site with fluoroscopic guidance for screw placement. Surgery was completed without complications, and both patients did well afterward. Upright and supine x-rays demonstrated that the constructs were stable at 10 weeks and 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic instrumentation offers the advantages of a minimally invasive approach but is technically challenging. The characteristics of dual-rod fixation systems (small-profile components and step-wise insertion) provide the best biomechanical profile and facilitate thoracoscopic instrumentation.

Adult↗

Imaged thoracoscopic lung biopsy.

Imaged thoracoscopic surgery is a technique utilized to operate on the intrathoracic organs without making a formal thoracotomy incision. Eleven patients underwent lung biopsy with this procedure and each had markedly reduced postoperative pain. Each patient resumed preoperative activity levels within one week of discharge from the hospital. Besides thoracotomy and thoracoscopy, imaged thoracoscopic surgery provides another option for approaching the intrathoracic organs.

Adult↗

Thoracoscopic Nd:YAG laser resection of a solitary pulmonary nodule.

Advances in endoscopic surgical techniques and laser technology have expanded the role of thoracoscopy. We report a thoracoscopic resection of a benign pulmonary lesion. A 44-year-old man underwent a successful Nd:YAG laser-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a peripheral lung hamartoma. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated. Thoracotomy with its attendant morbidity was avoided. Continued success with thoracoscopic resection will have a significant impact on the management of select patients with peripheral, solitary pulmonary nodules.

Adult↗

Needle/wire lung nodule localization for thoracoscopic resection.

Small lung nodules undiagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy have traditionally gone to thoracotomy for diagnosis. We describe a technique using computed tomographic needle/wire lung localization of these nodules, to be resected using video-assisted thoracoscopy. This is less invasive and less painful than thoracotomy and provides for cost-effective definitive diagnosis.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Thoracoscopic diagnosis of pleurolithiasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We describe a patient with right pleuritic chest pain and an enlarging exudative pleural effusion four months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Several radiographic imaging procedures and thoracenteses were nondiagnostic. Thoracoscopy, however, revealed bilious concretions in the parietal pleura. Thoracoscopic drainage, lysis of adhesions, and antibiotic treatment of a Klebsiella pneumoniae pleuritis resulted in relief of symptoms.

Aged↗

Intrapleural talc for the prevention of recurrent pneumothorax.

The ipsilateral recurrence rate after the first spontaneous pneumothorax treated with tube thoracostomy is reported to be between 23 percent and 52 percent. The incidence of recurrence after the first recurrence is substantially higher. Chemical pleurodesis has been attempted to decrease the recurrence rate. Tetracycline has been widely utilized, but parenteral tetracycline is no longer available. Therefore, alternative sclerosing agents have been used. Talc has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing recurrences and it has minimal long-term effects. This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of talc pleurodesis in patients with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Eighteen patients admitted between May 1985 and March 1993 to the Department of Thoracic Surgery underwent thoracoscopy and were treated by tube thoracostomy with chemical pleurodesis. All the patients had had at least two pneumothoraces and six had had at least six pneumothoraces. Sterile asbestos-free talc, 2g, was aerosolized throughout the pleural surface. One or two chest tubes were inserted, left clamped for 2 h, and unclamped after this time. The tubes were removed when no air had escaped for 24 h. Only one (5.6 percent) patient had recurrence of the pneumothorax, and a second insufflation of talc resulted in no new recurrence after a follow-up of 10 months. The remaining 94.4 percent did not have recurrence of pneumothorax within an observation period of 38.5 +/- 28.1 months. The follow-up was more than 2 years for 66.7 percent with no recurrence and was more than 5 years for 33.3 percent. We conclude from these observations that the insufflation of 2 g of talc into the pleural space is a safe effective treatment for control of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.

Adult↗

Rigid thorascopic debridement and continuous pleural irrigation in the management of empyema.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of rigid thoracoscopy and continuous pleural irrigation as an alternative to thoracotomy in critically ill patients. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS/INTERVENTIONS: Thirteen patients with empyema (one bilateral) underwent thorascopic decortication and continuous postoperative irrigation with normal saline solution. Seven patients required preoperative ventilator support. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Double-lumen intubation was utilized in only two cases. Empyemas were drained effectively in all patients, including nine patients in whom dense adhesions were encountered. Mean duration of irrigation was 3.5 +/- 0.5 days. There were no deaths. One patient developed a recurrent empyema 1 week after resolution of symptoms and underwent thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid thorascopic decortication is an effective method for treating empyemas and can be considered before thoracotomy. It can be performed in patients who might not be candidates for video-assisted thorascopic approaches owing to inability to tolerate one-lung anesthesia or who have dense adhesions preventing lung collapse.

Adult↗

A comparison of thoracoscopic talc insufflation, slurry, and mechanical abrasion pleurodesis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomic and histopathologic results of four different methods of pleurodesis in 10 dogs. Each animal was randomly assigned to receive two of the following methods of pleurodesis: thoracoscopic talc insufflation (poudrage), talc slurry administration, focal gauze abrasion by limited thoracotomy, and mechanical abrasion by thoracoscopy using a commercially available pleural abrader. Animals were killed 30 days after pleurodesis. At autopsy, the efficacy of pleurodesis was graded by evaluating the gross appearance of each pleural cavity and lung (pleurodesis score), and by determining the extent of adhesion formation (obliteration grade). Pleural and lung biopsy specimens were obtained from the areas most representative of adhesion formation for histopathologic evaluation. Pleurodesis scores (on a scale of 0 to 4) were 3.0 +/- 0.7 for talc poudrage (p < 0.05 when compared with talc slurry), 2.2 +/- 1.7 for thoracotomy, and 1.6 +/- 1.1 for talc slurry. Adhesions produced by gauze abrasion during thoracotomy were mostly peri-incisional. Thoracoscopic pleural abrasion using the pleural abrader was uniformly unsatisfactory. Granulation tissue formation was greatest in both talc models. The degree of parietal pleural thickening was greatest in the talc slurry model, but fibrosis and inflammation occurred mostly in gravity-dependent areas within the pleural cavity. Although differences were not statistically significant, thoracoscopic talc insufflation consistently produced the most widespread, firm fibrotic adhesions as evidenced by higher obliteration grades.

Animals↗

Catamenial hemoptysis. Diagnosis with MRI.

Thoracic endometriosis is a rare disorder. We report a case of a 26-year-old woman with a 4-year history of catamenial hemoptysis due to thoracic endometriosis which was diagnosed by MRI and treated successfully by means of video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge-resection of the solitary pulmonary lesion. Medical therapy with hormones was not necessary. There is no evidence of recurrence 10 months after the operation. This case demonstrates that MRI of the chest may be considered for the diagnostic work-up of patients with catamenial hemoptysis. It also shows that wedge-resection of pulmonary endometriosis foci by means of video-assisted thoracoscopy-an approach that has not been described in the literature thus far-is an effective therapy in localized peripheral pulmonary parenchymal endometriosis.

Adult↗

The role of radiologic imaging in diagnosing complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of radiologic imaging in evaluating complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective review of radiographic and clinical data. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent thoracoscopy at the University of Maryland Hospital between July 1990 and June 1994. A total of 260 procedures were performed on 239 patients. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Imaging studies performed before, during, and after surgery in cases in which complications occurred were reviewed by two thoracic radiologists. A randomly selected group of 22 CT scans from uncomplicated cases were used as control subjects. Complications occurred in 24 (9.2%) of the 260 thoracoscopic procedures. Intraoperative complications developed in 14 (5.4%) patients. Ten of the 14 patients had an obliterated pleural space that prevented access of the trocars and videoscope. Preoperative imaging showed significant pleural thickening or calcifications in seven of these ten patients. Other intraoperative complications were malposition of the double-lumen endotracheal tube (n=2) and dislodgement of a localizing needle-wire (n=2). In 8 (3.1%) patients, radiographically evident postoperative complications developed; these complications included prolonged air leak, empyema, recurrent pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Pleural calcification or thickening that is found on preoperative studies may help predict difficulty in inserting the thoracoscopic instruments but also can be seen on preoperative CT scans in uncomplicated cases. Thoracic CT scans may fail to predict complete pleural symphysis.

Adult↗

Metabolic imaging of malignant pleural mesothelioma with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is a challenging medical problem. CT often cannot differentiate between benign diffuse pleural thickening and malignant mesothelioma, while thoracentesis and CT-guided biopsies are insensitive. We have assessed the value of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the evaluation of malignant mesothelioma. METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients referred for the evaluation of suspected malignant mesothelioma were evaluated by FDG-PET imaging. Measured attenuation correction was performed in 26 of 28 cases for quantitation with the standardized uptake value (SUV) method. The results of PET imaging were compared with those of video-assisted thoracoscopy or surgical biopsies. RESULTS: Surgical biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of malignant disease in 24 patients and demonstrated benign processes in the remaining four. The uptake of FDG was significantly higher in malignant than in benign lesions (SUV=4.9+/-2.9 and SUV=1.4+/-0.6, respectively; p<0.0001). With a SUV cutoff of 2.0 to differentiate between malignant and benign disease, a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100% could be achieved, although the activity in some epithelial mesotheliomas tended to be close to this threshold. FDG-PET images provided excellent delineation of the active tumor sites. Hypermetabolic lymph node involvement was noted on FDG-PET images in 12 patients, 9 of which appeared normal on CT scans. Histologic examination in six patients confirmed malignant nodal disease in five cases and indicated granulomatous lymphadenitis in one. CONCLUSION: In this highly selected population, FDG-PET imaging was a sensitive method to identify malignant mesothelioma and determine the extent of the disease process.

Biopsy↗

Medical thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis for chylothorax due to lymphoma: a case series.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Recurrent chylothorax as a complication of lymphoma has had unsatisfactory outcomes. Serial thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, and pleurodesis via chest tube have been ineffective and compromise the nutritional and immune status of the patient. Medical thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis has been safe and effective in the treatment of some other varieties of recurrent pleural effusions. Our objective was to investigate the safety and efficacy of medical thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis in the palliation of chylothorax related to lymphoma. DESIGN: This is a report of 24 hemithoraces treated in 19 consecutive patients with lymphoma-related chylothorax, failing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The average patient age was 55 years. INTERVENTIONS: Medical thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation in a bronchoscopy suite. Sedation included midazolam (mean dose, 6 mg; range, 2-14 mg) with either meperidine (mean dose, 94 mg; range 25-140 mg), or morphine (mean dose, 18 mg; range 4-40 mg). Pleurodesis was performed with insufflation of sterile asbestos-free talc, (4-8 g). After pleurodesis, chest tubes were placed, with the mean duration of chest tube placement being 4 days, range 3 to 10 days. RESULTS: One patient died a few days after the procedure due to causes related to the primary disease process. Follow-up was for at least 90 days following the procedure. Patients were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days following the procedure. At each of these endpoints, all patients remaining alive were without recurrence of pleural effusions, which was confirmed by chest radiography. Eight patients in the series died of the effects of their malignancy during the 90-day evaluation interval. Complications included medication reactions in two patients (8.3%) and ARDS in one patient (4.1%). CONCLUSION: Many patients with lymphoma-related chylothorax are refractory to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. In this group, medical thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis has an acceptable complication rate and a 100% success rate in the prevention of recurrence of pleural effusions at 30, 60, and 90 days following the procedure.

Chylothorax↗

Thoracoscopic resection of solitary lung metastases from colorectal cancer is a viable therapeutic option.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The reported 5-year survival rate after pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal carcinoma, usually accomplished through thoracotomy or median sternotomy, ranges from 9 to 47%. Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) is employed routinely for many thoracic surgical procedures, but the main concern about this approach for resection of lung metastases is that VAT does not allow complete lung palpation to identify and remove metastases not detected by preoperative radiologic examinations. DESIGN: In this study, we reviewed our experience with thoracoscopic resection of single peripheral lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma with potentially curative intent. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: From July 1992 to September 1998, 24 patients (15 male, 9 female) with a mean age of 56 years, who previously had undergone resection for colorectal carcinoma and had a single limited and peripheral lung lesion identified by high-resolution CT, underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lesions. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications developed. Three patients had minor postoperative complications successfully treated. In one case, we found a benign lesion, and this patient was excluded from the analysis. In the remaining cases, metastases from colorectal cancer were confirmed. The median follow-up was 29 months, ranging from 3 to 67 months. Thirteen patients (56.5%) developed recurrence of the disease, and 5 of them (21.7%) had local recurrence. Cumulative 5-year survival estimated by Kaplan-Meier method was 49.5%, not really different from the data reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic resection of single peripheral lung metastases from colorectal cancer with potentially curative intent seems effective and justified since the ultimate outcome of this highly selected group of patients seems to be not different from that obtained after a more invasive approach.

Adult↗