Rare presentation of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor with spontaneous esophageal perforation: A case report.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the alimentary canal are malignant tumors with <1% of cases diagnosed in esophagus. These cases require special consideration given their close proximity to vital structures and propensity to be highly aggressive. Management of patients with GISTs has been transformed since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The LINX® reflux management system: confirmed safety and efficacy now at 4 years.

Background: Sphincter augmentation with the LINX® Reflux Management System is a surgical option for patients with chronic gastroesophageal disease (GERD) and an inadequate response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Clinical experience with sphincter augmentation is now available out to 4 years.

Methods: In a multicenter, prospective, single-arm study, 44 patients underwent a laparoscopic surgical procedure for placement of the LINX System around the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).

Feasibility and value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge excision of small pulmonary nodules in patients with malignancy.

Purpose: Advances in CT scanning have presented physicians with the challenge of diagnosing small (< 10 mm) or deep (> 5 mm) pulmonary nodules (SmPNs) in patients with known malignancies during workup or follow-up. Wedge excision of SmPNs is difficult with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and often requires the performance of a thoracotomy. The value of the early detection of metastatic disease must be weighed against the morbidity (ie, thoracotomy) that is necessarily involved in obtaining the information.