Thymomectomy plus total thymectomy versus simple thymomectomy for early-stage thymoma without myasthenia gravis: a European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Thymic Working Group Study.

Objectives: Resection of thymic tumours including the removal of both the tumour and the thymus gland (thymothymectomy; TT) is the procedure of choice and is recommended in most relevant articles in the literature. Nevertheless, in recent years, some authors have suggested that resection of the tumour (simple thymomectomy; ST) may suffice from an oncological standpoint in patients with early-stage thymoma who do not have myasthenia gravis (MG) (non-MG). The goal of our study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of ST versus TT in non-MG early-stage thymomas using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons thymic database.

Lobectomy due to Pulmonary Vein Occlusion after Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein stenosis/occlusion is one of its rare complications. Herein, the case of a 50-year-old man with hemoptysis and migratory pulmonary infiltrations after transcatheter radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is presented.

Chest drainage systems in use.

A chest tube is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall and into the pleural space or mediastinum. It is used to remove air in the case of pneumothorax or fluid such as in the case of pleural effusion, blood, chyle, or pus when empyema occurs from the intrathoracic space. It is also known as a Bülau drain or an intercostal catheter.

Effectiveness of brain natriuretic peptide in predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels could effectively predict the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery. A total of 14 papers were identified using the reported search, of which 5 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen block hydrothorax absorption in mice.

Objectives: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) and paracetamol alter pleural permeability, hindering pleural fluid recycling. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents on fluid recycling in an induced hydrothorax model in mice.

Methods: Hydrothorax was induced in C57BL/6 mice by injecting 500 μl phosphate-buffered saline-bovine serum albumin 1% isosmotic in the right hemithorax.

The management of the advanced colorectal cancer: management of the pulmonary metastases.

Pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer present as systemic manifestation of the disease. As a general principle, the presence of metastases predispose to a poor prognosis. However, the application of some criteria of "operability" permitted the surgical resection resulting in prolonged survival (reported 5-year survival up to 50%), in better quality of life and in the cure of some patients.

Isolated sternal fractures treated on an outpatient basis.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the need for admission of patients with isolated sternal fracture (ISF) by prospectively and randomly discharging or admitting them.

Methods: Patients with ISF after the completion of investigations were randomly discharged or admitted. Investigations performed included lateral chest x-ray; chest computed tomography; electrocardiogram; cardiac ultrasound; definition of C-reactive protein; and cardiac enzymes, such as creatine phosphokinase, myocardial branch of creatine phosphokinase, and troponin I (cardiac specific).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alter the human mesothelial pleural permeability via ion cellular transportation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in clinical practice as analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Studies have implicated them in participating in permeability throughout various tissues such as the kidneys and lungs.

Objective: The effect of NSAIDs on the pleural permeability and the underlying mechanisms whereby this effect is mediated were investigated.

Thymoma and myasthenia gravis: clinical aspects and prognosis.

Myasthenia gravis is present in a significant proportion of patients with thymoma. We investigated particular features of the clinical behavior of thymoma and its relationship to myasthenia in a retrospective study of 79 patients who underwent thymectomy for thymoma during the last 20 years. The presence of myasthenia gravis, Masaoka stage, World Health Organization histotype, myasthenia response, and survival were analyzed.

Ectopic hepatocellular carcinomas developed in the chest wall and skull.

A 68-year-old man presented with a suppurating mass on his skull and a palpable mass on his right upper thoracic wall. Computed tomography revealed a round mass, 70 mm in diameter, invading the right pleural cavity, and a second tumor infiltrating the skull through the left parietal bone. Both masses were resected simultaneously.

Transternal repair of a giant Morgagni hernia causing cardiac tamponade in a patient with coexisting severe aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Foramen of Morgagni hernias have traditionally been repaired by laparotomy, laparoscopy or even thoracoscopy. However, the trans-sternal approach should be used when these rare hernias coexist with other cardiac surgical diseases.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 74 year-old symptomatic male with severe aortic valve stenosis and global respiratory failure due to a giant Morgagni hernia causing additionally cardiac tamponade.

Silver nitrate through flexible bronchoscope in the treatment of bronchopleural fistulae.

Objective: Bronchopleural fistula is a severe complication after pneumonectomy or lobectomy. Local application of silver nitrate to seal bronchopleural fistulae was reported once 25 years ago with considerable success but was never repeated. We aimed to develop and evaluate a concrete technique of applying silver nitrate through a flexible bronchoscope to treat bronchopleural fistulae in central airways.

Adrenocortical oncocytic carcinoma with recurrent metastases: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Adrenal cortex oncocytic carcinoma (AOC) represents an exceptional pathological entity, since only 22 cases have been documented in the literature so far.

Case Presentation: Our case concerns a 54-year-old man with past medical history of right adrenal excision with partial hepatectomy, due to an adrenocortical carcinoma. The patient was admitted in our hospital to undergo surgical resection of a left lung mass newly detected on chest Computed Tomography scan.

Simultaneous bilateral carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia.

A 75-year-old man with bilateral carotid stenosis and severe coronary artery disease underwent successful simultaneous bilateral carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia. A few days later, coronary artery bypass grafting was performed with no complications.