Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) treated with lung transplantation and review of the literature.

A 26-year-old woman presented with a 15-year history of non-progressive dyspnoea. Chest imaging showed bilateral apical pleural and parenchymal scarring, pleural thickening and bronchiectasis. Pulmonary function tests showed a moderate restrictive defect.

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) promotes tumor growth via Akt-phosphorylation and independently of Wnt-axis in Barrett's associated esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is still associated with poor prognosis, despite modern multi-modal therapies. New molecular markers, which control cell cycle and promote lymph node metastases or tumor growth, may introduce novel target therapies. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a secreted glycoprotein that blocks the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its aberrant expression has been observed in many malignancies, including EAC.

Atrial fibrillation after transhiatal esophagectomy with transcervical endoscopic esophageal mobilization: one institution's experience.

Background: There have been numerous studies regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with cardiac and pulmonary surgery; however, studies looking at esophagectomy and atrial fibrillation are sparse. The goal of this study was to review our institution's atrial fibrillation rate following esophagectomy in order to better define the incidence and predisposing factors in this patient population.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing esophagectomy with transcervical endoscopic mobilization of the esophagus (TEEM) at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Affiliated Hospitals from July 2009 through December 2012.

Self-Expanding Metal Stents Improve Swallowing and Maintain Nutrition During Neoadjuvant Therapy for Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer can have significant dysphagia. Nutritional support during neoadjuvant therapy is often delivered via nasoenteric or percutaneous feeding tubes. These approaches do not allow for per-oral feeding.

Intrathoracic rosai-dorfman disease: hemorrhage with routine diagnostic procedure.

We present a case of a 33-year-old female with a slow growing, right peribronchial vascular mass and associated symptoms of progressive cough, dyspnea on exertion, and hemoptysis. On routine diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy with needle biopsy, the lesion hemorrhaged extensively requiring emergent thoracotomy, right lower and middle bilobectomy. The histopathology of the specimen was consistent with the rare and unusually located entity Rosai-Dorfman disease.

Intramucosal distribution of WNT signaling components in human esophagus.

Background: The molecular mechanisms governing the biology and pathobiology of esophageal squamous mucosa in health and disease are not completely understood. Earlier genome-wide expression study of normal-looking esophageal squamous mucosa has shown differential expression of the Wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) modulators Dickkopf (Dkk) homologs among healthy individuals and patients with reflux esophagitis and Barrett metaplasia suggesting that the Wnt pathway may be involved in esophageal mucosal biology.

Study: Seven full-thickness human donor esophagi were cryosectioned for immunohistochemical analysis, and lamina propria (LP), basal (BC), intermediate (IC), and superficial (SC) cells were also dissected by laser-capture microdissection for real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Diverse histologic appearances in pulmonary mucinous cystic neoplasia: a case report.

Introduction: Primary pulmonary mucinous cystic neoplasia comprises a group of tumors, from benign cystadenoma to mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.

Case Presentation: We report a case of primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in a 75-year-old woman who was found to have a right hilar mass on a routine chest X-ray. A lobectomy was performed and the resection specimen revealed a multicystic mucinous tumor.

Dickkopf homologs in squamous mucosa of esophagitis patients are overexpressed compared with Barrett's patients and healthy controls.

Objectives: Esophageal mucosal response to acid exposure varies from minimal changes to erosions/ulcerations and Barrett's metaplasia. While differences in acid contact time have been suggested, the reason for these different responses is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to identify and compare gene expression differences between normal distal and proximal squamous esophageal mucosa (SM) in esophagitis patients with that of healthy controls and Barrett's patients.

Roux-en-Y diversion for debilitating reflux after esophagectomy.

Two patients with debilitating reflux after esophagectomy are reported. Complete relief of symptoms after creation of a Roux-en-Y limb to the gastric conduit is described.

Phase III intergroup study of talc poudrage vs talc slurry sclerosis for malignant pleural effusion.

Study Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and appropriate mode of instillation of talc for sclerosis in treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs).

Design: A prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare thoracoscopy with talc insufflation (TTI) to thoracostomy and talc slurry (TS) for patients with documented MPE.

Measurements: The primary end point was 30-day freedom from radiographic MPE recurrence among surviving patients whose lungs initially re-expanded > 90%.

A decade of experience with transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy.

Background: Morbidity and mortality remain significant for transthoracic (TT) and transhiatal (TH) esophagectomy. We report a case-specific approach employing either resection to minimize perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Methods: All primary esophageal resections performed for benign and malignant esophageal disease were reviewed over a 10-year period.