Long-term outcomes after minimal right lateral thoracotomy for the resection of cardiac tumors

ObjectivesCardiac tumors are a rare and heterogeneous entity, with a cumulative incidence of up to 0.02%. This study aimed to investigate one of the largest patient cohorts for long-term outcomes after minimally-invasive cardiac surgery using right-anterior thoracotomy and femoral cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cannulation.MethodsBetween 2009 and 2021, patients who underwent minimally-invasive cardiac tumor removal at our department were included. The diagnosis was confirmed postoperatively by (immune-) histopathological analysis. Preoperative baseline characteristics, intraoperative data, and long-term survival were analyzed.ResultsBetween 2009 and 2021, 183 consecutive patients underwent surgery for a cardiac tumor at our department. Of these, n = 74 (40%) were operated on using a minimally-invasive approach. The majority, n = 73 (98.6%), had a benign cardiac tumor, and 1 (1.4%) had a malignant cardiac tumor. The mean age was 60 ± 14 years, and n = 45 (61%) of patients were female. The largest group of tumors was myxoma (n = 62; 84%). Tumors were predominantly located in the left atrium in 89% (n = 66). CPB-time was 97 ± 36min and aortic cross-clamp time 43 ± 24 min s. The mean hospital stay was 9.7 ± 4.5 days. The perioperative mortality was 0%, and all-cause mortality after ten years was 4.1%.ConclusionMinimally-invasive tumor excision is feasible and safe, predominantly in benign cardiac tumors, even in combination with concurrent procedures. Patients who require cardiac tumor removal should be evaluated for minimally-invasive cardiac surgery at a specialized center, as it is highly effective and associated with good long-term survival.     

The imaging appearances of non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ: A pictorial essay

Non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ (NCDCIS) presents as a heterogeneous entity on various imaging modalities, most frequently presenting symptomatically as a palpable lump. The combination of multiple modalities and knowledge of its potential radiological appearances are important in minimising misdiagnosis. Compared to conventional 2D mammography, both sonography and digital breast tomosynthesis show higher diagnostic accuracy in the detection of NCDCIS. Newer modalities of contrast-enhanced digital mammography and MRI have limited data at present, but early results indicate greater sensitivity for the detection of lesions that may be occult on ultrasound or mammography. Here, we present an illustrative study highlighting the varied appearances of NCDCIS on several imaging modalities including a brief review of the literature.     

Massive vagal schwannoma in an 11‐year‐old girl

We describe an unusual case of a young girl presenting with a large vagal schwannoma necessitating a transcervical‐mandibulotomy approach for total tumor resection. The presentation is unique due to the size of the lesion, the patient’s age, the operative approach, and molecular pathology.     

The effect of patient and imaging characteristics on coronary CT angiography assessed pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation and gradient

BackgroundCoronary CT angiography (CCTA) pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) markers are promising indicators of inflammation.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of patient and imaging parameters on the associations between non-calcified plaque (NCP) and PCAT attenuation and gradient.MethodsThis was a single-center, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with stable chest pain who underwent CCTA and had zero calcium scores. CCTA images were evaluated for the presence of NCP, obstructive stenosis, segment stenosis and involvement score (SSS, SIS), and high-risk plaque (HRP). PCAT markers were assessed using semi-automated software. Uni- and multivariable regression models correcting for patient and imaging characteristics between plaque and PCAT markers were evaluated.ResultsOverall, 1652 patients had zero calcium score (mean age: 51 years ?± ?11 [SD], 871 women); PCAT attenuation values ranged between ?123 HU and ?51 HU, and 649 patients had plaque. In univariable analysis, the presence of NCP, SSS, SIS, and HRP were associated with PCAT attenuation (2, 1, 1, 6 HU; respectively; p ?< ?.001 all); while obstructive stenosis was not (1 HU, p ?= ?.58). In multivariable analysis, none of the plaque markers were associated with PCAT attenuation (0 HU p ?= ?.93, 0 HU p ?= ?.39, 1 HU p ?= ?.18, 2 HU p ?= ?.10, 1 HU p ?= ?.71, respectively), while patient and imaging characteristics showed significant associations, such as: male sex (1 HU, p ?= ?.003), heart rate [1/min] (?0.2 HU, p ?< ?.001), 120 ?kVp (8 HU, p ?< ?.001) and pixel spacing [mm³] (32 HU, p ?< ?.001). Similar results were observed for PCAT gradient.ConclusionPCAT markers were significantly associated with NCP, however the associations did not persist following correction for patient and imaging characteristics.     

糖毒清对糖尿病肾病大鼠肾组织VCAM-1表达影响的研究

目的:探讨糖毒清治疗糖尿病肾病肾功能不全的可能机制。方法:采用5/6肾切除合中等剂量的STZ腹腔注射方法建立糖尿病肾病肾功能不全模型,将造模成功的大鼠50只随机分为5组:模型组(生理盐水2mL/d灌胃)、糖毒清高剂量组[糖毒清6.75g/(kg·d)灌胃];糖毒清中剂量组[糖毒清4.5g/(kg·d)灌胃]、糖毒清低剂量组[糖毒清2.25g/(kg·d)灌胃]、尿毒清组[尿毒清2.25g/(kg·d)灌胃]。另外10只正常对照组大鼠予生理盐水2mL/d灌胃;治疗10周后,通过免疫组化的方法检测各组大鼠肾组织的VCAM-1表达情况。结果:模型组大鼠肾组织VCAM-1表达明显增多,而糖毒清组大鼠肾组织VCAM-1的表达明显减少。结论:糖毒清可以减少糖尿病肾病肾功能不全大鼠肾组织VCAM-1的过度表达,从而达到控制或延缓糖尿病肾病肾功能恶化的进程。