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Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jun 2008Evaluation of transcapsular invasion is currently considered very important in the pathologic examination of thymomas. However, recent studies have questioned the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Evaluation of transcapsular invasion is currently considered very important in the pathologic examination of thymomas. However, recent studies have questioned the prognostic value of stratifying thymoma patients into stage I and II disease. Evidence-based pathology promotes the use of systematic reviews of literature and meta-analysis of data to synthesize the results of multiple publications.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the data in the literature regarding the prognostic importance of transcapsular invasion in thymoma stage I and II.
DESIGN
A systematic review of the English literature was carried out for "thymoma," "stage," and "prognoses." Case reports, case series with fewer than 10 cases, and studies with follow-up periods shorter than 5 years were excluded. Twenty-one retrospective publications reporting the experience with 2451 thymomas were selected for review, including 1419 stage I and 1032 stage II patients. Meta-analysis was performed, and possible publication bias was studied with funnel plots of precision and various statistics.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis yielded no significant differences in disease-free or overall survival rates in stage I and II thymoma patients. Funnel plots of precision and statistical tests such as the Egger regression intercept test showed no significant publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
The lack of significant differences in the prognosis of patients with stages I and II thymoma suggests that evaluation of transcapsular invasion is of no clinical value in tumors that lack invasion of neighboring organs or the pleura. The data regarding the prognosis of stage II thymoma patients is somewhat heterogenous, with only some individuals having been treated with radiation therapy, suggesting the need for future randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Prognosis; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms
PubMed: 18517274
DOI: 10.5858/2008-132-926-EPATPE -
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional... Jul 2017Intrapleural foreign body is an uncommon condition, usually encountered in the setting of thoracic trauma, but can rarely complicate diagnostic procedures such as... (Review)
Review
Intrapleural foreign body is an uncommon condition, usually encountered in the setting of thoracic trauma, but can rarely complicate diagnostic procedures such as thoracentesis. The management involves urgent identification and removal of the foreign body. Although surgical extraction using thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia constitutes the primary management strategy, intrapleural foreign body can also be removed using medical thoracoscopy. Herein, we report the successful removal of 2 intrapleural foreign bodies using a rigid thoracoscope under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. We also performed a systematic review of the literature describing the use of medical thoracoscopy in the retrieval of an intrapleural foreign body.
Topics: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Male; Pleura; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 27367852
DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000275 -
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Aug 2018Intra-pleural bacteria are effective pleurodesis agents in malignant pleural effusions. However, their relationship with survival is unclear.
BACKGROUND
Intra-pleural bacteria are effective pleurodesis agents in malignant pleural effusions. However, their relationship with survival is unclear.
OBJECTIVES
We undertook a comprehensive, structured evaluation of survival outcomes in adults with malignant pleural effusions treated with intra-pleural bacterial products.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Clinical Trials Registers and Open Grey.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS
Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised comparative studies were included, if the population included adults with malignant pleural effusions. Interventions of interest were any intra-pleural bacterial product, compared with placebo, alternative intra-pleural drug, or no treatment. Survival outcomes were collected.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, assessed papers for risk of bias and extracted data. Narrative synthesis was performed as high heterogeneity between studies precluded meta-analysis.
RESULTS
631 studies were identified, of which 14 were included. All were at high or unclear risk of bias in at least one domain. Six studies reported a survival benefit associated with intra-pleural bacterial products, whilst 8 reported no difference. Non-randomised studies and studies published prior to 2000 were more likely to report survival benefits.
LIMITATIONS
There was high heterogeneity between studies, which limited the generalisability of findings. Publication bias may have affected the review as five full-text papers were unobtainable, and survival outcomes were missing in a further five.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of high quality evidence regarding the relationship between intra-pleural bacterial products and survival. Implications of key findings: Well-designed, prospective randomised trials are needed, to determine whether intra-pleural bacterial products can improve survival in pleural malignancy.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42017058067.
Topics: Adult; Antigens, Bacterial; Humans; Pleura; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 30032840
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.06.002