• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.404-407
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• 1999

Spontanous hematoma of the esophagus is a rare condition affecting middle aged or elderly women. We experienced one case of esophageal hematoma which attracted our attention due to its confusing presentation clinically. The pathogenesis has been in dispute so far. The diagnosis has traditionally been made by barium esophagogram. We proved the diagnosis of spontaneous hematoma of the esophagus by utilizing CT scan and MRI. This condition led to conservative treatment and full recovery ultimately, but we performed the surgical correction because the filling defect persisted and the dysphagia got worse on the 20th day of hospital stay. Hematoma was located between the inner layer of circular muscle and the outer layer of longitudinal muscle which we considered as intermuscular hematoma of the esophagus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.730-734
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• 1998

Background: It is important to know the location, number, size and shape of bullae before thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and chest CT may be used but with some limitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of thoracography with that of chest X-ray in preoperative detection of bullae. Meterial and Method: Thoracography was performed by injection of non-ionic water-soluble dye into pleural space in 22 primary spontaneous pneumothoraces, which underwent thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and thoracography were compared through operative finding. Results: Sensitivity and accuracy of thoracography(75% and 72.7%) were higher than those of chest X-ray(30% and 36.4%). However, specificity of thoracography(50%) was lower than that of chest X-ray (100%). There were no complications during or after thoracography. Conclusion: Thoracography is a safer and more useful method for preoperative detection of bullae when compared with chest X-ray.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.7 s.264
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• pp.565-568
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• 2006

A 46-year-old man who had been diagnosed with esophageal tumor by PET-CT was admitted to our hospital for operation. Preoperative examination and intraoperative findings showed leiomyoma-like lesion and enucleation was done, but an immunohistochemical test on the case found gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs). GISTs are very rarely found in the esophagus. As GISTs differ from leiomyoma pathogenetically and clinically, different treatments and follow-up strategies are required. The patient is under continuous observation to check recurrence and metastasis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.5 s.274
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• pp.384-387
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• 2007

The finding of a tracheal penetrating injury that's caused by a foreign body is rare in adulthood. A 42-year-old man had experienced penetrating trauma due to a glass fragment 10 years ago. He presented with blood tinged sputum and dyspnea on exertion, and this had developed 1 year previously. Chest CT scan and bronchoscopy revealed a foreign body crossing the tracheal lumen and the object arose from outside of the trachea; this was all associated with airway edema. We removed the foreign body, which was a 5cm length of glass fragment, and we repaired the tracheal defect using a simple primary suture. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful and he is now being followed up at the outpatient department; he has had no additional symptoms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.287-291
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• 2016

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon disorder with only a few reported clinical studies. The goals of this study were to investigate the clinical manifestations and the natural course of S PM, as w ell as examine the current available treatment options for SPM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 91 patients diagnosed with SPM between January 2008 and June 2015. Results: The mean age of the patients was $22.7{\pm}13.2years$, and 67 (73.6%) were male. Chest pain (58, 37.2%) was the predominant symptom. The most frequent precipitating factor before developing SPM was a cough (15.4%), but the majority of patients (51, 56.0%) had no precipitating factors. Chest X-ray was diagnostic in 44 patients (48.4%), and chest computed tomography (CT) showed mediastinal air in all cases. Esophagography (10, 11.0%), esophagoduodenoscopy (1, 1.1%), and bronchoscopy (5, 5.5%) were performed selectively due to clinical suspicion, but no abnormal findings that implicated organ injury were documented. Twelve patients (13.2%) were discharged after a visit to the emergency room, and the others were admitted and received conservative treatment. The mean length of hospital stay was $3.0{\pm}1.6days$. There were no complications related to SPM except for recurrence in 2 patients (2.2%). Conclusion: SPM responds well to conservative treatment and follows a benign natural course. Hospitalization and aggressive treatment can be performed in selective cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2010

Intramural hematoma of the aorta (IMH) is the precursor or a variant of a classic aortic dissection where hemorrhage occurs within the aorta wall in the absence of an initial intimal tear. IMH has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The optimal therapy for IMH is uncertain, yet the involvement of the ascending aorta is usually considered as an indication for surgery due to the associated risk of rupture or cardiac tamponade. We report here on a case of a 71-year-old man who presented with syncope. Because of misdiagnosis, he underwent computed tomography (CT) after 5 hrs from arriving to the ER. Computed tomography of the aorta revealed intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta with cardiac tamponade. He also had vascular complications such as acute renal failure and visceral ischemia. We performed emergency graft replacement of the total arch and ascending aorta. He was discharged without complication on postoperative day 14.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.296-299
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• 2010

A right coronary artery to left ventricular fistula with a giant right coronary artery aneurysm is a very rare condition. This requires surgical treatment because of the possibility of rupture of aneurysm, heart failure and infective endocarditis. A 47 years old male patient with dyspnea on exertion for 3 months was diagnosed as having a right coronary artery to left ventricular fistula with a giant right coronary artery aneurysm according to the CT and coronary artery angiography. We resected the aneurysm and performed a coronary artery bypass graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.525-528
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• 2010

Congenital interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can lead to secondary hepatic congestion, portal hypertension, and liver cirrhosis. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the gynecology department with symptoms of menorrhalgia, known uterine myoma, and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and venography performed at our hospital revealed congenital interruption of the IVC. The patient underwent retrohepatic cavoatrial bypass surgery with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 16-mm ringed graft via posterolateral thoracotomy, and recovered without major complications. A retroperitoneal approach via posterolateral thoracotomy provides appropriate visualization during dorsal cavoatrial bypass in treating patients with congenital interruption of IVC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.653-656
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• 2009

The entrapment of the popliteal artery is a rare cause of ischemia of the lower extremities among young males. The development of local occlusive or aneurysmal changes of the popliteal artery is caused by abnormal anatomic relationships between vascular and musculo-tendinous structures in the popliteal fossa. An 18-year-old male visited our outpatient clinic with the chief complaint of claudication in his right calf. Three dimensional CT angiography showed an occlusion of the popliteal artery and less opacified arteries of the right leg. Intraoperatively, the popliteal artery was compressed by an accessory muscle band arising from the medial head of the gastrocnemius. After release of the muscle band, thrombectomy with endarterectomy was done. Three years after surgery, he is doing well without any problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.649-652
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• 2009

A 75-year-old man presented with worsening dyspnea and intermittent dysphagia of one month's duration. A plain chest X-ray showed severe tracheal indentation by the right superior mediastinal mass. A chest CT established the diagnosis of a saccular aneurysm arising from the right proximal subclavian artery. Resection of the aneurysm and arterial revascularization was done through a median sternotomy with supraclavicular extension. Aneurysm wall and thrombus culture results were negative and pathology showed an atherosclerotic aneurysm. After the operation, dyspnea and dysphagia were reduced, but he died of advanced stomach cancer 8 months later.