Addressing recurrent hypoglycaemia through thoracic surgical intervention: understanding Doege-Potter syndrome, a rarity in syndromes.

Doege-Potter syndrome (DPS), a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon characterised by non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH), presents clinicians with intricate diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This comprehensive review consolidates current understanding, clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic interventions, and emerging trends in managing DPS. The pathophysiology of DPS revolves around dysregulated insulin-like growth factors (IGF), particularly IGF-2, produced by mesenchymal tumours, notably solitary fibrous tumours (SFT). Clinical manifestations encompass recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes, often distinct from typical hypoglycaemia, with implications for insulin and counterregulatory hormone levels. Diagnosis necessitates a multidisciplinary approach integrating biochemical assays, imaging studies, and histopathological confirmation of the underlying neoplasm. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, complemented by adjunctive therapies to manage persistent hypoglycaemia. Prognosis is influenced by successful tumour resection and long-term surveillance for recurrence. A patient-centred approach, incorporating supportive services and multidisciplinary care, is essential for optimal outcomes in individuals affected by DPS.

Urban thoracic trauma: diagnosis and initial treatment of non-cardiac injuries in adults.

This comprehensive review aims to delineate the prevailing non-cardiac thoracic injuries occurring in urban environments following initial on-site treatment and subsequent admission to hospital emergency departments. Our study involved a rigorous search within the PubMed database, employing key phrases and their combinations, including "thoracic injury," "thoracic trauma," "haemothorax," "lung contusion," "traumatic pneumothorax," "rib fractures," and "flail chest." We focused on original research articles and reviews. Non-cardiac thoracic injuries exhibit a high prevalence, often affecting poly-trauma patients, and contributing to up to 35% of polytrauma-related fatalities. Furthermore, severe thoracic injuries can result in a substantial 5% mortality rate. This review provides insights into clinical entities such as lung contusion, traumatic haemothorax, pneumothorax, rib fractures, and sternal fractures. Thoracic injuries represent a frequent and significant clinical concern for emergency department physicians and thoracic surgeons, warranting thorough understanding and timely intervention.

Challenges and pitfalls in the perioperative management of mediastinal mass syndrome: an up-to-date review.

The perioperative management of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operations presents a persistent challenge across multiple clinical specialties. General anesthesia administration further increases the risk of perioperative cardiorespiratory decompensation. The interdisciplinary team plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe perioperative period. However, due to the rarity and variability of mediastinal mass syndromes, specific management protocols are lacking. This review aims to outline the multitude of challenges and pitfalls encountered during perioperative management in patients with the mediastinal mass syndrome. We describe diagnostic evaluation, preoperative optimization, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative care strategies, emphasizing the paramount significance of a multidisciplinary approach and personalized treatment plans. Preoperative multidisciplinary discussions, meticulous anesthetic management, and well-established protocols for emergency situations are pivotal to ensuring patient safety. Healthcare providers involved in the care of patients with mediastinal mass syndrome must grasp these challenges and pitfalls, enabling them to deliver safe and effective perioperative management.

Modified pericostal suture technique to reduce postoperative pain and provide optimum anatomic restoration after conversion of minimally invasive thoracic surgery to thoracotomy.

Minimally invasive thoracic techniques often need to be converted to open thoracotomy. Thoracotomy is associated with severe postoperative pain in 50% of the patients, and this situation can be maintained for a prolonged period. Many efforts have been made to avoid this complication. We propose an easy and fast thoracotomy closure technique to avoid nerve entrapment at the time of chest closure suitable for cases of conversion to thoracotomy after a minimally invasive attempt. The proposed method effectively avoids interference with the intercostal nerve, which remains intact and restores the anatomy of the intercostal space. Efforts to decrease postoperative pain are vital. Thoracic surgeons are the principal health professionals able to deal with operative factors and postoperative pain management. We believe that the use of this easy and fast technique can facilitate excellent anatomic repositioning of the ribs alongside nerve sparing.

Segmentectomy versus lobectomy. Which factors are decisive for an optimal oncological outcome?

Low-dose computed tomography is being used for lung cancer screening in high-risk groups. Detecting lung cancer at an early stage improves the chance of optimal treatment and increases overall survival. This article compares segmentectomy vs. lobectomy as surgical options, in the case of stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma, ideally IA. To compare the 2 previously referred strategies, data were collected from articles (40 studies were reviewed), reviews, and systematic analyses in PubMed Central, as well as reviewing recent literature. Segmentectomy could be an equal alternative to lobectomy in early-stage NSCLC (tumour < 2 cm). It could be preferred for patients with a low cardiopulmonary reserve, who struggle to survive a lobectomy. As far as early-stage NSCLC is concerned, anatomic segmentectomy is an acceptable procedure in a selective group of patients. For better tumour and stage classification, a systematic lymph node dissection should be performed.

[Resection of Solitary Lung Metastasis of Urinary Tract Transitional Cell Cancer Can Prolong Survival in Selected Patients]. / Die Resektion solitärer Lungenmetastasen des Urothelkarzinom kann das Überleben bei selektionierten Patienten verlängern.

There are only a few small published studies on pulmonary metastasectomy for urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In this study, we examined the long-term outcome and the prognostic survival factors associated with pulmonary metastasectomy of urinary tract TCC, as based on our centre's 20-year experience. Between 2000 and 2020, curative pulmonary metastasectomy was performed in 18 patients (14 males and 4 females). Clinical, demographical and surgical data were retrospectively analysed. The disease-free interval between treatment of the primary tumour and pulmonary metastasectomy ranged from one to 48 months. Survival analysis was conducted with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 84.7% and 52.9%, respectively. Resection of solitary metastases was a positive and independent factor for survival (p = 0.04). Pulmonary metastasectomy of urinary tract TCC is associated with a favourable outcome and solitary metastasis is associated with long-term survival. Surgical resection of solitary pulmonary metastasis and repeated lung metastasectomy by pulmonary recurrence from a urinary tract TCC is feasible in selected patients.

Perioperative Application of Levosimendan Optimizes Postoperative Renal Function and Organ Perfusion in Patients with Severe Heart Failure.

Background: Renal dysfunction and impaired organ perfusion are common concerns following cardiac surgery. Levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer inotropic drug, is investigated in this study for its potential to improve postoperative renal function and organ perfusion in patients with low preoperative ejection fraction and severe myocardial dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 314 patients with preoperative heart failure who underwent cardiac surgery. Among them, 184 patients received perioperative adjunctive therapy with levosimendan, while 130 patients with similar characteristics received conventional treatment. Results: The perioperative administration of levosimendan resulted in a significantly lower need for renal replacement therapy (p < 0.001) and improvements in the serum creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate, and creatinine clearance. Similarly, the C-reactive protein levels, blood pH, and lactic acid levels showed comparable improvements. Conclusions: The use of levosimendan was associated with a significant enhancement in postoperative renal function and a reduction in the need for renal replacement therapy. Furthermore, it resulted in a decrease in the extent of organ malperfusion. Postoperative inflammatory reactions and metabolic balance also exhibited improvements.

Outcome of Repeated Resection of Pulmonary Metastases for Renal Cell Cancer.

BACKGROUND: To date, many studies investigated results and prognostic factors of pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) in renal cell cancer (RCC). However, reports concerning repeated resection for patients with recurrent pulmonary metastases (RPM) are limited. In this study, we analyzed safety, efficacy, and prognostic factors for survival after PM focusing on RPM for RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical, operative, and follow-up data of patients who underwent PM or RPM for RCC in our institution were retrospectively collected and correlated with each other from January 2005 to December 2019. RESULTS: Altogether 154 oncological pulmonary resections in curative intention as PM or RPM were performed in 82 and 26 patients. Postoperative complications were similar in both groups (n = 22 [26.8%] vs. 4 [15.4%], p = 0.2). Zero mortality was documented up to the 30th postoperative day. RPM was not associated with decreased 5-year-survival compared with PM (66.2 vs. 57,9%, p = 0.5). Patients who underwent RPM for recurrent lung metastases had a better overall survival in comparison with the other treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and best supportive care (p = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, disease-free survival was identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio: 0.969, 0.941-0.999, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: RPM is a safe and feasible procedure. The resection of recurrent lung metastases shows to prolong survival in comparison with the other therapeutic options for selected patients with RCC.

Should cardiovascular comorbidities be a contraindication for pulmonary metastasectomy?

Background: Limited information is available about the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities (CVC) on the postoperative course of patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy (PM). In this study, we aim to compare the postoperative morbidity, mortality, and the long-term survival of patients with and without CVC undergoing PM. Methods: A retrospective monocentric study was conducted including 760 patients who underwent PM in curative intention. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of CVC. Results: The data from 164 patients with CVC (21.6%) and 596 patients without CVC (78.4%) were investigated. In both groups, zero in-hospital-mortality and limited 30-day mortality was detected. Postoperative complications occurred more often in patients with CVC (N=47, 28.7% vs. N=122, 20.5%, P=0.02). However, most of them were minor (N=37, 22.6% vs. N=93, 15.6%, P=0.03). The presence of multiple CVC (N=18 patients, 40% vs. N=28, 23.9%, P=0.04) and reduced left ventricular function (N=5, 62.5% vs. N=42, 27.1%, P=0.03) were identified as risk factors for postoperative morbidity. Patients with CVC showed reduced overall survival (5-year survival rate: 75.8% vs. 68%, P=0.03). In the multivariate analysis lobectomy [hazard ratio (HR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1-0.8, P=0.02] and general vascular comorbidities (HR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9, P=0.01) were identified as independent negative prognostic factors. Conclusions: Resection of pulmonary metastases can be performed safely in selected patients with stable CVC. The presence of CVC in patients undergoing PM is associated with reduced overall survival compared to patients without CVC in the long term follow up. However, a prolonged 5-year survival rate of 68% could be achieved.

Lung Metastatectomy: Can Laser-Assisted Surgery Make a Difference?

BACKGROUND: Resection of lung metastases with curative intention in selected patients is associated with prolonged survival. Laser-assisted resection of lung metastases results in complete resection of a high number of lung metastases, while preserving lung parenchyma. However, data concerning laser lung resections are scarce and contradictory. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the utility of laser-assisted pulmonary metastasectomy. METHODS: An electronic search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), complemented by manual searches in article references, was conducted to identify eligible studies. RESULTS: Fourteen studies with a total of 1196 patients were included in this metanalysis. Laser-assisted surgery (LAS) for lung metastases is a safe procedure with a postoperative morbidity up to 24.2% and almost zero mortality. LAS resulted in the resection of a high number of lung metastases with reduction of the lung parenchyma loss in comparison with conventional resection methods. Survival was similar between LAS and conventional resections. CONCLUSION: LAS allows radical lung-parenchyma saving resection of a high number of lung metastases with similar survival to conventional methods.

Can Chest Ultrasound Replace Chest X-ray in Thoracic Surgery?

Background: There is growing evidence that supports the use of chest ultrasound (CUS) versus conventional chest X-ray (CXR) in order to diagnose postoperative complications. However, data regarding its use after thoracic surgery are scarce and contradictory. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the accuracy of CUS after thoracic surgery. Methods: An electronic search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), complemented by manual searches in article references, was conducted to identify eligible studies. Results: Six studies with a total of 789 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Performing CXR decreased in up to 61.6% of cases, with the main reasons for performing CXR being massive subcutaneous emphysema or complex hydrothorax. Agreement between CUS and routine-based therapeutic options was, in some studies, up to 97%. Conclusions: The selectively postoperative use of CUS may reduce the number of routinely performed CXR. However, if CUS findings are inconclusive, further radiological examinations are obligatory.

Lung Resections for Elderly Patients with Lung Metastases: A Comparative Study of the Postoperative Complications and Overall Survival.

Background: Pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) is an established treatment option for selected patients with stage IV solid tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of and survival rate in PM for elderly patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all of the patients who underwent PM with curative intention at our institution. The patients were categorized into two groups: the elderly group (≥70 years old) and the non-elderly group (<70 years old). Results: The elderly group consisted of 222 patients versus 538 patients in the non-elderly group. The median number of resected metastases was 2 ± 3 in the elderly group and 4 ± 5 in the non-elderly group (p < 0.01). No difference in the rate of postoperative complications was observed between the two groups (p = 0.3). The median length of hospital stay in each group was comparable (10 ± 5 vs. 10 ± 4.3 days, p = 0.3). The 5-year survival rate was 67% in the elderly group and 78% in the non-elderly group (p = 0.117). In the univariate analysis, COPD was associated with poor survival in the elderly group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The resection of pulmonary metastases in elderly patients is safe, is not associated with increased risks of postoperative complication, and the survival benefit is not reduced in selected patients.

Cathepsin S and Protease-Activated Receptor-2 Drive Alloimmunity and Immune Regulation in Kidney Allograft Rejection.

Alloantigen presentation is an essential process in acute allorejection. In this context, we speculated on a pathogenic role of cathepsin S (Cat-S), a cysteine protease known to promote antigenic peptide loading into MHC class II and to activate protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 on intrarenal microvascular endothelial and tubular epithelial cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunostaining of human kidney allografts confirmed Cat-S expression in intrarenal mononuclear phagocytes. In vitro, Cat-S inhibition suppressed CD4 + T cell lymphocyte activation in a mixed lymphocyte assay. In vivo, we employed a mouse model of kidney transplantation that showed preemptive Cat-S inhibition significantly protected allografts from tubulitis and intimal arteritis. To determine the contribution of PAR-2 activation, first, Balb/c donor kidneys were transplanted into Balb/c recipient mice without signs of rejection at day 10. In contrast, kidneys from C57BL/6J donor mice revealed severe intimal arteritis, tubulitis, interstitial inflammation, and glomerulitis. Kidneys from Par2-deficient C57BL/6J mice revealed partial protection from tubulitis and lower intrarenal expression levels for Fasl, Tnfa, Ccl5, and Ccr5. Together, we conclude that Cat-S and PAR-2 contribute to immune dysregulation and kidney allograft rejection, possibly involving Cat-S-mediated activation of PAR-2 on recipient parenchymal cells in the allograft.

Multiparametric Functional MRI: A Tool to Uncover Subtle Changes following Allogeneic Renal Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To investigate multiparametric functional MRI to characterize acute rejection in a murine allogeneic renal transplant model and evaluate the effect of novel therapeutics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed allogeneic and syngeneic orthotopic transplantations (Balb/c to C57Bl/6 and C57Bl/6 to C57Bl/6). Allogeneic Groups (n = 5) were either treated with the anti-CCL2-Spiegelmer (mNOX-E36) in monotherapy or in combination with low doses of Ciclosporin-A (10mg/kgBW/d) for 10 days. Controls received equivalent doses of a non-functional spiegelmer (revmNOX-E36) or low dose Ciclosporin-A. Diffusion-weighted (DWI) and Dynamic-contrast-enhanced (DCE-) MRI-scans were performed using a clinical 3T-scanner. DWI analysis (b-values from 0-800 s/mm2) was performed mono- and biexponentially, while DCE-MRI was assessed with deconvolution analysis. Therapy effects were assessed ex vivo with histopathology, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t-tests and Spearman´s correlation coefficient. RESULTS: DWI showed a significant diffusion restriction in allogeneic compared to syngeneic transplants (ADC: 0.63±0.08 vs. 1.29±0.12 mm2/s*103) with decreasing diffusion restriction under therapy. DCE-MRI showed restored organ perfusion under Ciclosporin A alone and combination therapy (Plasma Flow: 43.43±12.49; 38.75±7.53ml/100ml/min) compared to syngeneic controls (51.03±12.49ml/100ml/min). Ex vivo analysis showed reduced monocytic infiltrates, attenuated levels of inflammatory cytokines under mNOX-E36 monotherapy with an additive effect of low dose Ciclosporin A. There was a significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between ADC and interstitial inflammation (r = -0.73) or macrophage infiltration (r = -0.81) and between organ perfusion and intimal arteritis (r = -0.63). CONCLUSION: Multiparametric functional MRI is suited to detect renal allograft rejection in an experimental murine model and allows to characterize effects of immunosuppressive therapy alleviating acute rejection processes in allogeneic transplantation.