Percutaneous fiducial localization for thoracoscopic wedge resection of small pulmonary nodules.

BACKGROUND: The advent of high-resolution computed tomography scanning and increase in use of chest imaging for high-risk patients has led to an increase in the identification of small pulmonary nodules. The ability to locate and remove these nodules through a thoracoscopic approach is difficult. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with fiducial localization and percutaneous thoracoscopic wedge resection of small pulmonary nodules. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of our patients who underwent computed tomography-guided fiducial localization of pulmonary nodules. Nodules were identified with intraoperative fluoroscopy and removed by thoracoscopic wedge resection. RESULTS: Sixty-five nodules were removed in 58 patients. Removal was successful in 98% of patients (57 of 58); 79% of the nodules (53 of 65) were cancers; 20% of these were primary lung cancers of which 9 were pure ground-glass opacities. Mean size of the nodules was 9.9 ± 4.6 mm (range, 3 to 24 mm). Mean depth from visceral pleural surface was 18.7 ± 12 mm (range, 2 to 35 mm). Mean procedure time was 58.7 ± 20.1 minutes (range, 30 to 120), and mean length of stay was 2 days (range, 1 to 6). Complications occurred in 3 patients and included fiducial embolization, fiducial migration, and parenchymal hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Fiducial localization facilitates identification and removal of small pulmonary nodules and alleviates the need for direct nodule palpation. As shown by our series, thoracoscopic wedge resection with fiducial localization is an accurate and efficient technique. This method provides a standardized means by which to resect small and deep pulmonary nodules or ground-glass opacities.

Surgical biopsy of suspected interstitial lung disease is superior to radiographic diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Different modalities are used to diagnose interstitial lung disease. We compared the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical biopsy versus high-resolution computed tomography for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and report the mortality of the procedure. METHODS: We reviewed 194 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsies for the suspicion of interstitial lung disease from January 2003 to February 2012 at Emory University. Demographics and patient characteristics were analyzed in addition to final diagnoses and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Concordance of radiographic diagnosis with final diagnosis was poor, matching pathologic diagnosis in 15% of cases, and specific diagnoses were included in the radiographic differential in only 34% of cases. A specific diagnosis was made after surgical biopsy in 88% of cases. Overall mortality of surgical biopsy was 6.7% (13/194). Major risk factors for death were preoperative supplemental oxygen, ventilator dependence, and age (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.03, respectively). Among patients with ventilator dependence preoperatively, the mortality rate was 100% versus 4.8% in patients not ventilator dependent. All biopsy specimens were concordant 91% of the time, and the first two biopsy specimens were concordant 96% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical biopsy should remain the gold standard for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. The mortality is low with proper patient selection. More than two surgical biopsy specimens may not be needed because the concordance rates among pathologic specimens are very high.

Pathologic response after neoadjuvant carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel for early-stage lung cancer: a Brown University oncology group phase II study.

INTRODUCTION: Pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in solid tumors. Southwest Oncology Group 9,900 demonstrated a 9% pCR after three cycles of paclitaxel/carboplatin every 21 days. We evaluated pCR rate with intensive weekly paclitaxel in a phase II study. METHODS: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer, stage IB to IIIA, were eligible and received carboplatin, area under the curve = 6, every 21 days ×3 and paclitaxel 80 mg/m weekly ×9. Primary outcome was the pCR rate. RESULTS: Twenty patients with clinical stage IB (n = 16), IIA (n = 1), IIB (n = 1), and IIIA (n = 2) were enrolled. Mean age was 65 years. Toxicity included grade 4 neutropenia in 1 (5%), grade 3 neutropenia in 3 (15%), grade 3 neuropathy in 1 (5%), and grade 3 nausea in 1 (5%). After neoadjuvant therapy, one patient refused surgery and one died of a nontreatment-related event. Eighteen patients underwent complete resection, 15 by lobectomy, and 3 by pneumonectomy. Pathology revealed 3 (17%) patients with pCR. The median follow-up is 67 months. For clinical stage IB (n = 16), the median overall survival has not been reached, and the 5-year overall survival is 69%. All patients with pCR (n = 3) remain alive and disease-free. Improved overall survival was seen in patients who were pathologically down-staged versus patients who were not, p = 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with intensive weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin is well tolerated and does not increase surgical morbidity. This intense regimen achieves rates of pCR and survival that compares favorably with other reported induction regimens and merits further investigation.

Influence of experience, case load, and stage distribution on outcome of endoscopic laser surgery for TTTS--a review.

OBJECTIVE: Survival (> or =1 twin) after laser surgery for patients with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) ranges from 65 to 93%. However, most studies are noncontrolled and retrospective, and have included a limited number of patients. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of outcomes after laser surgery in patients with TTTS. METHODS: We conducted database and manual searches of reference lists and pertinent journals published between 1995 and 2009 that report outcomes of laser surgery in patients with TTTS. Two authors performed the search independently of each other. There exist only two randomized controlled trials, each with fewer than 80 patients having undergone laser surgery. Uncontrolled and retrospective series were therefore considered as well. Studies had to report sufficient information on inclusive dates, stage distribution, overall neonatal survival, and neonatal survival of at least one twin. Of the 486 studies identified, we considered 19 studies. RESULTS: For each series, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Survival was plotted against the date of publication, number of patients/series, gestational age at delivery, and proportion of advanced cases. Univariate analysis was performed to detect significant differences. Our meta-analysis, which included 1484 patients, shows 81.2% survival of at least one twin (CI: 79.1-83.2%). The average survival of at least one twin for the entire population remained within the CI of all but one series. Neither case load, nor stage distribution, nor chronological date of the study affected the survival. CONCLUSION: A systematic review of endoscopic laser surgery performed in patients with TTTS failed to show a significant impact of high caseloads, disease severity distribution, or improvements in technique.

Pancreatic herniation after transhiatal esophagectomy.

Diaphragmatic herniation as a complication after esophagectomy has been described. Contents within the hernia sac have been mainly limited to the small bowel and colon. We believe this is the first case report in the literature of a pancreatic herniation after esophagectomy. The incidence, presentation, technical risk factors, and treatment of post-esophagectomy diaphragmatic hernias are discussed.