Tumour immune microenvironment in resected thymic carcinomas as a predictor of clinical outcome.

Background: The spatial distribution of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a novel descriptor characterising the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME). The aim of our study was to assess whether a specific TIME of surgically resected thymic carcinoma (TC) can predict tumour invasiveness, recurrence or survival.

Methods: Digital microscopy was performed on 39 TCs immunohistochemically stained to investigate the activation of the immune checkpoint pathway (PD-L1/PD-1), along with density and spatial distribution of TILs phenotypes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, FOXP3+, CD56+).

Short-term and sustained clinical response following thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Background And Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate short- and long-term outcome following thymectomy in patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab)-positive myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: Rates of clinical response (defined as minimal manifestation, pharmacological remission, or complete stable remission) lasting for at least 1 year were retrospectively analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. The occurrence of relapses was recorded during follow-up.

Donor ventilation parameters as predictors for length of mechanical ventilation after lung transplantation: Results of a prospective multicenter study.

Background: The evaluation of donor lungs heavily depends on the subjective judgment of the retrieval surgeon. As a consequence, acceptance rates vary significantly among transplant centers. We aimed to determine donor ventilation parameters in a prospective study and test if they could be used as objective quality criteria during organ retrieval.

Ventilation parameters and early graft function in double lung transplantation.

Background: Currently, the primary graft dysfunction (PGD) score is used to measure allograft function in the early post-lung transplant period. Although PGD grades at later time points (T48 hours and T72 hours) are useful to predict mid- and long-term outcomes, their predictive value is less relevant within the first 24 hours after transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of PGD grades to predict prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and compare it with a model derived from ventilation parameters measured on arrival at the intensive care unit (ICU).

Thymic minimally invasive surgery: state of the art across the world-Europe.

In this brief review of selected peer-reviewed literature on thymic minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) we sought to identify if there is a unique approach to thymic MIS on the European continent.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for complex tracheo-bronchial procedures†.

Objectives: The published experience with advanced broncho-plastic procedures performed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is very limited. We examined our results to assess the risks and benefits of this approach.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed all patients with thoracic malignancies who underwent complex tracheo-bronchial reconstruction under ECMO support in our department between 2001 and 2013.

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas: prognostic factors and multimodal management.

Background: Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare malignant tumors. We report the experience with the resection and multimodal treatment at a single department in Central Europe in the years 2001 to 2010.

Objective: We sought to determine prognostic factors in this patient population.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for resection of locally advanced thoracic tumors.

Background: The international experience with resection of advanced thoracic malignancies performed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is limited. We examined our results to assess the risks and benefits of this approach.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with thoracic malignancies who underwent tumor resection with ECMO support in our department between 2001 and 2010.