OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in southwest Hubei, China. METHODS: According to the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS, a retrospective clinical epidemiological investigation was performed on the medical data of neonates with ARDS who were admitted to Department of Neonatology/Pediatrics in 17 level 2 or level 3 hospitals in southwest Hubei from January to December, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 7 150 neonates were admitted to the 17 hospitals in southwest Hubei during 2017 and 66 (0.92%) were diagnosed with ARDS. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 23 (35%) had mild ARDS, 28 (42%) had moderate ARDS, and 15 (23%) had severe ARDS. The main primary diseases for neonatal ARDS were perinatal asphyxia in 23 neonates (35%), pneumonia in 18 neonates (27%), sepsis in 12 neonates (18%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 10 neonates (15%). Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 neonates (15%) were born to the mothers with an age of ≥35 years, 30 neonates (45%) suffered from intrauterine distress, 32 neonates (49%) had a 1-minute Apgar score of 0 to 7 points, 24 neonates (36%) had abnormal fetal heart monitoring results, and 21 neonates (32%) experienced meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common comorbidity (12 neonates), followed by neonatal shock (9 neonates) and patent ductus arteriosus (8 neonates). All 66 neonates with ARDS were treated with mechanical ventilation in addition to the treatment for primary diseases. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 died, with a mortality rate of 15% (10/66), and 56 neonates were improved or cured, with a survival rate of 85% (56/66). CONCLUSIONS Neonatal ARDS in southwest Hubei is mostly mild or moderate. Perinatal asphyxia and infection may be the main causes of neonatal ARDS in this area. Intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common comorbidity. Neonates with ARDS tend to have a high survival rate after multimodality treatment.
China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies

Foreign body aspiration is most likely to occur in children and in adults aged above 60 years, causing a respiratory emergency, such as airway closure. It is diagnosed based on a history of aspiration, presenting symptoms, and radiographic findings. The treatment may include removal of the foreign body via bronchoscopy or surgery. Here, we report a rare case of bronchial aspiration of a foreign body, confirmed with clinical and radiographic examinations, in a 57-year-old patient. The patient was transferred for treatment; however, spontaneous passage of the foreign body to the gastrointestinal tract led to its removal from the bronchus.
Adult ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Emergencies ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Aspiration

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon medical condition resulting from aspiration or inhalation of oily material. Generally, lipoid pneumonia has nonspecific clinical and radiological presentations, and may be misdiagnosed as bacterial pneumonia or lung cancer. We describe an unusual case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia accompanied by peripheral blood and pulmonary eosinophilia. A 63-year-old man was admitted with progressively worsening exertional dyspnea and productive cough for 5 days. A chest radiograph showed abnormalities in the lower lobe of the right lung, and a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia was made; intravenous antibiotics were administered. However, dyspnea and hypoxia gradually worsened and peripheral blood eosinophilia developed. A bronchoscopy was performed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis showed markedly increased numbers of eosinophils (40%). Subsequently, a comprehensive review of history revealed that he fell asleep with camellia oil in his mouth for 2 weeks to relieve foreign body sensation of the throat. Sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology showed the presence of lipid-laden macrophages. He was diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia and acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Chest radiograph and symptom were rapidly improved after treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone.
Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Bronchoscopy ; Camellia ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Macrophages ; Methylprednisolone ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Pharynx ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Pneumonia, Lipid ; Pulmonary Eosinophilia* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Aspiration ; Sensation ; Sputum

PURPOSE: Meconium aspiration is assumed to be a risk factor for bacterial infection, and patients with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) are commonly treated with empiric antibiotics in clinical settings. However, little is known about the effectiveness of the empirical antibiotics treatment. Here, we compared the short-term clinical outcomes associated with empirical antibiotics treatment in non-ventilated cases of MAS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on infants admitted with non-ventilated cases of MAS from March 2008 to September 2016. The infants enrolled in the study were divided into two groups based on the antibiotics treatment, and their clinical outcomes were compared. The incidence of sepsis during the hospitalization period and the incidence of delayed sepsis up to 3 months were evaluated. The effects of empirical antibiotic use on respiratory symptoms were evaluated, and the complications were compared. RESULTS: A total of 109 infants were evaluated, of which 61 (56.0%) received antibiotics and 48 (44.0%) did not receive antibiotics. No differences in clinical characteristics were noted between the two groups. However, the empirical antibiotics group showed a significantly higher mean of respiratory rates, C-reactive protein levels, and positive rates, as well as a significantly longer hospitalization period. In clinical outcomes, there were no differences in sepsis rates or respiratory support duration. Furthermore, there were no differences in complications. CONCLUSION: The empirical use of antibiotics did not affect the clinical outcomes in cases of non-ventilated MAS. The role of empirical antibiotics in these infants may need to be reevaluated.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; C-Reactive Protein ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Meconium ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

Recently, balanced sedation has commonly been used during procedural sedation. Dexmedetomidine is known for its relative safety to cause “conscious sedation” with little respiratory depression but has some limitations such as frequent awakening and hemodynamic instability during surgery. To facilitate sedation, a small dose of midazolam can be co-administered rather than escalating the dose of dexmedetomidine, especially in elderly patient. Despite the respiratory safety profile of dexmedetomidine, the overall safety of co-administration has not been clarified. We describe the first case of fatal pulmonary aspiration that developed in an elderly patient during balanced sedation with spinal anesthesia for elective femur fracture surgery.
Aged ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Conscious Sedation ; Dexmedetomidine ; Femur ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Midazolam ; Respiratory Aspiration of Gastric Contents ; Respiratory Insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proportion of aspiration pneumonia cases among patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Korea. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with community-acquired pneumonia who had been admitted to the emergency department of a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in Gyeonggi Province, Korea between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Among these patients, those with aspiration pneumonia were identified using ICD-10 codes (J69.*). Patients with recurrent pneumonia were excluded, as were those who were immunocompromised. The proportion of cases of aspiration pneumonia was calculated, and the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with aspiration pneumonia and non-aspiration pneumonia were compared. RESULTS: The proportion of aspiration pneumonia cases among patients with community-acquired pneumonia was 14.2%. Patients with aspiration pneumonia were significantly more likely to be older (p<0.001) and male (p<0.001), and to have a higher confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥65 years (CURB-65) score (p<0.001) as compared to patients with non-aspiration pneumonia. They were also more likely to require admission to the intensive care unit (p<0.001) and a longer hospital stay (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Aspiration pneumonia accounts for 14.2% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia in Korea. These data may contribute to the establishment of healthcare strategies for managing aspiration pneumonia among Korean adults.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Uremia

Aspiration is the entry of materials, such as pharyngeal secretions, food, or stomach contents, into the respiratory system. Dysphagia is the most common risk factor of aspiration, but there are many other risk factors. A single factor or multiple factors may be present to induce the aspiration, and the risk factors of aspiration should be considered multidimensional. The bedside water test is suitable as a screening test for an evaluation of aspiration. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing are the diagnostic tests of aspiration and the tests are required if the screening test shows signs of aspiration or silent aspiration is strongly suspected. The diagnostic test should assess not only the presence of aspiration, but also the pathophysiologic risk factors of aspiration.
Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Gastrointestinal Contents ; Mass Screening ; Respiratory Aspiration ; Respiratory System ; Risk Factors ; Water

We report a case of pulmonary aspiration during induction of general anesthesia in a patient who was status post esophagectomy. Sudden, unexpected aspiration occurred even though the patient had fasted adequately (over 13 hours) and received rapid sequence anesthesia induction. Since during esophagectomy, the lower esophageal sphincter is excised, stomach vagal innervation is lost, and the stomach is flaccid, draining only by gravity, the patient becomes vulnerable to aspiration. As the incidence of perioperative pulmonary aspiration is relatively low, precautions to prevent aspiration tend to be overlooked. We present a video clip showing pulmonary aspiration and discuss the literature concerning the risk of aspiration and its preventive strategies.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagectomy ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Respiratory Aspiration ; Stomach

A 6-year-old male patient underwent general anesthesia for laparoscopic appendectomy. During induction of intubation, metallic intubation stylet was broken. Broken piece was confirmed by bronchoscopy and chest radiography and was rapidly removed using a surgical forceps. The patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day without any adverse effects.
Anesthesia, General ; Appendectomy ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Male ; Radiography ; Respiratory Aspiration ; Surgical Instruments ; Thorax

Aspiration of meconium produces a syndrome (Meconium Aspiration Syndrome MAS) characterized by hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acidosis. Perinatal hypoxia, acute airway obstruction, pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary hypertension, and surfactant inactivation all play a role in the pathogenesis of MAS. Most aspiration of meconium probably occurs before birth. Following aspiration, meconium may migrate to the peripheral airway, usually take about 2 hours as demonstrated in animal experiment, leading to airway obstruction and subsequent lung inflammation and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of meconium in the endotracheal aspirate automatically establishes the diagnosis of MAS. Clinical diagnosis can be made in any infant born with meconium staining of amniotic fluid who develops respiratory distress at or shortly after birth and has positive radiographic findings. Prevention of intrauterine hypoxia, early cleaning (suctioning) of the airway, and prevention and treatment of pulmonary hypertension are essential in the management of MAS. Recent studies suggest that avoidance of post-term delivery may reduce the risk of intrauterine hypoxia and the incidence of MAS. Routine intrapartum naso-and oropharyngeal suction does not appear to affect the incidence and outcome of MAS. Endotracheal suction at birth is considered a controversial procedure and only reserved for infants who have severe retraction at birth suggesting an upper airway obstruction. High frequency oscillatory ventilation with nitric oxide or surfactant may improve mortality. Mortality of MAS has improved; the causes of death are related primarily to hypoxic respiratory failure associated with irreversible pulmonary hypertension. Morbidity is affected mostly by perinatal hypoxia.
Acidosis ; Airway Obstruction ; Amniotic Fluid ; Animal Experimentation ; Anoxia ; Cause of Death ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercapnia ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Meconium* ; Mortality ; Nitric Oxide ; Parturition ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Resuscitation* ; Suction ; Vasoconstriction ; Ventilation