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J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University.

Background: Multiple reports have detailed an unacceptably high error rate in the siting of decompression needles and tubes and describe associated iatrogenic injuries. The objective of the current study was to measure the accuracy of the novel ThoraSite template for identifying an acceptable intercostal space (ICS) for lateral needle or tube thoracostomy.

Methods: Two trained operators used the ThoraSite to place radiopaque needles in the left and right lateral chests of 12 cadavers. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2019 19;55:47-49. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Department of Surgery, King Fahad Hospital of the University, Collage of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Primary spontaneous hemopneumothorax (PSHP) is an accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space without trauma or obvious etiology. It is a rare surgical emergency and may lead to hypovolemic shock if not treated. Early and fast recognition will improve patient outcomes. Read More

World J Radiol 2018 Dec;10(12):184-189

Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, United States.

Aim: To investigate the hemothorax size for which tube thoracostomy is necessary.

Methods: Over a 5-year period, we included all patients who were admitted with blunt chest trauma to our level 1 trauma center. Focus was placed on identifying the hemothorax size requiring tube thoracostomy. Read More

JFMS Open Rep 2018 Jul-Dec;4(2):2055116918817385. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK.

Case Summary: A 2-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of acute onset tachypnoea and dyspnoea. Pyothorax was diagnosed based on thoracic radiographs and fluid analysis. Medical treatment consisted of bilateral thoracostomy tube placement, antibiotic therapy and thoracic lavage. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2018 Dec 3;19:1434-1436. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Rochester Hills, MI, USA.

BACKGROUND Lymphatic circulation in the thorax enters the systemic blood flow at the subclavian vein. Instances where diversion occurs leads to complications such as pleural effusion. A rare complication of lymphatic diversion results in fluid accumulation in the bronchial tree, causing plastic bronchitis. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2019 Jan 24;37(1):173.e1-173.e2. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

University of Utah Health, USA.. Electronic address:

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a relatively common pathology in emergency medicine; however, scant information is published regarding SPs developing tension physiology in the literature. Risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax include smoking, family history, and underlying lung disease such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, among others. Treatment often involves conservative management, needle aspiration, catheter placement, or tube thoracostomy. Read More

Vet Surg 2018 Nov 10;47(8):1046-1051. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket, United Kingdom.

Objective: To describe and compare fluoroscopic guidance for placement of wide-bore thoracostomy tubes (FGTT) to traditional, blind placement of thoracostomy tubes (BPTT).

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Animals: Twenty client-owned dogs. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2018 Oct 5:1-9. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Surgery, University of KwaZulu Natal , Durban , South Africa.

Introduction: Penetrating thoracic trauma is common and costly. Injuries are frequently and selectively amenable to non-operative management. Our selective approach to penetrating thoracic trauma is reviewed and the effectiveness of our clinical algorithms confirmed. Read More

J Surg Res 2018 Nov 30;231:15-23. Epub 2018 May 30.

Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.

Background: Chest tube management protocols, particularly in patients with alveolar-pleural air leak due to recent surgery or trauma, are limited by concerns over safety, especially concerns about rapid and occult development of pneumothorax. A continuous, real-time monitor of pneumothorax could improve the quality and safety of chest tube management. We developed a rat model of pneumothorax to test a novel approach of measuring electrical impedance within the pleural space as a monitor of lung expansion. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Sep;84(9):1480-1483

Routine full-body CT "pan-scan" use in older patients after ground level falls (GLFs) is of questionable benefit. Retrospective review of new diagnosis & changes in management in patients >55 years with Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 after a GLF who received a pan-scan (routine head, cervical spine/neck, chest abdomen, and pelvis CT). Head CT results were considered separately; results described in the following paragraph pertains to cervical spine/neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT. Read More

Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2018 4;3(1):e000195. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Norton Thoracic Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

A 42-year-old man presented to the emergency department with gunshot wound to left upper back over the scapula and palpable bullet over the right supraclavicular fossa. The patient had a left-sided needle thoracostomy in the field. He was tachypneic and tachycardiac but normortensive on arrival. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Aug;84(8):1355-1362

The intent of this study was to characterize the management and subsequent complications of combat injury tube thoracostomies and to determine risk factors for the development of pneumonia (PNA) and retained hemothorax (RH). One hundred fifteen patients with 173 tube thoracostomies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The mean injury severity score was 30. Read More

J Pediatr 2018 11 28;202:245-251.e1. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.

Objective: To evaluate trends in procedures used to treat children hospitalized in the US with empyema during a period that included the release of guidelines endorsing chest tube placement as an acceptable first-line alternative to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Study Design: We used National Inpatient Samples to describe empyema-related discharges of children ages 0-17 years during 2008-2014. We evaluated trends using inverse variance weighted linear regression and characterized treatment failure using multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with having more than 1 procedure. Read More

Lung 2018 10 11;196(5):623-629. Epub 2018 Aug 11.

Baptist Hospital of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.

Purpose: Complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema are a leading cause of morbidity in the United States with over 1 million admissions annually and a mortality rate that remains high in spite of recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. The identification of high risk patients is crucial for improved management and the provision of cost-effective care. The RAPID score is a scoring system comprised of the following variables: renal function, age, purulence, infection source, and dietary factors and has been shown to predict outcomes in patients with pleural space infections. Read More

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018 11 7;66(8):701-706. Epub 2018 Aug 7.

Division of Thoracic Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.

Background: Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) is a serious complication even when it is not associated with bronchopleural fistula (BPF). Besides irrigation, an aggressive treatment is usually applied for removing infected material. However, a minimally invasive approach might achieve satisfactory results in selected patients. Read More

Ann Card Anaesth 2018 Jul-Sep;21(3):300-303

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nawaloka Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd., Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Chylothorax is a rare complication after cardiac surgery but is associated with morbidity and mortality. The most common cause of chylothorax is damage to or avulsion of thoracic duct by electrocautery during left internal thoracic artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We describe a case of chylothorax after off-pump CABG, which was successfully treated with thoracostomy tube drainage, withholding of oral intake, total parenteral nutrition and subcutaneous octreotide, a somatostatin analog, and chemical pleurodesis. Read More

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2018 07;9(4):419-423

1 Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Objective: The safety of surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in very low birth weight premature neonates has been questioned because of associated morbidities. However, these studies are vulnerable to significant bias as surgical ligation has historically been utilized as "rescue" therapy. The objective of this study was to review our institutions' outcomes of surgical PDA ligation. Read More

A A Pract 2018 Nov;11(10):273-275

From the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Chest tube thoracostomy is a commonly performed procedure in the emergency department, operating room, and intensive care unit. We report an extremely rare case of accidental insertion of a chest tube into the left atrium via the right pulmonary vein during an interventional radiology-guided placement of the catheter. To our knowledge, such a case has not been reported to date. Read More

Injury 2018 Sep 23;49(9):1687-1692. Epub 2018 May 23.

Division of Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.

Introduction: Emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) must be rapid and well-executed. Currently there are no defined benchmarks for EDT procedural milestones. We hypothesized that trauma video review (TVR) can be used to define the 'normative EDT' and generate procedural benchmarks. Read More

Respir Med 2018 04 14;137:213-218. Epub 2018 Mar 14.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address:

A persistent air leak (PAL) can be caused by either an alveolar-pleural fistula (APF) or bronchopleural fistula (BPF). Complications from PAL lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and higher resource utilization. Pulmonary physicians and thoracic surgeons are often tasked with the difficult and often times frustrating diagnosis and management of PALs. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Feb;84(2):220-224

The focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination has become the standard of care for rapid evaluation of trauma patients. Extended FAST (eFAST) is the use of ultrasonography for the detection of pneumothorax (PTX). The exact sensitivity and specificity of eFAST detecting traumatic PTX during practical "real-life" application is yet to be investigated. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 Dec 15;44(6):819-827. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Purpose: Tube thoracostomy is frequently used in thoracic trauma patients. However, there is no consensus on whether low pressure suction or water seal is the optimal method of tube management. Against this background, we performed a systematic review of studies comparing suction and water seal management of chest tubes placed for traumatic chest injuries in adults. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 03 3;8(3):e020378. Epub 2018 Mar 3.

Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Introduction: Haemothorax following blunt thoracic trauma is a common source of morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of moderate to large haemothoraces has yet to be defined. Observational data have suggested that expectant management may be an appropriate strategy in stable patients. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 9;44:126-130. Epub 2018 Feb 9.

Department of General Surgery, Caboolture Hospital, Caboolture, Australia.

Introduction: Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is a frequent and often self-limiting complication of tube thoracostomy or other cardiothoracic procedures. On rare occasions, severe and extensive surgical emphysema marked by palpable cutaneous tension, dysphagia, dysphonia, palpebral closure or associated with pneumoperitoneum, airway compromise, "tension phenomenon" and respiratory failure require treatment.

Presentation Of Case: A 67 year old lady presented with a large spontaneous pneumothorax on the background of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and newly diagnosed lung cancer, developed extensive surgical emphysema following insertion of a chest drain. Read More

Chest 2018 May 13;153(5):1201-1212. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

Background: The optimal initial treatment approach for pneumothorax remains controversial. This systemic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of small-bore pigtail catheter (PC) drainage compared with that of large-bore chest tube (LBCT) drainage as the initial treatment approach for all subtypes of pneumothorax.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for observational studies and randomized controlled trials published up to October 9, 2017, that compared PC and LBCT as the initial treatment for pneumothorax. Read More

West J Emerg Med 2018 Jan 14;19(1):158-164. Epub 2017 Dec 14.

Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Providence, Rhode Island.

Introduction: Augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality devices are enabling technologies that may facilitate effective communication in healthcare between those with information and knowledge (clinician/specialist; expert; educator) and those seeking understanding and insight (patient/family; non-expert; learner). Investigators initiated an exploratory program to enable the study of AR/MR use-cases in acute care clinical and instructional settings.

Methods: Academic clinician educators, computer scientists, and diagnostic imaging specialists conducted a proof-of-concept project to 1) implement a core holoimaging pipeline infrastructure and open-access repository at the study institution, and 2) use novel AR/MR techniques on off-the-shelf devices with holoimages generated by the infrastructure to demonstrate their potential role in the instructive communication of complex medical information. Read More

Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg 2018 Jan;24(1):49-55

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Turkey.

Background: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPP) are rare complications of blunt chest trauma. The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of this rare entity with imaging and clinical parameters for preventing complications and determining the correct treatment approach by observing 15 cases.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data and thoracic computed tomography scans of 185 patients who underwent examinations in our department after chest trauma between July 2014 and December 2015. Read More

World J Surg 2018 07;42(7):2054-2060

Division of Trauma, Emergency Department, Taipei-Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.

Background: Hemothorax is most commonly resulted from a closed chest trauma, while a tube thoracostomy (TT) is usually the first procedure attempted to treat it. However, TT may lead to unexpected results and complications in some cases. The advantage of thoracic ultrasound (TUS) over a physical examination combined with chest radiograph (CXR) for diagnosing hemothorax has been proposed previously. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2018 03;84(3):454-458

From the Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery (L.D., M.M.M.A., J.D.B., D.D.Y., D.K., M.d.M.), and Department of Radiology(R.W.), Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma guidelines suggest tube thoracostomy (TT) be considered for all traumatic hemothoraces. However, previous research has suggested that some traumatic hemothoraces may be observed safely. We sought to (1) determine the safety of selective observation for traumatic hemothorax and (2) identify predictors of failed observation. Read More

Niger Med J 2017 Mar-Apr;58(2):76-80

Department of Child Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Background: Pleural effusion (PE) is a primary manifestation or secondary complication of many disorders. This study reviews the pattern and management of PE in a Nigerian hospital.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of 213 patients with clinical diagnosis of PE over a period of 3 years were reviewed. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Feb 8;53(2):344-351. Epub 2017 Oct 8.

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027; Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Electronic address:

Background/purpose: The classic "trimodal" distribution of death has been described in adult patients, but the timing of mortality in injured children is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to define the temporal distribution of mortality in pediatric trauma patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with mortality from the National Trauma Data Bank (2007-2014) was analyzed. Read More

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018 3;30(1):104-113. Epub 2017 Nov 3.

Division of thoracic surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hematology/Oncology-DIPO, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

We evaluated principal risk factors and different therapeutic approaches for post-pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula (BPF), focusing on open-window thoracostomy (OWT). We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated by pneumonectomy for lung cancer from 1999 to 2014; we evaluated preoperative, operative, and postoperative data; time between operation; and fistula formation, size, treatment, and predicting factors of BPF. Cumulative incidence curves for the development of BPF were drawn according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Read More

Lung India 2017 Nov-Dec;34(6):562-566

Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

A 26-year-old smoker male presented with a history of sudden onset dyspnea and right-sided chest pain. Chest radiograph revealed large right-sided pneumothorax which was managed with tube thoracostomy. High-resolution computed tomography thorax revealed multiple lung cysts, and for a definite diagnosis, a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery-guided lung biopsy was performed followed by pleurodesis. Read More

J Vis Surg 2017 14;3:126. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, AUSL Romagna Teaching Hospital, Forlì, Italy.

The management of hemothorax (spontaneous or, more often, due to thoracic trauma lesions), follows basic tenets well-respected by cardiothoracic surgeons. In most, a non-operative approach is adequate and safe, with a defined group of patients requiring only tube thoracostomy. Only a minority of patients need a surgical intervention due to retained hemothorax, persistent bleeding or incoming complications, as pleural empyema or entrapped lung. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2017 Dec 13;24:19-24. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Background: There are several studies reporting high success rates for surgical and nonsurgical treatments of empyema separately. The aim of current retrospective cohort study is to find the best treatment in low socio-economic areas.

Material And Methods: A total of 149 patients were treated in the referring hospital from January 2002 to December 2008. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2017 12;83(6):1136-1141

From the Division of Trauma and Critical Care, Department of Surgery (N.W.K., T.W.C., D.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (J.S.P.), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.

Background: Thoracic trauma resulting in hemothorax (HTx) is typically managed with thoracostomy tube (TT) placement; however, up to 20% of patients develop retained HTx which may necessitate further intervention for definitive management. Although optimal management of retained HTx has been extensively researched, little is known about prevention of this complication. We hypothesized that thoracic irrigation at the time of TT placement would significantly decrease the rate of retained HTx necessitating secondary intervention. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2017 Dec 4;52(12):2031-2037. Epub 2017 Sep 4.

Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Portland, OR; Legacy Emanuel Medical Center-Randall Children's Hospital, Portland, OR.

Background: Despite increases in imaging guidelines for other body-regions during initial trauma assessment and the demonstrated utility of chest radiographs (CXR), guidelines for use of thoracic computed-tomography (TCT) are lacking. We hypothesized that TCT utilization had not decreased relative to other protocolized CTs, and mechanism and CXR could together predict significant injury independent of TCT.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of blunt trauma patients ≤18 y. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2017 Jul;9(7):2135-2141

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

A complex para-pneumonic effusion is a descriptive term for exudative effusions, which complicate or are likely to complicate the anatomy of the pleural space after pneumonia. We performed an online search was performed using the resources PubMed and Google Scholar to provide an update on the management of such effusions based on review of published literature. Search terms including pleural effusion (PE), parapneumonic effusion, and empyema were used. Read More

Zentralbl Chir 2017 Aug 24;142(4):421-427. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Klinik für Thoraxchirurgie, Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Universität Witten/Herdecke.

Patients with a thoracic trauma are commonly treated by large bore chest tube thoracostomy and appropriate analgesia. The initial treatment is determined by the assessment of the emergency doctor and/or trauma surgeon. Severe intrathoracic lesions in polytrauma patients are rare. Read More

Rev Recent Clin Trials 2017 ;12(4):253-259

Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children`s Hospital. 1102 Bates Street, #FC1860 Houston, Texas, TX. United States.

Background: Despite declining rates of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, complicated pneumonia has been on the rise in the last two decades. The management of complicated pneumonia is challenging and continues to be an area of investigation. Despite recently published guidelines, many gaps exist and recent studies attempt to answer challenging questions. Read More

Heart Lung Circ 2017 Dec 14;26(12):e121-e122. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Rostock, Germany.

Kyobu Geka 2017 07;70(8):656-661

Division of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Postoperative wound infection and empyema after pulmonary surgery is considered surgical site infection. Postoperative empyema (PE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of pulmonary resections and proper management is essential. Appropriate antibiotics and surgical treatment is necessary to cure the PE. Read More

Singapore Med J 2018 03 25;59(3):150-154. Epub 2017 Jul 25.

Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Diagnoses of pneumothorax, especially occult pneumothorax, have increased as the use of computed tomography (CT) for imaging trauma patients becomes near-routine. However, the need for chest tube insertion remains controversial. We aimed to study the management of pneumothorax detected on CT among patients with blunt trauma, including the decision for tube thoracostomy, in a community-based hospital. Read More

Vascular 2018 Feb 12;26(1):39-46. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background Thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture is often a fatal condition. Emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as a suitable treatment option. Unfortunately, respiratory complications from hemothorax continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality even after successful management of the aortic rupture. Read More

J Pediatr Health Care 2017 Nov - Dec;31(6):671-683. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Objective: Thoracostomy tubes are placed following cardiothoracic surgery for the repair or palliation of congenital heart defects. The aim of this project was to develop and implement a clinical practice guideline for the provision of optimal analgesia during removal of thoracostomy tubes in pediatric postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Methods: Methods used include a nonexperimental design utilizing chart audits to determine baseline documentation as well as procedure note evaluation to determine both baseline documentation and compliance with the new guideline. Read More

Injury 2017 Sep 23;48(9):1884-1887. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

The Department of Emergency Medicine, Fukui Prefuctural Hospial, Fukui, Japan.

Background: The optimal tube size for an emergent thoracostomy for traumatic pneumothorax or hemothorax is unknown. Both small catheter tube thoracostomy and large-bore chest tube thoracostomy have been shown to work for the nonemergent management of patients with traumatic pneumothorax or hemothorax. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of a small chest tube with that of a large tube in emergent thoracostomy due to chest trauma. Read More

Lung India 2017 Jul-Aug;34(4):341-348

Department of Respiratory Medicine, J.L.N. Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.

Background: Mediastinum is a "Pandora's box" with many neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. The purpose of this study was to analyze our institutional experience of mediastinal lesions on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and/or biopsy.

Materials And Methods: This study was an analysis of 144 patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided FNAC and/or core biopsy for mediastinal lesions. Read More

ERJ Open Res 2017 Apr 23;3(2). Epub 2017 Jun 23.

Cure CMD and Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Collagen VI-related dystrophy (collagen VI-RD) is a rare neuromuscular condition caused by mutations in the , or genes. The phenotypic spectrum includes early-onset Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, adult-onset Bethlem myopathy and an intermediate phenotype. The disorder is characterised by distal hyperlaxity and progressive muscle weakness, joint contractures and respiratory insufficiency. Read More

J Pediatr Health Care 2017 Sep - Oct;31(5):588-593. Epub 2017 Jun 16.

Our objective was to determine the clinical value of obtaining a chest radiograph after removal of a chest tube. We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric general surgical patients with a chest tube in place after a thoracic procedure over a 3-year time period. Postremoval films were considered to be of value if they led to a change in clinical management. Read More

Afr J Emerg Med 2017 Jun 20;7(2):84-86. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Introduction: A chylothorax is an uncommon feature of paediatric chest trauma.

Case Report: We report a case of traumatic chylothorax following blunt chest trauma in an eight year-old girl with polytrauma after being hit by a motor vehicle. She was initially found to have a bilateral frontal skull fracture extending into the left parietal area, pulmonary contusions, left posterior rib fractures, left clavicular fracture and a degloving injury of her left foot. Read More