Complications due to ultrasound transthoracic cutting biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions and lesions in the chest wall and mediastinum.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of patients with peripheral lung lesions and lesions of the chest wall and mediastinum is challenging. The nature of the lesion identified by imaging studies can be determined by histological evaluation of biopsies. An important place in this direction is the ever-increasing popularity among thoracic surgeons of the transthoracic biopsy with a cutting needle under ultrasound control (US-TTCNB).

Radical Removal of Low-Differentiation Thymic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Clinical Case.

The presented case report demonstrates the successful operative treatment of a patient with thymic carcinoma located in the anterior mediastinum, infiltrating the vena cava, and affecting the upper lobe of the left lung. Our multidisciplinary approach, incorporating various operative techniques, proved effective in treating this type of pathology. The Clinic for Thoracic Surgery at UMHAT Kaspela, Plovdiv admitted a 72-year-old female patient due to complaints related to her cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The patient presented with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, cough with expectoration, and the presence of blood in her sputum. Additionally, the patient exhibited an increased temperature and experienced shortness of breath at rest. Extensive imaging and diagnostic studies were performed, including computed axial tomography of the chest with contrast material, echocardiography, functional breathing tests, and laboratory tests. The clinical board unanimously agreed that operative treatment was necessary, and the techniques used included robot-assisted surgery and median sternotomy. A low-differentiated carcinoma was identified during the surgical intervention and confirmed through patho-anatomical examination (frozen section) and permanent histological preparation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the immunophenotype of the tumor corresponds to thymic neuroplastic squamous cell carcinoma (poorly differentiated). The patient had a smooth postoperative period and was discharged in a satisfactory general condition.

The role of extended resection in locally recurrent colorectal cancer with invasion of the aortoiliac bifurcation: a rare clinical case.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth deadliest. Despite recent advances in screening methods and preoperative imaging techniques, the threat of colorectal cancer remains at an all-time high. Moreover, even after curative treatment, disease recurrence occurs in up to 40% of all cases. However, half of patients with recurrent disease do not register any distant metastases. Therefore, much effort should be expended in identifying and evaluating these patients, as many of them are suitable candidates for en bloc resections with perioperative chemoradiation. In fact, it has recently been found that overall survival benefits greatly from extended resections, provided that free margins are achieved intraoperatively. In this case report, we will present a case of locally advanced recurrent colorectal cancer invading the aortoiliac axis and our approach to achieving a R0 resection.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Elective Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by transient acute left ventricular dysfunction, electrocardiographic changes that can mimic acute myocardial infarction and minimal release of myocardial enzymes in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Reports of Takotsubo syndrome after cardiac surgery are exceptional. We describe a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 57-year-old man after elective aortic and mitral valve replacement following recent convalescence from infective endocarditis. Takotsubo syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock or any low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery.

Comparison of RANKL expression, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without rheumatoid arthritis.

The mechanisms responsible for increased cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involve local and systemic inflammatory processes. We aimed to compare inflammatory markers and mortality risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with and without RA. The study involved 95 ACS patients (46 with RA and 49 without RA) and 40 healthy controls. Serum levels of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Ligand (sRANKL), Osteoprotegerin (sOPG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and high-sensitivity Tropinin I (hs-TnI) were tested in all participants. Additionally, ACS patients were assessed on RANKL expression (exRANKL) on coronary arteries and mortality risk on the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events scale (GRACE). exRANKL was established in 35 (76%) ACS patients with RA, vs. 19 (39%) patients without RA, p < 0.001. RA patients had significantly higher levels of sRANKL and sOPG at 24 h and 48 h compared to ACS patients without RA and healthy controls (sRANKL 24 h: 121.33 vs. 51.67 vs. 36.94, p = 0.019; sRANKL 48 h: 89.21 vs. 36.95 vs. 36.94, p = 0.004; sOPG 24 h: 207.71 vs. 69.39 vs. 111.91, p < 0.001; sOPG 48 h: 143.36 vs. 69.38 vs. 111.91, p < 0.001). RA patients had significantly higher RANKL:OPG ratio at 48 h (0.062 vs. 0.53 vs. 0.33, p < 0.001), hs-CRP (28.82 vs. 23.67 vs. 2.60, p < 0.001) and hs-TnI (0.90 vs. 0.76 vs. 0.012). GRACE risk score was significantly higher in RA patients vs. those without RA (140.45 vs. 125.50, p = 0.030) and correlated with exRANKL, RANKL:OPG, hs-CRP, and hs-TnI. Our results indicate that exRANKL, inflammatory markers and mortality risk are amplified in ACS patients with RA compared to ACS patients without RA.

Cardiac Echinococcosis Involving Left Ventricular Myocardium in an 18-Year-Old Patient.

The hydatid disease is one of the most common tapeworm infections. It is caused most commonly by Echinococcus granulosus and has an endemic distribution. The transmission to humans, which are intermediate hosts, occurs by ingestion of contaminated food and water or by direct contact with infected animals. Involvement of heart and pericardium is an extremely rare condition. We present a case of an 18-year-old female patient, admitted in cardiology department complaining of chest pain and subfebrility. Transthoracic echocardiography and contrast enhanced CT revealed huge well-organized intramyocardial cyst in the lateral left ventricular wall with a few daughter cysts. The diagnosis of cardiac echinococcosis was confirmed by serological blood test - ELISA. We performed total resection of the cyst using extracorporeal circulation. The postoperative period was uneventful. Albendazole treatment was administered. The patient was followed-up one year with good postoperative result without any signs of relapse of the disease. Cardiac hydatid disease is rarity, but it is a life-threatening condition because of the high risk of cyst perforation. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Echocardiographic findings are extremely valuable for diagnosis. The results of surgical echinococcectomy combined with oral antihelmintic therapy postoperatively are preferred rather than conservative strategy alone.