Microorganisms involved in deep neck infection (DNIs) in Greece: detection, identification and susceptibility to antimicrobials

Background: To determine, from October 2010 to October 2018, the epidemiology of Deep Neck Infections (DNIs), regarding the detection, the identification and the susceptibility to antimicrobials of causative microorganisms, in Thessaly-Central Greece. Methods: An analysis of data from a prospective database was conducted on 610 consecutive patients with DNIs treated in the Otolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery Department of University Hospital of Larissa. Demographics, clinical features and microbiological data were analyzed. Results: Among the 610 patients (1,9/1 male to female ratio, mean age: 39,24 ± 17,25) with DNIs, 579 had a single space (94,9%), while the remaining 31 had a multi-space (5,1%) DNI. The most common areas affected were the peritonsillar space (84,6%) followed by the submandibular space (6,5%). Clinical samples were obtained from 462 patients, and were tested by culture and by the application of 16S rRNA PCR. Two hundred fifty-five samples (55,2%) gave positive cultures, in which Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were predominant. The application of the 16S rRNA PCR revealed that 183 samples (39,6%) were positive for bacterial DNA; 22 of them, culture negative, were found to be positive for anaerobic (Fusobacterium necrophorum, Actinomyces israellii etc) and for fastidious microorganisms (Brucella mellitensis, Mycobacterium avium). Conclusion: DNIs represent a medical and surgical emergency and evidence-guided empirical treatment with intravenous infusion of antibiotics at the time of diagnosis is mandatory, highlighting the importance of epidemiological studies regarding the causative microorganisms. Although, in our study, the predominant pathogens were S. pyogenes and S. aureus, the combination of culture and molecular assay revealed that anaerobic bacteria play also a significant role in the pathogenesis of DNIs. Based on the local epidemiology, we propose as empirical therapy the intravenous use of a beta-lactam /beta-lactamase inhibitor; metronidazole or clindamycin can be added only in specific cases such as in immunocompromised patients

Tratamento cirúrgico de aspergiloma pulmonar

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o resultado do tratamento cirúrgico de aspergiloma pulmonar. Para tanto, foram avaliados 14 pacientes adultos (7 homens e 7 mulheres) e tratados no Hospital Universitário da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, em Botucatu (SP), entre 1981 e 2009. Dados foram coletados dos registros médicos dos pacientes. Dez pacientes (71%) apresentaram aspergiloma pulmonar simples, e 4 (29%) apresentaram aspergiloma pulmonar complexo. O sintoma mais frequente foi hemoptise, e a pneumopatia preexistente mais prevalente foi tuberculose. Dois pacientes (14%) foram submetidos a mais de um procedimento cirúrgico. Não houve mortalidade operatória. Metade dos pacientes apresentou complicações pós-operatórias, sendo fuga aérea prolongada e empiema as mais frequentes.The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. To that end, we evaluated 14 adult patients so treated between 1981 and 2009 at the Botucatu School of Medicine University Hospital, in the city of Botucatu, Brazil. Data were collected from the medical records of the patients. Ten patients (71%) presented with simple pulmonary aspergilloma, and 4 (29%) presented with complex pulmonary aspergilloma. Hemoptysis was the most common symptom, and tuberculosis was the most prevalent preexisting lung disease. Two patients (14%) underwent surgery on more than one occasion. There were no intraoperative deaths. Half of the patients developed postoperative complications, prolonged air leak and empyema being the most common

A rupture of a huge thymic cyst into the pleural cavity: A case report

SummaryThymic cysts (TCs) represent 1–2% of all mediastinal masses. To the best of our knowledge transudative effusion due to rupture of a TC into the pleural cavity, as it happened with our patient, has never been described before. The patient was admitted in 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine of "SOTIRIA" Hospital complaining of pleuritic chest pain in the right hemithorax and dyspnea on exertion. Clinical and laboratory examinations indicated a right pleural effusion. Then, the patient was transferred to the 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery of ‘LAIKO’ Hospital where he underwent surgery. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) revealed an enormous 25-cm cyst ruptured into the right pleural cavity. The cyst was removed by open thoracotomy due to adhesion to contiguous tissues. Pathological examination indicated thymic origin

Cardiopulmonary bypass assisted resection of mediastinal masses

We report a recurrent solitary fibrous tumor of the mediastinum that was encircling the right pulmonary artery. The resection of the tumor with the involved right pulmonary artery segment and sequential graft reconstruction of the vessel was facilitated by the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. We review the indications, management, and outcomes of cardiopulmonary bypass for the resection of mediastinal masses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Alternative Bi-pectoral muscle flaps for postoperative sternotomy mediastinitis

Suppuration, mediastinitis, and disruption of median sternotomy are all rare, but nevertheless severe complications. We propose a simple mobilization of the two pectoralis major muscles for use as flaps to fill the sternal defect without the need for humeral detachment or a second cutaneous incision. These will be supplied from both the thoracoacromial vessels and the perforating arteries of the nongrafted internal mammary artery (IMA). Our technique is quick and easy, giving excellent results. Furthermore, by maintaining the perforating branches, we also preserve the nongrafted IMA