Investigation of the efficacy and feasibility of combined therapy of PD-L1-enhanced exogenous peripatetic adoptive natural killer (NK) cells in combination with antiangiogenic targeted therapy in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

A 67-year-old male patient presented with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer with the primary lesion located in the right upper lung, accompanied by multiple metastases to the pleura and abdominal cavity with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. A combination therapy approach was used to target the patient's multiple systemic metastases after localized radiotherapy. The approach involved adoptive transfer of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) enhanced exogenous natural killer (NK) cells, along with antiangiogenic treatment. Allogeneic cord blood NK cells were infused back into the patient over two consecutive days. On the first day, the treatment was followed by a dose of 1200 mg of atezolizumab. Subsequently, the patient received a daily dose of 10 mg of anlotinib administered orally for 14 days. This was followed by a 7-day break, and each cycle lasted 21 days. After delivering localized radiation to the primary lesion in the right lung and metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, complete remission was achieved in the local lesion, effectively avoiding the risk of superior vena cava syndrome. Following six cycles of combined therapy, most of the metastatic lesions had disappeared, and the remaining metastatic lesions had significantly reduced in size. The recent therapeutic effect resulted in partial remission. The combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1-enhanced exogenous adoptive transfer NK cells, along with antiangiogenic targeted treatment, demonstrated a satisfactory short-term effect, with disappearance of most of the metastases and noticeable shrinkage in the remaining metastatic lesions.

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for Catheter-Related Right Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Lesions in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis-A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for detecting catheter-related right brachiocephalic vein (RBV) and superior vena cava (SVC) obstructions in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: From June 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, we enrolled 80 patients undergoing HD who had used or were using a central venous catheter as vascular access. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasonography and CEUS for identifying RBV and SVC obstructions and compared them with that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In the stratified analysis, the SVC was divided into the upper and lower segments. In total, we analyzed 240 central venous segments, including the RBV. RESULTS: Among the RBV and SVC visualized by DSA, conventional ultrasonography and CEUS could visualize 67.92 and 100% of the vein segments, respectively; however, the lengths and diameters of the RBV and SVC were smaller than those recorded with DSA (P < .001). The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS for detecting catheter-related central venous obstruction was better than that of conventional ultrasonography, with a higher sensitivity (83.95 vs 41.98%), specificity (89.94 vs 53.46%), accuracy (87.92 vs 49.58%), and F1 score (82.42 vs 49.64%). CEUS showed good agreement (κ = 0.732) with DSA. In the stratified analyses, CEUS also showed higher sensitivity (83.93, 83.33, and 84.62%, respectively) and better agreement with DSA (κ = 0.635, 0.655, and 0.673, respectively) than conventional ultrasonography for detecting the RBV and the upper and lower segments of the SVC. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing catheter-related RBV and SVC obstructions.

Superior vena cava syndrome-induced hemoptysis.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome resulting from obstruction of the blood flow to the superior vena cava is rarely reported to present with life-threatening hemoptysis. The pathogenesis and the underlying mechanism are still not well described in the literature. We report a unique case of a 27-year-old man known to have end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis that presented with shortness of breath and life-threatening hemoptysis that developed during the dialysis session. Computerized tomography with contrast (CTPA) confirmed the presence of a large, calcified thrombus within the SVC along with the formation of multiple collaterals which was diagnostic for SVC syndrome. Attempts for revascularization and stenting failed, and the patient had a prolonged and stormy course while admitted, including difficult alternative dialysis access that unfortunately resulted in death eventually. Here we are highlighting the importance of recognition of hemoptysis as a presentation of SVC syndrome by explaining the underlying pathogenesis and possible management options.

[Diagnostic clinical algorithm for mediastinal tumors]. / Klinicheskii algoritm diagnostikii i lecheniya opukholei sredosteniya.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize therapeutic and tactical algorithm in patients with mediastinal tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 300 patients with mediastinal tumors examined and treated in the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Hertzen Moscow Cancer Research Center between 2008 and 2019. Patients were stratified into 2 groups. The diagnostic group consisted of 160 patients including 80 ones after 89 ultrasound-assisted transthoracic biopsies and 80 patients after open biopsy through parasternal mediastinotomy. The treatment group consisted of 140 patients who underwent 145 resections of mediastinal tumors. We analyzed the results of diagnosis and treatment in both groups, mistakes, risk factors of non-informative biopsies and complicated course of the postoperative period. Subsequently, a clinical algorithm was developed. Its effectiveness in 50 patients was compared with 90 patients who constituted the historical control group. RESULTS: The final histological diagnosis after transthoracic ultrasound-assisted biopsy of the mediastinum was established in 71 out of 89 cases (80%). Informative value of ultrasound-assisted biopsy for thymic tumors was 100%, for metastatic mediastinal lesions - 92%. Repeated ultrasound-assisted biopsies were performed in 7 (9%) patients that made it possible to establish the final diagnosis in 5 (71%) cases. In the parasternal mediastinotomy group, the final correct histological diagnosis was made in 79 out of 80 (99%) patients. Analyzing thoracoscopic approach and traditional sternotomy or thoracotomy, we found surgery time decrease from 187 (150-215) to 140 (122-165) min (p<0.01), blood loss from 300 (200-350) to 50 (35-150) ml (p<0.01), postoperative hospital-day from 12 (9-14.5) to 7 (6-8) days (p<0.01). Mean dimension of tumor was 5 (4-6) cm in the thoracoscopy group and 7.5 (6-10) cm in the open surgery group (p<0.01). Postoperative complications occurred in 19 (13%) patients, mortality rate was 2.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed superior vena cava syndrome (OR=5.1, 95% CI=1.246-21.343; p=0.024) and invasion of the right pleural cavity (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.12-7.69; p=0.006) as the most significant predictors of postoperative complications. The proposed algorithms made it possible to reduce the incidence of non-informative biopsy from 12% to 0% (p<0.05), misdiagnosis from 9% to 1% (p<0.05), exploratory surgeries from 23% to 0% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The developed algorithm is valuable to avoid the errors and improve the results of diagnosis and treatment of patients with mediastinal tumors.

Isolated Myeloid Sarcoma and Intracardiac Thrombus Resulting in Superior Mediastinal Syndrome.

Superior mediastinal syndrome (SMS) is a relatively common emergency in the practice of Pediatric Oncology. It typically results from the compression of large airways and superior vena cava by a swiftly growing mass. T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and germ cell tumor are the common etiologies of SMS in children. Occasionally, SMS can be an unexpected presentation of less common childhood cancers and a surprise for the diagnostic and treating teams. The present paper reports the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of managing a 9-y-old boy with SMS resulting from mediastinal myeloid sarcoma. The presence of a sizeable intracardiac thrombus, in addition, contributed to the SMS. The initial pleural fluid cytology and image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of the mediastinal mass were nondiagnostic. A thoracotomy was subsequently performed to debulk the tumor for symptomatic relief and obtain tissue for diagnosis.

Bridging Stent Placement in Vena Cava Syndrome With Tumor Thrombotic Extension in the Right Atrium.

Venous stent placement of symptomatic occlusion of the superior and inferior vena cava is considered the treatment of choice in malignant disease because this technique can restore patency and achieve a relief of symptoms. However, tumor thrombus extension into the right atrium harbors the potential risk of stent migration and perforation. One strategy to avoid this potential life-threatening complication could be the placement of a bridging stent from the superior vena cava-to-inferior vena cava. This case reports describes the superior vena cava-to-inferior vena cava bridging stent technique in 2 patients with malignant occlusion of the superior and inferior vena cava. Special considerations such as technical details of the devices and potential complications are discussed.

Thrombolytic therapy in preterm infants: Fifteen-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report a single-center experience with thrombolytic therapy using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in preterm neonates with severe thrombotic events, in terms of thrombus resolution and bleeding complications. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included 21 preterm neonates with severe venous thrombotic events admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, identified in our pharmacy database from January 2001 to December 2016, and treated with rt-PA until complete or partial clot lysis, no-response or bleeding complications. Our primary outcome was thrombus resolution. RESULTS: Twenty-one preterm neonates were treated with rt-PA for an average of 2.9 cycles. Seventeen patients (80.9%) had superior vena cava thrombosis and superior vena cava syndrome. All patients had a central venous catheter, parenteral nutrition, mechanical ventilation, and sepsis. Fifteen patients (71.4%) were extremely preterm, 11 (52.4%) were extremely low birth weight, and seven (33.3%) were very low birth weight. The patency rate was 85.7%, complete lysis occurred in 11 (52.4%) patients, and partial lysis in seven (33.3%). Minor bleeding occurred in five (23.8%) patients, three patients (14.2%) had clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events, and major bleeding occurred in six (28%) patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, the rate of thrombus resolution in preterm neonates treated with rt-PA were similar to the percentages reported in children and adolescents, with a high rate of bleeding. Therefore, rt-PA thrombolytic therapy should only be considered as a treatment option for severe life-threatening thrombosis in premature neonates for whom the benefits of the thrombolytic treatment outweigh the risks of bleeding.

A retrospective stenting study on superior vena cava syndrome caused by lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a common condition predominantly caused by lung cancer. The presence of symptoms of SVCS, such as elevated intracranial pressure and laryngeal edema, indicates an unfavorable prognosis for lung cancer patients. Superior vena cava (SVC) stenting is the first-line treatment for SVCS. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed SVCS cases treated with stenting in our center to explore the safety and effectiveness of stenting in the treatment of SVCS. METHODS: We reviewed 16 patients with SVCS caused by lung cancer who were treated at our center with endovascular stenting between 2016 and 2018. Patient information such as age, sex, type of lung cancer, obstruction condition, complications, survival time, and postoperative treatments are summarized. RESULTS: There were no treatment-related complications in the perioperative period in any of the patients. Examination at postoperative day 2 indicated that the accompanying SVCS symptoms had improved in all patients. The median survival of patients treated along with combined postoperative chemotherapy and antivascular targeted therapy reached seven months (1-18 months). CONCLUSIONS: SVC stenting is effective as a first-line treatment modality for patients with SVCS caused by lung cancer. In combination with other treatment modalities, it can significantly alleviate symptoms and reduce complications, and thus it plays an important role in the treatment of patients with SVCS caused by lung cancer.

Superior vena cava obstruction and mediastinal mass detected by point-of-care ultrasonography.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) often relates to malignant causes such as lung tumors, metastatic cancer, or lymphomas. While the diagnosis relies nowadays on the use of contrast-enhanced thoracic computed tomography, ultrasonography may have an important value as a first-line imaging technique, particularly when used in point-of-care office-based settings. Here, we report the case of a 67-year-old male presenting with SVCS in whom ultrasound contributed to diagnosis.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Secondary to a Massive, Right-Sided Immature Cervical Teratoma.

Cervical teratomas are a rare form of fetal teratoma that can grow to massive size. Generally, these masses can be surgically excised after birth with excellent physical and functional prognosis because the benign variants respect anatomical borders. The primary complications of these masses are associated with compromise of the trachea and esophagus: upper airway obstruction and polyhydramnios. We report the first documented occurrence of superior vena cava syndrome and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy associated with a massive, right-sided cervical teratoma. This case highlights that when cervical teratomas are right-sided and sufficiently large, they can extend inferiorly and compromise central venous return to the heart. This unique presentation would likely have required fetal surgical excision to avoid catastrophic cerebral injury.

Cytokeratin 7 and thyroid transcription factor - 1 levels in patients with lung cancer complicated with superior vena cava syndrome and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to detect the levels of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and thyroid transcription factor -1(TTF-1) in serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), and to explore their prognosis and relationship and correlation with pathological characteristics. METHODS: 68 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated with SVCS treated in Shaoxing Second Hospital from July 2014 to May 2018 were selected as the experimental group, 60 normal healthy persons as the control group, and 60 patients with lung cancer as the lung cancer group. The levels of CK7 and TTF-1 in the three groups were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the differences were compared. The relationship between the expression levels of CK7 and TTF-1 and clinicopathological characteristics of patients, the correlation between CK7 and TTF-1 in lung cancer patients complicated with SVCS, and their 3-year survival rate were analyzed. RESULTS: CK7 and TTF-1 levels in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The levels in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In experimental group, the expression of CK7 and TTF-1 was not related to gender, age, weight, histological classification and tumor size (P>0.05)). CK7 expression was positively correlated with TTF-1 expression in lung cancer patients (P<0.001). The 3-year survival rate in CK7 and TTF-1 high expression group was significantly lower than that in low expression group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of CK7 and TTF-1 are increased in patients with lung cancer complicated with SVCS, and are related to TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and differentiation degree. The high expressions of CK7 and TTF-1 in serum of patients are expected to be potential prognostic indicators for lung cancer complicated with SVCS.

Acute myeloid leukaemia relapse presenting as cardiac myeloid sarcoma.

A 50-year-old woman previously diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia presented with a 3-month history of shortness of breath and a right-sided facial rash. A chest CT revealed an intracardiac mass in the right atrium extending into her superior and inferior vena cava. Surgery was performed to remove the mass and pathology was consistent with myeloid sarcoma. After surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy was directed to the residual disease. The patient eventually relapsed in other sites not including the right atrium and eventually succumbed to her disease.

Síndrome de la vena cava superior por adenocarcinoma de pulmón a forma mediastinal / Superior vena cava syndrome due to lung adenocarcinoma on the mediastinal way

La primera descripción realizada del síndrome de la vena cava superior (SVCS) la realizó William Hunter en 1757, en un paciente con aneurisma sifilítico de aorta. Actualmente con el desarrollo de los tratamientos antimicrobianos estas enfermedades son raras y se deben en un gran porcentaje a patologías malignas. Las neoplasias malignas dan lugar al 90 por ciento de los casos de SVCS y son en su mayoría carcinomas de pulmón. Menos comúnmente el SVCS maligno está producido por linfomas, metástasis y tumores intratorácicos como mesoteliomas o timomas. El objetivo es presentar una forma poco habitual del síndrome de la vena cava superior ocasionada por una neoplasia de pulmón cuya variante histológica, el adenocarcinoma, no suele producir esta forma de presentación radiológica. Se presenta una paciente femenina de 48 años de edad, fumadora, operada de neumotórax izquierdo, que acude a consulta refiriendo la aparición de dolor y aumento de volumen localizado en el cuello, hombro y miembro superior derecho de 3 meses de evolución, de moderada intensidad, permanente, asociado con la presencia de impotencia funcional y edema del miembro superior. En consultas previas se le diagnosticó bursitis y se prescribió tratamiento antiinflamatorio y fisioterapia empeorando la sintomatología, decidiéndose la realización de ultrasonido del hombro derecho. Clásicamente se describe que el adenocarcinoma se manifiesta radiológicamente como un nódulo o una masa pulmonar solitaria, periférica, lo cual difiere con nuestro caso cuya forma de presentación es un síndrome de la vena cava superior siendo una forma poco habitual en este tipo histológico(AU)

The first description of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) was made by William Hunter in 1757, in a patient with syphilitic aortic aneurysm. Currently, with the development of antimicrobial treatments, these diseases are rare and largely due to malignant pathologies. Malignant neoplasms account for 90 percent of cases of SVCS and are mostly lung carcinomas. Less commonly, malignant SVCS is produced by lymphomas, metastases and intrathoracic tumors, such as mesotheliomas or thymomas. The aim of the study is to present an unusual form of the SVCS caused by a lung neoplasm whose histological variant, adenocarcinoma, does not usually produce this form of radiological presentation. We present a patient aged 48, smoker, operated for left pneumothorax, who comes to office referring the onset of pain and increased volume located in the neck, shoulder and right upper limb of 3 months of evolution, of mild intensity, permanent, associated with the presence of functional impotence and edema of the upper limb. In previous consultations, he was diagnosed with bursitis and anti-inflammatory and physiotherapy treatment was prescribed, the symptoms worsened, while ultrasound of the right shoulder was decided. Classically, adenocarcinoma is described as radiologically manifested as a solitary, peripheral nodule or lung mass, which differs with our case, whose presentation is a superior vena cava syndrome being an unusual form in this histological type(AU)