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Schwannomas are rare benign tumors that develop in Schwann cells lining peripheral nerves. Schwannomas of the brachial plexus are especially rare, accounting for 5% of all cases. Although several treatments can be considered, the exact method of treatment is unclear owing to the scarcity and sporadic occurrence of schwannomas. Tumor resection is performed in most cases, and nerve damage is inevitable in cases of neuroinvasive schwannoma. In this case series, we present our successful use of transposition of cable-grafted nerves for the treatment of schwannomas. We performed cable-grafted nerve interposition in addition to tumor resection, leading to increased recovery of nerve damage. To relieve postoperative symptoms and minimize sequelae, precise surgical tumor resection followed by nerve interposition using a cable-grafted nerve may be recommended.

Here, we report the rare case of a 13-year-old girl with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (also known as Bochdalek hernia), which was revealed to be an extralobar pulmonary sequestration that was treated using laparoscopic and video-assisted thoracic surgery sequestrectomy and repair of the diaphragm defect after detection of a supradiaphragmatic mass connected with the retroperitoneum. The patient showed no postoperative complications at a 1-month follow-up examination.

Background and Objectives: BRAF mutational status in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Korean population is poorly understood. We explored BRAF (particularly BRAF V600E) mutational status among Korean patients with NSCLC. Materials and Methods: This study included 378 patients with resected primary NSCLC who were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2017. The authors obtained formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks and performed peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-clamping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting BRAF V600, real-time PCR for detecting BRAF V600E, and immunohistochemical analyses using the mutation-specific Ventana VE1 monoclonal antibody. For positive cases in any methods mentioned above, direct Sanger sequencing was additionally performed. Results: The PNA-clamping method revealed the BRAF V600 mutation in 5 (1.3%) of the 378 patients. Among these five patients, real-time PCR, direct Sanger sequencing detected BRAF V600E mutations in three (0.8%) patients. Thus, two cases showed differences in their PNA-clamping and the others. Direct Sanger sequencing of PNA-clamping PCR product was performed for two cases showing negative results on direct Sanger sequencing; both contained BRAF mutations other than V600E. All patients harboring BRAF mutations had adenocarcinomas, and all patients with V600E mutation exhibited minor micropapillary components. Conclusions: Despite the low incidence of the BRAF mutation among Korean patients with NSCLC, lung adenocarcinoma patients with micropapillary components should be prioritized in terms of BRAF mutation testing. Immunohistochemical staining using Ventana VE1 antibody may serve as a screening examination for BRAF V600E.

Background: Postoperative chylothorax may be caused by iatrogenic injury of the collateral lymphatic ducts after thoracic surgery. Although traditional treatment could be considered in most cases, resolution may be slow. Radiological interventions have recently been developed to manage postoperative chylothorax. This study aimed to compare radiological interventions and conservative management in patients with postoperative chylothorax. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed periprocedural drainage time, length of hospital stay, and nil per os (NPO) duration in 7 patients who received radiological interventions (intervention group [IG]) and in 9 patients who received conservative management (non-intervention group [NG]). Results: The baseline characteristics of the patients in the IG and NG were comparable; however, the median drainage time and median length of hospital stay after detection of chylothorax were significantly shorter in the IG than in the NG (6 vs. 10 days, p=0.036 and 10 vs. 20 days, p=0.025, respectively). NPO duration after chylothorax detection and total drainage duration were somewhat shorter in the IG than in the NG (5 vs. 7 days and 8 vs. 14 days, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that radiological interventions reduced the duration of drainage and the length of hospital stay, allowing an earlier return to normal life. To overcome several limitations of this study, a prospective, randomized controlled trial with a larger number of patients is recommended.

Phlegmonous esophagitis must be treated aggressively; therefore, appropriate antibiotic therapy and drainage are critical. Although a conventional surgical approach has been used previously, internal drainage could be another treatment option in light of advances in endoscopic techniques. We report 2 cases in which patients suffering from phlegmonous esophagitis were successfully treated with endoscopic intraluminal drainage and antibiotics.

Pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare complication in patients with pancreatitis. Its symptoms are similar to those of empyema or pleural effusion; therefore, it is important to consider PPF in the differential diagnosis. Herein, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of PPF in a patient presenting with unusual empyema and delayed hemoptysis.

Background: The surgical treatment of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) can be complicated by fragile lung parenchyma. The preoperative prediction of air leakage could help prevent intraoperative lung in-jury during manipulation of the lung. Common sites of bulla development and ruptured bullae were inves-tigated based on computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative findings. Methods: The study enrolled 208 patients with SSP who underwent air leak control through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We retrospectively reviewed the sites of bulla development on preoperative CT and the rupture sites during VATS. Results: Of the 135 cases of right-sided SSP, the most common rupture site was the apical segment (31.9%), followed by the azygoesophageal recess (27.4%). Of the 75 cases on the left side, the most com-mon rupture site was the apical segment (24.0%), followed by the anterior basal segment (17.3%). Conclusion: The azygoesophageal recess and parenchyma along the cardiac border were common sites of bul-la development and rupture. Studies of respiratory lung motion to measure the pleural pressure at the lung surface could help to determine the relationship between cardiogenic and diaphragmatic movement and bulla formation or rupture.

Objective: Surgical intervention might be required in secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) with prolonged air leak; however, operation under general anesthesia (GA) could be critical in compromised patients. In this study, we performed video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) under epidural anesthesia (EA) in compromised patients with SSP and evaluated its feasibility. Methods: Of 212 patients who underwent VATS for SSP, 179 patients had surgery under GA and 33 under EA from 2006 to 2014. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed for operative time, pre- and postoperative chest tube drainage, postoperative complications, and hospital death. To evaluate the efficacy of VATS under EA, these factors were compared between EA and GA groups. Results: The mean operative time and the mean duration of postoperative drainage, respectively was 106.2±45.3 minutes and 6.15±10.51 days in GA, and 102.6±43.1 minutes and 6.10±7.20 days in EA. Of 18 cases with recurrence and 13 cases with complications, only one recurrence and one complication developed in EA. Conclusion: In case with patients having intractable SSP with compromised pulmonary function, VATS under EA could be an effective and safe option to approach the appropriate goals of air leak control and less recurrence of pneumothorax.

Esophageal duplication cyst is a rare congenital gastrointestinal malformation. It is the second most common duplication cyst following small bowel duplication cyst in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with an esophageal duplication cyst are generally asymptomatic; however, some patients may present the following symptoms: dysphagia, chest pain, stridor, unproductive cough, and epigastric discomfort by compression of the surrounding structures. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice in symptomatic cases and can be considered in asymptomatic cases if they are at risk for developing complications, such as ulceration or perforation. Herein, we report a case of hemorrhage of an esophageal duplication cyst, which was improved by endoscopic drainage.

Abstract Background Chylothorax is a disease that has various causes such as neoplasm, infection, post-surgery trauma, congenital, and venous thrombosis. In approximately 15% of cases of chylothorax, the exact cause is unknown. We report a case of delayed occurrence of right chylothorax in a patient who had multiple segmental ribs fracture on his left side. Case presentation A 70-year-old Asian man had a “rollover” accident in which the cultivator he was driving overturned. He presented to our hospital with the main complaint of severe dyspnea. On chest computed tomography, multiple ribs fracture from the first to the eighth rib of the left side of his chest and left-sided hemopneumothorax were presented, but there was no evidence of fracture in the right side of his chest. After closed thoracostomy, an emergency operation for open reduction of fractured ribs was performed. On the fifth postoperative day, tubal feeding was performed. On the next day, a plain chest X-ray image showed pleural effusion of the right side of his chest. After insertion of a small-bore chest tube, 3390 ml of fluid for 24 hours was drained. The body fluid analysis revealed triglycerides levels of 1000 mg/dL, which led to a diagnosis of chylothorax. Although non-oral feeding and total parenteral nutrition were sustained, drain amount was increased on the fifth day. Surgical treatment (thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation and pleurectomy) was performed in the early phase. The right chest tube was removed on the 14th postoperative day after the effusion completely resolved and he was uneventfully discharged. Conclusions In this case, as our patient was in old age and had multiple traumas, surgical treatment for chylothorax needed to be performed in the early phase.

(1) background: Postpneumonectomy empyema is often observed in patients after a complete pneumonectomy. The management of these cases can be challenging when the condition of patients is complicated by a bronchopleural fistula. A multidisciplinary approach is required to manage these critically ill patients, especially when they are not suitable candidates for surgery; (2–3) Methods & Results: we report a case of successfully treated postpneumonectomy empyema caused by a bronchopleural fistula and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin installation in pleural cavity using rat experiments; (4) Conclusions The experiments provide evidence that irrigation of the pleural cavity with an antibiotic solution containing vancomycin may be an efficient treatment strategy, especially in the case of an MRSA infection in the thickened pleura.

Background: Surgical correction needs to be considered when diaphragm eventration leads to impaired ventilation and respiratory muscle fatigue. Plication to sufficiently tense the diaphragm by VATS is not as easy to achieve as plication by open surgery. We used pneumatic compression with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication and evaluated feasibility and efficacy. Methods: Eleven patients underwent thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication between January 2008 and December 2013 in Pusan National University Hospital. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and compared between the group using CO2 gas and group without using CO2 gas, for operative time, plication technique, duration of hospital stay, postoperative chest tube drainage, pulmonary spirometry, dyspnea score pre- and postoperation, and postoperative recurrence. Results: The improvement of forced expiratory volume at 1 second in the group using CO2 gas and the group not using CO2 gas was 22.46±11.27 and 21.08±5.39 (p=0.84). The improvement of forced vital capacity 3 months after surgery was 16.74±10.18 (with CO2) and 15.6±0.89 (without CO2) (p=0.03). During follow-up (17±17 months), there was no dehiscence in plication site and relapse. No complications or hospital mortalities occurred. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic plication under single lung ventilation using CO2 insufflation could be an effective, safe option to flatten the diaphragm.

We present the dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings of atypical pulmonary hamartoma with a rare histologic pattern in a 20-year-old male. CT showed a 3.4 cm lobulated mass with a 'tip of the iceberg' appearance in the medium bronchus of the right lower lobe. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a heterogeneously and persistently enhancing mass. The CT Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements were: 17 HU pre-contrast, 32 HU at 1 minute, 44 HU at 2 minutes, 51 HU at 4 minutes, and 64 HU at 15 minutes. Pathologic examination after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery disclosed a pulmonary hamartoma with a predominant fibroblastic component.

(1) Background: since the technologies of anesthesia and surgery were advanced, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) under local anesthesia (LA) has been widely carried out and is considered a robust surgical technique to prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax in patients with recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). In this study, postoperative clinical outcomes were compared to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of VATS under LA compared with general anesthesia (GA) in patients with PSP. (2) Methods: 255 patients underwent wedge resection underwent VATS for PSP in our hospital from January 2014 to June 2019. Of them, 30 patients underwent the operation under LA and the others underwent the operation under GA. Except for the anesthesia method, the same surgical technique was adopted for all patients. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed. (3) Results: the total operation time and total hospital days were relatively shorter, post-chest tube drainage was significantly shorter (0.04), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the outpatient clinic were significantly lower in the LA group than in the GA group (p = 0.01). The incidence of postoperative recurrence after discharge in the LA group (3.3%) was also lower than in the GA group (18.67%) (p = 0.001). In the LA group, there were no cases of conversion to intubation. (4) Conclusions: our results showed relatively better clinical outcomes in VATS under LA with sedation than under GA in the treatment of PSP. Hence, LA with sedation can be considered as a robust anesthetic technique for VATS and as applicable in the surgical treatment of PSP.

The prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been determined in cancers of the lung, colon and breast, though there is no standardized method for using this prognostic indicator for lung cancer. We applied a modified version of the method proposed by the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers Working Group to primary lung adenocarcinoma, which uses histologic findings of hematoxylin and eosin sections. The study included a total cohort of 146 lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent lobectomy with lymph node dissection at two hospitals between 2008 and 2012. The full-face sections of hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were reviewed, and we evaluated the level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as a percentage of the area occupied out of the total intra-tumoral stromal area. Histopathologic factors include histologic grade, necrosis, extracellular mucin, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, level of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, tertiary lymphoid structures around the tumor, and the presence of a germinal center in tertiary lymphoid structures. The high level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was found to be significantly correlated with the histologic grade (p = 0.023), necrosis (p = 0.042), abundance of tertiary lymphoid structures(p

Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane), belongingto a family of natural compounds that are abundant in broccoli,has received significant therapeutic interest in recent years.However, the molecular basis of its effects remains to beelucidated. In this study, we attempt to determine whether sulforaphaneregulates the inflammatory response in an ovalbumin(OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Mice were sensitizedwith OVA, treated with sulforaphane, and then challenged withOVA. Sulforaphane administration significantly alleviated theOVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine.Additionally, sulforaphane suppressed the increase inthe levels of SOCS-3 and GATA-3 and IL-4 expression in theOVA-challenged mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate thatsulforaphane regulates Th2 immune responses. This sutdy providesnovel insights into the regulatory role of sulforaphane in allergen-induced Th2 inflammation and airway responses, whichindicates its therapeutic potential for asthma and other allergicdiseases. [BMB reports 2012; 45(5): 311-316]