10 research outputs found
Giant congenital left main coronary artery fistula to the superior vena cava in an adult patient with coronary artery disease
An alternative technique of dealing special cases of bronchopleural fistulas
The closure of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) complicating pneumonectomy remains a serious challenge for the surgeon. Although several endoscopic, surgical and combined (surgical + endoscopic) techniques have been proposed to manage this complication, serious technical challenges appear when the bronchial stump is too rigid and/or is in very close proximity to the carina. In such cases the use of common staplers can be proved ineffective or even hazardous. In the present we describe a tension-free technique for buttressing the bronchial stump with intercostal muscle flap. Although we have not applied this technique neither in humans nor in animals yet, its theoretic advantages are obvious and we believe that it can be applied to specific cases of BPF’s with very short and rigid bronchial stump
Debatable results of surgery for lung cancer in a patient with long existing pulmonary metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Introduction: The appropriate following treatment in a patient with a new presented non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and history of chronic lung metastases of thyroid origin has never been reported. In such cases, the presence of longstanding thyroid metastatic disease with proven “limited malignant potential” could be considered as a minor treatment problem justifying one’s the decision to focus on the primary lung carcinoma as the only serious threat for the patient’s life.Case report: We report the surgical treatment of a new presented NSCLC in a patient with chronic lung metastases of thyroid origin and we present all the diagnostic, staging and treatment problems.Conclusion: The therapeutic results of our surgical approach were not encouraging. This could be owed to our staging problems of NSCLC and the well documented limited immunological response of such patients with multiple neoplasms
A huge posteromedial mediastinal cyst complicated with vertebral dislodgment
BACKGROUND: Mediastinal cysts compromise almost 20% of all mediastinal masses with bronchogenic subtype accounting for 60% of all cystic lesions. Although compression of adjoining soft tissues is usual, spinal complications and neurological symptoms are outmost rare and tend to characterize almost exclusively the neuroenteric cysts. CASE PRESENTATION: A young patient with intermittent, dull pain in his back and free medical history presented in the orthopaedic department of our hospital. There, the initial clinical and radiologic evaluation revealed a mediastinal mass and the patient was referred to the thoracic surgery department for further exploration. The following computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shown a huge mediastinal cyst compressing the T4-T6 vertebral bodies. The neurological symptoms of the patient were attributed to this specific pathology due to the complete agreement between the location of the cyst and the nervous rule area of the compressed thoracic vertebrae. Despite our strongly suggestions for surgery the patient denied any treatment. CONCLUSION: In controversy with the common faith that the spine plays the role of the natural barrier to the further expansion of cystic lesions, our case clearly indicates that, exceptionally, mediastinal cysts may cause severe vertebral complications. Therefore, early excision should be considered especially in young patients or where close follow up is uncertain
Sigmoid schwannoma: A rare case
Schwannomas are rare tumors derived from the cells of Schwann that form
the neural sheath. When located in the gastrointestinal tract, they
constitute together with leiomyoma, leiomyoblastoma, and leiomyosarcoma,
the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Peripheral nerve sheath
tumors represent 2-6% GIST with most common location, the stomach and
the small intestine. Schwannomas of the colon and rectum are extremely
rare and radical excision with wide margins is mandatory, due to their
tendency to recur locally and become malignant, if left untreated. In
the present study, we report a rare case of a sigmoid schwannoma, which
was successfully treated in our department and reviewed the literature.
(c) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Stage-II thymoma and emergency coronary artery bypass. To irradiate or not to irradiate to avoid radiation induced vascular injury? Case report and literature review
Stage-II thymoma and emergency coronary artery bypass. To irradiate or not to irradiate to avoid radiation induced vascular injury? Case report and literature review
Surgical Management of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Solitary Hematogenous Metastases
Background/Aim: The treatment of patients with solitary hematogenous
metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains
controversial, although numerous retrospective studies have reported
favorable results for patients offered combined surgical therapy. Our
aim was to determine the role of surgical resection in the management of
NSCLC with solitary extrapulmonary metastases and to investigate for
possible prognostic factors. Patients and Methods: Between January 2004
and December 2012, 12 patients with NSCLC, from two Institutions,
underwent metastasectomy for their solitary metastatic lesion. Sites of
metastases included brain (n=3), adrenal gland (n=6), thoracic wall
(n=2) and diaphragm (n=1). All patients had undergone pulmonary
resections for their primary NSCLC. Results: Median survival for the
entire cohort was 24.1 months, whereas 1- and 5-year survival rates were
73% and 39%, respectively. Patients with stage III intrathoracic
disease had significantly worse survival than those with lower tumor
stage. A tendency for adenocarcinomatous histology to positively affect
survival was recognized, although it was proven not to be statistically
significant. Conclusion: Despite the retrospective nature of our study
surgical resection might offer patients with NSCLC with solitary
hematogenous metastases a survival benefit. Limited intrathoracic
disease and adenocarcinomatous histology might be associated with better
outcomes