Chest
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Comparative Study
Using thoracic ultrasonography to accurately assess pneumothorax progression during positive pressure ventilation: a comparison with CT scanning.
Although thoracic ultrasonography accurately determines the size and extent of occult pneumothoraces (PTXs) in spontaneously breathing patients, there is uncertainty about patients receiving positive pressure ventilation. We compared the lung point (ie, the area where the collapsed lung still adheres to the inside of the chest wall) using the two modalities ultrasonography and CT scanning to determine whether ultrasonography can be used reliably to assess PTX progression in a positive-pressure-ventilated porcine model. ⋯ In an experimental porcine model, we found a linear relation between the PTX size and the lateral position of the lung point. The accuracy of thoracic ultrasonography for identifying the lung point (and, thus, the PTX extent) was comparable to that of CT imaging. These clinically relevant results suggest that ultrasonography may be safe and accurate in monitoring PTX progression during positive pressure ventilation.
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Exposure to hazardous heavy metals such as cadmium and lead has been associated with several chronic diseases. Heavy metal exposure may contribute to increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs, resulting in tissue destruction manifesting clinically as obstructive lung disease (OLD). We aimed to evaluate the association between serum cadmium and lead concentration and OLD. ⋯ In a large representative sample of the US population, we demonstrated a significant association between OLD and serum cadmium and lead concentrations. Cadmium appeared to partially mediate the association between smoking and OLD. A dose-response effect between increasing cadmium concentration and progressively worsening lung function was observed in smokers.
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The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) suppress ambient particulate matter, 10 μm (PM(10) )-induced inflammatory response in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of statins on PM(10) -induced lung inflammation in vivo. ⋯ Lovastatin attenuates the PM(10) -induced recruitment and activation of alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, reduces local proinflammatory cytokine production, and promotes the clearance of PM(10) particles from lung tissues to regional lymph nodes. These novel pleiotropic properties of statins are most likely to contribute to the downregulation of PM(10) -induced lung inflammation.
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Review Case Reports
Massive pulmonary emboli in children: does fiber-optic-guided embolectomy have a role? Review of the literature and report of two cases.
Massive pulmonary emboli is a rare disease in children, with only 39 reported cases in the last 50 years. Almost 50% of the patients died suddenly without receiving medical treatment. Most of the patients who were managed medically (70% of the treated patients) underwent surgical pulmonary embolectomy with 80% survival. ⋯ This technique was reported in adults with good results. In this article, we describe two pediatric patients who underwent fiber-optic-guided surgical pulmonary embolectomy. To our knowledge, this technique has never been reported in the pediatric population.