Surgical strategy for invasive pulmonary and mediastinal tumors requiring superior vena cava reconstruction

During the past 16 years, 22 patients were operated on concomitantly with superior vena cava (SVC) reconstruction in our university hospital. Among them, 19 patients had anterior mediastinal tumor and 3 advanced lung cancer. They were 13 males and 9 females, ranging in age from 16 to 70 (mean, 51.4) years. Severe SVC syndrome was found in 10 cases of them. The anterior mediastinal tumors consisted of invasive thymoma in 10 cases, thymic Hodgkin's disease in 2, seminoma in 2, and thymic cancer, thymic carcinoid, thyroid cancer, metastasis of chondrosarcoma and yolk sac tumor in each one. Regarding SVC reconstruction, anatomical bypass was performed in 18 cases, in addition to a radical resection of the tumor. The left innominate vein was reconstructed in 5, the right innominate vein including SVC in 4 and bilateral veins in 9. Extra-anatomical bypass was performed in 4 cases with unresectable tumors because of severe SVC syndrome. Subclavian-femoral vein bypass was performed in one and internal jugular-femoral vein bypass in 3. In anatomical bypass, 7 cases have been alive now though 11 died, and graft patency rate was 82% in the right and 38% in the left. All 4 cases with extraanatomical bypass showed improvement of SVC syndrome, but died one to seven months postoperatively. In conclusions, radical operation with reconstruction of SVC was effective to long-term survival and improvement of SVC syndrome. Extraanatomical bypass improved postoperative quality of life remarkably.     

A case of thymic carcinoma

A 41-year-old male visited with chief complaints of chest pain and cough. The patient was operated on under a diagnosis of invasive thymoma. The tumor was located in the left lobe of the thymus and measured 6 X 9 cm. Since the tumor invaded the left innominate vein, pericardium, and the upper lobe of the left lung, we resected it with adjacent structures. Postoperative pathological examination indicated squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus. Because the tumor metastasized also to the mediastinal lymph nodes, the patient was treated postoperatively by radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy mainly with CDDP. The patient is well presently 2 years after operation without signs of recurrence.     

血管重建在原发性纵隔肿瘤中的临床应用

目的总结血管重建在原发性纵隔肿瘤中的应用经验和疗效。方法经外科手术治疗并血管重建的原发性纵隔肿瘤76例,22例（28.9%）单纯侵及上腔静脉;16例（21.1%）侵及单纯左或右无名静脉;34例（44.7%）侵及上腔静脉和左或右无名静脉;有4例（5.3%）单纯侵及主动脉外膜。行完整切除70例,部分切除6例;行血管置换46例,血管成形30例。结果全组病人无一例围术期死亡。上腔静脉阻断时间为（10-30）min,平均（18.0±5.3）min。左或右无名静脉单侧阻断时间为（11-25）min,平均（16.5±4.2）min。全组病人均获随访,时间为12-26个月,术后生活质量满意。结论纵隔肿瘤侵及上腔静脉及其属支大血管的病人,如全身无系统功能严重受损应积极手术治疗,可选用血管置换或血管成形术。     

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the anterior mediastinum encasing the aortic arch, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries

A 66-year-old man presented with a one month history of hoarseness. Left recurrent nerve palsy and a left upper mediastinal mass were observed by an otorhinolaryngologist who referred the patient to our department. Chest computed tomography showed a superior mediastinal mass, which seemed to involve the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries from the greater curvature of the aortic arch. The innominate vein was compressed, and collateral circulation was well developed. The left upper lobe of the lung was also seemed involved. A mediastinal biopsy conducted via left thoracoscopy revealed a malignant spindle cell tumor. The mediastinum was irradiated (40 Gy), and surgical extirpation was subsequently undertaken 3 weeks later. The tumor was successfully removed without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Because only smooth muscle actin was focally but strongly expressed immunohistochemically, leiomyosarcoma was confirmed. The patient was discharged on day 14. A solitary left pleural metastasis was observed and resected 12 months after the surgery and the patient is well without further recurrence 16 months after the initial surgery.     

Thymic carcinoma with tumor thrombus into the superior vena cava

Tumor thrombus into the vena cava have been reported in cases with renal cell carcinoma, thyroid tumor and in those with thymoma. These tumors are frequently invasive and continuous from the main tumor that shows direct vessel wall invasion. Here, we report a case of thymic carcinoma with superior vena cava syndrome, which was caused by a tumor thrombus in the superior vena cava without vessel wall invasion. The main mediastinal tumor did not show innominate vein invasion, and the superior vena cava syndrome was a result of separate tumor thrombus that was free of vessel wall invasion. The tumor thrombus could be removed through a simple venotomy. To prevent stenosis in the superior vena cava and the left innominate vein, we used a pericardial patch to close the venotomy site.     

Management of malignant tumors of the thymus

Twenty-eight patients with malignant tumors of the thymus were surgically treated during the 15-year period from 1969 to 1984. Twenty-six patients had far advanced disease when treatment was began. Of fifteen patients with malignant thymoma, the tumors were successfully removed in five patients by using the technique of combined resection of SVC. Of two patients with carcinoid, one is alive and another died two years after extended operation. Of two patients with malignant lymphoma, one with non Hodgkin's disease died three years after operation, and the other with Hodgkin's disease is alive with tumor bearing. It is important to distinguish malignant lymphoma from other types of thymic tumors, because chemo-radiotherapy is superior to surgical therapy. Of nine patients with germ cell tumor, two patients with seminoma have been well for 11 and 5 years. CDDP and radiotherapy were effective on their long survival. Three patients with embryonal carcinoma responded well to combined surgical and chemo-radiotherapy. But only one of them is alive with tumor free one year after operation. Prosthetic grafts were employed in 7 cases for replacement of the innominate and superior caval vein. Angiogram taken one month after operation disclosed the overall patency rate with 92% and the longest patent period confirmed was 4 years. Extended operation by using the prosthetic graft should be performed in the advanced cases to achieve a complete removal and to aim better prognosis for this kind of disease. In conclusion, aggressive surgical removal followed by radio-chemotherapy offers best cure of the malignant thymic tumor.     

Reconstruction of the left innominate vein in a patient with invasive thymoma undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

This is a report of a case in which a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery was found to have a thymoma invading the left innominate vein without obstructing it. The tumor was removed, the left innominate vein reconstructed with ringed PTFE graft and the coronary revascularization performed successfully. The surgical treatment adopted the considerations involving this particular patient and the literature of similar cases is reviewed and briefly discussed.     

Large aneurysm of innominate vein: extremely rare cause of mediastinal mass

Aneurysms of the innominate vein are extremely rare. Fifteen such cases have been reported in literature. They may be asymptomatic or may present as a mediastinal mass with compression of adjacent structures or may present with vascular complications like thromboembolism or rupture. We present a case of large innominate vein aneurysm presenting as a mediastinal mass that was surgically excised through a left thoracotomy without use of cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Thymic basaloid carcinoma with aggressive invasion of the lung and pericardium: Report of a case

We report a case of basaloid carcinoma of the thymus, invading the lung and pericardium. The patient was a 72-year-old man who suffered thoracic trauma in a fall and was taken to his family physician. Computed tomography revealed a huge mediastinal tumor with cystic components, pressing into the lung. He was referred to our hospital, where magnetic resonance imaging showed suspicious invasion of the pericardium and mediastinum. We made an assumed diagnosis of a mediastinal malignancy and performed mediastinal tumor resection. The tumor was adherent to the lung, pericardium, and left innominate vein. The final pathological diagnosis was a basaloid carcinoma of the thymus. Basaloid carcinoma is often a component of a multiloculated thymic cyst (MTC) and should be considered when MTC is identified within an anterior mediastinal tumor.     

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the innominate vein

Primary venous leiomyosarcoma is rare. We report the case of a primary leiomyosarcoma of the left innominate vein, with neoplastic thrombus extending into the left jugular and subclavian veins. The tumor was curatively resected en bloc with anterior mediastinal and laterocervical lymphatics, through a median sternotomy prolonged into left cervicotomy. Primary venous sarcomas may be associated with prolonged survival in individual cases, with curative resection recommended as the standard treatment, in the absence of distant spread.     

Aneurysm of the superior mediastinal veins

A case of true venous aneurysm with saccular dilation of the proximal half of the superior vena cava, the right innominate vein, and the distal two thirds of the left innominate vein in an 18-year-old white woman is presented. At surgery part of the aneurysmal wall was resected, and subsequently the mediastinal venous system was reconstructed with use of the rest of the aneurysmal wall. The postoperative course was uneventful. Operative treatment of mediastinal venous aneurysms is indicated to prevent possible major complications. We strongly suggest performance of this surgery only by means of a heart-lung machine. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:505-9.)     

侵及胸廓上口大血管的纵隔肿瘤的外科治疗

目的　探讨侵及胸廓上口大血管的纵隔肿瘤的外科治疗经验。方法　回顾分析 11例侵及胸廓上口大血管的纵隔肿瘤患者的临床资料 ,全组患者均行纵隔肿瘤切除 ,其中 2例于麻醉诱导前辅以股 -股转流并行体外循环 ,2例辅以颈静脉、股静脉 -股动脉转流并行体外循环。同期行上腔静脉重建 2例 ,成形 2例 ,左无名静脉成形 3例 ,右无名静脉成形 1例 ,无名动脉、左颈总动脉、左锁骨下动脉人造血管置换各 1例。结果　全组病例无手术死亡。术后随访 2～ 7年 ,3例于 2～ 4年后死于癌瘤复发 ,6例无瘤健康生存 ,均未出现血管栓塞。结论　侵及胸廓上口的大血管纵隔肿瘤宜积极手术治疗 ,麻醉诱导前辅以股 -股转流或颈、股 -股转流。同期作血管成形或重建。术后小剂量抗凝治疗     

Thymoma which is detected with a cough derived from pulmonary invasion; report of a case

A 83-year-old female was referred to our hospital for investigation of a persistent cough. A chest X-ray showed enlargement of the mediastinum. Computed tomography of the chest showed an anterior mediastinal mass with a maximal diameter of 6.5 cm, which had invasion to the lung. The patient underwent thymothymectomy combined resections of the lung, pericardium, and left innominate vein through a median sternotomy. Histological examination of the resected tumor revealed a World Health Organization (WHO) classification type B3 thymoma with infiltration into the lung. There were no infiltrations of the tumor into the pericardium and the innominate vein. A persistent cough disappeared after surgery. No adjuvant chemotherapy was performed. She is still free from disease with a follow-up period of 4 months. We report a rare case of thymoma detected with a persistent cough derived from pulmonary invasion.     

Deep venous thrombosis after shoulder arthroscopy

Deep venous thrombosis after shoulder arthroscopy is so unusual that its occurrence should arouse the suspicion of (a) a hypercoagulable state, or (b) a pathologic extrinsic mass causing venous occlusion. This case of deep venous thrombosis after shoulder arthroscopy led to the discovery of previously asymptomatic Hodgkin's lymphoma that was compressing the innominate vein.     

Emergency endovascular deployment of stent graft in the ascending aorta for contained rupture of innominate artery pseudoaneurysm in a pediatric patient

Endovascular approaches to treat aortic diseases have become an important alternative to open surgical intervention in aortic pathologies. We report a case of an emergency placement of a stent graft in a 16-year-old boy with a contained rupture of an innominate artery pseudoaneurysm. This patient had been previously treated for a mediastinal T-cell lymphoma and underwent mediastinal chemoradiation. He developed tracheal stenosis, requiring multiple tracheal reconstructive surgical procedures, and subsequently emergency ligation of a tracheal-innominate fistula. A pseudoaneurysm of the previously ligated innominate artery developed. Despite coil embolization, it continued to enlarge, requiring emergency endovascular intervention. A pseudoaneurysm of the previously ligated innominate artery subsequently developed, and despite coil embolization, it continued to enlarge, which required emergency endovascular intervention.     

Elevated alpha-fetoprotein secondary to Hodgkin''s lymphoma

We describe the case of a 26-year-old man with an elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein who had no evidence of intragonadal or extragonadal germ cell tumor. The patient was found to have Hodgkin's lymphoma within an anterior mediastinal mass. We review the significance of elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels and discuss the clinical relevance of this unusual presentation of a possible primary Hodgkin's lymphoma.     

Spontaneous regression of an invasive thymoma

Although there are many reports of spontaneous regression of noninvasive thymoma, there are no reports of spontaneous regression of an invasive thymoma. Moreover, the mechanism of the spontaneous regression is still unknown. The present case concerns a 47-year-old man who presented with chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large anterior mediastinal mass with left pleural effusion that occluded the innominate vein. The tissue obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery suggested a diagnosis of invasive thymic carcinoma. One month later CT showed prominent regression of the tumor, and the tumor was completely resected. On pathology, the diagnosis was thymoma type B3.     

Innominate venous aneurysm presenting as a rapidly expanding mediastinal mass

Thoracic venous aneurysms are extremely rare conditions. Only 14 innominate venous aneurysms have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with a mediastinal mass on chest roentgenogram, which was performed because the patient was postoperatively tachypneic after a routine appendectomy. Further investigations revealed a large left innominate venous aneurysm that was growing rapidly. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy and reconstruction of the innominate vein. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and her respiratory symptoms resolved.     

原发性肺淋巴瘤的临床诊断和外科治疗

目的 探讨原发性肺淋巴瘤的临床特点、诊断和外科治疗的原则。方法回顾分析10例原发性肺淋巴瘤的临床资料。8例为非霍奇金淋巴瘤（B细胞型）,2例为霍奇金病（混合细胞型）。肿瘤位于左上肺2例,左下肺1例,右上肺3例,右中肺3例,右下肺1例。临床症状多为咳嗽和（或）咯血,影像学（胸部X线和CT检查）表现类似于原发性肺癌。所有患者纤维支气管镜检查未发现异常。8例术前根据影像学表现误诊为原发性肺癌,仅2例经皮肤肺穿刺活检行病理检查诊断为原发性肺淋巴瘤。所有患者均接受肺切除术和同侧肺门及纵隔淋巴结清除,术后2例霍奇金病患者分别行MOPP方案（氮芥、长春新碱、丙卡巴肼和泼尼松）和ABVD方案（阿霉素、博莱霉素、长春花碱和达卡巴嗪）化学治疗（化疗）;8例非霍奇金淋巴瘤行CHOP方案（环磷酰胺、阿霉素、长春新碱和泼尼松）化疗,其中3例行放射治疗。结果至随访时,6例非霍奇金淋巴瘤（ⅠE期3例,Ⅱ1E期2例,Ⅱ2E W期1例）手术后已经存活18～42个月,2例非霍奇金淋巴瘤（Ⅱ2E期,低度恶性B淋巴细胞型）和2例霍奇金病（ⅠE期和Ⅱ2E期各1例,混合细胞型）分别在手术后24,32,8和17个月死亡。结论原发性肺淋巴瘤缺乏特异性表现,手术前准确诊断比较困难。治疗选择手术治疗和手术后放射治疗、正规全身化疗的综合治疗。     

Safety of left innominate vein division during aortic arch surgery

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach to the aortic arch via median sternotomy can be hindered by the left innominate vein (LIV). Retraction of the LIV may injure the vein. The safety of LIV ligation has been controversial. Opinion has also differed regarding whether a divided vein should be reanastomosed after arch replacement is completed. We report our experience with division and ligation of the LIV for improved aortic arch exposure and facilitated excision of mediastinal tumors. METHODS: From January 1996 to June 1998, the LIV was divided and ligated in 14 patients (8 men, 4 women) after consideration of local anatomy, adequacy of aortic arch exposure, level of distal aortic anastomosis, and in case of mediastinal tumors, extent of involvement of mediastinal structures. The LIV was divided between clamps, doubly ligated, and the ends oversewn. Patients were assessed at 1 month and at yearly intervals for upper extremity edema and neurologic symptoms. RESULTS: In 12 patients LIV division improved aortic arch access, and in 2 patients, it facilitated excision of mediastinal tumors. The mean age of patients was 56 years (range 22 to 80). Follow-up ranged from 1 week to 30 months. All patients had left upper extremity edema for 7 to 10 days, which resolved with arm elevation. One early patient required reexploration for bleeding from the LIV stump. One patient died because of multiorgan dysfunction. None had any residual left upper extremity edema or neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, although not uniformly or commonly necessary, division of the LIV can safely be utilized to facilitate aortic arch exposure without significant long-term morbidity. LIV reanastomosis is not necessary.