Evaluation of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 Expression Differences in Lung Adenocarcinoma Subtypes by Using a Final Immunoreactivity Score (FIRS).

OBJECTIVE: Lung adenocarcinomas are divided into acinar, lepidic, papillary, micropapillary, and solid predominant subtypes according to the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification. We designed this retrospective study to demonstrate profiles of MUC expression (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) of different histologic patterns within the same tumor among pulmonary adenocarcinomas and investigate correlations of MUC expression with clinicopathologic features. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed the expression of mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) in a series of 99 resected lung adenocarcinomas, which included a total of 193 patterns (71 acinar, 30 lepidic, 25 papillary, 20 micropapillary, 34 solid and 13 mucinous) and calculated a final immune reactivity score (FIRS) per tumor. RESULTS: MUC1 IRS scores were significantly higher in lepidic and solid patterns compared with mucinous patterns (p=0.013). MUC2 expression was seen only in three cases (1 acinar, 2 mucinous). MUC5AC and MUC2 expression was more common in mucinous patterns (p < 0.001 and p=0.028, respectively). MUC6 expression was only detected in seven patterns and the expression was weak. No significant difference was seen among histologic patterns for the staining scores of MUC6. Mucinous adenocarcinoma differed from other histologic subtypes regarding MUC1 and MUC5AC expression. Mucinous adenocarcinoma showed less MUC1 expression with lower IRS scores and higher MUC5AC expression. Tumor size (p=0.006), lymphatic invasion (p=0.018), vascular invasion (p=0.025), perineural invasion (p=0.019), MUC1 IRS scores (p=0.018), and MUC1 IRS scores > 8.5 (p=0.018) were significant predictors for lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: An alternative scoring for MUC1 can be used as a predictor for lymph node metastasis regardless of the histologic subtype.

High-risk HPV Does not Appear to be an Important Risk Factor for Sinonasal Carcinomas in Turkish Population: A Tertiary Center Experience.

Background. The sinonasal tract is the second most common site of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinomas in the head and neck. Published data on the association between sinonasal tumors and HPV are quite inconsistent among different regions. Material and methods. We performed high-risk HPV DNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and p16 immunohistochemistry on sinonasal carcinomas diagnosed between 2006 and 2016. Results. Of 105 sinonasal carcinomas, we found only two (2%) HPV-positive cases; both had non-keratinizing morphology and were diffusely positive for p16. By histologic type, HPV DNA positivity rate was 14% in non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, and we did not detect HPV DNA in any other type of sinonasal carcinomas. Thirteen HPV-negative tumors (7 salivary gland carcinomas, 3 sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas, 2 keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, and 1 non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma) were positive for p16. In nine carcinomas arising from an underlying sinonasal papilloma, p16 and HPV DNA ISH were evaluated in both carcinoma and papilloma areas and all were negative. Follow-up information was available for 104 patients; 46 (44%) were alive and 58 (55%) died of disease. One of the two HPV-positive patients died of the disease; the other was alive at 100 months of follow-up. Conclusions. We detected a much lower percentage of HPV positivity in sinonasal carcinomas when compared to the literature. We believe that our results support various rates of HPV-related carcinomas depending on the geographic and ethnic characteristics.

Videothoracoscopic excision of a diaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst appearing as a pulmonary lesion.

Diaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare, and very few cases have been reported in the literature to date. Herein, we present a 42-year-old male patient who had a diaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst with the radiologic appearance of an intrapulmonary lesion as the 32nd case in the English literature. We performed a videothoracoscopic excision of the cyst, which was later found to be originated from the diaphragm. Pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of the bronchogenic cyst. Diaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts may present as intrapulmonary lesions radiologically. Videothoracoscopic excision is a feasible treatment method for these lesions.

Intracardiac masses: Single center experience within 12 years: I-MASS Study.

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study was to review and classify cardiac masses systematically and to determine their frequencies. Methods: The medical records of 64,862 consecutive patients were investigated within 12 years. Every patient with a cardiac mass imaged by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and confirmed with an advanced imaging modality such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), computed tomography (CT) and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was included. Acute coronary syndromes triggering thrombus formation, vegetations, intracardiac device and catheter related thrombi were excluded. Results: Data demonstrated 127 (0.195%) intracardiac masses consisting of 33 (0.050%) primary benign, 3 (0.004%) primary malignant, 20 (0.030%) secondary tumors, 3 (0.004%) hydatid cysts and 68 (0.104%) thrombi respectively. The majority of primary cardiac tumors were benign (91.67%), predominantly myxomas (78.79%), and the less malignant (8.33%). Secondary cardiac tumors were common than the primary malignant tumors (20:3), with male dominancy (55%), lymphoma and lung cancers were the most frequent. Intracardiac thrombi was the majority of the cardiac masses, thrombi accompanying malignancies were in the first range (n = 17, 25%), followed by autoimmune diseases (n = 13, 19.12%) and ischemic heart disease with low ejection fraction (n = 12, 17.65%). Conclusions: This retrospective analysis identified 127 patients with cardiac masses. The majority of benign tumors were myxoma, the most common tumors that metastasized to the heart were lymphoma and lung cancers, and the thrombi associated with malignancies and autoimmune diseases were the most frequent.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Features of 67 Cases with Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma: An 18-Year Single-Centre Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a very rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is frequently diagnosed in the advanced stage and is resistant to conventional chemotherapeutics. Due to the unique nature and rarity, we evaluated the epidemiological, clinicopathological, and survival data of PSC patients treated at our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected demographic and clinical data of 67 PSC patients from a single tertiary referral hospital, between the 2000 and 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors affecting survival. RESULTS: The median age was 61 years, and the percentage of male was 74.6%. Most of the patients had a smoking history (76.9%). The most common PSC subtype was pleomorphic carcinoma (46.3%). The median overall survival (OS) was 55.4 months, and the 5-year OS rate was 47.5%. Advanced stage, T4 tumour, and positive lymph node involvement were associated with poor OS (p < 0.05). The patients with negative epithelial markers had poorer prognosis (p = 0.027) and had more frequently stage IV disease (p = 0.016). Surgical treatment and stage IV disease were determined to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: PSC is an extremely rare and aggressive variant of NSCLC. Positive epithelial markers may have favourable prognostic significance in PSC. Resection of the tumour with a negative surgical margin is crucial for better survival. The prognosis of the disease is very poor in the metastatic stage.

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage I non - small cell lung cancer: A Turkish Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for tumors smaller than 4 cm is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy in high-risk stage I patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This cooperative group study included 232 NSCLC patients who underwent curative surgery for stage I disease with tumor size 2-4 cm. Re ults: Median age at presentation was 63 years (range 18-90). The mean tumor size was 29.6 ± 7.3 mm. The frequency of patients with specified risk factors were: visceral pleural effusion (VPI): n: 82 (36.6%); lymphovascular invasion (LVI): n: 86 (39.1%); Grade 3: n: 48 (32.7%); Solid micropapillary pattern (SMP): n: 70 (48.3%). Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy was administered to 51 patients. During a median follow-up period of 50.5 months 68 patients (29.3%) developed recurrence, 54 (23.3%) died from any cause and 38 (16.4%) of them died of lung cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy compared with the non-chemotherapy group had a longer 5-years relapse-free survival (RFS) (84.5 vs 61.1%). Also on multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a significant independent prognostic factor for RFS. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy should be considered for patients with small tumors with adverse risk factors. Key words: adjuvant chemotherapy, lung cancer, oncology, lymphovascular invasion, solid-micropapillary pattern, platinum-based therapy.

Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus Genotype Distribution in Cervical Samples.

BACKGROUND: The most common sexually transmitted infection in the world is human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 60-80% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions worldwide. AIM: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the correlation of HPV genotype distribution with cervical cytology results in cervical smear samples and to contribute to HPV epidemiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 72 female patients. For detection of the HPV genotypes, a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that could detect more than 25 different HPV types was used. The cervical cytology and histopathology results of the patients were also evaluated simultaneously. RESULTS: The frequency of high-risk HPV was 35% (25/72). The most common types were HPV51 (10%), HPV16 (8%), and HPV66 (8%), respectively. The most common type HPV51 and multiple HPV types were seen in 21-34 age groups. HPV DNA was detected in 21 of 43 samples that had cervical smear diagnosis grouping. Twelve samples (26%) had normal cytology. Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most common cytological diagnosis in HPV DNA positive samples. The most common HPV types in the patients diagnosed low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were HPV16 and HPV52. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the frequency of high-risk HPV genotypes was 35% as similar to reports of the other studies conducted in our country. The most common types were HPV51, HPV16, and HPV66, respectively. The follow-up of patients with HPV51 infection in our area could help to improve the natural course of the disease and effective prevention programs.

Prognostic factors in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for sarcomatoid carcinomas of the lung.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas are very rare lung neoplasms, and no consensus exists regarding their optimal treatment. The prognosis of sarcomatoid carcinomas has been reported to be unfavorable compared with non-small-cell lung cancers; however, prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgery for sarcomatoid carcinomas remain unclear. AIMS: To analyze clinicopathologic prognostic factors and survival outcomes in patients who underwent surgery for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: We designed a retrospective cross-sectional study in patients who underwent surgery for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas and statistically analyzed the prognostic factors regarding clinicopathologic features with respect to survival outcomes. RESULTS: We had a total of 44 patients with sarcomatoid carcinoma who had pulmonary resection. Sex distribution was 34 (77%) males and 10 (22.7%) females, which was determined by declaration. The mean age of patients was 57.3 ± 16 years with a median of 60 years. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 59% and 58%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates were significantly different for tumors > 5 cm (P = 0.044), tumorstatus (T) (P=0.016), lymph node status (N) (P=0.005), and pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.0001 ). However, histologic subtype (P = 0.628) and adjuvant treatment (P = 0.804) did not have any significant effect on survival. Similarly, the significant prognostic factors in univariate analysis were tumor size (P = 0.085), T status (P = 0.005), N status (P = 0.028), and pathologic TNM stage (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed only T status (P = 0.058), N status (P = 0.018), and pathologic TNM stage (P = 0.019) as independent prognostic factors, with statistical power of 87%, 43.1% and 21.2%. CONCLUSION: Surgery appears to be an optimal treatment with favorable outcomes for patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. Patients with small tumors at earlier stages are very likely to benefit from surgery, regardless of histologic subtype.

Prognostic significance of carbonic anhydrase IX overexpression in stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients after neoadjuvant treatment.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prognostic importance of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a hypoxic biomarker, after neoadjuvant treatment in Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: Tissue CA IX expression was examined after surgical resection in 77 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant treatment. The effects of CA IX overexpression and other clinical factors on disease-free survival and overall survival were investigated. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) courses and gender emerged as significant independent predictors for disease-free survival, where administration of 2-3 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) (HR, 3.2 [95% CI 1.3-7.6], p = 0.009) and female gender were associated with poor survival (HR, 3.2 [95% CI 1.3-7.7], p = 0.009). The only significant independent predictor for overall survival was recurrence (HR, 5.6 [95% CI 2.4-12.8], p < 0.001). On the other hand, CA IX overexpression was not associated with disease free survival (p = 0.560) or overall survival (p = 0.799). DISCUSSION: Our results do not suggest a prognostic role for CA IX overexpression in stage III NSCLC patients who received neoadjuvant treatment.

Adolescente con fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa idiopatica: A propòsito de un caso / An adolescent with idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: Case report

La fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa idiopàtica (FEPPI) es un trastorno raro incluido recientemente en las neumonías intersticiales idiopáticas según la actualización de la clasificación de la Sociedad Torácica Estadounidense (American Thoracic Society) y la Sociedad Respiratoria Europea (European Respiratory Society). La FEPPI se caracteriza por fibrosis parenquimatosa pleural y subpleural que produce reducción del volumen, sobre todo en los lóbulos pulmonares superiores. La edad al momento de la aparición varía, aunque la FEPPI ocurre principalmente entre los 30 y los 50 años de edad. En este artículo, presentamos el caso de un paciente de 16 años con antecedentes de disnea de esfuerzo, tos seca y pérdida de peso en los últimos dos años. Durante el examen físico, con la auscultación se detectó disminución de los ruidos respiratorios en los lóbulos superiores. En la radiografía de tórax se observó engrosamiento pleural apical y volumen reducido. En la tomografia computarizada (TC) del tórax se observaron densidades en vidrio esmerilado y bronquiectasia tubular predominantemente en ambos lóbulos superiores, con engrosamiento septal interlobulillar de la pleura y adenopatía mediastínica. Se realizó una biopsia pulmonar por toracoscopia y en el examen histológico se observaron fibrosis subpleural y tinción de las fibras elásticas que demostraba depósito de fibras elásticas en el área subpleural y el parénquima pulmonar adyacente, lo que sugería FEPPI. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso durante la niñez. Por lo tanto, los pediatras deben estar atentos a esta enfermedad para realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) is a rare disorder recently included in rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonias according to the updated American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification. IPPFE is characterized by pleural and subpleural parenchymal fibrosis causing volume loss predominantly in the upper lung lobes. Age of onset is variable, IPPFE mainly occurs in third and fourth decades. We present a 16 year old patient with a 2-year history of exertional dyspnea, nonproductive cough and weight loss. On physical examination, auscultation revealed diminished breath sounds on the upper lobes.Chest radiograph showed apical pleural thickening and volume loss. Computerized tomographic scan (CT) of chest revealed ground glass densities and tubular bronchiectasis predominantly in upper lobes bilaterally, with interlobular septal thickening of the pleura and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and histological evaluation showed subpleural fibrosis and elastic staining demonstrated fragmented elastic fiber deposition in the subpleural area and adjacent pulmonary parenchyma suggesting IPPFE. To our knowledge this is the first case in childhood. Therefore, pediatricians should be aware of this disease for the diagnosis and appropriate management.

An adolescent with idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis. Case report. / Adolescente con fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa idiopatica. A propòsito de un caso.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) is a rare disorder recently included in rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonias according to the updated American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification. IPPFE is characterized by pleural and subpleural parenchymal fibrosis causing volume loss predominantly in the upper lung lobes. Age of onset is variable, IPPFE mainly occurs in third and fourth decades. We present a 16 year old patient with a 2-year history of exertional dyspnea, nonproductive cough and weight loss. On physical examination, auscultation revealed diminished breath sounds on the upper lobes. Chest radiograph showed apical pleural thickening and volume loss. Computerized tomographic scan (CT) of chest revealed ground glass densities and tubular bronchiectasis predominantly in upper lobes bilaterally, with interlobular septal thickening of the pleura and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and histological evaluation showed subpleural fibrosis and elastic staining demonstrated fragmented elastic fiber deposition in the subpleural area and adjacent pulmonary parenchyma suggesting IPPFE. To our knowledge this is the first case in childhood. Therefore, pediatricians should be aware of this disease for the diagnosis and appropriate management.

La fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa idiopàtica (FEPPI) es un trastorno raro incluido recientemente en las neumonías intersticiales idiopáticas según la actualización de la clasificación de la Sociedad Torácica Estadounidense (American Thoracic Society) y la Sociedad Respiratoria Europea (European Respiratory Society). La FEPPI se caracteriza por fibrosis parenquimatosa pleural y subpleural que produce reducción del volumen, sobre todo en los lóbulos pulmonares superiores. La edad al momento de la aparición varía, aunque la FEPPI ocurre principalmente entre los 30 y los 50 años de edad. En este artículo, presentamos el caso de un paciente de 16 años con antecedentes de disnea de esfuerzo, tos seca y pérdida de peso en los últimos dos años. Durante el examen físico, con la auscultación se detectó disminución de los ruidos respiratorios en los lóbulos superiores. En la radiografía de tórax se observó engrosamiento pleural apical y volumen reducido. En la tomografia computarizada (TC) del tórax se observaron densidades en vidrio esmerilado y bronquiectasia tubular predominantemente en ambos lóbulos superiores, con engrosamiento septal interlobulillar de la pleura y adenopatía mediastínica. Se realizó una biopsia pulmonar por toracoscopia y en el examen histológico se observaron fibrosis subpleural y tinción de las fibras elásticas que demostraba depósito de fibras elásticas en el área subpleural y el parénquima pulmonar adyacente, lo que sugería FEPPI. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso durante la niñez. Por lo tanto, los pediatras deben estar atentos a esta enfermedad para realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados.

Endonasal endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for the treatment of nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma: Report of a rare case.

We report a case of low-grade nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma in a 9 year-old male that was diagnosed incidentally after an adenoidectomy procedure and treated with endonasal endoscopic nasopharyngectomy without any adjuvant therapy. The patient has been followed up for 3 years with no evidence of recurrence. We point out the importance of preoperative fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy in the absence of longstanding symptoms in school-aged children and histopathologic examination of adenoidectomy specimens in the presence of atypical findings. We also suggest endonasal endoscopic resection in case of papillary adenocarcinoma.

BRAF, NRAS, KIT, TERT, GNAQ/GNA11 mutation profile analysis of head and neck mucosal melanomas: a study of 42 cases.

Head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMuM), which occurs mostly in the sinonasal and oral cavity, constitutes less than 1% of all malignant melanomas. Treatment options fail to improve the prognosis of this aggressive tumour that has low overall survival rates. Thus, development of new targeted therapies is essential. Unfortunately, limited data exist regarding their molecular profile. BRAF, NRAS, KIT, TERT and GNAQ/GNA11 oncogene mutations were investigated in 42 HNMuMs (28 sinonasal, 13 oral, 1 nasopharyngeal). Mutation rates were as follows: BRAF (4.8%), NRAS (4.8%), KIT (9.5%), TERT (7.5%), GNAQ/GNA11 (0%). Among 11 cases that harboured mutations (26%), 10 (91%) were located in sinonasal and one (9%) in the oral cavity. The literature was reviewed with comparison of frequencies based on the gathered data. NRAS and TERT promoter mutation rates were significantly higher in sinonasal than in oral location (p<0.05). Our results indicated that BRAF, NRAS, KIT, TERT and GNAQ/GNA11 gene mutations occur at low frequencies in HNMuMs, and subgroups (oral versus sinonasal) differ in their molecular profile. Low rates of aforementioned mutations and activation of oncogenes by pathways other than sun exposure support the distinctive nature of HNMuMs with regard to their cutaneous counterparts.

The incidence of thyroid cartilage invasion through the anterior commissure in clinically early-staged laryngeal cancer.

In this study, the incidence of thyroid cartilage invasion in early-stage laryngeal tumors involving anterior commissure was assessed. Medical charts and pathology reports of 62 patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy as the primary treatment of early-staged laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen: tumors limited to the glottis with the involvement of anterior commissure (TLG); tumors invading both supraglottis and glottis with the involvement of anterior commissure (TISG). Thirty-seven of the cases were classified as TLG group (59.7 %) and the remaining 25 of them were classified as TISG group (40.3 %). Thyroid cartilage invasion was observed totally in ten patients (16.1 %), as macroscopic invasion in two cases and microinvasion in eight patients. Only two were in the TLG group (cartilage invasion rate of 5.4 %), the remaining eight were in the TISG group (cartilage invasion rate of 32 %). Thyroid cartilage invasion rate of TISG group was significantly higher than that of TLG group (p = 0.011, p < 0.05). Tumors limited to the glottis with AC involvement may be more suitable for endoscopic resection; on the contrary, tumors with vertical extension invading both AC and supraglottis should be evaluated more suspiciously due to high rate of thyroid cartilage invasion, which may still necessitate external laryngectomy techniques.

Factors that affect the false-negative outcomes of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules.

Background. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that affect the false-negative outcomes of fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) in thyroid nodules. Methods. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNAB and surgery between August 2005 and January 2012 were analyzed. FNABs were taken from the suspicious nodules regardless of nodule size. Results. Nodules were analyzed in 2 different groups: Group 1 was the false-negatives (n = 81) and Group 2 was the remaining true-positives, true-negatives, and false-positives (n = 649). A cytopathologist attended in 559 (77%) of FNAB procedures. There was a positive correlation between the nodule size and false-negative rates, and the absence of an interpreting cytopathologist for the examination of the FNAB procedure was the most significant parameter with a 76-fold increased risk of false-negative results. Conclusion. The contribution of cytopathologists extends the time of the procedure, and this could be a difficult practice in centres with high patient turnovers. We currently request the contribution of a cytopathologist for selected patients whom should be followed up without surgery.

Recruitment Maneuver Does not Increase the Risk of Ventilator Induced Lung Injury.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation (MV) may induce lung injury. AIMS: To assess and evaluate the role of different mechanical ventilation strategies on ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in comparison to a strategy which includes recruitment manoeuvre (RM). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized animal experiment. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetised, tracheostomised and divided into 5 groups randomly according to driving pressures; these were mechanically ventilated with following peak alveolar opening (Pao) and positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) for 1 hour: Group 15-0: 15 cmH2O Pao and 0 cmH2O PEEP; Group 30-10: 30 cmH2O Pao and 10 cmH2O PEEP; Group 30-5: 30 cmH2O Pao and 5 cmH2O PEEP; Group 30-5&RM: 30 cmH2O Pao and 5 cmH2O PEEP with additional 45 cmH2O CPAP for 30 seconds in every 15 minutes; Group 45-0: 45 cmH2O Pao and 0 cmH2O PEEP Before rats were sacrificed, blood samples were obtained for the evaluation of cytokine and chemokine levels; then, the lungs were subsequently processed for morphologic evaluation. RESULTS: Oxygenation results were similar in all groups; however, the groups were lined as follows according to the increasing severity of morphometric evaluation parameters: Group 15-0: (0±0.009) < Group 30-10: (0±0.14) < Group 30-5&RM: (1±0.12) < Group 30-5: (1±0.16) < Group 45-0: (2±0.16). Besides, inflammatory responses were the lowest in 30-5&RM group compared to all other groups. TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, MCP-1 levels were significantly different between group 30-5&RM and group 15-0 vs. group 45-0 in each group. CONCLUSION: RM with low PEEP reduces the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury with a lower release of systemic inflammatory mediators in response to mechanical ventilation.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with 111In-octreotide in pulmonary carcinoid tumours correlated with pathological and 18FDG PET/CT findings.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary carcinoid (PC) tumors are rare neoplasms of the lung with good prognosis but diagnosis may be demanding since there is no exclusive modality alone to clearly differentiate a PC tumor. The purpose of this study is to establish the diagnostic features of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), comparatively (where available) with 18FDG PET/CT (PET/CT) correlated with histopathologic findings. METHODS: Twenty-one patients who underwent SRS with 111In-octreotide and were diagnosed as having PC tumors were retrospectively studied. Thirteen patients were performed PET/CT. Primary tumour size, Ki-67 indexes, image analysis data of SRS and PET/CT including maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) together with false negative, false positive, true positive and true negative lesions were documented and discussed. RESULTS: Eleven (52.4%) patients were typical (TC) and 10 (47.6%) were atypical carcinoids (AC) with mean Ki-67 indexes of 2.1 and 24%, respectively. Patients underwent SRS for solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) characterization (n = 12) and determination of disease extension (n = 9). Overall sensitivity and specificity of SRS in the detection of primary tumour, lymph nodes (LN) and distant metastasis (DM) were 76 and 97 %, respectively, whereas, positive and negative predictive values were 95 and 86 %. PET/CT was performed for determining disease spread (n = 3) and metabolic characterization (n = 10) of SPNs. Mean SUVmax in the primary pulmonary lesion in TCs and ACs were 2.9 ± 0.8 and 7.9 ± 5.4, respectively. Nodal involvement (n = 5) and DM (n = 3) were also detected. Sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT in the detection of primary tumour, LNs and DM were 85 and 89.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: SRS is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of PC tumors when incorporated with 18FDG PET/CT as a primary staging tool particularly in the determination of disease spread.

Neuroendocrine tumors presenting with thyroid gland metastasis: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Autopsy series have shown that metastasis to the thyroid gland has occurred in up to 24% of patients who have died of cancer. Neuroendocrine tumors may metastasize to thyroid gland. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Case 1 was a 17-year-old Turkish woman who was referred from our Endocrinology Department for a thyroidectomy for treatment of neuroendocrine tumor metastasis. She was treated with a bilateral total thyroidectomy. Histopathological examination results were consistent with a neuroendocrine tumor; neoplastic cells showed strong immunoreactivity to chromogranin A and synaptophysin, but the immunohistochemical profile was inconsistent with medullary thyroid carcinoma in that the tumor was negative for calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and thyroid transcription factor-1.Case 2 was a 54-year-old Turkish woman who presented with a 3-cm nodule on her right thyroid lobe. She had undergone surgery for a right lung mass four years previously. After a right pneumonectomy, thymectomy and lymph node dissection, a typical carcinoid tumor was diagnosed. Under ultrasonographic guidance, fine needle aspiration biopsy of her right thyroid pole nodule was performed and the biopsy was compatible with a neuroendocrine tumor metastasis. She was treated with a bilateral total thyroidectomy. Histopathological examination indicated three nodular lesions, 5 cm and 0.4 cm in diameter in her right lobe and 0.1 cm in diameter in her left lobe. The tumors were consistent with a neuroendocrine phenotype, showing strong immunoreactivity to chromogranin A and synaptophysin. CONCLUSION: Thyroid nodules detected during follow-up of neuroendocrine tumor patients should be thoroughly investigated. A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid confirms the diagnosis in most cases and leads to appropriate management of those patients and may prevent unnecessary treatment approaches.

The use of the Bethesda terminology in thyroid fine-needle aspiration results in a lower rate of surgery for nonmalignant nodules: a report from a reference center in Turkey.

The Bethesda system (BS) for reporting thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA), which classifies nodules as nondiagnostic (ND), benign (B), atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN/FN), suspicious for malignancy (SFM), or malignant (M), uses clinically valuable management guidelines. The authors employed a similar in-house classification system (IS) for thyroid FNAs, using the categories of ND, B, suspicious follicular cells (SFC), follicular lesion/neoplasm (FL/FN), SFM, and M. The authors compared IS and BS, and assessed the utility of BS in clinical practice. A total of 581 nodules with cytological/histological follow-up were examined and indeterminate lesions by BS were reclassified. The sensitivity and specificity for malignancy using IS were similar to that of BS (77% vs 99%). However, when SFN/FN and SFM were both considered positive, the results for IS and BS were as follows: sensitivity, 85% versus 85%; specificity, 87% versus 94%; and diagnostic accuracy, 86% versus 90%, respectively. Discrepancies between cytological and histological data were evident in 35 cases among all categories of BS except AUS/FLUS. The rate of surgery for nonmalignant nodules was lesser (20% vs 9%) by BS. Among 34 AUS/FLUS cases with follow-up data, hypocellularity was the case in 11 (46%) nonneoplastic and 10 (100%) neoplastic nodules. The use of BS results in a lower rate of surgery for nonmalignant nodules even though patients with borderline cytopathologic features are still encountered. AUS/FLUS category can be separated into subgroups according to the factors causing difficulties in the interpretation. There is a need of accumulation of AUS/FLUS cases to do further evaluations and studies.