Treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in Switzerland: results of a survey.

Few trials to guide clinical management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) exist. This study aims to reveal current practice in the management of PSP in Switzerland, to define the level of consensus and to provide evidence in guiding clinical practice. Questionnaires were sent to 355 departments of internal medicine and surgery in Switzerland and 114 (32.

Effect of pregnancy and birth on the course of myasthenia gravis before or after transsternal radical thymectomy.

Objective: Myasthenia gravis (MG) affects women at childbearing age. Therefore, the question arises if these patients should become pregnant and if thymectomy has a positive effect on the course of MG in pregnant patients.

Methods: Fifteen pregnancies had been followed retrospectively.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in adults: a single-center experience.

Background: Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts are rarely diagnosed in adults, hence surgical experience is limited particularly with regard to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In support of the thoracoscopic approach we report our single-center experience in this rare entity.

Methods: Between June 1995 and December 2002, a nonselected series of 12 consecutive patients presenting with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Tuberculosis presenting as Pancoast tumor.

A 48-year-old man presented with pain in his left shoulder radiating to the left scapula and a tingling sensation of the left arm with involvement of the fourth and fifth finger. Based on the clinical and radiologic findings, the diagnosis of Pancoast tumor of the left lung was made. Computed tomographic guided fine needle biopsy was not conclusive.

Catamenial pneumothorax: a prospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of catamenial pneumothorax (CP) among women who have been referred for the surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and to study its pathogenic mechanisms.

Design: A prospective study of women of reproductive age who have been referred to our center for the surgical treatment of SP. Patients with pneumothorax secondary to a known lung disease were excluded.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis associated with aortic dissection: report of a case.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is uncommon, but not rare. Classically, this disease is observed in the intensive care unit associated with major trauma, burns, or surgery. Moreover, comorbidity such as infection, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus is often found.

Synchronous bilateral typical pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

A 73-year-old woman was admitted with bilateral pulmonary nodules, one on each side, which were suspected to be metastases of an unknown primary tumor. Enucleation of the lesion in the upper right lobe was performed. The histological examination showed a typical carcinoid tumor.

Catamenial pneumothorax: chest X-ray sign and thoracoscopic treatment.

We report the case of a 25-year-old woman with recurrent right-sided catamenial pneumothorax. At thoracoscopy, the diaphragm presented several violet implants with holes. The presence of diaphragmatic endometrial implants was confirmed at pathologic examination.

Non-viral gene delivery to atelectatic and ventilated lungs.

Background: Three different nonviral vectors and naked DNA were evaluated for in vivo transfer of plasmid DNA to rat lungs through airways in either atelectatic or ventilated lungs.

Methods: The F344 rats underwent instillation of 300 microg DNA (pCIluc, luciferase) to the left lung. Naked DNA, linear polyethylenimine, branched polyethylenimine, and lipid GL-67 (in either atelectatic or ventilated lungs) were assessed (n = 5 per group).

Delayed heart perforation after blunt trauma.

A 33-year-old patient was hospitalized after a blunt chest trauma with a left flail chest. Six hours after admission to the intensive care unit the patient suddenly developed hypotension and tachycardia. His left chest tube drained 1.