Thoracic Flashcards
What is a good way to remember the lymph node stations?
single digits are mediastinal and double digits are hilar
Describe the course of the thoracic duct.
- from the cistern chyli at L2
- closing T5 from right to left
- emptying into the junction of the L internal jugular and subclavian veins
- you fund the “duck” between the two “goose” (azygoose and esophagoose)
What is the final destination of the azygos vein?
the SVC
Where do the phrenic and vagus nerves run in relation to the hilum of the lung?
- the phrenic anteriorly
- the vagus posteriorly
What are the anatomic boundaries of the mediastinum?
- sternum anteriorly
- vertebrae posteriorly
- pleurae laterally
- thoracic inlet superiorly
- diaphragm inferiorly
What are the functions of type I and type II pneumocytes?
- type I are for gas exchange
- type II make surfactant
What are the pores of Kahn?
pores in the alveoli that enable direct air exchange
What are light’s criteria?
exudative if one or more of the following is true
- pleural to serum protein ratio > 0.5
- pleural to serum LDH ratio > 0.6
- pleural LDH > ⅔ normal limit of serum
What is the best predictor of post-op complications for patients undergoing lobectomy? What else is predictive?
- FEV1 < 80% is the best predictor
- DLCO < 10mL/min/mm (40%) predicted
How are PFTs used peri-operatively for patients undergoing lobectomy?
- the best predictor of post-op complications is an FEV1 < 80% predicted
- if borderline, can use a V/Q scan to show contribution of the diseased lung
- DLCO < 40% predicted is predictive of peri-operative risk
If a patient is planned to undergo lobectomy but has an FEV1 close to 80%, what can be used to better assess the risk for post-op complication?
a V/Q scan can show the contribution to pulmonary function that the diseased lobe makes
What size must a pleural effusion be to be visible on CXR?
at least 300cc
How is retained hemothorax managed?
with a chest tube followed by VATS/thoracotomy for washout
What is the treatment for empyema?
decortication
How is a chylothorax diagnosed?
- appears white and milky
- has a triglyceride level > 110 with lymphocyte predominance
- sudan red stains fat and will therefore be positive
What are the most common etiologies for chylothorax?
- half are due to malignancy, particularly lymphoma
- the other half are traumatic or iatrogenic with symptoms beginning after oral intake begins
How is chylothorax treated?
- first line is conservative management with a low-fat, medium-chain fatty acid diet (avoidance of long chains) or bowel rest with TPN, can also add octreotide
- If this fails or the etiology is traumatic, then the next step is ligation of the thoracic duct in the lower right mediastinum versus talc pleurodesis
What is the difference between a primary and secondary pneumothorax?
secondary are due to an underlying medical condition
What are the features of tension pneumothorax?
- absent breath sounds
- hypotension and tachycardia
- labored breathing and tachypnea
- chest pain and dyspnea
- prominent neck veins
What are the indications for operative intervention for pneumothorax?
- persistent air leak (>4 days) is an indication for VATS pleurodesis
- second recurrence of primary pneumothorax is an indication for blebectomy
- first occurrence of primary pneumothorax in a high risk professional (scuba diver, pilot)