• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

Background: A lung bulla may rarely shrink as a result of an inflammation within the bulla or a closing of a bronchus involved in the inflammation process, which is termed 'autobullectomy'. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical features of patients with regressions of bullae during follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases and individuals who showed unequivocal evidence of interval regressions in a pre-existing bulla. A total of 477 cases with a bulla >5 cm in diameter were screened manually. Thirty cases with bullae that showed regression during follow-up were selected. Results: Regressions of large bullae occurred in 30 of 477 cases (6.3%). The median age of those patients was 61 (range, 53~66) years and 87% of those patients were men. The main cause of a bulla was emphysema (80%). Among 30 cases, 16 cases had pneumonia in the lung parenchyma of the peribullous area. Another 7 cases had a regressed bulla accompanied by an air-fluid level within the bulla. The remaining 7 cases showed a spontaneous regression of the bulla without such events. Complete regression of a bulla occurred in 25 cases. A follow-up chest-X ray showed that in all cases except one, the bulla remained in a collapsed state after 24 months. Forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) improved in 3 cases and the other 2 cases had increased forced vital capacity (FVC). In addition, total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) decreased in another 2 cases. Conclusion: Regression of a lung bulla occurred not only after pneumonia or the presence of air-fluid level within the bulla, but also without such episodes. The clinical course of regression of a lung bulla varied. After regression of a bulla, lung function could be improved in some cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1054-1062
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• 1995

Discrete bullae are a well-recognized feature in patients with generalized emphysematous lung disease. They result in space occupation, expanding preferrentially at the expense of adjacent lung tissue, which has a more normal compliance.The presence of these bullae may aggravate the dyspnea consequent to generalized disease. We underwent operation for emphysematous lung disease using a modification of a technique first described by Monaldi for the drainage of pulmonary cavities after tuberculous infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.216-219
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• 2023

Pulmonary bullae usually grow slowly and have thin walls. However, we have observed 2 cases of abrupt bulla formation immediately after lobectomy and during surgery. The pathologic findings of what can be called visceral pleural detachment are quite distinctive: these bullae had a broad base connected to the lung, and their walls were thick, including the full extent of visceral pleural and peripheral alveolar tissues, which suggests that the visceral pleura were detached from the distal alveoli. High transpleural pressure might be the key factor in the pathogenesis of this type of bulla, unlike previously known types of bullous lung disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.757-764
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• 1991

We have observed 360 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1980 to May 1991 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chosun University Hospital. Males occupied 266 cases[73.9%] and females 94 cases[26.1%], and its ratio was 2.8: l. The age of patients ranged from neonate[5 days] to 84 years old. The site of pneumothorax was right in 50.3%, left in 43.3% and bilateral in 6.4%a. The clinical symptoms were frequently dyspnea, chest pain and coughing. The associated pulmonary lesions were shown pulmonary tuberculosis in 199 cases[55.3%], bullae in 54, pulmonary emphysema in 31, COPD in 17, pneumonia in 6, lung cancer in 5, paragonimiasis in 5, catamenial pneumothorax in 3 and unknown underlying pathology in 39 cases. The results of surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax are followings: 288 out of 360 cases[80.0%] were cured by closed thoracotomy, 53 cases[14.8%] were cured by open thoracotomy. Open thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in persistent air leakage, recurrent pneumothorax, visible bleb or bullae on the chest X-ray, associated lesion, bilateral simultaneous pneumothorax, parenchymal incomplete lung expansion and bleeding after closed thoracotomy. The incidence of complication was developed in 10. ado and recurrent rate was seen in 10.6%. There was no operative death.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.182-189
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• 1991

Fourteen patients underwent surgical resection of bullae between February, 1987 and June, 1990 via median sternotomy. Twelve patients had spontaneous pneumothorax with previous history of pneumothorax on the contralateral side or visible bullae on chest X-ray films. Two patients had bullous emphysema. The duration of operation and admission, frequency and amount of analgesic administered for pain control, pulmonary function test [FEV1, FVC, MVV] and the amount of bleedings were compared with six cases of staged unilateral thoracotomy. The results were as follows: 1. All patients were male. 2. Mean follow up period was 13.5 month and no recurrence of pneumothorax are noted after the operation. 3. Median sternotomy showed shortened admission days than thoracotomy. [12.4$\pm$2.7, 15.6$\pm$3.1 days] 4. Significantly shortened anesthetic time in median sternotomy than thoracotomy [121$\pm$21, 184$\pm$33 minutes] 5. Median sternotomy required less injection of analgesics than thoracotomy. [6.5$\pm$2.7, 13.5$\pm$3.1 ampules] 6. Bleeding amount and PFT showed no differences. 7. Complications were prolonged air leakage for more than 7 days [2 patients], transient elevation of SGOT and SGPT[2 patients], and wound infection[1 patient]

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.267-273
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• 1982

We have observed 360 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1981 at the department of Thoracic and Card iovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The patients age ranged from 2 days to 95 year-old. The associated pulmonary lesions were shown pulmonary tuberculosis in 158 cases[43.9%], bullae in 35, pulmonary emphysema In 32, pneumothorax in 10, paragonimiasis In 7 and unknown underlying pathology in 109 patients. 70 [51.1 %] out of 1 37 cases who received conservative medical treatment Including thoracentesis were cured completely, but the 67 cases [48.9 %] of remaining uncured patients were treated by surgical procedures. The 290 patients who received surgical management were recovered without recurrent pneumothorax. The surgical procedures were closed thoracotomy drainage or explothoracotomy. The choice of treatment should be based on the extent of pneumothorax or the presence of underlying pulmonary disease. Tube thoracotomywas the most effective procedure in achieving the expansion of collapsed lung. On the other hand, open thoracotomy could be a good approach to recurrent pneumothorax, persistent air leakage, incomplete expansion of the lung and bilateral pneumothorax. The minithoracotomy Is the best procedure to recurrent pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.34-37
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• 2020

Cerebral air embolism combined with cardiomyopathy secondary to pulmonary barotrauma is rare. Here, we report an unusual case of cerebral air embolism combined with transient cardiomyopathy secondary to large bulla rupture during a pulmonary function test after lung cancer surgery. The patient experienced loss of consciousness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a cerebral air embolism. Electrocardiography showed ST-segment elevation and abnormally high plasma levels of cardiac enzymes. Echocardiography and coronary angiography suggested cardiomyopathy. The patient was discharged with no sequelae.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.215-219
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• 2007

배경: 일차성 자연 기흉의 수술치료는 비디오 흉강경 수술의 발달로 흔히 행하는 수술이다. 초발된 일차성 자연 기흉 환자에서 시행한 고해상 컴퓨터단층촬영(HRCT)상에 발견된 반대쪽 기포가 있는 경우 기흉의 발생을 막기 위한 예방적 기포제거 수술이 필요한 지에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 HRCT상에 보이는 반대쪽의 기포가 기흉의 발생에 연관이 있는지 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1999년 1월부터 2006년 4월까지 충남대학교 병원에서 일차성 자연기흉으로 입원치료를 받았던 50세 이하의 550명의 환자 중 HRCT의 확인이 가능한 190명의 환자 중 양쪽으로 수술을 시행받은 환자를 제외한 159명을 대상으로 기흉이 발생한 반대쪽 폐의 기포의 유무와 기흉의 발생률의 관계를 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결과: 159명의 환자에서 HRCT에서 반대쪽에 기포가 보이는 환자는 67명이었고 반대쪽에 기포가 보이지 않는 환자는 92명이었다. 추적관찰 기간 중 반대쪽 기흉 발생은 기포가 보이는 환자군에서 6명(8.9%), 기포가 보이지 않는 환자군에서는 5명(5.4%)에서 반대쪽에 기흉이 발생하였다(p=0.529 [Fisher's exact test]). 결론: 한쪽에 발생한 초발 기흉 환자에서 HRCT는 병변쪽뿐만 아니라 반대쪽 기포의 유무를 확인하는 데 좋은 검사법이다. 기포의 유무가 반대쪽 기흉의 발생을 예측할 수 있다고 말하기 어렵고 기흉 수술의 부작용이 전혀 없지 않은 것을 고려할 때 예방적으로 양쪽의 기포 제거 수술이 필요하다고 보기 어렵다. 따라서 HRCT상에 보이는 기포와 기흉의 재발과의 관계는 향후 전향적인 연구가 더 필요하리라 생각한다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.408-413
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• 1996

만성 폐쇄성 폐질환이있는 기포성 폐기종 환자의 대부분은 외과적 처치에 대한 위험성이 높지만 기포 성 폐기종이 한쪽 폐에 국한되어 있는 경우에 외과적 치료는 안전하며 좋은 결과를 얻을수 있다. 따라 서 기포성 폐기종 환자의 외과적 치료에 있어서 가장 중요한 것 중의 하나는대상환자를 정하는 것이다. 전북대 학교병 원 흉부외 과학교실에서는 1987년부터 1992년까지 거대 기포성 폐기종 환자 11명을 수술 치료 하였다. 남자가7명,여자가4명이었으며 연령 분포는 19세에서 61세까지 였다. 외과적 치료의 대 상은.점 차 진행하는 호흡곤란이 있으며, 한쪽 흥강의 113 이상을 점유하는 거대 기포가 있고, 기관 및 종 격동을 환측 반대 쪽으로 밀고있는 경우로 하였다. 수술은 폐기포 절제 및 쐐기 절제술 7례, 폐구역 절제술 2례, 그리고 폐엽 절제술 2례 시행하였다. 수술사망은 없었으며, 모든 환자의 증상과 폐기능 검사소 견은 수술후 향상되 었다. 상기와 같이 선택되어진 거대 기포성 폐기종 환자에서는 외과적 치료가 안전하고 좋은 치료 방법으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.305-307
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• 2017

Patients with severe emphysema have a higher risk of developing lung cancer, and their surgical risk increases when emphysema is accompanied by a giant bulla. Here, we describe a patient who had an emphysematous giant bulla in the right upper lobe that was treated with an endobronchial valve placement. Subsequently, a cancerous lesion on the contralateral lung was successfully removed by lobectomy.