Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety of CT-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsies: 14-Gauge versus 22-Gauge Needles.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy and safety of a 14-gauge core needle versus a 22-gauge fine needle in the evaluation of thoracic lesions by CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical charts of all patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsies (CNBs) with a 14-gauge Spirotome device (99 patients, 102 procedures) and fine-needle biopsies (FNBs) with a 22-gauge Rotex needle (92 patients, 102 procedures) between 2007 and 2013 at a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Variables that could influence diagnostic accuracy and safety were collected. RESULTS: The overall and cancer-specific diagnostic accuracy rates were 90% and 94%, respectively, with CNB, versus 82% and 89% with FNB. Precise cancer type/subtype was provided by 97% of CNBs versus 65% of FNBs (P < .001). In patients with lung cancer considered for targeted therapy, biomarker analyses were feasible in 80% of CNBs versus 0% of FNBs (P < .001). The rate of pneumothorax was significantly higher with CNB versus FNB (31% vs 19%; P = .004), but chest tube insertion rates were similar (10% vs 11%, respectively). Major bleeding complications occurred in 1% of CNBs versus 2% of FNBs and were associated with one death in the CNB group. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transthoracic CNB with a 14-gauge Spirotome needle provided better characterization of cancer lesions and allowed biomarker analyses without a significant increase in major procedural complications.

Improved Accuracy and Sensitivity in Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer with Systematic and Combined Endobronchial and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EBUS-EUS): Experience from a Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Combined endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) are accurate procedures for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) in lung cancer. However, the respective contribution of separate and combined procedures in diagnosis and staging has not been fully studied. The aim of this study was to assess their respective performances. METHODS: Patients with suspected malignant MLNs in lung cancer or recurrence identified by PET-CT who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EUS-TA were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients underwent both procedures. Correct diagnosis was obtained in 82% with EBUS-TBNA, 91% with EUS-TA, and 94% with the combined procedure. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of EBUS-TBNA, EUS-TA, and the combined procedure for diagnosing malignancy were [75%, 100%, 100%, 58%], [87%, 100%, 100%, 75%], and [93%, 100%, 100%, 80%], respectively, with a significantly better sensitivity of the combined procedure (p < 0.0001). Staging (82/141 patients) was correctly assessed in 74% with EBUS-TBNA, 68% with EUS-TA, and 85% with the combined procedure. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of EBUS-TBNA, EUS-TA, and the combined procedure for lung cancer staging were [62%, 100%, 100%, 55%], [54%, 100%, 100%, 50%], and [79%, 100%, 100%, 68%], respectively, significantly better in terms of sensitivity for the combined procedure (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined EBUS-EUS approach in lung cancer patients showed better accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosis and staging when compared with EBUS-TBNA and EUS-TA alone.

Bronchotracheal Stenting Management by Rigid Bronchoscopy under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Support: 10 Years of Experience in a Tertiary Center.

Purpose: Airway stenting offers good palliation and improves the quality of life in patients with inoperable bronchotracheal stenosis. However, in some cases, the management of stenting can be life-threatening. Hence, a strategy for maintaining oxygenation and hemodynamic stability should be anticipated to avoid critical situations. Herein, we report the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in bronchotracheal stenting management to secure oxygenation and facilitate interventions. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy under ECMO support for the management of bronchotracheal stenting at CHU UCL Namur hospital (Belgium), between January 2009 and December 2019. Results: We included 14 bronchoscopy cases performed on 11 patients (3 patients underwent 2 bronchoscopies) in this study; 12 were performed on males and 2 on females. The median age was 54 years. There were 11 benign and 3 malignant etiologies for the central airway obstruction/stenosis. Eight cases were supported by venovenous ECMO and six by venoarterial ECMO. The median ECMO time was 267 minutes. The weaning of ECMO support was successful in all cases. In most cases, the procedures were performed effectively and safely. Only two local complications caused by the cannulation of ECMO were reported, and anticoagulation was adapted to avoid bleeding at the operating site and clot formation in the system. Conclusion: Elective ECMO support was helpful and safe for the high-risk management of bronchotracheal stenting with rigid bronchoscopy and was not associated with any additional significant complications.

Recurrent Masses after Testicular Cancer: Growing Teratoma Syndrome. A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Growing teratoma syndrome is a rare syndrome that affects patients with nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCTs). It is characterized by recurrent growing masses that appear during or after chemotherapy in the presence of normal levels of tumor markers. Histological examination is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 36-year-old man who developed recurrent masses after curative treatment for NSGCT of the testicle. His tumor markers were normal. The patient was cured after multiple surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Close follow-up after treatment for NSGCT is very important for early detection of this syndrome, which can occur even many years after tumor onset. Normal blood makers can be misleading, and surgery remains the only curative treatment.

[Ruptured aneurysm of the renal artery: a rare cause of macroscopic hematuria ]. / Anévrisme rompu de l'artère rénale: une cause rare d'hématurie macroscopique.

The authors report a case of ruptured aneurysm of the renal artery in a 70-year-old man urgently admitted for massive haematuria and shock. As a result of a rapid diagnosis, ex situ resection of the aneurysm was performed with reconstruction of the renal artery pedicle using a vein graft and autologous renal transplantation in the iliac fossa. The patient had a favourable course at one year with normal renal function on laboratory tests and isotope scan. The authors review the literature concerning the epidemiology, classification, clinical features and management of aneurysms of the renal artery.

Improved patient survival with concomitant Cox Maze III procedure compared with heart surgery alone.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of the Cox Maze procedure combined with heart surgery was evaluated at long-term follow-up. METHODS: The outcome for 37 patients who underwent a Cox Maze III procedure combined with heart surgery (Maze group) was compared with that of 66 patients who had heart surgery alone (control group). All patients were in persistent atrial fibrillation preoperatively. The two groups had similar preoperative characteristics and were operated upon during the same era (1996 to 2004). RESULTS: Five-year survival, including hospital deaths, was 89% +/- 5% in the Maze group and 60% +/- 7% in the control group (log rank p = 0.008). Causes of death were predominantly related to heart failure (1 of 37 in the Maze group and 12 of 66 in the control group; p = 0.02) and to sudden death (0 of 37 in the Maze group and 9 of 66 in the control group; p = 0.02). After correction for preoperative variables, Cox regression analysis showed that the Maze procedure improved survival independently (p = 0.019). In a subgroup of patients with left atrial diameter of more than 60 mm preoperatively, the 5-year survival estimate was 92% +/- 6% in the Maze group versus 59% +/- 9% in the control group (log rank p = 0.012). The 5-year estimate of conversion to sinus rhythm was 91% +/- 7% in the Maze group and 33% +/- 7% in the control group (log rank p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The restoration of sinus rhythm by a Maze procedure combined with heart surgery markedly improved long-term survival in this series.

Loss of left ventricular epicardial lead capture due to pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax is a rare complication of pacemaker lead insertion by subclavian way. We report a case of temporary ineffective biventricular pacing due to pneumothorax. This complication has to be ruled out before electing to reposition or to replace the lead.