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Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China) 2019Mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although histologically resembling their gonadal counterparts, they differ... (Review)
Review
Mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although histologically resembling their gonadal counterparts, they differ considerably in their clinical characteristics, biological behavior and prognostic outcome. The rarity of mediastinal GCTs has hindered their meaningful analysis, with most studies and clinical trials including them along with other extragonadal GCTs, which has led to a lack of consensus on optimal treatment strategies, and a lull in improvement in patient outcomes. Diagnosis of mediastinal GCT requires a multipronged approach, and encompasses multidisciplinary treatment including chemotherapy followed by surgery, with or without radiotherapy. In view of sustained response rates to current management protocols, the focus needs to be shifted to identifying patients in whom treatment regimens can be downscaled with the aim of decreasing long term morbidity and improving quality of life in low risk patient groups, while improving survival rates in poor risk patient subsets. In this scenario, better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors may lead to identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, as well as improved disease segmentation and risk stratification, thus helping to avoid the toxicity and morbidity associated with current one-fits-all treatment strategies. Multi-institutional collaborations across continents are necessary to generate meaningful data, and are the face of future developments in this arena.
PubMed: 35118258
DOI: 10.21037/med.2019.07.02 -
Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging Oct 2016The major lung resections are the pneumonectomies and lobectomies. The sublobar resections are segmentectomies and wedge resections. These are performed either through... (Review)
Review
The major lung resections are the pneumonectomies and lobectomies. The sublobar resections are segmentectomies and wedge resections. These are performed either through open surgery through a thoracotomy or by video-assisted mini-invasive surgery for lobectomies and sublobar resections. Understanding the procedures involved allows the normal postoperative appearances to be interpreted and these normal anatomical changes to be distinguished from potential postoperative complications. Surgery results in a more or less extensive physiological adaptation of the chest cavity depending on the lung volume, which has been resected. This adaptation evolves during the initial months postoperatively. Chest radiography and computed tomography can show narrowing of the intercostal spaces, a rise of the diaphragm and shift of the mediastinum on the side concerned following major resections.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonectomy; Postoperative Complications; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Surgical Instruments; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; Thoracostomy; Thoracotomy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27687830
DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2016.08.014 -
Cureus Aug 2022A 32-year-old male presented to the hospital with chief complaints of fever, cough, and breathlessness for the past 4 days and was found to be positive for severe acute...
A 32-year-old male presented to the hospital with chief complaints of fever, cough, and breathlessness for the past 4 days and was found to be positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On arrival at the hospital, the patient required supplemental oxygen. In addition, injection enoxaparin 80 mg subcutaneous twice a day and injection methylprednisolone 40 mg IV twice a day were administered for 10 days. Following this, the patient reported symptomatic improvement and was shifted to the ward with O2 @ 2 L/min through nasal prongs. However, the same evening he complained of right-sided pleuritic chest pain and developed worsening hypoxemia. CT scan of the thorax confirmed the presence of hydropneumothorax with a mediastinal shift to the left side. An intercostal drain (ICD) was placed after shifting him to the intensive care unit (ICU); pleural fluid sent for analysis confirmed the presence of a secondary bacterial infection for which he was treated with appropriate parenteral antibiotics.
PubMed: 36106207
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27827 -
Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ May 2024
Topics: Humans; Male; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Mediastinum
PubMed: 38806199
DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2023-213745 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jul 2019Fetal pleural effusions can be associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. When diagnosed antenatally, referral to a tertiary fetal medicine center is... (Review)
Review
Fetal pleural effusions can be associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. When diagnosed antenatally, referral to a tertiary fetal medicine center is recommended for a detailed ultrasound evaluation for additional structural abnormalities or features suggestive of congenital infections or fetal anemia. The effusions should be characterized as unilateral or bilateral, and presence of hydrops and/or mediastinal shift should be documented. Additional testing should include fetal echocardiography, maternal testing for blood group and screen, hemoglobinopathies, and congenital infections. Invasive genetic testing is recommended with infectious testing on amniotic or pleural fluid. Pleuroamniotic shunting is recommended for large primary pleural effusions with significant mediastinal shift or hydrops, as several large series have demonstrated improvement in perinatal survival, particularly in hydropic fetuses. Delivery should occur in a tertiary care center with neonatal expertise, and infants should be followed up long-term for respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Topics: Female; Fetal Diseases; Fetal Therapies; Humans; Hydrops Fetalis; Infant, Newborn; Perinatal Death; Pleural Effusion; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 30737016
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.01.005 -
EJHaem Nov 2023Lymphoid cancers are among the most frequent cancers diagnosed in adolescents and young adults (AYA), ranging from approximately 30%-35% of cancer diagnoses in... (Review)
Review
Lymphoid cancers are among the most frequent cancers diagnosed in adolescents and young adults (AYA), ranging from approximately 30%-35% of cancer diagnoses in adolescent patients (age 10-19) to approximately 10% in patients aged 30-39 years. Moreover, the specific distribution of lymphoid cancer types varies by age with substantial shifts in the subtype distributions between pediatric, AYA, adult, and older adult patients. Currently, biology studies specific to AYA lymphomas are rare and therefore insight into age-related pathogenesis is incomplete. This review focuses on the paradigmatic epidemiology and pathogenesis of select lymphomas, occurring in the AYA patient population. With the example of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma (incl. pediatric-type follicular lymphoma), and mediastinal lymphomas (incl. classic Hodgkin lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma and mediastinal gray zone lymphoma), we here illustrate the current state-of-the-art in lymphoma classification, recent molecular insights including genomics, and translational opportunities. To improve outcome and quality of life, international collaboration in consortia dedicated to AYA lymphoma is needed to overcome challenges related to siloed biospecimens and data collections as well as to develop studies designed specifically for this unique population.
PubMed: 38024596
DOI: 10.1002/jha2.785 -
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology... Jan 2023
Topics: Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatectomy
PubMed: 36245077
DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003640 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Jan 2022In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the mediastinal shift caused by the herniated organs negatively affects lung development. Assessment of the fetal...
In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the mediastinal shift caused by the herniated organs negatively affects lung development. Assessment of the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mediastinal shift angle (MSA) was shown to have an inverse correlation with the total fetal lung volume (TFLV), being associated with neonatal survival. However, a possible association with postnatal morbidity has never been investigated. We hypothesize that the degree of the mediastinal shift could be associated with higher respiratory and cardiocirculatory impairment, requiring intensive treatments and extended hospitalization in survivors. We retrospectively consider a cohort of isolated, left-sided CDH, for whom we calculated the MSA and the observed/expected (O/E) TFLV at fetal MRI. We performed a data collection regarding inotropic or vasoactive support, treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay. General linear models were performed. The MSA and O/E TFLV were inversely correlated (Pearson's coefficient - 0.65, p < 0.001), and deceased patients showed higher MSA values then survivors (p = 0.011). Among survivors, an increase in MSA was associated with longer pharmacological treatments (dobutamine: p = 0.016; dopamine: p = 0.049; hydrocortisone: p = 0.003; nitric oxide: p = 0.002; sildenafil: p = 0.039; milrinone: p = 0.039; oxygen: p = 0.066), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), with an increasing trend in the length of hospitalization (p = 0.089).Conclusion: The MSA indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia and is associated with a higher neonatal intensity of cares. However, further studies are needed to consolidate the results.Trial registration: The study is an exploratory post hoc analysis of the registered NeoAPACHE protocol at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04396028. What is Known: • In congenital diaphragmatic hernia, the lung size, liver position, and defect side are the most common prenatal prognostic parameters used in clinical practice for morbidity and mortality prediction. • Lung hypoplasia, strictly associated with lung size, is estimated by observed/expected lung to head ratio and observed/expected total fetal lung volume with prenatal ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. What is New: • A new, faster, more straightforward, and less operator-dependent tool to assess CDH severity could be the mediastinal shift angle calculation with fetal magnetic resonance imaging. • Postnatal clinical severity, considered as a postnatal cardiovascular and respiratory impairment that indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia, is associated with an increased mediastinal shift angle calculation.
Topics: Female; Gestational Age; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lung; Lung Volume Measurements; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 34302257
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04207-8 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Aug 2018From its inception, cutting edge minimally invasive thoracic surgery has pursued to barely produce patient perturbation. Although state of the art techniques such as...
From its inception, cutting edge minimally invasive thoracic surgery has pursued to barely produce patient perturbation. Although state of the art techniques such as uniportal approach have achieved a remarkable reduction in postoperative morbidity, there is still a way to go in patient comfort. A new 'tubeless' concept has surfaced as an alternative to double-lumen intubation with general anaesthesia combining non-intubated spontaneous breathing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) surgery under loco-regional blockade with the avoidance of central line, epidural or urinary catheter and chest tube in selected patients. Those procedures combine the most evolved and less invasive techniques in anaesthesia, video-assisted surgery and perioperative care to cause the least trauma and allow for faster recovery. Non-intubated thoracic surgery used to rise some concerns regarding spontaneous breathing collapse, oxygenation, cough reflex triggering and mediastinal shift. Today, experienced teams in high-volume centers have proven non-intubated major lung resections are feasible and safe once those drawbacks have been overcome with the proper techniques and extensive previous expertise in VATS. Tubeless thoracic surgery is currently evolving, challenging former exclusion criteria and expanding indications to major lung resections or even tracheal and carinal resections to provide better intraoperative status and promote minimal need for recovery.
PubMed: 30345103
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.06.48 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Aug 2018
Review
PubMed: 29848450
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.04.033