OBJECTIVE: Thoracentesis is one of the bedside procedures most commonly associated with iatrogenic complications, particularly pneumothorax. Various risk factors for complications associated with thoracentesis have recently been identified, including an inexperienced operator; an inadequate or inexperienced support team; the lack of a standardized protocol; and the lack of ultrasound guidance. We sought to determine whether ultrasound-guided thoracentesis can reduce the risk of pneumothorax and improve outcomes (fewer procedures without fluid removal and greater volumes of fluid removed during the procedures). In our comparison of thoracentesis with and without ultrasound guidance, all procedures were performed by a team of expert pulmonologists, using the same standardized protocol in both conditions.METHODS: A total of 160 participants were randomly allocated to undergo thoracentesis with or without ultrasound guidance (n = 80 per group). The primary outcome was pneumothorax following thoracentesis. Secondary outcomes included the number of procedures without fluid removal and the volume of fluid drained during the procedure.RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 1 of the 80 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided thoracentesis and in 10 of the 80 patients who underwent thoracentesis without ultrasound guidance, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.009). Fluid was removed in 79 of the 80 procedures performed with ultrasound guidance and in 72 of the 80 procedures performed without it. The mean volume of fluid drained was larger during the former than during the latter (960 ± 500 mL vs. 770 ± 480 mL), the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.03).CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance increases the yield of thoracentesis and reduces the risk of post-procedure pneumothorax. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-12002174 [http://www.chictr.org/en/])

The use of NIV in very old patients was effective in many cases. Endotracheal intubation after NIV failure was not efficacious in either group.

The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in severe hypoxemic respiratory failure (PaO 2 /FIO 2 ≤250) due to H1H1 virus pneumonia is controversial. In this prospective study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of NIV in avoiding endotracheal intubation and to identify predictors of success or failure. Nineteen patients with H1N1 viral pneumonia had severe respiratory failure (PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio ≤250). Five patients with PaO 2 /FIO 2 lower than 150 and simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) lower than 34 underwent NIV and were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and received NIV as first-line therapy. NIV failed in 2 of the 14 patients but had a good outcome in 12. None of the patients treated with NIV died. The duration of NIV was 5.0±1.9 days and the hospital stay was 11.3±1.2 days. The average PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio after 1 h of NIV was 239.1+38.7. No patient had multi-organ failure. PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio after 1 h and SAPS II at admission were independent variables correlated with the success of NIV. In our study, NIV was successful in 12 of the 14 patients (85.7%) and this is one of the highest success rates in the literature. In our opinion, the reason for these results is the strict selection of patients with severe respiratory failure (PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio ≥150) and the strict following of predictors of success for NIV such as SAPS II of 34 or lower and PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio of 175 or lower after 1 h of NIV. Clinicians should be aware of pulmonary complications of influenza A H1N1 and strictly select the patients to undergo NIV. NIV could have an effective and safe role in reducing the high demand for critical care beds, particularly during the pandemic.

Desmoplastic mesothelioma (DMM) is a rare and highly lethal subtype of diffuse malignant mesothelioma and is often difficult to distinguish from reactive pleural fibrosis. The term “desmoplastic” refers to the growth of fibrous or connective tissue. We report the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of a primary DMM of the pericardium and a short review of the literature. A 72-year-old man was admitted presenting shortness of breath, cough, and asthenia. Computed tomography scan showed thickenings and effusions both in the pleura and in the pericardium. Histopathological diagnosis was performed by surgical pericardial biopsy and confirmed by autopsy. The patient had a history of asbestos exposure. Primary mesothelioma of the pericardium is a rare tumor occurring in the fourth to seventh decades with nonspecific symptoms and a rapid clinical course. The diagnosis is difficult and often needing a surgical pericardial biopsy. The prognosis is poor although newer antiblastic drugs seem to prolong survival times.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a serious and potentially life-threatening physiological complication that may be encountered in patients who undergo controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles. The syndrome is typically associated with regimes of exogenous gonadotropins, but it can be seen, albeit rarely, when clomiphene is administered during the induction phase. Although this syndrome is widely described in scientific literature and is well known by obstetricians, the knowledge of this pathological and potentially life-threatening condition is generally less than satisfactory among physicians. The dramatic increase in therapeutic strategies to treat infertility has pushed this condition into the realm of acute care therapy. The potential complications of this syndrome, including pulmonary involvement, should be considered and identified so as to allow a more appropriate diagnosis and management. We describe a case of a woman with an extremely severe (Stage 6) ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome who presented ascites, bilateral pleural effusion and severe respiratory failure treated with non-invasive ventilation. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit because of severe respiratory failure, ascites, and bilateral pleural effusion due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Treatment included non-invasive ventilation and three thoracentesis procedures, plus the administration of albumin, colloid solutions and high-dose furosemid. Severe form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is observed in 0.5-5% of the women treated, and intensive care may be required for management of thromboembolic complications, renal failure and severe respiratory failure. Pulmonary intensive care may involve thoracentesis, oxygen supplementation and, in more severe cases, assisted ventilation. To our knowledge, there have been only two studies in English language medical literature that describe severe respiratory failure treated with non-invasive ventilation.