Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours of the thorax: Radiologic and clinicopathological correlation.

CONTEXT AND AIMS: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm with intermediate malignant potential. The aim of this study is to describe and compare the clinical presentation, computed tomography (CT) findings and anaplastic lymphoma kinase -1 (ALK-1) expression of IMT of the thorax in children and adults. We also sought to study the tumour behaviour after treatment on the follow-up imaging. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective observational study of 22 histopathologically proven cases of IMT in the thorax. The clinical parameters, CT findings, biopsy results, treatment received and follow-up were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: IMT of the thorax had diverse imaging appearances, presenting either as large invasive lung masses with or without calcifications or as smaller endobronchial lesions. Children commonly presented with long duration fever (P = 0.02) and large invasive lung masses (P = 0.026), whereas adults presented with long duration haemoptysis (P = 0.001) and endobronchial lesions or smaller lung parenchymal lesions. Calcifications were more common in children (P = 0.007). ALK-1 was positive in 40% of children and 18.2% of adults (P = 0.547). Endobronchial lesions showed a trend for ALK-1 negativity. Patients with bronchoscopic excision had local recurrence and patients with surgical wedge resection had metastatic brain lesions as compared to those with lobectomy and pneumonectomy (P = 0.0152). A patient with unresectable lung mass had malignant transformation to spindle cell sarcoma after 9.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic IMT presents with some distinct clinical and CT findings in adults and children. The CT findings and management options have implications for prognosis. If resectable, lobectomy is a better option than wedge resection or bronchoscopic excision for preventing local recurrence and metastasis. IMT can undergo malignant transformation.

Utility of cine MRI in evaluation of cardiovascular invasion by mediastinal masses.

BACKGROUND: Accurate imaging assessment of cardiovascular invasion by mediastinal masses is essential for determining surgical feasibility. This can sometimes be difficult on CT owing to limited space available in the mediastinum, resulting in mediastinal masses abutting and indenting adjacent cardiovascular structures. Cine MRI may aid in such situations by demonstrating differential mobility. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of cine MRI in assessing cardiovascular invasion by mediastinal masses, by evaluating sliding motion and the presence of chemical shift artifact between the mediastinal mass and apposing structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 44 patients with mediastinal masses, with equivocal involvement of 162 cardiovascular structures on CT scan, in whom cine MRI was done. Involvement on CT was considered equivocal when there was a loss of intervening fat plane and broad surface (>3 cm) or angle (>90°) of contact between the mediastinal mass and cardiovascular structure. The presence of either sliding movement or type 2 chemical shift artifact or both between mass and the cardiovascular structure was considered as no adherence or invasion. The absence of both the parameters was considered as the presence of invasion or adhesion. Imaging findings were correlated with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: After excluding 25 cardiovascular structures in 7 patients, 137 cardiovascular structures whose involvement was suspected on CT were evaluated in 37 patients with mediastinal masses. In all, 31 cardiovascular structures showed invasion on MRI out of which 28 structures were invaded or adhered intraoperatively and 106 cardiovascular structures showed no invasion on MRI out of which 97 structures were intraoperatively not invaded/adhered. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of our study are 75.7%, 97% and 91.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cine MRI can be used as an effective tool in patients with equivocal cardiovascular invasion by mediastinal masses on CT scans.

Giant solitary fibrous tumour: an uncommon approach for an uncommon tumour.

Complete surgical resection of a giant solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura can be challenging. We describe our technique for dealing with one such tumour. A clamshell incision proved inadequate for visualising the extent of the tumour. An additional lower sternotomy incision was then made, which significantly improved exposure. With the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass, it was then possible to mobilise and completely excise the tumour. Complete resection remains the mainstay of treatment for such pleural-based tumours. Every attempt must be made to achieve this, including any modification of the traditional approach if required.

A Randomized Study Comparing the Incidence of Postoperative Pain After Phrenic Nerve Infiltration Vs Nonphrenic Nerve Infiltration During Thoracotomy.

Thoracotomy is a common surgical procedure performed worldwide for lung disease. Despite major advances in analgesia, patients still experience severe shoulder, central back and surgical incision site pain in the postoperative period. This study aimed to assess whether intraoperative phrenic nerve infiltration reduces the incidence of postoperative pain and improves peak flow volume measurements during incentive spirometry. 90 patients undergoing open lobectomy were randomly assigned to have phrenic nerve infiltration (n = 46) or not (n = 44). The phrenic nerve infiltration group received 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the periphrenic fat pad. Preoperative assessments of spirometry and pain scores were recorded (at rest and with movement). Postoperative assessments included peak flow and pain measurements at intervals up to 72 hours. Less shoulder pain was experienced with phrenic nerve infiltration up to 6 hours postsurgery at rest (P = 0.005) and up to 12 hours with movement (P < 0.001). Reduced back pain was reported in the phrenic nerve infiltration group up to 6 hours after surgery both at rest (P = 0.001) and with movement (P = 0.00). Phrenic nerve infiltration reduced pain at the incision site for up to 3 hours both at rest (P < 0.001) and with movement (P = 0.001). Spirometry readings dropped in both groups with consistently lower readings at baseline and follow-up in the PNI group (P = 0.007). Lower analgesic usage of patient controlled analgesia morphine (P < 0.0001), epipleural bupivacaine (P = 0.001), and oramorph/zomorph (P = 0.0002) were recorded. Our findings indicate that the use of phrenic nerve infiltration significantly reduced patient pain scores during the early postoperative period, particularly during movement. We believe that each technique has advantages and disadvantages; however, further studies with large sample size are warranted.

Evaluation of Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy Response (RCT) in Squamous Esophageal Cancer (ESC) and Implications in Therapeutic Conduct.

The multidisciplinary approach in ESC emerged as a result of efforts to maximize the treatment outcome of this disease.Surgical approach as the only therapeutic option is not always followed by a good distance survival. A concomitant neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in ESC may result in a favourable outcome for responding patients, reducing the size of the tumor and the degree of lymph node damage increasing resectability and the R0 resection rate, improving prognosis. For non-responding patients or if the disease continues to progress under RCT therapy, the surgical time is delayed, adverse effects of radiochemotherapy are added and postoperative morbidity and mortality are increased. The imaging methods for the assessment of response have only limited value and metabolic response; only FDG-PET manages to come close to pathological response. Determining the response degree is very important for the establishment of the surgical conduct: planned or necessity surgery, or non-surgical palliative therapy.

Therapeutic strategies in colonic cancer.

Colonic cancer is the most common malignancy of the digestive tract, representing 13% of all malignancies. The aim of the study is to evaluate the current therapeutic strategy in patients with CC. Mortality from the disease is declining in many Western countries; this may be the result of screening for CC, resection of adenomas, early detection of tumoral lesions and the use of individualized therapeutic strategies. The multimodal treatment of the disease includes different sequences such as: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy,immunotherapy. Current advances in the research of mechanisms of carcinogenesis in CC make it possible to use genetic information in order to establish the prognostic and predictive factors for selecting the patients for individualized therapy. The current methods of CC evaluation allow the planning of individualized therapeutic strategies, which would lead to optimal results.

Prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer--preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations, evaluated by using two methods in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study involving 58 patients diagnosed with CRC and treated between 2003 and 2010 in the General and Esophageal Surgery Clinic of "Sf. Maria" Hospital, Bucharest. The macroscopic and microscopic examination of the resected specimens was also processed for genetic analysis in NIRDPBS, where KRAS status was determined by using two methods: PCR-RFLP and pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The clinical and biological parameters of the patients were assessed for 72 months in average. A relapse in 21 patients and a 5-year survival rate of 79.3% was discovered. The genetic analyses of KRAS gene found mutations in 22 cases (45.3%): 17 cases had mutations in codon 12, 5 cases in codon 13. The survival rate analyses of patients with wild KRAS gene compared with the patients carrying the mutation on codon 12 /13 revealed a superposition of the survival curve. The statistical analysis based on the TNM stage revealed different survival curves in stage I and II, shorter survival period in patients with KRAS mutation on codon 13 than in those with wild type gene (stage I--p_value=0.015; stage II--p_value=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: It was not found that KRAS gene status had any prognostic significance. Nevertheless, for stage I and II patients, the mutation found on codon 13 determined a statistic significant shorter survival rate than for those with wild type. The results obtained by using the pyrosequencing method for the determination of KRAS gene status proved that it represented a reliable and reproducible method.

Barrett esophagus: history, definition and etiopathogeny.

The injury of the esophageal epithelium may be determined by the reflux of the gastric acid in the esophagus. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is characterized by the replacement of the normal squamous epithelium with the columnar epithelium, when the healing of the lesion occurs. According to some studies, the incidence of the esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with BE is of about 0,5% per year. The term Barrett's esophagus is subjected to interpretation nowadays, so it lacks the clarity needed for the clinical and scientific communication on the subject of columnar metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa. The major pathogenetic factor in the development of BE is represented by the reflux disease. The cellular origin of BE is controversial and it represents an issue that needs to be resolved because it will have implications in the putative molecular mechanisms underlying the metaplastic process. The epigenetic or genetic changes, which alter protein expression, function, and/ or activity, in post-mitotic cells to drive transdifferentiation or in stem/ progenitor cells such that they are reprogrammed to differentiate into columnar rather than squamous cells, are driven by the inflammatory environment created by chronic reflux. In order to be able to develop better therapeutic strategies for the patients with this disease, an increasing interest in understanding the pathogenesis of BE at the cellular and molecular level presents these days.

Surveillance in Barrett esophagus.

The only known precursor of the esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is represented by the Barrett's esophagus (BE). EAC incidence has increased sharply in the last 4 decades. The annual conversion rate of BE to cancer is small but significant; therefore the identification of patients at a higher risk of cancer represents a dilemma. The endoscopic surveillance of BE aims to detect dysplasia and in particular high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal cancers that can be endoscopically treated before progressing to invasive cancer with lymph node metastases. Using standard white light endoscopy (WLE), these high-risk lesions are often subtle and hard to detect. In addition to high-definition standard endoscopy, chromoendoscopy (CE), virtual chromoendoscopy (e.g. narrow band imaging), and confocal laser endomicroscopy might increase the diagnostic efficiency for the detection of dysplastic lesions and can also increase the diagnostic efficiency for the detection of BE dysplasia or cancer. This ability to detect subtle mucosal abnormalities that harbor high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or intramucosal carcinoma might enable endoscopists skilled in the assessment of BE to perform targeted rather than random biopsies. The standard protocol will remain the careful examination by using conventional high-resolution endoscopes, combined with a longer inspection time, which is associated with an increased detection of dysplasia until these modalities have been demonstrated to enhance efficiency or be cost effective. Many of the limitations of the current clinical standard may be overcome in the future by the use of multi-modal imaging combined with molecular information.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass versus off-pump coronary surgery through sternotomy.

INTRODUCTION: Although it is not a new technique, minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) is employed only by a few surgeons in the UK. We compared our experience with MIDCAB with that of single vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) graft surgery through a standard median sternotomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent either MIDCAB or OPCAB between April 2008 and July 2011 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included patients with an ejection fraction of <0.5 or previous cardiac surgery. Data were obtained retrospectively from our prospective database, medical records and through general practitioners. RESULTS: Overall, 74 patients were analysed in the MIDCAB group and 78 in the OPCAB group. Their demographics and EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) values were comparable (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the two groups in terms of mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, postoperative stroke, wound infection, atrial fibrillation or need for reintervention. The MIDCAB group had six conversions to a sternotomy. Eight patients in each group required blood transfusion, with the average transfusion being 1.8 units in the MIDCAB group and 3.2 units in the OPCAB group. The mean duration of ventilation and intensive care unit stay was 5.0 hours and 38.4 hours in the MIDCAB group and 5.4 and 47.8 hours in the OPCAB group. The mean hospital stay was significantly reduced in the MIDCAB population (6.1 vs 8.5 days, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MIDCAB can be performed safely in appropriately selected patients with outcomes comparable with OPCAB. The potential benefits include shorter hospital stay, reduced need for blood transfusion and faster recovery.

Clinical importance of the determinant-based classification of acute pancreatitis severity.

PURPOSE: This classification should eliminate the confusion in terminology occurring over the last 20 years with direct implications in clinical practice. METHOD: The study was based on the web-based consultation of experts worldwide. 528 invitations were sent and 240 responses received from 49 countries from all continents. RESULTS: In an attempt to eliminate many confusions of the old classification, definitions that have built-in modern concepts of the disease have been issued, clinical evaluation of these severity has been improved and a standardized reporting data to objectively evaluate new treatments and to facilitate the communication of data between centers has been created. DISCUSSIONS: An ideal classification should reflect the whole area of clinical and paraclinical changes for one patient, at a given time. In the chosen classification, the main variable that characterizes the degree of severity is only the transitory or persistent organ dysfunction(s) failure(s). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant contribution to this update is redefining local complications based on their content,existence or non-existence of the wall, the place of their appearance and their evolution over time (local determinants).Systemic determinants take into account the presence of organ failures (transient or persistent). The presence of determinant factors has a cumulative effect.

Bypassing the patient: comparison of biocompatible models for the future of vascular tissue engineering.

The objective of vascular tissue engineering is to develop tissue-engineered, biocompatible, small-diameter vessels suitable to withstand in vivo systolic pressures as well as be immunologically compatible with the patient, in order to minimize graft rejection. In this study, we present and compare two models of biocompatible, tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG), using chitosan and acellularized rat aortas as options for scaffolds. Human aortic adventitial smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts were seeded onto a fibrin gel and subsequently wrapped around either of the two scaffolds. After several weeks of maturation in standard culturing conditions, the graft models were analyzed and compared by mechanical testing, cell viability, and histology. Histological and viability data showed that both models were viable and developed similarly, with a scaffold surrounded by two layers of cells, the fibroblasts lying on top of the smooth muscle cells. Both models responded to 200 mM potassium chloride (KCl) (tensions of 38 ± 3, 78 ± 13, and 52 ± 7 µN) and 25 mM 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (tensions of -23 ± 4, -39 ± 10, and -31 ± 12 µN) stimulation by vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation (n = 3), respectively; however, the chitosan model was unable to maintain the contracted and relaxed tension. Because the acellularized aorta TEVGs were able to maintain stimulated tension better than chitosan TEVGs, we concluded that the acellularized aorta model was better suited for further development.

[The importance of the timing of surgery in infected severe acute pancreatitis]. / Importanta momentului operator în pancreatita acuta severa infectata.

The management in severe acute pancreatitis evolved in the last two decades. Consulting the literature and the accumulated clinical experience manage to the release of this study based on the comparison of the treatment in PAS between two distinct periods: 1994-1999 (retrospective) and 2000-2007 (prospective). Among the 285 patients whit PAS admitted and treated in the two departments, 224 (78.6%) was submitted to the surgical intervention with various surgical indications. There is an obvious difference between the retrospective and prospective studies concerning the indication of surgery and mostly the timing for surgery. The lots were analyzed concerning the etiology, management of treatments and specific treatments, and the timing of the surgical intervention was analyzed based on the specific etiologic treatment and the period of time between the admission and the first surgical intervention, the mark being the 21 day according with the recommendations of the International Association of Pancreatology. There were analyzed: the period of time between the onset of the disease and the surgical intervention, the status of the patients at the surgical moment, the global mortality based on the timing of surgery, the evolution of the management of PAS along the period of the research, comparisons whit the literature. The registered data were statistically processed using the SPSS test version 17 for Windows.

[Cholangiocarcinoma of the distal bile duct--case presentation]. / Adenocarcinom de coledoc distal--prezentare de caz.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare disease (0.15-0.16% in the general population). We present the case of a man, 64 years old, who was admitted to our clinic for emergency with intense jaundice, abdominal pain in the supra-umbilical region. Laboratory analysis revealed elevated total bilirubin (23.5 mg/dl), with predominant direct bilirubin and an increased serum level of alkaline phosphatase and GGT, AST, ALT. The abdominal CT shows an tumor infiltrating distal bile duct, with important dilatation of proximal biliary tree and enlarged retro pancreatic lymph node (8 mm). The first therapeutic procedure was an surgical exploration of the abdomen to asses the resectability of the tumor and an internal biliary drainage colecisto-gastrostomy to allow improving of patient's biological and clinical state and a latter radical operation, after remission of jaundice. After a month we performed cephalic duodenopancreatectomy. Pathology result: moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of intestinal type (G2) pT2NOMO (stage II). The postoperative evolution was favorable encumbered by a small pancreatic fistula healed by conservative method.

[Principles of treatment in locally advanced esophageal squamous cancer]. / Principii de tratament in cancerul esofagian scuamos avansat local.

The diagnosis established in the symptomatic phase of this disease, most often occurs at advanced stage neoplasia. The purpose of this article is to establish the place and method of surgical and radio-chemo therapy in advanced loco-regional squamous esophageal neoplasm (stage IIB-III). Surgical treatment establishes the best results over long periods of time, however, this is done keeping in mind acceptable morbidity and mortality conditions. Multimodal treatment is encompassed in general efforts to achieve optimal results along with increasing the quantity and quality of life. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (CRT) increases practitioners' possibility of resecting tumors, decreasing their size, and establishing proper means of local (radiotherapy) and systemic (chemotherapy) control. Great efforts are made in finding markers which lead to correct diagnosis and treatment options that will further permit nonresponsive radio and chemo therapy treated patients from experiencing unwanted toxicity. The role of adjuvant therapy is that of decreasing recurrence in patients with residual mediastinal disease after palliative surgical resection. Palliative treatment consists of improving dysphagia, and the quality of life using surgical, endoscopic, photodynamic, laser, radio and chemotherapy as alternatives.

[Difficulties in diagnosis and surgical treatment of a giant retroperitoneal lipoma]. / Probleme de diagnostic si de tactica chirurgicaa ridicate de un lipom retroperitoneal gigant.

Primary retroperitoneal tumors are relatively rare and the histological characters vary. We present the case of a retroperitoneal lipoma in a 51-year-old male patient, whose main complain was enlarging of the abdomen in the last 2 months. The CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a giant retroperitoneal tumor. The patient suffered a surgical intervention that revealed a giant retroperitoneal tumor, 40/35 cm, weighting 14 Kg. The pathology exam established the diagnosis: retroperitoneal lipoma with areas of necrosis and lipogranulomatosis. The postoperative evolution was simple.

Morgagni hernia presenting with bowel obstruction in a lung transplant recipient: case report.

Morgagni hernias are uncommon congenital diaphragmatic deficiencies that may remain asymptomatic till adulthood. We report a case of Morgagni hernia presenting with subacute bowel obstruction in a bilateral lung transplant recipient. This diaphragmatic deficiency was not evident during bilateral lung transplantation surgery via clamshell incision. To our knowledge this is the first report of a congenital defect evident after lung transplantation.

[The role of esophageal manometry in the management of the patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus]. / Rolul manometriei in managementul pacientilor cu boala de reflux gastro-esofagian si esofag Barrett.

AIM: To analyze the correlation between the failure of medical treatment in patients with reflux esophagitis or Barrett esophagus and LES function, manometrically measured. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective study of 24 patients admitted in our clinic for reflux disease symptoms, who were investigated by endoscopy (combined with biopsy), esophageal manometry and 24 h pH monitoring. The including criteria for the patients was abnormal esophageal exposure to acid reflux, each patient having abnormal 24 h pH monitoring (pH < 4 in the esophagus more then 4.4% in 24 h). Each patient received medical treatment with clinic and endoscopic reevaluation after 3 months. RESULTS: From the 24 patients that were included: 4 patients having Barrett esophagus, 13 patients with esophagitis (3 patients associated complications such as ulcer or esophageal stenosis) and 7 patients without visible lesions on endoscopy. From the 24 patients, 11 patients presented an incompetent LES, characterized by the following values obtained by manometry: total length < or = 2 cm, abdominal length < or = 1 cm, mean pressure: < 6 mmHg. There were 2 patients from the 4 having Barrett esophagus that presented an incompetent LES, and also the 3 patients having esophagitis associated with complications. All patients were reevaluated clinically and endoscopically after 3 months of medical treatment with PPI 40 mg/day. From the 11 patients with incompetent LES, 5 patients had symptoms or modifications on endoscopy, whereas from 13 patients with a competent LES only one patient presented with symptoms of reflux disease. CONCLUSION: The presence of an incompetent LES may be a cause of a poor response to medical treatment and may also be an element for taking into consideration surgical treatment.

Effect of streptomycin on the active force of bioengineered heart muscle in response to controlled stretch.

In this study, we describe a bioreactor system to deliver controlled stretch protocols to bioengineered heart muscle (BEHMs) and test the system when streptomycin (an aminoglycoside antibiotic, which blocks stretch-activated channels) is either added to or excluded from the culture medium. Streptomycin is a very commonly used component of cell culture antibiotic-antimycotic media additives, so its effects on muscle development and functional response to mechanical signals in vitro is worthy of investigation. Our hypothesis is that BEHMs will not adapt to the applied mechanical stretch protocol when streptomycin is present in the culture medium, but will do so when streptomycin is excluded. Bioengineered heart muscles were formed by culturing primary neonatal cardiac myocytes in a fibrin gel using a method previously developed in our laboratory. A custom bioreactor system was designed using SolidWorks and structural components manufactured using fusion deposition modeling. We utilized a stretch protocol of 1 Hz, 10% strain for 7 d. BEHMs were stretched in the presence and absence of streptomycin. As controls, BEHMs were maintained in a cell culture incubator with and without streptomycin. The contractile properties of all BEHMs were evaluated to determine the active force. We were able to demonstrate compatibility of the bioreactor system with BEHMs and were able to stretch 58 constructs with zero incidence of failure. When the BEHMs were stretched in the absence of streptomycin, the active force increased from a mean value of 51.7 +/- 5.6 (N = 10) to 102.4 +/- 16.3 microN (N = 10), with p < 0.05. However, BEHMs that were stretched in the presence of streptomycin did not show any significant increase in active force generation. The average active force of BEHMs increased from a mean value of 57.6 +/- 10.2 (N = 10) to 91.4 +/- 19.8 microN (N = 10) when stretched in the presence of streptomycin. In this study, we demonstrate compatibility of the a bioreactor system with BEHMs, stability of the BEHMs in response to stretch protocols, and significant functional improvement in response to controlled stretch only when streptomycin is excluded from the culture medium, supporting our hypothesis.