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Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has been developed as a method to reassess and recondition marginal lungs. However, evaluation during procedures is limited to a combination of physiologic variables such as gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics, and pulmonary vascular resistance. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of real-time computed tomographic (CT) imaging to improve the evaluation of the lung during EVLP procedures.

Hyperimmunized patients have restricted access to lung transplantation because of the low rate of donor lung availability. Sensitization to human leukocyte antigen is associated with acute rejection, allograft dysfunction, and decreased survival. Prospective crossmatching could allow matching a lung graft with the recipient; however, such a strategy would increase graft ischemia, with a worse impact on the long-term results of lung transplantation. We used logistic ex vivo lung perfusion for 3 patients at the Foch Hospital while waiting for a negative result of the prospective crossmatching and then moved forward to lung transplantation. All patients are alive 3 years after bilateral lung transplantation.

Lymphangiohemangiomas of the mediastinum are exceedingly rare. Clinically they tend to behave like lymphangiomas. We report 3 new cases. All 3 cases showed both lymphatic and vascular components. One case was associated with a left superior vena cava. In both other cases computed tomography with dynamic scans demonstrated the vascular components. Combined lymphatic venous malformation was thus evidenced in the 3 cases and supports that lymphangiohemangiomas are malformative in origin.

The study was performed to assess prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer invading the chest wall treated by surgery.We reviewed retrospectively clinical records of all patients operated on for lung cancer invading chest wall structures between 1984 and 1998.Two hundred one patients were operated on in this 14-year period. One hundred thirty-seven lobectomies, 55 pneumonectomies, and 9 wedge resections were performed. Extrapleural resection (when invasion was limited to the parietal pleura) and chest wall resection (in the case of invasion of deeper structures) were combined with pulmonary resection in 79 (39%) and 122 (61%) cases, respectively. Pathologic TNM stages were T3N0 in 116 (57.5%) cases, T3N1 in 52 (26%), T3N2 in 27 (13.5%), and T4N0-N1 in 6 (3%). A complete resection was achieved in 167 (83%) cases. Fourteen postoperative deaths (7%) occurred. One hundred thirty-nine patients (74%) underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Actuarial 5-year survival was 24% and 13% after complete and incomplete resection, respectively (p0.05). Actuarial 5-year survival after complete resection was 25% in T3N0 patients, 20% in T3N1, and 21% in T3N2. In completely resected patients, univariate and multivariate analyses identified three independent prognostic factors: nodal involvement, depth of parietal invasion, and age. Radiation therapy did not improve survival if a complete resection was possible.Completeness of resection, nodal involvement, depth of invasion, and age affect survival of patients with lung cancer invading the chest wall. N2 disease should not be considered a contraindication to surgery.

We present the case of a 49-year-old man with right upper lobe adenocarcinoma invading the right brachiocephalic vein and the origin of the superior vena cava. En bloc resection of right upper lobe with the involved venous segments was carried out through a median sternotomy. Venous pathway was reestablished with a Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ) prosthesis. Postoperative course was marked by right pneumonia complicated by empyema. The patient underwent thoracotomy with completion pneumonectomy and latissimus dorsi transposition to cover both the prosthesis and the bronchial stump, as well as to fill the cavity. A favorable outcome was observed and long-term survival achieved.