Fate of traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst: Factors of resolution

摘要

Background: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts are rarely talked about, developing in less than 3% of patients with pulmonary parenchymal injuries. Resolution usually occurs within a few weeks to a few months. Method: A prospective study was undertaken in 21 cases treated in MenouEa University Hospital, Egypt from August 2011 through August 2013. Results: The overall mean time for complete resolution was 61.1 days. The mean time for resolution of simple traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was 21 days (n = 6), and the mean time for resolution of complicated (blood filled) traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was 77.1 days (n = 15). Mean resolution time was 26.3 days for small pulmonary pseudocysts 422mm (n = 11) and 99.4 days for those >22mm (n = 10). The resolution time was 42.6 days in patients 17-years old or younger (n = 11) and 81.4 days in patients older than 17 years (n = 10). Conclusion: There was a highly significant difference in resolution time between simple and complicated pseudocysts. There was also a highly significant delay in the resolution time of pseudocysts larger than 22mm and in patients older than 17 years.