chest radiography of hydropneumothorax

OBJECTIVE: To show the presentation and imaging findings of catamenial pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the imaging tests (plain-film radiography, computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance [MR]) performed in six women aged between 28 and 44 years with recurrent pneumothorax associated to menstruation. All patients underwent videothoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy was necessary in three due to the recurrence of the pneumothorax. RESULTS: CT was performed in three cases and found pleural nodules in two; one of these was confirmed at MR...

INTRODUCTION: Diaphragmatic hernia during pregnancy is uncommon and is usually traumatic in origin, epigastric pain, and vomiting could be the initial symptoms of herniation of gastrointestinal contents, with a risk of strangulation and ischaemia, leading to respiratory distress due to collapse of the lung. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 27-year-old woman, with undiagnosed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia who presented, at 32 weeks' gestation, epigastric pain, vomiting and tachycardia, immediate post-partum course was complicated by respiratory failure...

In order to answer the question, if transthoracic sonography may replace chest radiographs in diagnosing post-interventional pneumothorax/hydropneumothorax, this prospective study was conducted. A total of 100 patients (38 females, 62 males; median age 63 years), biopsy and 37 had an ultrasound-guided tube thoracostomy, were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic sonography was performed three hours after the intervention, followed by postero-anterior chest radiograph. One (1%) of the 100 patients developed a pneumothorax after transbronchial biopsy...

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome. CLINICAL PICTURE: A previously healthy 36-year-old woman presented with a 2- to 3-month history of fever, cough, dyspnoea and sore throat, which had worsened in the week prior to presentation. Computed tomography of the thorax showed multiple bilateral cavitating lesions and a right-sided hydropneumothorax with mediastinal shift. Blood cultures grew Fusobacterium and Bacteroides species. TREATMENT: Broad-spectrum antibiotics were commenced, a chest drain was inserted, and the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit due to worsening respiratory failure...

OBJECTIVE: Transthoracic sonography (TS) has evolved as an important imaging technique for diagnosing pleural and pulmonary conditions. However, the value of TS in either excluding or diagnosing pneumothorax is still under debate. This study was conducted to examine whether TS could replace chest radiography for the diagnosis of post-interventional pneumothorax and hydropneumothorax. METHODS: 53 patients (21 females, 32 males; median age 64 years, range 37-94 years), 35 of whom underwent transbronchial biopsy (TBB) and 18 patients who had an ultrasound-guided chest tube placement (U-GCTP) were enrolled in the study...

OBJECTIVES: Hydropneumothorax (HPTX) is recognized as a potential complication of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), particularly with supracostal access. Postoperative chest radiography (CXR) is routinely used to evaluate the chest after PCNL. We prospectively compared the sensitivity of intraoperative chest fluoroscopy with immediate postoperative portable CXR and postoperative day 1 chest computed tomography (CT) for the detection of pleural fluid. METHODS: A total of 89 consecutive patients (mean age 47...

Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave's syndrome) remains a difficult diagnostic and management problem with controversial recommendations regarding its treatment. The clinical manifestations of the disease are variable, and may be misleading, thus delaying accurate recognition. On the other hand, in view of the rapid onset of severe complications, particularly mediastinitis, a prompt diagnosis is essential to a better prognosis, successful operative outcome and potential survival. A case of spontaneous perforation of the thoracic esophagus penetrating the left pleural space treated within 4 hours from admission to the Emergency Room, with minimal surgical intervention is presented...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to document in a historical cohort the incidence and clinical observations of pneumothorax ex vacuo after therapeutic thoracentesis for malignant pleural effusions in patients with underlying parenchymal lung disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty pneumothoraces resulted from 512 therapeutic thoracentesis performed for malignant pleural effusions over a 3-year period. Twenty-nine patients with pneumothoraces underwent catheter placement in the pleural space for treatment...

The case report of a patient known to have metastatic renal cancer and right main bronchus obstruction is presented. During an episode of haemoptysis, the patient expectorated a large fragment of tissue, which proved to be metastatic renal cell cancer. This event produced a right-sided hydropneumothorax with partial re-expansion of the previously collapsed right lung. A chest tube was inserted producing a full re-expansion, following which pleurodesis with tetracycline was performed. To our knowledge, this is the first ever description of spontaneous clearance of a malignant bronchial obstruction...

Two cases are described in which chest radiographic findings were typical of those reported as "pneumatocele in the pulmonary ligament" in adults. Analysis based on lateral chest radiography and computed tomography showed a loculated hydropneumothorax behind the pulmonary ligament. Review of the literature failed to show any cases with a lateral radiograph inconsistent with this interpretation. Middle mediastinal air in the newborn, which appears quite different on the lateral chest radiograph, may extend into the pulmonary ligament, though this is unproved...

Nutritional supplements administered through flexible small caliber feeding tubes are an increasingly popular substitute for parenteral hyperalimentation. Small and large caliber nasogastric tubes can inadvertently pass into the tracheobronchial tree, even in the presence of an endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff. We report three patients who had small caliber feeding tubes passed through the tracheobronchial tree perforating into the pleural space. Potential complications include immediate or delayed pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax, and empyema...

Between 1974 and 1987, 14 patients (10 male and 4 female) underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary mycosis. They were studied on their clinical findings and surgical treatment. The median age was 48 years (range 19 to 71 years). Fourteen cases consisted of 9 aspergillosis and 5 cryptococcosis. None of them was either debilitated or immunosuppressed before falling ill. Five of the 14 patients had other pulmonary disease and 11 had symptoms; i.e. hemoptysis or bloody sputum in 4 cases, chest pain in 3, fever in 3, cough and sputum in 2...

Late onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose. Complications such as intestinal obstruction and digestive perforation may occur. A previously healthy three year-old girl was admitted to hospital with dehydration, shock, and ketoacidosis. A chest X-ray film showed a left hydropneumothorax with an indefinable left diaphragm, that was confirmed by ultrasonography. Hexabrix introduced through a nasogastric tube showed opacification of the left hemithorax attributed to an intrathoracic gastric perforation...

Imaging of the respiratory system developed with exceptional rapidity in North America during the spring of 1896, after Roentgen's discovery of X-rays in November 1895, largely because of the efforts of a unique physicians, Francis H. Williams. With great zeal, this pioneer used fluoroscopy for early detection of tuberculosis and other life-threatening chest disorders. By the summer of 1896, he had accumulated more than 100 volumes containing tracings of clinical chest fluoroscopy. As a result of his extensive clinical experience, his dedication to patients' welfare, and his sense of scientific inquiry, several inventions and many landmark clinical observations were made in the first few years after the discovery of the X-ray...