[Evolution of the early respiratory function after lung resection for cancer]. / Evolution de la fonction respiratoire postopératoire immédiate après résection pulmonaire pour cancer.

The assessment of the postoperative risk in lung resection is a major challenge for pneumologists and thoracic surgeons. Restrictive syndromes have been observed along with a disproportionate decrease of FEV1 in lobectomies. The purpose of the present study is to describe the early response of pulmonary function after thoracotomy and resection for lung cancer. In a prospective study, the authors included 31 patients (19 lobectomy patients: mean age 59+/-10 years and 12 pneumonectomy patients: mean age 56+/-9 years) without postoperative complications. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after surgery on Days 1, 5 (D5), 10 and within the fourth month. The main aspect of the ventilation was an unexpected similarity in subgroups during the early perioperative period up to D5. When compared with the preoperative value, about a 50% decrease in the vital capacity and total lung capacity was observed. In both subgroups about a 40% decrease was noted in the inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume. In the lobectomy sub-group, the change in the forced expiratory volume in one second over forced vital capacity (FEV/FVC) ratio was found to be higher than predicted (52+/-16% at D5 versus 67+/-14% predicted). However, the FEV/FVC ratio did not change, attesting to major restrictive ventilation. Partial recovery of the FEV was dependant on the mobile volume and especially the inspiratory volume. These findings should have implications in patient management.

[Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma]. / Sarcome intimal de l'artère pulmonaire.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare tumor. We present a case of intimal sarcoma arising from right pulmonary artery and left lower pulmonary vein observed in a 44-year-old man with a non-productive cough. Computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance imaging showing filling defect enhancement contributed early, suggesting the diagnosis of primary vascular tumor, hypothesis confirmed by pathologist findings.

Benign mature mediastinal dysembryoma with pulmonary extension revealed by recurrent hemoptysis in a young woman.

We report one case of mature mediastinal teratoma with pulmonary extension surgically diagnosed in a 22-year-old woman complaining of recurrent hemoptyses for which no etiological explanation could be found. Thoracic surgery was only decided on after three embolizations proved ineffective.

Early CYFRA 21-1 variation predicts tumor response to chemotherapy and survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

We have evaluated CYFRA 21-1 serum level variations as an indicator of tumor response and survival in 44 consecutive patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction chemotherapy (IC). Irrespective of the initial CYFRA 21-1 serum concentration, a more than 65% decrease in the serum level after the first chemotherapy course was significantly predictive of an objective tumor response (p = 0.0022). In addition, a more than 80% decrease in this level significantly predicted a better disease-free survival (p = 0.039). In patients with initial CYFRA 21-1 serum levels > 3.3 ng/mL (n = 29), a more than 80% decrease after the first IC course was the most significant predictor of overall survival (p = 0.025) in a Cox analysis including initial staging, tumor response and surgery. We conclude that early monitoring of CYFRA 21-1 serum levels may be a useful prognostic tool for tumor response and survival in stage III NSCLC patients treated by induction chemotherapy.

Intrathoracic blood supply of the left vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves.

The arteries and veins of the left vagus (VN) and left recurrent laryngeal (RLN) nerves from the thoracic inlet to the subaortic region are described following vascular casting with red colored latex in 6 adult fresh non-embalmed cadavers. In all specimens the anterior bronchoesophageal artery supplied at least one vessel to the VN and RLN in the subaortic region. For the RLN other arterial sources were arteries arising from the aortic arch in 1 specimen, the subclavian artery in 3 specimens, the first intercostal artery in 1 specimen, and the inferior thyroid artery in all specimens. For the VN other arterial sources were arteries arising from the aortic arch in 2 specimens and the inferior thyroid artery in 1 specimen. For both the VN and RLN the veins were located under the pleura and directed towards the internal thoracic vein anteriorly and the thoracic intercostal veins posteriorly. In conclusion, the inferior thyroid artery at the thoracic inlet for the RLN and the anterior bronchoesophageal artery are the more consistent vessels supplying the VN and RLN. Vascular damage occurring during mediastinal lymph node excision to the VN and RLN, especially in the subaortic region, may explain postoperative vocal fold paralysis.

Vocal cord dysfunction after left lung resection for cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence, the impact-related postoperative complications and the risk factors of vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) after left lung resection for cancer. METHODS: From February 1996 to April 1999, a review of prospectively gathered data was performed on 99 consecutive patients who underwent a pneumonectomy (n=50) or a lobectomy (n=49) with a mediastinal lymph node dissection. A fiber optic laryngeal examination was performed preoperatively for all patients and within the first week postoperatively in patients with symptom(s) or sign(s) of VCD or respiratory complications. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (31%) had a postoperative VCD (group VCD) and 68 (68%) did not (group non-VCD). Mortality rate was 19% in group VCD and 9% in group non-VCD (P=0.13). Group VCD patients developed more pulmonary complications (P=0.014) and cardiac complications (P<0.001) compared to group non-VCD patients. A higher rate of reintubation (P=0.005), pneumonia (P=0.06), arrhythmia (P=0.002), cardiac failure (P<0.001) was noticeable in group VCD and may account for the higher rate of complications in this group. Using multivariate analysis, preoperative radiotherapy (P=0.001) and pneumonectomy (P=0.008) were predictive of postoperative VCD. Hospital stay was 22+/-16 days in group VCD and 13+/-9 days in group non-VCD (P<0.002). CONCLUSION: VCD is a frequent event that can lead to dramatic pulmonary complications. We would recommend to track it and to treat it as early as possible.

Concomitant type I thyroplasty and thoracic operations for lung cancer: preventing respiratory complications associated with vagus or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to prevent postoperative swallowing disorder, aspiration, and sputum retention in cases of recurrent laryngeal or vagus nerve section occurring during lung cancer resection. METHODS: In 14 of 25 consecutive patients, type I thyroplasty and thoracic operations were performed during the same period of anesthesia. All patients had a preoperative laryngeal computed tomographic scan providing us with indispensable measurements for vocal fold medialization under general anesthesia (ie, without intraoperative phonatory control). Nine remaining patients had a type I thyroplasty delayed from thoracic operations because of intraoperative doubt about laryngeal innervation injury, and 2 did not need a laryngeal operation. Main postoperative records consisted of swallowing ability, respiratory complications, and quality of voice. RESULTS: No swallowing disorder, aspiration, or sputum retention occurred in cases of concomitant laryngeal and thoracic operations. Of these 14 patients, a single case (7%) of major complication (vocal fold overmedialization) occurred and required an early and successful revision thyroplasty; one case of cervical hematoma that did not require surgical drainage was considered a minor complication (7%). Twelve (86%) patients who underwent the concomitant association of both operations were fully satisfied with their quality of voice. CONCLUSIONS: Type I thyroplasty and thoracic operation can be advantageously associated in case of injury to laryngeal motor innervation to prevent postoperative swallowing disability and dramatic respiratory complications.

Prediction of hypoxemia and mechanical ventilation after lung resection for cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxemia usually occurs after thoracotomy, and respiratory failure represents a major complication. METHODS: To define predictive factors of postoperative hypoxemia and mechanical ventilation (MV), we prospectively studied 48 patients who had undergone lung resection. Preoperative data included, age, lung volume, force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), predictive postoperative FEV1 (FEV1ppo), blood gases, diffusing capacity, and number of resected subsegments. RESULTS: On postoperative day 1 or 2, hypoxemia was assessed by measurement of PaO2 and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (A-aDO2) in 35 nonventilated patients breathing room air. The other patients (5 lobectomies, 9 pneumonectomies) required MV for pulmonary or nonpulmonary complications. Using simple and multiple regression analysis, the best predictors of postoperative hypoxemia were FEV1ppo (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) in lobectomy and tidal volume (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) in pneumonectomy. Using discriminant analysis, FEV1ppo in lobectomy and tidal volume in pneumonectomy were also considered as the best predictive factors of MV for pulmonary complications. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the degree of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in lobectomy and impairment of preoperative breathing pattern in pneumonectomy are the main factors of respiratory failure after lung resection.

Computed tomographic appearance of three intrapulmonary lymph nodes.

Intrapulmonary lymph nodes are rare lesions, usually appearing as small subpleural nodule (coin lesion), at or under the height of the carina. Computed tomography (CT) is very accurate in their detection. Three observations are reported.

[A rare cause of accidental selective intubation: right upper lobar bronchus originating from the trachea]. / Une cause rare d'intubation sélective accidentelle: une bronche lobaire supérieure droite naissant de la trachée.

A case of accidental selective intubation of a right upper lobar bronchus originating from the trachea, in a woman with a normal preoperative chest X-ray, is reported. The preoperative diagnosis of an asymptomatic tracheal bronchus is often difficult on a standard chest X-ray, especially since a chest X-ray is no longer systematically included in the preanaesthetic assessment. Therefore, the presence of a bronchial malformation should be considered as a cause of ventilatory problems, particularly those occurring after tracheal intubation.

[Preliminary analysis of the modifications of spinal curves, in extreme amplitudes, observed in rhythmic and athletic gymnastics]. / Analyse préliminaire des modifications des courbures rachidiennes, en amplitudes extrêmes, observées en gymnastique rythmique et sportive.

Trained users of Rhythmic and Athletic Gymnastic, present kinetic spinal vast extents. Analysis, with pasted cutaneous markers, shows that, according to the codified movement, various segments of the vertebral column are requested and realized important displacements. Nevertheless, to have an homogeneous attitude, some subjects request more either lumbar or thoracic segments, of both. To prevent frequent spinal pain, it is important to realize a preliminary subject selection using their total spine and to improve protection by adapted gymnastic.

[Comparative study of static curves of the human spine in vivo during exercise and stretching in men and women]. / Etude comparative des courbures statiques du rachis humain in vivo en charge et en étirement chez l'homme et la femme.

Comparative study of static curves of the thoracic and lumbar spine in men and women has been realized under constraints of compression by weightlifting and elongation by exercise to parallel bars. In two athletic practices, curves decrease their arrow, ending to a straighter and more rigid column. This behavior expresses muscular actions. The greatest amplitude of displacement, observed in female series, shows lesser muscular forces in connection with a poor practice of exercises of body building.

[The capsulo-synovial folds of the intercondylar fossa of the human knee]. / Les replis capsulo-synoviaux de la fosse intercondylaire du genou humain.

The study of the capsular insertions of the synovial membrane in the intercondylar fossa of the knee yielded information on the much debated anatomy of this area. In the cranial region, the insertions are found on the axial surface of each condyle, strengthening the dorsal attachment of the cruciate ligaments but remaining separate from these structures. In contrast, more caudalward, the cruciate ligaments, which are partly bordered by synovial lods recesses, are embedded in the posterior adipose mass and distinct from the bridging passage at a distance from the capsula.

Preliminary opto-electronic study on vertebral movement.

Opto-electronic systems utilising measurement of displacement of skin markers allows study of movement in the living subject. The authors have used this method in a kinematic study of the thoracic and lumbar spine measuring the displacement of skin markers placed over the spinous processes. It was possible to approach the physiological state of these complex movements once the apparatus had been calibrated to the correct level, and the error margins minimised. Repeated measurements confirmed the reliability of this method even if movement of the skin with respect to the bony reference points introduced some margin of error. Three dimensional displacement of the vertebrae were measured during voluntary movements of the spine demonstrating the complex geometry. Since opto-electronics are non-invasive they constitute an important advance in the study of the kinematics of the spine.

Malignant pleural tumor in a child mimicking a mesothelioma.

Malignant tumors of pleural origin are rare in childhood and difficult to diagnose. We report a case in a white 11 1/2-year-old girl who presented with a bulky tumour in the basal left lung field. There was an area of osteolysis at the ventral extremity of the 9th left rib allowing excision of the tumor by lateral thoracotomy. Macroscopically the operation was satisfactory. Despite two complementary excisions, chemotherapy with Vin-Caepi and consolidation chemotherapy followed by bone-marrow autograft, left pleural metastases appeared two years later. A second operation, a new course of chemotherapy with stage IV SIOP MMT, followed by a second bone-marrow graft and mediastinal radio-therapy, resulted in remission. At the time of this report, after three and a half years of evolution, the child's condition is satisfactory and she leads a normal life without treatment. A probable diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma was arrived at by elimination. This kind of tumour, without specific markers, is difficult to distinguish from small-round-cell tumors. Evolution is unpredictable and often rapidly fatal. Although these tumors generally have a weak response to chemo- and radiotherapy, we think that close follow-up and active therapy, rapidly initiated at the slightest sign, can improve the quality of life of the patients and increase their survival.

[Critical view of methods for studying the motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine in man]. / Etude critique des méthodes d'étude de la cinétique du rachis thoracique et lombaire chez l'homme.

The study on motion of human thoracic and lumbar spine is difficult. To examine this point, technology will be divided in six class and each of them being benefits and disadvantages. Owing to ethics, authors agree with skin tapes allowing to know imperfectly freeness of motion without risks.

[Mediastinal hemangiopericytoma. Apropos of a case]. / Hémangiopéricytomes médiastinaux. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report a new case of hemangiopericytoma in an elderly man. An asymptomatic mediastinal mass was found on a routine chest film. C.T. guided fine-needle biopsy was diagnostic. These rare lesions are clinically and radiologically aspecific and require pathologic proof. The value of percutaneous biopsy before therapeutic decision is emphasized.