High vacuum drainage of the chest using a miniature double lumen chest tube

The purpose of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of a high vacuum pressure drainage system with a 7F double lumen chest tube. Methods included animal experiments, where seven rabbits were subjected to bilateral tube thoracostomies, using a 7F double lumen chest tube at 340 torr on one side and more than 500 torr on the other for 30 minutes. Then, a preliminary clinical study was done. Three patients were treated with a 7F double lumen chest tube and a vacuum box at 340 torr after a thoracoscopic sympathectomy for approximately 60 minutes. An additional 460 patients were treated with a conventional system, using a 20F single lumen chest tube and chest drainage system at 14.7 torr following the same operation. All animals tolerated the test well. Suction injury of the lung was noted on the control side. In the clinical study, the air leaks stopped within 15 minutes, and no patients showed a radiologic sign of lung suction injury. Six patients in the control group developed subcutaneous emphysema. In conclusion, high vacuum pressure drainage of the chest using the 7F double lumen chest tube is safe and effective.     

Small-diameter compliant arterial graft prosthesis: Design concept of coaxial double tubular graft and its fabrication

To minimize compliance mismatch between native artery and arterial graft prosthesis over the entire pressure regions, we proposed a coaxial double tubular artificial graft which consists of an enhanced compliant inner tube and a less compliant outer tube, both of which were fabricated using well-controlled multiply micropored segmented polyurethane (SPU) films. Double tubular grafts were coaxially assembled by inserting the inner tube into the outer tube. First, the pressure-diameter (P-D) relationship of canine common carotid arteries, which exhibited a "J" curve, was determined as a targeted artery. Two determinant variables, the pressure-induced distensibility of each tube and the intertubular space distance, were defined and formulated in several models of coaxial double tubular SPU grafts, which had various intertubular space distances, micropore densities, and wall thicknesses. The distensibility of the inner tube determined the distensibility in the low-pressure regions, which was adjusted using wall thickness and microporosity. Thinner films with higher porosities resulted in a high pressure-induced distensibility. On the other hand, a low pressure-induced distensibility in the high-pressure regions was realized using an outer tube with a thicker wall and lower microporosity. The transition point from low- to high-pressure regions was determined by the intertubular distance using the theoretical values. On the basis of these results, we presented a prototype model of a coaxial double tubular graft that exhibited well-matched compliance with canine carotid artery.     

Right pulmonary artery sarcoma

A 57-year-old man presented with cough, chest pain and dyspnea. Peripheral lung opacities detected radiologically on admission were surgically resected and histologically confirmed as pulmonary infarcts. Subsequent radiological examinations revealed a stricture of the right pulmonary artery with evidence of pulmonary hypertension. The patient was commenced on anticoagulant therapy, which resulted in some clinical improvement. A hilar mass detected later was resected together with the right lung. Pathological examination of the hilar mass revealed a tumour within the lumen of the pulmonary artery causing almost total occlusion of the artery. Histology showed angiosarcomatous and osteosarcomatous areas. The patient is well and disease-free 9 months following resection.     

规范化双腔支气管导管插管及其就位判定方法的临床应用

目的：评价规范化双腔支气管插管法的临床应用，以及吸痰管通畅试验联合听诊法在插管位置判定中的作用。方法：60例择期行胸外科手术的病人，在麻醉诱导完全后，行规范化双腔支气管插管，并采用吸痰管通畅试验复合听诊法判断双腔管的就位情况。在双腔管就位满意后，再以纤支镜下的准确定位为判定双腔支气管的位置。结果：纤支镜定位双腔支气管导管满意就位率96．6％，无一例发生与双腔管就位不良有关的并发症。结论：吸痰管通试验复合听诊法判断双腔管满意就位的方法简单、可靠，可反复用于术中患者体位变动后对双腔管满意就位状态的判断，且不增加损伤机会，是临床上一个很好的方法。     

Resolution of pulmonary multiplanar reconstruction images from 0.5-mm theoretical isotropic data: a fundamental study using an inflated and fixed lung specimen

The aim of the present study was to define the resolution of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) of the lung from "theoretical isotropic data." Using inflated and fixed lung specimens of the pig placed in the chest wall phantom, 0.5-mm isotropic data were obtained with 2 different helical pitches: 1:7 (high-quality mode) or 1:13, (high-speed mode), and 2 different tube currents: 250 mAs (high-tube-current mode) or 100 mAs (low-tube-current mode), with or without overlapping reconstruction. MPRs were created from these axial data. The diameter of the smallest visible pulmonary artery and bronchi of these CT images were measured on the corresponding slices of the specimen. The high-speed and low-tube-current mode significantly degraded the image quality due to increased noise. The smallest visible pulmonary artery and bronchus resolved on MPRs from axial-spiral data with 0.5-mm collimation were approximately 100 micrometer and 1,000 micrometer in diameter, respectively. In conclusion, helical pitch and tube current influence the resolution of MPR of the lung.     

双腔气囊尿管闭式引流治疗COPD并自发性气胸

目的观察双腔气囊尿管治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）并自发性气胸的疗效。方法将106例COPD合并自发性气胸患者随机分为A、B两组,A组53例行双腔气囊尿管闭式引流,B组53例行传统粗硅胶管闭式引流。观察两组置管手术时间、置管引流持续时间、术后疼痛指数、引流管脱落、阻塞、皮下气肿发生率等情况,并进行比较。结果双腔气囊尿管组在治愈率、置管引流持续时间、引流管脱落等方面与传统硅胶管组无明显差异。而在置管手术时间、术后疼痛指数及皮下气肿发生等方面却明显优于传统硅胶管组。结论双腔气囊尿管治疗COPD合并自发性气胸具有手术置管快捷,病人耐受性好,术后并发症少等优点,可常规作为COPD合并气胸治疗的首选方法。     

Stab wounds to the chest: a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cases

In a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cases of stab wounds to the chest, 44 patients were successfully treated with tube thoracostomy, 14 patients required thoracotomy, 17 patients with small pneumothoraces were observed, and 25 patients were asymptomatic. The overall mortality was 4%, operative mortality was 7.1%, and the mortality rate for cardiac injuries was 50%. Of the eight patients with cardiac injuries, three were dead on arrival to the hospital and one patient died in the operating room. Patients treated with tube thoracostomy had a shorter hospital stay than patients managed by observation alone. Our findings support the opinion that asymptomatic patients (normal chest x-rays) may be discharged after 24 hours of observation and asymptomatic patients with nonprogressive small pneumothoraces (less than 20%) not requiring a chest tube may be discharged after 48 hours of observation. All patients should have close outpatient follow-up.     

基于数字模拟技术胸部CT扫描不同组织的噪声*

背景：在CT图像中,图像噪声水平与影像质量密切相关,它直接影响和限制着CT对低对比度物质的分辨力。 目的：通过图像空间添加噪声软件模拟低剂量CT图像,分析模拟噪声指数与不同组织噪声的相关性及胸部不同组织的噪声变化特点。 方法：利用图像空间添加噪声软件对20名自愿者在常规参数下扫描获得的原始图像进行噪声添加,模拟10,30,50,80,100,120,150,180 及240 mA共9组胸部低剂量图像,记录每幅图像噪声指数,测量主动脉弓层面、心脏层面、肺底3个层面的胸壁软组织、主动脉、脊柱、肺组织及空气中CT值的标准差。 结果与结论：图像添加法计算的模拟噪声指数与主动脉弓及其他组织噪声实测噪声差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),呈线性相关。胸部低剂量扫描时,当管电流在10~50 mA时噪声显著增加,80~240 mA时模拟噪声值随着管电流增高降低幅度逐渐减低。胸部各组织120 mA组与180 mA组图像噪声差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。提示图像空间添加噪声软件的噪声指数反映了图像不同组织的整体噪声水平。胸部低剂量CT检查时采用管电流120~180 mA时能够保证各组织噪声无明显变化的同时又可以降低辐射剂量。     

Chilaiditi's sign possibly associated with malposition of chest tube placement

Although diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare recognized complication of chest tube malposition, Chilaiditi's sign occurring as a result of this complication has never been reported in literature to the best of our knowledge. We describe one such case, which had an interesting clinical sequence of events and radiographic findings and suggest that the medial end of the chest tube should be positioned at least 2 cm from the mediastinum on the frontal chest radiograph to avoid these complications.     

Application of Lidocaine Jelly on Chest Tubes to Reduce Pain Caused by Drainage Catheter after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of lidocaine jelly application to chest tubes on the intensity and duration of overall pain, chest tube site pain and the required analgesics for postoperative pain relief in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. For patients in group L, we applied sterile 2% lidocaine jelly on the chest tubes just before insertion, and for patients in group C, we applied normal saline. Overall visual analogue scale (VAS), maximal pain area with their VAS were documented postoperatively, and the frequency that button of patient-controlled analgesia was pressed (FPB) and total fentanyl consumption were assessed. The number of patients who complained that tube site was the most painful site was significantly higher in group C than in group L (85% vs. 30% at extubation, P<0.001). The overall VAS score was significantly higher in group C than in group L (39.14±12.49 vs. 27.74±13.76 at extubation, P=0.006). After all of the tubes were removed, the VAS score decreased more in group C (5.74±4.77, P<0.001) than in group L (3.05±2.48, P<0.001). FPB and total fentanyl consumption were significantly higher in group C than in group L (73.00, 59.00-78.00 vs. 34.00, 31.00-39.25, P<0.001; 2,214.65±37.01 vs. 1,720.19±361.63, P<0.001, respectively). Lidocaine jelly application is a very simple way to reduce postoperative pain by reducing chest tube site pain after CABG. (Clinical Trials Registry No. ACTRN 12611001215910)     

Effect of different cold application materials on pain during chest tube removal: three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundChest tube causes severe pain during removal because it attaches to the endothelium in the chest cavity.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cold application with ice pack and gel pad in the control of pain experienced during chest tube removal.MethodsThe sample of prospective, parallel three-arm (1:1:1), randomized controlled clinical trial consisted of 180 patients in two experimental groups (ice pack/gel pad) and one control group. The primary outcome was effect of cold application materials on severity of pain during chest removal. Secondary outcomes were duration of cold application and analgesic requirements of the patients.ResultsThe study found that the cold application using either of the materials reduced the severity of pain and the need for analgesics after the removal of chest tube compared to the control group (p<0.05). But cold application with ice pack allowed the skin to drop to the temperature effective in pain control in a shorter time than gel pad application (p<0.05).ConclusionsDespite entirely covering the area around the chest tube, the gel pad was more disadvantageous than ice pack in pain control due to the longer duration of cold application.     

Comparison of clinical and physical measures of image quality in chest and pelvis computed radiography at different tube voltages

The aim of this work was to study the dependence of image quality in digital chest and pelvis radiography on tube voltage, and to explore correlations between clinical and physical measures of image quality. The effect on image quality of tube voltage in these two examinations was assessed using two methods. The first method relies on radiologists' observations of images of an anthropomorphic phantom, and the second method was based on computer modeling of the imaging system using an anthropomorphic voxel phantom. The tube voltage was varied within a broad range (50-150 kV), including those values typically used with screen-film radiography. The tube charge was altered so that the same effective dose was achieved for each projection. Two x-ray units were employed using a computed radiography (CR) image detector with standard tube filtration and antiscatter device. Clinical image quality was assessed by a group of radiologists using a visual grading analysis (VGA) technique based on the revised CEC image criteria. Physical image quality was derived from a Monte Carlo computer model in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio, SNR, of anatomical structures corresponding to the image criteria. Both the VGAS (visual grading analysis score) and SNR decrease with increasing tube voltage in both chest PA and pelvis AP examinations, indicating superior performance if lower tube voltages are employed. Hence, a positive correlation between clinical and physical measures of image quality was found. The pros and cons of using lower tube voltages with CR digital radiography than typically used in analog screen-film radiography are discussed, as well as the relevance of using VGAS and quantum-noise SNR as measures of image quality in pelvis and chest radiography.     

多层螺旋CT在急诊胸痛患者中的诊断价值

目的：探讨多层螺旋CT(multi-slice computer tomography,MSCT)在急诊胸痛患者诊断中的临床价值。方法：对本院急诊收治的162例胸痛患者进行MSCT平扫、增强扫描和血管造影成像,并对数据进行容积再现、曲面重组、多平面重组、最大密度投影等方法观察冠状动脉、主动脉、肺动脉。结果：急诊收治的162例胸痛患者中,所有患者可以清晰显示冠状动脉左右主干及主要分支、胸主动脉以及肺动脉段以上分支。发现冠状动脉狭窄者129例(79.6%),主动脉夹层18例(11.1%),肺动脉栓塞15例(9.3%)。结论：多层螺旋CT能够一次性完成对常见胸痛病因的鉴别诊断,迅速提供清晰、高质图像,是急诊胸痛患者的理想影像学检查方法。     

Apical pleural aspergillosis with pancoast's syndrome and posterior circulation stroke: a case report

Pancoast's syndrome and subclavian arteritis are rarely caused by Aspergillus sp. . Here we report a case of a 22-yr-old, immunocompetent male who presented with fever, weight loss, right-sided facial anhidrosis and hand weakness of six months duration. Neurological examination confirmed right Horner's syndrome and weakness of small muscles of right hand. Contrast MRI of neck and chest revealed a pleural-based right apical mass abutting subclavian artery and C8-T1 root and multiple enlarged lymph nodes. He developed right hemiataxia due to cerebellar infarct before the planned excision of mass. Surgical exploration showed abscess encasing subclavian artery. Biopsy of the mass resulted in accidental injury of subclavian artery which was repaired. He developed bleeding from suture site postoperatively due pseudo-aneurysm of the subclavian artery which was stented. Histopathology of mass was suggestive of Aspergillus sp. . He was successfully treated with voriconazole. This is probably the first report of Pancoast's syndrome and large vessel angiitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus which has been successfully managed.     

Complete bronchial transaction due to severe blunt trauma and chest; treatment and outcomes : A distinct entity

An 18-year-young male patient came to the emergency department with history of severe blunt trauma. He was having respiratory distress and diagnosed as bronchial injury on the right side. A chest tube was put immediately and there was continuous air leak in the form of air bubbles in the intercostal chest tube bag with each inspiratory effort. Chest injury can be a life-threatening condition, if not managed timely and properly. Bronchoscopy showed injury over the right main bronchus. The features of this uncommon entity are discussed, with special emphasis on early diagnosis and surgical management.     

胸壁复合组织瓣用于心脏外科小切口的解剖学研究

目的 研究以胸壁带蒂复合组织瓣修复心脏手术后胸壁缺损的可行性，并在此基础上设计出新的心脏手术小切口。方法 观察１０具尸体前胸壁深层结构的血供规律，测量胸骨外侧缘与胸廓内动脉之间的距离。结果 前胸壁学层各结构均由胸廓内动脉及在分支供血，胸廓内动脉距胸骨外侧缘的距离为１ｃｍ左右，紧挨胸骨外侧缘切开肋软骨，可以避免胸廓内动脉的损伤。以该动脉为蒂，可以保证多种前胸壁复合组织瓣有良好的血供。结论 用以胸廓内     

翻转胸廓内动脉冠状动脉旁路术的实验研究

目的 研究翻转胸廓内动脉用于冠状动脉旁路术的可行性。方法 对１０具成人尸体胸廓内动脉的特性进行观察,并测量左、右各助间点到ＩＴＡ起点、冠状动脉左前降支中点的距离。结果 于近端切断胸廓内动脉可以保证该动脉逆向供血,血供来源于下位肋间动脉、肌隔动脉和腹壁上动脉。左侧第３肋间以下的各肋间中点,到ＩＴＡ起点处的长度明显长于其到冠状动脉左前降支中点的距离;右侧第４肋间以下的各肋间中点,到ＩＴＡ起点处的长距离     

128层螺旋CT联合心电门控技术在支气管动脉成像中的应用

目的：探讨128层螺旋CT联合心电门控扫描技术在支气管动脉成像中的临床应用价值。方法：回顾性分析我院124例次胸部CT血管成像（CTA）数据,其中72例次行常规胸部CTA扫描数据列入对照组,52例次采用心电门控技术扫描数据列入观察组,对比分析观察两组支气管动脉的开口位置、走行、与相邻组织之间的解剖关系以及支气管动脉显示的清晰度。结果：对照组中33．33％（24／72）支气管动脉显示较清晰,58．33％（42／72）支气管动脉显示模糊,8．33％（6／72）没有发现支气管动脉;观察组52例次支气管动脉全部显示,其中86．54％（45／52）支气管动脉显示清晰,13．46％（7／52）支气管动脉显示模糊。结论：128层螺旋CT联合心电门控扫描技术与常规胸部血管成像相比,能更清晰地显示支气管动脉开口位置、形态、走行及其与相邻组织的关系,对支气管动脉源性疾病的治疗,特别是介入治疗术前评估有重要的临床应用价值。     

Simultaneous electrical and mechanical recording in small isolated perfused arteries

A new method is described for simultaneous measurements of electrical and mechanical activity in an intact segment of a small artery (outside diameter 0·3–0·5 mm). A 7–9 mm segment of rabbit middle-cerebral artery was ligated on a Teflon tube connected to a perfusion circuit. The presence of a plug in the tube, flanked by two orifices, forced the physiological solution to flow in the annular space between the tube and the artery wall. Physiological pressures could thus be attained at low rates of flow, and the pressure, measured upstream, was significantly modifed by the slightest constriction or dilatation of the vascular segment. Electrical recording with glass microelectrodes was performed on a short immobilised portion of the artery. The artery and tube were bathed in a physiological solution at 38°C, but perfusing and incubating solutions did not mix. Spontaneous electrical and mechanical activity of middle cerebral arteries is described, together with modifications induced by vasoactive agents.     

Thrombin Injection to Treat an Iatrogenic Internal Mammary Artery Pseudoaneurysm

A 71-year-old female presented to the emergency room eight weeks status post open heart surgery for aortic valve replacement with right-sided chest wall pain and swelling. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography demonstrated a hyperattenuating structure arising from the right internal mammary artery surrounded by a heterogeneously-attenuating fluid collection in the anterior right chest wall, compatible with a right internal mammary artery pseudoaneurysm with surrounding chest wall hematoma. Follow up color Doppler ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. Under direct ultrasound visualization, we injected four hundred units of thrombin into the neck of the pseudoaneurysm using a 25-gauge spinal needle. Post-injection imaging demonstrated a successful cessation of flow within the pseudoaneurysm sac.