Emergency Visceral Hybrid Procedure for Ruptured Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Case Report

AbstractRupture of a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is usually lethal. Patients with contained ruptures, who reach the hospital, have traditionally been subjected to open reconstructive surgery. However, especially in older patients, open surgery has a high mortality and morbidity rate. We describe a case of an 82-year-old man with a contained rupture of a Crawford type IV TAAA, whom we successfully treated with endovascular exclusion after visceral and renal re-vascularisation (a visceral hybrid procedure (VHP))

Treatment of Pulmonary Sequestrations by Means of Endovascular Embolization: Future or Fashion?

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare malformation of the lower respiratory tract. Several methods of treatment have been described since the first publication. We present two cases of female adult patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration. In the first patient an unsuccessful attempt to treat the bronchopulmonary sequestration by means of arterial embolization is described. She was subsequently treated by means of surgical resection, which was the primary treatment for the second patient. Although endovascular techniques are becoming promising, in our opinion surgical resection remains the unique treatment for bronchopulmonary sequestration

Lower respiratory tract infections in children with congenital lung abnormalities

Objective: We aimed to determine if the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among children with asymptomatic, observationally managed congenital lung abnormalities (CLA) differed from that of symptomatic patients who underwent surgery. Second, we sought to compare the pre- and post-resection incidence of LRTI in patients who underwent surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients born between 1999 and 2021 with CLA confirmed by CT scan who were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal follow-up program. The LRTI incidence rates at 1, 2, 5, 8, and 12 years were compared between surgically and observationally managed patients using incidence rate ratios (IRR). Differences in pre- and post-resection LRTI incidence rates among patients who underwent CLA-related surgery were assessed through IRR. Results: Among 217 included patients, 81 (37%) had undergone surgery and 136 (63%) had been observationally managed. The LRTI incidence rates did not significantly differ at any follow-up moment between the surgical and observational groups. Among the children who underwent CLA-related surgery, the pre-resection LRTI incidence rates were significantly higher than the post-resection LRTI incidence rates (IRR of 3.57, 95% confidence interval: [2.00; 6.33], p &lt;.001). Conclusion: We could not demonstrate differences in LRTI incidence throughout childhood between patients with surgically and observationally managed CLA. We recommend discussing cases of LRTI in patients with CLA in a multidisciplinary setting, using additional diagnostics such as chest X-ray to screen for CLA involvement, enabling a well-considered decision on surgical resection of the lesion.</p

Lower respiratory tract infections in children with congenital lung abnormalities

Objective: We aimed to determine if the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among children with asymptomatic, observationally managed congenital lung abnormalities (CLA) differed from that of symptomatic patients who underwent surgery. Second, we sought to compare the pre- and post-resection incidence of LRTI in patients who underwent surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients born between 1999 and 2021 with CLA confirmed by CT scan who were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal follow-up program. The LRTI incidence rates at 1, 2, 5, 8, and 12 years were compared between surgically and observationally managed patients using incidence rate ratios (IRR). Differences in pre- and post-resection LRTI incidence rates among patients who underwent CLA-related surgery were assessed through IRR. Results: Among 217 included patients, 81 (37%) had undergone surgery and 136 (63%) had been observationally managed. The LRTI incidence rates did not significantly differ at any follow-up moment between the surgical and observational groups. Among the children who underwent CLA-related surgery, the pre-resection LRTI incidence rates were significantly higher than the post-resection LRTI incidence rates (IRR of 3.57, 95% confidence interval: [2.00; 6.33], p &lt;.001). Conclusion: We could not demonstrate differences in LRTI incidence throughout childhood between patients with surgically and observationally managed CLA. We recommend discussing cases of LRTI in patients with CLA in a multidisciplinary setting, using additional diagnostics such as chest X-ray to screen for CLA involvement, enabling a well-considered decision on surgical resection of the lesion.</p

Sublobar Pulmonary Resection in Children With Congenital Lung Abnormalities:A Systematic Review

Background:Lobectomy is currently the advised resection for symptomatic congenital lung abnormalities (CLA). Sublobar surgery is suggested as an alternative that enables to conserve healthy lung parenchyma. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of sublobar surgery in CLA patients as well as the corresponding surgical terminology and techniques. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in adherence to PRISMA-P guidelines. The target population consists of children undergoing sublobar pulmonary resection for CLA. All studies were independently assessed by two reviewers, and evaluated by a third reviewer in case of disagreement. Results: The literature search yielded 901 studies of which 18 studies were included, comprising 1167 cases. The median chest tube insertion duration was 3.6 days (range 2.0–6.9 days), the median hospital admission was 4.9 days (range 2.0–14.5 days), and residual disease was diagnosed in 2% – leading to re-operation in 70%. The median incidence of postoperative complications was 15% (range 0–67%). Follow-up imaging was standard-of-care in 2/3 of studies. Due to the absence of standardised terminology, operative details and specification of resection type did not typically relate between studies. Conclusions: Sublobar resection of CLA lesions could be a viable alternative to lobectomy in certain cases, with the advantage of conserving healthy lung parenchyma. Peri- and postoperative complications are comparable with those reported for conventional lobectomy. The incidence of residual disease following sublobar surgery appears to be lower than commonly stated. To improve comparability between studies, we recommend reporting perioperative characteristics in a structured format. Level of evidence: Level IV.</p

Iatrogenic Subtotal Stenosis of the Right Subclavian Artery Treated With Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

This report describes a rare vascular complication of surgical placement of a marking clip and a possible approach to problem solving. A 55-year-old patient presented with loss of sensation in the fingers and loss of peripheral pulsations in the right arm 4 days after right upper lobectomy for a pT2N1 moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung. Duplex examination and computed tomography were performed the same day and showed a subtotal stenosis of the right subclavian artery, which was caused by the surgical placement of a metal clip to mark the surgical boundary. Selective angiography was subsequently performed. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) successfully dilated the stenosis and pushed the clip off. Flow in the right subclavian artery (RSA) was completely restored as were neurology and peripheral pulses. In conclusion, arterial stenosis by a surgical (marking) clip may be feasibly treated with PTA

Selection of potential targets for stratifying congenital pulmonary airway malformation patients with molecular imaging:is MUC1 the one?

Currently there is a global lack of consensus about the best treatment for asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) patients. The somatic KRAS mutations commonly found in adult lung cancer combined with mucinous proliferations are sometimes found in CPAM. For this risk of developing malignancy, 70% of paediatric surgeons perform a resection for asymptomatic CPAM. In order to stratify these patients into high-and low-risk groups for developing malignancy, a minimally invasive diagnostic method is needed, for example targeted molecular imaging. A prerequisite for this technique is a cell membrane bound target. The aim of this study was to review the literature to identify potential targets for molecular imaging in CPAM patients and perform a first step to validate these findings. A systematic search was conducted to identify possible targets in CPAM and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) patients. The most interesting targets were evaluated with immunofluorescent staining in adjacent lung tissue, KRAS+ CPAM tissue and KRAS– CPAM tissue. In 185 included studies, 143 possible targets were described, of which 20 targets were upregulated and membrane-bound. Six of them were also upregulated in lung AIS tissue (CEACAM5, E-cadherin, EGFR, ERBB2, ITGA2 and MUC1) and as such of possible interest. Validating studies showed that MUC1 is a potential interesting target. This study provides an extensive overview of all known potential targets in CPAM that might identify those patients at risk for malignancy and conducted the first step towards validation, identifying MUC1 as the most promising target.</p

The comparison of grey-scale ultrasonic and clinical features of hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in children: a retrospective study for ten years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatoblastoma (HBL) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are respectively the first and the second most common pediatric malignant liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined use of the ultrasound examination and the assessment of the patients' clinical features for differentiating HBL from HCC in children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty cases of the confirmed HBL and 12 cases of the confirmed HCC in children under the age of 15 years were enrolled into our study. They were divided into the HBL group and the HCC group according to the histological types of the tumors. The ultrasonic features and the clinical manifestations of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed, with an emphasis on the following parameters: onset age, gender (male/female) ratio, positive epatitis-B-surface-antigen (HBV), alpha-fetoprotein increase, and echo features including septa, calcification and liquefaction within the tumors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the children with HCC, the children with HBL had a significantly younger onset age (8.2 years vs. 3.9 years, P < 0.001) and a significantly smaller frequency of positive HBV (66.7% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.001). The septa and liquefaction were more frequently found in HBL than in HCC (25/30, 83.3% vs. 2/12, 16.7%, P < 0.001; 17/30, 56.7% vs. 3/12, 25%, P = 0.02). When a combination of the liquefaction, septa, negative HBV and onset age smaller than 5 years was used in the evaluation, the sensitivity was raised to 90%, the accuracy was raised to 88%, and the negative predictive value was raised to 73%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ultrasonic features combined with clinical manifestations are valuable for differentiating HBL from HCC in children.</p

The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 increases treatment efficiency of paclitaxel against hepatoblastoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The primary goal of current chemotherapy in hepatoblastoma (HB) is reduction of tumour volume and vitality to enable complete surgical resection and reduce risk of recurrence or metastatic disease. Drug resistance remains a major challenge for HB treatment. In some malignancies inhibition of anti-apoptotic pathways using small BH3 mimetic molecules like ABT-737 shows synergistic effects in combination with cystotoxic agents in vitro. Now we analysed toxicology and synergistic effects of this approach in HB cells and HB xenografts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Viability was monitored in HB cells (HUH6 and HepT1) and fibroblasts treated with paclitaxel, ABT-737 and a combination of both in a MTT assay. HUH6 xenotransplants in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2Rγnull mice (NSG) were treated accordingly. Tumour volume and body weight were monitored. Xenografted tumours were analysed by histology and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67 and TUNEL assay).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ABT-737 reduced viability in HUH6 and HepT1 cells cultures at concentrations above 1 μM and also enhanced the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel when used in combination. Thereby paclitaxel could be reduced tenfold to achieve similar reduction of viability of tumour cells. In contrast no toxicity in fibroblasts was observed at the same regiments. Subcutaneous HB (HUH6) treated with paclitaxel (12 mg/kg body weight, n = 7) led to delayed tumour growth in the beginning of the experiment. However, tumour volume was similar to controls (n = 5) at day 25. Combination treatment with paclitaxel and ABT-737 (100 mg/kg, n = 8) revealed significantly 10 fold lower relative tumour volumes compared to control and paclitaxel groups. Paclitaxel dependent toxicity was observed in this mice strain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate enhancement of chemotherapy by using modulators of apoptosis. Further analyses should include improved pharmacological formulations of paclitaxel and BH3 mimetics in order to reduce toxicological effects. Sensitising HB to apoptosis may also render resistant HB susceptible to established chemotherapy regimens.</p

Lung function, exercise tolerance, and physical growth of children with congenital lung malformations at 8 years of age

Objective: To improve counseling on congenital lung malformations (CLM) by describing long-term outcomes of children either operated on or managed by observation. Study design: We analyzed lung function (spirometry), exercise tolerance (Bruce treadmill), and physical growth of 8-year-old children with CLM who participated in our longitudinal prospective follow-up program. The data are shown as median standard deviation scores (SDS) with IQR, or estimated marginal means (95% CI) on the basis of general linear models. Results: Twenty-nine (48%) of the 61 children had required surgery at a median age of 108 (IQR: 8-828) days, and 32 (52%) were managed by observation. In the surgery group, all lung function measurements (except for forced vital capacity [FVC]) were significantly below 0 SDS, with median FEV1 −1.07 (IQR: −1.70 to −0.56), FEV1/FVC −1.49 (−2.62 to −0.33), and FEF25%-75% −1.95 (−2.57 to −0.63) (all P < 0.001). Children in the observation group had normal FEV1 and FVC, whereas FEV1/FVC (−0.81 (−1.65 to −0.14)) and FEF25%-75% (−1.14 (−1.71 to −0.22)) were significantly below 0 SDS (both P < 0.001). Mean exercise tolerance was significantly below 0 SDS in both groups (observation: −0.85 (95% CI: −1.30 to −0.41); surgery: −1.25 (−1.69 to −0.80)); eight (28%) children in the observation group and ten (40%) in the surgery group scored <−1 SDS. Physical growth was normal in both groups. Conclusion: Children with CLM may be at risk for reduced lung function and exercise tolerance, especially those who required surgery. As little pulmonary morbidity was found in children with asymptomatic CLM, this study supports a watchful waiting approach in this group