RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Therapeutic management of the primary traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2447
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Athanassios Stamatelopoulos
A1 Ioannis Gakidis
A1 Christos Chatziantoniou
A1 Petros Michos
A1 Ilias Voutas
A1 Dimitra Peristeri
A1 Thrasivoulos Michos
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2447.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE:Pulmonary contusion is the usual manifestation of lung parenchymal injury after blunt chest trauma. With deceleration these parenchymal lacerations can result in cavities known as primary traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPPC). We present our experience in treating this rare entity.MATERIAL:From 1990 trough 2013, 78 young patients 62 male and 16 female ranging in age between 13 and 24 years were treated for primary TPPC in our department. Blunt chest injuries resulting from traffic accidents were the causes in all our cases. The main symptoms were pain, hemoptysis and dyspnea not associated with severe hypoxemia. The cavitary lesion was apparent in chest radiographs, but the imaging modality of choice was the computed tomography.RESULTS:Multisystem injury was present in 39of them. Eleven of our patients required ICU facilities but none needed mechanical ventilation. Hemopneumothorax was present in 14 cases, whereas pneumothorax in four drained by tube thoracostomy. The hospital stay ranged between 9 and 23 days. Contraction and complete radiological resolution of the PPC needed a follow up of 6-11 weeks.CONCLUSIONS:(1) Primary traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts are benign lesions secondary to blunt chest trauma needing only conservative treatment unless complications arise, such as hemo- or pneumothorax or infection of the cavitary lesion. (2)Computed tomography is a really sensitive method for early detection of the lesion while plain roentgenograms are sufficient for the follow up.