• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 1980

For the past 5 year 6 months from January 1975 to June 1980, 176 patients with empyema have been treated in Chonnam University Hospital. They were 134 males and 42 females ranging from ] 8 days to 69 years of age. [mean age: 26.1 years] The duration of illness prior to treatment was relatively shorter in pediatric group than in adult group, that is, the duration of less than 1 month was 89.5% in pediatric group and 38.0% in adult group. In bacteria study there were Staphylococcus 26.1%, Streptococcus 17.6%, E. coil 10.8%, Pseudomonas 10.8%, Diplococcus pneumoniae 5.7% and Candidia. And 4 children and 3 adults had infections of two species of bacteria. The underlying pathologic lesions were pyogenic pneumonia 34.7%, tuberculosis 29.5%, paragonimiasis 15.3%, trauma 9.7% and postoperative state. The over-all mortality rate was 1.7% [3 patients]. The causes of death were sepsis In 1 child and sepsis secondary to esophageal fistula in 2 adults. Adequate drainage and obliteration of the pleural space seems to be the most important aspect of treatment and can frequently be achieved by initial tube drainage in acute empyema, especially in the pediatric group. The chronic thick walled or loculated cavities required open window therapy, decortication, resection therapy and sterilization. Modified Eloesser`s operation and 0.3-0.5% potadine irrigation brought good result in the patients who had general weakness, marked pulmonary parenchymal destruction due to pyothorax, and pyothorax with severe bronchopleural fistula.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.239-243
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• 2009

Delftia acidovorans is a gram-negative motile rod found ubiquitously in soil and in water. Confirmed isolation from clinical infections is rare, and has been documented mostly in immunocompromised patients or those with indwelling catheters. A 53-year-old man was referred for the evaluation of a huge mass-like lesion found incidentally by chest X-ray. The lesion occupied more than half of the right lung and was diagnosed as a large loculated pleural effusion by CT scan. Bloody pus was drained through a percutaneous catheter, and D. acidovorans, identified by the Vitek GN card and confirmed by amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA and sequencing analysis, was isolated repeatedly from the drained pus. The patient was treated with imipenem/cilastatin to which the organism was sensitive. This is a rare report of chronic empyema associated with D. acidovorans in the respiratory system of an immunocompetent patient.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.108-111
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• 2005

Nephrotic syndrome is a common chronic disease in childhood. Patients with nephrotic syndrome are at an increased risk of bacterial Infections due to immunological changes secondary to proteinuria. Primary bacterial peritonitis is one of the most serious and common infectious complications. The rate of peritonitis is, 2-6% and overwhelming infection still carries a mortality rate of 1.5%. We experienced a rare case of nephrotic syndrome complicated with severe peritonitis and Peritoneal empyema in a 10-year old girl after 2 months of medical neglect by parents. Here we emphasize thf: importance of early detection and treatment of peritoneal infection in nephrotic syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1977

Mediastinal tumor are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Hanten, in 1955, reported-2 adult patients with spontaneous rupture of mediastinal dermoid cysts into the pleural cavity and also, Thompson, in 1963, reported 2 child patients with spontaneous rupture of mediastinal teratoma into the pleural cavity. Mediastinal teratomas have also been reported rupture into other contiguous structures, such as the bronchus, aorta, pericardium, SVC and esophagus. This report presents an instance of spontaneous rupture of an anterior mediastinal teratoma into the right pleural cavity of a 43 year old female. Despite variable diagnostic procedures, the true nature of the lesion was not determined until a thoracotomy and window formation was performed for adequate drainage of empyema thoracis. Removal of the teratoma and mediastinal window formation resulted in complete cure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1063-1069
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• 1998

Background: Multi-loculated empyema makes treatment difficult, and more so when thoracentesis or chest tube drainage fails. Materials and methods: From December 1991 to December 1997, we performed closed rib resectional drainage for 18 cases of loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase. Results: Surgery was performed on patients with loculated empyema complaining of persistent symptoms due to failure of treatment by thoracentesis(8 cases) or chest tube drainage(10 cases). Predisposing factors of empyema were pneumonia in 13 cases, clotted hemothorax in 3 cases, cholecystectomy, and tuberculous pleurisy in 1 case. Causal organisms were cultured in 8 cases(42.1%), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus was found in 3 cases, pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2 cases, and enterococcus aerogens, α-hemolytic streptococcus, and acinetobacter baumannii were found in 1 case. Size of loculations was various, and computed chest tomogram showed multiple loculations of empyema numbering 1∼4(mean 1.78±1.00). Operating time was relatively short, about 55∼140 mins(mean 102.8±30.8). All toxic symptoms including fever disappeared postopratively and general conditions improved very quickly in all patients. Length of chest tube indwelling time and hospital stay after surgery were 3∼42 days(mean 11.4±11.5) and 6∼36 days(mean 12.9±8.1), respectively. Complications of prolonged drainage occurred in 2 cases and no death occurred. There were no recurrences and chest x-rays taken 3∼6 months after surgery showed normal findings in 14 cases and slight pleural thickening in 4 cases. Conclusions: Closed rib resectional drainage requires very simple techniques and has excellent outcomes and little complications, therefore, we think that it is the choice of operation for patients with loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.397-400
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• 2009

This article presents the case of a bilateral chronic subdural hematoma which was contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae and resulted in a life-threatening central nervous system infection. After repeated of bilateral burr-hole drainage, the patient became hyperpyrexic and drowsy. Suppuration within the subdural space was suspected and then the patient underwent bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomies, and pus was evacuated. Its cultures revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Intravenous meropenem was given for 6 weeks. He recovered completely. Microorganisms like Klebsiella pneumoniae may directly infect the subdural space with iatrogenic contamination.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.494-497
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• 2021

Bronchopleural fistula is a severe complication with a high mortality rate that occurs after pulmonary resection. Several treatment options have been suggested; however, it is a challenge to treat this condition without recurrence or other complications. In this case report, we describe the successful performance of a pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transfer, with no recurrence or donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2000

The treatment of chronic chest wounds should be focused on eradicating the infection and obliterating the dead space thus providing improved pulmonary function. Chronic chest wounds, although the incidence has decreased over the years, is still associated with high morbidity and prolong hospitalization. In cases where the disease is advanced and conventional measures fail, aggressive approaches achieve adequate resolution or significant improvement. This paper reports four cases of chronic chest wound including bronchopleural fistula and osteomyelitis managed by debridement followed by muscle coverage using latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, and omental flap. The intrathoracic reconstruction entails thorough debridement of empyema cavities, bronchpleural fistulas and infection focus. The infection must be completely eradicated prior to or at the time of flap transposition. The flaps used for obliteration of dead spaces provided adequate bulk, abundant blood supply, and minimal donor morbidity. The results were satisfactory with improved respiratory function without complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.537-540
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• 2008

There are few reports of the pleuropulmonary involvement of a non-typhi Salmonella infection in immunocompromised patients with AIDS, malignancy, collagen vascular diseases, extended use of corticosteroids, sickle cell disease, or diabetes. We report a case of a non-immunocompromised patient who presented with concomitant empyema and mediastinitis due to Salmonella without a comorbid disease. A 26-year-old male patient, with a history of pneumonia 5 years earlier and having lived abroad for several years, presented chronic cough and febrile sensation. Pneumonia, empyema and mediastinitis were noted in a chest CT scan and Salmonella enteritidis and ${\beta}-hemolytic$ streptococcus were identified from a culture of the pleural fluid. Initially, he was treated with cefepime, metronidazole and clarithromycin. He was cured clinically and radiographically after an 8 week treatment with antibiotics. In conclusion, this report suggests that S. enteritidis can cause empyema and mediastinitis, albeit rarely.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 1979

1] During the period of Jan. 1959, to Aug. 1979, 47 patients of paragonimiasis have been treated in the department of Chest Surgery. 2] The total number of patients who has been admitted and treated in the department of Chest Medicine are 262 and annual distribution of number of patients has been decreased. However, since 1964, the number of patients has been stationary. On the other hand, the total number of patients who has been admitted and treated surgically in the department of Chest Surgery are 47 and the annual distribution of number of patients has not been decreased. 3] The peak age incidence lies in fourth decade [34%], and over halves of patients is in third to fifth decade. Male to female is 8.4 to 1. 4] The symptoms, which are mainly cough, chest pain, dyspnea and blood tinged sputum, developed mostly in two to five years after infestation by Paragonmius westermani. 5] Sputum tests for eggs of Paragonimus westermani were positive in 16 out of 43 patients [37%]. The 93% of patients were positive in skin test for Paragonimus westermani. The patients with negative skin test were 7%, but sputum or stool examination for Paragonimus westermani`s eggs were positive in these negative group of skin test. 6] Chest roentgenogram revealed pleural effusion [41 cases], hydropneumothorax [1 case], atelectasis [1 case] and mediastinal mass [1 case]. 7] All patients were preoperatively treated with Bithionol. The mode of surgery were decortication only [31 cases], pleuropneumonectomy [3 cases], decortication & lobectomy [2 cases], decortication & closure of bronchial fistula [1 case], thoracentesis [1 case] and postural drainage [1 case]. 8] Paragonimiasis is primarily medical disease and well treated by the administration of Bithionol. But the delayed diagnosis and missed diagnosis, especially as pulmonary tuberculosis, make the disease aggravated and chronic. Subsequently, surgical treatment is infrequently required. Chronic empyema due to Paragonimus westermani is much benign than tuberculous empyema thoracis.