• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.1 s.270
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• pp.79-82
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• 2007

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is an uncommon injury although the incidence is increasing. Early diagnosis and primary repair of tracheobronchial rupture not only restore a normal lung function but also avoid the difficulties and complications associated with delayed diagnosis and repair We present one case of the tracheal transsection caused by traffic accident. Patient suffered from progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema on the neck and anterior chest wall and tension pneumothorax at both sides were noted. Although both closed thoracostomy were done, massive air leakage through the chest tube continued and subcutaneous emphysema spread to the anterior abdominal wall and scrotum and the degree of dyspnea aggravated. With the impression of tracheobronchial injury, we performed the emergency operation. Preoperative bronchoscopy at the operation room was proceeded, which revealed the trachea was near totally transsected in transverse direction. Operation was performed through collar incisiion on the anterior neck, and the trachea was anastomosed with 4-0 $Vicryl^{(R)}$ interruptedly. Postoperative course were uneventful and patient discharged without any complications.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 1997

Background and Objectives : In children with tracheal stenosis, operative management remains a challenging problem due to difficulties of operative techniques and postoperative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis as operative management for tracheal stenosis in children. Materials and Methods : 6 children with severe tracheal stenosis underwent tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis. Causes of stenosis were trauma in 1 case and prolonged intubation or tracheotomy in 5 cases. The diagnoses were made by radiologic evaluation (plain X-ray, CT, 3-Dimensional CT) and confirmed by direct laryngoscopy and ventilating bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Thyroplasty and unilateral arytenoidectomy were performed in 1 case. Suprahyoid release was done in 1 case with severe adhesion. Decanulation was achieved following postoperative endoscopic examination and pulmonary function test. Postoperative physical and radiologic examinations were given at regular intervals. Results : Stenosis were improved from grade III grade I in 4 cases and from grade II to grade I in 2 cases. Decanulation was achieved on average postoperative 6 months in 5 cases, and 10 years in 1 case due to exertional dyspnea. There were 1 each case of immediate postoperative subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and wound infection. Postoperative granulomas at anastomosis site were treated with laser vaporization under suspension laryngoscope and bronchoscope in 3 cases. There was 1 each case of delayed postoperative vocal cord palsy, aspiration pneumonia and loss of cough reflex. Conclusion In tracheal stenosis of children, tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis has good result with preservation of normal airway. Preoperative evaluation of local factors such as swallowing, vocal cord movement and cough reflex and general condition was important for successful treatment. As the cases in adults, authors considered this operation to be a curable operative management for tracheal stenosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.282-290
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• 2021

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP-EBUS-TBLB) has improved the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). The diagnostic yield and complications of RP-EBUS-TBLB for PPLs vary depending on the technique, such as using a guide sheath (GS) or fluoroscopy. In this study, we investigated the utility of RP-EBUS-TBLB using a GS without fluoroscopy for diagnosing PPLs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 607 patients who underwent RP-EBUS of PPLs from January 2019 to July 2020. TBLB was performed using RP-EBUS with a GS without fluoroscopy. The diagnostic yield and complications were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting the diagnostic yields. Results: The overall diagnostic accuracy was 76.1% (462/607). In multivariable analyses, the size of the lesion (≥20 mm; odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-3.33; p=0.003), positive bronchus sign in chest computed tomography (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.40-3.78; p=0.001), a solid lesion (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.31-4.41; p=0.005), and an EBUS image with the probe within the lesion (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 4.38-11.12; p<0.001) were associated with diagnostic success. Pneumothorax occurred in 2.0% (12/607) of cases and chest tube insertion was required in 0.5% (3/607) of patients. Conclusion: RP-EBUS-TBLB using a GS without fluoroscopy is a highly accurate diagnostic method in diagnosing PPLs that does not involve radiation exposure and has acceptable complication rates.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2019

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS), is effective for tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of R-EBUS both a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy and identified factors associated with accurate diagnosis. The feasibility of molecular and genetic testing, using specimens obtained by R-EBUS, was also investigated. Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 211 patients undergoing R-EBUS without a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy, June 2016-May 2017. After excluding 27 patients of which the target lesion was not reached, 184 were finally included. Multivariate logistic regression was used, to identify factors associated with accurate diagnosis. Results: Among 184 patients, R-EBUS-guided biopsy diagnosed malignancy in 109 patients (59%). The remaining 75 patients (41%) with non-malignant results underwent additional work-ups, and 34 were diagnosed with malignancy. Based on final diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy was 80% (136/170), and sensitivity and specificity for malignancy were 76% (109/143) and 100% (27/27), respectively. In multivariate analysis, peripheral location (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.925; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.203-12.811; p=0.023), and central position of the probe (aOR, 2.435; 95% CI, 1.424-7.013; p=0.035), were associated with accurate diagnosis of malignancy. Molecular and genetic analyses were successful, in all but one case, with inadequate specimens. Conclusion: R-EBUS-guided biopsy without equipment, is effective for tissue diagnosis. Peripheral location and central position of the radial probe, were crucial for accurate diagnosis. Performance of molecular and genetic testing, using samples obtained by R-EBUS, was satisfactory.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.424-433
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• 2023

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of balloon dilatation under dual guidance using fluoroscopy and bronchoscopy for treating bronchial stenosis following lung transplantation (LT), and to elucidate the factors associated with patency after the procedure. Materials and Methods: From September, 2012, to April, 2021, 50 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 54.4 ± 12.2 years) with bronchial stenosis among 361 recipients of LT were retrospectively analyzed. The safety of balloon dilatation was assessed by evaluating procedure-related complications. Efficacy was assessed by evaluating the technical success, primary patency, and secondary patency. Primary and secondary cumulative patency rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The factors associated with patency after the procedure were evaluated using multivariable Cox hazard proportional regression analysis. Results: In total, 65 bronchi were treated with balloon dilatation in 50 patients. The total number of treatment sessions was 277 and the technical success rate was 99.3% (275/277 sessions). No major procedure-related complications were noted. During the mean follow-up period of 34.6 ± 30.8 months, primary patency was achieved in 12 of 65 bronchi (18.5%). However, the patency rate improved to 76.9% (50 of 65 bronchi) after repeated balloon dilatation (secondary patency). The 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year secondary patency rates were 95.4%, 90.8%, 83.1%, and 78.5%, respectively. The presence of clinical symptoms was a significant prognostic factor associated with reduced primary patency (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.465; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.220-0.987). Early-stage treatment ≤ 6 months (adjusted HR, 3.588; 95% CI, 1.093-11.780) and prolonged balloon dilatation > 5 min (adjusted HR, 3.285; 95% CI, 1.018-10.598) were associated with significantly higher secondary patency. Conclusion: Repeated balloon dilatation was determined to be safe and effective for treating bronchial stenosis following LT. Early-stage treatment and prolonged balloon dilatation could significantly promote long-term patency.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.5-19
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• 1998

Introduction: Direct histologic and bacteriologic examination of a representative specimen of lung tissue is the only certain method of providing an accurate diagnosis in various pulmonary diseases including diffuse pulmonary diseases. The purpose of national survey was to define the indication, incidence, effectiveness, safety and complication of open and thoracoscopic lung biopsy in korea. Methods: A multicenter registry of 37 university or general hospitals equipped more than 400 patient's bed were retrospectively collected and analyzed for 3 years from the January 1994 to December 1996 using the same registry protocol. Results: 1) There were 511 cases from the 37 hospitals during 3 years. The mean age was 50.2 years(${\pm}15.1$ years) and men was more prevalent than women(54.9% vs 45.9%). 2) The open lung biopsy was performed in 313 cases(62%) and thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed in 192 cases(38%). The incidence of lung biopsy was more higher in diffuse lung disease(305 cases, 59.7%) than in localized lung disease(206 cases, 40.3%) 3) The duration after abnormalities was found in chest X-ray until lung biopsy was 82.4 days(open lung biopsy: 72.8 days, thoracoscopic lung biopsy: 99.4 days). The bronchoscopy was performed in 272 cases(53.2%), bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 123 cases(24.1%) and percutaneous lung biopsy was performed in 72 cases(14.1%) before open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 4) There were 230 cases(45.0%) of interstitial lung disease, 133 cases(26.0%) of thoracic malignancies, 118 cases(23.1%) of infectious lung disease including tuberculosis and 30 cases (5.9 %) of other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. No significant differences were noted in diagnostic rate and disease characteristics between open lung biopsy and thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 5) The final diagnosis through an open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy was as same as the presumptive diagnosis before the biopsy in 302 cases(59.2%). The identical diagnostic rate was 66.5% in interstitial lung diseases, 58.7% in thoracic malignancies, 32.7% in lung infections, 55.1 % in pulmonary tuberculosis, 62.5% in other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. 6) One days after lung biopsy, $PaCO_2$ was increased from the prebiopsy level of $38.9{\pm}5.8mmHg$ to the $40.2{\pm}7.1mmHg$(P<0.05) and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ was decreased from the prebiopsy level of $380.3{\pm}109.3mmHg$ to the $339.2{\pm}138.2mmHg$(P=0.01). 7) There was a 10.1 % of complication after lung biopsy. The complication rate in open lung biopsy was much higher than in thoracoscopic lung biopsy(12.4% vs 5.8%, P<0.05). The incidence of complication was pneumothorax(23 cases, 4.6%), hemothorax(7 cases, 1.4%), death(6 cases, 1.2%) and others(15 cases, 2.9%). 8) The 5 cases of death due to lung biopsy were associated with open lung biopsy and one fatal case did not describe the method of lung biopsy. The underlying disease was 3 cases of thoracic malignancies(2 cases of bronchoalveolar cell cancer and one malignant mesothelioma), 2 cases of metastatic lung cancer, and one interstitial lung disease. The duration between open lung biopsy and death was $15.5{\pm}9.9$ days. 9) Despite the lung biopsy, 19 cases (3.7%) could not diagnosed. These findings were caused by biopsy was taken other than target lesion(5 cases), too small size to interpretate(3 cases), pathologic inability(11 cases). 10) The contribution of open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy to the final diagnosis was defininitely helpful(334 cases, 66.5%), moderately helpful(140 cases, 27.9%), not helpful or impossible to judge(28 cases, 5.6%). Overall, open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were helpful to diagnose the lung lesion in 94.4 % of total cases. Conclusions: The open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were relatively safe and reliable diagnostic method of lung lesion which could not diagnosed by other diagnostic approaches such as bronchoscopy. We recommend the thoracoscopic lung biopsy when the patients were in critical condition because the thoracoscopic biopsy was more safe and have equal diagnostic results compared with the open lung biopsy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2008

Background: The melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) genes are known to be expressed in various cancer cells, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and are silent in all normal tissues except for the testis. In patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid can be used to detect the MAGE genes, suggesting a diagnosis of lung cancer. In order to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the MAGE test in patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid was investigated in patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules, which were invisible as detected by bronchoscopy. Methods: Bronchial washing fluid from 37 patients was used for cytological examinations and MAGE gene detection, using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-A6 mRNA. Results were compared to a final diagnosis of patients as confirmed by pathology. Results: Among the 37 subjects, NSCLC was diagnosed in 21 patients, and benign pulmonary diseases were diagnosed in 16 patients. MAGE mRNA was detected in 10 of 21 (47.6%) NSCLC patients, while conventional cytology examinations were positive for MAGE expression in 2 of 21 (9.5%) cases. MAGE expression was observed in 4 of 16 (25%) benign pulmonary disease patients. Conclusion: The MAGE test of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a sensitive predictor of peripheral NSCLC patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.505-513
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• 2004

Background : In lung cancer patients, the presence of metastatic neck nodes is a crucial indicator of inoperabilty. So thorough physical examination of neck is always mandatory, but sometimes those are hardly palpable even by the skillful hand. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic method in detection of small impalpable lymph nodes and in guidance of fine needle aspiration biopsy. In this study we evaluated the clinical usefulness of ultrasonography(USG) and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology(US-FNA) in lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes. Methods and Materials : From Sep 2002 to Sep 2003, 36 non-small cell lung cancer patients (20 adenocarcinoma, 16 squamous cell cancer) and 10 small cell lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes on physical examiation were enrolled. patients who had contralateral mediastinal nodal enlargement(>1cm) on chest CT were excluded. After the routine check of USG on the neck, US-FNA was done in cases with enlarged neck nodes (${\geq}5mm$ in the short axis). The presence of enlarged lymph node on USG, and of malignant cells on cytology were evaluated by the histological type and the patients' clinical stage of lung cancer. Results : Among 36 non-small lung cell cancer patients, 14 (38.8%) had enlarged neck nodes on USG, and 5 of 10 small cell lung carcinoma patients. The mean diameter of the neck nodes was 9.8 mm (range, 7-12 mm). US-FNA of 14 non-small cell lung cancer patients revealed tumor cells in eight patients (57.1%). In 5 small cell lung cancer pateints, tumor cells were found in all cases. By the result of US-FNA, the clinical stage of 8 out of 36 (22.2%) non-small cell lung cancer patients had changed, including two cases of shift from the operable IIIa to the inoperable IIIb. In small cell lung cancer patients their clinical stage was not changed after US-FNA, but their pathological diagnosis was easily done in two cases, in whom endobronchial lesions were not found on bronchoscopy. Conclusions : USG and US-FNA of neck node seem to be safe, sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic tools in the evaluation of lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.407-416
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• 1992

Background: Endobronchial tuberculosis is an important complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. It is highly infetious, difficult to diagnose mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma or bronchial asthma and it can leave bronchial stenosis with parenchymal collapse or bronchiectasis as complications. Early diagnosis, adequate treatment and follow-up are crucial in the management of endobronchial tuberculosis. The most important diagnostic tool in its diagnosis is bronchoscopic examination. Authors have tried to elucidate changes in sequential bronchoscopic findings in these patients to help diagnose and manage these patients. Method: We have analysed the sequential bronchoscopic findings and clinical features of 83 endobronchial tuberculosis patients admitted in Seoul National University Hospital from August 1987 to December 1990. Results: We can observe the following results: 1) In the actively caseating type, improvement of the bronchial stenosis was observed in 29 patients (76.3%) up to 5 months of treatment. Caseation disappeared in 31 patients (81.6%) during the same period. 2) In the stenotic without fibrosis type, improvement of the stenosis was observed in 8 patients (66.4%) during the same period. 3) In the tumorous type, improvement of the stenosis was observed in 12 patients (92.3%) during the same period. Conclusion: We can conclude that improvement of the endobronchial lesions may occur up to about 5 months after adequate treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1999

Background: Sleeve lobectomy of the main bronchus has been proposed to spare lung tissue in patients who cannot tolerate pneumonectomy because of impaired lung function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether sleeve lobectomy can preserve lung function as expected from preoperative evaluation of lung function in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Method: Between January 1995 and March 1998, 15 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent sleeve resection were evaluated. Preoperative evaluations included spirometry and quantitative lung perfusion scan, from which predicted postoperative $FEV_1$ was calculated. At least 3 months after operation follow up spirometry and bronchoscopy were performed. Predicted FEVj was compared with measured postoperative $FEV_1$. Result: Fourteen men and one woman, with median age of 58 years, were reviewed. The diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in 13 patients and adenocarcinoma of lung in 2 patients. Our results showed a excellent preservation of pulmonary function after sleeve lobectomy. Correlation between the predicted (mean, $2180{\pm}570mL$) and measured $FEV_1$ (mean, $2293{\pm}499mL$) was good(r=0.67, P<0.05). Furthermore, patient with low $FEV_1$ (<2L) showed improved lung function after sleeve lobectomy. Conclusion: These findings indicated a complete recovery of the reimplanted lung lobes after sleeve lobectomy. Therefore, this technique could be safely used in lung cancer patients with impaired lung function.