Chest decompression

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced pericarditis and pericardial myocarditis are common entities; however, the development of pericardial effusion post-COVID-19 infection has only been reported in about 5% of cases. Rapid and acute progression to pericardial tamponade is uncommon, and progression to effusive constrictive pericarditis (ECP) and pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is an even rarer phenomenon. We describe these phenomena in this report to raise awareness and aid clinicians in the early diagnosis and management of these conditions...

A man in his 50s was stabbed deeply in the back with a knife and brought to the emergency room. He was found to have a significant left hemopneumothorax. He was planned to undergo hemostatic surgery under general anesthesia. However, shortly after the change in a right lateral decubitus position, he experienced ventricular fibrillation. Hemostasis of the intercostal artery injury, the source of bleeding, and suture of the injured visceral pleura were performed under extracorporeal membrance oxgenation( ECMO)...

In-chamber pneumothorax has complicated medically remote professional diving operations, submarine escape training, management of decompression illness, and hospital-based provision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Attempts to avoid thoracotomy by combination of high oxygen partial pressure breathing (the concept of inherent unsaturation) and greatly slowed rates of chamber decompression proved successful on several occasions. When this delicate balance designed to prevent the intrapleural gas volume from expanding faster than it contracts proved futile, chest drains were inserted...

The presence of a pneumothorax within a pressurized chamber represents unique diagnostic and management challenges. This is particularly the case in the medical and geographic remoteness of many chamber locations. Upon commencing chamber decompression, unvented intrapleural air expands. If its initial volume and/or degree of chamber pressure reduction is significant enough, a tension pneumothorax will result. Numerous reports chronicle failure to diagnose and manage in-chamber pneumothorax with resultant morbidity and one fatal outcome...

We hereby present a 70-year-old male Ethiopian farmer who presented with clinical manifestations suggestive of acute large bowel obstruction, which had persisted for 3 days. Over the past 3 years, he has experienced three similar recurring episodes, which were alleviated by decompression using a rectal tube. Upon initial examination, the patient displayed signs of cardiopulmonary distress, although no indications of peritonitis were observed. Further evaluation through plain abdominal and chest X-rays revealed findings consistent with sigmoid volvulus, as well as mediastinal shift, elevated diaphragm, and a right-positioned heart...

BACKGROUND: A tension pneumothorax is a condition that results in elevated pressure within the pleural space. The effective management of tension pneumothorax relies on needle decompression, commonly performed at the second intercostal space (ICS) midclavicular line (MCL). However, some literature suggests that catheters placed in the second intercostal space midclavicular line are prone to higher failure rates compared to the fifth intercostal space midaxillary line (MAL) (42.5% versus 16...

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic tension gastrothorax is a type of obstructive shock similar to tension pneumothorax. However, tension gastrothorax is not well known among emergency physicians, and no consensus has yet been reached on management during initial trauma care. We present a case of traumatic tension gastrothorax in which tube thoracostomy was performed based solely on clinical findings very similar to tension pneumothorax, followed by emergency laparotomy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 24-year-old male motorcyclist was brought to our emergency medical center after being struck by a motor vehicle...

Tension pneumothorax (TPT) identified in the prehospital setting requires prehospital needle decompression (PHND). This study aimed to evaluate complications from PHND when it was performed without meeting clinical criteria. A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing (PHND) from 2016 through 2022 at a level 1 trauma center. Patient data who received PHND were reviewed. Of 115 patients, 85 did not meet at least one clinical criterion for PHND. The majority of patients in this cohort 76 (89%) required a chest tube and 22 (25%) had an iatrogenic pneumothorax from PHND...

PURPOSE: For optimal prehospital trauma care, it is essential to adequately recognize potential life-threatening injuries in order to correctly triage patients and to initiate life-saving measures. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of prehospital diagnoses suspected by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included patients from the Swiss Trauma Registry with ISS ≥ 16 or AIS head ≥ 3 transported by Switzerland's largest HEMS and subsequently admitted to one of twelve Swiss trauma centers from 01/2020 to 12/2020...

BACKGROUND: Spinal aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare, histologically benign tumors with aggressive behavior, which may cause bone and soft-tissue destruction, particularly affecting neural elements. Management of these tumors, including treatment modalities and follow-up protocols, remains challenging. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old boy presented with chest wall pain persisting for two months before admission, accompanied by progressive mono paresis lasting ten days before admission...

Thyroid cancer in ectopic thyroid tissue is a very rare entity. We report a patient with papillary thyroid cancer arising from upper mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue. The patient presented with thoracic spine metastasis with cord compression. The patient was a 67-year-old woman, who presented with upper back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed suspected metastatic disease in the second and third thoracic vertebrae (T2 and T3). She underwent laminectomy and decompression surgery at the T1-T3 level...

A 70-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, using a HeartWare ventricular assist device, as a bridge to candidacy. After 26 months, computed tomography (CT) angiography indicated stenosis in the LVAD outflow graft; however, the patient was asymptomatic, prompting a decision to manage his condition with close monitoring. Ten months later, the patient presented with dizziness and low-flow alerts. Subsequent CT angiography revealed a critical obstruction involving the entire LVAD outflow graft...

BACKGROUND: Recently, we developed a chest compression device that can move the chest compression position without interruption during CPR and be remotely controlled to minimize rescuer exposure to infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare its performance with conventional mechanical CPR device in a mannequin and a swine model of cardiac arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prototype of a remote-controlled automatic chest compression device (ROSCER) that can change the chest compression position without interruption during CPR was developed, and its performance was compared with LUCAS 3 in a mannequin and a swine model of cardiac arrest...

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare surgical emergency, often with acute onset, causing severe spinal cord injury. This report presents a case of SSEH treated by surgery to enhance understanding of this disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male patient sought medical care for unexplained sudden chest and back pain and paralysis of both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the occupation of thoracolumbar spinal canal...

A large extended family of tumors classified as neuroendocrine tumors most commonly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and bronchus pulmonary tree. It is extremely unusual for a primary neuroendocrine tumor to present as a cervical lymph node mass at initial presentation. We discuss the rare case of a 55-year-old man who initially complained of a right neck mass that was misinterpreted as non-Hodgkin lymphoma on fine needle aspiration cytology. By integrating clinical findings, radiography, fine-needle aspiration cytology, histomorphology, and immunohistochemistry analysis, a definitive diagnosis of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervical lymph node was made...

We report the case of a 23-year-old male novice diver who sustained cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) during his open water certification training whilst practising a free ascent as part of the course. He developed immediate but transient neurological symptoms that had resolved on arrival to hospital. Radiological imaging of his chest showed small bilateral pneumothoraces, pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum. In view of this he was treated with high flow normobaric oxygen rather than recompression, because of the risk of development of tension pneumothorax upon chamber decompression...

UNLABELLED: Pulmonary expansion manoeuvres are therapeutic techniques used to prevent and reverse atelectasis; however, no randomized controlled trials have provided evidence supporting the use of this intervention among individuals on mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of chest compression-decompression and chest block manoeuvres compared to usual care among patients on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: The current study was a randomized clinical trial of adult subjects on mechanical ventilation for 12 to 48 hours...

Achalasia is one of the most common esophageal motility disorders. Typical symptoms include dysphagia, food regurgitation, respiratory symptoms, chest pain, and weight loss. Respiratory obstruction due to tracheal compression by the massively dilated esophagus is a very rare but fatal complication. A 36-year-old male presented with progressive respiratory distress with a history of untreated dysphagia and regurgitation. Further diagnosis revealed dilatation of the esophagus with undigested food. A Heller myotomy with fundoplication was performed and respiratory symptoms were relieved...

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: Biliopleural fistula is a rare but serious complication after liver transplantation that should be managed nonoperatively with antibiotics, pleural drainage, decompression of high-pressure biliary tract, or ultimately surgery in unresponsive cases. ABSTRACT: Bilious pleural effusion is a rare entity often iatrogenic, following hepatobiliary surgeries and biliary interventions, and has been reported only in a limited number of patients after liver transplantation...

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic embolization of pellets into the cerebral circulation is a rare complication following gunshot wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen. Foreign bodies enter the circulation from early direct puncture or delayed erosion of an artery or vein or directly through the heart. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A previously well 13-year-old Sri Lankan boy who presented 2 h following an air rifle injury to the lower sternum with chest pain, developed seizures and left hemiparesis...