Lung ultrasound in acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury

Purpose of reviewLung ultrasound at the bedside can provide accurate information on lung status in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.Recent findingsLung ultrasound can replace bedside chest radiography and lung computed tomography for assessment of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, alveolar- interstitial syndrome, lung consolidation, pulmonary abscess and lung recruitment/de-recruitment. It can also accurately determine the type of lung morphology at the bedside (focal or diffuse aeration loss), and therefore it is useful for optimizing positive end-expiratory pressure. The learning curve is brief, so most intensive care physicians will be able to use it after a few weeks of training.SummaryLung ultrasound is noninvasive, easily repeatable and allows assessment of changes in lung aeration induced by the various therapies. It is among the most promising bedside techniques for monitoring patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Clonidina como droga adjuvante no tratamento da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica em unidade de terapia intensiva: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A sedação de dependentes de álcool e drogas em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) é um desafio pela elevada incidência de tolerância às drogas sedativas e da elevada freqüência de síndromes de abstinência. O objetivo deste relato é mostrar um caso de paciente jovem admitido na UTI que desenvolveu síndrome de abstinência alcoólica e tolerância às drogas sedativas, solucionadas somente após o uso de clonidina. RELATO do CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 18 anos, dependente de álcool, tabaco, cocaína e maconha, vítima de acidente por arma de fogo, foi admitido na UTI no 1º dia de pós-operatório de enterectomia, após aspiração de conteúdo gástrico durante reintubação traqueal. Evolução clínica: drogas vasoativas até o 4º dia de internação e broncopneumonia bilateral com derrame pleural e necessidade de ventilação artificial até o 15º dia. O esquema de sedação inicial utilizado foi a associação de midazolam e fentanil. A partir do 4º dia, o paciente apresentou vários episódios de agitação psicomotora, mesmo com a associação de lorazepam no 6° dia. No 9° dia, o paciente recebeu as maiores doses dos fármacos, mas permanecia agitado. Optou-se pela associação de dexmedetomidina, que reduziu as doses das outras drogas em 35% e diminuiu a agitação. No 12° dia, o midazolam e a dexmedetomidina foram substituídos pela infusão de propofol, com piora do quadro. No 13° dia, foi associada clonidina ao esquema de sedação, com resolução do quadro de agitação. No 14° dia, o propofol foi suspenso, sendo mantida a infusão de fentanil e reintroduzida a infusão de midazolam, com doses respectivamente 75% e 65% menores em relação ao pico de uso destas drogas. No 15° dia, o paciente foi extubado e teve alta da UTI. CONCLUSÕES: A droga de escolha para o tratamento da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica é o benzodiazepínico. Entretanto, no presente relato, somente o uso adjuvante de clonidina conseguiu proporcionar tratamento adequado ao paciente.

Thorax ultrasound in the management of pediatric pneumonias complicated with empyema

The aim of this work is to prospectively study the value of thoracic ultrasound (US) before pleural drainage in children with parapneumonic effusion (PPE). All children hospitalized for PPE, identified by thoracic radiography, underwent US to assess pleural loculation, echogenicity, and pleural fluid quantity. From August 2001 to July 2003, 52 children were examined. US was performed on 48 of these children, of whom 35 received chest tube drainage and 13 only received clinical treatment. US identified 38 patients with free flowing and 10 with loculated pleural fluid. About 25 of the free flowing (65.8%) and 10 (100%) of the loculated patients received chest tube drainage. Echogenicity was anechoic in 13, echoic without septations in 17 and echoic with septations in 18. Chest tube drainage was required in 6 anechoic (46.15%), 14 echoic without septations (82.35%), and 15 echoic with septations (83.33%). Quantity of fluid estimated by US varied from 20 to 860 ml. Effusion volume was higher in patients that were echoic with septations and loculated effusions. Pleural glucose and pH were lower, and LDH was higher in loculated PPE patients. In conclusion, US is an auxiliary exam for determining whether thoracic drainage is needed in parapneumonic effusion; loculated or echoic effusion should be drained, and free anechoic fluid needs further investigation.

Complicated pneumonias with empyema and/or pneumatocele in children

To investigate the incidence, procedure type, characteristics of pleural fluid and pneumatoceles, and evolution of pneumonia complicated with empyema and/or pneumatoceles. Review of 394 pediatric pneumonia in patients at S (a) over capo Paulo State University Hospital during 2 years. We studied those with complications such as pleural effusion and pneumatocele. There were 121 (30.71%) with complications such as pleural effusion and pneumatocele; these were significantly higher in infants. One hundred and six children were needle aspirated, of these 78 underwent drainage, and 15 observation only. From the drained, seven needed thoracotomy or pleurostomy. Fluid was purulent in 50%, and pneumatoceles were seen in 33 cases (8.3%) with spontaneous involution in 28 (85%). Pleural fluid culture was negative in 51% cases; in positive cultures, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common agent. Complicated pneumonia incidence was higher in the second year of life and more than 70% occurred before 4 years of age. Closed thoracic drainage was effective in over 90%. Large effusions and mediastinal deviations were submitted to more aggressive procedures. Pneumatoceles predominated in the under 3s and were generally evident in the first chest X-ray. Most cases had spontaneous pneumatocele involution, and in almost half the cases were still present at drain tube removal.

Persistent Pleuropulmonary Air Leak Treated with Autologous Blood: Results from a University Hospital and Review of Literature

Background: Persistent air leak after pulmonary resection is a difficult complication for thoracic surgeons to manage. Objectives: To show the results of our experience treating persistent pleuropulmonary air leak with autologous blood and review the literature on this specific method of treatment. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with persistent aerial pleuropulmonary fistula treated with autologous blood. The patient's own blood was collected from a peripheral vein and directly introduced through the pleural drain. An inverted siphon was located in the drainage system to avoid prolonged clamping of the drain. This siphon impeded blood return but not air escape. Results: Between January 2001 and August 2008, 27 patients were treated by the above method. Patient age ranged from 2 to 74 years, and 78% were male. Each procedure used a mean quantity of 92 ml blood. Mean persistent air leak time before pleurodesis was 10.6 days and mean time to fistula resolution after pleurodesis was 1.5 days. Twenty-three (85%) patients had persistent pleuropulmonary air leak closed with the above procedure. Conclusion: Treating persistent pleuropulmonary air leak with autologous blood is promising, but further studies are required to quantify its real effectiveness. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Timoma em cão. Relato de caso

Uma cadela, Dachshund, quatro anos, foi encaminhada ao H.V. da FMVZ-UNESP-Botucatu-SP com histórico de prostração, emagrecimento progressivo, anorexia, cansaço e tosse seca. Ao exame clínico observou-se apatia, secreção nasal serosa bilateral e dispnéia intensa. Radiografia torácica demonstrou efusão pleural, edema pulmonar acentuado, desvio dorsal da traquéia e possível massa mediastinal. A ultra-sonografia, após drenagem torácica, confirmou a presença de massa mediastinal, sendo classificada como neoplasia maligna de origem epitelial pela citologia aspirativa por agulha fina. O animal veio a óbito logo após o diagnóstico de neoplasia. À necropsia constatou-se massa mediastinal encapsulada, consistência macia e superfície de corte com coloração branco-acinzentada e áreas necrótico-hemorrágicas, localizada na região ântero-ventral do tórax. O exame histopatológico demonstrou células epiteliais neoplásicas, células linfóides (timócitos) com morfologia normal, vasos sangüíneos de pequeno e médio calibre, formações císticas com conteúdo eosinofílico e corpúsculos de Hassall. A imunohistoquímica apresentou positividade para citoqueratina AE1/AE3 e UCHL, confirmando o diagnóstico de timoma.

Antibiotic treatment schemes for very severe community-acquired pneumonia in children: a randomized clinical study

Objective. To compare clinical response to initial empiric treatment with oxacillin plus ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in hospitalized children diagnosed with very severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods. A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted among children 2 months to 5 years old with a diagnosis of very severe CAP in the pediatric ward of São Paulo State University Hospital in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from April 2007 to May 2008. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by type of treatment: an oxacillin/ceftriaxone group (OCG, n = 48) and an amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (ACG, n = 56). Analyzed outcomes were: time to clinical improvement (fever and tachypnea), time on oxygen therapy, length of stay in hospital, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, and complications (including pleural effusion).Results. The two groups did not differ statistically for age, sex, symptom duration before admission, or previous antibiotic treatment. Time to improve tachypnea was less among ACG patients than OCG patients (4.8 +/- 2.2 versus 5.8 +/- 2.4 days respectively; P = 0.028), as was length of hospital stay (11.0 +/- 6.2 versus 14.4 +/- 4.5 days respectively; P = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for fever improvement time, time on oxygen therapy, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, or frequency of pleural effusion.Conclusions. Both treatment plans are effective in treating very severe CAP in 2-monthto 5-year-old hospitalized children. The only analyzed outcome that favored amoxicillin/clavulanic acid treatment was time required to improve tachypnea.

Myostatin and follistatin expression in skeletal muscles of rats with chronic heart failure

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Coptobrycon bilineatus (Ellis, 1911) (Characiformes: Characidae): redescription and comments on its phylogenetic relationships

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma

The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. To that end, we evaluated 14 adult patients so treated between 1981 and 2009 at the Botucatu School of Medicine University Hospital, in the city of Botucatu, Brazil. Data were collected from the medical records of the patients. Ten patients (71%) presented with simple pulmonary aspergilloma, and 4 (29%) presented with complex pulmonary aspergilloma. Hemoptysis was the most common symptom, and tuberculosis was the most prevalent preexisting lung disease. Two patients (14%) underwent surgery on more than one occasion. There were no intraoperative deaths. Half of the patients developed postoperative complications, prolonged air leak and empyema being the most common.

Implante lobar autólogo pós pneumonectomia: modelo experimental em cães

OBJETIVO: Estudar no implante lobar autólogo a eficiência da anastomose brônquica simples, a perfusão pulmonar e as complicações devido a desproporção doador/receptor. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se 15 cães submetidos à pneumonectomia esquerda, e reimplante do lobo caudal. Estudou-se a perfusão pulmonar e a anastomose brônquica, respectivamente, por cintilografia e por broncografia. O sacrifício ocorreu aproximadamente 200 dias após a cirurgia para o estudo das anastomoses e medidas de volumes e pesos pulmonares. RESULTADOS: Quatro cães foram a óbito, um por deiscência precoce de anastomose brônquica, 1 com infecção e outros 2 por infarto pulmonar devido a oclusão da veia pulmonar no local da anastomose. A perfusão relativa do pulmão direito e esquerdo foram em média respectivamente 72,7% e 27,3%. A broncografia não mostrou nem estenose nem outras alterações na anastomose brônquica. No momento do sacrifício o lobo caudal ocupava totalmente a cavidade pleural sem que houvesse evidentes desvios do mediastino. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo mostrou que a sutura brônquica término-terminal desprotegida não levou a complicações anastomóticas. Não houve complicações pelo fato do lobo implantado ter ocupado somente metade da cavidade pleural. As complicações mais importantes foram o infarto pulmonar e deiscência total da parede torácica. Tanto a broncografia como a cintilografia se mostraram eficientes respectivamente, para o estudo da anastomose brônquica e da perfusão relativa do pulmão funcionante in vivo.

Atelectasia pulmonar em cães durante anestesia geral

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Caso para diagnóstico

A paracoccidioidomicose é enfermidade potencialmente grave podendo levar ao óbito. Lesões cutâneas específicas são freqüentes e propícias ao diagnóstico precoce. A disseminação para órgãos do sistema monocítico-macrofágico corresponde à forma aguda-subaguda da enfermidade. Derrame pleural e ascite, raros na paracoccidioidomicose, no presente caso foram conseqüentes à pancreatite aguda hemorrágica. Nos casos graves a anfotericina B e o suporte hospitalar adequado são decisivos na recuperação.

Characterizing subpopulations of neoplastic cells in serous effusions - the role of immunocytochemistry

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of immunochemistry in serous effusions.STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed cell blocks of 18 pleural and 18 peritoneal effusions diagnosed as malignant (18), benign (14) and suspicious (4). They were immunostained by the avidin-biotin complex method with a panel of four monoclonal antibodies-CEA, Ber-EP4, LeuM1 (CD15) and r53-and for lectins (Ulex europaeus) UEA-1, ConA and ConBr. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 18 cases of adenocarcinoma were positive for CEA (95%), 12 (66.6%)for Bev-EP4, 11 (61 %)for CD15 nild 11 (62 %)for p53. Twelve of the 18 (66.6%) were positive for UEA-1, CEA, Ber-EP4 and CD15. UEA-1 did not react with mesothelial cells. p53 Gave a positive reaction in only one case, reactive mesothelial cells. ConA and ConBr reacted indiscriminately with benign and malignant cells; thus, it was not useful in distinguishing between these cells.CONCLUSION: In this context no antibody used alone is reliable for corroborating a diagnosis, but the selective use of a small panel of three markers (CEA, Ber-EP4 and LeuM1) can be very useful in solving diagnostic difficulties in the cytodiagnosis of serous effusions.

Is oral nutritional therapy effective for the treatment of chylothorax? A case report

We report a case of a female patient who underwent corrective aortic coarctation surgery that progressed to chylothorax on the fifth postoperative day. Because the patient was clinically stable and had a functioning digestive tract, the nutritional team decided to treat her by oral nutritional support with a low-lipid diet, rich in medium-chain triacylglycerols. After 20 d, the patient returned to her habitual home diet and did not develop pleural spilling, showing full healing of the thoracic duct. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.