Prognostic role of early 18-FDG PET/CT during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction.

We prospectively investigated whether metabolic response assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) early in the course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is predictive of survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction. PET/CT was performed before and in the third week after the initiation of the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which consisted of epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine. The metabolic response was defined as a relative decrease in the peak standardized uptake value (SUL) of the tumor by ≥35% or total lesion glycolysis (TLG) by ≥66%.

Giant lung metastasis of NRAS-mutant melanoma in a 24-year-old patient with a history of BRAF-mutant conventional melanoma harboring Spitzoid morphology: a case report.

Background: Spitzoid melanocytic lesions represent a heterogeneous group of proliferations with ambiguous and overlapping terminology. The exact distinction of a Spitz nevus from a Spitzoid melanoma can be very difficult or, in some cases, impossible. Among the Spitzoid lesions, there is a lesion termed an atypical Spitz tumour (AST) that has intermediate histopathologic features between those of a Spitz nevus and a Spitzoid melanoma and thus uncertain malignant potential.

Outcomes of 3309 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

Objective: Since the pioneering era of E. Stanley Crawford, our multimodal strategy for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair has evolved. We describe our approximately 3-decade single-practice experience regarding 3309 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs and identify predictors of early death and other adverse postoperative outcomes.

Anastomotic leak and stricture after hand-sewn versus linear-stapled intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomosis: single-centre analysis of 415 oesophagectomies.

Objectives: There seems to be a decreased anastomotic leak rate and a late stricture formation after linear-stapled (LS) cervical oesophagogastric anastomosis compared with hand-sewn (HS) technique. The aim of our study was to compare the surgical outcomes of intrathoracic side-to-side LS and end-to-end HS anastomosis after transthoracic oesophagectomy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients undergoing Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy with LS or HS anastomosis for neoplasia at our institution from 2005 to 2012.

Does chemotherapy increase morbidity and mortality after pneumonectomy?

Background: The impact of chemotherapy on postoperative complications after pneumonectomy remains unclear, and the procedure is often considered as potentially dangerous.

Methods: This retrospective review of prospectively collected data included 269 patients operated from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2007. Group 1 included patients those who received preoperative chemotherapy (PCT) and pneumonectomy (54 patients, 20%), and group 2 included patients who underwent pneumonectomy alone (215 patients, 80%).

Predictors of atelectasis after pulmonary lobectomy.

Purpose: To define the incidence of and factors predisposing to postlobectomy atelectasis (PLA).

Methods: The subjects were 412 patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy at our hospital between January 2004 and April 2007. This study was performed as a retrospective analysis of our prospective database.

Comparison of postoperative complications of 60- and 70-year-old patients after lung surgery.

This study investigated the association of age and postoperative complications in two different age groups undergoing thoracotomy and pulmonary resection. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients (n=150) older than 60 years who underwent pulmonary operations between January 2000 and December 2001. Group A consisted of 91 patients at the age of 60-69 years.

Predictors of prolonged air leak following pulmonary lobectomy.

Objective: To predict risk factors of a prolonged air leak following pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods: From January 2003 to March 2004, 134 patients (95 male, mean age 66+/-7.7 years) underwent pulmonary lobectomy for lung tumor.