Open reconstruction of multiple huge superior mesenteric artery aneurysms

Open reconstruction of superior mesenteric artery aneurysms is very difficult, especially if the lesion is extensive. Aneurysmal lesions were found in a 74-year-old woman during a medical checkup. Computed tomography scan showed a 6.8-cm aneurysm arising 4 cm distal to the superior mesenteric artery origin, in succession to a 2.7-cm aneurysm, and further distal small aneurysms with string-of-beads appearance. The first, second, and third jejunoileal arteries, the middle colic artery, and the ileocolic artery were originated from the aneurysms. Open reconstruction was done using a branched saphenous vein graft. Computed tomography scan confirmed the patency of the grafts. She had no major troubles for another 4 years.

[Evaluation of thoracography for secondary pneumothorax in elderly people]

The thoracoscopic surgery for patient with pneumothorax has been considered to be safe and easy. In recent years, there is a growing number of secondary pneumothorax due to advanced pulmonary emphysema in elderly patients. To confirm the existence of adhesion and the site of air leakage are important prior to surgery. In our institution, thoracography was performed before surgery in 9 cases of emphysema and secondary pneumothorax over 60 years old patients. The mean age was 72.2 years old and all patients were male. Air leakage and its site could be identified in 6 cases by thoracography. In the remaining 3 cases, adhesion sites were identified. There were no complications in all cases. The operation time was 117 minutes, and blood loss was 9.9 ml in average. The mean postoperative drainage period was 1.6 days and total hospital stay was 5.9 days. We conclude that the thoracoscopic surgery can be performed more safely by obtaining information of thoracic cavity using thoracography before surgery.

Relationship between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of lung cancer and lymph node metastasis on FDG-PET

PURPOSE

To evaluate the relationship between SUVmax of primary lung cancers on FDG-PET and lymph node metastasis.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

The subjects were a total of consecutive 66 patients with lung cancer who were examined by FDG-PET and subsequently underwent surgery between October 2004 and January 2008. There were 41 males and 25 females, ranging in age from 45 to 83 years with an average of 68 years. The pathological subtypes of the lung cancers consisted of 49 adenocarcinomas, 11 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 adenosquamous carcinoma, 1 large cell carcinoma, 1 small cell carcinoma, 1 pleomorphic carcinoma and 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma. We statistically compared (1) the mean SUVmax of lung cancer between the groups with and without lymph node metastasis (2) the frequency of lymph node metastasis between higher and lower SUVmax of lung cancer groups that were classified by using the median SUVmax of lung cancer, and (3) evaluated the relationship between the SUVmax of lung cancer and frequency of lymph node metastases, and (4) correlations between the SUVmax of lung cancer and number of the metastatic lymph nodes and pathological n stages.

RESULTS

The difference in the average of the SUVmax of lung cancer between the cases with and without lymph node metastases was statistically significant (p = 0.00513). Lymph node metastasis was more frequently seen in the higher SUVmax of lung cancer group (17/33, 52%) than in the lower SUVmax of lung cancer group (7/33, 21%) with a statistically significant difference. There was no lymph node metastasis in lung cancers with an SUVmax of lung cancer less than 2.5, and lung cancers with an SUVmax of lung cancer more than 12 had a 70% frequency of lymph node metastasis. There were moderate correlations between SUVmax of lung cancer, and the number of the metastatic lymph nodes (gamma = 0.404, p = 0.001) and pathological n stage (gamma = 0.411, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The likelihood of lymph node metastasis increases with an increase of the SUV of a primary lung cancer.

Thin-section CT of the mediastinum in preoperative N-staging of non-small cell lung cancer: comparison with FDG PET

PURPOSE

To compare diagnostic capability of preoperative N-staging of lung cancer between thin-section CT of the mediastinum and FDG PET, and 5mm slice thickness CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were 34 patients with lung carcinoma who were examined by both CT and PET, and subsequently underwent surgery between May 2005 and January 2007. CT was carried out with a 16 detector row helical CT scanner. The raw data were reconstructed into 5 mm slice thickness and 1mm slice thickness (thin-section CT). A total of 251 lymph node stations were retrospectively assessed for the presence of lymph node metastasis with thin-section CT, 5 mm CT and PET. In the interpretations of thin-section CT and 5 mm CT, we employed multi-criteria as follows: nodular calcification and intranodal fat as benign criteria, and short-axis diameter more than 10 mm (size criterion), focal low density other than fat, surrounding fat infiltration and convex margin in hilar lymph nodes, as malignant criteria. On PET, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2.5 or more was used as the criterion of malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity were compared between these examinations using McNemar test.

RESULTS

Sensitivities and specificities of thin-section CT, 5 mm CT and PET were 25%, 25%, 25%, and 97%, 94%, 98%, respectively. The statistical analysis revealed that the specificity of 5 mm CT was significantly lower than those of thin-section CT (p=0.039) and PET (p=0.006), while no difference was present between thin-section CT and PET.

CONCLUSION

Thin-section CT of the mediastinum using multiple criteria was comparable to PET in preoperative N-staging of lung cancer.

Recurrent mediastinal liposarcoma twenty years after the initial operation: case report

We report a case of mediastinal liposarcoma, recurrent after 20 years. A 58-year-old man who presented with dyspnea on exertion was found to have a large mediastinal tumor in chest computed tomography (CT), and he was referred to our hospital. He had undergone an extirpation of a mediastinal liposarcoma about 20 years earlier, and we suspected its recurrence. Because the tumor was very large, it was removed in two stages. Histologically it was diagnosed as a recurrence of the previous well-differentiated liposarcoma. Although liposarcoma is one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas in adults, a mediastinal liposarcoma is rare. Because the recurrence rate is very high, it is necessary to follow up carefully over a long term.

[Developmental mechanism of the "lung ball"--with reference to the pathological findings of the lung in two resected cases]

The lung ball is a special type of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) occurring often after chemotherapy for leukemia. Histologically the ball, with air crescent sign on roentgenogram, is compatible with necrotizing lung tissue admixed with Aspergilli. The lung ball differs entirely from the common "fungus ball" in its quality, though they are similar in roentgenological appearances. The present two cases were leukemia which showed pulmonary findings in their therapeutic course, resulting in lung resection. In both cases the lung ball was confirmed histopathologically. Immunostaining of the lung tissue for neutrophil elastase showed elastase in various sites in the bronchial wall, pulmonary blood vessels (artery, vein) and cavitary wall. In our previous studies, much importance was attached to the disturbance of the pulmonary circulation caused by fibrin deposition as a factor in the developmental course of the fungus ball type aspergillosis (semi-invasive type). The circulatory disturbance of the lung was recognized also in the present cases. This two-way destruction of the pulmonary tissue, resulting from both neutrophil elastase activities and pulmonary circulatory disturbances, were regarded as the most important factor for the development of the lung ball. There are few studies on aspergillar lung ball with regard to the above respects.

[A case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis with multiple thin-walled cavities]

We report a case of rapidly progressive lymphomatoid granulomatosis. A 48-year-old man was admitted because of hemoptysis and high fever. A chest radiograph and chest computed tomograms revealed multiple nodules, thin-walled cavities in the lungs, some containing ball-like masses. After admission, clinical studies, including percutaneous and transbronchial biopsies failed to provide sufficient evidence for proper diagnosis. Fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed strong accumulations of abnormal shadows in the lesions. A VATS biopsy was performed to make possible an exact diagnosis. The histological findings showed angiocentric lesions with infiltration of polymorphous cells, and were compatible with lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG). The respiratory failure progressed as the reticular shadows in the chest radiograph increased, so treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) was started, and followed with prednisolone therapy (60 mg/day for 3 weeks). Initially, the symptoms improved, but gradually deteriorated, and the pulmonary nodules became enlarged. The patient finally died of progressive respiratory failure in addition to uncontrollable empyema with an MRSA infection. We attributed the cavity formation and ball-like masses in the cavities to the occlusion of small pulmonary arteries and tissue necrosis along the drainage bronchus.

Prevention of surgical site infection by antibiotic spraying in the operative field during cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

Despite the many procedures introduced to prevent surgical site infection during cardiothoracic surgery, serious infections still occur. We attempted to reduce surgical site infection by spraying antibiotic solution in the operative field--a procedure since introduced at 4 other Japanese institutions.

METHODS

In the latter half of 1990, we began spraying an antibiotic solution of cefazolin (1g) and gentamicin (40 mg)/40 ml of saline placed in a 50 ml syringe and dispensed through an 18 G needle bent at 60 to 80 degrees to clean the wound during surgery.

RESULT

No deep surgical site infections or deaths due to infection have occurred among the 502 patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass at our hospital. This method was used in over 2,100 cases of similar procedures at 4 other institutions. There were 3 deaths due to severe surgical site infection (0.11%). At one institution treating over 1,000 cases a year, the incidence of death due to surgical site infection decreased significantly after this method was introduced.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary experiences show that spraying antibiotic solution in the operative field reduces the risk of surgical site infection in cardiothoracic surgery.

[A clinical study for improving the survival rate of pN2 lung cancer through our case of 53 patients]

BACKGROUND

In management of non-small cell lung cancer, the evaluation and treatment of N2 disease has a lot of controversy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1983 and 1998, 53 patients of pN2 non-small cell lung cancer were operated by standard lymph node dissection method (R2) using CUSA system. We studied the sensitivity of the diagnosis of preoperative N factor, survival rate, and analysed the relationship between the postoperative mediastinal lymph node metastasis and the site of recurrence.

RESULTS

Three-year and five-year survival rates for 53 cases were 46.8% and 33.4% respectivery. Preoperative sensitivity of CT scan for N factors were only 45% in squamous cell carcinoma and 24.2% in adenocarcinoma. Even with intraoperative findings, the sensitivity was not better. In a follow up survey, ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node recurrence was not detected, contralateral mediastinal lymph node recurrences were rare and the distant metastases were common cause of death.

CONCLUSION

It is more important to accomplish the standard lymph node dissection completely in all cN cases than to evaluate the preoperative node stage aggressively using invasive methods.

[Fenestration of diaphragm for management of persistent postoperative pleural effusion: clinical experience and experiment in rabbits]

The management of persistent postoperative pleural effusion is still considered difficult. We report here our experience with such a case, successfully managed with fenestration of the diaphragm-the first of it's kind. Clinical Experience: A two-year-old boy with double outlet right ventricle, underwent right heart bypass procedure. Due to low output and high venous pressure, he was on ventilator until the 26th postoperative day. The pericardial and right pleural effusion persisted till the 60th postoperative day. Right phrenic nerve palsy and atelectasis of right lower lobe were suspected to contribute to it. We performed a plication of the right diaphragm and fenestration of the pericardium and right diaphragm. A T-shaped incision was made on the right diaphragm and the edges were trimmed and strengthened with non-absorbable suture into a circular shaped defect of 1.5 cm diameter. The defect was closed with a Dacron mesh allowing passage of fluid across. Pleural effusion decreased immediately and he was discharged a month after the procedure. Experimental Study: The above procedure was experimented in rabbits in whom a contrast medium injected into the pleural cavity could easily drain into the peritoneum through the fenestation, proved by fluoroscopy.

CONCLUSION

Fenestration of the diaphragm is an effective procedure to manage persistent pleural effusion.

[Surgical treatment of acute Stanford Type-A aortic dissection]

Twelve cases of Stanford Type-A aortic dissection were operated in an acute phase. The male vs female ratio was 3:9, and their ages ranged from 47 to 79 (mean 61.3) years old. Most of them complained of chest and/or back pain, and four of them complained of syncope. Eight patients had the history of hypertension. As to the complications of aortic dissection, cardiac tamponade was seen in two cases, myocardial infarction in one, and transient hemiplegia and paraplegia in one case each. In five cases, moderate to severe aortic regurgitation was also noted. All but one case were operated within twenty-four hours after admission. The replacement of the ascending aorta with a tube graft was performed in all cases including the two cases whose entries were located in the aortic arch. CABG was done concomitantly in three cases, and aortic valve replacement and CABG in one case. The open distal anastomosis was carried out under the systemic circulatory arrest combined with the retrograde cerebral perfusion. The systemic perfusion was reinstituted after the distal anastomosis was completed. In cases whose dissecting pseudo-lumen of the distal aorta was not thrombosed, the arterial cannulation site was shifted from the femoral artery to the tube graft. All but two cases were discharged from the hospital in good condition. One case, who had been transferred to the operating room under cardiac massage due to myocardial infarction, was lost by severe LOS three weeks postoperatively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of operation for acute postinfarction mitral insufficiency due to papillary muscle rupture]

A 75-year-old man was brought to hospital with complaining of chest pain. He was diagnosed acute myocardial infarction and treated medically using thrombolytic drugs. Without chest pain relieved, cardiac catheterization revealed three coronary vessel disease and severe mitral insufficiency (MR). MR was diagnosed due to papillary muscle rupture by echocardiography. After being transferred to our hospital, the patient developed in shock and underwent emergency operation with IABP inserted. Triple CABGs (to LAD, PD and 4PL) and mitral valve replacement were performed using saphenous vein grafts and a mechanical valve (Carbomedicus 25 M). The patient recovered gradually and discharged one and a half month after operation.