Ten years' experience in surgical treatment of right middle lobe syndrome.

PURPOSE: In this study we present the clinical, radiological, pathological, bronchoscopic and surgical results of 40 patients with diagnosis of middle lobe syndrome who were referred to our thoracic surgery unit for surgical intervention in a 10 years period.

METHODS

Forty patients with obstructive and non-obstructive causes of middle lobe syndrome referred to our thoracic surgery unit. Clinical data were collected from the patients' records in a ten years period. This study evaluates diagnostic approaches and surgical treatments in right middle lobe syndrome.

RESULTS

We studied 23 females (57.5%) and 17 males (42.5%) with a mean age of 31.7. Clinical findings were cough 95%, sputum 80% and intermittent hemoptysis in 50% of patients. Middle lobe collapse was seen in CT scan of all patients. Bronchiectasis was the most common pathologic finding (55%). Tuberculosis was not rare and was final pathology in 20% of patients. In three patients ruptured hydatid cyst was final finding. Surgery was done without mortality and with only minor complications.

CONCLUSION

Lobectomy of right middle lobe is a good therapeutic option in these patients. Due to high prevalence of tuberculosis and hydatid cyst in Middle Eastern countries these two must be considered as causes of middle lobe syndrome.