Paraneoplastic Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Associated With Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder is an inflammatory demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by triad optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and area postrema syndrome. Antibodies directed against aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), a water channel expressed on the astrocytic membrane, are supposed to play a pathogenic role and are detected in ~80% of cases. Clinical signs of Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in elderly patients should arouse the suspicion of paraneoplastic etiology. In this article, we discussed a case of a 76-year-old woman with a 2-month history of confusion, dysarthria, and progressive bilateral leg weakness. A whole-body CT scan showed a neoformation of 5 cm in diameter in the median lobe infiltrating the mediastinal pleura. The tumor had already spread to both the upper and lower right lobes, parietal pleura, and multiple lymph nodes. Pleural cytology revealed adenocarcinoma cells. The brain MRI documented hyperintense alteration in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images, involving the anterior portion of the corpus callosum and the periependymal white matter surrounding the lateral ventricles, with mild contrast enhancement on the same areas and meningeal tissue. T2-weighted spinal cord MRI sequences showed extended signal hyperintensity from bulbo-cervical junction to D7 metamer, mainly interesting the central component and the gray matter. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed no neoplastic cells. Serum AQP-4 immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies were found. Meanwhile, the patient rapidly developed progressive paraparesis and decreased level of consciousness. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy was started but her conditions rapidly deteriorated. No other treatment was possible.

Multidetector CT findings of primary pleural angiosarcoma : a systematic review, an additional cases report

Background To demonstrate and analyze the relatively common imaging findings in this rare primary pleural angiosarcoma (PPA). Case presentation Three cases of PPA, proven by video-assisted thoracic surgery biopsies are retrospectively reviewed. Patients were all male. Age ranges from 65 to 75 years old age (mean; 69). Major chief complaints were dyspnea and chest pain. One has a history of colon cancer, the other has a tuberculosis history and the other has no known history. Multidetector chest CT and PET CT were all done. Immunohistochemical studies were performed including CD31, CD34, or factor VIII-related antigen, vimentin, and cytokeratin. We also review the literatures on recently published PPA. All masses were from 1 to 10 cm. All three patients had multiple pleural based masses, which were ovoid in shape with relatively sharp margin in unilateral hemithorax. Multiple small circumscribed pleural masses are limited in the pleural space in two patients, whereas two, huge lobulated masses about up to 10 cm were present with pleural and extrapleural involvement in one patient. In two patients with pleural mass only, multiple pleural masses were only seen in parietal pleura in one patient and were in both visceral and parietal pleura in one patient. Pleural effusion were found in one side in one patient and in both sides in one patient. One angiosarcoma was arised from chronic tuberculotic pleurisy sequelae. All pleural masses are heterogenous with irregular internal low densities in all patients. Hematogenous metastases were found in liver, vertebra, rib in one patient, and were in lungs with mediastinal lymph node metastases in the other patient. Three patients survived for longer than 3months after diagnosis, but continued to deteriorate rapidly. Two patients underwent chemotherapy after surgical excision, and the other one with multiple metastases treated chemotherapy after CT-guided biopsy, but eventually all died. As a result of comparative analysis of a total of 13 patients’ images including 10 cases previously published, there was pleural effusion in all except 2 cases. Conclusions PPA were all necrotic without any vascularized enhancing nature, and manifested as unilateral circumscribed or localized pleural-based masses.

The use of transdermal therapeutic systems for chemical pleurodesis in a patient with prolonged air leakage after lung resection for cancer

This clinical observation demonstrates a method of a motivated use of a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) based on fentanyl for chemical pleurodesis in a patient with prolonged air leakage after lung resection for cancer. The most common complication after elective lung resections is an alveolar-pleural fistula or prolonged air leakage. This clinical phenomenon occurs as a result of communication between the alveoli of the lung parenchyma distal to the segmental bronchus and the pleural cavity. In most cases, air leakage through the drains is eliminated spontaneously, but the frequency of prolonged pneumostasis absence in the postoperative period can reach 25 %, which has a negative effect on the outcomes of surgical interventions due to the development of pneumonia and empyema. Long-term drainage of the pleural cavity does not always end with aerostasis and requires repeated invasive interventions. One of the ways to achieve the tightness of the lung tissue involves various methods of chemical pleurodesis, which is a surgical manipulation – the introduction of a sclerosing chemical substance into the pleural cavity by spraying medical talc through a trocar or a injecting tetracycline solution into the pleural drains. The chemical causes aseptic inflammation and adhesions between the visceral and parietal pleura, followed by obliteration of the pleural cavity. The sclerosant introduction is accompanied by severe pain that can provoke respiratory and/or hemodynamic deficits, up to apnea and life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances. Pain relief during chemical pleurodesis is obviously an important factor in the prevention of a number of complications in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Bolus intravenous injections of narcotic analgesics lead to an analgesic effect, but a short-term one due to the absence of a depot in the body and a sharp drop in the drug concentration in the blood serum. Unfortunately, this method of introducing narcotic drugs can cause various complications in weakened and elderly cancer patients, such as respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. The TTS action is characterized with continuous dosing and the creation of a constant concentration of the narcotic drug over a certain period of time. This method provides a multilevel and systematic approach to pain relief, reduces toxicity and minimizes the inhibition of the central mechanisms of external respiration regulation without causing respiratory and cardiac disorders in patients who underwent lung resection.

Pneumothorax in Children

Pneumothorax is a common pleural disease worldwide and is defined as the free accumulation of air between visceral and parietal pleura. Pneumothorax can be spontaneous, iatrogenic, and traumatic. Although it is less common than adults, it is seen in about 1.1–4 per 100,000 per year in the childhood age group. In patients presenting with variable clinic according to the cause of etiology, diagnosis is confirmed on a PA chest radiograph, sometimes a computed tomography may be required. The management of pneumothorax is varying from conservative, over intermediate (chest tube drainage) to invasive methods (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery—VATS, thoracotomy). Here, we planned to write a chapter that includes a text containing general information about pediatric pneumothorax, algorithms, and visual and clinical cases of the causes of pneumothorax in children, including age, etiology, and treatment approach of pneumothorax in children.

Neonatal Pneumothorax- Five Years of Experience in a Tertiary Care Center

I Introduction: Pneumothorax is a pathological condition characterized by the presence of air between the visceral and parietal pleura. Objectives: To investigate incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, management and perinatal outcome among newborns with pneumothorax in a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Maternity hospital with tertiary NICU from 2015-2019. We included all neonates with pneumothorax born in our hospital and compared demographic characteristics, perinatal risk factors, anthropometric parameters, concurrent diseases, clinical course and method of chest drainage between full term (≥37 GW) and preterm (<37GW) newborns. Results: Mong 30.378 neonates, 74 developed pneumothorax (2, 4/1000 newborns). The incidence of neonatal pneumothorax (NP) was higher in preterm group (59, 5%), with a mean age 34,62 GW in whole group. The mode of delivery was c. section in 68.9%. NP occurred mostly on the right side (47,3%), on the second day of life , in males (67,6%). Chest drainage was performed in 64,9% of cases. Of 74 NP cases, 64 (85.1%) recovered, 6 (8,1%) died. Conclusion: Pneumothorax is a pathological condition of the newborn, which, if not diagnosed in time and treated adequately, leads to a fatal outcome.ads to a

Comparative Assessment of Inflammatory Reaction in Experimental Animals after Pleurodesis with Solutions of Hydrogen Peroxide and Talc

The aim of our research was to compare the nature and severity of the inflammatory process in the lungs, in the leaves of the visceral and parietal pleura, and in the adjacent subpleural tissues of the chest wall in experimental animals after pleurodesis with solutions of 3% and 6% hydrogen peroxide, and talc. Methods and Results: The experiment was carried out on 200 Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 grams, 10 specimens in a subgroup, depending on the time of the experiment, i.e. 50 specimens in each study group, including the control group. The main criterion by which we determined the comparative characteristics of the effectiveness of talc and 3% and 6% solutions of hydrogen peroxide as preparations used for chemical pleurodesis in the rats was a morphological characteristic of inflammation. This criterion was confirmed by counting free cell populations in lung tissue (lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, histiocytes). All comparison groups were characterized by a gradual increase in the number of lymphocytes, macrophages and histiocytes, ranging from minimum to maximum values, and by a gradual decrease in the number of neutrophils, starting with max and ending with minimum values. The number of lymphocytes, macrophages and histiocytes were increasing faster. But at the same time, for the most part, their number was lower after pleurodesis with 6% hydrogen peroxide. The minimum number of neutrophils and the fastest possible reduction in all cases was observed in pleurodesis with 6% hydrogen peroxide. Conclusion: Pleurodesis with a 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide as a chemical agent significantly affects the quality of the inflammatory response, reducing its duration and severity in the organs and tissues of the rats’ chests, compared with a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and talc.

Objective Thoracoscopic Criteria in Differentiation between Benign and Malignant Pleural Effusions

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Thoracoscopy is the “gold standard” diagnostic modality for investigation of suspected pleural malignancy. It is postulated that meticulous assessment of the pleural cavity may be adequate to indicate malignancy through the macroscopic findings of nodules, pleural thickening, and lymphangitis. We attempted to critically assess this practice, by precisely defining objective macroscopic criteria which might differentiate benign from malignant pleural diseases according to intrapleural pattern and anatomical location, and thereby to explore the predilection of abnormalities to specific sites on pleural surfaces. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A structured review of recorded video footage from medical thoracoscopy procedures in 96 patients was conducted by 2 independent assessors. Abnormalities were scored on agreed, objective criteria for the presence of nodules, lymphangitis and inflammation on each of the costoparietal, visceral and diaphragmatic surfaces. The costoparietal pleura was divided into 6 levels (apical, middle, and inferior surfaces of the lateral and posterior parietal pleura). The anterior surface of the costoparietal pleura was excluded from analysis after interim review as this surface was rarely seen. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the benign group, inflammation was the predominant finding in 65% (<i>n</i> = 33; costoparietal), 44% (<i>n</i> = 21; visceral), and 42% (<i>n</i> = 15; diaphragmatic). Nodules were detected in 24% (<i>n</i> = 12; costoparietal), 8% (<i>n</i> = 4; visceral), and 8% (<i>n</i> = 3; diaphragmatic). The most affected surfaces with inflammation were the middle lateral (60%) and the inferior lateral (57.8%) parts of the costoparietal pleura. In the malignant group, nodules were the predominant finding according to surface in 73% (<i>n</i> = 33; costoparietal), 32% (<i>n</i> = 13; visceral) and 48% (<i>n</i> = 17; diaphragmatic). Inflammation was detected in 44% (<i>n</i> = 20; costoparietal), 25% (<i>n</i> = 10; visceral), and 29% (<i>n</i> = 10; diaphragmatic). The most affected surfaces with nodules were the middle lateral (67.4%) and inferior lateral (66.7%) costoparietal pleural surfaces. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This is the first detailed, anatomical description of abnormalities in the pleural space during thoracoscopy. While nodules were the predominant pattern in malignant pleural effusion, they were detected in 24% of benign diagnoses. Detection of nodules in &#x3e;1 area of the costoparietal pleura was in favor of a malignant diagnosis. Inflammation was the predominant pattern in benign pleural effusion. Our results suggest that macroscopic nodules in malignant diagnoses have a predilection for the middle and inferior surfaces of the lateral costoparietal pleura.

A solitary pulmonary nodule caused by Mycobacterium avium with pleural effusion and pleuritis after transbronchial biopsy: a case report

Background Pleural effusion and pleuritis are uncommon manifestations of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease. Pleuritis caused by Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule is extremely rare. The pathogenesis of Mycobacterium avium complex pleuritis has not been elucidated. However, it has been suggested that secondary spontaneous pneumothorax from Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease is one of the causes of Mycobacterium avium complex pleuritis. Case presentation A 67-year-old Japanese woman who presented with a solitary pulmonary nodule developed a transient pneumothorax after transbronchial biopsy. A definitive diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule could not be made on bronchoscopy, so video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed 1 month after bronchoscopy. On the day of hospitalization for the procedure, a left-sided pleural effusion appeared on a chest radiograph. Thickening of the parietal and visceral pleura and numerous scattered white small granules were seen on thoracoscopy. Histologic examination of the resected left lower lobe and a biopsy of the parietal pleura showed Mycobacterium avium complex solitary pulmonary nodule and Mycobacterium avium complex pleuritis. Conclusion Iatrogenic pneumothorax can be a cause of pleuritis in a patient with Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease. Clinicians should watch for the appearance of secondary pleuritis after transbronchial biopsy even in a patient with localized disease such as Mycobacterium avium complex solitary pulmonary nodule.

A case of solitary fibrous tumor incidentally detected during COVID-19 infection and treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Although solitary fibrous tumor is the most common benign pleural tumor, it is encountered incidentally and very rarely. A mass in the chest wall was detected in a computerized chest tomography taken due to COVID-19 infection in a 36-year-old female patient. The case with solitary fibrous tumor originating from the parietal pleura was treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. During the COVID-19 epidemic, compute-rized tomography of the thorax, which is frequently taken for lung involvement, can reveal pathologies related to thoracic structures as well as tumors originating from the pleura. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery re-commended for the excision of pedunculated and less than 5 cm lesions; We would like to emphasize that it can be safely applied in the treatment of solitary fibrous tumors that are sessile and do not exceed 5 cm.