[Cardiac Tamponade After Left Upper Lobectomy:Report of Two Cases].

We report two rare cases of cardiac tamponade after left upper lobectomy. Case 1:A 76-year-old man underwent thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection for lung cancer. The patient suddenly developed cardiac tamponade the day after surgery. Emergency surgery was performed to stop bleeding and confirm the source of bleeding, and dark red pericardial fluid and hematoma were observed in the pericardial sac. There was no postoperative recurrence of cardiac tamponade. He died 1 year and 2 months after the operation. Case 2:A 77-year-old woman underwent thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection for lung cancer. The patient did well until the 6th postoperative day. On the 7th postoperative day, she complained of sudden severe back pain, immediately after which she lost consciousness and went into cardiopulmonary arrest. The echocardiography revealed cardiac tamponade, and emergency pericardiocentesis was performed. The patient died without circulatory improvement despite drainage of approximately 200 ml of bloody pericardial fluid. The pathological findings of autopsy revealed penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer at the descending aorta. We speculated that severe back pain caused the afterload of left ventricle and the increase in left atrial pressure through mitral regurgitation, which might result in a bleeding from the staple-line of superior pulmonary vein in the pericardium.

[Re-operation for Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax].

INTRODUCTION: The decrease in the postoperative recurrence rate after thoracoscopic bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax is an issue that should be tackled even at this moment. We presently make sure to do the reinforcement of the visceral pleura around between the staple line on bullectomy and the common sites of the new-born bullae such as apex, top site of S6, interlobar fissure to prevent postoperative recurrence. PURPOSE: We evaluated the latest efficacy of preventing postoperative recurrence by widely covering the staple line and the common sites of the new-born bullae with a polyglycolic acid( PGA) sheet after bullectomy. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were performed for 1,097 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who received thoracoscopic bullectomy at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2020. The 1-year, 3-years, 5-years postoperative recurrence rates of 229 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were respectively calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The 1-year, 3-years, 5-years postoperative recurrence rates of spontaneous pneumothorax were 0.9%, 3.6%, 4.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with bullectomy and wide coverage of the staple line and the common sites of the new-born bullae with the PGA sheet reduced satisfyingly postoperative recurrence rates of spontaneous pneumothorax.

[Pericardial Fenestration and Multidisciplinary Treatment to Improve the Prognosis of the Malignant Pericarditis Due to Lung Cancer].

We experienced 3 cases in whom multidisciplinary treatment with pericardial fenestration was effective for malignant pericardial effusion associated with lung cancer. Case 1:Right upper lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma, EGFR (-) and ALK (-) had been performed. After 34 months, malignant pericarditis occurred and left pericardial fenestration was performed. After fenestration, anticancer drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitor( ICI) were administered. He died of lung cancer in 53 months after fenestration. Case 2:Thirty-three months after left upper lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma [EGFR (+) and ALK (-)], malignant pleuritis and pericarditis occurred and right pericardial fenestration was performed. After fenestration, anticancer drugs, EGFR-TKI and ICI were administered. He died of lung cancer in 35 months after fenestration. Case 3:Pericardial fenestration was performed for malignant pericarditis due to lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR (-), ALK (-) and PD-L1 [tumor propotion score (TPS) 0%]. After fenestration, anticancer drugs and ICI were administered. The patient died of lung cancer in 15 months after fenestration. Pericardial fenestration for malignant pericarditis is possibly useful for the management of patients, which in turns is also useful in continuing the medical treatment to prolong the prognosis.

[Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia Developed after the Surgical Treatment of Mediastinal Malignant Germ Cell Tumor].

A 26-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for an examination of a mediastinal tumor. Chest computed tomography(CT) showed a giant anterior mediastinal tumor narrowing the trachea and right main bronchus. Although needle biopsy could not be done because of patient respiratory condition, non-seminomatous mediastinal germ cell malignant tumor was strongly suspected by high level of serum AFP without no abnormal finding in his testis. After 1 cycle of chemotherapy by cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin, the mediastinal tumor decreased in size. Percutaneous biopsy was challenged, however, definite diagnosis could not be established and the surgical resection was performed. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as mature teratoma with elements of a yolk-sac tumor and some sort of sarcoma. Sudden onset of back pain and thrombocytopenia were encountered 5 months after the operation. Hematologic examination confirmed acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, and remission-induction therapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were performed. Twelve months after the operation, the patient is well without recurrence of either disease.

[Clinical Efficacy of Monotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess data on immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in an actual clinical setting, examine the factors that contribute to response and survival using real-world data, and compare the effectiveness of the 3 types of ICIs for patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 127 patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs at our hospital was conducted. RESULTS: Nivolumab(56 patients)showed a 3-year survival rate of 21.6% and a disease control rate of 57.1%. These results are consistent with the clinical trials of Nivolumab. Pembrolizumab(36 patients) showed a 2-year survival rate of 60.3%, a response rate of 50.0%, and a disease control rate of 63.9%. Atezolizumab(35 patients)displayed a particularly low response rate with a 1-year survival rate of 58.4%, response rate of 8.6%, and disease control rate of 25.7%. The treatment results for recurrence after surgery for lung cancer were comparable to those for unresectable lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Anti-PD-1 antibody displayed better therapeutic results than anti-PD-L1 antibody. The efficacy of ICI administration for postoperative recurrent lung cancer was also shown in this study.

[Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor Associated with Loss of Consciousness by Hypoglycemic Attack].

We herein report a rare case of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) producing high-molecular-weight insulin-like growth factor Ⅱ(big IGF-Ⅱ). A 51-year-old woman with a large mass in the right thorax suffered from repeated loss of consciousness due to hypoglycemic attack. A hematological examination revealed low values of serum insulin and C-peptide despite her hypoglycemia. We therefore regarded her giant thoracic tumor as the cause of the hypoglycemic attack. She underwent resection of the tumor and was diagnosed with SFT pathologically. After the surgery, her blood sugar level stabilized immediately, and she has had no hypoglycemic attacks since. Although we identified big IGF-Ⅱ in a preoperative serum sample by a Western immunoblot analysis, it was not detected after surgical resection. Positivity for big IGF-Ⅱ was observed in the tumor cells by immunohistochemical staining. We therefore concluded that big IGF-Ⅱ produced by the SFT caused the hypoglycemic attack in this patient.

[Bronchial Artery Aneurysm with Hoarseness;Report of a Case].

The patient was a 72-year-old man with a history of bronchiectasis. He was admitted to our hospital for an examination of hoarseness. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bronchiectasis in the bilateral lungs and bronchial artery aneurysm in the mediastinum. To prevent rupture of the aneurysm, we imaged the bronchial artery aneurysm by selective bronchial artery angiography and performed bronchial artery embolization (BAE) with 19 platinum coils. Three months after successful BAE, his hoarseness had improved, and the bronchial artery aneurysm was reduced in size after 12 months. To our knowledge, this is the 1st report of BAE improving hoarseness due to bronchial artery aneurysm.

[Clinical Assessment of Fourteen Cases of Thoracic Endometriosis].

We retrospectively assessed the clinical and pathological features of 14 patients with thoracic endometriosis who were treated at our hospital from 2007 to 2017. Thirteen patients presented pneumothorax and 1 patient presented bloody sputum. All were treated surgically. Pneumothorax occurs on the right side in all 13 cases and bloody sputum was from left side lesion. Ten patients presented symptoms closely related with their menstrual cycle (days -2 to 5). At surgery, dark red or dark brown spots, small hiatus and scar-like findings on the surface of the visceral pleura or diaphragm were identified in all cases. Pathological or immunohistochemical examinations of diaphragm or lung tissue specimens revealed endometrial tissue in 6 cases of pneumothorax and a case of bloody sputum. Nine patients received hormonal therapy(8:pneumothorax, 1:bloody sputum). Pleurodesis was performed for 1 pneumothorax patient with recurrent pneumothorax after hormonal therapy. In case of young female with repeated pneumothorax, catamenial pneumothorax must be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis and appropriate timing for surgical treatment should be considered to establish pathologically correct diagnosis.

[Idiopathic Bilateral Chylothorax which Presented Difficulty in Treatment].

A 57-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of bilateral chylothorax. She was previously treated with dietary restriction and pleurodesis resulting in failure. She did not have diseases causing chylothorax, and was diagnosed as having idiopathic chylothorax. To control chylothorax, 2 surgical operations to ligate bilateral thoracic ducts, right pleurodesis, and 2 times of left pleurodeses was necessary.

[Association Between Juvenile Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Smoking].

We assessed the relation between smoking and pneumothorax in patients aged <40. Of 526 patients who underwent surgery for pneumothorax in 2011~2015, 311 were under the age of 40 and they were included in this study. Of 311, 54 cases( 17.4%) were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax associated with emphysematous change by pathological assessment. By the multivariate analysis, 2 parameters exhibited significance for the risk of these spontaneous pneumothorax:a Brinkmann index of ≥165 and a smoking period of ≥9.5 years. It was suggested that smoking is strongly related to the onset of spontaneous pneumothorax even in the younger population less than 40 years of age.

Efficacy of low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer: the current state of evidence of mortality reduction.

The interim and final results of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of lung cancer computed tomography (CT) screening have been reported recently from Western countries. The outcome of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated the efficacy of low-dose thoracic CT screening for heavy smokers; however, other studies have found no apparent reduction in the mortality rate, and the outcome of the NELSON study is awaited. To date, a few studies have reported on the efficacy of lung cancer CT screening for non-/light smokers. A report from the Hitachi district, which is an ecological/time series study where non-/light smokers account for approximately half of the CT screening examinees, was published in 2012, with an outcome suggesting efficacy. Currently, a randomized controlled trial (JECS Study) is underway in Japan with non-/light smokers as the subjects, and this trial is very important in terms of cancer prevention.

[Respiratory Rehabilitation in Patients after Surgical Treatments in the Thoracic Region].

We assessed whether respiratory physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy as the major therapies of respiratory rehabilitation in the early stage after surgical treatments in the thoracic region was helpful to return daily life or not. Respiratory rehabilitation program in our hospital was achieved in 612 patients after surgery. It is confirmed that respiratory rehabilitation lead to prevention of complications, recovery of activities of daily living, and early discharge from hospital.

[Hepatic-portal Venous Gas after Lung Cancer Surgery].

An 80-year-old man who was treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy and total gastrectomy for bile duct carcinoma 24 years ago, underwent right upper lobectomy for lung squamous carcinoma. Four days after surgery, he complained of fever and decrease of blood pressure without peritoneal irritation sign. Computed tomography showed hepatic-portal gas with mild pneumatosis intestinalis. He was treated by conservative therapy and recovered.

[Intrapulmonary Solitary Fibrous Tumor].

We report a case of intrapulmonary solitary fibrous tumor( SFT). A 34-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to an abnormal shadow on a chest roentgenogram without symptom. Computed tomography showed a circumscribed intrapulmonary tumor with mild uptake on fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography( PET) in the left lower lobe( S6). Frozen examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor. Based on the pathological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as intrapulmonary SFT.

[Alpha Fetoprotein-producing Lung Adenocarcinoma].

We report a case of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) -producing lung adenocarcinoma. A 53-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to right pneumothorax. Computed tomography showed right moderate pneumothorax, a solid tumor in the upper lobe (S3) and mediastinal lymph node swelling. The serum AFP level was as high as 223.0 ng/ml. Frozen examination revealed a low-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Based on the pathological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as AFP-producing lung adenocarcinoma.

[Primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the lung; report of a case].

We report a patient with primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the lung. A 84-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. The computed tomography( CT) of the chest revealed a 6 cm tumor close to the posterior chest wall in the left thorax. He was followed-up because a benign tumor from posterior mediastinum was suspected. But the CT after 17 months showed the tumor enlargement. We performed complete resection under video-assisted thoracic surgery. It arose from the left lower lobe and was diagnosed as primary MPNST of the lung by immuno-histopathological examination. MPNSTs have a poor prognosis with tendency to recur. Although there is no sign of recurrence a year after surgery, we should follow-up carefully.

[Resected thymic hyperplasia with myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome].

A 61-year-old male who noticed muscular weakness of his extremities, diplopia and slur his words was found to have a thymic tumor on computed tomography. The immunological examination showed incremental of anti Acetylcholine receptor antibody titer and anti P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels antibody titer. Electromyography showed decremental response to low frequency stimulations, and incremental response to high frequency stimulations. So he was diagnosed with thymic tumor combined with myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. He treated with extended thymomectomy resulting in the improvement of his neurological symptoms. Five years after operation, the patient is well without any malignant diseases.

[Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia developed during the acute phase after left upper lobectomy for lung cancer].

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious adverse effect of heparin administration. This must not be rarely encountered but is not often reported in Japan compared to Western countries. A 68-year-old woman underwent left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Low-dose unfractionated heparin was administrated to prevent thromboembolism after the operation. Two days later, sudden dyspnea appeared and ultracardiosonography showing an extensive thromboembolus from the main trunk to both main branches of pulmonary artery indicated pulmonary embolization. After the establishment of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) support, the embolus was removed by emergent open heart surgery. However, despite further unfractionated heparin administration following embolization surgery, other thrombus was identified in both the bi-lateral internal jagular veins and inferior vena cava by ultrasonography and contrast computed tomography( CT). Her platelet count was decreased gradually despite platelet transfusion. Plate factor 4( PF4) antibody against heparin in her blood examination was found, and HIT II was diagnosed. Discontinuation of unfractionated heparin and administration of antithrombin agent improved platelet count, and no additional embolization was identified.

[Empyema that was diagnosed as primary ciliary dyskinesia by electron microscopical image of nasal mucosa].

A patient was 17-year-old. She had a history of repeated pneumonia and sinusitis. She was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia. Although she was prescribed a course of antibiotics, chest roentgenogram and computed tomography showed increased and capselized pleural effusion, suggesting the development of acute empyema. Capsulized effusion and pus in thorax were removed by surgery. A part of lingular segment was raptured necessitating the partial resection of lingular segment. Her postoperative course was well. Her history of repeated pneumonia and sinusitis indicated the existence of primary ciliary dyskinesia, and the biopsy of nasal mucosa was done. The electron microscopical image of nasal mucosa showed defect of inner dynein arm. We made a diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia based on her previous history and electron microscopical image.

[Long-term survival with complete response by gefitinib treatment followed by noncurative operation for lung cancer].

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. A computed tomography( CT) scan of the chest revealed a 6.5 cm tumor in the right upper lobe suspected of superior vena cava (SVC) infiltration. He was diagnosed as lung cancer(adenocarcinoma), and the right upper lobectomy with partial resection of SVC was performed. But the pathology confirmed the surgery to be non-curative. Nine months after operation, carcinomatous pleuritis was detected on chest X-ray. Since deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)analysis revealed a mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in exon 21, gefitinib treatment was started. Nine months later, pleural effusion regressed and his cerum carcinoembrionic antigen( CEA) level was normalized. 4 years later, gefitinib was discontinued by patient's request, however, he is alive without any signs of relapse 9 years after the operation.