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ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the detection of subsolid nodules (SSNs) on chest CT scans of outpatients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to correlate the imaging findings with epidemiological data. We hypothesized that (pre)malignant nonsolid nodules were underdiagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic because of an overlap of imaging findings between SSNs and COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This was a retrospective study including all chest CT scans performed in adult outpatients (> 18 years of age) in September of 2019 (i.e., before the COVID-19 pandemic) and in September of 2020 (i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic). The images were reviewed by a thoracic radiologist, and epidemiological data were collected from patient-filled questionnaires and clinical referrals. Regression models were used in order to control for confounding factors. Results: A total of 650 and 760 chest CT scans were reviewed for the 2019 and 2020 samples, respectively. SSNs were found in 10.6% of the patients in the 2019 sample and in 7.9% of those in the 2020 sample (p = 0.10). Multiple SSNs were found in 23 and 11 of the patients in the 2019 and 2020 samples, respectively. Women constituted the majority of the study population. The mean age was 62.8 ± 14.8 years in the 2019 sample and 59.5 ± 15.1 years in the 2020 sample (p < 0.01). COVID-19 accounted for 24% of all referrals for CT examination in 2020. Conclusions: Fewer SSNs were detected on chest CT scans of outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic, although the difference was not significant. In addition to COVID-19, the major difference between the 2019 and 2020 samples was the younger age in the 2020 sample. We can assume that fewer SSNs will be detected in a population with a higher proportion of COVID-19 suspicion or diagnosis.
RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a detecção de nódulos subsólidos na TC de tórax de pacientes ambulatoriais antes e durante a pandemia de COVID-19, bem como correlacionar os achados de imagem com dados epidemiológicos. Nossa hipótese foi a de que nódulos não sólidos (pré) malignos foram subdiagnosticados durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em virtude da sobreposição de achados de imagem de nódulos subsólidos e pneumonia por COVID-19. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo no qual foram incluídas todas as imagens de TC de tórax realizadas em pacientes ambulatoriais adultos (com idade > 18 anos) em setembro de 2019 (antes da pandemia de COVID-19) e em setembro de 2020 (durante a pandemia de COVID-19). As imagens foram reavaliadas por um radiologista torácico, e os dados epidemiológicos foram extraídos de questionários preenchidos pelos pacientes e de encaminhamentos clínicos. Modelos de regressão foram usados para controlar fatores de confusão. Resultados: Foram reavaliadas 650 e 760 imagens de TC de tórax nas amostras de 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. Foram encontrados nódulos subsólidos em 10,6% dos pacientes que compuseram a amostra de 2019 e em 7,9% daqueles que compuseram a amostra de 2020 (p = 0,10). Nódulos subsólidos múltiplos foram encontrados em 23 e 11 dos pacientes que compuseram as amostras de 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. As mulheres constituíram a maioria da população do estudo. A média de idade foi de 62,8 ± 14,8 anos na amostra de 2019 e de 59,5 ± 15,1 anos na amostra de 2020 (p < 0,01). A COVID-19 foi responsável por 24% de todos os encaminhamentos para a realização de TC em 2020. Conclusões: Foram detectados menos nódulos subsólidos na TC de tórax de pacientes ambulatoriais durante a pandemia de COVID-19 do que antes da pandemia, embora a diferença não tenha sido significativa. Além da COVID-19, a principal diferença entre as amostras de 2019 e 2020 foi o fato de que a amostra de 2020 era mais jovem. Podemos supor que menos nódulos subsólidos serão detectados numa população com maior proporção de suspeita ou diagnóstico de COVID-19.
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Abstract Objective: To investigate the utility of computed tomography (CT) scans to detect and assess the margin status of pulmonary nodules that were insufflated after being resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a novel multicenter study conducted at two national referral centers for thoracic diseases. Patients suspected of having lung cancer underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for the resection of pulmonary nodules, which were submitted to postoperative CT. Measurements from the CT scans were compared with the results of the histopathological analysis. Results: A total of 37 pulmonary nodules from 37 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 65 years (range, 36-84 years), and 27 (73%) were female. A CT analysis of insufflated specimens identified all 37 nodules, and 33 of those nodules were found to have tumor-free margins. The histopathological analysis revealed lung cancer in 30 of the nodules, all with tumor-free margins, and benign lesions in the seven remaining nodules. Conclusion: Postoperative CT of insufflated suspicious lung lesions provides real-time detection of pulmonary nodules and satisfactory assessment of tumor margins. This initial study shows that CT of insufflated lung lesions can be a valuable tool at centers where intraoperative histopathological analysis is unavailable.
Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a utilidade da tomografia computadorizada (TC) para a detecção e avaliação de margens de nódulos pulmonares que foram insuflados após ressecção por cirurgia torácica videoassistida. Materiais e Métodos: Um inédito estudo multicêntrico foi conduzido em dois centros de referência nacional para doenças torácicas. Nódulos foram ressecados por cirurgia torácica videoassistida de pacientes com suspeita de câncer de pulmão e submetidos a TC pós-operatória. As medidas radiológicas da TC foram comparadas com as da análise patológica. Resultados: Um total de 37 pacientes foi avaliado. A idade média foi de 65 anos (variação: 36-84 anos) e 27 indivíduos (73%) eram do sexo feminino. A análise por TC dos espécimes insuflados identificou todas as 37 lesões e 33 delas com margens livres. A análise patológica revelou 30 casos de câncer de pulmão, todos com margens livres, e sete lesões não malignas. Conclusão: A TC pós-operatória de lesões pulmonares insufladas com suspeita de malignidade provê detecção em tempo real de nódulos pulmonares e aceitável avaliação de margens tumorais. Este estudo inicial demonstra que a TC de lesões pulmonares insufladas pode ser uma ferramenta valiosa em centros em que a análise histopatológica intraoperatória é indisponível.
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RESUMEN Fundamento: el estudio ganglionar del mediastino en los pacientes afectos de cáncer pulmonar es de vital importancia, al permitir trazar la estrategia terapéutica. Objetivo: evaluar la técnica de linfoadenectomía transcervical como parte de la sistemática diagnóstica en el cáncer pulmonar. Métodos: se realizó una investigación analítica, longitudinal prospectiva en pacientes, se usó la linfoadenectomía transcervical como parte de la sistemática diagnóstica del cáncer pulmonar en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech, de la provincia Camagüey. El universo estuvo compuesto por 346 pacientes y la muestra, de tipo probabilístico aleatorio simple, quedó conformada por 65 pacientes. Resultados: predominaron los pacientes masculinos y mayores de 60 años. El tipo histológico más frecuente fue el adenocarcinoma y los lóbulos superiores fueron los más afectados. Se extirparon un total de 205 ganglios y la mayoría fueron positivos, la negatividad, en la histología, predominó en los ganglios menores de 1 cm diagnosticados en el estudio tomográfico. Existió migración de estadios en la correlación clínico patológica, así como la sensibilidad y especificidad fueron de un 100 % en la muestra estudiada. Las complicaciones fueron escasas. Conclusiones: la linfoadenectomía transcervical constituye una herramienta diagnóstica en los pacientes con cáncer pulmonar y afectación ganglionar mediastinal.
ABSTRACT Background: the lymph node study of the mediastinum in patients with lung cancer is of vital importance, as it allows the therapeutic strategy to be outlined. Objective: to evaluate the transcervical lymphadenectomy technique as part of the diagnostic system in lung cancer. Methods: a prospective longitudinal analytical investigation was carried out in patients in whom transcervical lymphadenectomy was used as part of the diagnostic system for lung cancer at the Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech, in the province of Camagüey. The universe was made up of 346 patients and the sample, of a simple random probability type, consisted of 65 patients. Results: male patients over 60 years prevailed. The most frequent histological type was adenocarcinoma and the upper lobes were the most affected. A total of 205 nodes were removed and the majority were positive, negativity, in histology, predominated in nodes less than 1 cm diagnosed in the tomographic study. There was migration of stages in the clinical pathological correlation, as well as the sensitivity and specificity were 100% in the studied sample. Complications were rare. Conclusions: transcervical lymphadenectomy constitutes a diagnostic tool in patients with lung cancer and mediastinal lymph node involvement.