Resection and a rare type of reconstruction of the superior vena cava with the left brachiocephalic vein.

Resection and reconstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) are required in a selected group of patients with anterior mediastinal tumors and lung neoplasms. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent invasive type B2 thymoma resection and a rare type of reconstruction of the superior vena cava using a patch of the left brachiocephalic vein (LBV). The various types of reconstruction of the superior vena cava are discussed.

Surgical Resection of an Intravascular Lipoma of the Superior Vena Cava.

Intravascular lipomas (IVL) located in the superior vena cava (SVS) are rare benign primary venous tumors with less than 15 cases reported in the literature. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with IVL of the SVC extending to the right brachiocephalic vein. She was treated successfully using a hybrid procedure which involved endovascular control of the right subclavian vein and surgical approach via median sternotomy followed by mass resection and use of pericardial patch for vein defect closure.

Rare case of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma in the right innominate vein-An innovative diagnostic approach.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare malignant vascular tumor with limited literature. AIMS: We reported an innovative endovascular biopsy of the right innominate vein tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endovascular suction thrombectomy was performed with multipurpose catheter and constant negative pressure under fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma was diagnosed preoperatively and a complete margin-free tumor resection with patch repair of the right innominate vein was achieved via sternotomy. DISCUSSION: Preoperatively diagnosis is usually not available due to lesions' location. Identifying malignant vascular tumors becomes valuable to guide the surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report, this innovative endovascular approach led to a rare preoperative diagnosis of EHE and subsequent margin-free resection.

Percutaneous superior vena cava puncture successful recanalization of a long-segment, angled central venous occlusion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple complete central venous occlusion (CVO) is rare complication among the hemodialysis population. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the recommended treatment for CVO; however, cases with long-segment occlusion remain challenging. CASE DESCRIPTION: We reported a patient who complained of a swollen right arm for 1 month. On admission, his vital signs were within normal limits. The 76-year-old man had been on hemodialysis with a right forearm arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for 4 years with a history of temporizing catheterization and left forearm AVF failure. One year ago, he gradually developed a slight swelling in his right arm and the swelling in his arm was significantly worse one month ago. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed occlusion in his right innominate vein (IV), proximal subclavian vein (SV), and external and internal jugular veins, as well as stenosis of the ipsilateral cephalic arch and axillary vein (AV). The operation was performed with a pioneered bidirectional approach via ipsilateral superior vena cava (SVC) and AV puncture. The occluded lesions were successfully recanalized, and the patient's symptoms resolved after the operation. The patency of his vascular access was well maintained at the 4-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the application of SVC puncture in PTA for CVO. This technique could be a possible approach when performed by appropriately qualified operators in patients with limited or no other options.

The risk of fatal bleeding complications in jugular catheterization in patients with coagulopathy: A retrospective analysis of death cases in closed claims and the Medical Accident Investigating System in Japan.

BACKGROUND: To prevent recurrence of medical accidents, the Medical Accident Investigating System was implemented in October 2015 by the Japan Medical Safety Research Organization (Medsafe Japan) to target deaths from medical care that were unforeseen by the administrator. Medsafe Japan analyzed the 10 cases of central venous catheterization-related deaths reported in the system and published recommendations in March 2017. However, the particular emphasis for the prevention of central venous catheterization-related deaths is unclear. METHODS: This study aimed to identify the recommendation points that should be emphasized to prevent recurrence of central venous catheterization-related deaths. We assessed central venous catheterization in 8530 closed-claim cases between January 2002 and December 2016 covered by the medical insurer Sompo-Japan. Moreover, we compared central venous catheterization-related death in closed-claim cases with death in reported cases. RESULTS: The background, error type, anatomic insertion site, and fatal complication data were evaluated for 37 closed-claim cases, of which 12 (32.4%) were death cases. Of the 12 closed-claim cases and 10 reported cases, 9 (75.0%) closed-claim cases and 9 (90.0%) reported cases were related to vascular access. Among these, 5 closed-claim cases (41.7%) and 7 reported cases (77.8%) were related to internal jugular vein catheterization (p = 0.28). Coagulopathy was observed in 3 (60.0%) of 5 closed-claim cases and 6 (85.7%) of 7 reported cases. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of internal jugular catheterization in patients with coagulopathy must be carefully considered.

Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction in Masaoka Stage III and IVa Thymic Epithelial Tumors.

BACKGROUND: We present here a case series of patients who underwent resection for Masaoka stage III and IVa thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) with invasion into the superior vena cava (SVC). METHODS: A total of 29 patients with stage III and IVa TETs were treated surgically in 3 institutions. Operative resections involved replacing the SVC from one of the innominate veins (n = 18) or via reconstruction by truncal replacement (n = 2) or patch plasty (n = 9). RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent neoadjuvant treatment. Thirty- and 90-day mortality rates were 3.4% and 10.3%, respectively. For stage III patients, the median overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were 39 and 30 months, respectively. The median overall survival and DFS in patients with Masaoka stage IVa disease were 67 and 21 months, respectively. Undergoing only preoperative chemotherapy (P = .007) or receiving no chemotherapy (P = .009) had a DFS that was significantly higher than receiving both preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: SVC resection and reconstruction in Masoaka stage III and IVa TETs can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Stage IVa patients with SVC involvement can be treated with similar results as stage III patients with multimodality treatment.

Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction with a Superficial Femoral Vein Graft.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an entity that has become more frequent due to the increasing use of indwelling central venous catheters. Surgical management is considered in patients with extensive venous thrombosis and when endovascular therapy is not feasible. The use of superficial femoral vein is an excellent technique for reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) in cases with benign and malignant etiologies. We describe two cases of SVCS that were managed surgically at our institution with replacement of the SVC and brachiocephalic veins with a superficial femoral vein graft technique.

Left brachiocephalic vein-right atrial bypass in superior vena cava syndrome.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a condition with total or partial stenosis in the superior vena cava (SVC) as a result of intrathoracic malignancies or microtrauma caused by central venous catheterisation. Various invasive and surgical interventions are performed to provide venous drainage in these patients whose head and neck venous blood flow is impaired. In this case report, we report on a bypass performed with a synthetic graft between the left brachiocephalic vein and the right atrium in a patient with SVCS.

Angiectasia of the parietal pleura in a hemodialysis patient with central venous stenosis and bloody pleural effusion: a case report.

Pleural effusion in hospitalized patients with long-term hemodialysis (HD) has been frequently reported. The most common causes of unilateral pleural effusions include hypervolemia, parapneumonic, uremic effusion, and malignancy. In contrast, central venous stenosis (CVS) has rarely been shown to result in pleural effusion. CVS is often diagnosed by percutaneous angiography, yet there are no reports of cases where percutaneous angiography missed CVS and instead intrathoracic endoscopy was performed. Herein, we report a case of CVS with angiectasia of the parietal pleura detected on intrathoracic endoscopy. A 62-year-old man with HD presented with massive unilateral pleural effusion. Although the cause of pleural effusion was suspected to be CVS, percutaneous angiography did not show apparent stenosis, and as a result, other potential causes of bloody effusion were investigated. The intrapleural cavity was assessed using intrathoracic endoscopy, which revealed angiectasia and no malignancy. As these findings might be suggestive of congestive and dilated vessels with venous stenosis or occlusion, 3D-computed tomography (CT) scans were performed instead of percutaneous angiography to determine whether a stenosis or occlusion was present. Brachiocephalic vein stenosis was found near the aortic arch. CVS was treated through ligation of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF), resulting in a dramatic decrease in the left pleural effusion. This case would suggest that CVS should be suspected when angiectasia of the parietal pleura is observed in HD patients. In addition, the benefit of utilizing 3D-CT should be considered when HD patients present with a unilateral hemothorax on the same side as that of the AVF, particularly when on the left side.

Focal Liver 18F-FDG Uptake in a Patient Who Underwent Thrombolysis for Brachiocephalic and Subclavian Thrombosis: A Potential Pitfall.

ABSTRACT: A 19-year-old woman presented with a primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma invading the superior vena cava with associated thrombosis of the left brachiocephalic and subclavian vein. She underwent thrombolysis followed by chemotherapy. The midtreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated important regression of the primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, but showed intense focal hepatic uptake in segment IV, without a corresponding lesion on ultrasonography, non-contrast-enhanced low-dose CT, and MRI. This focal uptake disappeared on a subsequent 18F-FDG PET/CT study when the radiotracer was injected in the foot, suggesting an anomalous venous return pathway that persisted despite thrombolysis.

Modified Subxiphoid Thoracoscopic Thymectomy for Locally Invasive Thymoma.

BACKGROUND: We explored the feasibility and safety of modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy for patients with locally invasive thymomas. METHODS: Subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy was performed on select patients with locally invasive thymomas (Masaoka stage III) using an auxiliary sternal retractor to create a larger operative field. RESULTS: From June 2015 to March 2019, we performed modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy on 48 patients with locally invasive thymomas: 39 patients had pericardium or lung infiltration and received a combination of a partial pericardium or lung wedge resection, and 9 patients had left innominate vein infiltration and underwent combined resection of the left innominate vein. Thoracoscopic thymectomy was performed from the subxiphoid pathway with an auxiliary sternal retractor in all 48 patients, and there were no conversions to median sternotomy. The median tumor size was 5 cm, and the maximal tumor size was 12 cm. The median blood loss was 50 mL. The median duration of chest tube placement was 3 days, and the median hospital stay was 4.5 days after surgery. All patients achieved a good recovery after surgery, and none had serious complications during the perioperative period. All patients underwent postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and presented no local recurrence or distant metastasis until now. CONCLUSIONS: Modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy with an auxiliary sternal retractor makes minimally invasive thymectomy easier and safer to perform and is an alternative approach for some patients with locally invasive thymomas.

Bilateral brachiocephalic vein stenosis in a chronic hemodialysis patient with well-functioning arteriovenous fistula - A rare entity.

<b>Introduction:</b> Central vein stenosis has been reported in patients of end stage renal disease with subclavian vein being more commonly affected than brachiocephalic vein. <br><b>Case report:</b> We present a case of young female with bilateral brachiocephalic vein obstruction following arteriovenous fistula creation for hemodialysis.

Swollen Painful Neck: A Case of a Ruptured Venous Malformation.

A 16-year-old male was brought to our hospital presenting with acute onset of a painful protruding left neck mass within a day, associated with left upper-arm tenderness. Chest computed tomography revealed high attenuation masses at the left supraclavicular and mediastinal regions, suspected of being venous vascular tumors. Surgery was arranged and then ruptured venous tumor was noted, with pathology results determining a venous malformation.

Levoatrial cardinal vein with left-to-right shunt in a neonate: Multi-imaging diagnosis.

We present a rare case of a levoatrial cardinal vein identified during the work-up of a patient with coarctation of the aorta. Early diagnosis and repair in the neonatal period prevented future manifestations of left-to-right shunt and the need for reoperations, in contrast with the later-age presentation of this congenital anomaly. An integrative approach was crucial for prompt detection, intraoperative confirmation and complete one-stage repair.

Critical Review of Large Animal Models for Central Deep Venous Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the existing literature on large animal models of central venous thrombosis (CVT) and to evaluate its relevance in regard to the development and testing of dedicated therapeutics applicable to humans. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase. Articles describing an in vivo experimental protocol of CVT in large animals, involving the iliac vein and/or the vena cava and/or the brachiocephalic vein, were included. The primary aim of the study, animal characteristics, experimental protocol, and thrombus evaluation were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-eight papers describing more than 30 different protocols were included. Animals used were pigs (53%), dogs (21%), monkeys (24%), and cattle (3%). The median number of animals per study was 12. Animal sex, strain, and weight were missing in 18 studies (47%), seven studies (18%), and eight studies (21%), respectively. CVT was always induced by venous stasis: solely (55%), or in addition to hypercoagulability (37%) or endothelial damage (10%). The size of the vessel used for thrombus creation was measured in four studies (10%). Unexpected animal death occurred in nine studies (24%), ranging from 3% to 37% of the animals. Twenty-two studies (58%) in the acute phase and 31 studies in the chronic phase (82%) evaluated the presence or absence of the thrombus created, and its occlusive characteristic was reported, respectively, in five and 17 studies. Histological examination was performed in 24 studies (63%) with comparison to human thrombus in one study. CONCLUSION: This review showed advantages and weaknesses of the existing large animal models of CVT. Future models should insist on more rigour and consistency in reporting animal characteristics, as well as evaluating and comparing the thrombus created to human thrombus.

Surgical treatment of asymptomatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma originating from the superior vena cava: A case report.

RATIONALE: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare endothelial tumor with a low-grade malignancy. This tumor can be treated with complete resection. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 20-year-old Korean man visited our hospital due to an abnormal finding on standing chest PA X-ray. He did not have any past medical history. DIAGNOSIS: Chest computed tomography shows a well-defined, oval-shaped tumor invading the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava. A malignant tumor of vascular origin was diagnosed by a percutaneous needle biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: We performed en-bloc resection including the great vessels for complete resection of the tumor. Histologic evaluation confirmed the lesion to be a hemangioendothelioma and the surgical margins were free from tumor invasion. OUTCOMES: Fourteen days later, the patient was discharged without any complication. Thirty months after surgery, recurrences, or metastasis were not detected. LESSONS: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare malignant endothelial tumor in the central vein. Surgery is the treatment of choice and shows good results. We introduce and appropriate surgical method to ensure successful treatment for rare disease.

An unusual cause of subacute airway obstruction in a hemodialysis patient with brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: A rare presentation of central venous occlusion.

A young lady with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula on hemodialysis was referred for surgical management following a failed endovascular approach to relieve central venous occlusion. She had an obstructed left brachiocephalic vein with a history of numerous central vein catheter placements. Alternative routes for new arteriovenous fistula creation had been exhausted due to previous contralateral upper limb fistula rupture and ligation. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases of airway obstruction in central venous occlusion occurring in hemodialysis patients with AV fistula have been reported. The importance of identifying the possible emergency red flags in hemodialysis patients with central venous occlusion is important to prevent unwanted consequences.