Background: We often experienced early recurrence in patients with completely resected N2-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Loss of muscle mass is a poor prognostic factor in patients with several stages of NSCLC. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative loss of muscle mass and postoperative early recurrence in patients with N2-positive NSCLC.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 47 male patients with completely resected pathological N2-positive NSCLC. Early recurrence was defined as that diagnosed within 1 year after the operation. We used the L3 muscle index (cross-sectional area of muscle at the L3 level, normalized for height) as a clinical measurement of loss of muscle mass (cutoff value, 52.4 cm²/m²).

Results: In all, 18 patients with early recurrence had significantly poorer outcomes compared with those without (P <0.01). In univariate analysis, loss of muscle mass (P = 0.023), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level >5.0 ng/mL (P = 0.002), and absence of postoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.042) were predictors of postoperative early recurrence. In multivariate analysis, loss of muscle mass (P = 0.004) and CEA level >5.0 ng/mL (P = 0.001) were independent predictors.

Conclusions: Loss of muscle mass is an independent predictor of postoperative early recurrence in pathological N2-positive NSCLC patients.

Purpose: To identify occult pneumothorax with oblique chest X-ray (OCXR) in clinically suspected patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined 1082 adult multitrauma patients who were admitted to our emergency service between January 2016 and January 2017. Clinical findings that suggest occult pneumothorax were rib fracture, flail chest, chest pain, subcutaneous emphysema, abrasion or ecchymosis and moderate to severe hypoxia in clinical parameters. All of these patients underwent anteroposterior chest X-ray (APCXR), but no pneumothorax could be detected. Upon this, OCXR was performed using mobile X-ray equipment.

Results: Traumatic pneumothorax was observed in 421 (38.9%) of 1082 patients. We applied OCXR to 26 multitrauma patients. Occult pneumothorax was evaluated at 22 patients (2.03%) in 1082 multitrauma patients. The 22 patients who had multitrauma occult pneumothorax on OCXR were internated at intensive care unit (ICU) and follow-up was done using OCXR and APCXR.

Conclusions: OCXR can be an alternative imaging technique to identify occult pneumothorax in some trauma patients at emergency room and also follow period at ICU.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of surgery after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced-non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) with superior vena cava (SVC) resection in terms of prognosis and early and late postoperative course.

Methods: The medical records of NSCLC patients who underwent surgery after CRT at our institution between January 2001 and March 2016 were reviewed. We evaluated the feasibility of surgery with SVC resection after CRT.

Results: A total of 8 LA-NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study. The SVC management included a graft replacement in two patients, pericardial patch repair in two, and direct suture closure in four. A complete resection was achieved in seven of the eight patients (87.5%). Postoperative early and late complication rate (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ grade III) was 25%. All the complications were manageable, and no treatment-related deaths occurred in this series. Although seven out of eight patients showed good patency of reconstructed SVC, one patient exhibited the SVC occlusion during long-term follow-up period. Regarding the prognosis, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 60.0%, and the 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 75.0%.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that surgery with SVC resection after CRT is a feasible procedure in terms of clinical outcomes and postoperative course.

Purpose: To assess whether a combined treatment of low-frequency (25 kHz) ultrasonic-debridement systems followed by vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) produces a better outcome in deep sternal wound infections (SWIs) compared to that of VAC alone.

Methods: We evaluated 45 consecutive patients (25 males) between January 2013 and December 2016, in whom deep SWI was treated with a combination of low-frequency ultrasonic debridement system followed by vacuum-assisted closure (group A, n = 23) or with only vacuum-assisted closure therapy (group B, n = 22). Our final step in both groups was a secondary wound closure with a musculocutaneous flap.

Results: In both groups, a similar variety of bacteria were isolated. The time between eradication and secondary wound closure was significantly shorter in group A (7.3 ± 4.8 vs. 19.9 ± 17.2 days, p = 0.001). After a third debridement session, 95.7% of microbiological cultures were negative in group A versus 54.5% in B ( p = 0.001). Duration of antibiotic treatment ( p = 0.003) and hospitalization time ( p = 0.0001) were significantly shorter in group A.

Conclusion: The use of low-frequency ultrasonic debridement system is an effective, less invasive technique to combat wound infection. In combination with vacuum-assisted closure therapy, we documented good mid-term results in our patients.

An anterior mediastinal tumor was detected in a 45-year-old female during a medical checkup. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed the anterior mediastinal tumor and a pulmonary tumor in the right lower lobe. Furthermore, tumors of the parathyroid gland, pancreas, and pituitary gland were also detected. She was clinically diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type1 (MEN1). The patient underwent extended thymectomy combined with mediastinal lymph node dissection and wedge resection of the lung including the right pulmonary lesion via a median sternotomy. We diagnosed the patient with an atypical carcinoid tumor of the thymus, a typical pulmonary carcinoid tumor.

A 66-year-old woman underwent right nephrectomy for treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Two years later, she underwent wedge resection of the right lung for treatment of metastatic RCC and primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. She began oral sorafenib for the remaining nodules of the left lung, which were suspected to be metastatic RCC. Two years later, the sorafenib was changed to everolimus because of slight enlargement of the left pulmonary nodules. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration then increased to 25.7 ng/mL, and chest computed tomography (CT) revealed ground-glass opacities (GGO) in the bilateral lungs. Everolimus-induced lung injury was suspected, and she discontinued the everolimus. Two months later, the serum CEA concentration decreased to almost within the reference range at 5.9 ng/mL, and the GGO disappeared on chest CT. In conclusion, we encountered a patient who developed an elevated serum CEA concentration caused by everolimus-induced lung injury.

Pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAA) and pseudoaneurysms (PAP) are caused by infections, vasculitis, trauma, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease, and connective tissue disease. Most cases of such aneurysm occur in the trunk or major branches of the pulmonary artery, while the peripheral type is less common. The treatment modalities are medical therapy, surgery, and percutaneous catheter embolization. The mortality rate associated with rupture is approximately 50%. We encountered a case of a 53-year-old man with a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to pneumonia and cavity formation during chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In diagnosis, contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan and pulmonary angiography were very useful. He was treated with right middle and lower lobectomy. After 1-month follow-up, he could restart additional chemotherapy.

An 83-year-old man with aortic arch aneurysm underwent zone 0 thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) by the chimney graft technique with two supra-aortic arch debranching grafts and developed subacute type A ascending aortic dissection. We performed emergency open conversion with circulatory arrest under deep hypothermia. The tip of the chimney graft (around the sino-tubular junction in the ascending aorta) was stiff, making it difficult to inspect the lumen and perform anastomosis. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and cutting the endograft stents to mobilize the graft were necessary for secure anastomosis.

Purpose: Transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is one alternative approach if unfavorable femoral access. However, this approach may cause cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs) by temporarily occluding common carotid artery (CCA). The purpose of this study is to develop a new method reducing cerebral ischemia during transcarotid TAVI.

Methods: We inserted an 8- and 18-Fr. sheath in CCA with tip toward brain and aortic arch, respectively, and connected their side arms to create a bypass flow. Medtronic CoreValve was then delivered and deployed in position after pre-TAVI balloon dilatation.

Results: Three patients received this implantation. There were no CVAs or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) after the procedure and all patients had been followed up uneventfully for 1 year.

Conclusion: Our technique is feasible and potentially reduces stroke in transcarotid TAVI.