Mediastinal position and air-fluid height after pneumonectomy: the effect of the respiratory cycle

After pneumonectomy, a shift of the mediastinum toward the nonoperated side may be the initial indicator of a postoperative problem such as empyema, bronchopleural fistula, esophageal-pleural fistula, hemothorax, or recurrent tumor. Postoperatively, a drop in the fluid level on the operated side may indicate a bronchopleural fistula or other fistulous connection. To assess the effect of the respiratory cycle on these two signs, 16 patients were studied with inspiration-expiration films. In every case the mediastinum shifted toward the normal side in expiration, and in no case did a fluid level change position by more than 5 mm with respiratory maneuvers. Therefore, the respiratory phase must be considered when assessing the significance of mediastinal shift after pneumonectomy.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. J. Chae, J. B. Seo, S. Y. Kim, K.-H. Do, J.-N. Heo, J. S. Lee, K. S. Song, J. W. Song, and T.-H. Lim Radiographic and CT Findings of Thoracic Complications after Pneumonectomy RadioGraphics, September 1, 2006; 26(5): 1449 - 1468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]