Search

Objetive: Report and analysis of a case of solitary fibrous tumor in the left hemithorax. Case description: 69-year-old female with a history of COPD, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus under treatment, and hypertension under treatment. Surgical history includes salpingectomy 27 years ago. Symptoms started 4 months ago with progressive dyspnea on moderate and small efforts. She received unspecified treatment, and imaging studies revealed an ovoid mass in the lower lobe of the left lung. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) reported a solitary fibrous tumor. CT scan showed an ovoid mass with soft tissue density measuring 16x19x11 cm, compressing the lingula and left lower lobe. FNAB revealed fibrous components with immunohistochemistry showing CD34 positivity at 100%, CD 99 + P60 positivity, and an obstructive pattern in respiratory function testing. She underwent surgical intervention with left anterolateral thoracotomy, revealing an encapsulated tumor measuring 26x24x21cm, with medium consistency, vascularization, and attachment to the diaphragm. There were lax adhesions in the lingula parenchyma and edges of the fissure in the left lower lobe. She had a favorable postoperative course, maintaining good progress with respiratory incentive on the fifth day post-surgery, leading to discharge home with outpatient follow-up Conclusions: Solitary fibrous tumor is relatively uncommon, with the majority presenting indolently. Complete surgical resection with negative margins (R0) is the cornerstone of therapy for all localized SFTs, necessitating the establishment of long-term surveillance guidelines to allow for appropriate follow-up. Treatment should be followed by careful long-term postoperative surveillance with a multidisciplinary team. SFTs may recur locally, and such recurrences can often be successfully managed with resection, making follow-up essential for early detection and offering effective treatment., Objetivo: Reporte y análisis de un caso de tumor fibroso solitario en hemitórax izquierdo. Descripción del caso: Femenina de 69 años, con antecedentes de EPOC, Diabetes mellitus 2 en tratamiento, hipertensión arterial en tratamiento. Quirúrgicos salpingoclasia hace 27 años. Inicio de su padecimiento hace 4 meses, disnea progresiva, de medianos y pequeños esfuerzos, se le dio tratamiento no especificado, y estudios de imagen con masa ovoidea en lóbulo inferior del pulmón izquierdo, BAAF que reporta tumor fibroso solitario. TAC masa ovoidea con densidad de tejido blando 16x19x11 cm, comprime língula y lóbulo inferior izquierdo BAAF componente fibroso con inmunohistoquímica de CD34 positivo 100%, CD 99 + P60 positivo, patrón de obstrucción en prueba de función respiratoria. Se ingresa a quirófano para procedimiento quirúrgico, toracotomía anterolateral izquierda, encontrando tumor encapsulado 26x24x21cm, consistencia media, vascularizado, implantación en diafragma, adherencias laxas en parénquima de língula y bordes de cisura en lóbulo inferior izquierdo. Evoluciona de manera favorable en el postquirúrgico. Se mantiene con incentivo respiratorio con buena progresión al quinto día de evento quirúrgico, por lo cual se decide su egreso a domicilio con control por la consulta externa. Conclusiones: El tumor fibroso solitario, es relativamente infrecuente, la mayoría se presenta indolente. La resección quirúrgica completa en bloque con márgenes negativos (R0) es el pilar de la terapia para todos los TFS localizados, por lo cual es necesario establecer pautas de vigilancia a largo plazo que permitan un adecuado seguimiento. El tratamiento debe de ir seguido de una cuidadosa vigilancia postoperatoria a largo plazo con un equipo multidisciplinario. Los TFS pueden reaparecer localmente y tales reapariciones a menudo pueden ser manejadas con éxito con la resección, por lo cual el seguimiento es esencial para poder detectar tempranamente y ofrecer un buen tratamiento.

Persistent pleural effusions (PPEf) represent a known complication of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). However, their clinical relevance is not well described. We evaluated the clinical, biochemical, and cellular characteristics of post-OLT PPEf and assessed their relationship with longitudinal outcomes. We performed a retrospective cohort study of OLT recipients between 2006 and 2015. Included patients had post-OLT PPEf, defined by effusion persisting >30 days after OLT and available pleural fluid analysis. PPEf were classified as transudates or exudates (ExudLight) by Light's criteria. Exudates were subclassified as those with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (ExudLDH) or elevated protein (ExudProt). Cellular composition was classified as neutrophil- or lymphocyte-predominant. Of 1602 OLT patients, 124 (7.7%) had PPEf, of which 90.2% were ExudLight. Compared to all OLT recipients, PPEf patients had lower two-year survival (HR 1.63; p = 0.002). Among PPEf patients, one-year mortality was associated with pleural fluid RBC count (p = 0.03). While ExudLight and ExudProt showed no association with outcomes, ExudLDH were associated with increased ventilator dependence (p = 0.03) and postoperative length of stay (p = 0.03). Neutrophil-predominant effusions were associated with increased postoperative ventilator dependence (p = 0.03), vasopressor dependence (p = 0.02), and surgical pleural intervention (p = 0.02). In summary, post-OLT PPEf were associated with increased mortality. Ninety percent of these effusions were exudates by Light's criteria. Defining exudates using LDH only and incorporating cellular analysis, including neutrophils and RBCs, was useful in predicting morbidity.

Lung ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique, which is increasingly used in many clinical areas for the evaluation of lung conditions. Despite its potential benefits, the interpretation of ultrasound images is often challenging and highly dependent on the operator's experience. To address this limitation, we propose the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist in the analysis and interpretation of ultrasound images, by providing automated segmentation of the pleura and consolidations.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive disease whose diagnosis could be challenging and confusing. It could occur with atypical presentations on every examined level. Here, we present three unconventional cases of the complex diagnostic process of MPM that we have experienced during routine practice: a patient with reactive mesothelial hyperplasia mimicking MPM, an unexpected presentation of MPM with persistent unilateral hydropneumothorax, a rare case of MPM in situ. Then, we review the relevant literature on each of these topics. Definitive biomarkers to confidently distinguish MPM from other pleural affections are still demanded. Patients presenting with persistent hydropneumothorax must always be investigated for MPM. MPM in situ is now a reality, and this raises questions about its management.

OBJECTIVES: Lung metastases from gynaecological tract cancers are rare, and prognostic factors are still undefined. The goal of this study was to analyse prognostic factors for survival in this group of patients. METHODS: Data of patients with lung metastases from gynaecological tract cancers who underwent surgical resections from 1 January 2005 to 31 May 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were treated surgically if the primitive tumour was under control and the lung was the only organ involved. Clinical and pathological data associated with metastatic patterns and previous treatment types were correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival using Kaplan-Meier curves, whereas the log-rank test was used to assess differences between subgroups. RESULTS: The analysis was conducted on 55 patients. OS was 65% at 5 years. With univariable analysis, age >45 years (P = 0.022) and the absence of pleural infiltration (P = 0.001) were determined to be favourable prognostic factors. The 5-year OS was 69.9% versus 53.3% in patients with pleural involvement. Multivariable analysis confirmed the absence of pleural infiltration as a favourable independent prognostic factor; the hazard ratio was 0.06; the 95% confidence interval was 0.00-0.23 (P = 0.011).At univariable analysis, the absence of pleural infiltration was determined to be a favourable prognostic factor (P = 0.034) for disease-free survival. The numbers and dimensions of the metastases did not influence survival in these patients.In uterine cancers of endometrial or cervical origin, the presence of pleural infiltration (P = 0.001), lymph node involvement (P = 0.001) and young age (P = 0.044) were considered unfavourable prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment in technically resectable gynaecological tract metastases may represent an important option. Pleural infiltration and lymph node metastases seem to be adverse prognostic factors.

Objective and design Our prospective observational study is the first study that evaluates the lung ultrasound (LUS) findings of cardiopulmonary interactions in acutely ill children with elevated pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, with the aim of establishing the specific LUS pattern in this category of patients without primary lung diseases. Methodology We prospectively analyzed epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, instrumental, and lung ultrasound parameters in acutely ill children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the Department of Pediatrics between March 2020 to August 2020. Among the acutely ill patients evaluated, only patients with pro-BNP > 300 pg/ml and who underwent LUS before the start of any treatment were included. They were stratified into three subcategories based on the diagnosis (A) cardiac disease, (B) systemic inflammatory disease/sepsis without functional and/or organic alterations of the myocardium, and (C) systemic inflammatory disease/sepsis and cardiac disease, and were classified into two groups based on the level of pro-BNP. We also enrolled patients belonging to two other categories (patients with primary infectious lung disease and completely healthy patients) analyzing their epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, instrumental parameters, and lung ultrasound findings and comparing them with those of acutely ill children. Results and Conclusion We found that LUS findings in these acutely ill children are different from the ultrasound pattern of other categories of children and in particular (1) children with acute lower respiratory tract infections and (2) healthy infants. The finding in a child of a sonographic interstitial syndrome with multiple, bright, long, separate, and nonconfluent B-lines/long vertical artifacts deriving from a normal and regular pleural line, in the absence of subpleural consolidations, is strongly predictive of cardiogenic pulmonary edema or pulmonary congestion in the course of systemic inflamm

The thoracic and peritoneal cavities are lined by serous membranes and are home of the serosal immune system. This immune system fuses innate and adaptive immunity, to maintain local homeostasis and repair local tissue damage, and to cooperate closely with the mucosal immune system. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are found abundantly in the thoracic and peritoneal cavities, and they are crucial in first defense against pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Nanomaterials (NMs) can enter the cavities intentionally for medical purposes, or unintentionally following environmental exposure; subsequent serosal inflammation and cancer (mesothelioma) has gained significant interest. However, reports on adverse effects of NM on ILCs and other components of the serosal immune system are scarce or even lacking. As ILCs are crucial in the first defense against pathogenic viruses and bacteria, it is possible that serosal exposure to NM may lead to a reduced resistance against pathogens. Additionally, affected serosal lymphoid tissues and cells may disturb adipose tissue homeostasis. This review aims to provide insight into key effects of NM on the serosal immune system.

Calcifying fibrous tumors are rare lesions that occur throughout the body. A 35-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnea. Computed tomography showed a polypoid mass abutting pericardium, diaphragm, and left chest wall, and a pleural-based lesion adjacent to T12. Thoracoscopy revealed a large mass with diaphragmatic stalk, two pleural-based nodules, and four diaphragmatic nodules. Pathologic analysis of resected lesions showed calcifying fibrous tumors. Three lesions contained heterogenous mutations associated with this tumor type. The patient is disease free 1 year later. Calcifying fibrous tumors should be recognized as rare multifocal pleural and diaphragmatic-based tumors. Complete resection leads to excellent survival for patients with this uncommon disease.

El neumotórax se define por la presencia patológica de aire en la cavidad pleural. Con el objetivo de describir el manejo del neumotórax simple con válvula unidireccional artesanal en pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Central Universitario Dr. Antonio María Pineda durante el lapso julio 2019- mayo 2020 se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con una muestra de 21 pacientes. El 61,9% de los pacientes eran del sexo masculino. La forma de presentación más frecuente fue el neumotórax cerrado (38,1%). El neumotórax del lado derecho se observó en el 57,1% y el 33,3% tenían neumotórax de 30% de ocupación pleural. El 95,2% de los pacientes tenían neumotórax de un día de evolución. En cuanto a la tolerancia del paciente al procedimiento según la escala visual análoga del dolor, el 71,4% de los pacientes refirieron dolor catalogándolo con puntaje de 1 a 3 puntos. El 80,9% de los pacientes no tuvieron complicaciones durante el procedimiento y 33,3% presentaron mejoría en 2 días logrando expansión completa del pulmón afectado. La válvula unidireccional artesanal es una opción terapéutica ideal y económica para manejo de neumotórax simple de distintas etiologías y porcentajes de ocupación pleural.

Introduction: pneumothorax is defined as a disease caused by the entry of air into the virtual space that separates the visceral and parietal pleura; this air causes loss of contact between them and a lung collapse. Objective: to characterize the behavior of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients at the “Dr. Leon Cuervo Rubio” Teaching Surgical Clinical Hospital. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 43 patients with clinical radiological diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax, treated at the “Dr. León Cuervo Rubio ” Hospital during 2019. Descriptive statistics were used, and bioethical principles were met. Results: a predominance of male patients (72,09 %) and aged between 60 and 69 years (37,20 %) was found. 90,69 % presented dyspnea and 83,72 % presented chest pain. A predominance of patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was found (86,04 %). 48,83 % of the patients were treated with a minimal high pleurostomy and 48,83 % presented tube obstruction. Conclusions: older adults, mainly males and with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were prone to developing pneumothorax. The main symptomatology was dyspnea, minimal high pleurostomy the main treatment, and tube obstruction was the main complication. The identification of vulnerable populations, as well as the follow-up of patients with previous pneumothorax, is a necessity., Introducción: el neumotórax se define como una enfermedad producida por la entrada de aire en el espacio virtual que separa las pleuras visceral y parietal; este aire provoca pérdida del contacto entre ellas y un colapso pulmonar. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento del neumotórax espontáneo en pacientes del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. León Cuervo Rubio”. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en 43 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico radiológico del neumotórax espontaneo, atendidos en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. León Cuervo Rubio” durante el 2019. Se empleó estadística descriptiva, y se cumplieron los principios bioéticos. Resultados: se encontró predominio de pacientes de sexo masculino (72,09 %) y de edades entre 60 y 69 años (37,20 %). El 90,69 % presentó disnea y el 83,72 % presentó dolor torácico. Se encontró predominio de pacientes con antecedentes de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (86,04 %). El 48,83 % de los pacientes fueron tratados con pleurostomía mínima alta y el 48,83 % presentó obstrucción de la sonda. Conclusiones: los adultos mayores, principalmente del sexo masculino y con antecedentes de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica fueron propensos a desarrollar un neumotórax. La sintomatología principal fue la disnea, la pleurostomía mínima alta el principal tratamiento y la obstrucción de la sonda se mostró como principal complicación. La identificación de poblaciones vulnerables, así como el seguimiento a pacientes con neumotórax previo constituye una necesidad.

The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MPM) does not pose difficulties when presenting with usual clinico-radiologic features and morphology. Pathology textbooks and national/ international guidelines generally describe the findings of classic MPM, underlining common clinical presentation, the gold standard of sampling techniques, usual morphologic variants, immunohis-tochemical results of several positive and negative primary antibodies in the differential diagnosis, and the role of novel molecular markers. Nevertheless, MPM often does not follow the golden rules in routine practice, while the literature generally does not sufficiently emphasize unusual features of its manifestation. This gap may potentially create problems for patients in sustaining a difficult diagnosis of MPM in clinical practice and during legal disputes. Indeed, the guidelines accidentally tend to favor the job of lawyers and pathologists defending asbestos-producing industries against patients suffering from MPM characterized by uncommon features. The current review is aimed at underlining the wide spectrum of clinical and radiological presentation of MPM, the possibility to consistently use cytology for diagnostic intent, the aberrant immunohistochemical expression using so-called specific negative and positive primary antibodies, and finally proposing some alternative and more unbiased approaches to the diagnosis of MPM.

N/A

The adoption of point-of-care lung ultrasound for both suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients highlights the issues of accessibility to ultrasound training and equipment. Lung ultrasound is more sensitive than chest radiography in detecting viral pneumonitis and preferred over computed tomography for reasons including its portability, reduced healthcare worker exposure and repeatability. The main lung ultrasound findings in COVID-19 patients are interstitial syndrome, irregular pleural line and subpleural consolidations. Consolidations are most likely found in critical patients in need of ventilatory support. Hence, lung ultrasound may be used to timely triage patients who may have evolving pneumonitis. Other respiratory pathology that may be detected by lung ultrasound includes pulmonary oedema, pneumothorax, consolidation and large effusion. A key barrier to incorporate lung ultrasound in the assessment of COVID-19 patients is adequate decontamination of ultrasound equipment to avoid viral spread. This tutorial provides a practical method to learn lung ultrasound and a cost-effective method of preventing contamination of ultrasound equipment and a practical method for performing and interpreting lung ultrasound.Copyright © 2020 Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine

The adoption of point-of-care lung ultrasound for both suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients highlights the issues of accessibility to ultrasound training and equipment. Lung ultrasound is more sensitive than chest radiography in detecting viral pneumonitis and preferred over computed tomography for reasons including its portability, reduced healthcare worker exposure and repeatability. The main lung ultrasound findings in COVID-19 patients are interstitial syndrome, irregular pleural line and subpleural consolidations. Consolidations are most likely found in critical patients in need of ventilatory support. Hence, lung ultrasound may be used to timely triage patients who may have evolving pneumonitis. Other respiratory pathology that may be detected by lung ultrasound includes pulmonary oedema, pneumothorax, consolidation and large effusion. A key barrier to incorporate lung ultrasound in the assessment of COVID-19 patients is adequate decontamination of ultrasound equipment to avoid viral spread. This tutorial provides a practical method to learn lung ultrasound and a cost-effective method of preventing contamination of ultrasound equipment and a practical method for performing and interpreting lung ultrasound.Copyright © 2020 Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine

The use of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) endoscope in the oesophagus, the so-called EUS-B procedure, for the diagnosis and staging of thoracic malignancy is quickly gaining ground. Pleural lesions located close to the oesophagus can be inaccessible to transthoracic biopsy and endoscopic procedures can be the only option. We here present two cases demonstrating that EUS-B-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) of pleural lesions is possible. The first case demonstrates a EUS-B-FNA with malignant mesothelioma of a pleural lesion in a 70-year-old patient. In the second case, EUS-B-FNA diagnosed a pleural metastasis from adenoid cystic adenocarcinoma in a 75-year-old-patient. In conclusion, we hereby demonstrate that EUS-B-FNA from pleural lesions is feasible and appears to be safe.

The use of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) endoscope in the oesophagus, the so-called EUS-B procedure, for the diagnosis and staging of thoracic malignancy is quickly gaining ground. Pleural lesions located close to the oesophagus can be inaccessible to transthoracic biopsy and endoscopic procedures can be the only option. We here present two cases demonstrating that EUS-B-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) of pleural lesions is possible. The first case demonstrates a EUS-B-FNA with malignant mesothelioma of a pleural lesion in a 70-year-old patient. In the second case, EUS-B-FNA diagnosed a pleural metastasis from adenoid cystic adenocarcinoma in a 75-year-old-patient. In conclusion, we hereby demonstrate that EUS-B-FNA from pleural lesions is feasible and appears to be safe.

Aims In order to improve diagnostics in pleural effusions, additional value of effusion cholesterol, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and syndecan-2 assays to cytology was studied. Methods Biomarkers were measured in effusion supernatants from 247 patients, of whom 126 had malignant pleural involvement, and their additional diagnostic efficacy to cytology was assessed. Results Syndecan-2 measurement, although gave detectable concentrations in all effusions with highest median value in mesotheliomas, was non-discriminative between different pathological conditions. CEA concentrations exceeding 5 ng/mL cut-off point indicated carcinomas, regardless of pleural involvement, which gave a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 100% for carcinoma. Cholesterol concentration over 1.21 mmol/L cut-off value indicated neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% sensitivity and 'merely' 69% specificity, the latter mainly due to raised levels being associated also with benign inflammatory effusions. Combined CEA and cholesterol determinations increased the sensitivity for diagnosing carcinomatosis from 70% with cytology alone to 84% and established the correct diagnosis in 16 of 31 carcinomatosis cases with inconclusive cytology. Cholesterol measurement alone, with elevated level, in combination with absence of substantial number of inflammatory cells in effusion sediment proved to be a magnificent marker for neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% efficacy, and recognised all 36 such cases with inconclusive cytology. Conclusions Simultaneous measurement of CEA and cholesterol concentrations in effusion, or at least cholesterol alone, in combination with non-inflammatory fluid cytology, provides additional specific information about neoplastic pleural involvement, and can therefore be used as an adjunct to cytology, above all, in inconclusive cases.

Aims In order to improve diagnostics in pleural effusions, additional value of effusion cholesterol, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and syndecan-2 assays to cytology was studied. Methods Biomarkers were measured in effusion supernatants from 247 patients, of whom 126 had malignant pleural involvement, and their additional diagnostic efficacy to cytology was assessed. Results Syndecan-2 measurement, although gave detectable concentrations in all effusions with highest median value in mesotheliomas, was non-discriminative between different pathological conditions. CEA concentrations exceeding 5 ng/mL cut-off point indicated carcinomas, regardless of pleural involvement, which gave a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 100% for carcinoma. Cholesterol concentration over 1.21 mmol/L cut-off value indicated neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% sensitivity and 'merely' 69% specificity, the latter mainly due to raised levels being associated also with benign inflammatory effusions. Combined CEA and cholesterol determinations increased the sensitivity for diagnosing carcinomatosis from 70% with cytology alone to 84% and established the correct diagnosis in 16 of 31 carcinomatosis cases with inconclusive cytology. Cholesterol measurement alone, with elevated level, in combination with absence of substantial number of inflammatory cells in effusion sediment proved to be a magnificent marker for neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% efficacy, and recognised all 36 such cases with inconclusive cytology. Conclusions Simultaneous measurement of CEA and cholesterol concentrations in effusion, or at least cholesterol alone, in combination with non-inflammatory fluid cytology, provides additional specific information about neoplastic pleural involvement, and can therefore be used as an adjunct to cytology, above all, in inconclusive cases.

Aims In order to improve diagnostics in pleural effusions, additional value of effusion cholesterol, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and syndecan-2 assays to cytology was studied. Methods Biomarkers were measured in effusion supernatants from 247 patients, of whom 126 had malignant pleural involvement, and their additional diagnostic efficacy to cytology was assessed. Results Syndecan-2 measurement, although gave detectable concentrations in all effusions with highest median value in mesotheliomas, was non-discriminative between different pathological conditions. CEA concentrations exceeding 5 ng/mL cut-off point indicated carcinomas, regardless of pleural involvement, which gave a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 100% for carcinoma. Cholesterol concentration over 1.21 mmol/L cut-off value indicated neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% sensitivity and 'merely' 69% specificity, the latter mainly due to raised levels being associated also with benign inflammatory effusions. Combined CEA and cholesterol determinations increased the sensitivity for diagnosing carcinomatosis from 70% with cytology alone to 84% and established the correct diagnosis in 16 of 31 carcinomatosis cases with inconclusive cytology. Cholesterol measurement alone, with elevated level, in combination with absence of substantial number of inflammatory cells in effusion sediment proved to be a magnificent marker for neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% efficacy, and recognised all 36 such cases with inconclusive cytology. Conclusions Simultaneous measurement of CEA and cholesterol concentrations in effusion, or at least cholesterol alone, in combination with non-inflammatory fluid cytology, provides additional specific information about neoplastic pleural involvement, and can therefore be used as an adjunct to cytology, above all, in inconclusive cases.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) predominantly affects young adults. Accurate radiological assessment of pulmonary disease is vital for predicting exacerbations, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the image quality of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) ultra-low-dose CT chest (ULD-CT) in CF evaluation. Method(s): We compared ULD-CT with standard adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) low-dose CT (LD-CT). Subjective assessment of contrast and noise were performed for each study. Background noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between the CT studies. Conspicuity of major structures was assessed. These aspects of image quality were compared to determine whether ULD-CT was superior to LD-CT in assessment of CF. Result(s): The ULD-CT achieved median effective dose of 0.073 mSv, comparable to one standard chest radiograph and significantly lower than the median LD-CT dose of 1.22 mSv. ULD-CT had lower subjective contrast and higher subjective noise when compared to LD-CT. Objectively measured background noise was lower in ULD-CT (16.33 HU vs 38.53 HU, P < 0.0001) compared to LD-CT. ULD-CT had higher median CNR (52.65 vs 22.09, P < 0.0001) and SNR in lung (9.08 vs 7.29, P = 0.002) compared to LD-CT. ULD-CT was equal to LD-CT in identification of trachea, bronchi, pleural and pericardium. Interobserver reliability showed agreement of 80-92%. Conclusion(s): The image quality of ULD-CT is similar to LD-CT, at 1/16th the dose. MBIR constructed ULD-CT is an effective imaging modality for CF surveillance, with potential applications in other disease settings.Copyright © 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) predominantly affects young adults. Accurate radiological assessment of pulmonary disease is vital for predicting exacerbations, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the image quality of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) ultra-low-dose CT chest (ULD-CT) in CF evaluation. Method(s): We compared ULD-CT with standard adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) low-dose CT (LD-CT). Subjective assessment of contrast and noise were performed for each study. Background noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between the CT studies. Conspicuity of major structures was assessed. These aspects of image quality were compared to determine whether ULD-CT was superior to LD-CT in assessment of CF. Result(s): The ULD-CT achieved median effective dose of 0.073 mSv, comparable to one standard chest radiograph and significantly lower than the median LD-CT dose of 1.22 mSv. ULD-CT had lower subjective contrast and higher subjective noise when compared to LD-CT. Objectively measured background noise was lower in ULD-CT (16.33 HU vs 38.53 HU, P < 0.0001) compared to LD-CT. ULD-CT had higher median CNR (52.65 vs 22.09, P < 0.0001) and SNR in lung (9.08 vs 7.29, P = 0.002) compared to LD-CT. ULD-CT was equal to LD-CT in identification of trachea, bronchi, pleural and pericardium. Interobserver reliability showed agreement of 80-92%. Conclusion(s): The image quality of ULD-CT is similar to LD-CT, at 1/16th the dose. MBIR constructed ULD-CT is an effective imaging modality for CF surveillance, with potential applications in other disease settings.Copyright © 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Mesothelioma affects mostly older individuals who have been occupationally exposed to asbestos. The global mesothelioma incidence and mortality rates are unknown, because data are not available from developing countries that continue to use large amounts of asbestos. The incidence rate of mesothelioma has decreased in Australia, the United States, and Western Europe, where the use of asbestos was banned or strictly regulated in the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating the value of these preventive measures. However, in these same countries, the overall number of deaths from mesothelioma has not decreased as the size of the population and the percentage of old people have increased. Moreover, hotspots of mesothelioma may occur when carcinogenic fibers that are present in the environment are disturbed as rural areas are being developed. Novel immunohistochemical and molecular markers have improved the accuracy of diagnosis; however, about 14% (high-resource countries) to 50% (developing countries) of mesothelioma diagnoses are incorrect, resulting in inadequate treatment and complicating epidemiological studies. The discovery that germline BRCA1-asssociated protein 1 (BAP1) mutations cause mesothelioma and other cancers (BAP1 cancer syndrome) elucidated some of the key pathogenic mechanisms, and treatments targeting these molecular mechanisms and/or modulating the immune response are being tested. The role of surgery in pleural mesothelioma is controversial as it is difficult to predict who will benefit from aggressive management, even when local therapies are added to existing or novel systemic treatments. Treatment outcomes are improving, however, for peritoneal mesothelioma. Multidisciplinary international collaboration will be necessary to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Introduction: The solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (sftp) is an uncommon pathology. It corresponds to less than 5 % of the primary tumors of the pleura. Even much rare is to find one solitary fibrous tumor, of more than 15 cm in patients younger than 35 years since the incidence peak is between 60 to 70 years. There has been only one case reported in Colombia. Case presentation: The subject of study was a 33-year-old female patient, no exposure to asbestos or cigarette. The chief complaints of the patient were mild dyspnea and right dorsal pain. Thoracic computerized tomography (ct) showed a large solid mass of lobulated contours that compromised 70 % of the right hemithorax, of extrapulmonary origin compressing the right atrium. Immunohistochemistry of the percutaneous biopsy demonstrated a solitary fibrous tumor. The patient underwent an extended right posterolateral thoracotomy. Doctors found and completely resected a tumor hanging on the right parietal pleura. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the product of the surgical resection were compatible with a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura, 30 x 23 x 16cm in size, and no malignancy. The patient’s discharge happened five days after surgery. Discussion: In a young patient, a giant tfsp is unusual. After diagnosis and despite having some characteristics that suggested malignancy its size and origin in the parietal pleura, surgical resection was the appropriate procedure for this tumor, with subsequent histopathological confirmation compatible with a benign tumor., Introdução: o tumor fibroso solitário de pleura (TFSP) é uma patologia pouco frequente, corresponde a menos do 5 % dos tumores primários de pleura, sendo ainda mais estranhos os tumores maiores de 15 cm e aqueles em pacientes menores de 35 anos, pois o pico de incidência é entre os 60 a 70 anos com um só caso reportado na Colômbia. Apresentação de caso: paciente feminina de 33 anos, sem exposição a asbesto ou cigarro. Consultou por quadro de dispneia de moderados esforços e dor dorsal direita. A tomografia axial computadorizada (TAC) contrastada de tórax evidenciou uma grande massa sólida de contornos lobulados que comprometia o 70 % do hemitórax direito de origem extrapulmonar e que comprimia a aurícula direita, imuno-histoquímica da biopsia percutânea classificou a lesão como tumor fibroso solitário. Foi levada à toracotomia posterolateral direita estendida, encontrando um tumor dependente da pleura parietal direita ressecado em sua totalidade. Histopatologia e imuno-histoquímica do produto de ressecção cirúrgica, compatíveis com tumor fibroso solitário de pleura, tamanho 30 x 23 x 16cm sem características de malignidade. A evolução pós-cirúrgica foi satisfatória, conseguindo um egresso hospitalar precoce. Discussão: em uma paciente jovem, o tfsp gigante é inusual, posterior a seu diagnóstico e apesar de ter algumas características que sugeriam malignidade; tamanho e origem na pleura parietal, a ressecção cirúrgica foi o tratamento indicado para este tumor, com posterior confirmação hispatológica compatível com tumor benigno., Introducción: el tumor fibroso solitario de pleura (tfsp) es una patología poco frecuente, corresponde a menos del 5 % de los tumores primarios de pleura, siendo aún más raros los tumores mayores de 15 cm y aquellos en pacientes menores de 35 años, ya que el pico de incidencia es entre los 60 a 70 años con un solo caso reportado en Colombia. Presentación de caso: paciente femenina de 33 años, sin exposición a asbesto o cigarrillo. Consultó por cuadro de disnea de moderados esfuerzos y dolor dorsal derecho. La tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) contrastada de tórax evidenció una gran masa sólida de contornos lobulados que comprometía el 70 % del hemitórax derecho de origen extrapulmonar y que comprimía la aurícula derecha, la inmunohistoquímica de la biopsia percutánea clasificó la lesión como tumor fibroso solitario. Fue llevada a toracotomía posterolateral derecha extendida, donde se encontró un tumor dependiente de la pleura parietal derecha resecado en su totalidad. Histopatología e inmunohistoquímica del producto de resección quirúrgica, compatibles con tumor fibroso solitario de pleura, tamaño 30 x 23 x 16 cm sin características de malignidad. La evolución posoperatoria fue satisfactoria, se logró un egreso hospitalario temprano. Discusión: en una paciente joven, el TFSP gigante es inusual, posterior a su diagnóstico, y a pesar de tener algunas características que sugerían malignidad, tamaño y origen en la pleura parietal, la resección quirúrgica fue el tratamiento indicado para este tumor, con posterior confirmación histopatológica compatible con tumor benigno.

Aims In order to improve diagnostics in pleural effusions, additional value of effusion cholesterol, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and syndecan-2 assays to cytology was studied. Methods Biomarkers were measured in effusion supernatants from 247 patients, of whom 126 had malignant pleural involvement, and their additional diagnostic efficacy to cytology was assessed. Results Syndecan-2 measurement, although gave detectable concentrations in all effusions with highest median value in mesotheliomas, was non-discriminative between different pathological conditions. CEA concentrations exceeding 5 ng/mL cut-off point indicated carcinomas, regardless of pleural involvement, which gave a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 100% for carcinoma. Cholesterol concentration over 1.21 mmol/L cut-off value indicated neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% sensitivity and 'merely' 69% specificity, the latter mainly due to raised levels being associated also with benign inflammatory effusions. Combined CEA and cholesterol determinations increased the sensitivity for diagnosing carcinomatosis from 70% with cytology alone to 84% and established the correct diagnosis in 16 of 31 carcinomatosis cases with inconclusive cytology. Cholesterol measurement alone, with elevated level, in combination with absence of substantial number of inflammatory cells in effusion sediment proved to be a magnificent marker for neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% efficacy, and recognised all 36 such cases with inconclusive cytology. Conclusions Simultaneous measurement of CEA and cholesterol concentrations in effusion, or at least cholesterol alone, in combination with non-inflammatory fluid cytology, provides additional specific information about neoplastic pleural involvement, and can therefore be used as an adjunct to cytology, above all, in inconclusive cases.

Aims In order to improve diagnostics in pleural effusions, additional value of effusion cholesterol, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and syndecan-2 assays to cytology was studied. Methods Biomarkers were measured in effusion supernatants from 247 patients, of whom 126 had malignant pleural involvement, and their additional diagnostic efficacy to cytology was assessed. Results Syndecan-2 measurement, although gave detectable concentrations in all effusions with highest median value in mesotheliomas, was non-discriminative between different pathological conditions. CEA concentrations exceeding 5 ng/mL cut-off point indicated carcinomas, regardless of pleural involvement, which gave a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 100% for carcinoma. Cholesterol concentration over 1.21 mmol/L cut-off value indicated neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% sensitivity and 'merely' 69% specificity, the latter mainly due to raised levels being associated also with benign inflammatory effusions. Combined CEA and cholesterol determinations increased the sensitivity for diagnosing carcinomatosis from 70% with cytology alone to 84% and established the correct diagnosis in 16 of 31 carcinomatosis cases with inconclusive cytology. Cholesterol measurement alone, with elevated level, in combination with absence of substantial number of inflammatory cells in effusion sediment proved to be a magnificent marker for neoplastic pleural involvement with 99% efficacy, and recognised all 36 such cases with inconclusive cytology. Conclusions Simultaneous measurement of CEA and cholesterol concentrations in effusion, or at least cholesterol alone, in combination with non-inflammatory fluid cytology, provides additional specific information about neoplastic pleural involvement, and can therefore be used as an adjunct to cytology, above all, in inconclusive cases.

Herein, we reported a case of malignant pleural effusion as the initial metastatic presentation of occult gastric cancer in a 52-year-old diabetic woman. This is the first report of gastric cancer metastasized to pleura as a primary presentation. The pathologic results of adenocarcinoma pleural specimens were indicative of an undifferentiated cancer. Based on the results of immunohistochemistry, we suggested the metastasis of gastric cancer. For patients with such distinct clinical presentations, it would be suitable to study gastric cancer as one of the probable primary sites.

Herein, we reported a case of malignant pleural effusion as the initial metastatic presentation of occult gastric cancer in a 52-year-old diabetic woman. This is the first report of gastric cancer metastasized to pleura as a primary presentation. The pathologic results of adenocarcinoma pleural specimens were indicative of an undifferentiated cancer. Based on the results of immunohistochemistry, we suggested the metastasis of gastric cancer. For patients with such distinct clinical presentations, it would be suitable to study gastric cancer as one of the probable primary sites.

Herein, we reported a case of malignant pleural effusion as the initial metastatic presentation of occult gastric cancer in a 52-year-old diabetic woman. This is the first report of gastric cancer metastasized to pleura as a primary presentation. The pathologic results of adenocarcinoma pleural specimens were indicative of an undifferentiated cancer. Based on the results of immunohistochemistry, we suggested the metastasis of gastric cancer. For patients with such distinct clinical presentations, it would be suitable to study gastric cancer as one of the probable primary sites.

Herein, we reported a case of malignant pleural effusion as the initial metastatic presentation of occult gastric cancer in a 52-year-old diabetic woman. This is the first report of gastric cancer metastasized to pleura as a primary presentation. The pathologic results of adenocarcinoma pleural specimens were indicative of an undifferentiated cancer. Based on the results of immunohistochemistry, we suggested the metastasis of gastric cancer. For patients with such distinct clinical presentations, it would be suitable to study gastric cancer as one of the probable primary sites.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are relatively rare neoplasms thought to originate from the submesothelial connective tissue. SFTs have been described in a variety of sites, including the pleura, orbit, lower respiratory tract, peritoneal cavity and heart. These neoplasms are usually benign, though locally aggressive, and metastatic behaviour has been observed in some cases. We describe a case of a 61-year-old man presenting with weight loss, poor appetite, malaise, worsening dyspnoea on exertion and lower extremity oedema, who was found to have a gigantic-21×21 cm-tumour occupying the entire right hemithorax causing compression and displacement of the mediastinum and liver. Transthoracic CT-guided biopsy revealed SFT of the pleura. The patient underwent preoperative angiography and embolisation of the tumour followed by successful surgical resection via thoracotomy.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are relatively rare neoplasms thought to originate from the submesothelial connective tissue. SFTs have been described in a variety of sites, including the pleura, orbit, lower respiratory tract, peritoneal cavity and heart. These neoplasms are usually benign, though locally aggressive, and metastatic behaviour has been observed in some cases. We describe a case of a 61-year-old man presenting with weight loss, poor appetite, malaise, worsening dyspnoea on exertion and lower extremity oedema, who was found to have a gigantic-21×21 cm-tumour occupying the entire right hemithorax causing compression and displacement of the mediastinum and liver. Transthoracic CT-guided biopsy revealed SFT of the pleura. The patient underwent preoperative angiography and embolisation of the tumour followed by successful surgical resection via thoracotomy.

[EN] Asbestos is the term used for a set of mineral silicates that tend to break up into fibers. Its use has been associated with numerous diseases affecting the lung and pleura in particular, all of which are characterized by their long period of latency. Asbestos, moreover, has been recognized by the WHO as a Group IA carcinogen since 1987 and its use was banned in Spain in 2002. The publication in 2013 of the 3rd edition of the specific asbestos health monitoring protocol, together with the development of new diagnostic techniques, prompted the SEPAR EROM group to sponsor publication of guidelines, which review the clinical, radiological and functional aspects of the different asbestos-related diseases. Recommendations have also been made for the diagnosis and follow-up of exposed patients. These recommendations were drawn up in accordance with the GRADE classification system., [ES] Asbesto, también conocido en España como amianto, es el término utilizado para nombrar a un conjunto de silicatos minerales que suelen romperse en fibras. Su uso ha comportado la aparición de numerosas enfermedades, especialmente pleuropulmonares, todas ellas caracterizadas por su prolongada latencia. El asbesto es, además, un carcinógeno del grupo IA reconocido por la OMS desde 1987. En España está prohibido desde 2002. La publicación en 2013 de la 3.ª edición del protocolo de vigilancia sanitaria específica del amianto junto con la aparición de nuevas técnicas diagnósticas han motivado al grupo EROM de SEPAR a promover la elaboración de esta normativa que revisa aspectos clínicos, radiológicos y funcionales de las diferentes enfermedades relacionadas. También establece recomendaciones para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes expuestos. Dichas recomendaciones han sido establecidas mediante sistema GRADE.

A 77-year-old man with a history of asbestos exposure was admitted to our internal medicine division for generalised weakness, fatigue, loss of weight, night sweats and difficulty for breathing since 3 months. Clinical examination revealed left fine crackles and bilateral leg oedema. Blood test showed elevated C reactive protein level at 142 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase level at 421 UI, creatinine level at 5.75 mg/dL. Serum albumin level at 30 g/L, urinalysis showed significant proteinuria at 6.4 g/L. Chest X-ray showed left pleural effusion. Renal ultrasonography was normal. Thoracic CT and positron emission tomography showed mediastinal enlargement with lymphadenopathies and left pleural effusion and thickening. A pleural biopsy showed features compatible with malignant epithelioid mesothelioma. Renal biopsy showed minimal change disease and acute tubular necrosis. A diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma associated with minimal change disease and acute tubular necrosis secondary was then made. Given the poor general condition, palliative care was initiated and the patient died from respiratory failure 3 months later.

For most patients with a developmental enamel disorders full mouth rehabilitation is one of the most effective option to restore aesthetics and function. This clinical report describes the details of rehabilitation of one such patient with Amelogenesis imperfecta with emphasis on the prosthetics. Treatment involved the use of splint to achieve a musculoskeletal position of the condyle and PFM restorations for all teeth to fulfill occlusion and aesthetics. The outcome was satisfactory to the dentist and the patient.

For most patients with a developmental enamel disorders full mouth rehabilitation is one of the most effective option to restore aesthetics and function. This clinical report describes the details of rehabilitation of one such patient with Amelogenesis imperfecta with emphasis on the prosthetics. Treatment involved the use of splint to achieve a musculoskeletal position of the condyle and PFM restorations for all teeth to fulfill occlusion and aesthetics. The outcome was satisfactory to the dentist and the patient.

N/A

UVOD: Drenaža grudnog koša nakon resekcija pluća je osnovni grudno hirurški postupak, koji omogućuje proširenje (reekspanziju) pluća iz kolabiranog stanja, evakuaciju vazduha, krvi i izliva iz pleuralnog prostora i potpomognuta je primenom aspiracije na drenove (sukciona ili aspiraciona drenaža). Iako je drenaža svakodnevna grudno hirurška procedura, postupak sa drenovima je zasnovan prvenstveno na iskustvu, a manje na osnovu naučnih studija. Pri mirnom disanju inspiratorni pritisak u pleuralnom prostoru je prosečno - 8 cm H2O, a ekspiratorni - 4 cm H2O. Pri forsiranom disanju pritisci mogu dostići - 50 cm H2O i +70 cm H2O. Na osnovu tih fizioloških podataka, većina hirurga primenjuje aspiraciju od - 10 do - 40 cm H2O. Koncepta pleuralnog deficita - disproporcije volumena preostalog plućnog tkiva i zapremine grudnog koša doveo je do razvoja tehničkih postupaka za postizanje nove fiziološke ravnoteže u pleuralnom prostoru i razmatranja rutinske primene podvodne (pasivne) drenaže nakon resekcija pluća. Pritisak na zdravstvenu službu za smanjenje troškova i skraćenje postoperativne hospitalizacije uz mogućnost rane mobilizacije pacijenta čine podvodnu drenažu zanimljivom alternativom tradicionalno prihvaćenoj aktivnoj aspiraciji na drenove. CILJ: Da se utvrdi da li aplikacija aktivne aspiracije na drenove nakon lobektomije pluća u poređenju da podvodnom drenažom ima povoljno terapijsko dejstvo na postizanje i održavanje reekspanzije pluća; Da se kvantitativno uporede različiti modovi aktivne aspiracije preko drenova; Da se uporedi dužina hospitalizacije i pojava hirurških i nehirurških komplikacija između grupa ispitanika kod kojih se primenjuje podvodna (pasivna) drenaža i aspiracija preko drenova. METODOLOGIJA: Prospektivna studija bez randomizacije obuhvatila je 301 ispitanika kojima je načinjena lobektomija pluća zbog karcinoma pluća na Klinici za grudnu hirurgiju Instituta za plućne bolesti Vojvodine u Sremskoj Kamenici u periodu od 01.01.2008. - 28.02.2010. god, INTRODUCTION: The drainage of the thorax after pulmonary resection is a basic thoracic surgery procedure which enables reexpansion after lung collapse and the evacuation of air, blood and effusion from the pleural cavity. It is supported by the use of drainage aspiration (suction or aspiration drainage). Although drainage is an everyday procedure in thoracic surgery, the use of drains is based mainly on specialist experience and less on scientific research. During calm breathing the inspiratory pressure in the pleural cavity is – 8cm H2O on average, while the expiratory pressure is – 4cm H2O. During forced breathing the pressures can reach up to – 50 cm H2O and + 70 cm H2O. Based on this physiological data, most surgeons apply the aspiration from – 10 to – 40 cm H2O. The concept of pleural deficit (the disproportion of the volume of the remaining pulmonary tissue and the volume of the thorax) has attributed to development of new technical procedures in order to achieve a new physiological balance in the pleural cavity. It has also brought upon the consideration of routine underwater seal drainage after pulmonary resection. Underwater seal drainage represents an interesting alternative to the traditional active drainage aspiration, especially considering the need to reduce medical expenses and shorten the postoperative hospitalization period. AIM: To determine whether active drainage aspiration after pulmonary lobectomy has a favorable therapeutic effect on achieving and maintaining pulmonary reexpansion in comparison with underwater seal drainage; to quantitatively compare the different modes of active drainage aspiration; to compare hospitalization duration and surgical and non-surgical complication with groups of patients on whom either underwater seal drainage or aspiration drainage was applied. METHODOLOGY: The prospective study without randomization has covered 301 patients on whom pulmonary lobectomy was performed due to lung carcinoma at the Thoracic Surgery

BackgroundPleural separation, the "split pleura" sign, has been reported in patients with empyema. However, the diagnostic yield of the split pleura sign for complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE)/empyema and its utility for differentiating CPPE/empyema from parapneumonic effusion (PPE) remains unclear. This differentiation is important because CPPE/empyema patients need thoracic drainage. In this regard, the aim of this study was to develop a simple method to distinguish CPPE/empyema from PPE using computed tomography (CT) focusing on the split pleura sign, fluid attenuation values (HU: Hounsfield units), and amount of fluid collection measured on thoracic CT prior to diagnostic thoracentesis.MethodsA total of 83 consecutive patients who underwent chest CT and were diagnosed with CPPE (n=18)/empyema (n=18) or PPE (n=47) based on the diagnostic thoracentesis were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOn univariate analysis, the split pleura sign (odds ratio (OR), 12.1; p<0.001), total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) (OR, 6.13; p<0.001), HU value≥10 (OR, 5.94; p=0.001), and the presence of septum (OR, 6.43; p=0.018), atelectasis (OR, 6.83; p=0.002), or air (OR, 9.90; p=0.002) in pleural fluid were significantly higher in the CPPE/empyema group than in the PPE group. On multivariate analysis, only the split pleura sign (hazard ratio (HR), 6.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91-23.5; p=0.003) and total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) on thoracic CT (HR, 7.48; 95%CI, 1.76-31.8; p=0.006) were risk factors for empyema. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the presence of both split pleura sign and total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) on thoracic CT for CPPE/empyema were 79.4%, 80.9%, 75%, and 84.4%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.801 on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ConclusionThis study showed a high diagnostic yield of the split pleura sign and total amount of pleural f

Purpose: ECG-gated CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is commonly used for non-invasive assessment of the coronary arteries and cardiac structures. It also allows for simultaneous evaluation of surrounding structures in the lungs, pleura, mediastinum, upper abdomen and bones, which are included in the scan field. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence and significance of these extra-coronary findings (ECF) on CTCA. Methods and Materials: The radiology reports and medical records of all consecutive adult CTCAs performed from January 2014 to January 2015 at a tertiary institution were included. Suboptimal CTs due to gross motion artefacts were excluded. Coronary and ECF (type and location), and follow-up actions were recorded. ECF were classified significant if radiological and/or clinical follow-up were advised and required; the rest were classified insignificant/incidental. Result(s): CTCAs from 2070 patients were included. 1210 (58%) CTCAs had ECF and 578 (48%) of them required follow-up. 65%, 60%, 33%, 8%, 3%, 3% and 2% of these 578 CTCAs showed significant cardiac (non-coronary), pulmonary (parenchyma and pleural), upper abdominal, vascular, bony, mediastinal and soft tissue findings respectively. The significant findings included 183 pulmonary nodules, 11 lung carcinomas, 7 pulmonary embolisms, 10 pleural effusions, 5 breast lesions suspicious for malignancy, 4 ventricular septal abnormalities, 20 atrial septal abnormalities, 96 liver lesions, 3 aortic dissections and 10 bony lesions suspicious for malignancy. Conclusion(s): This study confirms a high prevalence of ECF in CTCAs, of which a significant number require appropriate clinical or radiological follow-up. The high detection rate could be attributed to the excellent spatial resolution in the latest CT scanners and the predisposition (due to multiple underlying risk factors) that these patients have to developing pathology that might manifest as ECF. It is imperative that CTCA diagnos

Purpose: ECG-gated CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is commonly used for non-invasive assessment of the coronary arteries and cardiac structures. It also allows for simultaneous evaluation of surrounding structures in the lungs, pleura, mediastinum, upper abdomen and bones, which are included in the scan field. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence and significance of these extra-coronary findings (ECF) on CTCA. Methods and Materials: The radiology reports and medical records of all consecutive adult CTCAs performed from January 2014 to January 2015 at a tertiary institution were included. Suboptimal CTs due to gross motion artefacts were excluded. Coronary and ECF (type and location), and follow-up actions were recorded. ECF were classified significant if radiological and/or clinical follow-up were advised and required; the rest were classified insignificant/incidental. Result(s): CTCAs from 2070 patients were included. 1210 (58%) CTCAs had ECF and 578 (48%) of them required follow-up. 65%, 60%, 33%, 8%, 3%, 3% and 2% of these 578 CTCAs showed significant cardiac (non-coronary), pulmonary (parenchyma and pleural), upper abdominal, vascular, bony, mediastinal and soft tissue findings respectively. The significant findings included 183 pulmonary nodules, 11 lung carcinomas, 7 pulmonary embolisms, 10 pleural effusions, 5 breast lesions suspicious for malignancy, 4 ventricular septal abnormalities, 20 atrial septal abnormalities, 96 liver lesions, 3 aortic dissections and 10 bony lesions suspicious for malignancy. Conclusion(s): This study confirms a high prevalence of ECF in CTCAs, of which a significant number require appropriate clinical or radiological follow-up. The high detection rate could be attributed to the excellent spatial resolution in the latest CT scanners and the predisposition (due to multiple underlying risk factors) that these patients have to developing pathology that might manifest as ECF. It is imperative that CTCA diagnos

BackgroundPleural separation, the "split pleura" sign, has been reported in patients with empyema. However, the diagnostic yield of the split pleura sign for complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE)/empyema and its utility for differentiating CPPE/empyema from parapneumonic effusion (PPE) remains unclear. This differentiation is important because CPPE/empyema patients need thoracic drainage. In this regard, the aim of this study was to develop a simple method to distinguish CPPE/empyema from PPE using computed tomography (CT) focusing on the split pleura sign, fluid attenuation values (HU: Hounsfield units), and amount of fluid collection measured on thoracic CT prior to diagnostic thoracentesis.MethodsA total of 83 consecutive patients who underwent chest CT and were diagnosed with CPPE (n=18)/empyema (n=18) or PPE (n=47) based on the diagnostic thoracentesis were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOn univariate analysis, the split pleura sign (odds ratio (OR), 12.1; p<0.001), total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) (OR, 6.13; p<0.001), HU value≥10 (OR, 5.94; p=0.001), and the presence of septum (OR, 6.43; p=0.018), atelectasis (OR, 6.83; p=0.002), or air (OR, 9.90; p=0.002) in pleural fluid were significantly higher in the CPPE/empyema group than in the PPE group. On multivariate analysis, only the split pleura sign (hazard ratio (HR), 6.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91-23.5; p=0.003) and total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) on thoracic CT (HR, 7.48; 95%CI, 1.76-31.8; p=0.006) were risk factors for empyema. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the presence of both split pleura sign and total amount of pleural effusion (≥30 mm) on thoracic CT for CPPE/empyema were 79.4%, 80.9%, 75%, and 84.4%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.801 on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ConclusionThis study showed a high diagnostic yield of the split pleura sign and total amount of pleural f

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is difficult to distinguish from reactive mesothelial proliferations (RMPs). It is uncertain whether miRNAs are useful biomarkers for differentiating MPM from RMPs. Thus, we screened with a quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR)-based platform the expression of 742 miRNAs in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, preoperative diagnostic biopsy samples, surgically resected MPM specimens previously treated with chemotherapy, and corresponding non-neoplastic pleura (NNP), from five patients. miR-126, miR-143, miR-145, and miR-652 were significantly down-regulated (≥twofold) in resected MPM and/or chemotherapy-naïve diagnostic tumor biopsy samples. The miRNA expression pattern was validated by RT-qPCR in a cohort of 40 independent MPMs. By performing binary logistic regression on the RT-qPCR data for the four miRNAs, the established four-miRNA classifier differentiated MPM from NNP with high sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00). The classifier's optimal logit(P) value of 0.62 separated NNP and MPM samples with a sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.89-1.00), a specificity of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.87-0.99), and an overall accuracy of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-1.00). The level of miR-126 in MPM was inversely correlated with that of the known target, the large neutral amino acid transporter, small subunit 1 (r = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.06). Overall, these results indicate that these four miRNAs may be suitable biomarkers for distinguishing MPM from RMPs.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma remains an incurable disease for which the optimal therapeutic approach remains an extremely debated issue. Though not yet clearly defined, a subset of patients may benefit from a surgery-based multimodal treatment plan, beyond what would be expected with non-surgical therapies only. Indeed, despite some disappointing results on the feasibility of a multimodality treatment (chemotherapy+surgery and post-operative radiation therapy) based on a lung sacrificing surgery (extrapleural pleuropnemonectomy) have been recently reported, the question concerning the role of extrapleural pneumonectomy in selected mesothelioma patients is still unanswered. In the light of this, we have reviewed our monoinstitutional retrospective experience in the mesothelioma management, discussing on the role of extrapleural pneumonectomy in the multimodality treatment.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is difficult to distinguish from reactive mesothelial proliferations (RMPs). It is uncertain whether miRNAs are useful biomarkers for differentiating MPM from RMPs. Thus, we screened with a quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR)-based platform the expression of 742 miRNAs in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, preoperative diagnostic biopsy samples, surgically resected MPM specimens previously treated with chemotherapy, and corresponding non-neoplastic pleura (NNP), from five patients. miR-126, miR-143, miR-145, and miR-652 were significantly down-regulated (≥twofold) in resected MPM and/or chemotherapy-naïve diagnostic tumor biopsy samples. The miRNA expression pattern was validated by RT-qPCR in a cohort of 40 independent MPMs. By performing binary logistic regression on the RT-qPCR data for the four miRNAs, the established four-miRNA classifier differentiated MPM from NNP with high sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00). The classifier's optimal logit(P) value of 0.62 separated NNP and MPM samples with a sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.89-1.00), a specificity of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.87-0.99), and an overall accuracy of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-1.00). The level of miR-126 in MPM was inversely correlated with that of the known target, the large neutral amino acid transporter, small subunit 1 (r = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.06). Overall, these results indicate that these four miRNAs may be suitable biomarkers for distinguishing MPM from RMPs.

Particles in the pleural space are cleared through pores connected to the subpleural lymphatic system of the parietal pleura, can be trapped in these pores and form "ack spots"structures composed of fibers, including carcinogenic long fibers, particles, macrophages and lymphocytes.The use of nanoparticles grow fast due to their high potential in many activities. Their potential toxicity is due to multiple factors including their shape. However, the association between exposure to nanoparticles and pleural lésions in humans remains to be demonstrated. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Particles in the pleural space are cleared through pores connected to the subpleural lymphatic system of the parietal pleura, can be trapped in these pores and form "ack spots"structures composed of fibers, including carcinogenic long fibers, particles, macrophages and lymphocytes.The use of nanoparticles grow fast due to their high potential in many activities. Their potential toxicity is due to multiple factors including their shape. However, the association between exposure to nanoparticles and pleural lésions in humans remains to be demonstrated. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published