Favorable acute and long-term outcomes after the resection of pulmonary aspergillomas

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was designed to examine the acute and long-term outcomes after surgical treatment of patients with pulmonary aspergillomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2006, 24 patients (21 men, mean age 58.4 years) with pulmonary aspergillomas underwent pulmonary resection. Operative indications were massive or repetitive hemoptysis in 6 patients, medically unmanageable localized infection in 14 patients, and undetermined mass in 4 patients. Eighteen patients (75.0 %) had background pulmonary diseases and four patients (16.7 %) were mildly immunocompromised. Eight patients had simple aspergillomas, while sixteen patients had complex aspergillomas. Two patients with pleural empyema had their pleural spaces sterilized before pulmonary resections. Fungus balls and pulmonary cavities along with the surrounding lung were removed in all patients. RESULTS: Surgical procedures consisted of 13 lobectomies, 5 pneumonectomies including one completion pneumonectomy, 2 segmentectomies and 4 wedge resections. Postoperative complication occurred in 10 patients (41.6 %) and one patient died from aortic bleeding due to postoperative empyema. Other major complications were prolonged air leaks, bleeding, and chylothorax. In the follow-up period, all but one patient were free from aspergillosis. Hemoptysis was not seen in any patient. Overall survival rates at 2, 5, and 10 years were 86.6 %, 79.4 % and 79.4 %, respectively. Disease-free survival rates from aspergillosis were 86.6 %, 72.6 % and 72.6 % at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary resection for aspergilloma showed favorable acute and long-term outcomes when surgical treatment was applied in selected patients.     

Surgical management of pulmonary aspergilloma

Records of 59 patients (41 males and 18 females) who underwent 70 operations for pulmonary aspergilloma in a 23-year period were examined retrospectively. Sixty-three operations were for primary treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma, and 7 were for complications of surgery. Twenty-six postoperative complications occurred in 19 patients. Three lobectomies that resulted in bronchopleural fistula were managed by intercostal muscle-flap closure and partial thoracomyoplasty. Two patients died within the first week of surgery. Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients with pulmonary aspergilloma. Selective bronchial artery embolization is helpful only in combating hemoptysis, and this has been considered a temporary measure in most reports. Thus, open thoracotomy and anatomical resection are recommended as early as possible after the diagnosis is established.     

Cavernostomy and simultaneous removal of fungus ball of pulmonary aspergilloma]

Between 1991 and 2000, 21 patients (16 male and 5 female) underwent 28 cavernostomies for the treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The median age was 59.4 years (range 37-85 years). The mean %VC was 59.6 (range 30.4-91.2), and the mean FEV 1.0 was 1.51 ml (range 0.64-2.67 ml). The mean body mass index was 17.6 (range 12.7-23.2). The most common complaint was hemoptysis. The underlying lung disease was tuberculosis in 17 cases, atypical mycobacteriosis in 2, and unclassified in 2. All cases had been diagnosed as complex aspergilloma. The mean surgical duration was 136 minutes (range 85-203 min.) and the mean blood loss during surgery was 242 ml(range 5-810 ml). No death or major complications occurred in the postoperative course. During follow-up, 4 patients died of massive hemoptysis, cancer, respiratory failure or an unknown cause. Relapses of aspergilloma occurred in 9 patients (42.9%). Recavernostomy was performed safely on 5 patients. In conclusion, although the relapse rate of aspergilloma was high after cavernostomy, safe reoperations were performed. Cavernostomy is thus an effective treatment in high-risk patients.     

Analysis of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma is reputed to be risky. The results of surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in 41 patients between 1988 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. Hemoptysis occurred in 31 patients (75.6%) and it was massive (> 300 mL in 24 hr) in 3. The underlying lung disease was tuberculosis in 35, bullous lung disease in 2, hydatid cyst in 2, and lung carcinoma in 2 patients. Lobectomy, bilobectomy, wedge resection, and pneumonectomy were performed in 27, 4, 6, and 4 patients respectively. The postoperative complication rate was 24.4%. One patient, who had a right pneumonectomy, died due to respiratory failure; the mortality rate was 2.4%. Recurrent hemoptysis was observed in only one patient. Early surgical treatment of patients with pulmonary aspergilloma resulted in a satisfactory outcome with acceptable morbidity, low mortality, and effective prevention of recurrent hemoptysis. Pneumonectomy has a high morbidity, thus it should be avoided if possible.     

Surgical treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Central Europe

BackgroundBronchiectasis is a mostly irreversible bronchial dilatation induced by the destruction of elastic and muscular fibers of the bronchial wall. Surgical treatment is usually reserved for focal disease, and whenever complications, like hemoptysis or secondary aspergilloma, arise. In this study, we report our experience and outcomes in surgical bronchiectasis management between 2016 and 2020.MethodsWe retrospectively searched our database for patients admitted for surgical treatment of bronchiectasis between 2016 and 2020. All records were screened for pre-surgical management. Age, gender, distribution of bronchiectatic lesions, type of surgery, perioperative complications, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay as well as 30-day-mortality were recorded, and a brief follow-up was made.ResultsA total of n=34 patients underwent pulmonary resection with bronchiectasis. Mean age on admission was 56.2±15.1 years and n=21 patients (62%) were female. In n=23 cases the right lung was affected, in n=9 cases the left side and in two cases both lungs. Indications for surgery included persistent major alterations after conservative therapy (n=9), massive hemoptysis (n=4), and full-blown “destroyed lobe” (n=7). All patients received anatomical lung resection (n=21 lobectomies, n=2 bilobectomies and n=11 segmentectomies), either by uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (n=28) or by lateral thoracotomy (n=6). Average length of hospital stay was 7.9±6.3 days; one patient died on POD 7 due to myocardial infarction.ConclusionsIn spite of a decreasing number of patients with bronchiectasis referred to surgery due to improvements in preventing and managing the disease, pulmonary resection still plays a significant role in treating this pathology in Central Europe. Surgery remains a viable approach for localized forms of bronchiectasis, and the only option in treating acute deterioration and complications like massive hemoptysis.     

Place of surgery in pulmonary aspergillosis and other pulmonary mycotic infections

Surgery is part of the therapeutic strategy of aspergillosis and mucormycosis. The aspergilloma is defined as a rounded mass, developing in a cavity by the proliferation of spores of Aspergillus. The most common complication was haemoptysis reported in 50-95% of cases. The pleuropulmonary lesions predisposing are: tuberculosis, residual pleural space, emphysema and lung destroyed by fibrosis or radiotherapy or bronchiectasis. The indications for surgery depend on symptoms, respiratory function, the parenchyma and the type of aspergilloma (simple or complex). In a patient with an intrapulmonary aspergilloma, lung resection preceded by embolization is recommended based on respiratory function. For intrapleural aspergilloma, thoracoplasty is recommended according to the patient's general condition. The invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is characterized by an invasion of lung tissue and blood vessels by hyphae in immunocompromised patients. The death rate of patients who have an API after treatment for leukemia or lymphoma was 30 to 40%, after bone marrow transplantation 60%, after solid organ transplantation from 50 to 60% and after any other cause of immunocompromising from 70 to 85%. The main cause of these deaths is massive hemoptysis. Surgery (lobectomy) is indicated for the prevention of hemoptysis when the mass is in contact with the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, and if it increases in size with the disappearance of border security between the mass and the vessel wall. The patient will be operated in an emergency before the white blood cells do not exceed the threshold of 1000 cells/μl. A persistent residual mass after antifungal treatment may justify a lung resection (lobectomy or wedge) before a new aggressive therapy. Mucormycosis affects patients following immunocompromising states--haematologic malignancy, diabetes mellitus, transplantation, burns and malnutrition. The treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis combines surgical and medical approach.     

Is video-assisted thoracic surgery a versatile treatment for both simple and complex pulmonary aspergilloma?

Background

Pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) is a common fugal infectious disease mostly occurred in developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) treatment for simple pulmonary aspergilloma (SPA) and complex pulmonary aspergilloma (CPA).

Methods

From October 2009 to March 2013, 16 patients were treated by VATS for PA in our department. The patients were divided into SPA group and CPA group. Records were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected and compared.

Results

Patients had a median age of 52.8 years [95% confidence interval (CI): 47.8-57.9 years]. The most common symptom was hemoptysis (68.7%) in our patients. The underlying lung diseases were tuberculosis (31.1%), bronchiectasis (12.5%) and pneumatocele (6.2%). All patients received successful lesion resection by VATS, none was converted to thoracotomy. No significant difference was found in terms of sex and age. Patients with CPA tent to have larger lesion (P=0.001) and more intraoperative findings (P=0.003), they also needed longer operative time (P=0.016) and more blood loss (P=0.003). In addition, CPA patients had more volume of drainage after surgery (P=0.005), longer duration of drainage ((P=0.007) and length of stay in hospital (P=0.004). No difference was found in postoperative complications between the two groups.

Conclusions

SPA patients are the best candidates for VATS, but comprehensive measure should be taken for the overall benefit of CPA patients before conducting VATS.     

肺曲菌球病63例临床分析

目的探讨肺曲菌球病的临床特征和治疗方案。方法回顾性分析2008.1~2014.10年收治63例病理确诊肺曲菌球病患者的临床诊治情况。结果 HCT37%24例,血清前白蛋白(PA)200 mg/L20例,LY1.5×10~9/L 19例;肺结核空洞22例,支气管扩张症19例,6例无明确基础疾病;咳嗽46例,咯血59例,大咯血29例。典型影像学表现48例,误诊4例,漏诊11例;可见纵隔淋巴结23例,短径小于1 cm,淋巴结活检提示反应性增生。病灶位于左肺上叶17例,右肺上叶29例。肺功能检查:总弥散量低于比弥散量(t=-9.422,P0.001);均行外科手术治疗;58例随访影像学未见复发;大咯血与相关危险因素的Logistic分析,肺结核空洞OR=6.113,P=0.008,空洞或空腔内长径OR=2.410,P=0.004。结论肺曲菌球病咯血和咳嗽为主要症状;病灶多位于双肺上叶,影像学特征典型,大咯血患者的曲菌球长径、空洞或空腔长内径长于非大咯血患者;弥散功能有一定特征性;首选手术治疗;肺结核空洞和空洞或空腔内长径是大咯血的危险因素。     

肺结核并发肺曲菌球47例外科治疗

目的　探讨肺曲菌球与肺结核的关系及其诊断和治疗;方法 对13年经外科手术治疗的47例肺结核合并曲菌球病人进行回顾性分析;结果 男性31例,占66.0%,病程>5年27例。咯血症状突出,41例,占87.2%。47例肺结核合并曲菌球中,术前明确诊断32例,占68.1%,漏误诊率31.8%。45例治愈,占95.7%,死亡2例,占4.2%。术后并发症10例,分别为胸腔感染、支气管胸膜瘘、肺炎、肺不张、支气管哮喘、呼吸衰竭和失血性休克。结论 肺曲菌球病见于肺结核空洞患者,在长期规律抗结核治疗后仍反复咯血,漏诊率较高,手术治疗为首选,效果较好。     

Bronchial artery embolization: A gratifying life-saving procedure

BackgroundBronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an urgent life-saving procedure in patients with massive hemoptysis.Material and methodsThis was a single center observational study wherein patients presenting with hemoptysis were evaluated and underwent BAE. Initially, a descending thoracic aortogram was performed to identify culprit vessels followed by selective catheterization of the involved vessels. Abnormal bronchial artery morphology included hypertrophied and tortuous bronchial artery (BA), focal hyperemia and hypervascularity, shunting into pulmonary artery or vein, extravasation of contrast into the lung parenchyma/cavity and BA aneurysms. Selective embolization was done using either gelfoam or polyvinyl alcohol particles. Post-procedure, follow-up was done at one month and six months with outcomes defined in terms of recurrence of hemoptysis.ResultsA total of 187 patients underwent BAE with post-tubercular sequalae being the most common diagnosis in 157 (84%) followed by idiopathic bronchiectasis in 19 (10.2%) and aspergilloma in 7 (3.7%). A total of 246 vessels were embolized with right sided BA being more commonly involved as compared to left [143 (76.5%) vs. 35 (18.7%); P < 0.0001]. Complete resolution was observed in 183 (97.8%) 24 hours post procedure. Recurrence was reported in 34 (18.2%) patients with higher frequency in diabetics, patients with active tuberculosis and presence of aspergillomas. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, presence of an aspergilloma and feeding vessels from internal mammary artery were independent predictors of recurrent hemoptysis. Most of the complications were minor except paraparesis observed in two patients.ConclusionBAE is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of hemoptysis of different etiologies.     

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis

Pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis are a potentially lifethreatening disease resulting from the colonization of lung or pleural cavities by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Twenty four patients with pulmonary aspergilloma and five with pleural aspergillosis underwent major thoracic procedures at our hospital between 1976 and 1986. Fourteen of the patients had haemoptysis, in 9 it was recurrent, and in 5 life-threatening. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, and sarcoidosis were the most common preexisting lung lesions. Surgical procedures included 7 pleuropneumonectomies, 18 lobectomies and 4 wedge resections. The postoperative mortality rate was approximately 7% (2 pat.). Based on the pathological examination 4 patients had unexpectedly a bronchial carcinoma in addition to the aspergilloma. Bronchopleural fistula with persistent air space was a serious complication only for patients after pleuropneumonectomy. 23 patients including those with complex aspergilloma and pleural infection had no postoperative complications; in none of the 27 operative survivors were there any recurrent symptoms over a follow-up between one and ten years. Good-risk patients with documented aspergilloma, even asymptomatic, should be resected, because of the danger of exsanginating haemorrhage. For patients with pleural aspergillosis only the aggressive resection can provide effective long term palliation.     

Pulmonary aspergilloma - clinical findings and surgical treatment

The management of pulmonary aspergilloma is still a topic of discussion. Demonstrating several cases of pulmonary aspergilloma, their clinical course and their follow-up, we try to contribute some arguments for the preference of an early operation. Between 1992 and 1998, 18 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The most common indication for operation were hemoptysis [6] and indeterminate mass [6]. Lobectomy was the most frequent operation [11]. Underlying diseases were bronchiectasis [10], tuberculosis [3], carcinoma [2], blebs [2], and epitheloid granuloma. Two patients had postoperative complications, another three died later in the clinical course because of liver failure, septicemia, and persisting air leakage and sepsis. We recommend early resection of symptomatic, cavitating aspergilloma in the simple form and even with an inflammatory reaction of the surrounding tissue. Especially low-risk patients profit highly from an early operation. High-risk patients should be operated on only in cases of life-threatening complications.     

肺曲菌球40例临床分析

目的 探讨肺曲菌球的诊断和治疗方法. 方法 分析2001-2005年武汉市结核病院收治的40例肺曲菌球患者的临床诊治情况. 结果 40例中男24例,女16例,年龄17～61岁,平均37.7岁.40例中支气管扩张症和空洞型肺结核37例,肺囊肿2例,空洞型肺癌1例;咯血33例,反复间断小量咯血(＜20 ml/次)27例,大咯血6例;咳嗽、咳痰5例次;发热、盗汗3例次.40例患者均无基础疾病及长期使用抗生素史.术前、术后曲菌球的诊断符合率为60%(24例),原发病的诊断符合率为40%(16例).手术切除肺叶39例,全肺切除1例.死亡1例.随访1年,仅1例抗曲霉治疗6个月,余均未按要求服药.除2例大咯血患者复发外,余均痊愈. 结论 肺曲菌球多见于支气管扩张症及空洞型肺结核患者.多数患者可出现反复小量咯血.术前曲菌球和原发病诊断较困难.可根据病情采取不同的治疗方法,是否应首选手术或预防性手术有待商榷.出院后的抗曲霉治疗似乎并非必要.     

肺曲菌球的外科治疗（附182例报告）

目的探讨肺曲菌球的手术适应证及手术治疗效果。方法回顾性分析我院1975年9月至2008年1月经手术治疗的182例肺曲菌球患者资料,分为单纯性肺曲菌球组（SPA,n：42）和复合性肺曲菌球组（CPA,n;140）。行肺叶切除术146例,全肺切除13例,复合切除（肺叶＋肺段或楔形切除）11例,肺段切除7例,楔形切除5例。结果182例患者中治愈178例,治愈率97．8％。无手术死亡,术后发生并发症47例（25．8％）,包括出血5例,持续漏气10例,肺炎11例,肺复张不全8例,支气管胸膜瘘、脓胸3例,心律失常3例,肺脓肿5例,切口感染2例。SPA组术后并发症发生率低于CPA组（P〈0．05）。术后随访173例,随访4个月～5年无复发。结论外科手术为肺曲菌球的首选治疗方法。对于病程短、肺病变局限、胸膜粘连较轻的患者电视胸腔镜具有创伤小、恢复快、术后并发症少的优点是其最佳选择。     

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung incidentally found at surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis]

We report a 56-year-old man with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) incidentally found at the surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis. In 1991, an abnormal chest radiographic shadow was found on a mass screening. A diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was made by bronchoscopic examination. The patient was then followed up without treatment. He had hemoptysis in 2005, and was referred to our hospital. Chest CT scan revealed a cavitary lesion with an air crescent sign and an irregularly shaped nodule in the right apex. Wedge resection of these lesions was performed under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological examination revealed not only aspergilloma, but also an LCNEC 11 x 7 mm in size, which was located close to the aspergilloma. Microscopically, nests of tumor cells were distributed peribronchially. Right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed, and the pathological stage was IIIA (T1N2M0). The patient received four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. No recurrence has been observed since surgery. This is the first report describing co-existence of pulmonary aspergilloma and LCNEC.     

Percutaneous instillation of fluconazole in the treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma]

A 68-year-old woman had pulmonary aspergilloma in the right upper lobe with old cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite intravenous fluconazole there was no change in the size of the fungus ball. Endobronchial instillation of fluconazole also failed. Subsequently percutaneous instillation of fluconazole was attempted with localized drainage. The fungus ball decreased in size after 8 weeks. Although slight hemoptysis and subcutaneous emphysema occurred in this case, these condition required no treatment. This method of treatment appears to be useful for inoperable cases of pulmonary aspergilloma.     

Pulmonary aspergilloma, diagnosis and treatment

Pulmonary aspergilloma is a saprophytic form of aspergillosis, and the diagnosis is usually based on radiological findings such as thickened cavitary wall and fungus ball, and on positive serum antibody. Up to 58% of the patients with aspergilloma in Japan have medical history of tuberculosis. Serum anti-Aspergillus antigen is almost always positive in aspergilloma patients but aspergillus antigen is usually negative. Massive hemoptysis can be a fatal complication of aspergilloma, and the most common complication was respiratory failure according to our study. Surgical resection is the only promising intervention to cure the aspergilloma, however, low pulmonary function does not allow operation. Antifungal treatment is chosen for those who are out of operation indication, but the efficacy of antifungal treatment against aspergilloma is controversial. Some patients with aspergilloma show progressive form, and we define such aspergillosis as CNPA, chronic necrotizing aspergillosis, although the original entity of CNPA by Binder et al. is different. We make a diagnosis of CNPA only if all the following entity meets, 1; progressive shadows in radiological findings regardless of the presence of aspergilloma, 2; have some symptoms such as cough, sputum, hemosputum, hemoptysis or fever, 3; proof of Aspergillus attribution by mycological or pathological examination, 4; positive systemic inflammatory reaction, 5; neglect of other etiology of pulmonary diseases. Since CNPA is usually progressive, patients with CNPA should be treated with antifungals.     

A retrospective study for the outcome of pulmonary resection in 49 patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Outcome of treatment using only chemotherapy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is usually considered not to be satisfactory. The combination of chemotherapy with surgical treatment has been producing higher acid-fast bacilli (AFB) negative sputum conversion and longer survival rates. This treatment strategy may be the solution for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records and laboratory findings of 49 patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among 130 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1995 and December 1999 at National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital, Korea. RESULTS: The mean number of drugs to which the patients were resistant was 4.5. Patients had a mean age of 35 years. Cavitary lesions on plain chest X-ray were shown in 43/49 patients (87.8%); 31 had positive sputum cultures preoperatively (63.3%). The surgical techniques used were as follows: 12 pneumonectomies, 28 lobectomies, seven lobectomies with segmentectomies or wedge resections, one wedge resection and one cavernoplasty. The AFB negative sputum conversion rate was 93.5% with continuous postoperative chemotherapy. There were no deaths after surgery. Postoperative complications that developed were six cases of air leakage over a week, one of postoperative bleeding and one of wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of pulmonary resection with postoperative chemotherapy in cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Although there are different ideas about indications for surgery and the length and content of postoperative drug regimens, pulmonary resection should be considered an effective measure in combination with chemotherapy for treatment of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.     

肺曲霉病外科治疗分析(附15例报告)

目的:探讨肺曲霉病的诊断、外科手术治疗原则、方法及效果。方法:回顾性分析我科2005年至2011年手术治疗的15例采用外科手术治疗的肺曲霉病患者的临床资料和随访结果。结果:15例患者术后证实均为曲霉病,术前诊断符合率为93.3%(14/15),影像学诊断符合率为73.3%(11/15),全组无手术死亡,随访4个月～6年无肺曲霉病复发和播散。结论:手术治疗肺曲霉病能消除症状,预防咯血复发,减少抗真菌药物对患者影响,可根治进而延长患者生命提高患者生活质量。因此,一旦确诊应积极手术治疗。     

肺曲菌球手术治疗(附10例报告)

本文报告10例肺曲菌球外科手术治疗的经验。由于抗菌素，激素和免疫抑制剂的广泛应用，肺曲菌球的发病率有逐渐增加的趋势。本组病例的主要临床症状是咳血，有典型的肺曲菌球X线表现者4例，其余6例均被误诊并行抗结核治疗数年。内科治疗对肺曲菌球无明显疗效。当频繁大量咳血，不能除外恶性或手术有助于原有基础病变的治疗，则应行外科处理。一般多行肺叶切除，偶而局部肺切除或病灶摘除也可获满意疗效。