Diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst (TPP).Methods Fifteen patients who were diagnosed and treated as TPP between January 2000 and November 2011 were studied retrospectively.Results Nonpenetrating chest trauma was the underlying cause in all cases.A typical sign shown on chest radiograph was a thin-walled cavitary lesion in 9 patients,6 patients accompanied by traumatic wet lung,with or without an air-fluid level.Serial radiological images of CT showed high resolution of the above lesions.Single TPP lesion occurred in 9 patients,and multiple TPP lesions in 6 patients.The size of the lesions was 5 -75 (32 ± 17) mm.The pseudocyst was located in the left lung in 5 patients(33％),located in the right lung in 7 patients (47％),located in bilateral lung in 3 patients (20％).All TPP patients were treated conservatively with no occurrence of complications.Conclusions TPP is an uncommon benign lesion secondary to thoracic trauma.CT scan is an optimal option for diagnosis and evaluation of TPP.Uncomplicated cases can take conservative treatment.For complicated patients,theraneutic strategy should be made individually. Key words: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst; Diagnosis; Therapeutic strategy