Lymph node dissection in thymic carcinomas and neuroendocrine carcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: Although lymph node (LN) metastases are not uncommon in thymic carcinomas, preoperative LN evaluation, intraoperative lymph node dissection (LND) and postoperative outcomes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of and outcomes in patients with thymic carcinomas and thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas undergoing LND. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed using our multi-institutional database to identify patients who underwent resection and LND for thymic carcinoma or thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma between 1991 and 2018. An enlarged mediastinal LN was defined as having a short-axis diameter >1 cm. We assessed survival outcomes using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: N1-level LND was performed in 41 patients (54.6%), N2-level LND in 14 patients (18.7%) and both-level LND in 16 patients (21.3%). Pathological LN metastasis was detected in 20 patients (26.7%) among the 75 patients undergoing LND. There was a significant difference in the number of LN stations (P = 0.015) and metastasis factor (P = 0.0042) between pathologically LN-positive and pathologically LN-negative patients. The sensitivity of enlarged LNs on preoperative computed tomography was 18.2%. There was a tendency towards worse overall survival of pathologically N2-positive patients, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CT appears to play a limited role in detecting pathological LN metastases. Our findings suggest that the significance of N1- and N2-level LND should be evaluated in prospective studies to optimize the postoperative management of patients with thymic carcinomas and neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Are volume-dependent parameters in positron emission tomography predictive of postoperative recurrence after resection in patients with thymic carcinoma?

This study aimed to investigate the association between the volume-dependent parameters in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and a recurrence of thymic carcinoma. A retrospective chart review was performed based on our multi-institutional database to identify patients undergoing PET prior to resection of thymic carcinoma or neuroendocrine carcinoma between 1991 and 2018. The PET parameters (metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis) were evaluated retrospectively. The relevant factors were extracted and a survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Sixteen patients were thus deemed to be eligible for analysis. The median follow-up period following resection was 2.65 years (range: 0.96-0.68 years). The recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in patients with a metabolic tumor volume < = 22.755 cm3 and with total lesion glycolysis < = 105.4006 g/mL (p = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively, by a log-rank test). The metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis may, therefore, be predictive of the postoperative recurrence of thymic carcinoma.

Bilateral Trans-Septal Approach to Right Lung Cancer Invading the Left Atrium.

We describe a 69-year-old woman with primary lung cancer in the right lower lobe invasive to the left atrium (LA) via the pulmonary vein (PV). The tumor in the LA measured 30 × 26 mm, and to avoid critical embolism preoperative induction therapy was not performed. The patient underwent right thoracotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the atrial septum was incised via the right atrium. The tumor was placed out of the LA, followed by lobectomy. For right lung tumors invading the LA, the bilateral trans-septal approach is useful for confirming the surgical margin.

Comparison of three nutritional scoring systems for outcomes after complete resection of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Mounting evidence suggests that preoperative nutritional status can predict postoperative outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. However, a consensus on the optimal evaluation tool among the various nutritional assessment methods has not been reached. This study aimed at validating the predictive value of 3 nutritional scoring systems for clinical outcomes in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative data of 475 consecutive patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer to assess the following 3 albumin-based nutritional methods: prognostic nutritional index, controlling nutritional status score, and geriatric nutritional risk index. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic curves of the prognostic nutritional index, controlling nutritional status score, and geriatric nutritional risk index identified the optimal cutoff values for predicting the postoperative complications as 47, 2, and 101, respectively. Stratification of patients using these cutoff values indicated a higher postoperative complication rate in the malnutrition group than in the group with proper nutrition (P < .05 for all nutritional assessment methods). Additionally, patients with malnutrition exhibited significantly lower 5-year overall and recurrence-free survivals, regardless of the assessment method (P < .05 for all 3 nutritional assessment methods). Multivariate analyses showed that all 3 nutritional parameters were independent prognostic factors for overall survival after lung resection. CONCLUSIONS: The 3 nutritional assessment methods we used were found to have high predictive values for postoperative complications and survival. Preoperative nutritional conditioning may improve the postoperative outcomes in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

The treatment and survival of patients with postoperative recurrent thymic carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

PURPOSE: There are few data available on the outcomes of postoperative recurrent thymic carcinoma (TC) and thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma (TNEC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment and survival in patients with recurrent TC and TNEC after undergoing surgical resection. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed using our multicenter database to identify patients with a postoperative recurrence of TC and TNEC from 1995 to 2018. The clinicopathological factors were reviewed and the survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty patients were identified among 152 patients who underwent resection of TC and TNEC. The median follow-up period from the first recurrence was 14.8 months (range 0-144). The 5-year post-recurrence survival was 23% for the whole cohort. According to a univariable analysis, advanced stage [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-9.54], interval between primary surgery and recurrence (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99), any treatment for recurrence (HR: 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.58) and chemotherapy for recurrence (HR: 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.95) were significant factors related to post-recurrence survival. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy rather than surgery appears to be the mainstay treatment for managing patients with postoperative recurrent TC and TNEC and it may also be considered in multidisciplinary management. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm our findings.

Venous Sinus Stenting for Transverse Sinus Stenosis Associated with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in a Patient with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated Lung Cancer: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus obstruction associated with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is an extremely rare complication of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. There is little information available on the efficacy of therapeutic options because of its rarity and extremely poor prognosis. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old man presented with severe headache, vomiting, and visual loss for 1 month. Head magnetic resonance venography (MRV) showed occlusion of the left transverse sinus. Gd-enhanced MRI showed no abnormal enhancement. Lumbar puncture intracranial pressure was higher than 40 cmH2O. Positive cerebrospinal fluid tumor cytology confirmed the diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC). The headache was relieved by repeated lumbar punctures, and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was performed. Cerebral angiography showed severe stenosis of the left transverse sinus without thrombosis, and significant delay of cerebral circulation. The transverse sinus stenosis was judged to be contributing to raised intracranial pressure, and the patient underwent left transverse sinus stent placement. After the procedure, his visual acuity improved, the visual field was enlarged, and his headache could be controlled by medication. Follow-up Gd-enhanced MRI showed dural enhancement and spinal dissemination. Because molecular biology of the surgical specimen showed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations, he was treated with osimertinib for 2 months. He survived for 8 months following the diagnosis of LC and left transverse sinus stenosis. CONCLUSIONS Venous sinus stenting can offer an effective palliative interventional option for symptom relief of severe headache and visual symptoms, even in the end stage of malignancy.

Impact of histology on patterns of failure and clinical outcomes in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Unlike metastatic disease, histological differences are usually not considered while planning chemoradiotherapy. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and relapse patterns between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, and investigated possible histology-specific approaches for chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes and relapse patterns in patients who received definitive chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer in Katsura hospital between 2003 and 2012. RESULTS: A total of 68 and 33 patients with squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, respectively, were enrolled. Patients with adenocarcinoma had less advanced T stages, and a larger proportion of female patients. Other factors were not different between the two groups. The median follow-up duration in all patients and survivors was 21.3 months and 91.4 months, respectively. Median survival and relapse-free survival were not significantly different between the two groups. In contrast, the failure patterns and incidences of distant failure were significantly different. Patients with squamous cell carcinomas had predominantly locoregional disease features and a shorter duration from relapse to death compared to patients with adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Failure pattern was significantly different between the two histologies. Among relapsed patients, the prognosis was poorer in those with squamous cell carcinomas than those with adenocarcinomas. Further studies, to evaluate histology-specific approaches in chemoradiotherapy, are warranted.

Resected case of giant cystic thymoma with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage of cystic thymoma is very rare. We encountered a patient with giant cystic thymoma with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage and successfully resected the thymoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old man was referred to our hospital with chest pain. Computed tomography revealed a uniform anterior mediastinum cystic mass. Two days after hospitalization, his chest pain worsened. Subsequent computed tomography showed that the tumor had become inhomogeneous. The patient's symptoms gradually improved over a fortnight, and surgery was performed. The tumor was a cystic mass with a thick fibrous capsule filled with hemorrhagic necrotic tissue and was diagnosed as a cystic thymoma. CONCLUSIONS: Mediastinal cystic lesion with expansion or contrasting effects in the wall may be a cystic thymoma, and it has the possibility of hemorrhaging in the cyst. In such a case, surgical resection is recommended.

Invasive Thymoma Protruding into the Superior Vena Cava through the Thymic Vein.

We report a rare case of protrusion of an invasive thymoma with intraluminal growth through the thymic vein into the superior vena cava (SVC) without direct invasion of the vessel walls. The tumor and left brachiocephalic vein were resected, and the tumor in the SVC was removed with temporal bypass of the right brachiocephalic vein and right auricle. Histopathological finding showed that the thymoma had protruded via a thymic vein. During resection of a thymoma, a detailed examination of thymic vein is necessary to ensure that no tumor tissue remains in the vessels.

Neck and superior mediastinal granular cell tumor excised via a combined approach.

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon tumor of Schwann cell origin. GCT occurs in various sites throughout the body, but mediastinal GCT is very rare. We present an extremely rare case of GCT of the neck and superior mediastinum. A 36-year-old man with a 3-month history of cough was investigated at our hospital. CT and MRI revealed a spindle-shaped mass in the left neck and superior mediastinum, with features suggesting a neurogenic tumor. The tumor was successfully excised via combined neck incision and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Histopathological examination showed proliferation of polygonal and spindled cells with eosinophilic granule-rich cytoplasm. These cells were S-100 protein positive, and the cytoplasmic granules were periodic acid-Schiff positive. Based on these histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of GCT was established. The patient developed hoarseness immediately after the operation, and laryngoscopy revealed the left vocal cord palsy in the paramedian position, which resolved after about 3 months. The tumor did not recur during the following 10 months.

Thoracoscopic bronchoplasty using continuous sutures in complete monitor view.

Thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy in a complete monitor view is rarely reported. In thoracoscopic bronchoplasty, the insertion of a needle to the optimal point at the appropriate angle is difficult because of the restricted movement, and the limitation of monitor visualization complicates the creation of extraluminal ligations for anastomosis of the deep part of the bronchus. We report a case of sleeve resection of the right upper lobe with continuous sutures in a complete monitor view. Anastomosis with continuous sutures, which requires only three knots, is thought to be useful for bronchoplasty in thoracoscopic surgical procedures.

Right lower lobe sleeve resection: bronchial flap to correct caliber disparity.

Sleeve resection of the right lower lobe is performed infrequently. Caliber disparity between the truncus intermedius and the middle lobe bronchus is a major problem. We report a case of lung cancer completely resected by sleeve resection of the right lower lobe. A bronchial flap constructed from the distal bronchial end was used for correction of the caliber disparity, and interlobar dissection between the upper and middle lobes effectively reduced the tension on the anastomotic site. These procedures are useful for sleeve resection of the right lower lobe.

[Esophageal duplication cyst resected with video-assisted thorasic surgery; report of a case].

Duplication of the alimentary tract is a developmental anomaly, which may affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Esophageal duplication cyst is caused by an incomplete differentiation of the foregut. We report a case of esophageal duplication cyst resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Chest radiography of a 23-year-old woman showed an abnormal shadow. Chest computed tomography (CT) indicated a cystic lesion adjacent to the descending aorta and the esophagus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the cystic lesion was filled with protein-rich fluid. The lesion was resected using VATS, and it was pathologically diagnosed to be an esophageal duplication cyst.

[A case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis that showed solitary ground-glass opacity in the subpleural area].

A 58-year-old man visited our department regarding a growing ground-glass opacity (GGO) on chest CT. He underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery, because a malignancy such as bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma was suspected. However, histopathologic examination revealed pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). A chest X-ray film of PAP usually shows bilateral interstitial and/or alveolar shadows in a "butterfly pattern", while chest CT usually shows thickened interlobular septa and intralobular structures, referred to as a "crazy-paving appearance". The present case presented solitary localized GGO growing in a subpleural area which was thought to be a rare type of early PAP.

Airway compression by the ascending aorta due to a thin thoracic cage.

An 89-year-old woman with dyspnea and disturbed consciousness due to hypoventilation was admitted to our hospital. Chest radiography showed no abnormal shadow, but she was intubated for deteriorated hypoventilation. Bronchoscopy demonstrated obstruction of the left main bronchus at the carina. Computed tomography (CT) showed neither a mass lesion in the mediastinum nor an aortic aneurysm, but compression of the airway by the ascending aorta was observed. It was thought that the patient's thin thoracic cage was unable to support the weight of the ascending aorta, which consequently compressed the left main bronchus. After inserting stents into both main bronchi, the patient's consciousness improved, and respirator support was withdrawn. In aged, bedridden, thin patients with hypopnea or recurrent airway infection, CT and bronchoscopy should be performed to investigate airway patency.

[A case of bronchogenic carcinoma which obtained long-term relapse free survival by argon plasma coagulation].

A 69-year-old man was admitted complaining of bloody sputum. A chest X-ray and CT revealed no abnormal findings, but bronchoscopy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma nodular lesion in the bifurcation between the left B(1+2)a and B(1+2)b. After two courses of chemotherapy (CBDCA + PAC), the nodular lesion disappeared. Another nodular squamous cell carcinoma grew in the orifice of the left B(1+2) nine months later, but this time chemotherapy was ineffective. The nodular tumor was cauterized twice with argon plasma coagulation, and no recurrence appeared for twenty-six months.

[Three cases of removal of intrabronchial metal nails].

We describe the successful extraction from an airway of foreign bodies metal nails in three cases. They were all carpenters, and often held nails between their lips. Case 1: a 72-year-old man had aspirated a nail three months earlier, but did not seek medical assistance at the time. A chest X-ray film and CT examination revealed a nail in the peripheral S7 region of the right lower lobe. The nail could not be extracted with forceps via bronchoscopy, so video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed. During surgery, the nail moved to the truncus intermedius, then it was extracted using bronchoscopy forceps. The extracted nail was rust-proof, and no rust was observed. Case 2 : a 76-year-old man visited our hospital with a history bloody sputum with a slightly dry cough for two months. A chest X-ray film showed a nail in the right hilum. Bronchoscopy revealed the nail covered with mucinous secretion in the right B7, and it was extracted by forceps. It was a rust-proof type nail, and no granulation tissue was observed in the bronchus. Case 3: a 74-year-old man visited our hospital because of dry cough for two months. A chest X-ray revealed a nail in the right hilus and bronchoscopy showed the nail was buried in reactive granulation tissue in the right middle lobe bronchus and could not be observed from the surface. Tranilast (n-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl] anthranilic acid) at 300 mg/day and Methylprednisolone at 250 mg/day were prescribed for 4 days, followed by a reduction of the corticosteroid to 40 mg/day for 3 days. Seven days later, the granulation tissue and mucosal edema had diminished, and the nail was successfully extracted. The extracted nail was not rust-proof and had swollen with rust. These nails were found a few months after aspiration. The reason why these were not defected was possibly that the long and narrow shape did not obstruct the segmental bronchus and the symptoms can be less severe compared with other foreign bodies. The rust-proof nails were covered with mucinous secretion, but the nail without coating had rusted and caused reactive granulation tissue and swelling observed. Corticosteroid and Tranilast are thought to be effective in reducing such granulation tissue in airways.

Intrabronchial foreign body extracted with tranilast and corticosteroid.

We present a case of intrabronchial foreign body buried in granulation tissue, which was successfully extracted administrating tranilast (n-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl] anthranilic acid), suppressing collagen synthesis by fibroblasts in keloid and hypertrophic scars, and corticosteroid. Bronchoscopy of a 74-year-old man showed the nail was buried in reactive granulation tissue and could not be observed from the surface. Tranilast at 300 mg/day and methylprednisolone at 250 mg/day were prescribed for 4 days, followed by a reduction of the corticosteroid to 40 mg/day for 3 days. Seven days later, the granulation tissue and mucosal edema were diminished, and the nail was successfully extracted.

[A case of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia caused by TS-1].

A 75-year-old man underwent right hemi-colectomy in 2003. After recurrence in November, 2005, he had been given CDDP and TS-1. He had complained of cough with white sputum and fever from the end of October, 2006, however, antibiotics did not improve his symptoms. The chest CT showed diffuse ground glass opacities (GGO) in bilateral lung fields. Steroid treatment improved his physical condition and chest x-ray. Drug-induced pneumonia caused by TS-1 was diagnosed data from a drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST). Drug induced interstitial pneumonia can therefore occur after long-term administration.

[Case of malignant lymphoma associated with rheumatoid arthritis].

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with exacerbation of dyspnea. She had a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 26 years, and had been taking methotrexate and prednisolone. Chest radiograph and chest CT revealed marked mediastinal and right axillary lymph node swelling, interstitial shadows and bilateral pleural effusion. A biopsy of the right axillary lymph node for histopathological examination revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The patient achieved complete remission, following 7 cycles of chemotherapy (R-EPOCH). As RA is associated with an increased risk of developing lymphoma, malignant lymphoma must be considered as a possible cause of the mediastinal swelling in a patient with RA.