• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.209-213
• /
• 1993

The pathogenesis of the primary spontaneous pneumothorax is the rupture of subpleural bleb or bullae and subsequent sudden collapse of the affected lung. Mostly, the bullae or blebs are present bilaterally, but detecting the number, size, and location of the causating foci by plain chest film is quite difficult . We have performed chest CT scans for detecting the bullous lesions in 33 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and compared the results with surgical findings.1. Seventy-four blebs were identified in the chest CT scan, and 100 blebs or bullae were detected surgically [ Sensitivity was 0.74 ].2. Diagnosis rate was 80% [40/50] at right upper lobe, 75.7% [28/37] at left upper lobe, 55.6% at right lower lobe, and 25.0% at left lower lobe, respectively.3. Blebs or bullae smaller than 1 cm of its diameter were detected by 57.1% [24/42] of sensitivity, and in the cases of size larger than 1 cm, it revealed 86.2% [50/58] of sensitivity respectively.4. Of the 45 cases, 7 cases were false negative [15.6%], most of these were ruptured or small size [< 0.5 cm]. 5. One case was false positive, which was irregular adhesion at the apex of the lung.6. We could detect blebs or bullae with preoperative CT scans in 84.4% [38/45] of total patients. In conclusion, chest CT scan is a very advantageous diagnostic tool for proper management and preventing recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax patient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2019

Background: The relationship between the size of bullae and pneumothorax recurrence is controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the role of blebs or bullae in predicting ipsilateral recurrence in young patients experiencing their first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) who underwent conservative treatment. Methods: A total of 299 cases of first-episode PSP were analyzed. The status of blebs or bullae was reviewed on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The dystrophic severity score (DSS; range, 0 to 6 points) was calculated based on HRCT. Results: The 5-year recurrence rate was 38.2%. In univariate analysis, age (<20 years), body mass index (<$20kg/m^2$), a unilateral lesion, and intermediate risk (DSS 4 and 5) were associated with recurrence. Sex; smoking history; and the presence, number, and maximal size of blebs or bullae were not related to recurrence. In Cox regression, age and intermediate risk were independent risk factors for recurrence. High risk (DDS 6) was not an independent risk factor. Conclusion: The presence, number, and size of blebs or bullae did not affect ipsilateral recurrence. DSS failed to show a positive correlation between severity and recurrence. The decision to perform surgery in patients experiencing their first episode of PSP should not be determined by the severity of blebs and bullae.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 1968

Author studied the possible pathogenesis of spontaneous pneumothorax and its effective treatment in 33 cases, and the results obtained as follows:1) Of the 33 cases, 15 cases were originated from pulmonary tuberculosis, 11 cases were non-tuberculous natures and 7 cases were followed by traumatic chest injuries which were not associated with a laceration of the lung or rib fractures.2) So called "Idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax" seemed mostly to be caused by rupture of the emphy- sematous blebs.3) Spontaneous pneumothorax, in process of the pulmonary tuberculosis, seemed to be caused by the rupture of blebs which was formed with a pathological process of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis.4) Author experienced interesting cases of giant blebs which had been fully occupied the right thoracic cavity. At first, it was misdiagnosed as extensive spontaneous pneumothorax on X-ray which was revealed extensive pleural air shadow with total atelectasis of the right lung. A pneumonectomy was performed together with the giant multiple blebs.5] Generally, closed thoracotomy with water-sealed drainage is the treatment of choice in spontaneous pneumothorax. However, open thoracotomy and adequate surgical procedures should be undertaken in patients with continuous air leakage or recurrent attack of spontaneous pneumothorax.aneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.204-208
• /
• 1993

The review of 68 patients, who were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax during the period from Dec, 1991. to Jul, 1992. were performed thoracoscopy of 70 cases under local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine at the department of thoracic & cardiovascular surgery, HanYang University Hospital. Clinical data on distribution of Age & Sex, Location, Frequency of Reccurrence and other aspects of pneumothorax were summerized.37 cases were treated by thoracoscopic management and closed thoracostomy. As thoracoscopic management, Electrocauterization of bullae or blebs[37 cases], Endo-clip application [2 cases], Removal of foreign body[1 case] were performed. 31 cases were cured by open thoracotomy. The thoracotomy indications under thoracoscopic finding were followed as: 1. Severe pulmonary adhesion and destroyed lung parenchyme 2. multiple bullae or blebs on several areas 3. finding of pulmonary tuberculous caseous lesion 4. persistant air leakage after 7 days from thoracoscopic management Excision, wedge resection of bullae or blebs was performed in most cases [22 cases], 2 cases by median sternotomy and Segmentectomy of 7 cases were carried out depending on the pathologic change of lung.There was no operative mortality and Follow-up for all patients were showed good results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 1969

We observed 56 cases of nontraumatic pneumothorax clinically and statistically, which had been experienced at the deparment of chest surgery. St. Mary`s Hospital,Catholic Medical College in theserecent years. 1] In the underlying pathology of spontaneous pneumothorax, nontuberculous origin [60.7%], especially due to pulmonary emphysema or blebs[17.8%], especially due to pulmonary emphysema or blebs[17. 8%], tended to increase as the reports of foreign countries, but tuberculous origin was still high in our country[39.3%]. Considering the 14 cases, unknown underlying pathology, the most of them might have scattered blebs which were not revealed in chest Roentgen films. 2] The principle treatment done in our clinic was as follows; The patients, below 20% lung collapse were treated by bed rest and abdominal respiration. The patients, between 20% and 40% lung collapse were treated by repeated pleural aspiration or closed thoracotomy followed. The cases,over 40% lung collapse were treated by closed thoracotomy initially. 3] The average duration of indweIling catheter was 3 to 4 days in the closed thoracotomy. We used to not remove the indwelling catheter early to promote pleural adhesion. 4] Sometimes, the closed thoracotomy drainage induces bronchial irritation and asthmatic attacks, especially in old age group accompanying pulmonary emphysema. In these cases, respiratory difficulties and acidosis should be prevented and controlled with medical treatment including steroid therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.132-135
• /
• 1994

By the early half of the 20th century, the most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax was considered to be tuberculosis. But recently ruptures of the subpleural emphysema and/or blebs are considered as the major causes of spontaneous pneumothorax. To evaluate the causes of spontaneous pneumothorax, the authors reviewed the 96 patients who were consecutively diagnosed and treated by thoracotomy for spontaneous pneumothorax at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul Advenist Hospital, from May, 1988 to April, 1993. The patients who had clinical and radiological evidence of tuberculosis or other specific parenchymal lung diseases were excluded from this review. All patients were negative for tuberculous bacilli on sputum studies. The pathologic results were as follows : subpleural emphysema[25], blebs[27], subpleural emphysema and blebs[25], pleural fibrosis[10], tuberculosis[8], and parasitic granuloma[1]. Three of the patients who were diagnosed to be tuberculosis by pathologic findings were progressed to active pulmonary tuberculosis on the follow-up chest PA films. The authors conclude that all patients with spontaneous pneumothorax must be evaluated periodically for tuberculosis and that patients who were diagnosed to be tuberculosis by postoprative pathologic report need the administration of the prophylactic antituberculous drug, because the prevalence of tuberculosis remains relatively high rate in our country.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.82-88
• /
• 1984

Total 310 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax in 281 patients were analyzed to review the results of surgical treatment for this condition. Clinical data on the age & sex distribution, recurrence, etiologic conditions and on the other aspects of spontaneous neumothorax were summarized. The results of surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax are followings; 205 out of 310 cases[66.1%] were cured by closed thoracostomies. 82 cases[26.5%] were cured by thoracotomy. The indications of thoracotomy were 1] persistent air leakage, 2] history of recurrences, 3] blebs or bullae on thoracoscopy, 4] associated parenchymal lesion, 5] pneumothorax caused by paragonimiasis. Other reasons of thoracotomy were bilateral pneumothorax and inadequate expansion due to chronicity. Excision of blebs or wedge resection was performed in most cases with good result. Lobectomy [9 case] or pneumonectomy [3 cases] was carried out depending on the pathological involvement of the lung. There was no operative death and only one case showed recurrent pneumothorax during follow-up after thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.582-588
• /
• 1985

We have observed 165 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Aug. 1978 to May. 1985 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University. The ratio of male to female cases were 8.2:1 in male predominance, and the incidence was highest in the adolescence between 21 to 30 year of age. There were 85 patients of primary spontaneous pneumothorax and 80 patients of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. The etiologic factors of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were tuberculous origin in 50 cases, chronic bronchitis with emphysematous bullae or blebs in 17 cases, asthma in 10 cases and lung cancer in 3 cases. Closed thoracotomy was performed for reexpansion of collapsed lung in 153 cases, bed rest in 3 cases, needle aspiration in 5 cases and open thoracotomy in 14 cases. Closed thoracotomy was the main therapeutic approach of choice in the great majority of spontaneous pneumothorax with recurrence rate of 21.6%. However, open thoracotomy was undertaken in patients with continuous air leakage, recurrent episodes, bilateral pneumothorax and large visible apical blebs or bullae.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.10b
• /
• pp.135.2-135.2
• /
• 2003

Plasma membrane blebs are observed in many types of apoptotic cells, but their processes of formation remain to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated whether there is a relationship between change of intracellular phosphotyrosine levels and biochemical apoptotic events in Jurkat T cells undergoing apoptosis by agonistic anti-Fas antibody. When Jurkat cells were treated with Fas-antibody in the presence or absence of pretreatment with sodium orthovanadate ($Na_3${VO}_4$), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) inhibitor, membrane blebs disappeared in orthovanadate-treated cells. (omitted)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 1968

A clinical investigation was reported on 17 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax requiring surgical mana-gement. Males outnumbered females 15:2. Determination of the etiology in this series showed that the majority were pulmonary tuberculosis and paragonimiasis. Several others had pneumonia, lung abscess, cyst and blebs. It is of particular interest that the acute inflammation of respiratory system was younger age group, pulmonary tuberculosis & paragonimiasis were between 2 nd and 3 rd decades, and lung abscess, cyst, blebs were above 4 th decade. Pulmonary tuberculosis was far advanced bilateral and active. The ratio of right to left side was 13:6 and both side involved in 2 cases. In about half cases of patients, above 50%-collapsed lung associated with mediastinal shifting developed. The complications were pleural effusion and bronchopleural fistula. The former was 13 cases [76.4%] in which 3 cases combined with mixed infection, and latter was 5 cases. As the management, 11 cases were subjected to intercostal or rib resection drainage with continuous suc-tion. Among 11 drainage cases, 8 cases were successful in acute stage and 3 cases failed in chronic stage. This faiure was due to interference with re-expansion of collapsed lung for peel formation and broncho-pleural fistula. The open thoractomy was applied in 9 cases, among which primary operation were 5 cases and drainage failure were 4 cases. Among 11 cases subjected to the open thoracotomy, wedged resection was performed in 3 cases including paragonimiatic cyst, and pneumonectomy in 1 case-tuberculosis, and decortication only was performed in 2 cases in paragonimiasis. Decortication & lung resection was carried out in 2 patients among which ruptured lung abscess 1 case and ruptured multiple blebs 1 case. There was no case of death but prognosis of the tuberculosis may be poor because of far advanced bilateral and active pulmonary tuberculosis.