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European Respiratory Review : An... Dec 2020Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) is a pathological connection between the trachea and the oesophagus that is associated with various underlying conditions including... (Review)
Review
Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) is a pathological connection between the trachea and the oesophagus that is associated with various underlying conditions including malignancies, infections, inhalation injuries and traumatic damage. As the condition spans multiple organ systems with varying aetiologies and acuities, TOF poses unique diagnostic and management challenges to pulmonologists, gastroenterologists and thoracic surgeons alike. Although stents have been a cornerstone in the management of TOF, there exists a large gap in our understanding of their efficacy and precise methodology, making stenting procedure both art and science. TOFs relating to underlying oesophageal or tracheal malignancies require advanced understanding of the airway and digestive tract anatomy, dimensions of the fistula, stent characteristics and types, and the interplay between the oesophageal stent and the airway stent if dual stenting procedure is elected. In this review article, we review the most up-to-date data on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, management methods and prognosis. Consequently, this article serves to evaluate current therapeutic strategies and the future directions in the areas of 3D-printed stents, over-the-scope clipping systems, tissue matrices and atrial septal closure devices.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Prognosis; Stents; Trachea; Tracheoesophageal Fistula
PubMed: 33153989
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0094-2020 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Jul 2021Stereotactic body radiation therapy of thoracic tumors close to the central airways implies risk of severe toxicity. We report a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial...
INTRODUCTION
Stereotactic body radiation therapy of thoracic tumors close to the central airways implies risk of severe toxicity. We report a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial for tumors located less than or equal to 1 cm from the proximal bronchial tree with primary end point of local control and secondary end point of toxicity.
METHODS
Stereotactic body radiation therapy with 7 Gy × 8 was prescribed to the 67% isodose encompassing the planning target volume. The patients were stratified to group A (tumors ≤ 1 cm from the main bronchi and trachea) or group B (all other tumors). Risk factors for treatment-related death were tested in univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was developed for fatal bronchopulmonary bleeding versus dose to the main bronchi and trachea.
RESULTS
A total of 65 patients (group A/group B, n = 39/26) were evaluated. The median distance between the tumor and the proximal bronchial tree was 0 mm (0-10 mm). The 2-year local control was 83%. Grade 3 to 5 toxicity was noted in 22 patients, including 10 cases of treatment-related death (bronchopulmonary hemorrhage, n = 8; pneumonitis, n = 1; fistula, n = 1). Dose to the combined structure main bronchi and trachea and tumor distance to the main bronchi were important risk factors. Dose modeling revealed minimum dose to the "hottest" 0.2 cc to the structure main bronchi and trachea as the strongest predictor for lethal bronchopulmonary hemorrhage.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the presented data, 7 Gy × 8, prescribed to the planning target volume-encompassing isodose, should not be used for tumors located within 1 cm from the main bronchi and trachea. Group B-type tumors may be considered for the treatment on the basis of an individual risk-benefit assessment and a maximum dose to the main bronchi and trachea in the order of 70 to 80 Gy (equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions).
Topics: Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Radiosurgery; Radiotherapy Dosage
PubMed: 33823286
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.03.019 -
Developmental Biology Sep 2021Trachea-esophageal defects (TEDs), including esophageal atresia (EA), tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), and laryngeal-tracheoesophageal clefts (LTEC), are a spectrum of... (Review)
Review
Trachea-esophageal defects (TEDs), including esophageal atresia (EA), tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), and laryngeal-tracheoesophageal clefts (LTEC), are a spectrum of life-threatening congenital anomalies in which the trachea and esophagus do not form properly. Up until recently, the developmental basis of these conditions and how the trachea and esophagus arise from a common fetal foregut was poorly understood. However, with significant advances in human genetics, organoids, and animal models, and integrating single cell genomics with high resolution imaging, we are revealing the molecular and cellular mechanisms that orchestrate tracheoesophageal morphogenesis and how disruption in these processes leads to birth defects. Here we review the current understanding of the genetic and developmental basis of TEDs. We suggest future opportunities for integrating developmental mechanisms elucidated from animals and organoids with human genetics and clinical data to gain insight into the genotype-phenotype basis of these heterogeneous birth defects. Finally, we envision how this will enhance diagnosis, improve treatment, and perhaps one day, lead to new tissue replacement therapy.
Topics: Animals; Digestive System Abnormalities; Disease Models, Animal; Esophagus; Humans; Organoids; Trachea
PubMed: 34023332
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.05.015 -
Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology Mar 2022Thyroid cancer invading the trachea can be asymptomatic, but when tumour invasion reaches the mucosal surface, it causes bloody sputum and dyspnoea. The treatment plan... (Review)
Review
Thyroid cancer invading the trachea can be asymptomatic, but when tumour invasion reaches the mucosal surface, it causes bloody sputum and dyspnoea. The treatment plan for thyroid cancer is determined based on the site, depth, and extent of the invasion. Different from tumours arising from the tracheal mucosa, in thyroid cancer, invasion begins outside the airway and progresses toward the lumen, making it difficult to accurately diagnose the extent of the invasion even with bronchoscopy. Therefore, surgeons must determine the range of resection during surgery. Invasion reaching the tracheal mucosa requires full-thickness resection and is performed using tracheal window resection combined with tracheocutaneous fistula or tracheal sleeve resection followed by end-to-end anastomosis. The airway is safely secured with window resection, but closing the tracheal stoma often requires multi-stage reconstruction. Sleeve resection is an oncologically appropriate surgical method that can be completed in one stage, although there is a risk of serious complications associated with anastomotic dehiscence. Since well-differentiated thyroid cancer progresses slowly, some degree of survival can be expected even with incomplete resection. However, when shaving is performed for tumours with deep invasion that reaches the tracheal mucosa, the residual tumour tissue continues to grow steadily and eventually leads to airway stenosis. Since reoperation for tracheal resection is difficult, radical full-thickness resection should be performed in the initial surgery. Although this surgical intervention is far more demanding for both patients and surgeons than shaving, the procedure eventually improves patient's prognosis and quality of life.
PubMed: 35462665
DOI: 10.1007/s13193-021-01466-7