UNLABELLED The infraclavicular brachial plexus block first described by Raj et al. was supposed to anesthetize all the main peripheral nerves of the brachial plexus without the risk of pneumothorax. However, in performing the block, we have had difficulties finding the nerves at the cord level. Therefore, we questioned whether the recommended needle direction (the "Raj line") guides the needle ...

Introduction. Pleural mesothelioma with metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall at first diagnosis and without penetration into the peritoneum is an extremely rare clinical presentation. Methods. Patients with pleural mesothelioma have low survival rate. Usually, the disease at presentation is confined to its site of origin (most often the pleural cavity). A 55-year-old man ...

Respiratory symptoms accompanying pleural diseases combine dyspnea, tachypnea, rapid shallow breathing, and sometimes hypotension. There are no experimental data on the changes in respiratory and circulatory functions elicited by the activation of pleural afferents. After removal of all muscles covering the 5th to 10th intercostal spaces, we investigated in paralyzed, vagotomized rabbits the ch...

Pleurodesis, from the Greek pleura and desis (binding together), is intended to achieve a symphysis between parietal and visceral pleura, in order to prevent accumulation of either air (pneumothrax) or fluid (pleural effusion) in the pleural space. The search for the ideal agent for pleurodesis continues. The aim of this research was to assess the chronic gross and microscopic pleural findings,...

OBJECTIVE The treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer invading the parietal pleura or chest wall is still debated. It is unsolved whether the depth of chest wall involvement or the type of resection (extrapleural or en bloc) affects long-term survival. METHODS design, retrospective analysis; setting, Hyogo Medical Center for Adults, patients: the 97 patients who underwent surgic...

Primary pleural lymphoma is a rare entity. We report a 64-year-old-man with primary malignant lymphoma arising in the pleura with no history of persistent pyothorax. Chest computed tomography scan (CT) showed left pleural effusion with thickening of the parietal pleura. There were no intrapulmonary or mediastinal abnormalities. Analysis of pleural effusion did not detect empyema, tuberculosis, ...

A case of mucous metaplasia of mesothelium in an 80 year old woman is described. Its cause is unknown, but it is important not to confuse it with secondary tumour.