The accuracy of computed tomography in detecting surgically resectable blebs or bullae in primary spontaneous pneumothorax

SPLF/SMFU/SRLF/SFAR/SFCTCV Guidelines for the management of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax

INTRODUCTION

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is the presence of air in the pleural space, occurring in the absence of trauma and known lung disease. Standardized expert guidelines on PSP are needed due to the variety of diagnostic methods, therapeutic strategies and medical and surgical disciplines involved in its management.

METHODS

Literature review, analysis of the literature according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology; proposals for guidelines rated by experts, patients and organizers to reach a consensus. Only expert opinions with strong agreement were selected.

RESULTS

A large PSP is defined as presence of a visible rim along the entire axillary line between the lung margin and the chest wall and ≥ 2 cm at the hilum level on frontal chest X-ray. The therapeutic strategy depends on the clinical presentation: emergency needle aspiration for tension PSP; in the absence of signs of severity: conservative management (small PSP), needle aspiration or chest tube drainage (large PSP). Outpatient treatment is possible if a dedicated outpatient care system is previously organized. Indications, surgical procedures and perioperative analgesia are detailed. Associated measures, including smoking cessation, are described.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines are a step towards PSP treatment and follow-up strategy optimization in France.

SPLF/SMFU/SRLF/SFAR/SFCTCV Guidelines for the management of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Endorsed by the French Speaking Society of Respiratory Diseases (SPLF), the French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU), the French Intensive Care Society (SRLF), the French Society of Anesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR) and the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (SFCTCV)

INTRODUCTION

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is the presence of air in the pleural space, occurring in the absence of trauma and known lung disease. Standardized expert guidelines on PSP are needed due to the variety of diagnostic methods, therapeutic strategies and medical and surgical disciplines involved in its management.

METHODS

Literature review, analysis of literature according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology; proposals for guidelines rated by experts, patients, and organizers to reach a consensus. Only expert opinions with strong agreement were selected.

RESULTS

A large PSP is defined as presence of a visible rim along the entire axillary line between the lung margin and the chest wall and ≥2 cm at the hilum level on frontal chest x-ray. The therapeutic strategy depends on the clinical presentation: emergency needle aspiration for tension PSP; in the absence of signs of severity: conservative management (small PSP), needle aspiration or chest tube drainage (large PSP). Outpatient treatment is possible if a dedicated outpatient care system is previously organized. Indications, surgical procedures and perioperative analgesia are detailed. Associated measures, including smoking cessation, are described.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines are a step towards PSP treatment and follow-up strategy optimization in France.

Recommandations formalisées d’experts pour la prise en charge des pneumothorax spontanés primaires

Introduction : Le pneumothorax spontané primaire (PSP) est un épanchement gazeux dans la cavité pleurale, survenant hors traumatisme et pathologie respiratoire connue. Des recommandations formalisées d'experts sur le sujet sont justifiées par les pluralités de moyens diagnostiques, stratégies thérapeutiques et disciplines médicochirurgicales intervenant dans leur prise en charge.

Méthodes : Revue bibliographique, analyse de la littérature selon méthodologie GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation) ; propositions de recommandations cotées par experts, patients et organisateurs pour obtenir un consensus. Seuls les avis d'experts avec accord fort ont été retenus.

Résultats : Un décollement sur toute la hauteur de la ligne axillaire et supérieur ou égal à 2 cm au niveau du hile à la radiographie thoracique de face définit la grande abondance. La stratégie thérapeutique dépend de la présentation clinique : exsufflation en urgence pour PSP suffocant ; en l'absence de signe de gravité : prise en charge conservatrice (faible abondance), exsufflation ou drainage (grande abondance). Le traitement ambulatoire est possible si organisation en amont de la filière. Les indications, procédures chirurgicales et l'analgésie périopératoire sont détaillées. Les mesures associées, notamment le sevrage tabagique, sont décrites.

Conclusion : Ces recommandations sont une étape de l'optimisation des stratégies de traitement et de suivi des PSP en France.

Chest CT scan for the screening of air anomalies at risk of pulmonary barotrauma for the initial medical assessment of fitness to dive in a military population

Introduction: The presence of intra-pulmonary air lesions such as cysts, blebs and emphysema bullae, predisposes to pulmonary barotrauma during pressure variations, especially during underwater diving activities. These rare accidents can have dramatic consequences. Chest radiography has long been the baseline examination for the detection of respiratory pathologies in occupational medicine. It has been replaced since 2018 by the thoracic CT scan for military diving fitness in France. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of the pulmonary abnormalities of the thoracic CT scan, and to relate them to the characteristics of this population and the results of the spirometry.

Methods: 330 records of military diving candidates who underwent an initial assessment between October 2018 and March 2021 were analyzed, in a single-center retrospective analysis. The following data were collected: sex, age, BMI, history of respiratory pathologies and smoking, treatments, allergies, diving practice, results of spirometry, reports of thoracic CT scans, as well as fitness decision.

Results: The study included 307 candidates, mostly male, with a median age of 25 years. 19% of the subjects had abnormal spirometry. We identified 25% of divers with CT scan abnormalities. 76% of the abnormal scans were benign nodules, 26% of which measured 6 mm or more. Abnormalities with an aerial component accounted for 13% of the abnormal scans with six emphysema bullae, three bronchial dilatations and one cystic lesion. No association was found between the presence of nodules and the general characteristics of the population, whereas in six subjects emphysema bullae were found statistically associated with active smoking or abnormal spirometry results.

Conclusion: The systematic performance of thoracic CT scan in a young population free of pulmonary pathology revealed a majority of benign nodules. Abnormalities with an aerial component are much less frequent, but their presence generally leads to a decision of unfitness. These results argue in favor of a systematic screening of aeric pleuro-pulmonary lesions during the initial assessment for professional divers.

Fate of contralateral asymptomatic bullae in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyse the impact of asymptomatic blebs/bullae on the occurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) by monitoring the natural course of contralateral blebs/bullae in patients with ipsilateral pneumothorax.

METHODS

From January 2003 to December 2017, 1055 patients [age 19.6 ± 3.98 years (mean ± standard deviation), 953 men] experiencing the first episode of unilateral PSP were enrolled in this study, excluding patients aged 30 years or more. The presence, number and maximal size of the blebs/bullae were investigated in contralateral asymptomatic lungs based on high-resolution computed tomography.

RESULTS

Multiple and single blebs/bullae were noted in contralateral lungs in 425 (40.3%) and 88 (8.3%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 44.0 (interquartile range 71.5) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative occurrence rates of PSP in contralateral lungs were 7.9%, 13.7% and 16.7%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, younger age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.27; P < 0.001) and multiple bullae (HR 4.42, 95% CI 3.06-6.38; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax in the contralateral lung. The 5-year cumulative occurrence rates of PSP were significantly higher in patients with multiple blebs/bullae than in those with no or a single bleb/bulla (28.2% vs 8.5%, respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic blebs/bullae often lead to PSP. If the patient is eligible for surgery for pneumothorax, preemptive surgery for contralateral bullae could be considered, especially in patients with multiple blebs/bullae.

Recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax following bullectomy with pleurodesis or pleurectomy: A retrospective analysis

Background

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is managed initially with observation and chest tube placement, followed by surgical intervention in select cases. With little currently published evidence, the role of surgical pleurodesis or pleurectomy to reduce primary spontaneous pneumothorax recurrence is unclear. This study compares the recurrence rates of primary spontaneous pneumothorax following bullectomy alone versus bullectomy with pleurodesis or pleurectomy.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed at a quaternary hospital for all patients undergoing surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax between June 2006 and December 2018. Patient demographics, disease severity, operative technique, and time between initial surgery and recurrence were recorded. Standard statistical techniques were used for univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

Of 222 total included patients, 28 required a second surgery: 4 (1.8%) for prolonged air leak and 24 (10.8%) for recurrent pneumothorax. The median time from first to second surgery was 363 days and 35.7% of recurrences did not present until after two years. Age, sex, smoking, year of initial surgery, disease severity, and surgical technique did not significantly affect recurrence rate on univariable analysis. On multivariable analysis, the odds ratios of recurrence for bullectomy with mechanical pleurodesis or pleurectomy were respectively 0.82 and 0.15 (P=0.218), compared to bullectomy alone. Combined bullectomy, pleurectomy, and pleurodesis was most effective (0/18, 0%).

Conclusions

Bullectomy with pleurectomy and pleurodesis demonstrated a 0% recurrence rate for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in this study. Statistical significance was not achieved in univariable or multivariable analyses comparing recurrence rates for the surgical approaches. A multi-center randomized controlled trial with longer follow-up than previously performed is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and optimize surgical management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax in children: A single institutional experience

BACKGROUND

The treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains controversial. We aimed to examine the role of chest computed tomography (CT), the advantages of pigtail catheter versus chest tube regarding duration of drainage or hospitalization period, and the impact of small PSP and surgical treatment on recurrence rate.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 109 children with PSP (20 years' period). Patients with recurrent and those with non-recurrent PSP were compared.

RESULTS

We recorded 183 episodes of PSP (45% recurrences), 89 patients (97%) were male, and the median age at presentation was 16 years. There were no significant differences between recurrence and non-recurrence PSP regarding age, gender, medical background, presentation symptoms, type of chest drain, median hospitalization length and median follow-up period. Recurrences were less frequent among patients who presented with small PSP and were treated conservatively (P = 0.029). PSP was almost always unilateral and the recurrence was observed ipsilateral in almost 80% of the cases. CT was more frequently used and blebs/bullae were more frequently found among patients with recurrent PSP. Pigtail use had no advantage in reducing hospitalization period and surgical procedures prevented recurrences.

CONCLUSION

The size of pneumothorax at presentation helps to predict recurrences. There are no differences regarding duration of drainage or hospitalization period in the use of pigtail compared to chest tube. CT helps evaluate findings in the lungs in recurrent cases of PSP and surgery prevents recurrences effectively.

Routine Chest X-Rays Are Inaccurate in Detecting Relevant Intrapulmonary Anomalies During Medical Assessments of Fitness to Dive

Introduction: Intrapulmonary pathology, such as bullae or blebs, can cause pulmonary barotrauma when diving. Many diving courses require chest X-rays (CXR) or high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to exclude asymptomatic healthy individuals with these lesions. The ability of routine CXRs and HRCT to assess fitness to dive has never been evaluated.

Methods: Military divers who underwent yearly medical assessments at the Royal Netherlands Navy Diving Medical Center, including CXR at initial assessment, and who received a HRCT between January and June 2018, were included. The correlations of CXR and HRCT results with fitness to dive assessments were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests.

Results: This study included 101 military divers. CXR identified bullae or blebs in seven divers, but HRCT found that these anomalies were not present in three subjects and were something else in four. CXR showed no anomalies in 94 subjects, but HRCT identified coincidental findings in 23 and bullae or blebs in seven. The differences between CXR and HRCT results were statistically significant (p = 0.023). Of the 34 subjects with anomalies on HRCT, 18 (53%) were disqualified for diving.

Discussion: Routine CXR in asymptomatic military divers does not contribute to the identification of relevant pathology in fitness to dive assessments and has a high false negative rate (32%). HRCT is more diagnostic than CXR but yields unclear results, leading to disqualification for diving. Fitness to dive tests should exclude routine CXR; rather, HRCT should be performed only in subjects with clinical indications.