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Background: Foreign bodies within the pleura and pancreas are infrequent, and the approaches to their treatment still a subject of debate. There is limited knowledge particularly regarding glass foreign bodies., Methods: We present a case involving large glass splinters in the pleura and pancreas, with an unknown entry point. In addition, a systematic review was conducted to explore entry hypotheses and management options., Results: In addition to our case, our review uncovered eight incidents of intrapleural glass, and another eight cases of glass in other intrathoracic areas. The fragments entered the body through impalement (81%), migrated through the diaphragm after impalement (6%), or caused transesophageal perforation (19%) following ingestion. Eight instances of glass inside the abdominal cavity were documented, with seven resulting from impalement injuries and one from transintestinal migration. There were no recorded instances of glass being discovered within the pancreas. Among the 41 nonglass intrapancreatic foreign bodies found, sewing needles (34%) and fish bones (46%) were the most common; following ingestion, they had migrated through either a transgastric or transduodenal perforation. In all these cases, how the foreign bodies were introduced was often poorly recalled by the patient. Many nonglass foreign bodies tend to become encapsulated by fibrous tissue, rendering them inert, though this is less common with glass. Glass has been reported to migrate through various tissues and cavities, sometimes with a significant delay spanning even decades. There are cases of intrapleural migration of glass causing hemothorax, pneumothorax, and heart and major blood vessels injury. For intrapleural glass fragment management, thoracoscopy proved to be effective in 5 reported cases, in addition to our patient. Most intrapancreatic nonglass foreign bodies tend to trigger pancreatitis and abscess formation, necessitating management ranging from laparoscopic procedures to subtotal pancreatectomy. There have been only four documented cases of intrapancreatic needles that remained asymptomatic with conservative management. There is no direct guidance from the existing literature regarding management of intrapancreatic glass foreign bodies. Consequently, our patient is under observation with regular follow-ups and has remained asymptomatic for the past 2 years., Conclusions: Glass foreign bodies in the pleura are rare, and our report of an intrapancreatic glass fragment is the first of its kind. Impalement is the most likely method of introduction. As glass has significant migration and an ensuing complication potential, preventive removal of intrapleural loose glass should be considered. However, intrapancreatic glass fragment management remains uncertain., Competing Interests: The authors declares no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Pleural injury and subsequent loculation is characterized by acute injury, sustained inflammation and, when severe, pathologic tissue reorganization. While fibrin deposition is a normal part of the injury response, disordered fibrin turnover can promote pleural loculation and, when unresolved, fibrosis of the affected area. Within this review, we present a brief discussion of the current IPFT therapies, including scuPA, for the treatment of pathologic fibrin deposition and empyema. We also discuss endogenously expressed PAI-1 and how it may affect the efficacy of IPFT therapies. We further delineate the role of pleural mesothelial cells in the progression of pleural injury and subsequent pleural remodeling resulting from matrix deposition. We also describe how pleural mesothelial cells promote pleural fibrosis as myofibroblasts via mesomesenchymal transition. Finally, we discuss novel therapeutic targets which focus on blocking and/or reversing the myofibroblast differentiation of pleural mesothelial cells for the treatment of pleural fibrosis.

Permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion has a lengthy list of complications. We present an unusual clinical image of shunt catheter migration. A 54-year-old female had a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage that resulted in communicating hydrocephalus, which needed a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. On outpatient follow-up, she was found to have a sunken skin flap that was resistant to raising the shunt valve setting. A radiograph of the shunt system revealed that the peritoneal catheter had migrated into the thoracic cavity. On review of the patient's previous imaging, an area indicative of a minor pleural breach was identified that exposed the catheter to the negative thoracic pressure, which resulted in progressive catheter migration. The patient then underwent removal of the shunt system since her hydrocephalus had resolved. A pleural breach during shunt placement can result in the migration of the shunt catheter into the thoracic cavity under the effect of negative thoracic pressure., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of upper pole access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), an option pole often avoided due to the concern for pleural injury., Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients undergoing PCNL at our institution. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to access: supracostal upper calyx (group 1), subcostal upper calyx (group 2), and nonupper calyx (group 3). Preoperative imaging was reviewed to assess stone burden, Hounsfield units (HU), location, and Guy's Stone Score. Patients were considered stone-free if residual fragments were 3 mm or smaller on CT scan., Results: We analyzed 329 PCNLs (left: 174; right: 155). Stones had a median size of 32 mm, 800 HU, and Guy's Stone Score of 2. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had 119, 108, and 102 patients, respectively. The 90-day complication rate was 20.4% (7.9% Clavien 3-4). Group 1 patients, with higher BMI and larger stones, had higher SFR than group 3 (89.9% vs 79.4%, P = .038), but with a significantly higher risk of complications (P = .001). Within group 1, left PCNL (7.0% vs 24.2%, P = .016) and BMI ≥30 (6.9% vs 25.0%, P = .013) carried a lower risk of chest tube insertion. There was no difference in complications between groups 2 and 3 (1.9% vs 2.9%)., Conclusion: Upper pole access is safe and effective, particularly if done below the ribs. Supracostal access is an effective option to achieve higher stone-free rates in complex stones, while carrying a risk of significant hydrothorax, particularly on the right side and in nonobese patients., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

During pulmonary resections, removal of visceral pleura is frequently required, resulting in lung air leakage (LAL) and bleeding. Especially persistent LAL after pulmonary surgery has negative consequences. Current surgical procedures are ineffective in closing these visceral pleural injuries. Previously, the authors' laboratory has developed a novel and effective LAL sealant using tissue-engineered cell sheets harvested from temperature-responsive culture dishes. The clinical application of fresh fibroblast sheets (FSs) is limited by several problems related to the cell culture period, mass production, preservation, and transportation. Therefore, cryopreservation of FSs and feasibility of off-the-shelf FSs for repairing visceral pleural defects were investigated. Over 3 to 6 months, harvested skin-derived FSs in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide were stored in an atmosphere of liquid nitrogen. The amounts of cytokines (basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] and vascular endothelial growth factor) released from frozen-thawed FSs were determined. bFGF levels were significantly elevated in frozen-thawed FSs compared with fresh FSs. After a visceral pleural injury model was created, a frozen-thawed skin-derived FS was transplanted directly to the defect. One month after transplantation, the frozen-thawed FS remained on the pleural surface, resulting in permanent closure, suggesting that cells in the off-the-shelf FS had the ability to proliferate and release various cytokines. Frozen-thawed FSs were useful for closing LALs during pulmonary surgery as an off-the-shelf technique and would be used as a pleural substitute.

Pulmonary "air leaks," typically the result of pleural injury caused by lung surgery or chest trauma, result in the accumulation of air in the pleural space (pneumothorax). Air leaks are a major source of morbidity and prolonged hospitalization after pulmonary surgery. Previous work has demonstrated structural heteropolysaccharide (pectin) binding to the mouse pleural glycocalyx. The similar lectin-binding characteristics and ultrastructural features of the human and mouse pleural glycocalyx suggested the potential application of these polymers in humans. To investigate the utility of pectin-based polymers, we developed a simulacrum using freshly obtained human pleura. Pressure-decay leak testing was performed with an inflation maneuver that involved a 3 s ramp to a 3 s plateau pressure; the inflation was completely abrogated after needle perforation of the pleura. Using nonbiologic materials, pressure-decay leak testing demonstrated an exponential decay with a plateau phase in materials with a Young's modulus less than 5. In human pleural testing, the simulacrum was used to test the sealant function of four mixtures of pectin-based polymers. A 50% high-methoxyl pectin and 50% carboxymethylcellulose mixture demonstrated no sealant failures at transpleural pressures of 60 cmH 2 O. In contrast, pectin mixtures containing 50% low-methoxyl pectin, 50% amidated low-methoxyl pectins, or 100% carboxymethylcellulose demonstrated frequent sealant failures at transpleural pressures of 40-50 cmH 2 O (p < 0.001). Inhibition of sealant adhesion with enzyme treatment, dessication and 4°C cooling suggested an adhesion mechanism dependent upon polysaccharide interpenetration. We conclude that pectin-based heteropolysaccharides are a promising air-tight sealant of human pleural injuries. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part B, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 799-806, 2019., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A rare case of a lethal outcome due to iatrogenic damage to the intercostal vessel, a collateral branch of the posterior intercostal artery, is described. The little-known features of the topography of this vessel (location on the upper edge of the underlying rib), which requires further study in the context of variable anatomy, are given. The risks associated with deviations from the traditionally recommended sites of pleural puncture (below the eighth intercostal space to the scapular line) are substantiated. An analysis of the characteristics of bleeding arising from the intercostal vessels (from two ends, under high pressure, etc.) is given, which implies the extreme importance of a timely diagnosis. Differing points of view on the legal assessment of malpractice when care is delivered by a series of doctors, and the legal necessity of determining the 'point of no return' (the latest moment after the onset of bleeding, in which medical aid can still prevent an unfavorable outcome), are considered. An opinion is expressed on the need for the active participation (initiative) of an expert in the provision of expertise.

The critical care management of pleural air leaks can be challenging in all patients, but particularly in patients on mechanical ventilation. To investigate the effect of central airway pressure and pleural pressure on pulmonary air leaks, we studied orotracheally intubated mice with pleural injuries. We used clinically relevant variables - namely, airway pressure and pleural pressure - to investigate flow through peripheral air leaks. The model studied the pleural injuries using a pressure-decay maneuver. The pressure-decay maneuver involved a 3 sec ramp to 30 cmH 2 0 followed by a 3 sec breath hold. After pleural injury, the pressure-decay maneuver demonstrated a distinctive airway pressure time history. Peak inflation was followed by a rapid decrease to a lower plateau phase. The decay phase of the inflation maneuver was influenced by the injury area. The rate of pressure decline with multiple injuries (28 ± 8 cmH 2 0/sec) was significantly greater than a single injury (12 ± 3 cmH 2 O/sec) (P < 0.05). In contrast, the plateau phase pressure was independent of injury surface area, but dependent upon transpulmonary pressure. The mean plateau transpulmonary pressure was 18 ± 0.7 cm H 2 O. Finally, analysis of the inflation ramp demonstrated that nearly all volume loss occurred at the end of inflation (P < 0.001). We conclude that the air flow through peripheral lung injuries was greatest at increased lung volumes and limited by peripheral airway closure. In addition to suggesting an intrinsic mechanism for limiting flow through peripheral air leaks, these findings suggest the utility of positive end-expiratory pressure and negative pleural pressure to maintain lung volumes in patients with pleural injuries., (© 2018 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.)

Objective: Polyglycolic acid and oxidized regenerated cellulose have been widely used as a sealant for repairing pulmonary air leakage during respiratory surgery. However, fundamental research of these materials has not been sufficiently conducted. Therefore, we conducted studies to assess the pressure resistance ability of these materials using a canine visceral pleural defect model at the early phase., Method: The 6-mm circular defect and the 12-mm square defect were created on the visceral pleura of anesthetized beagles. These defects were then repaired using one of four methods: method A using polyglycolic acid and fibrin glue; method B using oxidized regenerated cellulose and fibrin glue; method C using oxidized regenerated cellulose; method D using fibrin glue. Airway pressure was measured as bursting pressure when air leakage from the repaired areas occurred at 5 min, 3 h, and 24 h after repair., Results: For the 6-mm circle defect, method A showed higher bursting pressures than the other methods at 5 min and 3 h (p < 0.05); method B showed higher than methods C and D at 5 min and 3 h (p < 0.05). For the 12-mm square defect, method A showed higher bursting pressures than the other methods at all time points (p < 0.05). Moreover, method B showed higher than method C at 24 h (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Visceral pleural repairs using polyglycolic acid combined with fibrin glue showed the highest bursting pressure. Oxidized regenerated cellulose combined with fibrin glue showed sufficiently high bursting pressure in repair of small 6-mm circular defects.

Study Design: A prospective study., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and efficacy of using a 10Fr elastic tube with a regular negative pressure ball to treat the operative pleural tear in the complicated single-stage posterior approach thoracic spine surgeries., Summary of Background Data: In some complicated single-stage posterior approach thoracic spine surgeries, such as total en bloc spondylectomy, pleural tear is quite inevitable. Traditional chest tube with a water-sealed bottle has many shortcomings, as pain, inconvenience, and other complications. In many thoracic surgeries, a smaller-caliber elastic tube has been used to avoid such complications and achieve quick recovery. However, there are concerns about the efficacy and safety of the smaller-caliber elastic tube., Methods: A prospective trial was performed in 72 patients between April 2008 and March 2012. Pleural tear occurred in 19 patients, among whom 10 patients were inserted a 10Fr elastic tube with a regular negative pressure ball (Group I), and nine were inserted a 28Fr chest tube with a water-sealed bottle (Group II). Comparative evaluation of the clinical and radiographic data was carried out., Results: The basic condition of two groups did not differ significantly. The oxygen saturation monitor, hospital length of stay, average volume, and failure rate of drainage between two groups were not statistically significant. The difference of the visual analog score was significant (1.10 ± 0.35 vs. 3.89 ± 0.59, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Patients who received a 10Fr elastic tube with a regular negative pressure ball experienced less pain and a tendency of quicker recovery than those who received a 28Fr chest tube with a water-sealed bottle. The complication rate in Group I was not higher than Group II, indicating an equally good drainage efficacy., Level of Evidence: 2.

Pleural loculation affects about 30,000 patients annually in the United States and in severe cases can resolve with restrictive lung disease and pleural fibrosis. Pleural mesothelial cells contribute to pleural rind formation by undergoing mesothelial mesenchymal transition (MesoMT), whereby they acquire a profibrotic phenotype characterized by increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen 1. Components of the fibrinolytic pathway (urokinase plasminogen activator and plasmin) are elaborated in pleural injury and strongly induce MesoMT in vitro. These same stimuli enhance glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β activity through increased phosphorylation of Tyr-216 in pleural mesothelial cells and GSK-3β mobilization from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. GSK-3β down-regulation blocked induction of MesoMT. Likewise, GSK-3β inhibitor 9ING41 blocked induction of MesoMT and reversed established MesoMT. Similar results were demonstrated in a mouse model of Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced empyema. Intraperitoneal administration of 9ING41, after the induction of pleural injury, attenuated injury progression and improved lung function (lung volume and compliance; P < 0.05 compared with untreated and vehicle controls). MesoMT marker α-smooth muscle actin was reduced in 9ING41-treated mice. Pleural thickening was also notably reduced in 9ING41-treated mice (P < 0.05). Collectively, these studies identify GSK-3β as a newly identified target for amelioration of empyema-related pleural fibrosis and provide a strong rationale for further investigation of GSK-3β signaling in the control of MesoMT and pleural injury., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prolonged air leak after pleural decortication is one of the most frequent complications., Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of prolonged air leak between the digital chest drainage (DCD) system and the classic drainage system in patients with empyema class IIB or III (American Thoracic Society classification) in pleural decortication patients., Material and Methods: A total of 37 patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized control trial over one year, consisting of 2blinded groups, comparing prolonged air leak as a main outcome, the number of days until removal of chest drain, length of hospital stay and complications as secondary outcomes., Results: The percentage of prolonged air leak was 11% in the DCD group and 5% in the classic group (P=0.581); the mean number of days of air leak was 2.5±1.8 and 2.4±2.2, respectively (P=0.966). The mean number of days until chest tube removal was 4.5±1.8 and 5.1±2.5 (P=0.41), the length of hospital stay was 7.8±3.7 and 8.9±4.0 (P=0.441) and the complication percentages were 4 (22%) and 7 (36%), respectively (P=0.227)., Discussion: In this study, no significant difference was observed when the DCD was compared with the classic system. This was the first randomized clinical trial for this indication; thus, future complementing studies are warranted., (Copyright © 2016 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. All rights reserved.)

A computed tomography scanner first, then a magnetic resonance imaging were performed for chest pain in a 24-year-old woman allowed to find out a 5-cm long and 2-cm large right pleural tumour close to the rachis (T9 and T10) and spindle-shaped. This patient was a smoker and reported a fall down the stairs a few weeks ago. A scan-guided biopsy was decided and microscopic examination revealed a fibrous tissue in which were entrapped regular and non-suspicious alveolar glands. After elimination of differential diagnosis, the most probable hypothesis was that this lesion was due to the traumatism reported by the patient., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study is to prospectively identify factors that predict the chance of pleural injury (detected clinically or on postoperative X-ray chest) during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). All patients with renal/upper ureteric stones, undergoing PCNL between January 2013 and June 2014, were evaluated for pleural injury. An erect chest X-ray on inspiration was done within 6 h of PCNL. The patients were divided into Groups A and B depending on whether they developed or did not develop pleural injury. Patient-, stone-, renal-, and procedure-related factors were compared between the two groups. 332 patients with mean age 36.76 ± 15.01 years (range 4-80) and M:F of 172:160 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Pleural complications occurred in 10 patients (3 %). Of 141 patients with supracostal punctures (59 had additional infracostal punctures), 4.2 % (n = 6) had pleural injury. Of 191 patients with only infracostal punctures, 4 developed pleural injuries (2 %). Patients in group A had significantly lower age (27.00 ± 11.18 vs. 37.06 ± 15.03, p = 0.03) and lower BMI (18.0 ± 1.90 vs. 21.12 ± 2.24 p = 0.002). Incidence of pleural injury was significantly higher (p = 0.001) on right side [4.0 % (7/172) vs. 1.8 %, 3/160)]. Incidence of pleural injury had no association with staghorn calculi, stone surface area (590.51 ± 313.88 for Group A vs. 593.02 ± 387.10 for Group B; p = 0.11), degree of hydronephrosis, and operative time (65.13 ± 19.45 for Group A vs. 72.21 ± 19.56 for Group B; p = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, only low BMI and mean age <27 years were associated with higher risk of pleural injury. Higher incidence of pleural injury was noted in patients with low BMI and younger age.

Effect of time and phosphatidylcholines (PCs) on lubrication of damaged mesothelium has been investigated. Marked increase in coefficient of kinetic friction (μ) of pleural specimens after mesothelial blotting and rewetting decreased by 23.4±3.5%, 41.8±3.8%, and 40.5±2.7% after 30min, 1h, and 2h. Hence, damaged mesothelium is able to partially reset lubricating molecules on its surface. Increase in μ of post-blotting Ringer 2h after addition of unsaturated PCs (3mg/ml) decreased a little more than after 2h Ringer. Effects of unsaturated and saturated PCs were similar, contrary to expectation raised by their different percentage in pleural and alveolar lavage. Effect of PCs did not increase at 6mg/ml, and was nil at 0.4mg/ml. Increase of μ after short phospholipase treatment decreased by 45.9±2.0% after 2h Ringer, and a little more after addition of unsaturated or saturated PCs. Hence, PCs, as other phospholipids, have a small effect, likely because of difficulty in resetting their relationships with main lubricating molecules., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Although an alveolar air leak (AAL) after pulmonary resection is a troublesome complication that diminishes a patient's quality of life and increases medical costs, current treatment and preventive methods for AAL are not effective. Therefore, we transplanted adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to the damaged visceral pleura to facilitate the regeneration of mesothelial cells and investigated the possibility of cell therapy as a treatment option for AAL., Methods: Stem cells were isolated and cultured from discarded fat tissues that were collected after liposuction procedures. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate their suitability as mesenchymal stem cells. Cultured stem cells were seeded onto polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets and incubated for 5 days. Under general anaesthesia, 10 New Zealand rabbits underwent thoracotomies. After the visceral pleura was damaged, PGA sheets containing ASCs were transplanted into 5 rabbits (ASC group) and PGA sheets without cells were transplanted into the other 5 rabbits (control group). Rethoracotomies were performed after 4 weeks, and the transplanted areas in the visceral pleura were excised for analysis. Haematoxylin and eosin and Azan staining were performed. In addition, electron microscopic examinations were performed to investigate the ultrastructure of the regenerating mesothelium., Results: Cultured stem cells were positive for the surface proteins CD13, CD29, CD49d, CD90 and CD105, whereas they were negative for CD34, CD45 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. The adhesions between the transplanted visceral pleura and parietal pleura were weaker in the ASC group than in the control group. On histological examination, the mesothelial cell monolayer of the visceral pleura was well preserved in the ASC group, whereas it was frequently lost in the control group. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the mesothelial cell monolayer and its abundant microvilli were well preserved in the ASC group, but were absent or disintegrated in the control group., Conclusions: Transplantation of ASCs to the damaged visceral pleura can contribute to the treatment and prevention of AAL by improving the regeneration of mesothelial cells., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is presently the treatment of choice for large or multiple kidney stones or stones in the calyx. PCNL is generally safe and associated with low but indisputable complication rate. Pleural injury in PCNL is a rare but severe complication which can occur during or immediately after operation. Pleural injury may lead to chronic empyema thoracis. Until now no such case has been reported in literature., (2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Background and Purpose: A well-known complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is pleural injury. Pneumothorax and hydrothorax sustained during PCNL may necessitate the placement of a chest tube. Current literature describes placement of standard chest tubes as well as small-bore catheters for management of hydrothorax sustained during PCNL. This study aims to better delineate the clinical utility and outcomes associated with use of small-bore catheters when compared with standard chest tubes for managing pneumothorax and hydrothorax after PCNL., Patients and Methods: We queried an institutional database of 735 renal units that underwent PCNL for endourologic disease between 2001 and 2013. Postoperative upright chest radiographs were analyzed in patients who needed chest tube placement for pneumothorax or hydrothorax after PCNL. Those who met inclusion criteria were divided based on the size of chest tube placed: Small-bore (8-12F) or standard chest tube (32F). Analysis of clinical outcomes was performed., Results: Of the 735 procedures, 15 (2% of total, 7 right, 8 left) needed chest tube placement for a pleural injury after PCNL. Those who needed chest tube placement had an average stone size of 2.1 cm. Five had large-bore standard chest tubes (32F) and 10 had small-bore catheters (<14F) for management of pleural injury. The average length of time the chest tube stayed in place was 3.9 days (minimum 2, maximum 6) for small bore and 4.4 days (minimum 2, maximum 7) for standard chest tubes. There was a statistical trend toward decreased hospital stay and decreased length of time the chest tube was in place when a small-bore chest tube was used., Conclusion: The use of small-bore catheters for management of hydrothorax and pneumothorax have reasonable clinical outcomes when compared with standard large-bore chest tubes after PCNL.

Intrapleural processing of prourokinase (scuPA) in tetracycline (TCN)-induced pleural injury in rabbits was evaluated to better understand the mechanisms governing successful scuPA-based intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT), capable of clearing pleural adhesions in this model. Pleural fluid (PF) was withdrawn 0-80 min and 24 h after IPFT with scuPA (0-0.5 mg/kg), and activities of free urokinase (uPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and uPA complexed with α-macroglobulin (αM) were assessed. Similar analyses were performed using PFs from patients with empyema, parapneumonic, and malignant pleural effusions. The peak of uPA activity (5-40 min) reciprocally correlated with the dose of intrapleural scuPA. Endogenous active PAI-1 (10-20 nM) decreased the rate of intrapleural scuPA activation. The slow step of intrapleural inactivation of free uPA (t1/2(β) = 40 ± 10 min) was dose independent and 6.7-fold slower than in blood. Up to 260 ± 70 nM of αM/uPA formed in vivo [second order association rate (kass) = 580 ± 60 M(-1)·s(-1)]. αM/uPA and products of its degradation contributed to durable intrapleural plasminogen activation up to 24 h after IPFT. Active PAI-1, active α2M, and α2M/uPA found in empyema, pneumonia, and malignant PFs demonstrate the capacity to support similar mechanisms in humans. Intrapleural scuPA processing differs from that in the bloodstream and includes 1) dose-dependent control of scuPA activation by endogenous active PAI-1; 2) two-step inactivation of free uPA with simultaneous formation of αM/uPA; and 3) slow intrapleural degradation of αM/uPA releasing active free uPA. This mechanism offers potential clinically relevant advantages that may enhance the bioavailability of intrapleural scuPA and may mitigate the risk of bleeding complications.

Lung and pleural injuries are characterized by inflammation, fibrinous transitional matrix deposition, and ultimate scarification. The accumulation of extravascular fibrin is due to concurrently increased local coagulation and decreased fibrinolysis, the latter mainly as a result of increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression. Therapeutic targeting of disordered fibrin turnover has long been used for the treatment of pleural disease. Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy has been found to be variably effective in clinical trials, which likely reflects empiric dosing that does not account for the wide variation in pleural fluid PAI-1 levels in individual patients. The incidence of empyema is increasing, providing a strong rationale to identify more effective, nonsurgical treatment to improve pleural drainage and patient outcomes. Therapeutics designed to resist inhibition by PAI-1 are in development for the treatment of pleural loculation and impaired drainage. The efficacy and safety of these strategies remains to be proven in clinical trial testing. Fibrinolytic therapy administered via the airway has also been proposed for the treatment of acute lung injury, but this approach has not been rigorously validated and is not part of routine clinical management at this time. Challenges to airway delivery of fibrinolysins relate to bioavailability, distribution, and dosing of the interventional agents., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Cardiac ventricle perforation by a pacemaker (PM) lead is an uncommon complication of PM implantation. We report a patient with a delayed right ventricular perforation from a permanent PM lead which presented as a left hemothorax., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

While performing thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung, the location of the lesion is generally identified by visual inspection or palpation. When difficulty in identification of the lesion by thoracoscopy is anticipated, preoperative marking is performed. However, complications and technical difficulties plague current marking techniques. To overcome this problem, we designed a new, safe and easy marking technique that avoids pleural puncture, called the intrathoracic stamping method.

Elevated concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are associated with pleural injury, but its effects on pleural organization remain unclear. A method of adenovirus-mediated delivery of genes of interest (expressed under a cytomegalovirus promoter) to rabbit pleura was developed and used with lacZ and human (h) PAI-1. Histology, β-galactosidase staining, Western blotting, enzymatic and immunohistochemical analyses of pleural fluids (PFs), lavages, and pleural mesothelial cells were used to evaluate the efficiency and effects of transduction. Transduction was selective and limited to the pleural mesothelial monolayer. The intrapleural expression of both genes was transient, with their peak expression at 4 to 5 days. On Day 5, hPAI-1 (40-80 and 200-400 nM of active and total hPAI-1 in lavages, respectively) caused no overt pleural injury, effusions, or fibrosis. The adenovirus-mediated delivery of hPAI-1 with subsequent tetracycline-induced pleural injury resulted in a significant exacerbation of the pleural fibrosis observed on Day 5 (P = 0.029 and P = 0.021 versus vehicle and adenoviral control samples, respectively). Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) with plasminogen activators was effective in both animals overexpressing hPAI-1 and control animals with tetracycline injury alone. An increase in intrapleural active PAI-1 (from 10-15 nM in control animals to 20-40 nM in hPAI-1-overexpressing animals) resulted in the increased formation of PAI-1/plasminogen activator complexes in vivo. The decrease in intrapleural plasminogen-activating activity observed at 10 to 40 minutes after IPFT correlates linearly with the initial concentration of active PAI-1. Therefore, active PAI-1 in PFs affects the outcome of IPFT, and may be both a biomarker of pleural injury and a molecular target for its treatment.

A 72-year-old white woman was admitted to the hospital for mitral valve replacement with a metallic valve. A few days after surgery, the patient experienced a sudden cardiac arrest and died because of the intrapleural rupture of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula.

We present 3 patients undergoing revisional implant surgery more than 20 years after congenital breast asymmetry correction. All of them had Poland syndrome. In 2 patients, the parietal pleura was inadvertently damaged during capsulectomy, resulting in a pneumothorax in one patient and implant loss in the other. The loss followed a copious accumulation of fluid around the implant, possibly due to a (persistent) communication with the pleural cavity. In the first case the pneumothorax was successfully treated intraoperatively. The third patient suffered no complications during surgery. Predisposing factors for pleural damage during revisional implant surgery for congenital breast asymmetry are discussed, in addition to the merits of total capsulectomy during implant exchange. It is concluded that surgeons should aim to minimize the possibility of pleural damage during this surgery and should proceed with caution when performing total capsulectomy in at-risk patients.

The treatment results of the 286 patients with pleural empyem after thoracic injuries (n=107) and closed trauma of the pleural cavity (n=179) were retrospectively analyzed. The frequency of pleural empyem was 1.39% by injuries and 1.34% by the closed thoracic trauma. 15 (14%) patients of the first group developed the bronchopleural fistula, whereas the complication was observed in 32 (17.9%) patients of the second group. The adequate pleural drainage with intrapleural enzyme therapy in acute inflammation period allowed recovery in 78% and 71.9% of patients, respectively. Early videothoracoscopic sanation of the pleural cavity shortened the recovery time in more then 1.5 times. The chronization of the empyem was more often observed after the closed thoracic trauma - 14.5% rather than 6.5% after the open thoracic injury. The lethality rate by pleural empyem was 14% after the open injuries and 15.6% after the closed trauma.

Purpose: Collagen fleece coated with fibrin glue (TachoComb; CSL Behring, Tokyo, Japan) is a tissue adhesive and sealant used to stop hemorrhage and air leakage. We assessed the efficacy of overlapping methods combined with the use of TachoComb to repair pleural defects., Methods: Using a beagle animal model, circular and square defects were created on the pulmonary pleura and then repaired with TachoComb patches of varying minimum overlap widths (MOW). The airway pressure at which air leakage from the repaired region occurred (bursting pressure) was measured in a water sealing test. The ability of TachoComb to withstand temporal changes was assessed by repairing a 6-mm circular defect. The bursting pressure was measured at 5 min, 10 min, 3 h, and 24 h after the repair., Results: TachoComb patches with an MOW ≥ 6 mm withstood significantly higher pressures than patches with an MOW ≤ 3 mm for both circular and square defects. The bursting pressure was found to increase over time for up to 3 h after being applied, indicating that adhesion of the TachoComb patch to the pleural tissue improved during the 3-h period., Conclusion: Pleural defects repaired using an overlapping method with an MOW of 6 mm were able to withstand airway pressures ≥ 40 cmH(2)O.

We report a case of intrathoracic herniation of the colonic interposition pulled up through the retrosternal space after subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The patient, a 68-year-old man, presented with progressive dysphagia about 1 year after this operation. We performed left thoracotomy and laparotomy, which revealed the reconstructed colon herniating into the left thoracic cavity through a large defect in the left mediastinal pleura. The redundant colon was resected, and the colonic graft was shortened and straightened. We concluded that the defect in the mediastinal pleura and colonic redundancy had permitted the colonic graft to herniate into the left thoracic cavity.

Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment alternative in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. The infusion of liquid into the peritoneal cavity leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which can sometimes produce leaks to the chest, giving rise to pleuroperitoneal communication. This is not a common complication, but it brings about high drop-out rates among patients using the technique. Diagnosis is easy and must be suspected in patients with sudden dyspnoea with low ultrafiltration and pleural effusion in the chest x-ray. Peritoneal rest and a temporary transfer to haemodialysis, and pleurodesis can be effective treatment strategies.

Purpose: Massive earthquakes are harmful to humankind. This study of a historical cohort aimed to investigate the difference between earthquake-related crush thoracic traumas and thoracic traumas unrelated to earthquakes using a multi-detector Computed Tomography (CT)., Methods: We retrospectively compared an earthquake-exposed cohort of 215 thoracic trauma crush victims of the Sichuan earthquake to a cohort of 215 non-earthquake-related thoracic trauma patients, focusing on the lesions and coexisting injuries to the thoracic cage and the pulmonary parenchyma and pleura using a multi-detector CT., Results: The incidence of rib fracture was elevated in the earthquake-exposed cohort (143 vs. 66 patients in the non-earthquake-exposed cohort, Risk Ratio (RR) = 2.2; p<0.001). Among these patients, those with more than 3 fractured ribs (106/143 vs. 41/66 patients, RR=1.2; p<0.05) or flail chest (45/143 vs. 11/66 patients, RR=1.9; p<0.05) were more frequently seen in the earthquake cohort. Earthquake-related crush injuries more frequently resulted in bilateral rib fractures (66/143 vs. 18/66 patients, RR= 1.7; p<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of non-rib fracture was higher in the earthquake cohort (85 vs. 60 patients, RR= 1.4; p<0.01). Pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries were more frequently seen in earthquake-related crush injuries (117 vs. 80 patients, RR=1.5 for parenchymal and 146 vs. 74 patients, RR = 2.0 for pleural injuries; p<0.001). Non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries had significant positive correlation with rib fractures in these two cohorts., Conclusions: Thoracic crush traumas resulting from the earthquake were life threatening with a high incidence of bony thoracic fractures. The ribs were frequently involved in bilateral and severe types of fractures, which were accompanied by non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries.

To determine whether video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with a lower incidence of intrathoracic adhesion after pulmonary resection, we assessed the incidence of adhesion for patients who underwent a second pulmonary resection. The site and extent of adhesion were evaluated by reviewing videotapes recorded during surgery. A significantly (P<0.05) lower rate of mediastinal or interlobar adhesion was observed in patients with pneumothorax (10%) in comparison with lobectomy (57%) or partial resection for tumors (63%), although there were no statistically significant differences in adhesion to the chest wall. There were no significant differences between VATS and thoracotomy for mediastinal or interlobar adhesion. However, a significantly (P<0.05) lower rate of adhesion to the chest wall was observed for VATS (54%) in comparison with thoracotomy (100%). Although VATS resulted in less adhesion to the chest wall than thoracotomy, there was no difference in mediastinal or interlobar adhesion.

Abstract Pleural injury is a potential complication of supracostal access for percutaneous renal surgery. Vigilant observation by the surgeon for timely identification and prompt treatment of an injury goes a long way toward saving the patient from serious long-term thoracic morbidity.

Objective: The occurrence of intraoperative air leaks is an unavoidable complication during pulmonary surgeries. However, current surgical methods are generally ineffective in closing these visceral pleural defects, resulting in a decreased quality of life for patients. Here, we examined novel tissue engineered cell sheets for the closure of pleural defects in a porcine model., Methods: Skin biopsies were harvested from juvenile swine and tissue sheets composed of dermal fibroblasts were created using ex vivo culture on temperature-responsive dishes. After creating a visceral pleural injury model, the tissue engineered autologous dermal fibroblast sheets were transplanted directly to the defects without the use of sutures or additional adhesive agents, such as fibrin glue., Results: The tissue engineered autologous dermal fibroblast sheets attached directly to the lung surface providing an immediate seal against up to 25 cm H2O of airway pressure. Four weeks after transplantation, the dermal fibroblast sheets remained present on the pleural surface, providing permanent closure. The dermal fibroblast sheets were also responsive to changes in lung volume due to mechanical ventilation. No recurrences of air leaks were observed throughout the follow-up period., Conclusions: This study presents the development of an effective sealant for visceral pleural defects using autologous cells that have the flexibility to respond to expansion and contraction during respiration.

A 55-year-old man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed after diagnosis of Brugada syndrome 4 years earlier was admitted to hospital with dyspnea and a large left pleural effusion. After several episodes of cardiorespiratory arrest and application of advanced cardiac life support measures, an emergency sternotomy was performed. Cardiac and pleural perforation by the ICD lead was observed and the device was removed. Since the ICD was introduced in 1980, it has been effective in the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and in reducing the incidence of sudden death. Increased use, however, has meant a rise in the number of complications, some of which are potentially fatal. The rare complication we describe should therefore be considered whenever a patient with an ICD develops sudden respiratory failure or massive hemoptysis that cannot be explained by other causes.

We report the case of a 25-year-old African-American man presenting to the Henry Ford Hospital emergency department with acute dyspnea secondary to a pneumothorax resulting from a migratory acupuncture needle. The patient received acupuncture treatment approximately 5 years prior to this presentation for treatment of posttraumatic chronic right shoulder pain. Chest radiography revealed retained needles in his right shoulder girdle and a needle overlying the thoracic cage with an attendant pneumothorax. Catheter aspiration for simple pneumothorax provided immediate symptomatic relief. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was then used to remove the migratory acupuncture needle from the chest wall. The patient recovered without complication and was discharged to home.

Purpose: The necessity of a postoperative chest tube for the treatment of pneumothorax after a radical nephrectomy is controversial., Materials and Methods: A five-year retrospective study was performed on 91 patients, having undergone a radical nephrectomy. We examined the existence and length of a pleural rent, presence of a postoperative thoracostomy tube, postoperative pneumothorax, postoperative pneumonia, postoperative atelectasis, pain scores, hemoglobin saturation, and length of hospital stay with univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: Incidence of a pleural rent occurred in 29 (36%) of open radical nephrectomy cases; 4 of the 29 cases had a postoperative thoracostomy tube. There was no significant difference in hemoglobin saturation levels between cases that had no pleural rent, a pleural rent without a thoracostomy tube, and a pleural rent with a postoperative thoracostomy tube. A pleural rent without a postoperative chest tube had significantly lower rates of pain score, atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion, and length of hospital stay compared to individuals with a postoperative chest tube. Patients with a chest tube had a significantly higher incidence of pain, atelectasis, pneumonia, effusion, and length of hospital stay., Conclusion: Iatrogenic pleural rents treated without a postoperative chest tube show a significant decrease in postoperative complications of pneumonia and atelectasis, pain score and length of hospital stay. These patients show no significant increases in postoperative complications; therefore, it appears that postoperative chest tube placement after a pleural injury occurs is of no advantage.