• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.2 s.271
• /
• pp.109-113
• /
• 2007

Background: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), malignant pleural effusion is a frequently observed com-plication, and is an important negative prognostic factor. Although many studies concerned to diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusion have been performed, prognostic factors of malignant pleural effusion have rarely been investigated. This study was performed to determine the prognostic factors of malignant pleural effusion n non-small cell lung cancer. Material and Method: We evaluated 33 NSCLC patients with malignant effusion treated between January 2002 and December 2003. We analyzed possible factors: gender, age, TNM Stage, fluid analysis (pH, CEA, LDH, glucose, albumin) and treatment modality. Median survival time of each factor was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and difference of median survival time between groups of factor compared by log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to confirm the significance of prognostic factor. Results: Of the 33 patients, 23 (69.7%) patients were adenocarcinoma. The median interval of the diagnosis of lung cancer and malignant effusion was 7.3 months ($25^{th}{\sim}75^{th}:\;3.9{\sim}11.8$), and the median survival time was 3.6 months (95% Confidence Interval: $1.14{\sim}5.99$). In the univariate analysis, using the log-rank test, those with an adenocarcinoma showed a relatively longer median survival time than those of a non-adenocarcinoma (4.067 vs. 1.867 months, p=0.067) without statistical significance. In the multivariate analysis, using the Cox regression, those with a non-adenocarcinoma showed a trend of high risk of cancer death than those with an adenocarcinoma without statistical significance (Relative risk; 2.754, 95% Cl: $0.988{\sim}7.672$, p=0.053). Conclusion: We could not find an independent prognostic factor of malignant pleural effusion in NSCLC. As there was a trend of high risk of cancer death according to histology, further study will be needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.6
• /
• pp.439-444
• /
• 2008

Background: A patient with a pleural effusion that is difficult to safely drain by a "blind" thoracentesis procedure is generally referred to a radiologist for ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. But such a referral increases the cost and the patient's inconvenience, and it causes delay in the diagnostic procedures. If ultrasound-guided thoracentesis is performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident, then this will reduce the previously mentioned problems. So these patients with pleural effusions were treated by medical residents at our medical center, and the procedures included bedside ultrasound-guided thoracenteses. Methods: We studied 89 cases of pleural effusions from March 2003 to June 2005. A "blind" thoracentesis was performed if the amount of pleural effusion was moderate or large. Bedside ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was performed for small or loculated effusions or for the cases that failed with performing a "blind" thoracentesis. Results: "Blind" thoracenteses were performed in 79 cases that had a moderate or large amount of uncomplicated pleural effusions and the success rate was 93.7% (74/79 cases). Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents was performed in 15 cases and the success rate was 66.7% (10/15 cases). The 5 failedcases included all 3 cases with loculated effusions and 2 cases with a small amount of pleural effusion. All the failed cases were referred to one radiologist and they were then successfully treated. If we exclude the 3 cases with loculated pleural effusions, the success rate of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents increased up to 83% (10/12cases). Two cases of complications (1 pneumothorax, 1 hydrohemothorax) occurred during ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident may be relatively effective and safe. If a patient has a loculated effusion, then it would be better to first refer the patient to a radiologist.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.7
• /
• pp.760-765
• /
• 2008

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs following the ingestion of infectious Paragonimus metacercariae from crabs or crayfish. Pulmonary paragonimiasis is the most common clinical manifestation of this infection, but several ectopic paragonimiasis cases have also been reported. Among them, cases of subcutaneous paragonimiasis are rare, especially in children. We report a case of subcutaneous paragonimiasis of the right abdominal wall with pleural effusion with hepatic involvement and without abnormal pulmonary infiltration in a boy aged 2 years and 5 months. He had eaten soybean sauce-soaked freshwater crabs (kejang) 6 months prior to complaining of right abdominal wall distension. On evaluation, right pleural effusion without abnormal pulmonary infiltration was detected, as well as blood eosinophilia, an elevated serum IgE level, pleural fluid eosinophilia and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that detected P. westermani antibody in the serum. Thoracentesis, praziquantel administration, and excision of subcutaneous lesions were performed. After treatment, the eosinophil count and serum IgE level were decreased, and the subcutaneous lesions did not recur. The frequency of paragonimiasis has decreased recently, but it is still prevalent in Korea. Paragonimiasis should be suspected if pleural fluid eosinophilia is associated with blood hypereosinophilia and a high level of serum IgE; however clinicians should obtain a thorough history of travel and food habits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.87 no.1
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2024

Background: Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and parapneumonic effusion (PPE) are often difficult to differentiate owing to the overlapping clinical features. Observational studies demonstrate that the ratio of lactate dehydrogenase to adenosine deaminase (LDH/ADA) is lower in TPE compared to PPE, but integrated analysis is warranted. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LDH/ADA ratio in differentiating TPE and PPE. We explored the PubMed and Scopus databases for studies evaluating the LDH/ADA ratio in differentiating TPE and PPE. Results: From a yield of 110 studies, five were included for systematic review. The cutoff value for the LDH/ADA ratio in TPE ranged from <14.2 to <25. The studies demonstrated high heterogeneity, precluding meta-analysis. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Tool 2 assessment revealed a high risk of bias in terms of patient selection and index test. Conclusion: LDH/ADA ratio is a potentially useful parameter to differentiate between TPE and PPE. Based on the limited data, we recommend an LDH/ADA ratio cutoff value of <15 in differentiating TPE and PPE. However, more rigorous studies are needed to further validate this recommendation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2008

Background: Residual pleural thickening (RPT) is the most frequent complication of tuberculous pleurisy (TP), and this can happen despite of administering adequate anti-tuberculous (TB) therapy. Yet there was no definite relation between RPT and other variables. The aim of this study was to examine matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and to identify the factors that can predict the occurrence of RPT. Methods: The patients with newly-detected pleural effusions were prospectively enrolled in this study from January 2004 to June 2005. The levels of MMP-1, -2, -8 and -9, and TIMP-1 and -2 were determined in the serum and pleural fluid by ELISA. The residual pleural thickness was measured at the completion of treatment and at the point of the final follow-up with the chest X-ray films. Results: The study included 39 patients with pleural fluid (PF). Twenty-three had tuberculous effusion, 7 had parapneumonic effusion, 7 had malignant effusion and 2 had transudates. For the 17 patients who completed the anti-TB treatment among the 23 patients with TP, 7 (41%) had RPT and 10 (59%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-1 in the patients with RPT ($41,405.9{\pm}9,737.3ng/mL$) was significantly higher than that of those patients without RPT ($29,134.9{\pm}8,801.8$) at the completion of treatment (p=0.032). In 13 patients who were followed-up until a mean of $8{\pm}5$ months after treatment, 2 (15%) had RPT and 11 (85%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-2 in the patients with RPT ($34.4{\pm}6.5ng/mL$) was lower than that of those patients without RPT ($44.4{\pm}15.5$) at the point of the final follow-up (p=0.038). Conclusion: The residual pleural thickening in TP might be related to the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels in the pleural fluid.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.248-254
• /
• 1992

Background: Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical problems in pulmonology because of high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma in Korea. The differential diagnosis between pleural transudate and exudate is very important, but it is very difficult in some cases. Methods: In order to assess the clinical usefulness of cholesterol levels for the differential diagnosis of pleural transudate and exudate, we measured pleural fluid cholesterol levels by enzymatic method in 45 patients who were admitted due to pleural effusion. Results: The mean cholesterol level of transudate was $33.1{\pm}12.9\;mg%$, tuberculous exudate was $97.3{\pm}28.2\;mg%$ and malignant exudate was $97.3{\pm}28.2mg%$. When the cut-off value of pleural cholesterol level was 60 mg%, one case (6.7%) of tuberculous exudate and two cases (13.3%) of malignant exudate were incorrectly classified, but all cases of transudate were classified correctly. When the cut-off value of pleural/serum cholesterol ratio was 0.3, one case (6.7%) of transudate and two cases (13.3%) of malignant exudate were incorrectly classified, but all cases of tuberculous exudate were classified correctly. When the cut-off value of pleural cholesterol level to differentiate pleural transudate from exudate was 60 mg%, sensitivity was 90% and specificity was 100%. When the cut-off value of pleural/serum cholesterol level to differentiate pleural transudate form exuidate was 0.3, sensitivity was 93% and specifiity was 93%. Conclusions: From the above results, it can be concluded that measurement of pleural fluid cholesterol levels is useful for the differential diagnosis between pleural transudate and exudate.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.57-59
• /
• 2021

For nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery is indicated only for stage 3 as a curative measure. Even so, there is a high risk of recurrence following stage 3 lung cancer surgery, a third (33.9%) of patients experienced a cancer recurrence mostly within 2 years after surgery. The median survival time for all stages reaches only 21.9 months. For people undergoing surgery for stage 3A NSCLC, a pre-operative course of (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) can improve survival times, by improving the resectability and lowering the risk of recurrence. Pleural metastases are frequently associated with tumors of the lung and breast. Chest radiographs and computed tomography scans of pleural metastases can present as an effusion or smooth or nodular pleural thickening. In the absence of irregular or nodular pleural thickening, it is difficult to distinguish a benign from a malignant pleural effusion. To treat lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) recently have been used to cope with genetic mutations, apart from cytotoxic anticancer drugs. Compared to cytotoxic drugs, they are effective, have fewer side effects, and are easy to administer. Airman must have no cancer disease to apply for Class-I medical certification. Specifically, if previously operated on cancer, the cancer should not remain in the body at present, and the disease free state should persist at least one year after all kinds of anti-cancer treatments including adjuvant chemotherapy are completed. Here, this case deals with a 41-year-old pilot who has ATP license who had stage 3A NSCLC. The pilot underwent curative lung cancer surgery (lobectomy) a year ago and showed suspicious pleural metastasis at the time of his application for certification and was still using an unauthorized TKI agent alectinib (Alecensa; Roche, Basel, Switzerland).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.530-535
• /
• 2015

An 11-year-old intact female miniature poodle presented with a four-month history of hemorrhagic effusion. The patient was alert on physical examination, although muffled heart sounds were noted upon auscultation of the right hemithorax. The radiographic finding was pleural effusion. Ultrasonography revealed cystic changes in both ovaries and several nodules in the liver. A refractory opacity in the right lung field, as visualized with computer tomography (CT), was diagnosed as right middle lung lobe torsion with a collapsed bronchus. Five days after diagnosis, a right fifth intercostal thoracotomy was performed to remove the right middle lung lobe; the right middle lung lobe was grossly shrunken as a result of chronic lung lobe torsion. Ovariohysterectomy was also performed. Histopathologic examination revealed papillary adenocarcinoma in both ovaries and suspected metastasized ovarian adenocarcinoma cells in the lung lobe. The patient recovered favorably and had been doing well up to two months post-surgery. However, after four months, the dog presented with respiratory difficulty. The radiographic findings were pleural effusion and collapse of the right cranial and left caudal lung lobes. Malignant cells of epithelial origin were observed in the pleural effusion. The tumor cells were suspected to be metastasized cells from the previously resected lung lobe. Although cancer treatment was recommended, the suggestion was suspended and the dog was discharged from hospital. This was a case of lung lobe torsion that had occurred because of hemorrhagic effusion due to tumor. Although ovariohysterectomy and lobectomy were performed, there was a relapse of hemorrhagic effusion because of metastasized tumor from the previously resected lung lobe.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.400-405
• /
• 1999

Mediastinal teratomas are rare and represent less than 10 per cent of all mediastinal tumors. Almost all arise in the anterosuperior mediastinal compartment, and most symptoms, when present, result from compression of adjacent structures. They contain different tissues derived from all three germinal layers, with the prevalence of ectodermal elements which can include hair, teeth and sebaceous material. Benign teratomas may rupture into adjacent organs. Up to 36% of all mediastinal teratomas rupture, most frequently into the lung and bronchial tree, followed by the pleural space, pericardial space, or great vessels. The signs and symptoms of a ruptured teratoma vary with the structures involved. We report a case of mediastinal teratoma ruptured spontaneously in a 18 year old female who experienced 4 or 5 times of hemoptysis for 1 year and sudden onset of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and pneumonia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.374-380
• /
• 1986

From June 1983 to September 1984, the pleural biopsies with Cope needle were performed at department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje college, on 78 patients for exudative pleural effusion caused by various conditions. These results were analyzed clinically and summarized as follows: 2. The accuracy of pleural biopsy was 69.2% [54 of 78 patients]. The accuracy represented by ratio for the number of biopsy was 63.5% [54 of 85 biopsies]. 3. Among 61 patients of tuberculosis or malignancy, 37 [60.7%] were confirmed by pleural biopsy. 4. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 48 patients, in 26[54.2%] out of these by pleural biopsy alone, in 3[6.2%] by pleural biopsy and isolation of AFB, in 2[4.2%] by pleural biopsy and operation, in 4[8.3%] by isolation of AFB, in 2[4.2%] by operation, and in 11[22.9%] clinically. 5. Among 13 patients of malignancy, 4[30.8%] were diagnosed by cytology alone, 4[30.8%] by pleural biopsy and cytology alone, 4[30.8%] by pleural biopsy and cytology, 1[7.7%] by pleural biopsy alone, 1[7.7%] by pleural biopsy and operation, and remained 3 by operation, lymph node biopsy, or bronchoscopy respectively. 6. False positive of clinical diagnosis was 12.5% for tuberculosis and 28.6% for malignancy. In pathological diagnosis there was no false positive. So specificity of pleural biopsy was very high. But false negative of pleural biopsy was 29.2% for tuberculosis and 46.2% for malignancy. 7. 4 cases[5.1%] of minimal pneumothorax were in the early series.