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Lung adenocarcinomas presenting as solid nodules are occasionally diagnosed as lepidic predominant lesions. The aim of this study was to clarify the histological structure and to identify factors predictive of lepidic predominant lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients that underwent lobectomy for small (≤ 2 cm) adenocarcinoma presenting as solid nodules. Resected tumor slides were reviewed and histological components were evaluated. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed to identify factors predictive of lepidic predominant lesions. Of 38 solid nodules, 9 (23.7%) nodules were lepidic predominant lesions. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 100% for lepidic predominant lesions (n = 9) and 74.6% for non-lepidic predominant lesions (n = 29). Mean CT values (p = 0.039) and maximum CT values (p = 0.015) were significantly lower in lepidic predominant lesions compared with non-lepidic predominant lesions. For the prediction of lepidic predominant lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of mean CT value (cutoff, − 150 HU) were 77.8% and 82.8%, respectively, and those of maximum CT value (cutoff, 320 HU) were 77.8% and 72.4%, respectively. A combination of mean and maximum CT values (cutoffs of − 150 HU and 380 HU for mean CT value and maximum CT value, respectively) more accurately predicted lepidic predominant lesions, with a sensitivity and specificity of 77.8% and 86.2%, respectively. The prognosis of lepidic predominant lesions was excellent, even for solid nodules. The combined use of mean and maximum CT values was useful for predicting lepidic predominant lesions, and may help predict prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Invasive component and STAS can be present even in small GGO lesions. • CT values are useful in predicting the invasive components that correspond to GGO. • Clinicians should be careful about using GGO proportion alone to predict prognosis. Prediction of prognosis based on the ground-glass opacity (GGO) ratio for small (≤2 cm) lung adenocarcinomas is not completely accurate. The aim of this study was to clarify the diversity of small adenocarcinomas and to identify ways to more accurately predict prognosis. We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients (64 lesions) that underwent lobectomy for small (≤2 cm) lung adenocarcinoma. Proportions of histological components were measured and the presence of tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) was assessed. The correlations between GGO and histological components were examined. Furthermore, histological components of pure GGO lesions were analyzed using CT values. The intratumor heterogeneity of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was analyzed in 40 lesions. Furthermore, the relationship between CT/histological findings and prognoses was analyzed. In 13 pure GGO lesions, 7 (53.8%) lesions contained invasive components such as papillary, acinar, solid, and colloid. Tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) was also found in pure GGO lesions. Pure GGO lesions containing invasive components (p = 0.002) and STAS-positive lesions (p = 0.011) demonstrated strongly higher CT value. Differences in expression of PD-L1 among histological subtypes were observed in four of six (66.7%) PD-L1 positive lesions. Patients with papillary component, positivity for STAS, or CT value ≥ -140.6 Hounsfield units (HU) had significant poorer prognoses than patients without those in disease-free survival analyses (p = 0.007, p = 0.048, p = 0.012). Patients with the CT value < -383.4 HU and GGO ≥ 50% did not have recurrence. Invasive component and STAS can be present even in small GGO lesions, and patients with papillary components or STAS showed significantly poorer prognoses. STAS-positive lesions were strongly associated with a high CT value, and combined use of GGO ratio and CT value may be able to predict recurrences of lung cancer more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To establish accurate diagnostic criteria and predictors of treatment response for postoperative acute exacerbation (AE) in patients with lung cancer and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). Methods: Among 93 patients with IIP who underwent surgery for lung cancer, suspected postoperative AE developed in 20 (21.5%). Patients were divided into a progressive AE group, comprising patients with bilateral alveolar opacities and decreasing PaO2 ≥ 10 mmHg (n = 5); an incipient AE group, comprising patients with unilateral alveolar opacities and decreasing PaO2 ≥ 10 mmHg (n = 10); and an indeterminate AE group, comprising patients with alveolar opacities but decreasing PaO2 < 10 mmHg (n = 5). Results: The progressive AE group had significantly higher 90-day mortality (80%) than the incipient AE group (10%, P = 0.017) or the indeterminate AE group (0%, P = 0.048). Bilateral opacities may indicate advanced AE and poor prognosis, whereas unilateral opacities may indicate an early stage of AE and a good prognosis. PaO2 < 10 mmHg may indicate conditions other than AE. Conclusions: In patients with lung cancer and IIP, decreasing PaO2 and HRCT findings may allow for the initiation of rapid and accurate treatment strategies for postoperative AE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, which in most patients is associated with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. Some patients with UAPAs do not have associated cardiovascular abnormalities, called isolated UAPA. Patients with isolated UAPA generally have a mild clinical course and may not be diagnosed until adulthood, but repeated complications such as infections may make surgery difficult. Case presentation: A 34-year-old female patient with isolated right UAPA was referred to our hospital with a complaint of fever. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed an infectious cavity in the right upper lung. Surgery was scheduled for the patient; however, her preoperative condition needed to be optimized. She was evaluated for pulmonary hypertension and the collateral arteries were mapped out, and a waiting period after treatment of infection was set to avoid perioperative intrathoracic infections. Resection of the infected bulla was performed without any complications. No recurrence of infection was observed two years post-operatively. The residual lung expanded enough to fill the dead intrathoracic space. Conclusions: This report suggests the importance of adequate preoperative evaluation and perioperative management for patients with isolated UAPA who require surgical resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal stem cell disorders of the bone marrow. Most patients with MDS have a high risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia and defective platelet aggregation contribute to bleeding. We report a surgical case of a patient with lung cancer concomitant with MDS.Case Presentation: A 72-year-old man presented to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest x-ray suggesting a primary lung cancer. A peripheral blood smear examination found giant platelets without thrombocytopenia. He was diagnosed with MDS by bone marrow biopsy, and showed defective platelet aggregation despite a normal bleeding time. The patient underwent left lower lobectomy and transfusion of platelets because of chest wall bleeding.Conclusions: We demonstrated that ordering platelet preparations might be desirable for an MDS patient with defective platelet aggregation who will undergo surgery, even for a normal platelet count and bleeding time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We used GORE DUALMESH for the reconstruction of diaphragms in patients with thoracic malignancies. Here, we report the results.Methods: Between July 2015 and August 2017, diaphragm reconstruction using 2-mm GORE DUALMESH was performed in 7 patients undergoing surgical resection for thoracic malignancies. After resection of the diaphragm, the mesh was trimmed to the size of defect and placed with the smooth surface facing the chest cavity and the rough surface facing the abdomen. It was fixed with interrupted sutures consisting of synthetic monofilament nonabsorbable 1-0 to 2 threads.Results: Indications for resection were malignant pleural mesothelioma and primary lung cancer in 5 and 2 patients, respectively. Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma underwent pleurectomy with decortication; patients with primary lung cancer underwent lung lobectomy. Right and left diaphragm reconstruction was performed for 4 and 3 patients, respectively. Neither complications related to diaphragm reconstruction nor displacement of mesh occurred during a follow-up period ranging from 11 days to 37 months.Conclusions: GORE DUALMESH is a good synthetic material for diaphragm reconstruction, because its smooth surface prevents adhesions to the lung and its rough surface allows adherence to abdominal tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) patients, general and regional anesthesia may cause postoperative dysfunction of respiratory, nerve and muscle systems. We present the surgical case of thymoma developed in patient with SCD.Case Presentation: A 47-year-old woman with spinocerebellar degeneration was admitted because of a well-defined mass measuring 48 × 31 mm in anterior mediastinum. She showed limb, truncal, ocular, and speech ataxia; hypotonia; areflexia; sensory disturbances; and muscle weakness. Her eastern cooperative oncology group performance status was 4. Surgical resection was performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery and under general anesthesia only without epidural analgesia. The mass was diagnosed as type B1 thymoma without capsular invasion (Masaoka stage I). The patients got a good postoperative course by cooperation with anesthesiologists and neurologists in perioperative managements. She has been well over 3 years of follow-up.Conclusions: In conclusion, careful surgical and anesthesia management is essential for providing an uneventful postoperative course in patients with SCD. Especially, selection of minimal invasive approach and avoid diaphragmatic nerve damage are the most important points in surgical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Good syndrome is a rare condition, manifesting as immunodeficiency due to hypogammaglobulinemia associated with thymoma. Herein, we present a patient with Good syndrome whose thymoma was resected after treatment of cytomegalovirus hepatitis.Case Presentation: The patient was a 45-year-old woman presenting with fever, cough, and nasal discharge, and was diagnosed with thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia. She subsequently developed cytomegalovirus hepatitis that was treated by immunoglobulin. After resolution of the hepatitis, she underwent thymectomy through a left anterior thoracotomy. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and while receiving ongoing immunoglobulin therapy, she has been doing well without signs of infection.Conclusions: Management of infections is important for patients with Good syndrome. To minimize the risk of perioperative infection, we should take care while planning the surgical approach and procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchodilators are essential for the perioperative management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The objective of the present study was to examine whether the usage of a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) could optimize preoperative lung function and reduce the risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. Thirty-two consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who underwent a lobectomy for lung cancer and received preoperative LAMA (n=19) or LAMA/LABA (n=13) therapy between January 2005 and December 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The improvement of preoperative pulmonary function and the postoperative morbidity were compared between the patients with preoperative LAMA, and LAMA/LABA therapy. Increases in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were significantly larger in the LAMA/LABA group than in the LAMA group (0.26±0.05 l vs. 0.07±0.05 l; P=0.0145). More patients in the LAMA/LABA group than in the LAMA group showed a marked improvement of >10% in %FEV1 after bronchodilators (85 vs. 32%; P=0.0046). The incidence of postoperative pneumonia was significantly lower in the LAMA/LABA group than in the LAMA group (0 vs. 26%; P=0.044). In conclusion, the present study showed that preoperative LAMA/LABA therapy was associated with larger improvements in preoperative pulmonary function and less postoperative pneumonia than LAMA therapy. These results may lead to greater improvements in FEV1 and less postoperative pneumonia by encouraging preoperative LAMA/LABA therapy in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a low-grade B cell lymphoma that is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a type of primary pulmonary malignant lymphoma. MALT lymphomas affecting the lung show various findings on chest computed tomography, which range from typical nodules or areas of consolidation to findings that are extremely rare in pulmonary MALT lymphomas, such as pure ground-glass opacities throughout the lung.Case Presentation: A 35-year-old woman was found to have a few shadows with ground glass opacities on chest computed tomography (CT) in 2012. A shadow in right S10 that was initially very small increased in size over time, and was 14 × 8 mm in 2015. Other shadows also appeared. Because lung adenocarcinoma was suspected, the patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with a right wedge resection of the lower lobe that included the largest nodule in S10 and other nodules. Histopathological examination of the right S10 and other lesions revealed small- or medium-sized lymphocyte-like cells that were located in the alveolar interseptal spaces. The alveolar walls remained intact. Immunohistochemical staining showed that tumor cells were positive for CD20, CD79a, and BCL2 expression. The lesions were diagnosed as extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT.Conclusions: We think that the ground glass opacities on CT were accounted for by MALT lesions that contained intact alveolar air spaces. The patient has remained well during 12 months of follow up after surgery. Although she did not receive chemotherapy because the MALT lymphoma lesions have been stable without progression, the patient is kept under close observation because of potential progression of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One cause of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax includes overlooking bullae during a previous surgery for pneumothorax; and the identification of the culprit lesions is necessary for prevention of recurrence. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax. He underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which did not reveal air leakage. The patient was subsequently seen at our hospital for 2 additional episodes of recurrent right-sided pneumothorax. At the third admission we observed intermittent air leakage while the patient was in the sitting position after chest drainage, and we performed surgery. An intraoperative submersion test showed air leakage dorsally from the pleural surface of S(6) and a minute culprit lesion, which were not seen at the first operation and confirmed the leakage site. The area was ligated and coated with regenerated oxidized cellulose mesh and autologous blood. Conclusion: In cases of pneumothorax with repeated recurrence, the best time to perform surgery on the patient with undetectable culprit lesion is the exact time that air leakage is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor composed of mature adipose tissue and normal hematopoietic tissue. Although surgical resection has been recommended due to the potential of progressive enlargement, the natural history of mediastinal myelolipoma has not yet been described. Herein we report a surgically resected mediastinal myelolipoma showing gradual enlargement over a period of 9 years. Case Presentation: A 70-year-old woman presented with a posterior mediastinal mass shadow detected by computed tomography (CT) examination. She had a medical history of sigmoidectomy for colon cancer 13 years previously. A CT scan showed a smooth, well-demarcated 2.8 × 2.1-cm paravertebral mass shadow, composed of a fat density area and a soft tissue density area, which showed gradual enlargement from a 1.6 × 1.0-cm nodule 9 years previously. This was not accompanied by chronic anemia or hematologic disease including thalassemia, and no abnormal accumulation was observed on bone marrow scintigraphy or fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography. With a clinical diagnosis of mediastinal myelolipoma, surgical resection was performed, and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusions: We experienced a rare case with mediastinal myelolipoma showing gradual enlargement, with a tumor doubling time of 1,212 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgery for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is often technically risky. The choice of immediate thoracoplasty or muscle flap plombage to prevent postoperative space problems remains controversial. This study focused on the use of muscle flaps to prevent postoperative complications.Methods: During an 8-year period (2004 to 2012), all patients surgically treated for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis were enrolled in this retrospective study. Concomitant intrathoracic transposition of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap has been performed since 2011. The clinical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively.Results: From 2004 to 2012, 16 patients were treated for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Fifteen patients received lobectomies and one had a partial resection. A preventive latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used in 6 patients (37 %). No postoperative deaths occurred. Prolonged air leaks appeared in 2 patients without muscle flaps, resulting in empyema in both. None of the patients with preventive muscle flaps suffered prolonged air leaks and subsequent empyema. In the outpatient clinic, late onset air leaks developed in 2 patients, one of whom had a lobectomy with muscle flap while the other had a lobectomy without muscle flap. Residual pleural space persisted in these two patients and Aspergillus infection later recurred.Conclusions: Concomitant latissimus dorsi muscle flaps may be effective for the prevention of prolonged air leaks and subsequent empyema. Late onset air leaks are problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the normal basal lung segments is a sequestration spectrum variant (Pryce type 1) that is distinguished from pulmonary sequestration by normal bronchopulmonary and parenchymal tissues.Case Presentation: A 33-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal pulmonary shadow. Computed tomography showed two aberrant arteries arising from the descending aorta and running into the lower lung lobes on each side, without any bronchial anomaly. He was diagnosed with bilateral anomalous systemic supply to the basal segments. A left thoracotomy was performed and the aberrant arteries were ligated and dissected at their origin followed by left basal segmentectomy. Simultaneous right S10 segmentectomy was performed under video-assisted thoracic surgery.Conclusion: Although bilateral anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segments is extremely rare, knowledge of this anomaly should allow for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The simultaneous surgical treatment of thoracic aortic arch aneurysm (TAA) and lung carcinoma is extremely rare.Case Presentation: We report the simultaneous surgical treatment of TAA and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in a 72-year-old Japanese man. We performed a one-stage operation that consisted of aortic arch replacement for aortic arch aneurysm with a 3-branched artificial vessel under separate cerebral and systemic extracorporeal circulation, and left upper lobectomy for lung cancer via a left lateral thoracotomy.Conclusions: Although patients should be carefully selected for this procedure, the simultaneous surgical treatment of TAA and lung carcinoma can be performed safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Costal exostosis is a benign condition that sometimes requires emergent surgery because of associated hemothorax; in addition, there have been cases with malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma. Here, we describe an asymptomatic patient who underwent thoracoscopic resection for primary costal exostosis.Case Presentation: A 16-year-old male was found to have a bow-shaped shadow on a chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography revealed a rod-like mass with a soft tissue shadow adjacent to the left fifth rib. A thoracoscopic partial resection of the left fifth rib was performed. Intraoperative findings included thickening of the pericardium near the tip of the growth and erosion of the visceral pleura of the left lung. The resected specimen was diagnosed as a primary costal exostosis based on histopathological findings.Conclusions: We review the published literature on costal exostosis and discuss the surgical indications of asymptomatic cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is often associated with asbestos exposure and carries an extremely poor prognosis. The present study assessed the effectiveness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment in patients with MPM who underwent radical pleural decortication (PD). The clinical data from 11 patients who underwent radical PD treated with APC at Toho University Omori Medical Center from July 2015 to March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical features, local recurrence, and clinical prognoses were evaluated. The median overall survival was 18.5 months, and the 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 71.6 and 43.0%, respectively. One patient survived 5 years but had recurrent tumors. The median disease-free survival was 11.1 months. The 1- and 2-year disease-free survival rates were 49.9 and 12.5%, respectively. Three patients had no recurrences, two of whom were followed continuously (39.6 and 10.2 months). The present study revealed that APC treatment for MPM might be associated with good survival and prognosis. APC as an additional intraoperative treatment for patients with MPM may be further investigated with larger multi-center clinical trials to support its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some patients with thymoma present with a very large mass in the thoracic cavity. Although the most effective treatment for thymoma is surgical resection, it is difficult to perform because of the size of the tumor and the infiltration of tumor into the surrounding organs and vessels. We report a patient with a giant thymoma that was completely resected via a median sternotomy and left anterolateral thoracotomy.Case Presentation: A 63-year-old woman presented with a mass in the left thoracic cavity that was incidentally found on a chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography revealed a giant mass (16 × 10 cm) touching the chest wall and diaphragm and pressed against the heart and left upper pulmonary lobe. Complete resection was performed via a median sternotomy and left anterolateral thoracotomy. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as a WHO type B2 thymoma, Masaoka stage II.Conclusions: Giant thymomas tend to grow expansively without invasion into surrounding organs and vessels. Surgical resection that employs an adequate approach must be considered, regardless of the size of the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appropriate surgical approach for a large mediastinal tumor is controversial. Median sternotomy is the standard approach for thymomas. We herein report the case of a giant thymoma, 13 cm in diameter, surgically resected via anterolateral incision. Subsequent thymectomy was performed via thoracoscopy. The resected specimen was a WHO type AB thymoma, Masaoka stage I, without capsular invasion. The anterolateral incision was less invasive and more versatile in the present case, as the incision could be extended to a hemiclamshell or posterolateral incision depending on exposure and relationship to adjacent organs and vascular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]