[Advances in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment - a review].

Lung cancer is the second and third most common cancer in Iceland for females and males, respectively. Although the incidence is declining, lung cancer still has the highest mortality of all cancers in Iceland. Symptoms of lung cancer can be specific and localized to the lungs, but more commonly they are unspecific and result in significant diagnostic delay. Therefore, majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with non-localized disease. In recent years, major developments have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Positive emission scanning (PET) and both transbroncial (EBUS) or transesophageal ultrasound (EUS) biopsy techniques have resulted in improved mediastinal staging of the disease and minimal invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has lowered postoperative complications and shortened hospital stay. Technical developments in radiotherapy have benefitted those patients who are not candidates for curative surgery. Finally, and most importantly, recent advances in targeted chemotherapeutics and development of immunomodulating agents have made individual tailoring of treatment possible. Recent screening-trials with low-dose computed tomography show promising results in lowering mortality. This evidence-based review focuses on the most important developments in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, and includes Icelandic studies in the field.

[Percutaneous cholecystostomy as treatment for acute cholecystitis at Landspitali University Hospital 2010 - 2016].

INTRODUCTION: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common reasons for acute admission in abdominal surgery. The recom-mended therapy is cholecystectomy but occasionally that is not possible and a conservative treatment with intravenous antibiotics is used. Should the patient not respond to conservative treatment a percutaneous catheter can be placed in the gallbladder (cholecystostomy). The aim of the study was to look at the frequency of which cholecystostomies were used and the complication rates at Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study where patient charts of those with ICD - diagnosis numbers K80 - 85 at Landspitali University Hospital looked at and patients who received cholecystostomies were identified in the period from 2010 - 2016. Clinical information was registered in Excel. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: A total of 4423 patients were diagnosed with biliary disease during the study period. 1255 (28%) of them had acute cholecystitis with mean age of 58 years (range: 18 - 99). A cholecystostomy was put in 88 patients (14%), mean age 71 years (range: 28 - 92). A transhepatic route was used for 62 (70%) and the drain was in place for an average of 12 days (range: 0 - 87). A secondary cholangiography was performed in 71 cases. Seventeen patients were discharged home with the cholecystostomy in place. Half of the patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 101 days from drain insertion (range: 30 - 258). A total of 28 complications were noted in 27 patients (31%) and the most common complication was dislodgement of the catheter (n=20). Five patients (6%) died within thirty days of the intervention, three from septic shock and two from reasons unrelated to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystostomy is not a common choice of treatment for acute cholecystitis at Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland. Few serious complications arise from the treatment and no patients died in relation to the intervention.

The value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the exclusion of choledocholithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to exclude choledocholithiasis (CDL) in symptomatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients suspected of choledocholithiasis who underwent MRCP from 2008 through 2013 in a population based study at the National University Hospital of Iceland were retrospectively analysed, using ERCP and/or intraoperative cholangiography as a gold standard diagnosis for CDL. RESULTS: Overall 920 patients [66% women, mean age 55 years (SD 21)] underwent MRCP. A total of 392 patients had a normal MRCP of which 71 underwent an ERCP investigation demonstrating a CBD stone in 29 patients. A normal MRCP was found to have a 93% negative predictive value (NPV) and 89% probability of having no CBD stone demonstrated as well as no readmission due to gallstone disease within six months following MRCP. During a 6-month follow-up period of the 321 patients who did not undergo an ERCP nine (2.8%) patients were readmitted with right upper quadrant pain and elevated liver tests which later normalised with no CBD stone being demonstrated, three (0.9%) patients were readmitted with presumed gallstone pancreatitis, two (0.6%) patients were readmitted with cholecystitis and two (0.6%) patients were lost to follow-up. Seven patients of those 321 underwent an intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and all were negative for CBD stones. For the sub-group requiring ERCP following a normal MRCP the NPV was 63%. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of MRCP as a tool for exclusion of choledocholithiasis with the potential to reduce the amount of unnecessary ERCP procedures.

Diagnostic imaging trends in the emergency department: an extensive single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department imaging volume has increased significantly in North America and Asia. PURPOSE: To assess Emergency Department imaging trends in a European center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The institutional radiological information system was queried for all computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance (MR) studies performed for the Emergency Department during 2002-2017. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to assess overall study rates and temporal trends in overall and after-hours imaging after adjusting for patient visitations. RESULTS: CT use increased significantly from 38/1000 visits to 108/1000 at the end of the observation by 5.5 new exams per 1000 visits/year (P < 0.0001). US use increased gradually at a rate of 1.2/1000 per year during 2002-2008 with an accelerated annual increase of 6.4/1000 in 2009-2011 (P < 0.0001) raising US rates from 7/1000 to 28/1000 visits per year with stable rates from 2012 onwards. After on-site MR became available in 2004, its use increased from 0.3/1000 to 7/1000 at a rate of 1.9/1000 visits per year in 2005-2009 (P < 0.0001) and remained stable from 2010. While there was a significant increase in after-hours imaging, growth remained proportional to the overall trend in the use of CT, MR, and night-time CT with the exception of a slight decrease in after-hour US in favor of standard working hours (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: All modalities increased significantly in volume adjusted usage. US and MR rates have been stable since 2012 and 2010, respectively, after periods of increase while CT use continues to increase. Demand for after-hours imaging was mostly proportional to the overall trend.

[European outbreak of Hepatitis A in Iceland in 2017. Common radiological changes of the gallbladder].

IAim The incidence of hepatitis A (HAV) in Iceland is low with about one case per year in the last decades. Since 2016, there has been an ongoing outbreak of HAV in men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this study was to inves-tigate whether cases diagnosed in Iceland during 2017 had any link to the HAV outbreak in Europe. Methods All cases of HAV in Iceland during 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Results Four of five cases diagnosed during 2017 were MSM and one was a female. Three cases presented the same week in the summer 2017. The age of the patients was between 25 and 39 years. All the male patients had had sex with men from Europe and/or had travelled to Europe prior to admission. All cases had typical signs and symptoms of HAV infection and in all cases recent infection was confirmed by positive serology and exclusion of other causes of acute hepatitis. Four of five patients had radiological signs of changes in the gallbladder with thickening of the wall and oedema and one underwent later an elective cholecystectomy. Conclusion The outbreak of HAV in MSM Europe reached Iceland in the summer 2017, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in this risk group as recommended by the Icelandic Health Authorities. The review of these cases indicate that changes such as thickening of the gallbladder wall without gallstones in patients with HAV are common. It is important to discrimi-nate patients with these changes associated with HAV from patients with acute acalculus cholecystitis.

[Sigmoid volvulus at the University Hospital of Iceland 2000-2013].

Backround Sigmoid volvulus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction in most western societies. Treatment options include colonoscopy in uncomplicated disease with elective surgery later on. The aim of this study was to assess what treatment sigmoid volvulus patients receive along with long-term outcomes at Landspitali University Hospital. Methods The study was retrospective. Patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus at Landspitali University Hospital from 2000-2013 were included. Information regarding age, sex, and duration of hospital stay, treatment, short and long-term outcomes were gathered. Results Forty-nine patients were included in the study, of which 29 men and 20 women. Mean age was 74 (25-93). One patient underwent acute surgery on first arrival due to signs of peritonitis. Others (n=48) were treated conservatively in the first attempt with colonoscopy (n=45), barium enema (n=2) and rectal tube (n=1). Three other patients underwent acute surgery due to failed colonoscopy, 8 patients had planned surgery during the index admission. Thirty-six patients were discharged after conservative treatment with colonoscopy (n=35), barium enema (n=1) or rectal tube (n=1). Two patients came in for elec-tive surgery later on. Twenty-two patients (61%) had recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 101 days (1-803). Disease-free probability in 3, 6 and 24 months was 66%, 55% and 22% respec-tively. Total disease related mortality was 10.2%. Mortality (30 days) after acute surgery was 25% (1/4) and 16,6% (3/18) after planned surgery. Conclusions Sigmoid volvulus has high recurrence rate if not treated operatively. Total mortality due to sigmoid volvulus at Landspitali is low but surgery related mortality high.

Major ischaemic stroke caused by an air embolism from a ruptured giant pulmonary bulla.

We report an extremely rare complication of a major ischaemic cerebral event caused by an air embolism due to spontaneous rupture of a giant pulmonary bulla that occurred during an airline flight. Shortly after take-off, the patient experienced sudden right-sided hemiplegia and dyspnoea. Following an emergency landing in Reykjavik, a CT scan of the brain showed minute air bubbles consistent with air emboli within the left-sided intracerebral arteries, and MRI showed signs of acute ischaemic cerebral infarction in the left hemisphere. The patient later underwent a pulmonary lobectomy and survived this life-threatening complication with relatively mild neurological sequelae.

[Intussusception in children in Iceland]. / Garnasmokkun hjá börnum á Íslandi.

INTRODUCTION: Intussusception occurs when a proximal portion of the bowel invaginates into the distal bowel. It is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children between 3 months and 3 years. This study aimed to assess patient profile, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment and outcome in children diagnosed with intussusception in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all children diagnosed with intussusception in Iceland during a 25 year period (1986-2010). Patients were identified from a medical record database in Iceland's two main hospitals, Landspítali and Akureyri Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 67 children aged 3 months to 11 years (median age 8 months) were diagnosed with intussusception. Male to female ratio was 3:2. The mean incidence of intussusception was 0.4 cases per 1000 children <1 year old. Intussusception was idiopathic in 70% of patients and occurred in the ileocolic region in 94%. Barium contrast enema was the most common diagnostic test. Barium enema reduction was attempted in 82% of patients and successful reduction rate was 62%. Surgical treatment was required in 49% of patients and involved resection of bowel in 9%. Three children had recurrent intussusception. CONCLUSION: The results of treatment for intussusception in Iceland are good. The decline of enemas performed and the rise in surgical treatment observed over the study period is a reason for concern. In this regard there is room for improvement.

[Congenital diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed in adulthood--a case report and review of the literature]. / Fyrirferd í brjóstholi--ekki er allt sem sýnist!

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare anomaly (1 of 2-4000 live births) where abdominal organs can enter the thoracic cavity. It is usually diagnosed shortly after birth, often associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension causing life threatening condition. In approximately one out of four patients CDH is diagnosed later in life, usually within several weeks or months from birth. CDH diagnosed in adulthood is very uncommon. Here we describe a 45 year old previously healthy woman that was diagnosed with a large tumor in her right hemithorax, after having symptoms of chronic cough and chest pain for several months. At thoracotomy the tumor was found to be omentum covered with a hernial sac that had penetrated the chest through a small diaphragmatic hernia. Six months postoperatively she was doing well with no respiratory or abdominal symptoms.

[Lung cancer--review]. / Lungnakrabbamein--Yfirlitsgrein.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Iceland and the most frequent cause of cancer related deaths. Smoking is by far the most important cause but familial factors also contribute. The symptoms of lung cancer are often subtle and the diagnosis, in about 70% of cases, is made when metastases have occurred. Curative surgical treatment is therefore only possible in about a third of the cases whereas other patients receive chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. In recent years some important advances have been made in the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to lung cancer. New imaging techniques have improved diagnosis and staging practices and consequently also treatment. Recent evidence suggests that screening with low dose CT may improve survival. New approaches to chemotherapy have been shown to improve survival and well being of patients with advanced disease. Chemotherapeutic agents are now being used in conjunction with surgery to reduce the risk of tumour spread. Furthermore, advances in surgical techniques have made resections possible in cases deemed inoperable in the past. In this review we present important advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer as reflected by recent literature that should be of interest to a wide variety of specialists.

Respiratory movements are altered three months and one year following cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery through sternotomy are well known, but little is known about the proposed alterations of the chest wall mechanism. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in chest wall motion and pulmonary function after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: The subjects were 20 cardiac surgery patients, 13 men and 7 women, mean age 65 years. MEASUREMENTS: Bilateral respiratory movements were measured using the Respiratory Movement Measuring Instrument before, 3 and 12 months after the operation. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) were measured with the Pulminet III (Gold Godart Ltd Vitalograph Alpha Ltd. Maids Morton, Buckingham, England) preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively, and radiographs were taken at the same points in time. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used for analyses, p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: Average abdominal movements 3 months postoperatively were significantly decreased and the difference between right and left side in upper thoracic and abdominal movements was significant. All pulmonary function measurements except the FEV1/FVC showed a significant decrease and a restrictive pattern compared with preoperative values. Twelve months after the operation the upper thoracic movements were significantly increased. Five patients had an abnormal chest x-ray before the operation, eight 3 months and three 12 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The motor system of the respiratory organs suffers considerable injury from cardiac surgery, which in part at least can explain the restrictive breathing 3 months postoperatively.

Short-term changes in pulmonary function and respiratory movements after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in bilateral respiratory motion and pulmonary function following sternotomy and the relationships between the changes in respiratory movements, spirometry, radiographic analyses, and several intra-operative surgical characteristics. DESIGN: Respiratory motion during deep breathing and lung volumes were measured in 20 patients (mean age 65 years, SD 16) before and after median sternotomy. Chest x-rays were analyzed pre- and postoperatively and a variety of perioperative variables were measured. RESULTS: Average abdominal motion decreased to 57% of preoperative values bilaterally 1 week postoperatively, the average lower thoracic motion decreased to 72%, and the average upper thoracic motion decreased to 87%, whereas the right upper thoracic motion increased 3% compared with preoperative values. Lung volumes decreased to around 60% of preoperative values (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between the decrease in pulmonary function and the mean respiratory movements. Abnormal chest radiographs were found in all patients. CONCLUSION: The breathing pattern before sternotomy is predominantly abdominal but moves to a thoracic and upper thoracic pattern postoperatively and is associated with reduced pulmonary function. Therapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the less effective upper thoracic breathing pattern should likely be implemented.

Chest wall motion and pulmonary function are more diminished following cardiac surgery when the internal mammary artery retractor is used.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery through sternotomy have been widely studied. The duration of these complications, however, has been less studied and the proposed alterations in chest wall mechanism even less. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in chest wall motion and pulmonary function of cardiac surgery patients, where both the median and the internal mammary artery retractor was used (IMA group) and cardiac surgery patients, where only the median retractor was used (Median group). DESIGN: Subjects were 20 cardiac surgery patients with mean age 65 years (12 in the IMA group and 8 in the Median group). Bilateral respiratory movements (RMs) using the Respiratory Movement Measuring Instrument, lung volumes including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) using the Vitalograph Alpha were measured and pulmonary radiographs analyzed before, 3 and 12 months after the operation. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, t-tests, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used for analyses, p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: RMs were symmetrical in both groups prior to the operation and the differences in RMs and lung volumes between the groups were not significant. Three and 12 months postoperatively bilateral abdominal respiratory movements (ARM) were significantly less in the IMA group than in the Median group. Average left ARM were significantly less than the average right ARM in the IMA group 3 months postoperatively, while symmetrical in the Median group. Average FVC and FEV1 were significantly less in the IMA group than in the Median group 3 months postoperatively and FVC was still significantly less in the IMA group 12 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The significantly more reduced ARM and lung volumes 3 months postoperatively in the IMA group than in the Median group suggests that the IMA retractor causes greater injury to the rib cage and the diaphragm.