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Acta Medica Academica Apr 2023The current report describes two rare cadaveric findings of a left sided brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in relation to the trachea, and its high-riding course above the...
OBJECTIVE
The current report describes two rare cadaveric findings of a left sided brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in relation to the trachea, and its high-riding course above the suprasternal notch (SN).
CASES DESCRIPTION
In two elderly body donors dissected after death, a left-sided BCT was identified with a high-riding course (0.5 and 0.8 cm above the SN). The BCT originated from the aortic arch, in common with the left common carotid artery, more distally than the typical left-side location and crossed in front of the trachea. In the 1st case, the ascending and descending aortae, and the left subclavian artery had aneurysmal dilatation. In both cases, the trachea was displaced to the right side and had a stenosis due to the chronic compression.
CONCLUSION
A high-riding BCT is of paramount clinical importance, as it may complicate tracheotomy, thyroid surgery and mediastinoscopy, leading to fatal complications. BCT injury leads to a massive bleeding during neck dissection (level VI), when the vessel crosses the anterior tracheal wall.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Brachiocephalic Trunk; Aorta, Thoracic; Subclavian Artery; Carotid Artery, Common; Cadaver
PubMed: 37326398
DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.402 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Mediastinoscopy; Endosonography; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 37315288
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.00782 -
Respiration; International Review of... 2023Advances in bronchoscopy have impacted the practice patterns in the sampling of thoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions.
BACKGROUND
Advances in bronchoscopy have impacted the practice patterns in the sampling of thoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to study the trends in utilization of mediastinoscopy, transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA), and bronchoscopic transbronchial sampling.
METHODS
We conducted an analysis of patient claims for sampling of thoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions in the Medicare population and a sample of the commercial population between 2016 and 2020. We used Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify mediastinoscopy, TTNA, and bronchoscopic transbronchial sampling. Post-procedural pneumothorax rates were assessed by procedure type including subset analyses for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
RESULTS
Between 2016 and 2020, utilization of mediastinoscopy has decreased in both the Medicare and commercial populations (-47.3% and -65.4%, respectively), while linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has increased only in the Medicare population (+28.2%). Percutaneous lung biopsy claims dropped by -17.0% in the Medicare and -41.22% in the commercial population. The use of bronchoscopic TBNA and forceps biopsy declined in both populations, but the reliance on a combination of guided technology (radial EBUS-guided and navigation) grew in the Medicare and commercial populations (+76.3% and +25%). Rates of post-procedural pneumothorax were significantly higher following percutaneous biopsy compared to bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy.
CONCLUSIONS
Linear EBUS-guided sampling has surpassed mediastinoscopy as the technique for sampling thoracic lymph nodes. Transbronchial lung sampling is increasingly being performed with guidance technology. This trend is aligned with favorable rates of post-procedure pneumothorax for transbronchial biopsy.
Topics: United States; Humans; Aged; Lung Neoplasms; Pneumothorax; Medicare; Lung; Lymph Nodes; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Bronchoscopy; Neoplasm Staging; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 37290401
DOI: 10.1159/000530741 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Aug 2023Journal of Clinical Oncology, Accurate staging of the mediastinal lymph nodes in resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is critically important to determine the... (Review)
Review
Journal of Clinical Oncology, Accurate staging of the mediastinal lymph nodes in resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is critically important to determine the overall stage of the tumor and guide subsequent management. The staging process typically begins with positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography imaging; however, imaging alone is inadequate, and tissue acquisition is required for confirmation of nodal disease. Mediastinoscopy was long considered the gold standard for staging of mediastinal lymph nodes, but, recently, endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS) fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has become the standard of care. EBUS-FNA, in combination with supplementary technologies, such as intranodal forceps biopsy and esophageal ultrasonography, has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of nodal metastases. EBUS-FNA is also capable of assessing N1 disease and obtaining adequate tissue for tumor genomic analysis to help guide treatment. In the case of negative findings on EBUS, a confirmatory video mediastinoscopy is still recommended by the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons guidelines. However, whether confirmatory mediastinoscopy is necessary is a matter of debate, and it is not commonly performed in North America. To address this question, Bousema and colleagues performed a randomized noninferiority trial to determine rates of unforeseen nodal metastases after EBUS alone versus EBUS with confirmatory mediastinoscopy in patients with resectable NSCLC. The authors concluded that EBUS alone is noninferior to EBUS with confirmatory mediastinoscopy. These findings affirm our current practice to forgo confirmatory mediastinoscopy after negative findings on EBUS.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Mediastinoscopy; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Mediastinum; Endosonography; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 37267507
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.00867 -
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals Jun 2023The aim was to compare transhiatal esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy (TEM) with Sweet procedure for patients with T2 midpiece and distal esophageal squamous cell...
BACKGROUND
The aim was to compare transhiatal esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy (TEM) with Sweet procedure for patients with T2 midpiece and distal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
By virtue of propensity score matching, 42 T2 ESCC patients who underwent TEM ( = 21) and Sweet procedure ( = 21) were included. Both the short-term and long-term outcomes of these patients were observed.
RESULTS
Compared with the Sweet procedure, the TEM procedure showed less operation time (133.8 ± 30.4 vs 171.2 ± 30.3 min, = 0.038), reduced drainage volume in 24 h (83.8 ± 142.3 vs 665.2 ± 220.0 mL, < 0.001), shorter reserving time of chest tube (26.2 ± 26.3 vs 82.8 ± 49.8 h, < 0.001) and less dissected lymph nodes (12.4 ± 6.1 vs 17.0 ± 6.5, = 0.041). The average survival period was 62.6 months for TEM group and 62.5 months for Sweet group ( = 0.753). The COX regression showed that the nodal staging could be regarded as an independent prognostic factor ( = 0.013), not the surgical method ( = 0. 754).
CONCLUSIONS
The TEM procedure could reduce operative trauma compared with the Sweet procedure. The long-term survival rate of TEM group was acceptable. The lymph node resection was a major disadvantage of TEM procedure. The TEM procedure might be an alternate choice for T2 midpiece and distal ESCC patients, especially for patients who cannot tolerate transthoracic esophagectomy.
Topics: Humans; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Esophageal Neoplasms; Mediastinoscopy; Esophagectomy; Treatment Outcome; Lymph Node Excision; Retrospective Studies; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37225669
DOI: 10.1177/02184923231177211 -
Clinical Lung Cancer Jul 2023The Commission on Cancer implemented Standard 5.8 in 2021, which requires removal of 3 mediastinal nodes and 1 hilar node with lung cancer resection. We conducted a...
BACKGROUND
The Commission on Cancer implemented Standard 5.8 in 2021, which requires removal of 3 mediastinal nodes and 1 hilar node with lung cancer resection. We conducted a national survey to assess whether surgeons who treat lung cancer in different clinical settings correctly identify mediastinal lymph node stations.
METHODS
Cardiac or thoracic surgeons expressing interest in lung cancer surgery on the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network were asked to complete a 7-question survey assessing their knowledge of lymph node anatomy. General surgeons whose practice includes thoracic surgery were invited through American College of Surgeon's Cancer Research Program. Results were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of a higher score on the survey.
RESULTS
Of the 280 surgeons that responded, 86.8% were male and 13.2% were female; the median age was 50 years. Of these surgeons, 211 (75.4%) were thoracic, 59 (21.1%) were cardiac, and 10 (3.6%) were general surgeons. Surgeons were most likely to correctly identify lymph node stations 8R and 9R and least likely to correctly identify the midline pretracheal node just superior to the carina (4R). Surgeons whose practice involved a greater percentage of thoracic surgery patients and surgeons who performed a greater number of lobectomies scored higher on the lymph node assessment.
CONCLUSION
Knowledge of mediastinal node anatomy among surgeons who perform thoracic surgery is generally high, but varies by clinical setting. Efforts are under way to better educate lung cancer surgeons on nodal anatomy, and to increase adoption of Standard 5.8.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Lung Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Neoplasm Staging; Mediastinum; Lymph Nodes; Lymph Node Excision; Surgeons
PubMed: 37193625
DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2023.03.005 -
Oncology Letters Jun 2023Bronchogenic carcinoma comprises >90% of primary lung tumors. The present study aimed to estimate the profile of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and assess the...
Bronchogenic carcinoma comprises >90% of primary lung tumors. The present study aimed to estimate the profile of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and assess the cancer resectability in newly diagnosed patients. This is a single-center retrospective review conducted over a period of 5 years. A total of 800 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were included. The diagnoses were mostly proven with either cytological examination or histopathological diagnosis. Sputum analysis, cytological examination of pleural effusion and bronchoscopic examination were performed. Lymph node biopsy, minimally invasive procedures (mediastinoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), tru-cut biopsy or fine-needle aspiration was used to obtain the samples for diagnosis. The masses were removed by lobectomy and pneumonectomy. The age range was between 22 and 87 years, with a mean age of 62.95 years. Males represented the predominant sex. Most of the patients were smokers or ex-smokers. The most common symptom was a cough, followed by dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed abnormal findings in 699 patients. A bronchoscopic evaluation was performed for the majority of patients (n=633). Endobronchial masses and other suggestive malignancy findings were present in 473 patients (83.1%) of the 569 who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Cytological and/or histopathological samples of 581 patients (91.8%) were positive. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) occurred in 38 patients (4.75%) and non-SCLC was detected in 762 patients (95.25%). Lobectomy was the main surgical procedure, followed by pneumonectomy. A total of 5 patients developed postoperative complications without any mortality. In conclusion, bronchogenic carcinoma is rapidly increasing without a predilection for sex in the Iraqi population. Advanced preoperative staging and investigation tools are required to determine the rate of resectability.
PubMed: 37153056
DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13805 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2023EBUS-TBNA is a well-established procedure for diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy replacing the need for mediastinoscopy. In certain diseases like lymphomas, the...
EBUS-TBNA is a well-established procedure for diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy replacing the need for mediastinoscopy. In certain diseases like lymphomas, the yield is reportedly 50%, sarcoidosis lymph nodes also give a yield of 80% with EBUS and at times, more material is needed for better characterization of malignancies. EBUS-intranodal forceps biopsy may be useful in these situations. In our series of seven cases, we describe a unique and safe technique of obtaining forceps biopsy from mediastinal lymph nodes under real-time endobronchial ultrasound guidance using a 19G EBUS-TBNA needle tract and thin biopsy forceps. Lymph node biopsy was able to give a conclusive diagnosis in 42% patients negative with TBNA, and was able to suggest a diagnosis in one case. No complications were seen. Thus, surgical biopsy can be avoided in nearly 50% of failed EBUS-FNAC cases.
PubMed: 37148031
DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_321_22 -
ERJ Open Research Mar 2023Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the technique of choice in the study of mediastinal and hilar lesions; however, it can be...
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions: safety, feasibility and diagnostic yield - experience in 50 cases.
BACKGROUND
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the technique of choice in the study of mediastinal and hilar lesions; however, it can be affected by the insufficiency of intact biopsy samples, which might decrease its diagnostic yield for certain conditions, thus requiring re-biopsies or additional diagnostic procedures such as mediastinoscopy when the probability of malignancy remains high. Our objectives were to 1) attempt to reproduce this technique in the same conditions that we performed EBUS-TBNA, in the bronchoscopy suite and under moderate sedation; 2) describe the method used for its execution; 3) determine its feasibility by accessing different lymph node stations applying our method; and 4) analyse the diagnostic yield and its complications.
METHODS
This was a prospective study of 50 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TMC) in a single procedure using a 22-G TBNA needle and a 1.1-mm cryoprobe subsequently between January and August 2022. Patients with mediastinal lesions >1 cm were recruited, and EBUS-TBNA and TMC were performed in the same lymph node station.
RESULTS
The diagnostic yield was 82% and 96% for TBNA and TMC, respectively. Diagnostic yields were similar for sarcoidosis, while cryobiopsy was more sensitive than TBNA in lymphomas and metastatic lymph nodes. As for complications, there was no pneumothorax and in no case was there significant bleeding. There were no complications during the procedure or in the follow-up of these patients.
CONCLUSIONS
TMC following our method is a minimally invasive, rapid and safe technique that can be performed in a bronchoscopy suite under moderate sedation, with a higher diagnostic yield than EBUS-TBNA, especially in cases of lymphoproliferative disorders and metastatic lymph nodes or when more biopsy sample is needed for molecular determinations.
PubMed: 37077551
DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2022 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Aug 2023Resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a high probability of mediastinal nodal involvement requires mediastinal staging by endosonography and, in the absence... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a high probability of mediastinal nodal involvement requires mediastinal staging by endosonography and, in the absence of nodal metastases, confirmatory mediastinoscopy according to current guidelines. However, randomized data regarding immediate lung tumor resection after systematic endosonography versus additional confirmatory mediastinoscopy before resection are lacking.
METHODS
Patients with (suspected) resectable NSCLC and an indication for mediastinal staging after negative systematic endosonography were randomly assigned to immediate lung tumor resection or confirmatory mediastinoscopy followed by tumor resection. The primary outcome in this noninferiority trial (noninferiority margin of 8% that previously showed to not compromise survival, < .0250) was the presence of unforeseen N2 disease after tumor resection with lymph node dissection. Secondary outcomes were 30-day major morbidity and mortality.
RESULTS
Between July 17, 2017, and October 5, 2020, 360 patients were randomly assigned, 178 to immediate lung tumor resection (seven dropouts) and 182 to confirmatory mediastinoscopy first (seven dropouts before and six after mediastinoscopy). Mediastinoscopy detected metastases in 8.0% (14/175; 95% CI, 4.8 to 13.0) of patients. Unforeseen N2 rate after immediate resection (8.8%) was noninferior compared with mediastinoscopy first (7.7%) in both intention-to-treat (Δ, 1.03%; UL 95% CIΔ, 7.2%; = .0144) and per-protocol analyses (Δ, 0.83%; UL 95% CIΔ, 7.3%; = .0157). Major morbidity and 30-day mortality was 12.9% after immediate resection versus 15.4% after mediastinoscopy first ( = .4940).
CONCLUSION
On the basis of our chosen noninferiority margin in the rate of unforeseen N2, confirmatory mediastinoscopy after negative systematic endosonography can be omitted in patients with resectable NSCLC and an indication for mediastinal staging.
Topics: Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Mediastinoscopy; Endosonography; Neoplasm Staging; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 37018653
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.22.01728