• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.914-916
• /
• 2002

Actinomycosis of the lung is a chronic, suppurative granulomatous infection which is caused by Actinomyces israelii. It is believed to enter the thorax by way of the bronchial tree, by aspiration of contaminated aerosol particles in the upper digestive tract. Symptoms of chronic cough, sputum, hemoptysis, low grade fever, chest pain, and weight loss are common. Chest X-ray shows mass like lesion, pulmonary infiltration, abscess, and tuberculosis like lesion, which makes differential diagnosis from lung cancer very difficult. Surgical intervention is needed for the diagnosis and treatment, and diagnosis of actinomycosis is achieved when histologic examination reveals sulfur granules containing filamentous organisms. Penicillin is the drug of choice. Two or three months of penicillin treatment is recommended to treat the oropharyngeal or dental abscess to avoid recurrences. We present a case of actinomycosis which is suspected to malignant with review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.7
• /
• pp.760-765
• /
• 2008

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs following the ingestion of infectious Paragonimus metacercariae from crabs or crayfish. Pulmonary paragonimiasis is the most common clinical manifestation of this infection, but several ectopic paragonimiasis cases have also been reported. Among them, cases of subcutaneous paragonimiasis are rare, especially in children. We report a case of subcutaneous paragonimiasis of the right abdominal wall with pleural effusion with hepatic involvement and without abnormal pulmonary infiltration in a boy aged 2 years and 5 months. He had eaten soybean sauce-soaked freshwater crabs (kejang) 6 months prior to complaining of right abdominal wall distension. On evaluation, right pleural effusion without abnormal pulmonary infiltration was detected, as well as blood eosinophilia, an elevated serum IgE level, pleural fluid eosinophilia and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that detected P. westermani antibody in the serum. Thoracentesis, praziquantel administration, and excision of subcutaneous lesions were performed. After treatment, the eosinophil count and serum IgE level were decreased, and the subcutaneous lesions did not recur. The frequency of paragonimiasis has decreased recently, but it is still prevalent in Korea. Paragonimiasis should be suspected if pleural fluid eosinophilia is associated with blood hypereosinophilia and a high level of serum IgE; however clinicians should obtain a thorough history of travel and food habits.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.286-291
• /
• 2004

Mediastinum is a very rare primary site of liposarcoma. In general, wide surgical excision with adequate resection margin is the treatment of choice for lipesarcoma. We experienced a case of liposarcoma in a 24 year-old male who complained of dyspnea and chest discomfort. Symptoms had been developed a month before admission, and the intensity had been gradually increased. He visited another general hospital, and there he received left closed thoracostomy because hemothorax was suspected. Afterwards, he was transferred to our hospital without a specific diagnosis, on review of outside chest computed tomography film, mass shadow was detected in the mediastinum. For the further evaluation, we checked the chest sonography and chest magnetic resonance imaging. MRI showed 10 cm sized mass contacted with pulmonary artery trunk and left main pulmonary artery. The radiologist strongly suggested sarcoma. On the 4th day after admission, we performed emergent exploratory left thoracotomy for hematoma evacuation because mediastinal shifting progressed and heart rate was increased. Biopsy confirmed that the evacuated materials were extraskeletal myxoid chondresarcoma, so we performed extrapleural left pneumonectomy including diaphragm and a part of the pericardium. The final pathologic diagnosis was myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. He was discharged without complication and systemic chemotherapy was scheduled to begin 2 month later. During chemotherapy, local recurrence and peritoneal metastasis developed, and he died 10 month after the surgical excision. We report this case with reviewal of literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2007

Background: Surgical lung biopsy is required to establish the etiology and stage of interstitial lung disease(ILD). and this procedure can be safe and meaningful for making clinical decisions. We wanted to determine the safety of surgical lung biopsy(SLB) in patients with interstitial lung disease(ILD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 40 patients with suspected ILD and they underwent surgical lung biopsy from January 2001 to June 2006 at Chungnam University Hospital. We analyzed retrospectively according to their age, gender, pulmonary function, chest tube duration, the arterial blood gases, the procedural technique, and the requirement for supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation(MV) at the time of SLB. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.4${\pm}$16.13 years(range: 21 to 77 years). Overall, the 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 15% and 20%, respectively. The predictors of perioperative mortality were either the need for mechanical ventilation(MV) at the time of SLB or the need for supplemental oxygen prior to undergoing SLB. Among the 32 patients who were 90-day survivors, the proportion of those patients using the oxygen supplement was 28.1% (n=9). All 8 patients who were 90-day non-survivors used oxygen supplement (p=0.000). The use of the MV was 12.5% (n=4) in the 90-day survivors (n=32) and 62.5% (n=5) in the 90-day non-survivors (n=8); there was a significant difference between the 90-day survivors and non-survivors (p=0.000). Conclusion: Patients who require MV and supplemental oxygen are associated with an increased risk for death following SLB.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2003

Diagnosing and determining the stage of lung cancer by means of positron emission tomography (PET) ha.. been proven valuable because of the limitations of diagnosis by computed tomography (CT). We compared the efficacy of PET with that of CT in diagnosing pulmonary tumor and staging of lung cancer Material and Method: We performed F-18 FDG PET to determine the malignancy and the staging on patients who have been suspicious or were diagnosed as lung cancer by chest X-ray and CT. The findings of PET and of CT of 41 patients (male, 29: female, 12: mean age, 59) were compared with pathologic findings obtained from a mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy. Result: Out of 41 patients, 35 patients had malignant lesions (squamous cell carcinonla 19 cases, adenocarcinoma 14 cases, adenosquamous cell carcinoma 2 cases) and 6 patients had benign lesions. Diagnosing of lung cancer, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT and PET were the same for two method and the numbers were 100%, 50%, and 92.7% respectively. Eighteen LN groups out of 108 mediastinal LN groups who recieved histologic examination proved to be malignant. Pathologic lymph node (LN) stage was N0-Nl 31 cases, N2 8 cases, N3 2 cases. The correct identification of the nodal staging with CT, PET scans were 31 cases (75.6%), 28 cases (68.3%) respectively. The LN group was underestimated in each 6 cases of CT and PET. In 4 cases of CT and 7 cases of PET, they were overestimated in compare to histologic diagnosis. In the detection of mediastinal LN groups invasion, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 39.8 %, 93.3 %, and 84.3 % respectively. For PET, they were 61.1 %, 90.0 %, and 85.2 %. When two methods considered together (CT+PET), they were increased to 77.8 %, 93.3 %, and 90.7 % respectively. Conclusion: PET appears to be similar to CT in the diagnosis and the nodal taging of pulmonary tumor. Two tests may stage patients with lung cancer more accurately than CT alone.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.624-631
• /
• 1994

Background: Genus of Aspergilli are ubiquitous saprophytic molds in nature, but its change from a saprophytic fungus to a pathogenic organism has occurred since the use of various antibiotics. The fungus affects the chronically ill and debilitated population. Recently frequency of the fungal infection is increasing in Korea with abuse of antibiotics and glucocorticoids. Method: We analyzed medical records of 52 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis seen at Hanyang University Hospital from 1980 to 1994. The results were as follows; Results: 1) Ages ranged between second to eighth decades with majority(50%) in the fourth to fifth decades. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. 2) Hemoptysis and productive cough, the leading symptoms, occurred in 42.3% and 25% respectively. 3) On chest X-ray fingings, the characteristic "fungus ball" pattern were observed in 53.8% of the 52cases. 4) Sputum culture for aspergilli were positive in 21.6% of the cases. We performed fine needle aspiration in 22 patients and the diagnostic yield was 100%. 5) Thirty-six patients had history of treatment with antituberculous drugs under diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis for an average of 27.3 months. But sputum analysis for acid-fast bacilli were positive in 5.6%(2cases of 36cases), and postoperative pathologic findings showed that 38.9%(12 cases of 28cases) were combined with tuberculosis. 6) Right upper and left upper lobes were predominantly involved(34.6% and 19.2% respectively) and lobectomies were performed in 21 cases. 7) Underlying diseases were present in 47 cases and 48.9% of them were pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion: These results showed that pulmonary aspergillosis usually develops in patients with open cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. And we must consider the possibility of pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with hemoptysis and cavitary lung lesion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.542-547
• /
• 1996

All patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for diagnostic purposes from Jan. 1992 to Aug. 1995 were reviewed. The total number of patients were 111 with 57 male and 54 female, and the mean age was 49 years (range 1 to 74). Multiple biopsies from more than one location were performed in 17 patients , pleural biopsies were performed In 49 patients, lung biopsies in 43 patients, mediastinal mass or Iymph node biopsies in 33 patients, and two pericardium biopsies and one dia- phragm biopsy, for a total of 128 biopsies. Seventeen pleural biopsy cases and one lung biopsy case underwent operation under local anesthesia , the rest were performed under general anesthesia. In patients who underwent lung biopsy, the mean age was 49.1 ye rs (range 22~ 73). The operating time was 40 to 170 minutes (mean 97), intravenous or intramuscular injection for pain control was required 0 to 22 times(mean 4.7), and chest tube was inserted from 1 to 26 days(mean 7). In all patients except two, a diagnosis was obtained from the biopsy and complication was encountered in one patient in whom intraoperative paroxysmal atrial tachycardia was detected. In 7 patients, a thorn- cotomy had to be done due to pleural adhesion or intraoperative bleeding, and 7 patients had postoperative complications associated with the chest tube. In the pleural biopsy group, the mean age was 49 years (range 17~ 74). The operating time was 25 to 80 minutes (mean 49), intravenous or intramuscular injection for pain control was needed 0 to 20 times (mean 3.6), and the chest tube was i.nserted for 0 to 67 days(mean 9.8). In all the patients, a diagnosis was possible. The chest tube was inserted for longer than 7 days in 11 patients. In the Iymph node biopsy roup, the mean age was 44.2 years (range 1 ~ 68). The operating time was )0 to 3)5 minutes(mean 105), pain control was required 0 to 15 times(mean 3.2), and a chest tube was kept in place for 1 to 36 days(mean 6.1). In one patient, a diagnosis was not possible and a chest tube was kept in place for longer than 7 days in 7 patients. In the multiple biopsy group, the mean age was 53.1 years(range 20~ 71). The operating time was 15 to 165 minutes(mean 85), and pain control was done from 0 to 17 times(mean 3.1). The chest tube was kept in place for 1 to 16 days (mean 7.9).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.5
• /
• pp.1168-1174
• /
• 2022

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a rare systemic fibroinflammatory condition characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in various organs. IgG4-related lung disease shows varied radiologic features on chest CT. Patients usually present with a solid nodule or mass mimicking lung cancer; therefore, distinguishing between IgG4-related disease and other conditions is often challenging. Additionally, co-existing radiologic findings of IgG4-related lung disease may mimic metastasis or lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung. We report two cases of histopathologically confirmed IgG4-related lung disease mimicking lung cancer. Chest CT revealed a solid nodule or mass with ancillary radiologic findings, which suggested lung cancer; therefore, IgG4-related lung disease was radiologically indistinguishable from lung cancer in both cases. Measurement of serum IgG4 levels and clinical evaluation to confirm involvement of various organs may be useful to establish the differential diagnosis. However, surgical biopsy evaluation is needed for confirmation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.266-270
• /
• 1998

The management of malignant pleural effusion is a difficult problem. Tetracycline was probably the most commonly used sclerosing agent, but parenteral tetracycline is no longer available. This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of insufflated talc in producing plerodesisin patients with malignant pleural effusions. Fifteen patients managed between March 1995 and March 1997 underwent thoracoscopy and had 4 gm sterile asbestos-free talc insufflation throughout the pleural space. The mean interval between the procedure and last follow-up was 101 days(range: 25-233 days). The results of treatment were clinically and radiologically compared with pre-operative status. The results were as follows: 1. The patients were 6 men and 9 women with a mean age of 55.1 years(range: 31-74 years). The primary tumors were lung cancer in 10 patients, breast cancer in two, hepatoma in one, stomach cancer in one, and adenocarcinoma of unkown origin in one. 2. Cancer cell positive ratio was 36% in sputum cytology study and 100% in thoracoscopic biopsy. 3. Symptoms improved in 94% of patients treated by talc pleurodesis. 4. After 30 days of the procedure, there was radiologically no recurrence of plural fluid in 94% patients. 5. There were wound infection in one, respiratory failure in one. In conclusion, the insufflation of 4 gm sterile asbestos-free talc in the pleural space is an effective method to control malignant pleural effusions and patients selection is important factor for reexpansion the lung.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.365-371
• /
• 2000

Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis is one of the rare manifestation of amyloid disease. It is known to be caused by amyloid L fibrils in the majority of cases. We experienced an unusual case of a forty-one year-old woman who was presented with multiple nodular lesion on the chest X-ray. CT-guided core needle biopsy, performed on the lesion, showed apple green birefringes, when stained Congo red and examined under polarized light, Ultrastructurally, there are randomly oriented, forming densed networks, and consists of fine, 7.5 to 10nm diameter, rigid, non-branching filaments of various lengths in electron-microscopic finding. We report a case of primary diffuse nodular pulmonary amyloidosis only localized in the lung, which was confirmed by CT guided core needle biopsy.