Purpose: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a ligand of the c-met proto-oncogene, exhibits activating effects on human lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo. However, few studies have reported the correlations between concentration changes of blood HGF and postsurgical prognosis.
Methods: We evaluated whether surgery-related blood HGF elevation has prognostic significance in patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer. We examined blood HGF concentration, c-met expression, and postoperative prognosis of 25 cases of primary resected, non-small cell lung cancer.
Results: We divided the patients into 2 groups according to receiver operating characteristics curve analysis using 7.2 ng/mL as the cut-off value of blood HGF concentration. Survival curve analysis revealed that patients with a high level of HGF (over the cutoff value) exhibited a poor prognosis of metastatic disease, compared to those in the low-level group after curative surgery (log rank test, P = 0.020; Wilcoxon test, P = 0.016).
Conclusion: Elevation of HGF in plasma may be an important prognostic factor for early metastatic disease in patients with primary lung cancer. Moreover, inhibition of HGF elevation may have therapeutic effects on early distant metastasis of lung cancer.

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Background: We report our experience of cardiac surgery with concomitant pulmonary resection, based on analysis of the results.
Methods: Eleven patients (1 woman, 10 men) underwent cardiac surgery simultaneously with pulmonary resection; ten of them through median sternotomy. The cancer pathology consisted of non-small cell carcinoma (n = 10), and benign teratoma (n = 1). All lung lesions were removed using a wedge resection. Cardiac procedures consisted of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 4), aortic valve replacement (n = 3), mitral valve plasty (n = 2), total arch replacement (n = 1), and descending aorta replacement (n = 1). Lung wedge resections were performed after induction with protamine sulfate.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 19 ± 11 months (2–34). There was no operative mortality and no major cardiac complications. Three patients underwent a subsequent lobectomy through lateral thoracotomy. There were two postoperative deaths: one was from an unknown cause, 8 months postoperatively and another was from a lung cancer recurrence, 9 months after surgery. There were two local recurrences, 9 months and 14 months, postoperatively. The mean cancer-free period was 17 ± 10 (2–32) months.
Conclusion: Rates of operative mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery with concomitant pulmonary resection were favorable, and early to midterm results were acceptable.

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Purpose: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is optimally treated by creating a dual coronary system. Our aim was to review the results of operations performed in these patients and determine the intermediate-term outcomes for left ventricular function and mitral regurgitation.
Methods: Between July 2004 and January 2009 seven patients (5 boys, 2 girls) aged between 4 months and 12 years (median, 4.5 years) were operated for anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. The surgical correction was either performed by direct implantation (58%) or restoration of a composite tunnel (42%). Simultaneous mitral annuloplasty was performed in one patient with severe mitral regurgitation and simultaneous total correction of tetralogy of Fallot was performed in another.
Results: There was no hospital or late deaths. Postoperative echocardiograms demonstrated a significant improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (52% ± 6% versus 39% ± 8%, P = 0.02) and mitral regurgitation (11% mild versus 48% moderate, P = 0.02) compared to those obtained preoperatively.
Conclusion: Direct re implantation of the left coronary artery to the aorta and restoration of a composite tunnel from aortic and pulmonary artery walls are equally effective techniques with an acceptable operative mortality, excellent cardiac recovery, and intermediate survival.

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Background: Our surgical strategies for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are prompt establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass and primary entry resection. We investigated our experience with surgery for AAAD.
Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2006, 243 consecutive patients with AAAD underwent emergency surgery. Clinical and diagnostic data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: Surgical procedures included ascending aorta or hemiarch replacement (n = 212) and total or partial arch replacement (n = 31), and those for proximal reconstruction included modified Bentall procedure (n = 8), and aortic valve replacement (n = 3). Hospital mortality was 6.9%, and entry resection was performed in 74% of patients. Actuarial survival rate at 5 and 10 years was 86% ± 14% and 77% ± 23%, respectively. A total of 13 patients required re-operation: 5, an aortic root; 3, an aortic arch; and 5, a descending aorta. Actuarial freedom from re-operation at 5 and 10 years was 95% ± 5%, and 81% ± 18%, respectively.
Conclusions: Our surgical strategy for AAAD seems to be pertinent with acceptable short- and long-term results. Since we lost 8 patients due to rupture of false lumen postoperatively, careful follow-up for a residual false lumen may improve the patients’ prognosis.

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Purpose: We evaluated the relationship between internal thoracic artery (ITA) stenosis anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the degree of LAD stenosis using 320-detector row computed tomography (320-ADCT) and adenosine thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (Tl-201-MPS).
Methods: We included 101 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using ITA grafts; 320-ADCT and adenosine Tl-201-MPS were performed 2–3 months after CABG. Clinical parameters, degree of LAD stenosis, and regional myocardial ischemia of the LAD territory were compared between patients without ITA stenosis (Group A) and with ITA stenosis (Group B).
Results: Thirty patients (30%) had ≤75% LAD stenosis, and 9 patients (30%) showed significant ITA stenosis. Regional ischemia was noted in 23 patients (23%). There were no differences in clinical parameters between the 2 groups. Twenty-two patients (24%) in Group A and 8 patients (89%) in Group B had ≤75% LAD stenosis (P <0.002). No Group B patients had regional myocardial ischemia of the LAD territory.
Conclusion: We concluded that ≤75% LAD stenosis significantly influences ITA stenosis, without associated regional myocardial ischemia of the LAD territory. Non-invasive 320-ADCT and adenosine Tl-201-MPS for ITA evaluation may be useful for long-term follow-up of patients after CABG.

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Intramural esophageal dissection is a rare disorder that should be considered in patients presenting with chest pain, dysphagia, and hematemesis. Although most commonly occurring in elderly women with impaired coagulation, esophageal dissection has also been observed in other demographics including in those with eosinophilic esophagitis. In our report, we present the case of a 19-year-old man who was found to have an intramural esophageal dissection in the setting of undiagnosed eosinophilic esophagitis. There have been multiple, proposed management strategies; however, we implemented a nonoperative approach and obtained successful results. Intramural esophageal dissection is an important diagnosis for thoracic surgeons to be aware of as these patients often present as surgical emergencies, but often do not require an acute surgical intervention.

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Arteriovenous fistuli are congenital malformations. Usually symptoms depend on size of the lesion. Lesions smaller than 2 cm are often asymptomatic. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, palpitation and fatigue. Cyanosis is indicative of right to left shunt. Helical computed tomography (CT) scan is a helpful diagnostic tool in this case. Surgery is the treatment of choice in patients with isolated lesions. Embolization is a selective method in patients with multiple or bilateral lesions.
The patient was a 13-year–old boy complaining of cyanosis of lips and nails as well as dyspnea for 5 years. Definite diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) in the right middle lobe was based on CT angiography. The patient underwent a thoracotomy and lobectomy of the right middle lobe. After surgery cyanosis and dyspnea were completely resolved.

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A mediastinal Mullerian cyst was initially reported as a new category of congenital cyst by Hattori, et al. in 2005. We treated a 53-year-old female referred to us with a posterior mediastinal tumor found at the Th5 prevertebral level by chest-computed tomography during a medical check-up. She had a history of mediastinal teratoma, which was removed at the age of 35. Chest magnetic resonance imaging revealed homogenous, high-intensity signals in T2-weighted images. The lesion was resected using a thoracoscopic procedure, and histologic and immunohistochemical staining revealed a ciliated cyst of Mullerian origin. The newly established mediastinal Mullerian cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of posterior mediastinal cysts.

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Many approaches for resection of the superior mediastinal tumors have been reported. We introduce an approach, which we call the cervical anterior approach. This approach is only cervical and does not require a sternotomy. Merits of this approach include the ability to remove the tumor without opening the mediastinal or parietal pleura, as well as obviating draining the thoracic cavity. The tumor is also directly visible, and the surgeon can avoid injury to the great vessels. This approach is recommended when the tumor is located superior to the third thoracic vertebra level, when it borders the great vessels, and when it does not border the trunk of the brachial plexus or nerve root. This approach is easy and safe for surgical procedures.

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Mediastinal seminoma is a rare malignant tumor, and the current strategy for primary mediastinal seminomas is making a prompt diagnosis and achieving an appropriate chemotherapy. However, consensus regarding the optimal post-chemotherapy management has not been reached. We experienced a case of 26-year-old man who was diagnosed mediastinal seminoma and evaluated the response to induction chemotherapy with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). Complete surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Pathologic findings of the surgical specimen showed no viable cells in the tumor.

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We report an extremely rare case of deformity of the pulmonary sinus of Valsalva with pulmonary valvular stenosis 42 years after a pulmonary annular-sparing operation for tetralogy of Fallot. Aortic regurgitation with deformity of the sinus is also noted. At the previous operation, the right ventricular outflow tract was augmented by a prosthetic subvalvular patch. Through the years, the pulmonary valve and sinus were distorted because the patch was pulled over toward the right ventricle.

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Pulmonary sequestration is a relatively rare malformation. The incidence of common pyogenic infection in this anomaly is very high. We describe a non-symptomatic, 19-year-old man who was misdiagnosed with left lower lobe pneumonia, which was treated with antibiotics for nearly one month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reconstruction showed an aberrant artery originated from the left side of the descending aorta, and went through the infiltration of the left lower lobe. The patient underwent surgical removal of the affected lobe. Microscopy demonstrated resected sequestrated lung tissue that was mainly composed of caseous necrosis with Langhans cells. And the tuberculosis was just confined to the sequestrated lung without any other sites of lung tuberculous infection. The patient received subsequent antituberculous chemotherapy after his operation. At 4-month follow-up, his clinical status was excellent. There are few reports of sequestration combined with tuberculosis. This case showed us two things: first, a persistent infiltration or consolidation in a same segment, especially in the lower lobe, reminds us of the possibility of sequestration; and second, even if the diagnosis of sequestrated lung is confirmed, we should consider whether the patient has any other diseases, besides the tuberculosis.

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We report two cases of non-obstructive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), a rare but potentially lethal complication after cardiovascular surgery, which was successfully managed. In both cases (a 74-year-old chronic hemodialysis patient who underwent emergency aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and a 74-year-old patient who underwent emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm operation), NOMI occurred early postoperatively (on day 8 and 22, respectively). They suffered from severe abdominal pain, confusion, and metabolic acidosis. Contrast-enhanced multi-detector CT (MDCT) scan and subsequent selective mesenteric angiography revealed characteristic signs of NOMI, for which selective papaverine infusion through the angiography catheter was performed. It was effective in both cases to halt progressive bowel ischemia and bided our time to perform a hemicolectomy of the necrotic segment. Contrast-enhanced MDCT scan and subsequent selective angiography are vital for diagnosis. If the condition does not improve after selective papaverine infusion, exploratory laparotomy and resection of necrotic intestinal segment should be performed immediately.

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Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and disabling genetic disorder characterized by congenital malformation of the great toes and by progressive heterotopic ossification. There is no effective treatment. Conservative management is unsuccessful, and operation result in failure because new ectopic bone forms at the operative site. We report a 10-year-old boy with FOP who underwent surgical management combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

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The occurrence of aorto–right ventricular (aorto-RV) fistula after prosthetic aortic valve replacement is rare. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with color-flow Doppler, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), or both may be required for diagnosis. A 42-year-old woman sought care for palpitations and dyspnea due to atrial flutter 2 weeks after prosthetic aortic valve replacement and graft replacement of the ascending aorta. TTE and TEE revealed left-to-right shunt due to aorto-RV fistula.

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Concomitant coronary artery disease and mitral valve disease are rare in Takayasu’s Arteritis. Our patient had Takayasu’s Arteritis diagnosed 9 years ago. She had an inferior myocardial infarction and double stent implantation 8 months ago. She was admitted to the hospital for chest pain, and 3 vessel diseases were diagnosed with significant mitral regurgitation due to anterior leaflet prolapse. In this report, we present perioperative management of our patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement.

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Closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the elderly is a high-risk procedure due to the fragility of the aorta and aneurysmal changes in the ductus. Stent grafting has emerged as a method for treating aortic disease. We describe a case in which this endovascular technique was successfully performed for closure of a PDA with aneurismal change in a high-risk patient. This approach may comprise the armamentarium for treating this pathology in adults.

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High operative mortality of infected thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (ITAA) is partly attributable to ischemic injury during aortic clamping. A case is presented of an 88-year old man who was admitted with imminent rupture of an ITAA. Axillobifemoral bypass grafting had been performed after removal of an infected abdominal aortic prosthesis six years earlier. In situ graft replacement was performed during 70 minutes of aortic clamping just below the pulmonary hilum without causing any but transient renal ischemic injury. Since the infrarenal aorta was absent after previous removal of an infected aortic prosthesis, the axillobifemoral bypass provided sufficient blood supply to intestines, kidneys and spinal medulla via arterial collaterals. Blood supply was sufficient, although a previous rectosigmoid resection must have destroyed some of the collaterals and one iliac artery was chronically occluded. The most important message from this case is that an axillobifemoral bypass may prevent ischemic injury during operations for ITAA even when collateral circulation is reduced, possibly on the condition that backbleeding from end-organ arteries is prevented, and there is a pressurized aortic segment that can redistribute blood that arrives via arterial collaterals.

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A 25-year-old woman with a history of chronic bronchitis since age 12 and 3–4 previous episodes of pneumonia presented to the emergency room with cough and shortness of breath. A CT scan of her chest revealed findings consistent with Morgagni hernia with herniation of omental fat, causing near complete compressive atelectasis of the right middle lobe. The diaphragmatic defect was successfully treated with a laparoscopic repair. The patient was discharged home on the first postoperative day after tolerating regular diet.

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