Clinical Impact of Physical Activity and Cough on Disease Progression in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease.

Physical activity limitations and cough are common in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), potentially leading to reduced health-related quality of life. We aimed to compare physical activity and cough between patients with subjective, progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic non-IPF ILD. In this prospective observational study, wrist accelerometers were worn for seven consecutive days to track steps per day (SPD).

Variability of forced vital capacity in progressive interstitial lung disease: a prospective observational study.

Background: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) is often associated with poor outcomes, but has few predictors of progression. Daily home spirometry has been proposed to provide important information about the clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary disease (IPF). However, experience is limited, and home spirometry is not a routine component of patient care in ILD.

Preoperative serum lactate dehydrogenase level as a predictor of major complications following thoracoscopic lobectomy: a propensity-adjusted analysis.

Objectives: Despite the positive effects of a thoracoscopic approach on improving postoperative outcomes, the risk of major complications following thoracoscopic lobectomy is not negligible. We sought to assess the usefulness of the preoperative determination of serum biomarkers to refine risk stratification in this patient population.

Methods: From 2009 to 2017, 626 patients (285 women, 341 men; median age: 67 years) underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or anatomical segmentectomy for confirmed or suspected early-stage lung cancer or metastasis at our institution.

Sonographic-Assisted Catheter-Positioning in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Intracerebral structures and pathologies such as intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) can be displayed sufficiently by transcranial sonography (TCS). In some patients with ICH clot evacuation via surgery or catheter drainage to reduce secondary parenchymal injuries may be necessary. We hypothesized that bedside-placement of drainage-catheters, which is a minimal invasive evacuation-technique complicated by a higher rate of catheter misplacement can be optimized via TCS.

Impact of comorbidity burden on morbidity following thoracoscopic lobectomy: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Given the positive effect of a thoracoscopic approach on improving postoperative outcomes, it is reasonable to speculate whether an increased comorbidity burden is related to higher morbidity following thoracoscopic lobectomy. We sought to evaluate the impact of comorbidity burden on adverse postoperative outcomes in this patient population.

Methods: A retrospective review of our institutional database included 512 patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2009 through 2016.

Transcranial Sonography to Differentiate Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage from Cerebral Infarction with Hemorrhagic Transformation.

Background And Purpose: The differentiation of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from parenchymal hemorrhagic transformation within an ischemic infarction (PHI) is crucial in order to adapt therapeutic measures. We hypothesized that a distinction of ICH and PHI can be made at bedside via transcranial gray-scale and perfusion sonography.

Methods: We prospectively included 14 patients with intracranial hemorrhage on admission imaging in this pilot study.

Paradigm Change? Cardiac Output Better Associates with Cerebral Perfusion than Blood Pressure in Ischemic Stroke.

Introduction: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, penumbral perfusion is maintained by collateral flow and so far is maintained by normal mean arterial pressure (MAP) levels. Since MAP is dependent on cardiac function, optimization of cardiac output might be a valuable hemodynamic goal in order to optimize cerebral perfusion (CP).

Methods: Cerebral perfusion was assessed by transcranial color-coded duplex and transcranial perfusion sonography in 10 patients with acute large hemispheric stroke.

American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status facilitates risk stratification of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Objectives: Accurate risk assessments are particularly important for elderly patients being considered for lobectomy. Considering the positive effects of the thoracoscopic approach on postoperative outcomes, we sought to review the reliability of the established risk factors for elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods: From January 2009 to March 2016, 441 patients in our institution underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer.

Improved application technique of albumin-glutaraldehyde glue for repair of superficial lung defects.

Background: Albumin-glutaraldehyde glue has gained widespread acceptance for treatment of alveolar air leaks (AAL) in thoracic surgery. As liquid run-off during application is detrimental to its sealing efficacy, we developed a modified technique and assessed it in vitro.

Methods: Caudal lobes of freshly excised swine lungs (n = 20) were intubated and ventilated.

Biosynthetic Nanostructured Cellulose Patch for Chest Wall Reconstruction: Five-Month Follow-up in a Porcine Model.

Purpose: Ideal approaches and materials for reconstruction of large chest wall defects remain a topic of debate. We sought to explore the suitability of a reinforced nanostructured cellulose (NC) patch for chest wall reconstruction in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: In four domestic pigs, a standardized 10 × 10 cm chest wall defect was created by resecting three rib segments.

Albumin-glutaraldehyde glue for repair of superficial lung defect: an in vitro experiment.

Background: Albumin-glutaraldehyde glue gained a widespread acceptance in repair of superficial lung defects associated with alveolar air leaks (AAL). As its sealing efficacy has not yet been thoroughly corroborated by clinical studies, we sought to assess the properties of commercially available albumin-glutaraldehyde glue (BioGlue™) in an in vitro lung model.

Methods: The lower lobe of freshly excised swine lung (n = 10) was intubated and ventilated.

Video-Assisted versus Open Lobectomy in Patients with Compromised Lung Function: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: It has been suggested that video-assisted (VATS) lobectomy is safer than open lobectomy in patients with compromised lung function, but data regarding this are limited. We assessed acute outcomes of VATS compared to open lobectomy in these high-risk patients using a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of data.

Methods: The databases PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2013 that reported mortality and morbidity of VATS in high-risk lung cancer patients defined as having compromised pulmonary or cardiopulmonary function.

Prolonged paradoxical reaction to anti-tuberculous treatment after discontinuation of TNF-alpha- blocker therapy with adalimumab. Rare clinical documentation.

In the past decades, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) antagonist has been a milestone in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. TNF antagonist can increase patients' susceptibility to many different kinds of infections especially those requiring granuloma formations despite regular performance of Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We report 2 cases of patients who developed tuberculosis under treatment with adalimumab, which was discontinued after the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma occurring 5 years after resection of a primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a relevant differential diagnosis.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is a lethal disease. Surgical extirpation only offers the slim chance for long-term survival in localized disease. We report on a 73 year old female patient who initially underwent successful resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in May 2005.

Cervical spine involvement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - MRI follow-up study.

Background: To describe MRI and clinical findings in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis with cervical spine involvement at onset and follow-up under therapy.

Methods: 13 patients with signs of cervical spine involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis with a median disease duration of 1.7 years were included in the study.

Lung metastasis of primary alveolar soft-part sarcoma occurring 20 years after initial treatment.

A 30-year old woman was referred to our center because of suspicion of a primary lung tumor of the right upper lobe. Histological examination of the lung lesion revealed lung metastasis of a previously treated alveolar soft part sarcoma of the musculus vastus medialis of the right femur, which was resected 20 years ago. Alveolar soft-part sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that occurs most often in the soft tissue of lower limbs.

Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma: a rare primary pulmonary tumor.

Introduction: Pulmonary sarcomas overall are very uncommon and comprise only 0.5 % of all primary lung malignancies. The diagnosis is established only after sarcoma-like primary lung malignancies and a metastatic extrathoracic sarcoma have been excluded.

Severe Emphysema Treated by Endoscopic Bronchial Volume Reduction with Lung Sealant (AeriSeal).

Endoscopic lung volume reduction using lung sealant is a very new and innovative treatment option for patients with severe progressive and irreversible lung emphysema. A 55-year-old ex-smoker (60 pack years) referred to our center because of severe lung emphysema with progressive worsening of the obstructive ventilator pattern and clinical condition. We detected collateral channels of this patient by using the Chartis system.

Late lung metastasis of a primary eccrine sweat gland carcinoma 10 years after initial surgical treatment: the first clinical documentation.

Background. Sweat gland carcinoma is a rare malignancy with a high metastatic potential seen more commonly in elderly patients. The scalp is the most common site of occurrence and it usually spreads to regional lymph nodes.

Pleural mesothelioma presenting as periumbilical metastasis: the first clinical documentation.

Introduction. Pleural mesothelioma with metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall at first diagnosis and without penetration into the peritoneum is an extremely rare clinical presentation. Methods.

Pulmonary leiomyosarcoma mimicking glomus tumor at first biopsy and surgically treated with isolated left main bronchus resection: rare clinical documentation.

Soft tissue tumors originating within the endobronchial tree are extremely rare and most of them correspond to lipomas or leiomyomas. We here report a rare clinical presentation of leiomyosarcoma mimicking glomus tumor at initial biopsy arising from the left main bronchial trunk leading to left lower lobe atelectasis. Primary leiomyosarcoma of the lung is an unusual malignancy.

Treatment of severe advanced emphysema with volume reduction using lung sealant: a case report of 2 patients.

Background: Emphysema is a progressive and irreversible disease for which there is no cure to date. The patients experience debilitating shortness of breath with repetitive exacerbations and poor quality of daily life. At present, patients with severe emphysema have limited treatment options.