[Primary Pulmonary Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Mimics Advanced Lung Cancer:Report of a Case].

Primary pulmonary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma( DLBCL) is rare, accounting for 0.4% to 1.0% of all malignant lymphomas and 0.45% of all lung malignancies. We report a case of primary pulmonary DLBCL caused by methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD). A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a growing lung nodule. Transbronchoscopic biopsy did not confirm the diagnosis, but positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed an accumulation of SUVmax 28.7 in the same area and SUVmax 40.5 in the contralateral mediastinum, suggesting an advanced primary lung cancer. A partial thoracoscopic left lower lobe resection was performed in our department. Histopathological examination revealed AE1/AE3 negative, CD20 and 79a positive, bcl-2 positive, and a diagnosis of primary lung DLBCL. MTX-LPD was suspected, and discontinuation of the drug resulted in subsequent shrinkage of the residual tumor. If the diagnosis cannot be made by transbronchoscopic biopsy of an expanding nodule shadow, aggressive surgical diagnosis should be considered.

[Right Middle Lung Cancer with Double Aortic Arch:Report of a Case].

Double aortic arch is an embryological abnormality of the aortic arch forming a vascular ring. It has been noted that the right recurrent nerve travels differently in patients with a duplicated aortic arch and may be in close proximity to the area of superior mediastinal lymph node dissection in lung cancer. We report a surgical case of a patient with right middle lung cancer associated with a duplicated aortic arch. A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a nodular shadow in the right lung field noted on chest X-ray during a medical checkup. A transbronchial needle biopsy revealed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, and right middle lobe resection and lymph node dissection were performed. When dissecting the superior mediastinal lymph nodes in a patient with an overlapping aortic arch, it was necessary to carefully perform the operation, paying attention to the running of the right recurrent nerve.

New evaluation of the tumor immune microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer and its association with prognosis.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) will facilitate the development of prognostic biomarkers and more effective therapeutic strategies in patients with lung cancer. However, little has been reported on the comprehensive evaluation of complex interactions among cancer cells, immune cells, and local immunosuppressive elements in the TIME. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing were carried out on 113 lung cancers. We performed single sample gene set enrichment analysis on TIME-related gene sets to develop a new scoring system (TIME score), consisting of T-score (tumor proliferation), I-score (antitumor immunity) and S-score (immunosuppression). Lung cancers were classified according to a combination of high or low T-score, I-score, and S-scores (eight groups; G1-8). Clinical and genomic features, and immune landscape were investigated among eight groups. The external data sets of 990 lung cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas and 76 melanomas treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) were utilized to evaluate TIME scoring and explore prognostic and predictive accuracy. RESULTS: The representative histological type including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and driver mutations such as epidermal growth factor receptor and TP53 mutations were different according to the T-score. The numbers of somatic mutations and predicted neoantigens were higher in Thi (G5-8) than Tlo (G1-4) tumors. Immune selection pressure against neoantigen expression occurred only in Thi and was dampened in Thi/Ilo (G5-6), possibly due to a reduced number of T cells with a high proportion of tumor specific but exhausted cells. Thi/Ilo/Shi (G5) displayed the lowest immune responses by additional immune suppressive mechanisms. The T-score, I-score and S-scores were independent prognostic factors, with survival curves well separated into eight groups with G5 displaying the worst overall survival, while the opposite group Tlo/Ihi/Slo (G4) had the best prognosis. Several oncogenic signaling pathways influenced on T-score and I-scores but not S-score, and PI3K pathway alteration correlated with poor prognosis in accordance with higher T-score and lower I-score. Moreover, the TIME score predicted the efficacy of ICI in patients with melanoma. CONCLUSION: The TIME score capturing complex interactions among tumor proliferation, antitumor immunity and immunosuppression could be useful for prognostic predictions or selection of treatment strategies in patients with lung cancer.

[Surgery of Papillary Adenoma;Report of a Case].

A 59-year-old man consulted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray without any symptoms. A chest computed tomography (CT) revealed growing pulmonary nodule in the right lower lobe. Benign lung tumor was suspected and the patient underwent right lower lobe partial resection. Pathological examination demonstrated the tumor to be pulmonary papillary adenoma within round atelectasis.

Therapeutic strategy for acute pleural empyema: comparison between retrospective study and prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of therapeutic strategy for acute pleural empyema. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 121 acute empyema patients and evaluated the therapeutic strategy for acute pleural empyema. Then, we prospectively reviewed 114 acute pleural empyema patients based on the strategy. RESULTS: The duration from onset to hospitalization in our hospital is statistically shorter, and the mortality and the rate of stage 3 empyema patients are lower in the prospective study group (PSG) than in the retrospective study group (RSG). Retrospective study and prospective study found that surgical group (SG) had more favorable outcomes than non-surgical group (NSG). Although antibiotic treatment duration, hospital stay, and entire mortality were comparable in NSG of both study groups, mortality of patients with PS grade 4 was significantly lower in PSG. SG in PSG had more favorable outcomes than that in RSG, such as antibiotic treatment duration, hospital stay, complication, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The good outcomes may be mainly caused by shorter duration from onset to hospitalization and shorter duration from hospitalization to operation. Operative management is an effective procedure for selected patients, and it is important to refer for thoracic surgical consultation earlier.

[Surgical Case of Pulmonary Blastoma;Report of a Case].

A 81-year-old man consulted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest radiography in the right lower field. Computed tomography of the chest showed a mass shadow measuring 41 mm in diameter in the lower lobe of the right lung. There was no lymph node swelling in the hilum or mediastinum. A diagnosis of the lung cancer was suspected and the patient underwent right lower lobectomy with standard nodal dissection. Microscopically, the tumor revealed the epithelial component mimicking fetal lung tissue and proliferative mesenchymal component consisting of immature and heteromorphic nuclear cells as well. The final diagnosis was pulmonary blastoma classified as pathological stage IIB. He was not scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy due to his older age.

[Vacuum-assisted Closure for Mediastinitis Caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting;Report of a Case].

A 78-year-old man underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital. Purulent discharge from a sternotomy wound appeared 8 days after the operation of sternal re-fixation for sternal fracture. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) was identified by the culture of the wound exudate. He underwent a surgical revision with the removal of the sternal wires and necrotic tissues. After sufficient irrigation, vacuum-assisted closure therapy was adopted and finally the wound was naturally healed. Vacuum-assisted closure therapy was an effective treatment for MRSA mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

[Pneumothorax Caused by Multiple Pulmonary Metastases of a Uterine Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma;Report of a Case].

A 53-year-old woman who had undergone hystero-oophorectomy for uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma in our hospital 9 months previously was referred to our hospital because of bilateral pneumothorax. Chest computed tomography scan on admission revealed multiple thin-walled cavity nodules in both lung and a bilateral pneumothorax, suggesting pulmonary metastases of the uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma. We surgically treated the pneumothorax and diagnosed the nodules as metastatic lesions. They were pathologically diagnosed as metastatic uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma.

[Surgical Case of Pulmonary Enteric Adenocarcinoma].

A 59-year-old man consulted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest computed tomography, located in the right lower lobe. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography showed abnormal uptake in the tumor suggesting lung cancer and right lower lobectomy was performed. Pathological the tumor was diagnosed as lung cancer comprising tall columnar cells. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for TTF-1, CK-7 and CK-20. Postoperative screening of the abdomen revealed no suspicious primary lesion in the colon and the tumor was diagnosed as a pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma.

[Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Observed in the Subpleural Area;Report of a Case].

A 39-year-old man consulted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray without any symptoms. A chest computed tomography revealed patchy peripheral ground-glass attenuation, in the subpleural area. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was clear and transbronchial lung biopsy findings were inconclutive. A video-assisted thoracic surgery-biopsy was performed. The specimens demonstrated accumulation of proteinaceous materials within alveolar spaces. The patient was given a diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

[Emergency Surgery for Intercostal Lung Hernia after Right Upper Lobe Resection for Lung Cancer;Report of a Case].

We report an operative case of intercostal lung hernia after resection of a Lung cancer. A 60-year-old man with asthma consulted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray. A chest computed tomography revealed a tumor in the right upper lobe. A diagnosis of lung cancer was suspected and the patient underwent right upper lobectomy with standard nodal dissection from 4th intercostal space with right anterolateral incision. Intercostal space was directly closed by three stitches. A chest drain was removed on the 5th operative day. On the 6th operative day, the patient suddenly developed asthma attack and radiologically, the middle lobe was found to prolapse from the chest wall. An emergency surgery was performed, and the intercostal space was closed by approximating the ribs with 6 stitches. The patient was discharged from our hospital on the 26th postoperative day.

[Surgically Treated Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Lung; Report of a Case].

We report an operative case of primary clear cell carcinoma of the lung. A 47-year-old man consulted our hospital because of back pain and an abnormal shadow on a chest computed tomography(CT). A chest CT revealed a nodule in the lung cyst. A diagnosis of lung cancer was suspected and the patient underwent right upper lobectomy with standard nodal dissection. Pathological findings are the lung cancer spreading along the cysts' inner walls. Most of the tumor cells were characterized as having large clear cytoplasm. Screening of the abdomen performed pre- and post-operatively revealed no suspected primary lesion in the kidney, and the tumor was diagnosed as clear cell carcinoma of the lung. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine ditartrate was performed. Patient is well without reccurence 3 years after surgery.

[Lung Abscess Diagnosed as Adenocarcinoma by Needle Biopsy;Report of a Case].

We report a case of lung abscess misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma based on cytologic findings of the sample obtained from needle biopsy. A 45-year-old man consulted our hospital because of fever, wet cough and an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray film. A chest computed tomography revealed gradually enlarging pulmonary mass in the left S6 infiltrating the S5. A diagnosis of lung cancer was suspected and surgery was performed. Pathological findings of the specimen showed atypical cells with a large nucleus and a gross papillary neoplasm by needle biopsy. The patient underwent left lower lobectomy and partial resection of upper lobe with standard nodal dissection. The final diagnosis was a lung abscess with pneumonia without evidence of malignancy. When an indeterminate pulmonary tumor must be diagnosed during an operation, we should perform partial resection if possible.

[Effectiveness of perioperative administration of eltrombopag in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura undergoing cardiovascular surgery].

We report a case of chronic aortic dissection and angina pectoris with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura treated perioperatively with eltrombopag. A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of significant enlargement of an ulcer-like projection in the thoracic aorta revealed by chest computed tomography after acute aortic dissection. Laboratory data showed thrombocytopenia with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Eltrombopag was administered 12.5 mg daily and increased by 12.5 mg every 2 weeks until 37.5 mg/day to control idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP). After 7 weeks' eltrombopag therapy, thrombocyte increased, and the patient underwent total arch replacement. Nine months later, coronary angiography revealed progression of coronary artery stenosis at the left main trunk. The patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting 10 days after initiation of eltrombopag therapy. His postoperative course was uneventful. Eltrombopag was suggested to be effective in perioperative management in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery for posterolateral perforators performed in the prone position.

OBJECTIVES: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) is usually performed for posteromedial perforators in the supine position, but subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery for posterolateral perforators in the prone position has not been reported. METHODS: A 51-year-old male suffered from a venous stasis ulcer around his lateral malleolus because of reflux in the small saphenous vein and incompetent perforating veins around the ulcer. RESULTS: Stripping of the small saphenous vein and subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery utilizing screw-type ports was successfully conducted in the prone position. CONCLUSIONS: The prone position enables interruption of the posterolateral perforators, because gravity-dependent flattening of the muscles enables creation of sufficient subfascial space.

[Successful resection of lung cancer with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated by pirfenidone during perioperative period].

We report a case of lung cancer treated with pirfenidone as preoperative therapy before subsequent successful surgical resection. A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abnormal shadows and diffuse reticular shadow in bilateral lung on chest computed tomography(CT). CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy confirmed suquamous cell carcinoma for both lung. Pulmonary reticular shadow was diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) clinically and the pirfenidone was administered 600 mg daily and increased by 600 mg for every week until 1,800 mg/day to control IPF. After 3 weeks pirfenidone therapy, Krebs von den Lungen( KL)-6, pulmonary surfactant( SP)-D and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased, and the patient underwent wedge resection. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery using screw-type ports is a very useful component of a comprehensive treatment program for chronic venous insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) with a two-port system utilizing screw-type ports, CO2 insufflation and an ultrasonic coagulation system, is a useful procedure that does not require burdensome apparatus and techniques. SEPS was accepted as a national advanced medical system by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in May 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one limbs of 35 patients with 10 active ulcers (C6) and 2 healed ulcers (C5) were treated by SEPS between February 2010 and December 2011. Thirty-three limbs had concomitant superficial vein surgery. SEPS alone was performed on 8 limbs, in 6 of which the superficial veins had already been ablated. In 2 limbs, incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) existed under the affected skin, around the scars of past surgery. RESULTS: All stasis ulcers of the 10 C6 limbs healed between 1 week and 14 months after SEPS (mean 2.9 months), with no ulcer recurrence during the follow-up period (2 to 24 months). IPVs under the scars were easily and safely interrupted by SEPS. CONCLUSION: SEPS is a very useful component of a comprehensive treatment program for chronic venous insufficiency, especially in patients with venous stasis ulcers and IPVs under the scars of past surgery.

Bronchopulmonary foregut malformation.

Bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (BPFM) is a rare anomaly of accessory pulmonary tissue that usually arises from esophagus or stomach. We present a case of extralobar pulmonary sequestration (ELS) connecting with the esophagus by a cyst, the inner wall of which is lined with squamous epithelium or respiratory epithelium. BPFM is sometimes used to group a number of ventral anomalies of accessory pulmonary tissue. The term currently refers specifically to those lesions composed of sequestrations that retain communication with the gastrointestinal tract. Usually the communication is a well-formed muscular tube lined with stratified squamous or columnar epithelium. The presence of both epithelia in a communication that is a component of the BPFM suggests embryogenesis. We describe an adult with BPFM composed of ELS and a connecting stalk to the esophagus by a foregut cyst that contains both squamous epithelium and respiratory epithelium.

[Cavernous hemangioma of the superior mediastinum; report of a case].

A 44-year-old female was admitted with an abnormal left mediastinal shadow on chest roentgenography. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass lesion in the left superior mediastinum, which was not enhanced with contrast medium. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated equal signal intensity to that of the muscle on T1 weighted images, and higher signal intensity on T2 weighted images. As a cystic mediastinal tumor was suspected preoperatively, thoracoscopic excision was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as a cavernous hemangioma by pathology. A preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of a variable feature of image study. When the diagnosis of the cystic tumor of mediastinum is made, the diagnosis of mediastinal hemangioma should be kept in mind.

Pulmonary histoplasmosis as an example of imported mycoses in Japan.

As travel increases, histoplasmosis as an imported mycosis that has the potential to increase abruptly in Japan. A 56-year-old Japanese man who had been in Bolivia for 2 years complained of a dry cough. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple lesions in the right and left lower lobes of his lung that were difficult to diagnose and differentiate from advanced lung cancer. We performed surgical resection for biopsy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. An intraoperative histopathological examination suggested a diagnosis of tuberculoma, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was not detected in the tumor tissue. Further histopathological examination, however, strongly suggested a diagnosis of histoplasmosis because multiple small, round yeast foci were observed after Grocott staining. The serological test was positive for anti-Histoplasma capsulatum and confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and fluconazole was administrated for 90 days after the operation. Concerning imported mycoses, physicians should be keep abreast of updated and detailed information.