Predictors of survival in lung torsion: A systematic review and pooled analysis

Lung torsion (LT) is a rare but life-threatening event. The objective of this study was to systematically review the natural history and clinical outcome of LT in published studies.

A review of publications on LT from January 1950 to December 2014 was performed using 3 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science). The primary efficacy outcome was LT-related mortality. Intervention was classified as direct resection (resection without detorsion), indirect resection (resection after detorsion), and reposition. Univariate comparisons of survival were performed using a logistic regression model.

There were 109 patients from 91 studies identified in this analysis. LT was frequently reported after upper lobectomy (74.4%) and the middle lobe was the most vulnerable lesion (29.4%). The main clinical presentations were dyspnea (38.4%), fever (23.3%), and chest pain (17.4%). Radiologic findings suggestive of LT included worsening consolidation and abrupt truncation/tapering of the pulmonary artery. The overall mortality was 8.3%. Univariate analysis showed that the extent of torsion (whole LT vs lobar torsion) was significantly associated with survival (odds ratio, 5.867; P = .017). No significant difference was found between patients receiving direct resection and those receiving reposition; a trend was observed for worsening outcomes in patients treated with indirect resection (odds ratio, 5.300; P = .060).

The systematic review reveals the prevalence, key diagnostic tests, and optimal treatment methods for lung torsion. Whole LT is associated with higher mortality rates than lobar torsion. If the tortuous part is viable, reposition and direct resection have similar survival rates; otherwise, direct resection should be performed.