ABSTRACT
We report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung extending into the left atrium via the pulmonary vein. The tumor tissue including the thrombus was resected en-bloc under cardiopulmonary bypass. Despite adjuvant chemotherapy, multiple brain metastases developed, but they were eradicated by stereotactic radiosurgery. The patient is still disease-free 48 months after the resection. This case serves to demonstrate the validity of multidisciplinary treatment for locally advanced lung cancer.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/surgery , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Heart Neoplasms/therapy , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms, Second Primary/therapy , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Carboplatin/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Cardiopulmonary Bypass , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Female , Heart Atria/pathology , Heart Atria/surgery , Heart Neoplasms/secondary , Humans , Neoplasms, Second Primary/secondary , Pulmonary Veins/pathology , Pulmonary Veins/surgery , Radiosurgery , Vinblastine/administration & dosage , Vinblastine/analogs & derivatives , VinorelbineABSTRACT
We report a rare but notable case of cerebral air embolism complicating transthoracic intrapulmonary injection of an imaging agent used to locate sentinel lymph nodes. After a bolus injection of 2 mL of iopamidol into the peritumoral area with a 23-gauge needle, the patient complained of complete paralysis on his left side. Intraaortic gas was detected by computed tomography immediately after the injection. The patient recovered spontaneously without any additional complication. Surgeons should be aware of this rare but possible complication during sentinel lymph node assessment.
