[Surgically Resected Cases of Mediastinal Ganglioneuroma Detected in Adults].

A ganglioneuroma is a rare, benign, neurogenic tumor originating from the sympathetic ganglion. Mediastinal ganglioneuroma are mostly detected in children, typically around 10 years of age, and are rarely identified in adults. Herein, we report two surgically resected cases of mediastinal ganglioneuroma in adults. In Case 1, a 53-year-old man, without any symptom, underwent a computed tomography, revealing a 3.2 cm well-defined paravertebral superior mediastinal tumor with long craniocaudal axis. In case 2, a 29-year-old woman presented with newly-developed ptosis and a history of left-sided facial hypohidrosis since the age of 10. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a 7.8 cm well-defined paravertebral superior mediastinal tumor with long craniocaudal axis. Both patients were initially suspected to have neurogenic tumors, particularly schwannomas. They underwent mediastinal tumor resections, requiring sympathetic nerve trunk dissection. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ganglioneuromas in both cases. Mediastinal ganglioneuroma must be differentiated from schwannoma, the most common neurogenic tumor in adults. Unlike schwannoma, ganglioneuroma cannot be enucleated, therefore attention should be focused on complications associated with sympathetic nerve trunk dissection, such as Horner's syndrome, hyperhidrosis, and arrhythmia. Identifying this rare entity and its characteristic imaging aids in preoperative differentiation, strategizing surgical approaches, and predicting complications.

[Pneumocystis Pneumonia-induced Pneumothorax Treated with Surgery and Insertion of an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot;Report of a case].

Pneumothorax induced by Pneumocystis jirovecii( P. jirovecii) pneumonia is often refractory to treatment. A man in his 30's who had malignant lymphoma and received chemotherapy developed P. jirovecii pneumonia. A month after treatment for pneumonia, he developed a secondary pneumothorax. Since drainage was not effective, he underwent right lower lobectomy and bulla resection. Air leakage stopped after surgery but recurred on postoperative day 5. Chest computed tomography showed a new bulla on his right lung. On postoperative day 15, we inserted an endobronchial Watanabe spigot( EWS),and air leakage completely stopped.

Comparison of Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Warfarin in the Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Chronic Phase.

We assessed the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the chronic phase through comparison with conventional warfarin therapy.A total of 807 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with having DVT in the chronic phase were included (484 patients to warfarin therapy and 323 patients to DOAC therapy). The condition of leg veins was assessed 3 to 6 months after starting the therapies by ultrasound examination. Major bleeding and mortality during the therapies were followed-up.There was no significant difference between the two groups in the thrombosis improvement rate (DOAC group: 91.2% versus warfarin group: 88.9%). There was no significant difference between the two groups in major bleeding (DOAC group: 1.8% versus warfarin group: 1.8%). In patients with active cancer, the DOAC group had a borderline higher thrombosis improvement rate than the warfarin group (92.1% versus 80.0%, P = 0.05). The proportion of major bleeding in the patients with active cancer was slightly higher in the warfarin group than in the DOAC group (4.3% versus 2.8%; P = 0.71). Active cancer was not an independent risk factor for major bleeding and recurrence in the DOAC group (OR 2.68, 95% CI 0.51-14.1; P = 0.24 and OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.20-2.07; P = 0.47).In treatment using oral anticoagulants for DVT in the chronic phase, DOACs exhibited equal efficacy and safety as warfarin did. Particularly DOACs appear to be an attractive therapeutic option for cancer-associated DVT in chronic phase, with relatively low anticipated rates of recurrence and major bleeding.

[Resection of a Chest Wall Desmoid Tumor with Chest Wall Reconstruction;Report of a Case].

A primary desmoid tumor arising from the chest wall is extremely rare. We report the case of a 57-year-old man presenting with a desmoid tumor arising from his chest wall. Chest radiograph at a regular medical checkup indicated an abnormal shadow. By computed tomography-guided biopsy, he was diagnosed as having a desmoid tumor. He underwent right-sided chest wall resection and reconstruction. Desmoid tumor is histopathologically benign tumor, however, they tend to show high rates of local recurrence after surgery. In case of recurrence on unresectable case, radiotherapy or some medical treatment should be chosen as a treatment option.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Marker for Lung Adenocarcinoma After Complete Resection.

BACKGROUNDS: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple and low-cost index that may be a benchmark for systemic inflammatory response and antitumor immunity. The goal of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative NLR in patients with lung adenocarcinoma after complete resection. METHODS: The subjects were 361 consecutive patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent complete resection between 2000 and 2009. Perioperative clinical and laboratory data were evaluated retrospectively. The cohort was divided using the cut-off value for preoperative NLR identified in receiver operating characteristic analysis. Correlations of NLR with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were examined. RESULTS: A high NLR was significantly correlated with a smoking history >10 pack-years (p = 0.023), pathological stage II or III (p < 0.001), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.003), and pleural invasion (p = 0.039). In univariate analysis, the high NLR group had significantly lower 5-year overall survival (86.0 vs. 77.1 %, p < 0.001) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (75.1 vs. 59.9 %, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.822, 95 % confidence interval 1.133-2.931, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: These results show that preoperative NLR is an independent prognostic factor in patients with lung adenocarcinoma after complete resection. NLR may reflect host immunity and systemic inflammation that facilitates tumor growth.

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratios in Patients with Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer After Complete Resection.

BACKGROUND: The immune system has been shown to play an important role in preventing cancer progression. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed to be an indicator of a systemic inflammatory response. We investigated the prognostic significance of NLR in patients with completely resected stage I non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A series of 343 pathological stage I NSCLC patients, completely resected between 2000 and 2008 at a single institution, were evaluated retrospectively. Perioperative clinical and laboratory data were collected, and the cohort was divided into two groups according to preoperative NLR. We examined the correlation between NLR and clinicopathological parameters and determined the prognostic significance. RESULTS: High NLR was significantly correlated with patients of older age (p = 0.045), preoperative hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.030), and nonadenocarcinoma histology (p = 0.045). Upon univariate analysis, the high NLR group had significantly lower 5-year recurrence-free survival (81.2 vs. 59.9 %, p < 0.001) and 5-year overall survival (89.2 vs. 72.8 %, p < 0.001) than the low NLR group. Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 2.141, 95 % confidence interval; 1.306-3.515, p = 0.003). In terms of initial recurrent sites, the proportion of patients who developed distant metastasis was significantly higher in the high NLR group than in the low NLR group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative high NLR is a significant predictor of poor prognosis and is associated with more frequent distant metastasis in patients with completely resected stage I NSCLC. This readily available and simply calculated ratio provides useful information for the clinician to consider in terms of perioperative management.

Solitary glandular papilloma of the peripheral lung: a report of two cases.

Solitary papilloma of the lung is thought to be a rare benign epithelial tumor, and complete surgical resection is currently the standard treatment for this pathology. However, some cases of papilloma have reportedly shown malignant potential. We report two cases of solitary glandular papilloma of the peripheral lung that were treated by thoracoscopic partial resection. The first patient presented with a nodular lesion in the lower lobe of the left lung that was detected on a follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) scan after treatment for laryngeal cancer. Partial lung resection was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In the second patient, a nodular lesion was incidentally identified in the lower lobe of the left lung during a health check-up. Partial lung resection was again performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The postoperative course in both cases was uneventful, and no recurrences have been observed as of 44 months and 41 months postoperatively, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, malignant transformation has been reported both with the squamous type and the mixed type of solitary papilloma of the lung. The glandular variant has shown no tendency toward local recurrence after local excision and has no apparent malignant potential. Local excision is thus recommended for solitary glandular papilloma in order to preserve pulmonary function.

Comprehensive treatment approach is necessary for the closure of open window thoracostomy: an institutional review of 35 cases.

PURPOSE: Although life-threatening situations can be avoided using an open window thoracostomy (OWT), the closure is often difficult. We investigated the predictors of a successful closure of an OWT at the time of OWT creation. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent an OWT at our institute between January 1991 and December 2010 were reviewed. We directly compared the patients with and without a successful OWT closure. A logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the predictive factors of a successful closure. RESULTS: OWT closure was only achieved in 12 patients. The closure of the OWT and absence of diabetes mellitus significantly influenced the survival of the OWT patients. The OWT in patients with preceding lung resection was difficult to close, especially if the underlying disease was lung cancer. The existence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) was not related to successful closure. Among the post-lung resection patients, the nutritional status tended to affect the success of the closure. CONCLUSION: Successful closure is difficult to predict at the time of the creation of an OWT. A comprehensive approach, including nutritional support and the precise timing of intervention is critical to promote a successful closure.

[Pulmonary metastasis of sarcomatous component of adrenocortical carcinoma].

A 43-year-old man presented with a pulmonary nodule in the left lower lobe and he consulted our hospital one year after resection of left adrenocortical carcinoma. We performed a wedge resection of the left lower pulmonary lobe for diagnosis. The tumor was diagnosed as a metastatic sarcoma, but the primary site could not be resolved. We assessed the histopathology of the adrenal tumor, which was obtained from the patient's former hospital, and it showed that the tumor consisted of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. This enabled us to diagnose the nodule as a pulmonary metastasis from the adrenocortical carcinoma. Adrenocortical carcinoma with a sarcomatous component is very rare. This case is a first report of a resected pulmonary metastasis of sarcomatous component of adrenocortical carcinoma.

Re-Irradiation With Proton Beam Therapy for Localized Perineural Spread Following Presacral Recurrence in Sigmoid Colon Cancer: A Case Report.

This report describes the effective management of localized perineural spread (PNS) to the sacral peripheral nerves following a presacral recurrence of colon cancer using proton beam therapy (PBT). The patient, a male in his 60s with a history of sigmoid colon cancer treated with laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure, presented with presacral recurrence two years post-surgery. Radical resection was deemed infeasible, leading to a combined treatment of PBT (75 Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE) in 25 fractions) and capecitabine. However, three years post-PBT, magnetic resonance imaging revealed swelling of the left S2 nerve with abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, indicating localized PNS. Re-irradiation with PBT (75 Gy RBE in 25 fractions) was conducted, carefully considering the overlap with the previous PBT field and aiming to minimize dosage to adjacent organs. At 1.5 years post-reirradiation, the patient remained free of recurrence. This case underscores the potential efficacy of PBT and emphasizes the need for further research to assess its broader applicability in comparable situations.

Thymoma Exhibiting Spontaneous Regression With Cystic Change Due to Acute Infarction: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Spontaneous regression (SR) of thymoma is rare. We report a case of a surgically resected thymoma due to cystic changes owing to acute ischemic infarction with an increased anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody level. A 61-year-old male underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed a 4.9 cm anterior mediastinal tumor and slight right pleural effusion. Blood test results indicated an elevated white blood cell count of 13300/mL. One month later, an enhanced CT scan at our hospital showed spontaneous mediastinal tumor regression to 3.7 cm and no pleural effusion. The tumor contained homogeneous low-density areas on enhanced CT, which showed high intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, indicating cystic changes. He had no symptoms of myasthenia; however, his anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody level was slightly elevated (0.4 nmol/L). Suspecting a thymoma, an extended total thymectomy through a median sternotomy was performed. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of thymoma type B2 and Masaoka stage I. SR is due to acute intratumoral infarction. At two years postoperatively, no tumor recurrence or development of myasthenia gravis was observed. Thymomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumors that regress spontaneously with cystic changes, pleural effusion, and an elevated inflammatory response. Mature cystic teratoma rupture should be differentiated, but preoperative biopsy is often challenging owing to necrotic and fibrous tissues; therefore, early surgical resection is required for diagnosis and treatment.

[Fibrosing mediastinitis diagnosed by thoracoscopic biopsy].

We report a rare case of fibrosing mediastinitis diagnosed by thoracoscopic biopsy. A 56-year-old female visited our hospital with an abnormal mediastinal shadow on chest X ray. Chest computed tomography revealed a paravertebral tumor from Th9 to Th11. Pathological examination of thoracoscopic biopsy specimen showed fibrous tissue with mild inflammation and no malignant feature. Final diagnosis was idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis. The paravertebral lesion shrinked spontaneously 5 months later after biopsy.

Multifocal Cholesterol Granulomas of the Thymus: A Case Report of Positron Emission Tomography- Positive Benign Tumor of the Anterior Mediastinum.

Cholesterol granulomas of the thymus are extremely rare benign entities. Herein, we describe a case of cholesterol granuloma in a 45-year-old man who presented with multifocal anterior mediastinal lesions on computed tomography (CT). Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, with a maximum standardized uptake value of 8.3. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extreme hypointensity. He underwent total thymectomy by median sternotomy for presumed multiple thymoma. On histopathological analysis, cholesterol granuloma of the thymus was confirmed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course without recurrence for 28 months. Cholesterol granuloma of the thymus is a PET-CT-positive benign tumor with unique histological findings. The MRI findings were indicative of hypocellularity associated with a benign entity, whereas the PET-CT findings corresponded to granulomatous inflammation. Therefore, concurrent use of PET-CT and MRI can be helpful in distinguishing between benign cholesterol granulomas and malignant anterior mediastinal tumors.

Atypical type A thymoma component identified by pulmonary metastasectomy 11 years after surgery of type AB thymoma.

Atypical type A thymomas exhibit more aggressive features than conventional type A thymomas. Type AB thymomas rarely have atypical type A components. We report a rare case of type AB thymoma with an atypical type A component, that was identified after pulmonary metastasectomy 11 years after the primary surgery and long-term follow-up after recurrence. A 61-year-old female underwent extended thymectomy for an anterior mediastinal tumor 11 years prior and was diagnosed with type AB thymoma (Masaoka stage II). Five years ago, follow-up computed tomography showed well-circumscribed pulmonary nodules up to 1.0 cm in both lungs. All the pulmonary nodules grew slowly; however, one of the nodules grew to 1.6 cm, and thoracoscopic wedge resection was performed for diagnosis. Pathologically, the pulmonary nodule was consisted of type A thymoma component. Conventional type AB thymomas are usually locally aggressive neoplasms; thus, we reviewed the tissue slides of primary thymomas. Histologically, cytological atypia, hypercellularity, and increased mitosis are observed in the type A component. Consequently, the diagnosis was revised to a type AB thymoma with an atypical type A component. The pulmonary nodule exhibited the same atypical type A features. Pulmonary metastasectomy was performed two more times as volume-reduction surgery. The residual metastasis was located only in the lung with slow growth, 4 years after the first pulmonary resection; therefore, we followed up as an outpatient without treatment.

Successful Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Removal of a Chest Tube Protruding Deep Into the Pulmonary Hilum.

Tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure frequently used to drain pleural fluid collections or to manage pneumothorax, wherein the lungs commonly sustain trauma. In some cases, deep pulmonary hilar injuries are managed by anatomical lung resections. A deep hilar injury with the chest tube protruding into the lung parenchyma is a rare complication of tube thoracostomy. We report the case of a patient with tube thoracostomy-related deep pulmonary laceration treated using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A 74-year-old man with a left-sided pneumonia-associated empyema underwent tube thoracostomy for drainage of intrathoracic purulent collection at another hospital; however, chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) revealed intrusion of the 22 Fr chest tube into the left lower lobe parenchyma for approximately 10 cm toward the pulmonary hilum, with the chest tube tip located near the left main bronchus and pulmonary artery. Although no massive intrapulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax, or pneumomediastinum was observed, multiple pyothoracic cavities were present. He was transferred to our hospital the following day in a hemodynamically stable condition. The next day, he underwent both surgical chest tube removal and decortication for empyema. Owing to the worsening of his physical condition and due to prolonged severe inflammation and lack of appetite, without any sign of bleeding or chest tube air leak, a two-port VATS with sparing of the lung parenchyma was attempted. After decortication, the penetrating chest tube was slowly removed. No hemorrhage or air leaks were observed at the site of penetration, requiring no sutures or dressing. Following his uneventful postoperative course, he was discharged on day 9. In selected cases, anatomic lung resection can be avoided, even for deep hilar injuries, depending upon the degree of intrapulmonary hemorrhage and the presence of air leak from the chest tube, and the CT scan findings.

Pulmonary metastasis of matrix-producing carcinoma mimicking small cell lung cancer.

Matrix-producing carcinoma (MPC) of the breast is an extremely rare subtype of invasive breast cancer. MPC is characterized by the production of a cartilaginous or osseous matrix without spindle cells. It is an aggressive carcinoma, often presenting as triple-negative breast cancer. MPC frequently metastasizes to the lungs; however, it rarely reoccurs as a solitary pulmonary metastasis. We report a case of a 77-year-old non-smoking woman with a solitary pulmonary metastasis of MPC, which mimicked small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Initially, the pulmonary metastasis was misdiagnosed as SCLC based on its morphological and immunochemical features, including focal positivity for CD56 and thyroid transcription factor-1. Although the portion of the chondromyxoid matrix of the primary site was not small, that of the metastatic site was small. A focal cartilaginous matrix deposition of pulmonary metastasis from MPC could make it difficult to differentiate from SCLC. We should acknowledge that the portion of chondromyxoid matrix may differ between primary and distant metastatic sites in MPC.

Thymoma exhibiting spontaneous regression with developing myasthenia gravis: A case report.

Spontaneous regression (SR) of thymoma is rare. A 44-year-old man with right chest pain underwent computed tomography (CT), which showed an 11.0 cm mass in the anterior mediastinum and right pleural effusion. He refused surgery and was sent home without medication and additional treatment. One year later, the mass had regressed to 5.5 cm, and the right pleural effusion had disappeared. He was then lost to follow-up. Four years after the initial visit, he presented with diplopia and fatigue. A significant increase in his anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody levels led to myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis. CT revealed a regressed mediastinal mass (3.0 cm). After extended thymectomy, histologic analysis confirmed a thymoma type B2, Masaoka stage IIa. The SR was due to intratumoral infarction. This report is the first to describe MG developing during SR. Anterior mediastinal tumors undergoing SR should be differentiated from thymomas and MG perioperative development should be considered.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma with histopathological correlation: A case report.

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinomas of the bladder are rare, aggressive variants with a poor prognosis. Few reports have described the correlation of histopathological features with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging findings in the local staging of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. An 82-year-old woman with hematuria was referred to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse bladder wall thickening, with different signal intensities in the 2 layers-inner and outer. This case suggests that the presence of diffuse bladder wall thickening and varying signal intensities in the 2 layers could aid in the local staging of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. A thickened bladder wall with restricted diffusion suggests tumor invasion, indicating that the tumor can invade the organ in contact with the thickened bladder wall.

Time in the therapeutic range during warfarin therapy in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. - A multicenter study of its status and infuential factors-.

BACKGROUND: Time in the therapeutic range (TTR) assesses the appropriateness of international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (PT-INR) control during warfarin therapy. We examined the status of and the factors influencing TTR in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 501 AF patients (mean age, 70 ± 10 years; males 66%; mean CHADS2 score 2.0 ± 1.2) taking warfarin for ≥ 2 years from 5 prefectures. The PT-INR therapeutic range was set up according to the 2008 Japanese Guideline. TTR was 64 ± 25% for all patients and varied from 56% to 74% with the institution. Time below and above TTR was 31 ± 26% and 5 ± 7%, respectively. TTR was not affected by gender or antiplatelet co-administration. TTR in patients < 70 and ≥ 70 years old was 46 ± 23% and 77 ± 17%, respectively (P < 0.0001). TTR in patients with CHADS2 score ≤ 1 and ≥ 2 was 59 ± 27% and 68 ± 23%, respectively (P < 0.0001). TTR in patients with warfarin doses < 2.0, 2.0-4.9, and ≥ 5.0 mg/day was 72 ± 22%, 63 ± 25% and 48 ± 24%, respectively (all P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age and warfarin dose as independent predictors of TTR. CONCLUSIONS: TTR is generally high in Japan, although it varies with institutions. Most of the time spent out of therapeutic range is below the range. TTR is influenced by age presumably because of the low range recommendation for elderly patients, and by warfarin dose presumably because of physicians' anxiety about the hemorrhage risk.

Lymphatic permeation and vascular invasion should not be integrated as lymphovascular invasion in lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphatic permeation (LY) and vascular invasion (VI) are well-known as postoperative prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Some reports use the term "lymphovascular invasion (LVI)" in reference to the integration of LY and VI. The purpose in this study is to elucidate whether NSCLC with LY or VI can be labeled as LVI-positive NSCLC or it should be treated as an LY- or VI-positive tumor, respectively. METHODS: We reviewed 601 completely resected lung adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, and examined the respective prognostic and biological significance of LY and VI. RESULTS: Among 454 adenocarcinomas, multivariate survival analyses showed that LY and VI were unfavorable prognostic factors in stages II and III and stages I and II, respectively. Conversely, this relationship was not found among 147 squamous cell carcinomas. Patients with adenocarcinomas with LY and VI had a significantly worse prognosis than those with adenocarcinomas with LY or VI in stage II, but not in stage I. Among 149 recurrent adenocarcinomas, only VI had a strong effect on early recurrence and shorter post-recurrence survival. LY and VI were predictors for multiple organ recurrence of adenocarcinoma. The recurrence of adenocarcinoma with LY was high in the ipsilateral mediastinal lymph nodes, whereas VI was significantly correlated with distant metastasis to organs, such as the brain, liver, and adrenal gland. CONCLUSIONS: LY and VI have differing effects postoperative prognosis and recurrence-relevant events, suggesting that these pathological findings should not be integrated as LVI.