Blocking interleukin-23 ameliorates neuromuscular and thymic defects in myasthenia gravis.

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness. The AChR+ autoantibodies are produced by B-cells located in thymic ectopic germinal centers (eGC). No therapeutic approach is curative. The inflammatory IL-23/Th17 pathway is activated in the thymus as well as in the blood and the muscle, contributing to the MG pathogenic events. We aimed to study a potential new therapeutic approach that targets IL-23p19 (IL-23) in the two complementary preclinical MG models: the classical experimental MG mouse model (EAMG) based on active immunization and the humanized mouse model featuring human MG thymuses engrafted in NSG mice (NSG-MG). In both preclinical models, the anti-IL-23 treatment ameliorated MG clinical symptoms. In the EAMG, the treatment reduced IL-17 related inflammation, anti-AChR IgG2b antibody production, activated transduction pathway involved in muscle regeneration and ameliorated the signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction. In the NSG-MG model, the treatment reduced pathogenic Th17 cell population and expression of genes involved in eGC stabilization and B-cell development in human MG thymus biopsies. Altogether, these data suggest that a therapy targeting IL-23p19 may promote significant clinical ameliorations in AChR+ MG disease due to concomitant beneficial effects on the thymus and skeletal muscle defects.

Il-23/Th17 cell pathway: A promising target to alleviate thymic inflammation maintenance in myasthenia gravis.

IL-23/Th17 pathway has been identified to sustain inflammatory condition in several autoimmune diseases and therefore being targeted in various therapeutic and effective approaches. Patients affected with autoimmune myasthenia gravis exhibit a disease effector tissue, the thymus, that harbors ectopic germinal centers that sustain production of auto-antibodies, targeting proteins located in the neuromuscular junction, cause of the organ-specific chronic autoimmune disease. The present study aims to investigate the IL-23/Th17 cell pathway in the thymic inflammatory and pathogenic events. We found that thymuses of MG patients displayed overexpression of Interleukin-17, signature cytokine of activated Th17 cells. This activation was sustained by a higher secretion of Interleukin-23 by TEC, in addition to the increased expression of cytokines involved in Th17 cell development. The overexpression of Interleukin-23 was due to a dysregulation of interferon type I pathway. Besides, Interleukin-17 secreted, and Th17 cells were localized around thymic ectopic germinal centers. These cells expressed podoplanin, a protein involved in B-cell maturation and antibody secretion. Finally, production of Interleukin-23 was also promoted by Interleukin-17 secreted itself by Th17 cells, highlighting a chronic loop of inflammation sustained by thymic cell interaction. Activation of the IL-23/Th17 pathway in the thymus of autoimmune myasthenia gravis patients creates an unstoppable loop of inflammation that may participate in ectopic germinal center maintenance. To alleviate the physio-pathological events in myasthenia gravis patients, this pathway may be considered as a new therapeutic target.

Prognostic Value of Exon 19 Versus 21 EGFR Mutations Varies According to Disease Stage in Surgically Resected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of exon 19 and 21 EGFR mutations in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is well established. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the mutations in surgically resected NSCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 1798 surgically resected NSCLC adenocarcinomas between 2007 and 2017 in three departments of thoracic surgery (Nancy/Strasbourg, France, and Torino, Italy) for whom mutational status was known. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using log-rank and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: EGFR exon 19 deletion was observed in 108 patients (55.1%) and exon 21 L858R mutations were observed in 88 patients (44.9%). In stage I, the median OS was not significantly different between exons 19 and 21 (p = 0.54), while, in stage II, the median OS reached 65 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.67-88.33] for exon 19 mutations and decreased to 48 months for exon 21 mutations (95% CI 44.21-51.79; p = 0.027). In multivariate analysis, exon 19 deletion remained a favorable prognostic factor [hazard ratio (HR) 0.314, 95% CI 0.098-0.997; p = 0.05]. In stage III, the median OS reached 66 months (95% CI 44.67-87.32) for exon 19 mutations and decreased to 32 months for exon 21 mutations (95% CI 29.86-34.14; p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, exon 19 deletion remained a significantly favorable prognostic factor (HR 0.165, 95% CI 0.027-0.999; p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognostic value of EGFR exon 19 and 21 mutations appears to be different according to disease stage in surgically resected NSCLC.

Early and Late Atrial Arrhythmias After Lung Transplantation　- Incidence, Predictive Factors and Impact on Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias (AAs) are frequent after lung transplantation (LT) and late postoperatively. Several predictive factors of early postoperative AAs after LT have been identified but those of late AAs remain unknown. Whether AA after LT affects mortality is still being debated. This study assessed in a large cohort of LT patients the incidence of AAs early and late after surgery, their predictive factors and their effect on mortality.Methods and Results:We studied 271 consecutive LT patients over 9 years. Mean follow-up was 2.9±2.4 years. 33% patients developed postoperative AAs. Age (odds ratio (OR) 2.35; confidence interval (CI) [1.31-4.24]; P=0.004) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.13; CI [1.12-4.03]; P=0.02) were independent predictive factors of early AAs. Late AAs occurred 2.2±2.7 years after transplant in 8.8% of the patients. Pretransplant systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PTsPAP) was the only independent predictive factor of late AA (OR 1.028; CI [1.001-1.056]; P=0.04). Double LT was associated with long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) but not from atrial flutter (AFL). Early and late AAs after surgery had no effect on mortality. Double LT was associated with better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Early AA following LT is common in contrast with the low occurrence of late, often organized, AA. Early and late AAs do not affect mortality. PTsPAP is an independent predictor of late AA. Double LT protects against late AF but not AFL.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe option for benign lung diseases requiring lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Lobectomy for benign lung disease is renowned to be technically complex and to be subjected to an increased complication rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the results obtained with video-assisted surgery (VATS) in benign disease are comparable to those obtained in oncologic surgery, where VATS has been validated. METHODS: We have reviewed the files of 246 consecutive patients who underwent VATS lobectomy from January 2012 to August 2015. The cohort was divided into two groups according to pathology (benign or malignant). Outcome parameters on scrutiny were demographics, pathology, duration of air leak, drainage and hospital stay, conversion, and perioperative complication rate. Comparisons were made with the χ 2 test and Student's t test; any p value ≤0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Group 1 (36 patients) included patients who underwent lobectomy for benign disease and group 2 (210 patients) patients affected by lung cancer or pulmonary metastases. The two groups differed with reference to age (p < 0.001), history of cancer (p < 0.001), history of stroke (p = 0.05), and the presence of pleural adhesions (p = 0.03). There was no difference for duration of air leaks, chest tube drainage and hospital stay, conversion rate, and perioperative complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that pathology did not impact on outcomes after VATS lobectomy. This study suggests that VATS is as a safe option in selected patients with benign disease requiring lobectomy, despite a more complex technical context.

Superior sulcus non-small cell lung carcinoma: A comparison of IMRT and 3D-RT dosimetry.

AIM: A dosimetric study comparing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) by TomoTherapy to conformational 3D radiotherapy (3D-RT) in patients with superior sulcus non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). BACKGROUND: IMRT became the main technique in modern radiotherapy. However it was not currently used for lung cancers. Because of the need to increase the dose to control lung cancers but because of the critical organs surrounding the tumors, the gains obtainable with IMRT is not still demonstrated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A dosimetric comparison of the planned target and organs at risk parameters between IMRT and 3D-RT in eight patients who received preoperative or curative intent irradiation. RESULTS: In the patients who received at least 66 Gy, the mean V95% was significantly better with IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.043). IMRT delivered a lower D2% compared to 3D-RT (p = 0.043). The IH was significantly better with IMRT (p = 0.043). The lung V 5 Gy and V 13 Gy were significantly higher in IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.043), while the maximal dose (D max) to the spinal cord was significantly lower in IMRT (p = 0.043). The brachial plexus D max was significantly lower in IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.048). For patients treated with 46 Gy, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that IMRT is relevant for SS-NSCLC. In patients treated with a curative dose, it led to a reduction of the exposure of critical organs, allowing a better dose distribution in the tumor. For the patients treated with a preoperative schedule, our results provide a basis for future controlled trials to improve the histological complete response by increasing the radiation dose.

Prognostic value of the KRAS G12V mutation in 841 surgically resected Caucasian lung adenocarcinoma cases.

BACKGROUND: Identifying patients who will experience lung cancer recurrence after surgery remains a challenge. We aimed to evaluate whether mutant forms of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) (mEGFR and mKRAS) are useful biomarkers in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 841 patients who underwent surgery and molecular testing for NSCLC between 2007 and 2012. RESULTS: mEGFR was observed in 103 patients (12.2%), and mKRAS in 265 (31.5%). The median overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) were significantly lower for mKRAS (OS: 43 months; TTR: 19 months) compared with mEGFR (OS: 67 months; TTR: 24 months) and wild-type patients (OS: 55 months; disease-free survival (DFS): 24 months). Patients with KRAS G12V exhibited worse OS and TTR compared with the entire cohort (OS: KRAS G12V: 26 months vs COHORT: 60 months; DFS: KRAS G12V: 15 months vs COHORT: 24 months). These results were confirmed using multivariate analyses (non-G12V status, hazard ratio (HR): 0.43 (confidence interval: 0.28-0.65), P<0.0001 for OS; HR: 0.67 (0.48-0.92), P=0.01 for TTR). Risk of recurrence was significantly lower for non-KRAS G12V (HR: 0.01, (0.001-0.08), P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: mKRAS and mEGFR may predict survival and recurrence in early stages of NSCLC. Patients with KRAS G12V exhibited worse OS and higher recurrence incidences.

NMR HRMAS spectroscopy of lung biopsy samples: Comparison study between human, pig, rat, and mouse metabolomics.

PURPOSE: Using the metabolomics by NMR high-resolution magic angle spinning spectroscopy, we assessed the lung metabolome of various animal species in order to identify the animal model that could be substituted to human lung in studies on fresh lung biopsies. METHODS: The experiments were conducted on intact lung biopsy samples of pig, rat, mouse, and human using a Bruker Advance III 500 spectrometer. Thirty-five to 39 metabolites were identified and 23 metabolites were quantified. Principal component analysis, partial least-squares discriminant analysis, and analysis of variance tests were performed in order to compare the metabolic profiles of each animal lung biopsies to those of the human lung. RESULTS: The metabolic composition between human and pig lung was similar. However, human lung was distinguishable from mouse and rat regarding: Trimethylamine N-oxide and betaïne which were present in rodents but not in human lung, carnitine, and glycerophosphocholine which were present in mouse but not in human lung. Conversely, succinic acid was undetected in rat lung. Furthermore, fatty acids concentration was significantly higher in rodent lungs compared to human lung. CONCLUSION: Using the metabolomics by NMR high-resolution magic angle spinning spectroscopy on lung biopsy, samples allowed to highlight that pig lung seems to be close to human lung as regarding its metabolite composition with more similarities than dissimilarities.

Cold ischemia with selective anterograde in situ pulmonary perfusion preserves gas exchange and mitochondrial homeostasis and curbs inflammation in an experimental model of donation after cardiac death.

The aim of this study was to assess the functional preservation of the lung graft with anterograde lung perfusion in a model of donation after cardiac death. Thirty minutes after cardiac arrest, in situ anterograde selective pulmonary cold perfusion was started in six swine. The alveolo-capillary membrane was challenged at 3, 6, and 8 h with measurements of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), the PaO2 /FiO2 ratio, the transpulmonary oxygen output (tpVO2 ), and the transpulmonary CO2 clearance (tpCO2 ). Mitochondrial homeostasis was investigated by measuring maximal oxidative capacity (Vmax ) and the coupling of phosphorylation to oxidation (ACR, acceptor control ratio) in lung biopsies. Inflammation and induction of primary immune response were assessed by measurement of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukine-6 (IL-6) and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Data were compared using repeated measures Anova. Pulmonary hemodynamics (mPAP: P = 0.69; PVR: P = 0.46), oxygenation (PaO2 /FiO2 : P = 0.56; tpVO2 : P = 0.46), CO2 diffusion (tpCO2 : P = 0.24), mitochondrial homeostasis (Vmax : P = 0.42; ACR: P = 0.8), and RAGE concentrations (P = 0.24) did not significantly change up to 8 h after cardiac arrest. TNFα and IL-6 were undetectable. Unaffected pulmonary hemodynamics, sustained oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion, preserved mitochondrial homeostasis, and lack of inflammation suggest a long-lasting functional preservation of the graft with selective anterograde in situ pulmonary perfusion.

Outcome of Patients With Resected Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and EGFR Mutations: Results From the IFCT Biomarkers France Study.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular profile of resected stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) would help refine prognosis and personalize induction or adjuvant strategies. We sought to report the molecular profile of resected stage I-II NSCLC and analyzed the impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations on outcomes in a Western population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical cases were identified from Biomarkers France study, a nationwide prospective study including NSCLC patients screened for EGFR, HER2, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK alterations from 2012 to 2013. Among surgical patients, clinical charts of the largest centers were reviewed in order to analyze the prognostic impact of EGFR mutations. RESULTS: In the BMF database (n = 17.636), surgical patients (n = 854) were characterized by a higher proportion of EGFR mutations than nonsurgical patients (12.9% vs. 10.2%, P = .025), while the other molecular alterations did not differ. The proportion of EGFR mutations was 27% in women undergoing surgery. In the study group (n = 293; EGFR wild type, n = 235; usual mutation, n = 50; rare mutation, n = 8), after a median follow-up of 67 months, 215 patients (74.4%) had not relapsed. No difference was found between EGFR-mutant and EGFR-wt tumors regarding recurrence site, disease-free survival, and overall survival. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival after surgical resection of stage I-II EGFR-mutated tumors were 65% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In resected stage I to II NSCLC, EGFR mutations were found in 12.9% of cases, associated with a 5-year overall survival of 75%, with no impact on recurrence site, disease-free survival, and overall survival.

Disseminated Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Scedosporium apiospermum coinfection after lung and liver transplantation in a cystic fibrosis patient.

Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans is a novel pathogen recently found in cystic fibrosis patients. We report the first case of a disseminated fatal infection with T. mycotoxinivorans associated with invasive Aspergillus fumigatus and Scedosporium apiospermum infection after lung and liver transplantation in a cystic fibrosis patient.

The assessment of the quality of the graft in an animal model for lung transplantation using the metabolomics 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy.

Standards are needed to control the quality of the lungs from nonheart-beating donors as potential grafts. This was here assessed using the metabolomics 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Selective perfusion of the porcine bilung block was set up 30 min after cardiac arrest with cold Perfadex®. Lung alterations were analyzed at 3, 6, and 8 h of cold ischemia as compared to baseline and to nonperfused lung. Metabolomics analysis of lung biopsies allowed identification of 35 metabolites. Levels of the majority of the metabolites increased over time at 4°C without perfusion, indicating cellular degradation, whereas levels of glutathione decreased. When lung was perfused at 4°C, levels of the majority of the metabolites remained stable, including levels of glutathione. Levels of uracil by contrast showed a reverse profile, as its signal increased over time in the absence of perfusion while being totally absent in perfused samples. Our results showed glutathione and uracil as potential biomarkers for the quality of the lung. The metabolomics 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy can be efficiently applied for the assessment of the quality of the lung as an original technique characterized by a rapid assessment of intact biopsy samples without extraction and can be implemented in hospital environment.

Safety and Feasibility of Thoracic Malignancy Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has decreased surgical activity, particularly in the field of oncology, because of the suspicion of a higher risk of COVID-19-related severe events. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of thoracic cancer surgery in the most severely affected European and Canadian regions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study investigators prospectively collected data on surgical procedures for malignant thoracic diseases from January 1 to April 30, 2020. The study included patients from 6 high-volume thoracic surgery departments: Nancy and Strasbourg (France), Freiburg (Germany), Milan and Turin (Italy), and Montreal (Canada). The centers involved in this research are all located in the most severely affected regions of those countries. An assessment of COVID-19-related symptoms, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection, rates of hospital and intensive care unit admissions, and death was performed for each patient. Every deceased patient was tested for COVID-19 by PCR. RESULTS: In the study period, 731 patients who underwent 734 surgical procedures were included. In the whole cohort, 9 cases (1.2%) of COVID-19 were confirmed by PCR, including 5 in-hospital contaminants. Four patients (0.5%) needed readmission for oxygen requirements. In this subgroup, 2 patients (0.3%) needed intensive care unit and mechanical ventilatory support. The total number of deaths in the whole cohort was 22 (3%). A single death was related to COVID-19 (0.14%). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining surgical oncologic activity in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic seems safe and feasible, with very low postoperative morbidity or mortality. To continue to offer the best care to patients who do not have COVID-19, reports on other diseases are urgently needed.

Cystic Lung Lesions Mimicking Hydatidosis: Hamartoma or Benign Metastazing Leiomyoma?

We report an unusual case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with multiple lung cystic lesions presumed to be related to pulmonary hydatidosis, treated and followed for 3 years before surgical removal was decided. Unexpectedly, pathologic findings showed benign spindle cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the smooth-muscle nature of the spindle cells, which were also positive for hormonal receptors and corresponded to multiple cystic pulmonary hamartomas.

A Nonsmoker Man in His 40s With a Diagnosis of Genetic-Related Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (Surfactant-Protein C Gene Mutation).

A nonsmoker man in his 40s underwent bilateral lung transplantation with a referral diagnosis of genetic-related idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The patient had no medical history in childhood and early adulthood, nor was there a family history of IPF. His nonsmoker father presented with lung cancer at 59 years of age. The patient was a professional brass instrument player; he had started playing at 9 years of age, and he was recently playing 3 to 4 h per day. He had a 7-year clinical history of chronic cough and shortness of breath. Bilateral fine crackles were present at clinical examination. There was no digital clubbing. Data had been collected since 2015: no clinical or immunologic signs of connective tissue disease were evident, including autoantibodies for myositis or anti-synthetase syndrome. Chest radiograph showed diffuse interstitial lung disease. Results of pulmonary function tests yielded a restrictive pattern with decreased FVC and decreased total lung capacity (69% and 47% of predicted, respectively). The FEV1/FVC ratio was 86%, and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient was 36% of predicted. BAL cellular analysis consisted of macrophages (66%), lymphocytes (19%; CD4+/CD8+ ratio, 0.16), neutrophils (10%), and eosinophils (5%).

Organized Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Lung Transplantation: Study of Glycemic Control and Patient Survival in a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: To study patient survival and glycemic control before and after lung transplantation (LTx) according to the diabetes status in patients submitted to an organized management of diabetes mellitus (DM) at the Strasbourg University Hospital, France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-seven LTx recipients were included retrospectively and analyzed according to diabetes status: pretransplant diabetes, new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) or no diabetes. Organized DM management was coordinated by a diabetologist trained in DM management before and after transplantation and included pretransplant screening, a close monitoring of glycemia after transplant and optimized treatment before and after LTx. RESULTS: DM was well-controlled after transplantation: mean glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels after LTx were 5.8 ± 0.2% and 5.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L respectively, in pretransplant DM patients and 5.7 ± 0.1% and 5.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L respectively, in NODAT patients. The overall median survival time was 8.3 ± 1.9 years. Pretransplant DM increased the risk of mortality (1.82-fold increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.06; P = .02) in LTx recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Organized management of diabetes achieved very satisfactory glycemic control in both pretransplant DM and NODAT patients. However, no specific protocols have been created for managing DM following LTx. As DM continues to become an increasing comorbidity in LTx, there exist a significant need of studies in this area.

Concurrent cisplatin/etoposide plus 3D-conformal radiotherapy followed by surgery for stage IIB (superior sulcus T3N0)/III non-small cell lung cancer yields a high rate of pathological complete response.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal preoperative treatment of stage IIB (Pancoast)/III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains undetermined and a subject of controversy. The goal of our study is to confirm feasibility and pathological response rates after induction chemoradiation (CRT) in our community-based treatment center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were selected according to functional and resectability criteria. Induction treatment comprised 3D conformal 4500 cGy radiotherapy delivered to the primary tumor and pathologic hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan with an extra-margin of 1-1.5 cm. Concurrent chemotherapy regimen was cisplatinum 20mg/m2 d1-d5 and etoposide 50mg/m2 d1-d5, d1-5 d29-33. Within 3-4 weeks after CRT completion, operability was re-assessed accordingly. Surgery was performed 4-6 weeks after CRT completion in patients (pts) deemed resectable. Inoperable pts were referred for a 20-25 Gy boost +/-1 extra-cycle of cisplatinum+etoposide. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2005, 107 pts were initially selected for treatment and received induction chemoradiation (stage IIB-Pancoast 18, IIIA 58 and IIIB 31, squamous cell carcinoma 48%, adenocarcinoma 44%, large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma 14%). After preoperative evaluation, 72 pts (67%) had a thoracotomy (pneumonectomy 21, lobectomy 45, bilobectomy 5) and all but one (unresectable tumor) had a macroscopic complete resection. During the 3-month postoperative time, five patients (6.9%) died, four after pneumonectomy (right 3, left 1). The analysis of tumoral samples showed a pathological complete response rate or microscopic residual foci of 39.5%. Median follow-up time was 22.3 months (survivors: 36.8 months), 2-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 55% and 40%, respectively (median=26.7 months) for all the intention-to-treat population (n=107), 62% and 51% (median=36.5 months) for 71 resected pts, 41% and 16% for 36 non-resected pts (median=19.1 months). On multivariate analysis, surgical resection and tumoral necrosis >50% (or pathological complete response) were the most pertinent predictive factors of the risk of death (hazard ratio=0.50 and 0.48, p=0.006 and 0.038, respectively). CONCLUSION: Surgery was feasible after induction chemoradiation, particularly lobectomy in PS 0-1, stage IIB (Pancoast)/III NSCLC pts but pneumonectomy carries a high risk of postoperative death (particularly, right pneumonectomy). Pathological response to induction chemoradiation was complete in 39.5% of patients and was a significant predictive factor of overall survival.

Intramural atrial hematoma complicating transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Adequate strategies using either transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an ongoing area of research. OBJECTIVES: As transthoracic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) during cardiac arrest resuscitation might result in an increased duration of interruptions in the delivery of chest compressions; the use of TEE has been proposed as an alternative. METHODS: No technical complications of either TTE nor TEE are so far being reported in the literature. RESULTS: We report the case of a left intramural atrial hematoma complicating TEE procedure during cardiac arrest. This highlights a unique and to our knowledge, first-in-man, described complicating TEE procedure during CPR. CONCLUSIONS: Further research on the safety of transesophageal echo during CRP is mandatory and the question about any potential harm of particular interest.