Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics of Endobronchial Pulmonary Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Brief Review.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of tumors located inside the tracheobronchial tree. Patients often present in advanced stages of the disease, which most often leads to a targeted therapeutic attitude of pneumonectomy. Practicing lung parenchyma-preserving surgery led us to undertake this review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used three search platforms-SCIENCE, MEDLINE, and PubMed-in order to identify studies presenting case reports, investigations, and reviews on endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma. We identified the clinical and paraclinical features of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma. All the selected articles were in English and addressed the clinical criteria of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma, autofluorescence bronchoscopy in endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma, imaging features of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma, blood tumor markers specific to lung squamous cell carcinoma, and histopathological features of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma. RESULTS: In total, 73 articles were analyzed, from which 48 articles were selected as bibliographic references. We present the criteria used for the identification of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma in order to highlight its main characteristics and the most reliable technologies that can be used for the detection of this type of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature review highlights the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of endobronchial squamous cell carcinoma. It aims to open new paths for research and early detection with respect to the frequent practice of lung parenchymal preservation surgery.

Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis--rare cause of calcified pulmonary nodules.

The article presents the case of a 60-year-old asymptomatic woman whose chest X-ray screening showed bilateral pulmonary nodules of uncertain etiology. Initially, the main suspicion concerned multiple pulmonary metastases, but the anatomical pathology examination of two of the surgically removed lung nodules revealed a benign pattern--foreign body granulomatous reaction to cholesterol crystals. Patient follow-up with a repeat computed tomography one year later showed that some pulmonary nodules had slightly increased in number and size, so the diagnosis required re-evaluation. Congo red staining revealed a positive reaction in the amorphous material, pointing to a nodular form of pulmonary amyloidosis. This case attests to the wide range of investigations needed to examine multiple pulmonary nodules and to the great variety of possible diagnoses. Surgical biopsy, alongside histopathological examination and immunohistochemical tests of the lung are critical in establishing a positive diagnosis. Pulmonary amyloidosis requires additional investigations and long-term follow-up of the patient, as this condition is frequently associated with MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

[Tracheal resection for post-intubation subglottic stenosis in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener)]. / Rezectie de trahee pentru stenoza subglotica post-intubatie la o pacienta cu granulomatoza cu poliangeita (Wegener).

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA or Wegener) is a systemic autoimmune disease with inflammation of small- and medium-size vessels. It can affect practically any organ or system, but renal, respiratory andjoint systems are most frequently damaged. Positive pANCA antibodies can raise the suspicion of diagnosis. Subglottic stenosis is relatively frequent, in a quarter of patients, especially in the third decade women. The case presented is of an 80-year-old woman, recently diagnosed with pulmonary, renal and systemic manifestations of GPA and with a subglottic stenosis rapidly evolving towards endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy with mechanical ventilation and renal failure. Further evolution has been favorable under corticoid therapy. After weaning from the mechanical ventilation and30 days after the suppression of the tracheostomy, the patient developed a tracheal stenosis with mixed etiology, secondary to vasculitis and prolonged intubation with tracheostomy. Tracheal resection with termino-terminal anastomosis was performed in emergency with simple post-operative evolution and without late complications.

[Sleeve resection of right main bronchus for posttraumatic bronchial stenosis]. / Rezectie bronhoanastomoza de bronhie primitiva dreapta cu prezervare pulmonara totala pentru stenoza post-traumatica.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. A high index of clinical suspicion and accurate interpretation of radiological findings are necessary for prompt surgical intervention with primary repair of the airway. Delays in treatment increases the risk of partial to complete bronchial stenosis. CASE REPORT: A 21 years old male was admitted to our hospital following a workplace accident. A chest radiograph showed bilateral pneumothorax, cephalic and mediastinal emphysema. Chest tubes were placed on each side, with full pulmonary expansion and remission of emphysema. Minimal lesions of the right main bronchus were found at fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Daily chest X-rays showed an uncomplicated recovery. A stenosis was suspected due to right lung pneumonia evolving under specific antibiotherapy. Right main bronchus posttraumatic stricture was diagnosed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. He underwent a right lateral thoracotomy with sleeve resection of stenotic bronchi. Control bronchoscopy reveals main bronchus widely patent with untraceable suture line. DISCUSSION: Main bronchus rupture in blunt chest trauma is an additive effect of chest wall compression between two solid surfaces, traction on the carina and sudden increase in intraluminal pressure. Symptoms may vary: soft air leak, pneumothorax or limited mediastinal emphysema. Bronchoscopy should be performed immediately or when available. Granulation tissue leads to progressive bronchial obstruction, with distal infection and permanent parenchymal damage. Sleeve resection of the stenosed segment is the treatment of choice and restores fully the lung function. CONCLUSION: Rupture of main bronchus is a complication of blunt chest trauma. Flexible bronchoscopy is useful and reliable for early diagnosis of traumatic tracheobronchial injuries. Delayed diagnosis can lead to lung parenchyma alteration due to retrostenotic pneumonia. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis is the key of successful in these cases.

[Tracheal stenosis--diagnostic and therapeutic principles, results]. / Stenozele traheale--principii de diagnostic si tratament, rezultate.

Between November 2001-April 2010, 107 tracheal resections were performed in our department for different types of tracheal stenosis: iatrogenic or tumoral, benign or malignant. We present the diagnosis and treatment principles that we used, along with our results. We operated on 74 (69.15%) iatrogenic postintubation tracheal stenosis, 6 (5.6%) of them complicated with tracheo-esophageal fistula, 6 (5.6%) benign tumors, 11 (10.28%) primary malignant and 16 (14.97%) secondary malignant ones, with a 3.8% total mortality. Tracheal resection and reconstruction is the only curative treatment for all types of tracheal stenosis. Interventional endoscopy is of a major importance in the assessment and treatment of tracheal stenosis. We believe that each patient diagnosed with a tracheal stenosis should be referred to a tertiary center with multidisciplinary experience in the treatment of tracheal stenosis.

[Multi-level digestive stenosis: of the lower esophagus and postbulbar duodenum--a surgical solution. Case report]. / Stenoze digestive etajate: esofagiana inferioara si postbulbara solutie chirurgicala.

Barrett esophagus is a rare medical entity. We present the case of a 56 years female patient admitted in our clinic for surgical treatment of a complication of a rigid stenosis of the lower esophagus. The situation is particular by the presence of two digestive strictures due to the same cause: gastric acid aggression. The steps of therapy of Barrett esophagus are reviewed, as well as the surgical options for choosing the best digestive segment able to replace the resected esophagus. The excellent immediate and long-term postoperative evolution allow us to believe that the surgical solution we used was the most appropriate and that the resected stomach can be successfully employed as a substitute for the esophagus after the resection of its lower half.