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J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2022 Jan-Dec;10:23247096221099269

SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Chronic pancreatitis presents with epigastric abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Acute pancreatitis can also present with a pleural effusion which is typically left-sided, mild in nature, and self-limiting. However, recurrent bouts of pancreatitis may lead to a pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) with a large, rapidly recurring, unilateral pleural effusion. Read More

Ann Am Thorac Soc 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

Creighton University, 6216, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Omaha, Nebraska, United States.

Am J Med 2022 May 13. Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address:

Malignant pleural effusions are common in patients with cancer. Most malignant pleural effusions are secondary to metastases to the pleura, most often from lung or breast cancer. The presence of malignant effusion indicates advanced disease and poor survival; in lung cancer, the presence of malignant effusion upstages the cancer to stage 4. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2022 May;105(5):487-494

Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women in the United States; however, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. The most common but nonspecific symptom of lung cancer is cough. Associated symptoms, including hemoptysis or shortness of breath, or systemic symptoms, including anorexia or weight loss, greatly increase the likelihood of having lung cancer. Read More

Case Rep Gastroenterol 2022 Jan-Apr;16(1):148-153. Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

A pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis secondary to a pancreatic pseudocyst or any disruption of the main pancreatic duct. It commonly presents as a recurrent left-sided pleural effusion after multiple thoracentesis. We present a rare case of a 41-year-old woman with numerous flares of chronic pancreatitis presenting with large bilateral serosanguinous pleural effusions and trapped lung secondary to a PPF. Read More

Acta Radiol Open 2022 Apr 22;11(4):20584601221097468. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Radiology, Shimane University, Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan.

Hemothorax is an urgent condition, and its accurate diagnosis and the identification of the cause are important. Herein, we report a case of a 74-year-old man with end-stage renal disease who was presented with high-concentration pleural effusion owing to residual contrast medium. The case required differentiation from hemothorax owing to an aortic dissection and its rupture. Read More

Cancer Cytopathol 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Background: The international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology (TIS) recommends submitting at least 50-75 mL of serous fluid to decrease false-negative results. However, prior studies did not agree on specific volume requirements or consensus adequacy criteria. Our study aims to assess whether fluid volume affects the adequacy rate and to assess the minimum volume necessary for optimal adequacy in pleural and peritoneal fluids. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2022 May 15;10(5):e0950. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Department of Radiology National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch Douliu Taiwan.

We present a rare case of haemothorax complication post thoracentesis. Contrast computed tomography was used to locate the bleeding site, and transarterial embolization was performed to stop intercostal artery bleeding. Read More

Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2022 ;119(4):377-384

Department of Gastroenterology, Sano Kousei General Hospital.

A 70-year-old woman who was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis as a result of primary biliary cholangitis and heart failure by myocardial infarction 1 month ago complained of dyspnea and was admitted to our hospital. Image inspections showed right massive pleural effusion, so we performed thoracentesis and drainage. Despite no history of trauma or malignancy, we obtained milky white-yellow pleural effusion by drainage and it turned out to be transudative chylothorax. Read More

Tokai J Exp Clin Med 2022 Apr 20;47(1):1-8. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Hematology, Saitama Cancer Center, 780 Komuro, Ina, Kita-adachi-gun, Saitama 362-0806, Japan.

A 76-year-man presented with generalized lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy led to the diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA in situ hybridization (EBER)-positive angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). He was initiated on treatment with oral prednisolone (PSL) at the dose of 50 mg/day; however, he was diagnosed as having right pleural effusion. Read More

Prehosp Emerg Care 2022 Apr 5:1-25. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

ObjectiveInjury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. However, the epidemiology and prehospital care for pediatric unintentional injuries in Asia are still unclear.MethodsA total of 9,737 pediatric patients aged <18 years with unintentional injuries cared for at participating centers of the Pan-Asian Trauma Outcome Study (PATOS) from October 2015 to December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 04 1;12(1):5532. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.

Blood and fluid analysis is extensively used for classifying the etiology of pleural effusion. However, most studies focused on determining the presence of a disease. This study classified pleural effusion etiology employing deep learning models by applying contrastive-loss. Read More

Dig Liver Dis 2022 Mar 26. Epub 2022 Mar 26.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW Rochester, MN 55902, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) is a rare complication of hepatic hydrothorax characterized by hydrothorax infection in the absence of pneumonia.

Aims And Methods: We conducted this study to compare clinical outcomes in SBEM patients who underwent early thoracentesis (ET) (≤ 24 h from presentation) versus those who underwent delayed thoracentesis (DT). All patients diagnosed with SBEM at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota from January 1st 1999 to December 31st 2020 were reviewed. Read More

J Am Coll Radiol 2022 05 25;19(5):597-603. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Professor and Executive Vice Chair of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Purpose: To study trends in volume and reimbursement for paracentesis and thoracentesis by physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) after the introduction of discreet Current Procedural Terminology codes for image guidance.

Methods: Medicare claims for 2012 to 2018 (paracentesis) and 2013 to 2018 (thoracentesis) were extracted using Current Procedural Terminology codes for blind and image-guided paracentesis and thoracentesis. Total volumes were analyzed by provider specialty. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(3). Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario "Riuniti" di Foggia, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to specifically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis in a case series of pleural effusion.

Patients And Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted. From February 2018 to December 2019, a total of 361 consecutive real-time transthoracic ultrasound (TUS)-guided thoracentesis were performed in the Unit of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound of the Research Hospital "Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" of San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022 Mar 16:1-9. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Case Description: A 19-year-old male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with inappetence and avoidant behavior.

Clinical Findings: Ultrasound revealed a large-volume left-sided pleural effusion, which was consistent with chronic nonchylous lymphatic effusion and mild chronic hemorrhage by cytology. Computed tomography identified ipsilateral rib fractures, atelectasis, nodular pleuritis, marginal lymph node enlargement, and suspected dilation of the thoracic duct and internal thoracic veins. Read More

Respir Med 2022 May 9;196:106802. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. Electronic address:

Roughly 150,000 malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are diagnosed in the United States each year. The majority of cases are caused by lung and breast cancer, and since MPE represents advanced disease, the prognosis is generally poor. In this article we review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and prognosis of MPE. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 03 8;12(1):4077. Epub 2022 Mar 8.

Emergency Department, Department of Emergency and Critical Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

The echogenic swirling pattern has a role in predicting malignant pleural effusion (MPE). However, its predictive ability is suboptimal, and its clinical utility remains to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic potential of the echogenic swirling pattern combined with pleural carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and routine laboratory tests of pleural effusion in MPE. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022 Mar 8. Epub 2022 Mar 8.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

In an era of increasing radiology volumes, including image-guided procedures, as well as decreased reimbursements, radiology practices are seeking ways to become more efficient to prevent radiologist burnout. One such strategy involves the employment of advanced practice providers to perform certain procedures. We describe steps departments can pursue to involve advanced practice providers within the radiology workforce, specifically in implementing an advance practice provider-driven paracentesis and thoracentesis clinic. Read More

Respiration 2022 Mar 3:1-2. Epub 2022 Mar 3.

Department of Thoracic Oncology, Pleural Diseases, and Interventional Pulmonology, North University Hospital, Marseille, France.

Clin Case Rep 2022 Feb 23;10(2):e05486. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Department of Respiratory Medicine Kaga Medical Center Kaga, Ishikawa Japan.

Although empyema diagnosis by thoracentesis is relatively straightforward, the pleural effusion can sometimes be bloody rather than purulent. We report a case of acute empyema with a dark-red bloody effusion, wherein multiple anaerobic bacteria were detected. Chest imaging findings improved with pleural drainage, intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, and intravenous antibiotic treatment. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2022 Mar 13;10(3):e0913. Epub 2022 Feb 13.

Department of Respiratory Medicine National Hospital Organization Omuta National Hospital Fukuoka Japan.

is an anaerobic, gram-negative rod bacterium associated with freshwater and marine life. Human infections are rare, and most infections in humans cause gastroenteritis. Extraintestinal infections of such as pleural empyema are particularly rare. Read More

Chest 2022 02;161(2):e127-e130

Chest Diseases Department, Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt. Electronic address:

Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue 2021 Dec;33(12):1511-1513

Department of General Practice, the First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang, China. Corresponding author: Huang Jie, Email:

Thoracentesis is common in daily medical practice. During the operation, it is easy to cause complications such as re-expansion pulmonary edema, pulmonary hypotension, liver and spleen injury, pleural reaction, intercostal artery injury, pneumothorax, and so on. If the operator does not master procedures properly, it is easy to damage the thoracic organs. Read More

J Gastrointest Cancer 2022 Feb 2. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Manisa Celal Bayar University, Medical Oncology Department, Manisa, Turkey.

Purpose: Gastric cancer is one of the biologically aggressive and highly mortal cancers. In addition to limited treatment options, especially in advanced stages, palliative treatment methods are applied to increase patients' quality of life with gastric cancer. This study aims to discuss the effects of paracentesis, thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, double J catheter nephrostomy, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), and abscess drainage catheter placement procedures applied in the last 3 months for problems requiring palliation, in the light of literature. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2022 Feb 22;10(2):e0836. Epub 2022 Jan 22.

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Universitary Hospital, Policlinico Riuniti di Foggia Foggia Italy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its clinical spectrum ranges from mild to moderate or severe illness. A 78-year-old male was presented at emergency department with dyspnoea, dry cough and severe asthenia. The nasopharyngeal swab by real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read More

ATS Sch 2021 Dec 29;2(4):632-641. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and.

Background: Determination of competence to perform procedures during pulmonary critical care medicine fellowship training has traditionally been based on subjective faculty opinion and numerical requirements.

Objective: To describe an objective means of assessing competence of fellows to perform thoracentesis using a head-mounted video camera with offline scoring of the thoracentesis performed on an actual patient.

Methods: To test competence in performance of thoracentesis after a multimodality training program, a total of eight first-year fellows performed a thoracentesis on an actual patient while recording the procedure with a lightweight head-mounted video camera in 2017 and 2018. Read More

ATS Sch 2021 Dec 31;2(4):500-502. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022 Jan 24. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Abdominal radiologists perform a wide variety of image-guided interventions. Procedures performed by abdominal radiologists can be broadly categorized into paracentesis, thoracentesis, superficial and deep soft tissue biopsy, drain placement, and ablation. As these procedures continue to develop as an alternative to more invasive and potentially morbid interventions, and with continued improvements in minimally invasive technologies, it becomes increasingly important for abdominal radiologists to be familiar with options for peri-procedural analgesia and anxiolysis, as well as when to consult anesthesiology. Read More

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2022 Jan;53(1):160-165

Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University and National Clinical Research Center for Children's Health, Hangzhou 310052, China.

Objective: To explore the association between the levels of plasma D-dimer and the disease severity and prognosis of pneumonia (MPP) in children.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of pediatric MPP patients who were admitted in our hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. According to the peak value of D-dimer, patients were divided into the normal group (D-dimer<0. Read More