Surfactant for a Patient with Refractory Pyopneumothorax and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Pneumococcal Necrotizing Pneumonia Complicated by a Bronchopleural Fistula

Background: Necrotizing pneumonia rarely occurs in children, but when it does it can be complicated by bronchopleural fistula, empyema, pneumothorax, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of its management; however, surgery is necessary in some cases. Ideally, surgical interventions are kept to a minimum, but this is not always possible if there is a mass effect from air and fluid in the pleural space, pulmonary necrosis leading to massive hemoptysis, uncontrolled sepsis, or difficulties with assisted ventilation. Case Presentation: Herein we present a patient with refractory pyopneumothorax and ARDS due to pneumococcal necrotizing pneumonia complicated by a bronchopleural fistula. The patient's clinical condition deteriorated despite antibiotics, surgical drainage, and assisted ventilation. Owing to pneumothorax with a high percentage of air leakage, bilateral diffuse collapse of the lungs, and insufficient oxygenation, surgical treatment was considered, but because of the patient's lack of tolerance for surgery due to hemodynamic reasons and the complications associated with surgery, medical treatment was determined to be more appropriate. Surfactant treatment was administered to the patient, resulting in significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of surfactant to treat ARDS due to necrotizing pneumonia. Based on the presented case, we think surfactant can be considered as a salvage treatment for such patients.

Community Acquired Staphylococcus Aureus Necrotizing Pneumonia and Guillain Barre Syndrome: An Unusual Presentation in An Adolescent Patient

Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus (SA) pneumonia can present with multiple complications but has not been reported earlier to present as or lead to Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS). However, there are few case reports of GBS following SA infective endocarditis, polymyositis, and meningitis. We report an unusual presentation of GBS most probably secondary to community-acquired SA necrotizing pneumonia in a young immunocompetent adult. The clinical course, challenges in the management, and unfortunate death of the patient due to an unforeseen complication have been discussed. This report adds to the clinical knowledge of rare association of community-acquired SA necrotizing pneumonia and GBS.

Retrospective analysis of necrotizing pneumonia in children between 2015-2019

INTRODUCTION

An increased incidence rate of cases of complicated pneumonia, reaching up to the stage of necrotizing pneumonia was observed at University Hospital Brno in the past period. The aim of this study was to perform a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with acquired inflammatory lung disease requiring surgical treatment, comprising a long-term follow-up group.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia and surgically treated in the years 2015-2019 were analyzed. The rates of necessary chest drainages, decortications and lung resections in relation to the whole group and individual years were monitored. Clinical and X-ray examinations were performed one year after hospitalization and the prognosis was determined for individual types of required treatments. The age, gender and etiological agents were also monitored.

RESULTS

A total of 688 patients were included in the study with the incidence rising until 2018 and decreasing slightly in 2019. A statistically significantly higher number of community-acquired pneumonias and complications was recorded between 2017 and 2018 (p.

Successful Right Atrium-Pulmonary Artery ECMO in an Infant With Severe Necrotizing Pneumonia and Bilateral Bronchopleural Fistula

We report an infant with necrotizing pnuemonia and bilateral broncho pleural fistula, who failed on conventional and high frequency ventilation and was managed successfully on Veno-venous Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator (V-V ECMO) with a unique configuration for 12 days, and weaned off successfully.

Non-dysbaric arterial gas embolism associated with chronic necrotizing pneumonia, bullae and coughing: a case report

Arterial gas embolism (AGE) can be clinically devastating, and is most often associated with exposure to changes in ambient pressure, medical procedure or congenital malformation. Here we report a case of AGE in a 78-year-old male without these traditional risk factors. Rather, the patient's history included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, necrotizing pneumonia, bullous disease and coughing. He was safely treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy for AGE, with initial clinical improvement, but ultimately died from his underlying condition. Pathophysiology is discussed. This case illustrates the possibility that AGE can occur due to rupture of lung tissue in the absence of traditional risk factors. HBO₂ therapy should be considered in the management of such patients.