[Solitary Fibrous Tumor Originating from the Visceral Pleura Presenting an Extrapleural Sign;Report of a Case].

We report a case of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) originating from the visceral pleura, which presented an extrapleural sign on chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 44-year-old woman presented at our hospital for a growing mass visible in chest X-rays. Chest CT and MRI detected a 27×12 mm lesion on the intrathoracic side of the right 3rd intercostal space. The extrapleural signs strongly suggested the tumor to be chest wall origin. However, the tumor was found to be pedunculate with an umbrella-like appearance locating on the visceral pleura of the lung. Histopathological examination demonstrated SFT originating from the visceral pleura.

[Endobronchial Hamartoma Requiring Lobectomy;Report of a Case].

We present a rare case of endobronchial hamartoma that required right middle and lower lobectomy. A 59-year-old man presented with cough and sputum lasting for 9 months. Chest X-ray revealed obstructive pneumonia of the right inferior lobe. Chest computed tomography demonstrated an intrabronchial mass lesion, size 12×12 mm, occluding the entrance of the right lower lobe bronchus associated with obstructive pneumonia of the right inferior lobe. Because transbronchial biopsy could not confirm the diagnosis, we performed a right middle and lower lobectomy to diagnose and treat obstructive pneumonia. Histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was hamartoma. Hamartoma, the most common benign lung tumor, is classified into the following 2 types:pulmonary parenchyma and endobronchial, the latter is relatively rare. Although hamartomas have benign characteristics, cases of endobronchial hamartomas associated with obstructive pneumonia may require lobectomy.

Intimal sarcoma of the abdominal aorta with platelet-derived growth factor receptor α overexpression and amplification in mural invasive cells and pulmonary metastatic cells but not in intimal spreading cells.

Intimal sarcoma (IS) is the most common sarcoma of the aorta. The platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA), murine double minute 2 (MDM2), and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) genes are often simultaneously amplified in IS. While immunohistochemical analysis of IS tissue has demonstrated frequent overexpression of the MDM2 and CDK4 proteins, the expression pattern of PDGFRA has not been well characterized, particularly in terms of intratumoral heterogeneity. Here, we present the case of a 46-year-old man who presented with a backache and was subsequently diagnosed with IS. Intratumoral heterogeneity of PDGFRA gene amplification was observed using fluorescence in situ hybridization and was positively correlated with PDGFRA protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression of PDGFRA was also correlated with cytological atypia: PDGFRA was not overexpressed in intimal spreading cells that displayed the lowest degree of atypia while PDGFRA overexpression and amplification were observed in invasive cells of progressive areas such as the aortic wall and a pulmonary metastatic site, which showed increased cytological atypia. Although PDGFRA has not been well examined on IHC, IHC of PDGFRA could be useful to diagnose IS. However, the areas within the tumor from which specimens are derived are important given potential intratumoral heterogeneity.

Extensive goblet cell metaplasia of the peripheral lung may harbor precancerous molecular changes: comparison of two cases.

We present two cases of extensive goblet cell metaplasia in the peripheral lung. The first case was a 72-year-old male with a nodule (12 × 10 mm) detected by CT. Macroscopically, it contained abundant mucin; histopathologically, goblet cells were predominant, whereas ciliated and basal cells were sparse. A KRAS G12V mutation was detected. In the pulmonary background of this case, scattered tiny foci of goblet cell metaplasia were present. The second case was a 71-year-old female with a nodule (7 × 5 mm) detected by CT. It contained abundant mucin, and microscopically, various cell types were intermingled. Although the nodule mainly comprised goblet cells, ciliated and basal cells were also easily identified. No KRAS mutation was found in this patient. Dispersed minute foci of goblet cell metaplasia were identified in the pulmonary background. Therefore, we suspect that airway irritants may have contributed to the changes that occurred in the pulmonary background of both cases. We propose that the tendency of goblet cells to overwhelm other cell types in the metaplastic epithelium may be an indicator of precancerous molecular changes.

[Study of aspiration therapy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax].

The 2003 British Thoracic Society guidelines recommend aspiration for treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax. This procedure allows the patient management on an outpatient basis, and is highly significant in terms of medical cost and quality of life (QOL). The safety and success rate of aspiration was studied in 23 patients who received this treatment. The success rate was at 69.6%, and the patients were safely managed without emergency drainage due to dyspnea. Aspiration is a possible choice for the 1st-line treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis resulting from acute epiglottitis; report of a case].

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious condition due to abscess spreading from neck into mediastinum. We report a case of DNM following acute epiglottitis and abscess. A 59-year old male visited our hospital for parotid swelling, pyrexia, and dyspnea, and was diagnosed as having acute epiglottitis at otology and hospitalized. Despite right tonsillectomy, drainage and tracheostomy on day 6 after hospitalization, he developed DNM and was referred to our department. Drainage of mediastinal regions( anterior to the trachea and tracheal bifurcation, inferoposterior mediastinum and posterior to the left main bronchus) was performed on day 14 after hospitalization. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Retention index of FDG-PET/CT SUVmax of the primary tumor in non-small cell lung cancer as a predictor of lymph node metastasis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate staging of non-small cell lung cancer is key in treatment planning and prediction of prognosis. We investigated the correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) retention index (RI) of the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung carcinoma. We also evaluated the tendencies according to the histological types. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 218 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors from 217 patients who underwent preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) followed by lung surgery and lymph node resection between July 2015 and August 2020. All primary tumors were calculated as the SUVmax at 50 min (SUVmaxearly [SUVmaxe]) and 120 min (SUVmaxdelayed [SUVmaxd]), and RI. The clinicopathological factors of interest were compared based on lymph node metastasis status and NSCLC histopathological subtype. RESULTS: The median SUVmaxe and SUVmaxd of the primary tumors were 3.3 and 4.2, respectively, and the median RI was 0.25. The RI was significantly higher in the pN(+) (n = 44) group (0.30) compared to the pN0 (n = 174) group (0.24) (p = 0.01). In patients with adenocarcinoma (n = 145), the RI was also significantly higher in the pN(+) (n = 29) group (0.29) compared to the pN0 (n = 116) group (0.16) (p < 0.01). A high RI of the primary tumor was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis, particularly in patients with adenocarcinoma (odds ratio: 12.30, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The RI of primary NSCLC tumors can help predict lymph node metastases, particularly in patients with adenocarcinoma.

[Superior vena cava thrombosis in a case with low serum factor XII].

The present case is 74 years old man who was hospitalized to treat lung tumor suspected of malignancy. Because the superior vena cava thrombus was also revealed by radiological examination, he was performed lobectomy and thrombectomy at the same time. He has past history of intravenous hyperalimentation for 15 days, and we supposed the event to be the cause of the thrombus. Venous thrombus has developed again in the left subclavian vein in spite of the anticoagulant therapy at the early postoperative period. The level of serum factor XII turned out to be low by the precise examination, of which possible contribution to thrombus formation was suspected.

[Clinical study of forty-two patients who underwent resection for pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma].

Pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor as defined by the Japan Lung Cancer Society Classification. At our institution, of the 1,023 patients who underwent resection for primary lung cancer, 42 (4.0%) had adenosquamous carcinoma. Here, we present the clinical features of this malignant tumor. The male : female ratio was low. Many tumors were located peripherally, and the positive rate for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was 54.8%; these clinical findings were similar to those of adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, many tumors had relatively large diameter, and most of the patients were heavy smokers; these findings were consistent with those of squamous cell carcinoma. Hence, the cases of adenosquamous carcinoma had the characteristics of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The prognosis of patients with adenosquamous carcinoma was poorer than those of patients with adenocarcinoma and those with squamous cell carcinoma, irrespective of whether it was stages I or II. Adenosquamous carcinoma is characterized by a highly aggressive biological behavior and a high rate of early metastasis. Therefore, even if the diagnosis is made at an early phase, an aggressive approach, including adjuvant chemotherapy, might be necessary for adenosquamous carcinoma.

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal lung segments with high serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels-a case report.

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal lung segments is relatively rare. A 39-year-old Japanese man was found to have high serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels during a routine medical examination. He had no medical history and no symptoms. Although his serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was high at 571 U/mL, his abdominal computed tomography (CT), gastrointestinal endoscopy, and abdominal ultrasonography findings were not abnormal. However, his chest CT scan revealed anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal lung segment of the left lower lobe. He underwent partial resection of the left lung and stapling of the abnormal artery. After surgery, his serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level normalized. We consider that bronchiectasis of the basal left lung was involved in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 production and increase in its serum level. It is important to remain aware that various benign lung diseases can cause high serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels.

Salvage surgery for primary lung cancer complicated with Trousseau's syndrome after chemotherapy: a case report.

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to an abnormal shadow on chest radiographs. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor (diameter: 38 mm × 27 mm) and another small nodule in the left upper lobe of the lung, which were accompanied by lymphangitis of the left upper lobe. The patient underwent a transbronchial lung biopsy, following which he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. Contrast-enhanced CT and ultrasound imaging revealed bilateral pulmonary artery thrombosis and multiple venous thromboses. He was thus diagnosed with stage IIB lung cancer complicated by Trousseau's syndrome. Chemotherapy was initiated using platinum doublets, while infusions of unfractionated heparin and Xa inhibitor were administered for anticoagulant therapy. Following chemotherapy, the main tumor had shrunk, and his lymphangitis, pulmonary artery thrombosis, and multiple venous thromboses had resolved. We then could perform a left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection safely.

Emergency left pneumonectomy for foreign body aspiration: a case report.

Bronchoscopic extraction is the most common treatment of foreign body aspiration. However, surgical interventions are required in cases wherein bronchoscopic extraction is difficult, with the most frequent surgical strategy being bronchotomy or lobectomy. Herein, we report a case of foreign body aspiration wherein left pneumonectomy was inevitable because of a molar incarcerated in the left main bronchus. The large diameter of the foreign body and delayed diagnosis that causes granulomatous hyperplasia are considered to be major factors of requiring high invasive surgery.

Computed tomography-guided tube thoracostomy for massive subcutaneous emphysema following lung resection: a case report.

A 70-year-old man underwent right-sided pulmonary bilobectomy (removal of the middle and lower lobes) for stage IIIA non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Following the operation, there was minor air leakage through the intercostal drain from postoperative day 0 to 2, which stopped completely by postoperative day 3. The subsequent postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 after removal of the chest tube. On postoperative day 9, the patient returned to the hospital with complaints of nasal speech and bulging of the skin over his right breast region. He was diagnosed with postoperative subcutaneous emphysema. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that the emphysema was not associated with a collapsed lung, and the patient's relatively small-sized thoracic cavity left limited space for the placement of a chest tube. We performed a CT-guided tube thoracostomy with proper insertion and placement of an intercostal drain at the site of the air leakage, within the compact thoracic cavity. The procedure was effective in draining the trapped air, thus resolving the subcutaneous emphysema successfully.

Tracheal segmental resection for tracheal cancer: comparison of cervical collar incision with median sternotomy and posterolateral incision.

We compare two surgical approaches for segmental tracheal resection for tracheal cancer: cervical collar incision with median sternotomy and right posterolateral incision. In case one, a 46-year-old woman presented with adenoid cystic carcinoma, measuring 4.5 cm longitudinally, located at the junction of the cervical and mediastinal trachea. Cervical collar incision with median sternotomy provided a good exposure of the entire trachea. Although a relatively long tracheal resection (5.0 cm) was required, sufficient mobilization of the entire trachea facilitated low-tension anastomosis. In case 2, a 39-year-old man presented with squamous cell carcinoma, measuring 1.8 cm longitudinally, located at the lower trachea 1.8 cm from the carina to the proximal side. Right posterolateral incision provided a good exposure of the lower trachea. Although the required tracheal resection was relatively short (3.0 cm), the anastomotic tension was high. The high anastomotic tension was likely attributed to the limited mobilization of the proximal trachea.

Postoperative hemorrhage after right upper lobectomy associated with apixaban use: a case report.

A 76-year-old Japanese man underwent right upper lung lobectomy for lung cancer. He had a medical history of atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction, and was treated with medications including apixaban (5 mg twice daily). His postoperative course was uneventful, and he left the hospital on the ninth day postoperatively. Apixaban was restarted on postoperative day (POD) 10. On POD18, he was evaluated as an outpatient. He complained of fatigue, and his hemoglobin level decreased from 13.5 to 8.5 mg/dL. Chest plain radiography showed massive fluid in the right thoracic cavity. His condition was thought to be a postoperative bleeding complication due to apixaban; thus, we stopped apixaban and performed red blood cell transfusion and thoracic drainage. Postoperative hemorrhage associated with apixaban use is rare.

Emergency surgery for lung cancer with abscess formation after transbronchial biopsy.

Abscess formation in lung cancer after transbronchial biopsy (TBB) is a rare complication with no standard consensus on a coping strategy or prophylaxis. We describe an instructive case of lung cancer which developed into an abscess after TBB. An 80-year-old man with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus underwent TBB for diagnosing a mass lesion in the left upper lobe. The TBB specimen confirmed a diagnosis of lung cancer, and he was scheduled for radical surgery. However, the tumour was revealed to have progressed into an enlarged abscess 24 days after TBB. Prompt use of meropenem failed to relieve the infection, hence we performed emergency left upper lobectomy. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus was considered to be a risk for the formation of a tumour abscess after TBB. It was difficult to control the infection with conservative treatment using antibiotics; emergency surgical resection was considered to be the safest strategy for recovery.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis complicating hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a potentially lethal disease that originates from a deep neck infection (DNI); it is often associated with an immunocompromised state. Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is an extremely rare complex immune deficiency characterized by recurrent abscesses of staphylococcal etiology. A rare case of a 34-year-old woman wherein HIES putatively promoted the development of DNI into DNM is described. She presented with cervical purulent lymphadenitis and retropharyngeal abscess. Despite immediate cervical drainage and use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, she developed DNI and subsequently DNM. Mediastinal drainage with thoracotomy and subsequent deep neck drainage were performed. Bacterial culture of the abscess isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although a postoperative recurrent deep neck abscess required a second surgery, we succeeded in conservative remission of recurrent mediastinal abscess with long-term use of anti-MRSA drugs. Sufficient drainage under thoracotomy and robust administration of postoperative antibiotics resulted in successful management of HIES-associated DNM.

Alveolar-filling growth pattern of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma.

A case of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma showing extremely rare growth pattern is described. A 63-year-old man presented to our hospital with left pleural effusion. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed diffusely thickened left visceral and parietal pleura associated with intermingled pulmonary infiltrative shadowing. Biopsy of the pleura under general anaesthesia confirmed the diagnosis of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma. The patient underwent left extra-pleural pneumonectomy. Histopathologically, the sarcomatoid spindle tumour cells changed their morphology to polygonal cells in the pulmonary parenchyma and grew upwards, filling the alveolar space without the destruction of its septa, showing an alveolar-filling growth pattern. The current report indicates a case of sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma that shows an alveolar-filling growth pattern, despite having not been thoroughly categorized in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Pulmonary micropapillary-type adenosquamous carcinoma sharing epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Adenosquamous lung carcinoma (AdSqLC) has a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma (ADC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC). Micropapillary pattern in lung ADC is an additional poor prognostic factor. We describe a rare case of AdSqLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in both the micropapillary-ADC and SQCC components, showing long-term response to gefitinib. A 60-year-old woman underwent right lower lobectomy for primary lung cancer. Histopathological examination demonstrated adenosquamous carcinoma comprising micropapillary-ADC and moderately differentiated SQCC. EGFR exon 19 deletions mutation was detected in both the ADC and SQCC components. Gefitinib was administered for multiple metastatic recurrences on bilateral lung, resulting in remarkable shrinkage of visible lesions. The efficacy of gefitinib lasted for 31 months after the induction. AdSqLCs harbouring the EGFR mutation in both the ADC and SQCC components may well benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, especially when they contain micropapillary-ADC component that correlates with frequent EGFR mutations.

Stromal micropapillary predominant lung adenocarcinoma: A rare histological phenotype with poor prognosis.

An extremely rare case of stromal micropapillary predominant lung adenocarcinoma is presented in this study. A 70-year-old woman visited our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography revealed a nodule in the left lower lobe and a mass in the left upper lobe. She underwent an exploratory thoracotomy owing to the suspicion of advanced lung cancer. Pathological examination of the left lower lobe nodule revealed tumour cells with more than half the tumour cells showing stromal micropapillary pattern (SMP), consisting of tumour cells invading the fibrotic stroma. In general, micropapillary adenocarcinomas in the lung form an aerogenous micropapillary pattern (AMP), in which tumour cells float in alveolar spaces. Because the prognosis of SMP lung adenocarcinomas is known to be worse than that of AMP lung adenocarcinomas and have a high frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, the discrimination of SMP from AMP is important for both pathologists and clinicians.