• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.180-185
• /
• 2006

Invasive Pseudomonas infections most often occur in the immunocompromised patients and are associated with high mortality rate. Rarely this disease may develop in healthy infants and children. We report two cases of invasive Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections that were diagnosed in otherwise healthy infants. The first case was a previously healthy 5-month-old infant with ecthyma gangrenosum and septicemia. She presented with fever, swelling of left periorbital area and multiple erythronodular skin lesions. Each skin lesion formed a black eschar surrounded by an erythematous areola over time. Cultures of blood, urine and discharge from skin lesions grew P. aeruginosa. On the day of visit, she showed pancytopenia which was normalized after 10 days. The patient responded well to the management with ceftazidime and tobramycin. The other case was a previously healthy 9-month-old infant with community-acquired pneumonia. He was referred from an outside hospital with fever and cough. Chest x-ray revealed pneumonic infiltrations on both lower lungs with pleural effusion on the right side. Cultures of blood and pleural fluid grew P. aeruginosa. Chest CT performed on the ninth day demonstrated pneumatoceles, lung abscess and necrosis of lung parenchyma. He was managed with ceftazidime and amikacin for 50 days. No residual pulmonary complications were noted during the three month follow-up. Laboratory results to evaluate immunologic defects of phagocytic cells, complement components and T- and B-lymphocytes were all within normal range in both patients. It should be kept in mind that Pseudomonas can be, though uncommon, a cause of community-acquired invasive infections in the previously healthy infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.61 no.9
• /
• pp.291-300
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Understanding changes in pathogen and pneumonia prevalence among pediatric pneumonia patients is important for the prevention of infectious diseases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of children younger than 18 years diagnosed with pneumonia at 117 Emergency Departments in Korea between 2007 and 2014. Results: Over the study period, 329,380 pediatric cases of pneumonia were identified. The most frequent age group was 1-3 years old (48.6%) and the next was less than 12 months of age (17.4%). Based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision diagnostic codes, confirmed cases of viral pneumonia comprised 8.4% of all cases, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae comprised 3.8% and confirmed cases of bacterial pneumonia 1.3%. The prevalence of confirmed bacterial pneumonia decreased from 3.07% in 2007 and 4.01% in 2008 to 0.65% in 2014. The yearly rate of pneumococcal pneumonia also decreased from 0.47% in 2007 to 0.08% in 2014. A periodic prevalence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) was identified. Conclusion: The increased number of patients with pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, pleural effusion, and empyema in 2011 and 2013-2014 resulted from an MP epidemic. We provide evidence that the frequency of confirmed cases of bacterial pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia has declined from 2007 to 2014, which can simultaneously reflect the effectiveness of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 1992

We have analyzed 1559 operated cases during the 32 year period, from October, 1958 to December, 1990. Annual incidence of the surgical treatment decreased from 101[1960] to 25[1990]. The ratio between male and female was 2.1: 1 and the age of peak incidence was in the 3rd and 4th decades. Recently, patients below the age of 20 years were decreased, but above 50 years were much increased. The patients were consisted of far-advanced case in 71.8% and moderately-advanced case in 22.0% in 1990, as compared with 44% and 54% correspondingly in 1960. Preoperative sputum positivity decreased from 91%[1958~1963] to 38%[1982~1990]. Preoperative antituberculous chemotherapy for more than 3 years increased from 16% [1958~1963] to 56.5% [1982~1990]. From the view of surgical indication, totally destroyed lung and destroyed lobe or segment has been main indication. Recently empyema with parenchymal lesion was increased, and so more extensive surgical resection such as pleuropneumonectomy was performed more frequently. The trends in the mode of surgical treatment revealed that thoracoplasty has virtually disappeared and operations required for residuals of pleural disease have increased. Postoperative mortality increased from 1.6-2.0% to 3.6% recently as well as morbidity. On the basis of our study, far-advanced and drug-resistant patients increased in number recently, whose pulmonary function was poor. So postoperative mortality and morbidity was increased despite improved anesthetic and surgical techniques. Proper surgical intervention should be considered before the appearance of resistance for all chemotherapeutic drugs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 1988

The authors evaluated 200 cases of primary carcinoma of lung in terms of the cell type, operability, resectability and survival rate, that proved by histopathologic examination at the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Catholic Medical College during the period of 11 years from Jan., 1977 to Dec., 1987. The results are as follows; 1] The peak incidence was observed in the 7th decade of life [34%] and followed by 6th [30%] 8 5th decade [25%]. Male to female ratio was 3.4:1. 2] Histopathologic classifications were squamous cell carcinoma 48% [96 cases], adenocarcinoma 27% [34 cases], small cell carcinoma 13%[26 cases], ;bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma 5% [10 cases], large cell carcinoma 4.5% [9 cases], adenosquamous cell carcinoma 1.5% [3 cases] and adenoalveolar cell carcinoma 0.5% [1 case]. 3] Among 200 cases of primary lung cancer, the operability was 47.5% [95 cases], refusal of operation 6.0% [12 cases] and inoperability 46.5% [93 cases]. 4] Ninety five cases [47.5%] were operated. Of these, post-surgical stage I was 18.9% [18 cases], stage II 24.2% [23 cases] and stage III 56.8% [54 cases]. Among 54 cases of stage III, 32 cases were unresectable, while 22 cases were resectable. Consequently, the resectability was 31.5% [63 cases] from the total numbers of 200 cases, and the resectability for the operable 95 cases was 66.3% [63 cases]. 5] Surgical complications were empyema with bronchopleural fistula [4 cases], G-I bleeding [1 case], tedious pleural effusion [1 case] and acute respiratory insufficiency [1 case]. Operative mortality was 3.2% [2 cases], which caused by massive G-I bleeding [1 case] and respiratory insufficiency [1 case]. 6] On the long term follow-up of resectable 63 cases, overall 3 year survival rate was 35%, 5 year 22% and 9 year 2%. Five year survival rate was 39% in stage l, 30% in stage II and 0% in stage III. As for the cell types, the higher 5 year survival rate was observed in resectable squamous cell carcinoma [35%] as compared to adenocarcinoma [15%], alveolar cell carcinoma [14%], small cell carcinoma [0%] and large cell carcinoma [0%].

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.78-81
• /
• 2004

A 73-year-old man who had undergone a right pneumonectomy and open window thoracostomy due to tuberculous empyema, presented with purulent discharge from the previous operation site. The computed tomography of the chest showed diffuse pleural thickening and a low attenuated lesion, with air bubbles in a dependent portion of the right hemithorax. These air bubbles were revealed to be due to 7 pieces of retained surgical gauze by flexible bronchoscopy. The patient showed marked clinical improvement with diminished purulent discharge after removal of the foreign bodies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.504-510
• /
• 1992

Overall 25,095 cases of general thoracic surgery were analysed, which were performed by 48 institutes in Korea during recent 6 years[242 hospital-years]. The proportions of tumorous disease and infectious disease to be operated were 6,864 cases[27.4%] and 6,775 cases [27.0%], The most common organ involved for operation was lung-bronchus 16,542 cases [69.5%], and remainders were pleura 2,500 [10.0%], esophagus 2,433[9.7%], mediastinum 1,902[7.6%], chest wall 1,297 [5.2%], and diaphragm 421 [1.7%] in order. Among 6,864 cases of tumorous diseases, the most common causes for operation were lung-bronchus tumor 3132 cases [45.6%] and most of them were lung cancer 2,731 cases [88.7%]. In the 2,019 cases of primary lung cancer with known cell type, squamous cell carcinoma 1,296 cases [64.2%] and adenocarcinoma 460 cases [22.8%] were the most. The common types in the 1,207 cases of mediastinal tumor with known cell type were neurogenic tumor 348 cases [28.8%], thymoma 311 [25.8%], and teratoma 252[20.9%]. The annual cases of operation for tumorous disease including malignant tumor were increased steadily. Operation for infectious lung diseases [including bronchiectasis and tuberculosis] were about twice common than infectious pleural disease [i.e. empyema], and operations for tuberculous disease occupied about half cases of infectious lung disease. In 11,456 cases of other disease entities, excluding tumorous and infectious disease, there were bullous lung disease 9,074 cases[79.2%], benign esophageal disease 484[4.2%], myasthenia gravis 356[3.1%], chest wall deformity 483[4.2%], and diaphragmatic lesion 421[3. 7%] in order. We propose that above results for inquiry can be used as the basic data of general thoracic surgery in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.7 s.276
• /
• pp.485-491
• /
• 2007

Background: Thoracoplasty has become a rarity in current clinical practice, although it has been widely employed for well over a century as a procedure for reducing the capacity of the thoracic cavity. Yet we have perform tailoring thoracoplasty following or concomitant with pulmonary resection in 20 patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the early and late clinical results and also the significance of tailoring thoracoplasty. Material and Method: From March 1995 to June 2005, modified thoracoplasty following or concomitant with pulmonary resection was performed in 20 patients out of a total of 298 pulmonary resections for closing air leaks and for treating persistent pleural space following pulmonary resections, and to tailor the thoracic cavity to accept a diminished lung volume. Of the 20 patients, 14 patients had tailoring thoracoplasty performed concomitant with pulmonary resection, and the remaining 6 patients also had tailoring thoracoplasty performed following pulmonary resection. The subjects ages ranged from 24 to 77 (mean $59.1{\pm}6.4$) and a male preponderance was noted (17 : 3); the number of left and right surgeries was equal. The preoperative primary underlying diseases were lung cancer in 7 patients, pneumothorax with giant bullous change in 6 patients, bronchiectasis in 2 patients, previous pulmonary tuberculosis associated with aspergilloma in 2 patients, empyema with fibrothorax in 2 patients and multiple lung abscesses & destruction due to previous trauma in 1 patient. The operative methods were apicolysis and subperiosteal removal of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ribs (the costochondral junction to the posterior portions of the ribs) with preservation of the first rib and compression of the anterior chest via cotton bags and elastic bandages. Result: The mean duration of the air leaks after thoracoplasty was $1.6{\pm}0.2$ days (range: $0{\sim}7$ days) and the mean duration of an indwelling chest tube was 7 days (range: $5{\sim}11$ days); the mean duration of hospitalization was $19.2{\pm}2.8$ days (range: $8{\sim}47$ days). The postoperative complications were wound infection (2) and pneumonia (2); reoperation was done due to bleeding (1) in one patient who underwent concomitant thoracoplasty and there was 1 case of wound infection (1) after postresection thoracoplasty. The mortality was 1 patient in the early phase and 4 patients in the late phase. Conclusion: We conclude that tailoring thoracoplasty may be performed to close anticipated persistent pleural spaces and to accommodate the diminished lung volume with acceptable cosmetic results when this procedure is combined with pulmonary resection in selected patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.48-51
• /
• 2008

Chronic expanding hematoma of the thorax is a specific subtype of the chronic empyema. It presents as a slowly expanding intrathoracic mass which result in dyspnea or recurrent hemoptysis. The symptoms develop months or years after tuberculous pleurisy, trauma or surgery. Usually, it shows three common findings: a giant mass lesion in the thorax, some surrounding calcifications, the absence of signs or symptoms of infection. We report a case of chronic expanding hematoma of the thorax, initially presenting as massive hemoptysis through bronchopleural fistula which resulted in radiologic findings of new air-fluid level within the previous pleural lesion filled with unknown materials.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.299-308
• /
• 1990

A review of 50 patients with primary mediastinal tumors or cysts has been done to evaluate clinical and pathological behavior of this heterogeneous group of tumors proved by either excision or biopsy from January 1980 to August 1989 at the cardiovascular department of surgery in Kyungpook National University Hospital. There were 30 males and 20 females in this series. The ages of patients ranged from 4 months to 64 years. The mean age of subjects was 30.4 years. Neurogenic tumors [14 cases, 28%] and teratoma [14 cases, 28%] were most frequently encountered and followed by thymoma [10 cases, 20%] and benign cysts [4 cases, 8%]. The anatomic location of the primary mediastinal tumors or cysts was classified as anterior mediastinum and middle or visceral mediastinum and paravertebral or costovertebral mediastinum on the basis of the Shields’ proposition. In 32 patients[64%], the tumors or cysts were located in anterior mediastinum and in 13 patients[26%], the tumors or cysts were located in paravertebral or costovertebral mediastinum. And the rest 5 patients[10%] had middle or visceral mediastinal tumors or cysts. One of the characteristic features of primary mediastinal tumors or cysts is that some mediastinal tumors or cysts have their own preferred location in the mediastinum. In our series, all of the 14 patients with teratoma and 10 patients with thymoma had the anterior mediastinal location, while 13 of the 14 patients with neurogenic tumors had the paravertebral mediastinal location. 14 patients[28%] were asymptomatic and they all were discovered via so-called “Routine” chest x-ray examination. 39 of 50 patients[78%] were benign. 11 patients[22%] were malignant and they were all symptomatic. 40 patients[80%] were treated with complete resection. 5 patients[10%] were treated with partial resection : 2 of malignant thymoma, 3 of lipoma, neuroblastoma, primary squamous cell carcinoma. The rest 5 patients[10%] were only biopsied: 2 of undetermined malignancy and 3 of hemangioma, lymphoma, primary squamous cell carcinoma. 4 of the 10 patients were treated with combination of irradiation and chemotherapy. Postoperative complications were as followings: Horner’s syndrome [4cases, ado], respiratory failure [3 cases, 6%], pleural effusion[3 cases, 6%], Wound infection[2 cases, 4%] and bleeding, pneumothorax, empyema. There were 5 postoperative deaths [10%]. One patient with neuroblastoma died from intraoperative massive bleeding, 3 patients died early postoperatively from respiratory failure with undetermined malignancy died late postoperatively from congestive heart failure due to direct invasion of the tumor to the heart.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.753-758
• /
• 1996

From January 1987 to December 1994, twenty five patients with cancer of the esophagus were t eated surgically at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Tae Jeon Eul ll General Hospital. Among them, male was 24 cases, female was 1 case, with age ranged from 40 to 74 years, mean age was 60.4 years. The most common symptoms were dysphagia 92.0%, general weakness 28.0%, subsiernal pain 16.0%, weight loss 16.0 oyo , The tumor locations were the upper third in 2, middle third in 17, lower third in 6. Surgical treatment was done with transthoracic esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy 1~4 cases, transthoracic esophagectomy and esophagocologastrostomy 5 cases, Transthoracic esophagectomy and jeT junal interposition 2 cases, palliative feeding gastrostomy 4 cases. The postoperative complications included anstomotic leakage in 3 cases, empyema in 3 cases, wound in- fection in 2 cases, atelectasis in 2 cases, pleural effusion in 1 case, hoarseness in 1 case, pneumothorax in 1 case, necrosis of jejunal loop in 1 case, aspiration pneumonia in 1 case. The operative mortal ty were 3 cases (12.0 %) and causes of death were aspiration pneumonia 1 case. sepsis and respiratory failure in each 1 . The mean survival period was 9.75 months. Recurrence of cancer revealed in 3 cases.