The role of calcification in predicting invasion of thymoma to adjacent organs.

PURPOSE: Thoracoscopic procedures such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) have gained popularity for the treatment of thymoma. Accurate preoperative assessments of tumor invasion are crucial to identifying the appropriate surgical approach. Although imaging techniques have been used to predict invasion, a quantifiable method is still needed in clinical practice. METHODS: The ubjects of this retrospective study were 226 patients with thymoma who underwent surgery at our hospital. Clinicopathological data, tumor staging, and recurrence rates were analyzed. Calcification identified through computed tomography (CT) defined the "calcified group" as having a long diameter of ≥ 5 mm. Statistical analyses were performed to assess relationships and survival outcomes. RESULTS: The calcified group had higher Masaoka and World Health Organization classification than the noncalcified group, with significantly higher organ invasion rates. The calcified group also had remarkably higher recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: Thymoma calcification appears to correlate with increased invasiveness and recurrence rates, suggesting its potential as a predictor of tumor stage and prognosis. Despite its retrospective nature and inherent limitations, this study highlights the potential clinical significance of calcification in the surgical planning and prognostication of patients with thymoma.

Dependent Lung Tension Pneumothorax During 1-Lung Ventilation: Treatment by Transmediastinal Thoracentesis.

Contralateral tension pneumothorax during 1-lung ventilation is rare but life threatening. We report the case of a patient who developed tension pneumothorax of the dependent lung during 1-lung ventilation while the surgeon was anastomosing the bronchi after sleeve lobectomy. Ventilation was not possible in either the dependent or nondependent lung, leading to severe desaturation and cardiac arrest. While the surgeons were administering direct cardiac compression, we suspected tension pneumothorax. As soon as the surgeons pierced the mediastinal pleura, adequate circulation was restored. Immediate diagnosis and treatment is important for this complication.