Joung Taek Kim

Myositis ossificans of the chest wall simulating malignant neoplasm

Myositis ossificans originating from the chest wall is extremely rare. We report a case of myositis ossificans occurring in a young woman with progressive painful swelling in the chest wall. Preoperative examination suggested a malignant neoplasm originating from soft tissue. Although rare, myositis ossificans is one of the potential causes of painful swelling in the chest wall, and can be mistaken for a malignant neoplasm.

Thoracic EndoVascular Stent Graft Repair for Aortic Aneurysm

Background The number of cases employing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been increasing due to lower morbidity and mortality compared to open repair technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of TEVAR for thoracic aortic diseases. Materials and Methods Sixteen patients underwent TEVAR from October 2003 to April 2010. Mean age at operation was 59 years (20~78 years), and 11 were male. Indications for TEVAR were large aortic diameter (>5.5 cm) upon presentation in 6 patients, increasing aortic diameter during the follow-up period in 4, traumatic aortic rupture in 3, persistent chest pain in 2, and ruptured aortic aneurysm in one. The mean diameter, length and the number of the stents were 33 mm (26~40 mm), 12 cm (9.5~16.0 cm), and 1.25 (1~2), respectively. Aortography employing Multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) technique was performed at one week, and patients were followed up in the out-patient department at one month, 6 months, and one year postoperatively. Results Primary technical success showing complete exclusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 15 patients. One patient showed a small endo-leak (type 1). Four patients developed perioperative stroke: Three recovered without sequelae, and one showed mild right-side weakness. There was no operative mortality. Diameter of the thoracic aorta covered by stent graft changed within 10% range in 12 patients, decreased by more than 10% in 3, and increased by more than 10% in one during mean follow-up duration of 18 months (1~73 months). There was no recurrence-related death during this period. Conclusion Intermediate-term outcome after TEVAR was encouraging. Indications for TEVAR could be extended for other thoracic aortic diseases.

Huge sinus of Valsalva aneurysm causing mitral valve incompetence

We describe a case of a large sinus of Valsalva aneurysm originating from the noncoronary sinus. The aneurysm compressed the roof of the left atrium rendering the annulus and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve severely distorted and, as a result, incompetent. The neck of the aneurysm was closed with a patch from the side of the aortic sinus, but we had to replace the mitral valve as the distorted structure did not resume its original shape even though we opened the aneurysm and debrided all thrombotic material inside the aneurysm.

Quadrangular Resection of the Tricuspid Valve

Quadrangular resection is the gold standard technique for correction of the posterior leaflet prolapse in mitral valve disease. Prompted by the idea that the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve corresponds to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve in its structure and function, we conducted a quadrangular resection of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve in a case of tricuspid endocarditis. Tricuspid regurgitation was well corrected, and the durability of the repair was proven by the patients freedom from cardiac events for the following 8 years.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis with Conventional Aspiration Thrombectomy for Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who had undergone a catheter-directed thrombolysis with conventional aspiration thrombectomy for the treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. Materials and Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 74 patients (mean age 61 ± 15) that underwent a catheter-directed thrombolysis with conventional aspiration thrombectomy. A retrieval inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was placed to protect against a pulmonary embolism in 60 patients (81%). Stenting and balloon angioplasty were performed in 37 patients (50%) under the left common iliac vein compression. Results Sixty-seven patients (91%) showed a clinical improvement within 48 hours, but seven patients (9%) showed no improvement. Multi detector computerized tomographic venography (MDCT venography) at discharge showed no thrombus in 15 patients (20%) and partial thrombus in 52 (70%). Twenty-eight patients (38%) developed post-thrombotic syndrome at 3.0 ± 4.2 months postoperatively. Six patients (8%) were admitted due to DVT recurrence at a mean of 5.6 ± 7.4 months postoperatively. Sixty-nine patients underwent follow up MDCT venography at 5.7 ± 5.6 months. fifty (72%) of these showed no thrombus, 15 (22%) partial thrombus, and 4 (6%) showed obstruction. Twentyeight of 61 (46%) were asymptomatic, twentyeight (46%) had moderate improvement, and four (6%) were mildly improved by a telephone interview (81%) at 22.8 ± 10.7 months postoperatively. Conclusion Catheter-directed thrombolysis with conventional aspiration thrombectomy is an effective treatment for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and produces satisfactory clinical results.

A Pulmonary Nodule due to Pulmonary Infarction Diagnosed by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy

We report a pulmonary infarction in 68-year-old man who was referred for an asymptomatic pulmonary nodule in chest radiography. Computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and transthoracic needle aspiration suggested suspicion for malignancy. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed for histologic diagnosis. Our case is a pulmonary nodule due to pulmonary infarction diagnosed by VATS in Korea.

Guideline of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences for Assessing Respiratory Impairment

The presently used impairment rating guidelines in Korea do not accurately reflect the injury in various lung diseases. Therefore, they need to be made more objective and quantitative with new measurements, using indicators to more precisely represent impairment in the major respiratory diseases. We develop a respiratory impairment rating guideline to ensure that the same grade or impairment rating would be obtained regardless of surgeons who determinate it. Specialists in respiratory medicine and thoracic surgeons determined the impairment grades. Moreover, the impairment should be irreversible for more than 6 months. The impairment rating depends on the level of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume 1 second, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, arterial oxygen pressure, and arterial carbon dioxide pressure. The degree of whole body impairment is defined by each grade: first 81-95%, second 66-80%, third 51-65%, fourth 36-50%, and fifth 21-35%. In conclusion, we develop a respiratory impairment rating guideline for Koreans. Any qualified specialist can easily use it and judge objective scoring.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure in Prematurities Weighing Less than 1 Kg by Subaxillary Mini-thoracotomy

The surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is provided more frequently in extremely low birth weight babies who are usually deemed unsuitable for pharmacological closure. We have adopted subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in order to lessen surgical trauma in these babies; and its clinical results were analyzed. From April 2004 to August 2008, out of 50 babies at the neonatal intensive care unit who underwent the surgical closure of PDA, 22 premature babies weighing less than 1 kg at operation were included in the study. Eleven babies were males and mean gestational age was 27 weeks ranging from 23+3 to 30+2 weeks. Mean body weight at operation was 816 g ranging from 490 to 989 g and average age at operation was 17.9±11.9 days. Of them, 17 babies (72%) were ventilator dependent preoperatively, as compared with 13 out of 28 (46%) babies that weighed more than 1 kg (P<0.05). Four babies did not survive to discharge. Among 28 babies who were heavier than 1 kg, there were only one death. However, the mortality difference was not statistically significant (P=0.11). All mortalities were caused by inherent problems of prematurity and co-morbidities. Out of 17 babies who had been ventilator dependent preoperatively, 13 weaned off successfully at 17.0±23.9 days after the operation. The baby patients heavier than 1 kg weaned at 6.0±5.3 days (P=0.27). Surgical outcome of simple and less invasive subaxillary mini-thoracotomy was satisfactory; the surgery is highly recommended for ductal closure in extremely low weight premature babies.

A 2-mm Videothoracoscopic Incision for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

This study was designed to evaluate a recently developed 2-mm video-thoracoscope and instruments for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Between January 1998 and June 1999, 62 consecutive patients were studied. The 2-mm video-thoracoscope was used in 30 patients (group 1), and a conventional video-thoracoscope was used in 32 (group 2). There was no significant difference in operation time, number of staples, or duration of chest tube drainage between the 2 groups. The need for parenteral analgesic (ketoprofen) postoperatively was less in group 1 (56%) than group 2 (72%), but this was not statistically significant. During a mean follow-up of 15 months, there was 1 readmission for recurrent pneumothorax in each group. It was concluded that the 2-mm video-thoracoscope and instruments can be used successfully to manage primary spontaneous pneumothorax with cosmetically excellent results.

Axillary Artery Cannulation in Acute Aortic Dissection: A Word of Caution.

Arterial cannulation into the right axillary artery is a commonly adopted perfusion strategy in the treatment of acute aortic dissection. Here we describe our experience of accidentally cannulating the axillary artery in a case of acute aortic dissection with an aberrant right subclavian artery, which was missed preoperatively because its proximal segment was malperfused by the dissection and thereby not enhanced. The rapid hemodynamics collapse at the start of the bypass was reversed by prompt switching to femoral perfusion. Postoperative follow-up computed tomographic angiography revealed a well-perfused right aberrant subclavian artery. Surgeons should be aware of an aortic arch anomaly whenever performing an axillary artery cannulation.