Comparison of integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography and mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer: analysis of 212 patients.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal staging is crucial to determine the prognosis and treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we compared the results of integrated positron emission tomography-computerised tomography (PET/CT) with those of mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging of NSCLC patients. METHODS: PET/CT and mediastinoscopy was performed on 250 consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC between September 2005 and March 2008. Thirty-eight patients were excluded from the study. Standard cervical mediastinoscopy was performed in all patients, and simultaneous extended cervical mediastinoscopy was performed in 52 patients with left sided lesions. Patients with negative mediastinoscopy underwent resection. The pathological results were correlated with PET/CT findings. RESULTS: A total of 212 patients (199 male, 13 female ; mean age : 58.3 years) were evaluated. In PET/CT analysis 60 true-positive, 45 false-positive, 103 true-negative and 4 false-negative patients were found. The rate of PET/CT positivity of mediastinal lymph nodes was 49.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy for PET/CT were 93.8%, 69.6%, 57.1%, 96.3% and 76.9% respectively. The incidence of N2 disease in NSCLC patients with negative mediastinal lymph node uptake on PET/CT was 3.7% (4 of 107). In univariate analysis, right upper lobe tumours were significantly (p < 0.05) more associated with occult N2 disease. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with positive mediastinal lymph node uptake on PET/CT invasive mediastinal staging appears necessary for exact staging. Mediastinoscopy can be omitted in NSCLC patients with negative mediastinal uptake on PET/CT in regions where the rate of PET/CT positivity of mediastinal lymph nodes is high.

The role of surgery and fluoroquinolones in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

SETTING: Although modern tuberculosis treatment relies on chemotherapy, surgery is accepted as adjuvant treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of resectional surgery and fluoroquinolones on long-term treatment success and survival in a large group of MDR-TB cases. DESIGN: A total of 252 patients with MDR-TB were included in this retrospective cohort study. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine independent predictive factors for long-term treatment success, and survival analyses were done based on different treatment approaches with or without surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the study cohort was 37.9 +/- 12.5 years; 204 (80%) were males. Long-term treatment success was associated with resistance to fewer drugs, female sex, younger age and limited disease. Sixty-six patients (26.2%) had undergone resectional surgery after 2-16 months of treatment. The highest long-term treatment success and survival rates were achieved in patients who both received fluoroquinolones and underwent surgery (P = 0.001 vs. other groups). CONCLUSION: Although the treatment success rate was higher in patients treated with surgery and fluoroquinolones compared to other groups, an additional significant benefit from surgery could not be demonstrated. Larger scale studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Role of surgery in multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis: results of 27 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of resectional surgery as an adjuvant therapy in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 27 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis underwent resectional surgery between 1993 and 1996. The lesions were bilateral in 16 cases, with a preponderance of cavities on one side. Out of 27 cases, 5 patients had unilaterally destroyed lung; 20 patients underwent pneumonectomy (15 left, 5 right). Lobectomy operations included bilobectomy superior (n = 1), right lower lobectomy (n = 2), right upper lobectomy (n = 3), and left upper lobectomy with superior segmentectomy (n = 1). RESULTS: Because of haemorrhage, 2 cases who underwent a right and left pneumonectomy, respectively, required revision on the first day . Bronchopleural fistula was found in 2 cases with left pneumonectomy. Apical residual space was left in one of the 3 patients who underwent right upper lobectomy. Retreatment protocols resulted in negative cultures and smears in all patients with an average duration of 4 months (1-6 months). A total of 4 patients (16%) completed a retreatment period of 18-24 months with negative cultures. Only 1 patient (3.7%) developed relapse in the 17th month of retreatment. Patients with negative cultures numbered 22 and continued receiving retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that surgical management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, combined with chemotherapy, provides a more favourable outcome than that obtained with medical therapy alone.

Correlation between sizes and intracystic pressures of hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND: A bicentral prospective study was performed to assess the relationship between sizes and intracystic pressures (ICP) of pulmonary hydatid cysts as well as to compare these measurements in different age groups. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with 22 unperforated pulmonary hydatid cysts underwent surgery between April 1994 and September 1995. There were 12 males and 8 females with a mean age of 25.7 (7-62). Intraoperatively, ICP's were measured in cmH2O by direct cannulation. RESULTS: Out of a total of 22 cysts, 12 were located in the lower lobes. Mean diameter, volume and ICP of cysts were 9.6 cm (S.D. 4.2), 728.8 cm3 (S.D. 1014.9) and 36.6 cmH2O (S.D. 9.3), respectively. There was no significant correlation between various measurements of hydatid cysts, namely their short and long diameters, volumes and intracystic pressures (P > 0.05). There was no difference regarding the volume, ICP and age of patients, either among pulmonary lobes or between sexes. Patients who were 20 years old and less, presented a mean cystic diameter of 7.2 cm and mean ICP of 35.1 cmH2O, whereas the over 20 age group showed results of 11.9 cm and 38.1 cmH2O, respectively (P values were < 0.0083 for diameter and > 0.05 for ICP). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the small sample size and a few extreme measurements, the correlation between the sizes and the pressures of hydatid cysts turned out to be insignificant, but it is believed that a positive correlation is most probable with larger sample sizes. On the other hand, while the difference between the mean cystic diameters in age groups of below and over 20 was significant, the pressure difference between them was insignificant. This is why young patients carry the same risk of perforation as adults, although they present with relatively smaller cysts. Therefore, due to the well-known anaphylactic, obstructive and infectious risks of hydatid cyst perforation, urgent surgical removal is always necessary.

Pleural tenting following upper lobectomies or bilobectomies of the lung to prevent residual air space and prolonged air leak.

OBJECTIVE: Apical residual air space and prolonged air leak are not uncommon entities following resection of upper lobe of the lung. This study was carried out to observe the efficacy of pleural tenting in preventing these problems. METHODS: This is a prospective randomised study. Pleural tenting after upper or upper and middle lobectomies was performed in 20 patients. In another 20 patients who underwent upper lobectomy or bilobectomy, pleural tenting was not performed. Both groups were compared in respect to durations of postoperative chest tube drainage and hospital stay, amount of total pleural drainage, and the presence of need for any additional intervention for prolonged air leak. RESULTS: Age, sex, pathology and pulmonary function tests of two groups were similar. Duration of chest tube drainage was shorter in whom pleural tenting was performed when compared to whom pleural tenting was not performed (4.3+/-0.16 days versus 7.40+/-0.68 days, P<0.0001). Mean hospital stay was shorter in tented group (7.60+/-0.4 days versus 9.35+/-0.6 days, P=0.024). Although the mean amount of total pleural drainage was less in tented group (667.5+/-57.7 ml versus 802.5+/-83.3 ml, P=0.1911), the difference was not statistically significant. Three (15%) patients in non-tented group needed an apical chest tube insertion in postoperative period for prolonged air leak with an apical pleural space. Asymptomatic apical residual space was observed in 3 patients in tented group. There was no morbidity in patients in tented group. CONCLUSION: Pleural tenting following upper lobectomy or bilobectomy of the lung shortens the duration of chest tube drainage and hospital stay, and it prevents apical residual air spaces and related complications. Pleural tenting is safe and relatively simple procedure, which has no associated morbidity.

Simultaneous operation for hydatid cyst of right lung and liver.

Hydatid disease is endemic in many regions of Turkey. We observed 23 cases of simultaneous liver hydatid cyst in 344 patients having pulmonary hydatid cyst referred to our center. The simultaneous hydatid cysts were diagnosed by ultrasonography. In all cases complete resection was possible in a single operation. We performed thoracophrenotomy in 21 cases and thoracolaparotomy in two cases. Empyema was observed in three patients postoperatively. No mortality has occurred. Recurrence of a pulmonary cyst was observed in one patient 20 months postoperatively.

Congenital isolated unilateral absence of right pulmonary artery.

A case is reported of isolated absence of the right pulmonary artery. The patient who suffered recurrent pulmonary infections was referred to our center after detection by an outward hospital of abnormalities on the chest radiography. In our centre the diagnosis was established by angiocardiography.

Intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathy: clinical and bronchoscopic features in 17 adults without parenchymal lesions.

BACKGROUND: Whilst intrathoracic lymphadenitis is a characteristic sign of primary tuberculosis in children, its presence without parenchymal lesions in adults is unusual and makes the diagnosis using noninvasive techniques difficult. The diagnostic role of bronchoscopy in adults with intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenitis is reported. METHODS: Seventeen patients with intrathoracic lymphadenopathy seen during 1993 who had all undergone bronchoscopy and had been found to have tuberculosis in the absence of any parenchymal lung lesions were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Right paratracheal lymphadenopathy was observed on the plain chest radiograph in all the patients. Fifteen of the 17 patients had an endobronchial abnormality and samples taken at bronchoscopy gave a definitive diagnosis in nine (53%) of the 17. Four patients had ulcerating endobronchial granuloma and all had biopsy samples positive for tuberculosis. Transbronchial or transcarinal needle aspiration samples were diagnostic in five of 11 patients (45%) subjected to the procedure. Peripheral lymph node biopsy diagnosed tuberculosis in two cases and in the remaining six patients the diagnosis wa achieved by mediastinoscopy or thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis of intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathy in adults and should be considered before other invasive procedures.

Scimitar syndrome: confirmation of diagnosis by a noninvasive technique (MRI).

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital pulmonary anomaly that is characterized by hypoplasia of the right lung and the right pulmonary artery with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to the inferior vena cava or the right atrium. Very few reports are available that analyze the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in establishing the diagnosis. We present a case with Scimitar syndrome in which anomalous pulmonary venous return was confirmed by cine MRI.

Review of cases with cystic hydatid lung disease in a tertiary referral hospital located in an endemic region: a 10 years' experience.

BACKGROUND: Echinococcus disease is endemic in sheep-and cattle-raising areas world wide. Its prevalence is also high in the Mediterranean region including Turkey. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presentation, approach to surgical treatment and outcome of hydatid disease in an endemic region. METHODS: From January 1989 to December 1998 288 patients, aged between 1 and 71 years with a mean age of 31 years (134 female, 154 male), were operated on for pulmonary hydatidosis. Clinical charts of the patients were reviewed retrospectively in a tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: Of 288 patients, 30 patients were asymptomatic, the rest (89%) were symptomatic, cough and chest pain being the most common symptoms. Fifty-three patients (18%) had associated liver hydatid cysts. Bilateral lung hydatid cysts were present in 18 patients (6%). Recurrent hydatid cysts were observed in 33 patients (11%). Seventy-seven patients (27%) presented with complicated hydatid cysts. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 3 patients [bronchopleural fistula (2), infection of the cyst space (1)] and postoperative mortality in 1 patient who presented with hydatid lung disease associated with liver and brain cysts. In the remaining 98. 6%, no complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, hydatidosis is still an important public health problem in Turkey and in an endemic country such as Turkey hydatid lung disease should be considered initially in a patient presenting with a corresponding chest roentgenogram and a compatible epidemiologic history. Surgery is indicated in all symptomatic and/or enlarging or infected cysts. When necessary lobectomy or wedge resection can be the procedure of choice. Single-stage combined resection is preferred in hydatid lung disease with associated liver hydatid cysts. Total postoperative complication and mortality rate is low and we recommend a close follow-up of the operated cases to diagnose postoperative recurrence early in its course.

The treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the results of treatment in 158 consecutive patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis who were treated at our center in Istanbul. METHODS: A total of 21 female patients and 137 male patients (age range, 15 to 68 years) received treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis between March 1992 and October 1999. The patients had previously received a mean of 5.7 antituberculosis drugs and were infected with organisms that were resistant to a mean of 4.4 drugs. All patients were infected with organisms that were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin. The regimens we used were selected on the basis of previous treatment protocols and the results of susceptibility tests. All patients received at least three drugs thought to be active; the treatment was continued for at least 18 months after the conversion to a negative culture and for at least 24 months in the absence of first-line drugs. RESULTS: The mean number of drugs given during the study was 5.5 (range, 3 to 9). Surgical resection was performed in 36 patients. Adverse effects led to discontinuation of one or more drugs in 62 patients (39 percent). Cultures became negative in 150 patients (95 percent) after a mean of 1.9 months (range, 1 to 9). The overall success rate of treatment was 77 percent, with cures in 78 patients (49 percent) and probable cures in 43 (27 percent). Treatment failed in 13 patients (8 percent). Seven patients died (4 percent). Seventeen patients (11 percent) did not complete the treatment regimen. The patients with unsuccessful outcomes were older than those with successful outcomes (mean age, 42 years vs. 36 years; P=0.008), had received a larger number of drugs previously (median, six vs. five; P=0.048), were more likely to have been treated previously with ofloxacin (57 percent vs. 30 percent, P=0.004), and were less likely to have received ofloxacin as part of the study protocol (65 percent vs. 84 percent, P=0.018). Thirty-eight percent of the patients with unsuccessful outcomes were infected with organisms that were resistant to more than five drugs. In a step-down logistic-regression analysis, a successful outcome was independently associated with a younger age (P=0.013) and the absence of previous treatment with ofloxacin (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be cured with the use of appropriate, intensive treatment regimens.