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Abstract Background Malignant pleural effusion is a common sequelae in patients with certain malignancies. It represents a terminal condition with short median survival (in terms of months) and the goal is palliation. Aim of our study is to analyze morbidity, mortality and life expectancy following videothoracoscopic talc poudrage. Materials and methods From September 2004 to October 2009, 400 patients underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for malignant pleural effusion. The conditions of patients were assessed and graded before and after treatment concerning morbidity, mortality, success rate of pleurodesis and median survival. Results The median duration of follow up was 40 months (range 4-61 months). All patients demonstrated notable improvement in dyspnea. Intraoperative mortality was zero. The procedure was well tolerated and no significant adverse effects were observed. In hospital mortality was 2% and the pleurodesis success rate was 85%. A poor Karnofsky Performance Status and delay between diagnosis of pleural effusion and pleurodesis were statistically significant factors for in-hospital mortality. The best survival was seen in breast cancer, followed by ovarian cancer, lymphoma and pleural mesothelioma. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage is an effective and safe procedure that yields a high rate of successful pleurodesis and achieves long-term control with marked dyspnea decrease.

Abstract Background Reduction in visual acuity combined with blurred vision is rarely the first sign of lung cancer and very few cases have been announced globally. Case presentation A case of a 46-year-old man who admitted with blurred vision is presented. His medical history, apart from a mild gastritis under treatment was negative. Ocular examination revealed a decrease in visual acuity due to a choroidal tumor. Further image body scans demonstrated a right lung lesion with dissemination to other organs. Diagnosis of a non-small cell lung cancer established after a VATS biopsy carried out. Conclusion Blurred vision due to choroidal metastasis as the primary symptom of lung cancer is very uncommon. A great index of suspicion is essential when a choroidal lesion appears.

Abstract Background Cutaneous metastases in the facial region occur in less than 0.5% of patients with metastatic cancer. Case presentation A 52-year-old woman who admitted with a lung and a skull skin nodule is presented. She had a known diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma following an extended total hysterectomy two years ago. Excision biopsy of both nodules revealed metastatic disease. Conclusion The appearance of a cutaneous nodule in a patient with a history of uterine leiomyosarcoma might indicate a metastatic tumor lesion. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry are essential for correct diagnosis.

Abstract Introduction Cutaneous metastases in the facial region occur in less than 0.5% of patients with metastatic cancer. They are an important finding and are not often the first sign leading to diagnosis. Case presentation We describe the case of a 64-year-old male patient who presented with dyspnea, pleuritic pain, loss of weight and a nodule on his left cheek. A chest X-ray revealed a left upper lobe mass with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Excision biopsy of the facial nodule revealed small-cell lung carcinoma. Palliative chemo-radiotherapy was administered and the patient survived for 12 months. Conclusion A high index of suspicion is necessary for the early detection of facial cutaneous metastases. Appropriate treatment may prolong patient survival.

Abstract Background Among human neoplasms thymomas are associated with highest frequency with paraneoplastic autoimmune diseases. Case presentation A case of a 42-year-old woman with paraneoplastic pemphigus as the first manifestation of thymoma is reported. Transsternal complete thymoma resection achieved pemphigus regression. The clinical correlations between pemphigus and thymoma are presented. Conclusion Our case report provides further evidence for the important role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic skin diseases in thymoma patients. It also documents the improvement of the associated pemphigus after radical treatment of the thymoma.

Abstract Introduction Iatrogenic injuries of the membranous trachea have become increasingly common and may trigger a cascade of immediate life-threatening complications. Case presentation A case of a 48-year-old man with an iatrogenic membranous tracheal wall rupture after double-lumen intubation during Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy is presented. Tracheal injury was successfully managed surgically with the use of bovine pericardial patch and reinforcement with the gastric conduit which was moved toward the posterior wall of the membranous trachea sealing the wall laceration. Conclusion Our technique was proved to be safe, effective and not technically demanding. Early recognition with prompt surgery is the gold standard of managing such cases, although small tears can be managed conservatively.

Abstract Introduction Liposarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed soft tissue sarcoma in adults and occurs predominantly in the lower limbs and retroperitoneum. Primary mediastinal liposarcomas are rare. They are often asymptomatic and when growing to large size the presenting symptoms are related to direct invasion or compression of other thoracic organs such as the heart, great vessels and lung. Case presentation A case of a 68-year-old man with primary mediastinal liposarcoma involving the diaphragm and pericardium and successfully managed by complete surgical excision is presented. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful with no evidence of recurrence 9 months after the operation. Conclusion Surgical removal is the optimal treatment for a mediastinal liposarcoma. If the entire tumor can not be resected, surgical debulking often results in symptomatic relief. International literature has demonstrated that recurrent disease occurs and therefore a long-term careful follow up is required.

Introduction : Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair is associated with high morbidity postoperatively. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients who underwent ATAAD repair. Patients and Methods : Two hundred and twenty-three patients underwent ATAAD repair. Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) was evaluated according to the Kidney Disease-Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Results: Postoperative AKI was observed in 140 patients (62.8%). The patients with postoperative AKI classified by KDIGO stages: 1 = 53 (23.8%), 2 = 36 (16.1%), and 3 = 51 (22.9%) patients. Twenty-eight patients (12.6%) underwent replacement renal therapy due to severe renal impairment (KDIGO stage 3). Multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted to risk factors) showed that preoperative eGFR was the risk factor for postoperative RRT (odds ratio (OR) = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, p < 0.01). The lengths of hospital and intensive care-unit stay differed between the patients with and without postoperative RRT ( p < 0.001 for both). Postoperative RRT was associated with 30-day mortality (10.3% versus 35.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusions : Postoperative AKI was associated with high morbidity and mortality rate in patients after ATAAD repair.

Key Clinical Message: Systemic to pulmonary venous collaterals (SPVCs) are common findings in patients with Fontan and may be responsible for desaturation in this group of patients. In selected cases, percutaneous closure of SPVCs with coils or vascular plugs could be offered as a safe and effective treatment modality for these patients., Abstract: A 27-year-old female patient who had operated primarily with Glenn operation and she underwent later a lateral tunnel Fontan operation. After 5 years, she presented with desaturation due to significant systemic to pulmonary venous collateral development, and a decision was made to proceed with interventional occlusion. Afterward, the arterial saturations increased., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Key Clinical Message: Anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is a rare congenital heart malformation that results in early infant mortality. These patients are at risk for the early development of significant pulmonary hypertension. The surgical management during the early period of life is imperative., Abstract: Anomalous pulmonary artery originating from the ascending aorta (often called hemitruncus) is a rare congenital cardiac defect requiring immediate management in the neonatal period. We report a case of a rare variant of anomalous right pulmonary artery originating from the ascending aorta in combination with pulmonary atresia and tetralogy of Fallot. The above-mentioned combination makes the surgical management of such cardiac defect exceedingly demanding., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Mitral regurgitation is one of the most prevalent valvulopathies with a disease burden that incurs significant healthcare costs globally. Surgical repair of the posterior mitral valve leaflet is a standard treatment, but approaches for repairing the anterior mitral valve leaflet are not widely established. Since anterior leaflet involvement is less common and more difficult to repair, fewer studies have investigated its natural history and treatment options. In this review, we discuss surgical techniques for repairing the anterior leaflet and their outcomes, including survival, reoperation, and recurrence of regurgitation. We show that most patients with mitral regurgitation from the anterior leaflet can be repaired with good outcomes if performed at centers with expertise. Additionally, equal consideration for early repair should be given to patients with mitral regurgitation from both anterior and posterior pathology. However, more studies to better evaluate the efficacy and safety of anterior mitral valve leaflet repair are needed., (Copyright © 2024 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We present the outcomes of delayed chest closure in neonates who underwent congenital heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Eighty-one consecutive neonatal patients (age ≤ 28 days) with congenital heart diseases who underwent heart operations and after surgery, chest remained open in the intensive care unit until DCC. Correction of transposition of the great arteries pathology was the most common surgical procedure (48.1% of patients). Median sternal closure time from surgery was 3 (2-4) days. Median age of neonates was 9 (5-12) days. In addition, in 4 cases (4.9%) there was secretion from the surgical site after DCC and after taking cultures, in 2 (2.4%) of the cases a pathogen was identified. Multivariable linear regression analysis (adjusted to gender and CPB) showed that only the age-predicted the sternum closure time (β=-0.09, 95%CI: - 0.16 to -0.02, p=0.02). In-hospital mortality was 6 (7.4%) patients. Although the DCC in neonates who underwent CHD surgical correction was related to a high mortality rate, only the age of neonates predicted the sternum closure time in the ICU.

Key Clinical Message: Descending aorta to right atrial (RA) fistula is a rare and distinct clinical entity mimicking patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and it may lead to rapid development of pulmonary vascular disease. Correct diagnosis and treatment, especially in the presence of other congenital heart defects, is very important. Interventional management is the treatment of choice., Abstract: We present a case report of a trisomy 21 infant with atrial and ventricular septal defects and small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) complicated by the presence of descending aorta to right atrial (RA) fistula with large left to right shunt leading to rapid increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Transcatheter occlusion of the fistula followed by closure of the PDA with Nit-Occlud coil systems led to decreased pulmonary pressure and resistance permitting successful surgical repair of the patient's intracardiac defects with good outcome over 3 years of follow-up. Descending aorta to RA fistula is a rare and distinct clinical entity mimicking PDA and its correct diagnosis and treatment, especially in the presence of other congenital heart defects, is very important as it may lead to rapid development of pulmonary vascular disease., (© 2024 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-23-1191/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Key Clinical Message: Anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is a rare congenital malformation and it needs surgical management. Consequences of this condition affect lead to pulmonary hypertension and severe pulmonary vascular disease., Abstract: Anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is a rare congenital heart malformation that results in early infant mortality affecting the right pulmonary artery more than the left. These patients are at risk for the early development of significant pulmonary hypertension. The surgical management during the early period of life is imperative., (© 2023 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a granulomatous arteritis involving large arteries, particularly the aorta and its major proximal branches, including the carotid and temporal arteries. GCA involves individuals over 50 years old. The etiopathogenesis of GCA may involve a genetic background triggered by unknown environmental factors (eg infections), the activation of dendritic cells as well as inflammatory and vascular remodeling. However, its pathogenetic mechanism still remains unclear, although progress has been made in recent years. In the past, inflammatory markers and arterial biopsy were considered as gold standard for the diagnosis of GCA. However, emerging imaging methods have been made more sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of GCA. Treatment includes biological and other modalities including interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors.