Small cell lung cancer associated with solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: A case study and literature review

18F-FDG PET/CT characteristics of solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura: single institution experience

BACKGROUND

To date, published studies have shown that ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and CT have limited value in differentiating benign and malignant solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP). This study aimed to determine whether the metabolic and morphological characteristics of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can be a valuable addition to diagnostic tools for SFTPs.

METHODS

From January 2016 to November 2021, we performed a retrospective review in 32 SFTPs patients who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan. All the SFTP diagnoses were confirmed by surgical resection or biopsy samples. The metabolic parameters (including SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, TLG, and SULmax) were obtained from ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients with SFTP were consecutively identified. The malignant SFTPs have higher Ki-67 expression (P = 0.005). The study observed that tumour heterogeneity without contrast injection (P = 0.001) and intratumor blood vessels (P = 0.047) were morphological features associated with malignant SFTP. Malignant SFTP was more frequently observed with higher SUVmax values (P = 0.001), higher SUVmean values (P = 0.001), higher TLG values (P = 0.006), and higher SULmax values (P < 0.001). For predicting malignant SFTP, the AUC values of SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, and SULmax obtained by the area under curve analysis were 0.970 (95% CI 0.907-1.000; P = 0.001), 0.874 (95% CI 0.675-1.000; P = 0.009), 0.807 (95% CI 0.654-0.961; P = 0.031), and 0.911 (95% CI 0.747-1.000; P = 0.004), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that metabolic and morphological features were useful for distinguishing malignant from benign SFTPs.

Surgical approach in thymectomy: Our experience and review of the literature

Aim

Thymectomy is the main treatment for thymoma and patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The traditional approach is through a median sternotomy, but, recently, thymectomy through minimally invasive approaches is increasingly performed. Our purpose is an analysis and discussion of the clinical presentation, the diagnostic procedures and the surgical technique. We also consider post-operative complications and results, over a period of 5 years (May 2011–June 2016), in thymic masses admitted in our Thoracic Surgery Unit.

Methods

We analyzed 8 patients who underwent surgical treatment for thymic masses over a period of 5 years. 6 patients (75%) had thymoma, 2 patients (25%) had thymic carcinomas. 2 patients with thymoma (33%) had myasthenia gravis. We performed a complete surgical resection with median sternotomy as standard approach.

Results

One patient (12%) died in the postoperative period. The histological study revealed 6 (75%) thymoma and 2 (25%) thymic carcinomas. Post-operative morbidity occurred in 2 patients (25%) and were: pneumonia in 1 case (12%), atrial fibrillation and pleural effusion in 2 patients (25%). One patient with thymoma type A recurred at skeletal muscle 2-years after surgery.

Conclusions

Thymic malignancies are rare tumors. Surgical resection is the main treatment, but a multimodal approach is useful for many patients. Radical thymectomy is completed removing all the soft tissue in the anterior mediastinum between the two phrenic nerves and this is the most important factor in controlling myasthenia and influencing survival in patients with thymoma. Open (median sternotomy) approach has been the standard approach for thymectomy for the better visualization of the anatomical structures. Actually, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy and robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic (R-VATS) approach versus open surgery has an equal if not superior oncological efficacy, better perioperative complications and survival outcomes.

Idiopathic pleural panniculitis with recurrent pleural effusion not associated with Weber-Christian disease

A 82-year-old patient with dyspnea and a recurrent history of pleural effusion was admitted into our unit. He performed a Chest computed tomography showing right pleural effusion. Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) exploratory showed parietal pleural thickening of adipose tissue. The surgical procedure consisted, therefore, in the execution of multiple biopsies of the parietal pleura which appeared covered, on the whole surface, by islands of adipose tissue, without macroscopic pathological aspects. After the procedure was performed pleurodesis with talc. The definitive histological examination consisted of normal mesothelial cells surrounded by fatty tissue infiltrated by small lymphocytes in a patient without skin lesions or visceral or systemic signs of inflammatory involvement of the adipose tissue. We reported a rare case of idiopathic pleural panniculitis with recurrent pleural effusion not associated with Weber-Christian disease.

Surgical management of cervico-mediastinal goiters: Our experience and review of the literature

AIM

We analyze and discuss the clinical presentation, the diagnostic procedures and the surgical technique in relation to post-operative complications and results in cervico-mediastinal thyroid masses admitted in Thoracic Surgery Unit of AOU Second University of Naples from 1991 to 2006 and in Thoracic Surgery Unit of AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio & Ruggi D'Aragona" of Salerno over a period of 3 years (2011-2014).

METHODS

We reviewed 97 patients who underwent surgical treatment for cervico-mediastinal goiters. 47 patients (49.2%) had cervico-mediastinal goiter, 40 patients (40%) had mediastino-cervical goiter and 10 patients (10.8%) had mediastinal goiter. 73 cases were prevascular goiters and 24 were retrovascular goiters. We performed total thyroidectomy in 40 patients, subtotal thyroidectomy in 46 patients and in 11 cases the resection of residual goiter. In 75 patients we used only a cervical approach, in 21 patients the cervical incision was combined with median sternotomy and in 1 patient with transverse sternotomy.

RESULTS

Three patients (3.1%) died in the postoperative period (2 cardio-respiratory failure and 1 pulmonary embolism). The histologic study revelead 8 (7.7%) carcinomas. Postoperative complications were: dyspnea in 9 cases (10.7%), transient vocal cord paralysis in 6 patients (9.2%), temporary hypoparathyroidism in 9 patients (9.2%) and kidney failure in 1 case (0.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a cervico-mediastinal thyroid mass with or without respiratory distress requires a surgical excision as the only treatment option. Thyroid masses extending to the mediastinum can be excised successfully by cervical incision. Bipolar approach (cervical incision and sternotomy) has an excellent outcome, achieving a safe resection, especially in large thyroid masses extending to the mediastinum with close relations to mediastinal structures and in some limited cases (carcinoma, thyroiditis, retrovascular goiter, ectopic goiter). Postoperative mortality and morbidity is very low, independent of surgical techniques. Other surgical approaches for excision of a Posterior Mediastinal Thyroid Goiter reported in literature are: VATS techniques to remove an ectopic intrathoracic goiter, robot-assisted technique for the removal of a substernal thyroid goiter, with extension into the posterior mediastinum.

Pulmonary arterovenous malformation causing hemothorax in a pregnant woman without Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs), although most commonly congenital, are usually detected later in life. Case report: We present a case of a 19-year-old woman with no previous history of AVM or telangiectasia, who presented dyspnea and hypoxia by massive left hemothorax in the 34th week of gestation. After emergent cesarean delivery, a chest computed tomography (CT) with i.v. contrast showed a likely 3 cm area of active contrast in left lower lung. Chest tube placement revealed about 2 liters of blood. The patient was subsequently found to have pulmonary AVM. A successful embolisation of AVM followed by lung atipic resection involving AVM and decortication for lung re-expansion were the treatments provided. Conclusions: Women with known pulmonary AVM should be maximally treated prior to becoming pregnant, and the physician should be alert to complications of pulmonary AVM during pregnancy.

Post-pneumonectomy broncho-pleural fistula successfully closed by open-window thoracostomy associated with V.A.C. therapy

Broncho-pleural fistula (BPF), is a dramatic complication that may occur after lung resection. The treatment is challenging due to its high rate of morbidity and mortality. Herein, a case of BPF associated with empyema, occurred in an elderly patient who had undergone to left pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is reported. After various treatments including chest drainage and endoscopic procedures, BPF was successfully closed by open-window thoracotomy associated with vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) device therapy. The authors conclude that V.A.C. is a convenient and safe measure in the management of empyema with BPF. Moreover, in similar clinical contexts, V.A.C. may be the only option available that may assure the survival of the patient and the avoiding any later-phases of residual cavity.