Intrapericardial fibrinolysis: a useful treatment in the management of purulent pericarditis

Since the introduction of antibiotics into clinical practice, purulent pericarditis has become a rare disease. The major complication of the standard management for this condition is constrictive pericarditis. We report two cases of purulent pericarditis in which intrapericardial fibrinolysis was performed in order to minimize this complication. The first case was a 38-year-old man admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) for management of constrictive pericarditis complicating purulent pericarditis diagnosed 17 days previously. The patient was treated with four intrapericardial injections of streptokinase (250000 IU each). Fluid drainage and cardiac output were improved. No change in clotting parameters was noted. Pericardiectomy and esophagectomy were then performed for a diagnosis of esophageal neoplasm. The postoperative course was uneventful. The second case was a 16-year-old boy admitted with loss of consciousness due to cardiac tamponade. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis drained 900 ml of cloudy fluid. Two intrapericardial injections were performed (day 1 and day 5) without any complication. Pericardial drainage was withdrawn on day 13 and the patient was discharged from ICU on the same day. Six months later, there was no evidence of constrictive pericarditis. Intrapericardial fibrinolysis appears to be safe and effective when prescribed rapidly in the course of purulent pericarditis. Received: 19 June 1996 Accepted: 15 September 1996     

A case of purulent pneumococcal pericarditis

Background

Purulent bacterial pericarditis is a rare and potentially fatal disease. The course may be fulminant, and the presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge.

Thoracoscopic removal of an intrapulmonary foreign body in a child

A 9‐year‐old boy presented to our institution 6 months after falling on a needle that pierced his left chest wall. He presented to us after multiple unsuccessful attempts to have this foreign body removed at other hospitals. A thoracoscopic removal was successfully undertaken aided by fluoroscopy. This report shows how the needle's position and location were precisely defined by fluoroscopy, despite the needle being invisible on thoracoscopy.     

Haemophilus influenzae pericarditis with tamponade as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Although cardiac tamponade is an important and emergent complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), purulent pericarditis is rare despite the high frequency of pericardial effusion in SLE. We describe the first SLE case of Haemophilus influenzae type-f pericarditis with cardiac tamponade with SLE as the initial presentation. The pathophysiology and therapy are discussed.     

关节镜早期治疗化脓性膝关节炎

目的探讨关节镜技术在化脓性膝关节炎早期治疗中的应用价值。方法对13例化脓性关节炎患者的症状、体征、辅助检查以及关节镜下行关节清理灌洗术、滑膜次全切除术、置管冲洗引流,同时结合全身性抗生素的应用和术后系统的康复训练等治疗进行总结分析;并通过体温、皮温、关节积液、关节活动度以及膝关节功能的检查评价治疗效果。结果平均术后2d,体温恢复正常;术后4周,无伸膝功能受限者,屈膝活动度均超过110°。术后3个月,90%患者的患侧屈膝活动度恢复正常,Lysholm膝关节功能评分为(89±5)分,与术前相比其差异具有显著性(P<0.01)。结论采用关节镜技术早期治疗膝关节化脓性关节炎创伤小,清创彻底,有利于炎症的消除和膝关节功能的恢复。     

Thoracoscopic management of pulmonary nodules

Summary

More and more pulmonary nodules are currently approached via thoracoscopy. We have evaluated the results and the morbidity of a consecutive series of 120 patients operated on by a single surgeon. Patients and methods. One hundred and twenty-two nodules have been resected in 120 patients. The average size of these nodules was 16 mm (3–30 mm). A pre-operative localization technique was used in 61 patients (50%). The procedures were as follows: biopsy (6 cases), wedge-resection (110 cases). A video-assisted lobectomy was performed in 26 cases. Results. The mortality rate was 0.8% (one case of ARDS in the post-operative course of a video-assisted lobectomy). Intra-operative morbidity rate was 1.6% (2 cases of haemorrhage requiring a thoracotomy) and the postoperative morbidity rate was 5%. Six procedures were converted to thoracotomy (5%). The nodules were localized in all cases but 2 (1.6%). The mean post-operative stay was 4.6 days in the whole series and 3.2 days in the series of patients with a simple biopsy or wedge-resection. Comments. The morbidity rate of thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules is very low and decreases with the experience of the surgeon. Experience allows one not to use a localization technique in many cases, but the latter remains helpful in small-sized nodules. It allows for a safe, rapid and accurate procedure to be performed. The need for a mini-thoracot-omy is very rare. Mastering the techniques of radiological localization techniques, thoracoscopic biopsy and wedge resection as well as video-assisted lobectomies should make it possible for thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules to fulfil the criteria of a minimally invasive operation.     

Co-infection or early superinfection of pneumococcal pneumonia

Two cases of co-infection or very early superinfection of pneumococcal pneumonia with Staphylococcus aureus in one case, and Enterobacter cloacae in the other, are reported. The two patients were not fully immunocompetent, had leukopenia and a mild intravascular coagulation, and were bacteremic. Mixed infection probably accounted for the lethal outcome because initial antibiotherapy was only directed against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Accurate bacteriologic methods are required to delineate contaminating and infecting pathogens when another bacteria is found in initial bronchial samples of patients with pneuococcal pneumonia, and the antibiotherapy might be directed against the two pathogens until quantitative bacteriologic results would be available, especially in old and debilitated patients. The incidence of mixed infection in pneumococcal pneumonia seems low.     

Evaluation and management of pericarditis

Pericarditis may be caused by infectious or noninfectious noxa. Most cases are labeled as ‘idiopathic’ because the traditional diagnostic approach often fails to identify the etiology. Most important causes are presumed to be viruses in countries with a low prevalence of tuberculosis and tuberculosis in developing countries. Noninfectious pericarditis mainly includes autoimmune systemic diseases, post-pericardiotomy syndromes and neoplastic pericardial disease. Treatment should be targeted to the cause, but remains empirical with NSAIDs and the possible adjunct of colchicine in idiopathic cases. Corticosteroids use should be limited to patients with NSAID contraindications/intolerance or failure, and rarely for specific conditions (i.e., pregnancy and systemic autoimmune diseases). Recurrences are the most common complication, but the overall prognosis is related to the etiology, usually benign in idiopathic pericarditis.     

Clinical review: Intrapericardial fibrinolysis in management of purulent pericarditis

Purulent pericarditis (PP) is a potentially life-threatening disease. Reported mortality rates are between 20 and 30%. Constrictive pericarditis occurs over the course of PP in at least 3.5% of cases. The frequency of persistent PP (chronic or recurrent purulent pericardial effusion occurring despite drainage and adequate antibiotherapy) is unknown because this entity was not previously classified as a complication of PP. No consensus exists on the optimal management of PP. Nevertheless, the cornerstone of PP management is complete eradication of the focus of infection. In retrospective studies, compared to simple drainage, systematic pericardiectomy provided a prevention of constrictive pericarditis with better clinical outcome. Because of potential morbidity associated with pericardiectomy, intrapericardial fibrinolysis has been proposed as a less invasive method for prevention of persistent PP and constrictive pericarditis. Experimental data demonstrate that fibrin formation, which occurs during the first week of the disease, is an essential step in the evolution to constrictive pericarditis and persistent PP. We reviewed the literature using the MEDLINE database. We evaluated the clinical efficacy, outcome, and complications of pericardial fibrinolysis. Seventy-four cases of fibrinolysis in PP were analysed. Pericarditis of tuberculous origin were excluded. Among the 40 included cases, only two treated by late fibrinolysis encountered failure requiring pericardiectomy. No patient encountered clinical or echocardiographic features of constriction during follow-up. Only one serious complication was described. Despite the lack of definitive evidence, potential benefits of fibrinolysis as a less invasive alternative to surgery in the management of PP seem promising. Early consideration should be given to fibrinolysis in order to prevent both constrictive and persistent PP. Nevertheless, in case of failure of fibrinolysis, pericardiectomy remains the primary option for complete eradication of infection.     

Haemophilus influenzae serotype f purulent pericarditis: a cause of death in a child with Down syndrome

Purulent pericarditis is a cardiac emergency that can be difficult to diagnose and can be rapidly fatal. We report the case of a child with Down syndrome and recent atrial and ventricular septal defect repair who died from Haemophilus influenzae serotype f pericarditis.     

胸腔镜下交感神经链切除术治疗双手多汗症(12例报告)

目的评价内镜下胸交感神经链切除术治疗多汗症的临床效果。方法回顾性分析内镜下胸交感神经链切除术治疗12例多汗症的结果。结果12例术后多汗症均治愈，2例术后2d发生背部、双股部不同程度代偿性出汗，3～6个月后缓解，术后获得随访的10例未见复发。结论胸腔镜下交感神经链切除手术安全、疗效确切、创伤小，缩短住院时间。     

Thoracoscopic resection for mediastinal thymolipoma in a child

Thymolipoma is a rare disease among benign tumors. We herein report the case of a child who underwent thoracoscopic resection of a large thymolipoma. A 3‐year‐old boy was diagnosed with an anterior mediastinal solid tumor. Thoracic imaging revealed a fat density mass that was 8.0 × 5.0 × 3.5 cm in size. Given the MRI findings of the tumor, we suspected that the lesion was a teratoma. We decided to perform thoracoscopic exploration and, if possible, resection of the solid tumor sequentially. We successfully resected the tumor thoracoscopically. A histological examination revealed thymolipoma. For large mediastinal tumors in the intrathoracic space in children, the thoracoscopic approach is recommended when the tumor is preoperatively considered to be benign and resectable.     

The intensive care management,mortality and prognostic indicators in severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia

Objective To determine mortality and factors that might predict outcome in severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia treated by a standard protocol.Design Prospective, nonconcurrent study.Setting Respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) in a teaching hospital by positive blood culture.Patients 63 patients who were diagnosed by positive blood culture or Gram stain and culture of sputum or tracheal aspirate were included.Measurements and results Clinical features, severity scores including Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, organ failure and lung injury scores, and the clinical course in the ICU were documented; 79% of patients required mechanical ventilation. Bacteraemia was present in 34 patients (54%); there were no distinguishing clinical features between bacteraemic and non-bacteraemic cases. The overall mortality was 21%, with only 5 deaths (15% mortality) in the bacteraemic group. Shock and a very low serum albumin (<26 g/l) were the only clinical features that differentiated survivors from non-survivors; lung injury, APACHE II and multiple organ failure scores were all predictive of outcome. The positive predictive value and specificity in predicting death in individuals for the modified British Thoracic Society rule 1 were 26 and 64%; APACHE II>20 57 and 88%; >2 organ failure 64 and 92%; and lung injury >2 33 and 73%, respectively.Conclusions These results suggest that even in bacteraemic cases mortality should be below 25% with intensive care management and that conventional scoring systems, while predictive of group mortality, are unreliable in individuals.     

Thoracoscopic caudal left lower lobectomy in a patient with fused fissure

A 72‐year‐old man diagnosed as having primary lung cancer underwent surgical resection using a totally thoracoscopic approach. The thoracoscopic view revealed an incomplete fissure and severe emphysematous change. Therefore, to avoid postoperative air leakage, we decided not to expose the pulmonary artery at the fissure. The inferior pulmonary vein, lower bronchus, and pulmonary artery branches were divided by staplers in a caudal‐to‐head direction, and then the interlobar area was divided. Postoperative air leakage was not observed.     

电视胸腔镜食管癌切除术的疗效分析

目的:探讨电视胸腔镜(video-assisted thoracoscopic,VATS)食管癌切除术的疗效。方法:2012年1月—2013年10月行VATS食管癌切除术的20例患者,术前经病理检查确诊均为鳞癌,均行VATS下胸段食管游离及周围淋巴结清扫,游离胃,行食管-管状胃吻合。结果:20例患者手术均获成功,无围手术期病死;手术时间280~420 min,平均342 min;术中出血量150~350 mL;术后第1天胸腔引流量300~650 mL,平均450 mL;胸管放置时间4~10 d,平均6 d;术后住院时间12~37 d,平均18 d。手术共清扫淋巴结232枚,平均10.6枚。术后发生吻合口瘘1例,声音嘶哑1例,乳糜胸1例。结论:VATS食管癌切除术具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少等优点,但应严格把握手术适应症。     

Rapid progressive destruction of the cochleae in an infant due to pneumococcal meningitis

The widespread adoption of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has reduced the incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, but has also led to the emergence of infections due to non-vaccine serotypes. A 15-month-old girl was referred to our hospital with suspected meningitis. S. pneumoniae was isolated from her cerebrospinal fluid. She was initially treated with a combination of cefotaxime and vancomycin, followed by ampicillin and vancomycin. After 7 days, the patient's condition improved and she was transferred to the general ward; however, her mother noted signs of hearing difficulties. On the 16th day of admission, we performed an auditory brainstem response test, which suggested severe bilateral hearing impairment. This was confirmed using an auditory steady-state response test after consulting with otolaryngologists. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed fibrosis of both cochleae with labyrinthitis. The patient underwent emergency cochlear implantation at a different hospital. The S. pneumoniae isolate was later identified to be serotype 10A with a PBP2x mutation, which is not covered by the conjugate vaccine and has reduced cephalosporin susceptibility. This case was characterized by highly rapid cochlear destruction, and an earlier otolaryngologist consultation may have provided a more well-organized surgery plan. Pediatricians are urged to promptly consult with otolaryngologists for patients with similar indications.     

缩窄性心包炎心脏几何形态的二维超声心动图特征

目的：探讨缩窄性心包炎心脏形态学。材料和方法：应用二维超声心科观察２０例缩窄性心包炎心脏形态学特征,并与１５例正常人对比分析。结果：缩窄性心包炎心脏同 形态具有特征性变化,并可分为右室凹陷型、左室凹陷型和不规则型。 此为标准判断是否存在缩窄性心包炎,其敏感性达９０％,特生为１００％。结论：心脏几何形态改变可作为评价缩窄性心包炎的一种方法。     

Comparative characteristics of the background and blood test findings in adults with pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease: A retrospective study

IntroductionInvasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is often fatal, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. To evaluate the factors associated with IPD in adults, we retrospectively investigated its characteristics compared to pneumococcal pneumonia without confirmation of invasion (PP).MethodsPatients >18 years with PP (n = 79) and IPD (n = 53) from whom Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated were enrolled from two hospitals between 2011 and 2017. Clinical backgrounds, blood test results at admission, initial antimicrobials administered, isolate serotypes, and outcomes were compared between the PP and IPD groups.ResultsPatients with IPD exhibited higher mortality (28.3%) than those with PP (2.5%) (p<0.001), regardless of the type of antimicrobials first administered. The majority (80.0%) of fatal cases of IPD were due to vaccine serotypes. Almost all patients with PP (97.4%) and IPD (88.7%) had underlying disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥17.0 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR], 7.1; 95% CI, 2.7–19.0; p<0.001), white blood cell counts <11.0 × 10³/μL (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3–8.4; p = 0.016), and platelet (PLT) counts <16.2 × 10⁴/μL (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.4; p = 0.036) were significantly more common in IPD. Moreover, 89.5% of cases with both CRP ≥23.8 mg/dL and PLT <18.5 × 10⁴/μL were diagnosed with IPD.ConclusionLaboratory blood test findings at admission, particularly high CRP and low PLT values, are useful early indicators of IPD in adults. These results could be used to initiate rapid and intensive treatment and improve prognosis.     

A rare case of concomitant viral myocarditis and pericarditis in a 44-year-old patient

Concomitant severe myocarditis and pericarditis are under-recognized or rare. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman who presented in shock after a week of a flu-like illness and several hours of severe back pain. Emergent echocardiography revealed cardiac tamponade for which pericardiocentesis achieved transient improvement. Unfortunately, the patient died 2 days later secondary to progressive cardiomyopathy and multi-system organ failure. Post-mortem studies of the heart were consistent with coxsackie virus myocarditis. Diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis and pericarditis are discussed, including clues to detecting concurrent disease processes.     

Multimodality imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Constrictive pericarditis can result in debilitating congestive right heart failure and has been considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Multimodality imaging continues to play a fundamental role in the individual approach to diagnosis, management, and prognosis of patients with this clinical syndrome.

Areas covered: This article gives an overview of the clinical spectrum of constrictive pericardial diseases and the role of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. There is a focus on the emerging role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the diagnosis, management, and prognostication of patients with constrictive pericarditis based on more recent case series, retrospective and prospective studies, which have helped to define the role of CMR.

Expert opinion: Advanced multimodality imaging assists with identification of both overt and subclinical pericardial inflammation. This allows the pericardiologist to recognize patients with potentially reversible disease, trial medical therapy, and thereby avoid mechanical removal of the pericardium. Further, pericardial characterization by CMR has provided novel information about the natural history of these pericardial conditions, which can help tailor therapy and improve prognosis.