A Rare Case of Primary Intrapulmonary Neurilemmoma Diagnosed in a 43-Year-Old Asymptomatic Man with a Well-defined Intrapulmonary Mass.

Neurilemmoma (NL), also termed schwannoma, presents as a well-circumscribed and encapsulated mass in the human body and is almost always solitary. CT scan of a patient with NL shows a round, ovoid, or lobulated well-demarcated solid mass of soft tissue density. Primary intrathoracic neurogenic tumors location varies.

A Novel Technique to Treat Air Leak Following Lobectomy: Intrapleural Infusion of Plasma.

BACKGROUND Persistent air leak following pulmonary lobectomy can be very difficult to treat and results in prolonged hospitalization. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new method of postoperative air leak management using intrapleurally infused fresh frozen plasma via the chest tube. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between June 2008 and June 2014, we retrospectively reviewed 98 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer and postoperatively developed persistent air leak treated with intrapleural instillation of fresh frozen plasma.

Major Lung Resections Using Manual Suturing Versus Staplers During Fiscal Crisis.

Unlabelled: AbstractObjective: During fiscal crisis there was a period of shortage of staplers in our hospital, which drove us to manual suturing of bronchi and pulmonary vessels during major lung resections. We present our experience during that period in comparison to a subsequent period when staplers became available again.

Methods: A total of 256 lobectomies and 78 pneumonectomies were performed using manual suturing (group A), between September 2009 and September 2010, and compared regarding surgical outcome to 248 lobectomies and 60 pneumonectomies using staplers (group B), between September 2011 and September 2012.

Does postoperative mechanical ventilation predispose to bronchopleural fistula formation in patients undergoing pneumonectomy?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether postoperative mechanical ventilation has any effect on the incidence of development of bronchopleural fistulas (BPFs) in patients undergoing pneumonectomy. A total of 40 papers were identified using the reported search, of which 8, all retrospective, represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Is it safe and worthwhile to perform pulmonary resection after contralateral pneumonectomy?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether pulmonary resection is safe and worthwhile in patients who have undergone previous pneumonectomy. A total of 141 studies were identified using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Pulmonary hypertension after pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

Background: We aimed to consolidate our clinical observations regarding the development of pulmonary hypertension following pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

Methods: Sixty-nine of 82 initially selected patients without pulmonary or cardiac comorbidities, who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer between October 2009 and October 2011, accomplished our protocol. Mean patient age was 60.

Sampling versus systematic full lymphatic dissection in surgical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

The extent of mediastinal lymph node assessment during surgery for non-small cell cancer remains controversial. Different techniques are used, ranging from simple visual inspection of the unopened mediastinum to an extended bilateral lymph node dissection. Furthermore, different terms are used to define these techniques.

Impact of HER2 and PTEN simultaneous deregulation in non-small cell lung carcinoma: correlation with biological behavior.

Background: HER2/neu overexpression due to gene amplification is an important factor in breast cancer, modifying the sensitivity to anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody therapy. The clinical significance of HER2 expression in non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is currently under evaluation. The tumor suppressor gene PTEN negatively regulates the HER2/PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

Bronchial washing levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) correlate with overall survival in NSCLC patients.

The aim of this study was to define pre-treatment VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 levels in serum and bronchial washing samples of NSCLC patients in order to examine their correlation to survival. Forty patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC were enrolled. The results indicated that circulating VEGF was correlated to T-classification, as were the ratios of VEGF/VEGFR2 in serum and washing.

Carboplatin-pemetrexed adjuvant chemotherapy in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a phase II study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity associated with adjuvant administration of carboplatin and pemetrexed for completely resected patients with stage IB, II and IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Forty-five eligible NSCLC patients received surgical resection for pathological stage IB, II or IIIA followed by postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin AUC5 and pemetrexed administered on days 1 and 14 on a 28-day cycle. Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CF) was given prophylactically.

Sleeve lobectomy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a simplified approach.

Objective: Pulmonary parenchyma-saving procedures, indicated for central tumours, seem to have better results than pneumonectomy, an alternative procedure. The purpose of this study is to report our experience at our institution with sleeve lobectomy with regard to surgical technique and outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 45 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer, with a curative intent, during the period of January 2004 and January 2008.

Chest wall hydatidosis as the unique location of the disease: Case report and review of the literature.

The chest wall is a rare location of secondary hydatidosis, but secondary hydatidosis may occur from the rupture of a lung cyst, from a liver cyst invading the diaphragm into the pleural cavity, following previous thoracic surgery for hydatidosis, or by hematogenous spread. This report describes a case of chest wall hydatidosis, which was the primary disease site in the patient, who had no previous history or current disease (hydatidosis) at other sites. The cyst invaded and partially destroyed the 9th and 10th ribs and the 10th thoracic vertebra, and protruded outside the pleural cavity through the 9th intercostal space.

Biweekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine as adjuvant therapy for stage II and IIIA non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicity associated with adjuvant administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine for completely resected patients with stage II and IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-nine eligible patients had surgical resection for pathological stage II or IIIA disease and received postoperative gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 followed by docetaxel 80 mg/m2 on days 1 and 14. Cycles were repeated every 28 days.

Postoperative residual pleural spaces: characteristics and natural history.

This study was conducted in order to re-define the incidence and natural history of postresectional residual pleural spaces (PRS). From 1997 to 2005, 966 patients who were subjected to less than entire lung resections, were followed and any cases of PRS were recorded. The records of these patients were retrospectively analyzed for age, gender, type of resection, side, apical or basal location, size, PRS wall thickness, empyema as well as for bronchopleural fistula occurence, management, and outcome.

Early use of intrapleural fibrinolytics in the management of postpneumonic empyema. A prospective study.

Objective: A prospective randomized study was conducted in order to analyze the role of fibrinolytics in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion.

Methods: From 2001 to 2004, 127 consecutive patients were managed for thoracic empyema. In all cases the cause was bacterial pneumonia.

Study on the late effect of pneumonectomy on right heart pressures using Doppler echocardiography.

Objective: Changes in the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and the dimensions of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart, six months after pneumonectomy, were evaluated in order to detect the influence of pneumonectomy on right heart function.

Methods: 35 patients undergoing pneumonectomy (Group A) and 17 patients undergoing lobectomy or bilobectomy (Group B) were evaluated prospectively with spirometry, arterial blood gases determination and Doppler echocardiography at rest, preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Patients of both groups had normal preoperative PASP, RV dimensions and left ventricular ejection fraction.

Involvement of lymphatic metastatic spread in non-small cell lung cancer accordingly to the primary cancer location.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the contribution of lymphatic spread in operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in relation to the cancer location.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 557 consecutive patients [514 males and 43 females, mean age 62.5 +/- 9.

Bilious pericardial effusion at initial presentation in a patient with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade as the initial manifestation of metastatic cancer is a rare clinical entity. Furthermore, a thoraco-biliary fistula is another rare complication of echinococcosis due to rupture of hydatid cysts located at the upper surface of the liver to the pleural or pericardial cavity. We report a case of non-small cell lung cancer with a coexisting hepatic hydatid cyst presenting as a bilious pericardial effusion.

Factors associated with cardiac rhythm disturbances in the early post-pneumonectomy period: a study on 259 pneumonectomies.

Objective: To identify predisposing factors associated with cardiac rhythm disturbances during the early post-pneumonectomy period (first 7 postoperative days).

Materials And Methods: During the study period (1995-1999), 259 pneumonectomies were performed for malignant (244 cases) or benign disease (15 cases). Postoperative monitoring of patients included continuous arterial pressure - rhythm monitoring and pulse oximetry.

Is the reduction of forced expiratory lung volumes proportional to the lung parenchyma resection, 6 months after pneumonectomy?

Objectives: To preoperatively estimate the degree of first-second forced expired volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) reduction 6 months after pneumonectomy, according to the preoperative performed spirometry and bronchoscopy, and to estimate if the expected postoperative values of FEV1 and FVC are in accordance with the actual values.

Methods: Thirty-five patients, who underwent pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer between 1996 and 1999, were included in the perspective study. All patients had total or near total bronchial obstruction at preoperative bronchoscopy.