Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer tumors: intermediate results

Background We investigated the feasibility and suitability of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for curing selected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with this less invasive technique Methods We performed VATS segmentectomy for small (<20 nm) peripherally located tumors and pathologically confirmed lobar lymph node-negative disease by frozen-section examination during surgery. Of the 34 patients who underwent this limited resection, 22 were treated with complete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (intentional group), whereas 12 patients who were deemed to be high risk in their toleration for lobectomy underwent VATS segmentectomy with incomplete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (compromised group). The surgical and clinical parameters were evaluated and compared with those of segmentectomy under standard thoracotomy to evaluate the technical feasibility of VATS segmentectomy. Results We found that VATS segmentectomy could be performed safely with a nil mortality rate and acceptably low morbidity. The mean period of observation was relatively short at 656.7±572.1 and 783.4±535.8 days in the intentional and compromised groups, respectively. At the time of writing, all intentional patients remain alive and free of recurrence. There were two cases of non-cancer-related death in the compromised group. Clinical data indicated that VATS segmentectomy caused the same number or fewer surgical insults compared with segmen-tectomy under standard thoractomy Conclusions The present results are intermediate only; the rate of long-term survival and the advantages of the less invasive procedure still need further investigation. Nevertheless, we believe that VATS segmentectomy with complete lymph node dissection is a reasonable treatment option for selected patients with small peripheral NSCLC.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, as prognostic indicators in NSCLC.

OBJECTIVES: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue produces numerous growth factors, which are multifunctional and considered predictive of patient survival. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in NSCLC tissue and clinicopathological factors, and determine whether these factors correlate with long-term survival. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 71 patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, for whom the primary curative approach was surgery, and who received no chemotherapy or radiotherapy prior to surgery. bFGF, VEGF, HGF were measured in extracts prepared from these 71 frozen tissue samples by ELISA. Five- and 10-year survival was obtained to determine the most important predictors of long-term survival. RESULTS: Among clinicopathological parameters, the mean concentration of bFGF was significantly higher in tissue extracts from cases involving metastatic nodal involvement (87.5+/-69.3 ng/100 mg protein) than in those without nodal involvement (57.6+/-42.5 ng; P<0.05). Levels of VEGF in adenocarcinoma (26.8+/-34.0 ng) were higher than for squamous cell carcinoma (12.2+/-13.8 ng; P<0.05). HGF levels also demonstrated histological differences (14.7+/-7.7 vs. 10.6+/-9.7 ng, P<0.05). bFGF protein levels were basically the same, but showed no statistically significant differences with respect to histological type (72.5+/-55.2 vs. 63.6+/-51.5 ng). Patients with high levels of bFGF or VEGF showed significantly worse survival rates than patients with low levels (P=0.0059; P=0.0134). In particular, high concentrations of both bFGF and VEGF correlated with markedly poor prognosis (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that lymph node involvement and levels of bFGF and VEGF were independent prognostic factors in cases of NSCLC (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) involving patients who had undergone curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma associated with lung cancer is regarded to have biological characteristics that distinguish it from squamous cell carcinoma. Node invasion may be associated with bFGF. bFGF and VEGF augment each other and are associated with leading to poor prognosis. The results of this study suggests that effective therapy to block angiogenesis may need to address at least both of these factors in cases of NSCLC.     

Correction of nonuniform attenuation and image fusion in SPECT imaging by means of separate X-ray CT

Improvements in image quality and quantitation measurement, and the addition of detailed anatomical structures are important topics for single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). The goal of this study was to develop a practical system enabling both nonuniform attenuation correction and image fusion of SPECT images by means of high-performance X-ray computed tomography (CT). A SPECT system and a helical X-ray CT system were placed next to each other and linked with Ethernet. To avoid positional differences between the SPECT and X-ray CT studies, identical flat patient tables were used for both scans; body distortion was minimized with laser beams from the upper and lateral directions to detect the position of the skin surface. For the raw projection data of SPECT, a scatter correction was performed with the triple energy window method. Image fusion of the X-ray CT and SPECT images was performed automatically by auto-registration of fiducial markers attached to the skin surface. After registration of the X-ray CT and SPECT images, an X-ray CT-derived attenuation map was created with the calibration curve for 99mTc. The SPECT images were then reconstructed with scatter and attenuation correction by means of a maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm. This system was evaluated in torso and cylindlical phantoms and in 4 patients referred for myocardial SPECT imaging with Tc-99m tetrofosmin. In the torso phantom study, the SPECT and X-ray CT images overlapped exactly on the computer display. After scatter and attenuation correction, the artifactual activity reduction in the inferior wall of the myocardium improved. Conversely, the incresed activity around the torso surface and the lungs was reduced. In the abdomen, the liver activity, which was originally uniform, had recovered after scatter and attenuation correction processing. The clinical study also showed good overlapping of cardiac and skin surface outlines on the fused SPECT and X-ray CT images. The effectiveness of the scatter and attenuation correction process was similar to that observed in the phantom study. Because the total time required for computer processing was less than 10 minutes, this method of attenuation correction and image fusion for SPECT images is expected to become popular in clinical practice.     

Stent-supported coil embolization for carotid artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of endovascular surgery--case report

A 57-year-old male presented with right amaurosis fugax and left transient ischemic attack caused by stenosis of the intracranial segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was successfully performed to dilate the stenosis. However, serial angiography revealed the development of a large pseudoaneurysm in the cervical ICA, probably as a result of carotid wall injury caused by the guiding catheter during the procedures. The patient underwent a second endovascular angioplasty. A Palmaz stent was placed across the aneurysm neck to stabilize the carotid wall. Guglielmi detachable coils were then inserted into the aneurysm cavity through the stent struts to successfully obliterate the aneurysm. Both the angiographical results and the patient's outcome were favorable. Stent-supported coil embolization is an effective and safe technique for medically refractory pseudoaneurysms, and may be a useful alternative to direct surgery.     

Cerebral metabolic changes in delayed carbon monoxide sequelae studied by proton MR spectroscopy

The pathogenesis of delayed sequelae of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is still unknown. We repeatedly examined a 55-year-old woman with the interval form of CO poisoning, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). When the clinical picture was severe, MRS revealed markedly lowered N-acetyl-asparatate (NAA)/creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr) ratio and slightly increased choline containing compounds (Cho)/Cr ratio. Subsequently, NAA and Cho/Cr ratio tended to return to normal, reflecting clinical improvement. Proton MRS shows the previously unrecognised neuronal activity in CO poisoning and precisely reflects the severity of symptoms. We stress the superiority of proton MRS over the conventional radiological examinations in CO poisoning.     

Changes in the basal ganglia and thalamus following reperfusion after complete cerebral ischaemia

We report specific changes bilaterally in the basal ganglia and thalamus following reperfusion after complete cerebral ischaemia. A 69-year-old man, resuscitated after cardiac arrest, showed symmetrical lowdensity lesions in the head of the caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus on CT. MRI revealed methaemoglobin derived from minor haemorrhage in the basal ganglia and thalamus, not evident on CT. We suggest that this haemorrhage results from diapedesis of red blood cells through the damaged capillary endothelium following reperfusion.     

A case of secondary Paget's disease of the glans penis originating from bladder cancer

An 81-year-old man had undergone total cystectomy and bilateral ureterocutaneostomy at the age of 66 years. Furthermore, no recurrence or metastasis was observed; but at the age of 80 years he observed a painless rash around the external urethral orifice. As urothelial cancer was suspected, the urethra and glans were biopsied. Through immunohistochemical staining (cytokeratin 7 and 20), the glans biopsy indicated secondary Paget's disease of transitional epithelial origin. A urethrectomy was performed as progression from the urethra was suspected. The pathological examination revealed Paget cells at the glans, but the tumor was not observed permeating into the corpus cavernosum. This presents a rare case of secondary Paget's disease originating from a bladder tumor, and appearing in the glans without intraurethral progression.     

Neutrophil elastase activity in pulmonary venous blood during lung resection

OBJECTIVES Neutrophil elastase has been reported to play an important role in acute lung injury, which is a major cause of postoperative mortality after pulmonary resection. Neutrophil elastase released in the lungs reaches the peripheral circulation via the pulmonary veins. This study was performed to compare neutrophil elastase activity in pulmonary venous blood (collected during lobectomy) with that in the peripheral blood, and to determine the perioperative changes of neutrophil elastase activity. METHODS In 34 patients undergoing lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection, the leucocyte count, neutrophil count, neutrophil elastase activity and levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were measured in the pulmonary venous blood and peripheral arterial blood before and after surgery. Then, these parameters were compared between before and after surgery with peripheral and pulmonary blood. RESULTS Neutrophil elastase activity was found to be significantly higher in pulmonary venous blood at the completion of surgery than at the start (during thoracotomy), while the neutrophil elastase activity of peripheral arterial blood showed no significant change between the start and completion of surgery. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, measurement of neutrophil elastase activity in pulmonary venous blood revealed changes associated with lobectomy.     

Adrenocortical carcinoma detected by retroperitoneal hemorrhage : a case report

Spontaneous massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from an adrenal tumor is rare and is usually fatal if unrecognized. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of a primary adrenocortical carcinoma that occurred in a 79-year-old man. He visited our hospital with left abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a left retroperitoneal hemorrhage. We could not find the origin of this hemorrhage. Two months later, CT showed the left adrenal tumor, and left adrenalectomy and nephrectomy were performed successfully. The histological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma. He rejected adjuvant therapy. Local recurrence of the tumor was found, and right adrenal gland, brain, and mediastinal lymph node metastases were recognized 6 months after the operation. He died 11 months after the operation.     

A comparison of the Pentax Airway Scope™ with the Airtraq™ in an infant manikin

We compared the Pentax Airway Scope(TM) with the Airtraq(TM) optical laryngoscope in an infant manikin. Twenty-three anaesthetists randomly performed tracheal intubation: at rest, (a) with the Airway Scope and (b) with the Airtraq; and during chest compressions, (c) with the Airway Scope and (d) with the Airtraq. The success rate, modified Cormack and Lehane classification for glottic view, time taken to view the glottis, and time to place the tracheal tube were recorded. There was no difference in intubation success rate or quality of glottic view between the two devices. The median (IQR [range]) time taken to obtain a view of the glottis was 4.5 (3.7-6.4 [1.8-14.0]) s using the Airway Scope compared with 7.1 (5.5-9.6 [3.3-12.0]) s using the Airtraq (p = 0.001), and to successful placement of the tracheal tube was 8.3 (6.8-9.4 [3.7-20.7]) s using the Airway Scope compared with 11.2 (10.4-13.8 [4.9-23.7]) s using the Airtraq (p = 0.001). During chest compressions, the median (IQR [range]) time taken to view the glottis was 5.1 (4.0-7.2 [2.0-12.4]) s using the Airway Scope compared with 7.5 (5.0-13.2 [4.2-26.4]) s using the Airtraq (p = 0.006), and to successful placement of the tracheal tube was 9.5 (6.6-13.7 [4.5-16.2]) s using the Airway Scope compared with 11.7 (9.1-18.1 [6.2-37.4]) s using the Airtraq (p = 0.022). We conclude that both devices provided good quality views of the glottis and successful tracheal intubation in an infant manikin both at rest and during external chest compressions. Use of the Airway Scope resulted in a shorter time to view the glottis and perform successful tracheal intubation compared with the Airtraq.