Comparative analysis of postoperative outcomes of myasthenia gravis with and without thymoma

Objective： To explore the postoperative clinical characteristics and outcomes of myasthenia gravis with and without thymoma. Methods： Two hundred and forty-three patients with myasthenia gravis （MG） surgically treated in our department from 1978 to 2003 were studied retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, complication, remissions and survival rates were compared between MG with and without thymoma. Results： The patients of MG with thymoma were significantly older （P〈0.01）, had shorter duration of symptom （P〈0.01 ）, and higher myasthenia crisis rates after operation（P〈0.01 ） than those without thymoma. No difference of Osserman classification was found between the 2 groups. The complete remission rates and partial remission rates of MG with thymoma were significantly lower than those without thymoma at 1 and 3 years（P=0.049, P=0.000, P=0.015, P=0.010）, but no differences at 5 years（P=0.457, P=0.699）. The survival rates were lower inMG with thymoma than without thymoma （Log rank=18.58, P=0.000）. Conclusion： The clinical characteristics are different between MG with and without thymoma. The remission of symptom of MG with thymoma is worse than that of MG without thymoma in the near future, but similar in the long future. In a long-term, the death rate of MG with thymoma is significantly higher than that of MG without thymoma.     

Synchronous Multicentric Thymona: Report of a Case

We report a case of multiple thymoma with different histological subtypes, not associated with myasthenia gravis. We describe the histological findings, especially the results of immunohistochemical staining, which support the possibility of multicentric thymoma. The validity of extended thymectomy is also discussed.     

Paradigm shift in surgical approaches to thymectomy

Background : Thymectomy is an established therapy in the management of myasthenia gravis (MG) used in conjunction with medical treatment. The optimal surgical approach to thymectomy, however, has remained controversial. Method : The present review discusses the author’s experiences of and the literature regarding the management of MG using the video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach. Results : This approach was shown to be technically safe in experienced hands and associated with less postoperative pain, better preservation of lung function in the early postoperative period and better cosmetic results than alternative techniques. The intermediate term results of VATS are comparable to those of more radical approaches. It is hoped that this patient‐friendly approach will lead to greater support by patients and their neurologists, for earlier surgery. Conclusion : VATS is an attractive, alternative approach to thymectomy.     

Restricted appearance of self-reactive clones into T cell receptor intermediate cells in neonatally thymectomized mice with autoimmune disease

Neonatally thymectomized (NTx) mice fall victim to such autoimmune diseases as gastritis and pancreatitis with aging. Self-reactive T cell clones are known to be consistently generated through TCR intermediate (i.e. TCR^int) cell differentiation in normal mice (i.e. via the extrathymic pathways and an alternative intrathymic pathway). It was investigated whether the generation of such clones in NTx mice follows this rule or whether they are generated by default via mainstream T cell differentiation in the thymus. The majority of T cells generated in NTx mice were TCR^int cells in all organs tested. In contrast to athymic mice, which carry only TCR^int cells with aging, a leaky appearance of high TCR (i.e. TCR^hi) cells emerged in the lymph nodes and other organs of NTx mice. Self-reactive clones estimated by anti-Vβ monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with the Mls system were confined to TCR^int cells in all tested organs, including a target organ, the stomach, in NTx mice. A leaky population of TCR^hi cells did not contain a significant number of self-reactive clones. Moreover, such self-reactive clones among TCR^int cells in NTx mice with autoimmune disease were shown to be nonanergic in the proliferation assay. The present results suggest that the generation of self-reactive clones is totally due to TCR^int cell differentiation, although it is still undetermined whether the expanding TCR^int cell population is generated via the extrathymic pathway or an alternative intrathymic pathway. It is shown here not to be due to a failure of the TCR^hi cell-differentiation pathway in NTx mice.     

喉罩与气管插管麻醉下“三孔式”非肌无力胸腺瘤切除术的对比研究

目的探讨喉罩全身麻醉(全麻)代替气管插管全麻用于经剑突、肋缘下"三孔式"前纵隔病变切除术治疗不合并肌无力的胸腺瘤患者的安全性和可行性。方法纳入我科2018年1月至2019年6月连续收治的行"三孔式"前纵隔病变切除术治疗不合并肌无力的胸腺瘤患者109例。根据麻醉方式不同,将患者分为气管插管全麻组和喉罩全麻组。气管插管全麻组患者共70例,其中男42例、女28例,平均年龄(45.83±15.89)岁;喉罩全麻组患者共39例,其中男26例、女13例,平均年龄(43.31±15.64)岁。比较两组患者的临床资料。结果两组患者基线特征差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。所有患者均未出现大出血、中转为开胸、术后并发肌无力、死亡等情况。喉罩全麻组患者术中无中转为气管插管全麻者。两组患者在手术时间、术中出血量、术中最高CO2分压、最低氧分压值、麻醉效果评分等方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者在术后误吸、胃肠道不适、住院时间、疼痛评分、患者满意度等方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。但喉罩全麻组患者手术前麻醉所用时间、麻醉清醒所用时间均明显短于气管插管全麻组患者(P<0.05),而且喉罩全麻组患者术中一过性心律失常、术后咽喉部不适及声音嘶哑发生率均明显低于气管插管组患者(P<0.05)。结论在喉罩全麻下行经剑突、肋缘"三孔式"前纵隔病变切除术治疗不合并肌无力胸腺瘤患者是安全、可行的,可尝试常规推荐使用。     

Non-small-cell lung cancer associated with non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis

A non-small-cell lung cancer without distant metastases was incidentally found in a 77-year-old man who had suffered from myasthenia gravis (MG) without thymoma. The patient’s condition was stabilized by oral pyridostigmine bromide which he had taken during the past 6 years. He simultaneously underwent thymectomy and left lower lobectomy with regional lymph node dissection. Although postoperative myasthenic crisis occurred, mechanical ventilation and intravenous steroid pulse relieved the patient and the symptoms improved thereafter. Cases of operable lung cancer with non-thymomatous MG have rarely been reported and the appropriate therapeutic strategy for such cases remains to be debated. Their causal association remains to be identified, whereas some studies have implied that immune disorder due to the abnormal thymus might possibly enhance the oncogenesis of extrathymic malignancies. Myasthenic crisis should also be taken into account in postoperative management of MG patients who simultaneously undergo thymectomy and lobectomy for synchronous lung cancer.     

Large cell neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma coexisting within large who type AB thymoma

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare type of thymic epithelial tumor. It is recognized as a different entity from other thymic tumors on account of it having a more aggressive biologic behavior and poor prognosis. We report an extremely rare case of a very small, “large cell neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma” coexisting within a large thymoma that could not be detected by usual biopsy. Surgery as the initial treatment has the significance of definitive diagnosis and curative treatment for LCNEC of the thymus. To make a successful differential diagnosis, application of detailed inununohisto-chemical stains may be of aid, since thymic epithelial tumor is not always morphologically homogenous.     

电视胸腔镜手术与胸骨劈开扩大胸腺切除术治疗重症肌无力的临床对比研究

目的比较电视胸腔镜手术（video．assisted thoracoscopic surgery,VATS）与胸骨劈开扩大胸腺切除治疗重症肌无力的疗效。方法回顾性分析2008年1月～2012年6月扩大胸腺切除治疗重症肌无力70例,其中VATS组43例,其中全麻双腔气管插管30例,单腔气管插管支气管封堵13例,左侧卧30。,右侧3个5—10mm操作孔,切除双侧膈神经中间的胸腺及脂肪组织;胸骨劈开组胸骨劈开27例,全麻单腔气管插管,仰卧位,正中胸骨劈开,切除胸腺及纵隔脂肪组织。比较2组术中、术后情况及疗效。结果VATS组术中出血量中位数100ml（20—600m1）,明显少于胸骨劈开组中位数200ml（50～2000m1）（Z=-3．978,P=0．000）;VATS组引流管留置时间中位数2d（0．5—5d）,明显短于胸骨劈开组中位数3d（1～20d）（Z=-4．462,P=0．000）;VATS组ICU时间中位数1d（1～15d）,明显短于胸骨劈开组中位数3d（1～75d）（Z=-3．358,P=0．001）;VATS组术后住院时间中位数12d（5—100d）明显短于胸骨劈开组中位数23d（11—95d）（Z=-4．715,P=0．000）;VATS组住院费用（25897．8±12743．2）元,明显低于胸骨劈开组（45568．8±29413．5）元（t=-3．858,P=0．000）。2组术后随访16—66个月,中位数28个月,术后12个月2组治疗效果无显著性差异（Z=-0．593,P=0．553）。结论VATS扩大胸腺切除术可行,较胸骨劈开术具有创伤小、恢复快等优点。     

Thymectomy is safe for myasthenia gravis patients: Analysis of the NSQIP database

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine thymectomy‐associated morbidity and mortality outcomes among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. Methods: Patients undergoing thymectomy were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2012 using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were stratified by MG diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors for morbidity outcomes. The chi‐square test was used to examine the association between MG diagnosis and surgical approach. Results: A total of 1,148 subjects underwent thymectomy, and 108 had MG. Compared with control subjects, MG patients had a more severe American Society of Anesthesiologists physical classification and frailty index score, greater corticosteroid usage, and a higher rate of reintubation. There were no deaths among MG patients. The majority of MG patients underwent transsternal thymectomy. Conclusion: Although patients with MG have a greater preoperative morbidity and a higher frequency of reintubation, thymectomy was found to be a safe procedure overall. Muscle Nerve 53: 370–374, 2016