[Comparison of outcome of rigid and self-expanding stents for palliation of malignant dysphagia]. / A malignus eredetu dysphagia palliatív kezelésére használt merev és öntáguló sztentek eredményeinek összehasonlító vizsgálata.

INTRODUCTION: Between 1984 and 2019, 1005 rigid prostheses and 423 self-expanding stents were inserted for palliation of malignant esophageal stenosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was the comparison of the treatment results using the two types of prosthesis. METHOD: Retrospective analysis has been performed comparing the characteristics and treatment results of the two patients groups referring to the technical success of the procedures, procedure-related complications, change in the quality of life, and survival time. RESULTS: A comparison of average ages, duration time of dysphagia, quantity of weight loss, and the progress of the malignancy proves that palliation with self-expanding stents made it possible to treat more patients in worse condition. The number of complications in the patient group treated with stents was significantly higher at 29.3%/20.9%. Endoscopic intervention was performed to treat complications in 68.6% of cases with rigid prostheses and in 53.2% of patients treated with stents. Relevant improvement of dysphagia and the patients' quality of life was observed in 97% of those who were treated with a rigid prosthesis and in 91.3% of those who were treated with self-expanding stents. The survival time in the group of patients treated with stents was significantly shorter by 4.3/5.4 months than in the other group. CONCLUSION: The use of self-expanding stents in palliative treatment of malignant strictures have brought significant changes in everyday practice with increasing the possibilities. The treatment results were not improved by their application as much as the worse condition of the patient group worsened them. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(49): 1952-1961.

Oesophagus stricture caused by late metastasis of breast cancer / Emlodaganat nyelocsoszukületet okozó késoi áttéte

Oesophageal strictures due to mediastinal metastases from breast cancer mean a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, since they are relatively rare, difficult to identify and detect. In our case, slowly progressive dysphagia developed 19 years after mastectomy. During dilatation of the stricture, which was thought benign first, the oesophagus was perforated. We were compelled to perform an acute transhiatal oesophagectomy with orthotopic replacement and gastric bypass. The treatment method we applied under pressure of necessity differed from our routine protocol at many points, nevertheless, it resulted in the recovery of the patient. Histopathological tissue analysis of the resected oesophagus helped to discover the real pathological reason: mediastinal breast cancer metastasis causing circular and almost complete occlusion.

In situ lymphoma imaging in a spontaneous mouse model using the Cerenkov Luminescence of F-18 and Ga-67 isotopes.

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is a promising approach to image-guided surgery and pathological sampling. It could offer additional advantages when combined to whole-body isotope tomographies. We aimed to obtain evidence of its applicability in lymphoma patho-diagnostics, thus we decided to investigate the radiodiagnostic potential of combined PET or SPECT/CLI in an experimental, novel spontaneous high-grade B-cell lymphoma mouse model (Bc.DLFL1). We monitored the lymphoma dissemination at early stage, and at clinically relevant stages such as advanced stage and terminal stage with in vivo 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 67Ga-citrate single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/MRI. In vivo imaging was combined with ex vivo high resolution CLI. The use of CLI with 18F-Fluorine (F-18) and 67Ga-Gallium isotopes in the selection of infiltrated lymph nodes for tumor staging and pathology was thus tested. At advanced stage, FDG PET/MRI plus ex vivo CLI allowed accurate detection of FDG accumulation in lymphoma-infiltrated tissues. At terminal stage we detected tumorous lymph nodes with SPECT/MRI and we could report in vivo detection of the Cerenkov light emission of 67Ga. CLI with 67Ga-citrate revealed lymphoma accumulation in distant lymph node locations, unnoticeable with only MRI. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed these imaging results. Our study promotes the combined use of PET and CLI in preclinical studies and clinical practice. Heterogeneous FDG distribution in lymph nodes, detected at sampling surgery, has implications for tissue pathology processing and it could direct therapy. The results with 67Ga also point to the opportunities to further apply suitable SPECT radiopharmaceuticals for CLI.

Reconstruction with hypopharyngo-gastrostomy after esophagus extirpation due to spontaneous esophageal perforation. / [Nyelocso-perforatio miatt végzett oesophagusexstirpatio rekonstrukciója hypopharyngogastrostoma képzésével].

Despite the significant improvement in surgical and intensive care therapy, esophageal perforation is still a severe, life-threatening condition. As the underlying causes, the accompanying disorders, the localization and the extent of the inflammation vary, the surgeon may sometimes encounter unexpected situations. A 58-year-old female developed necrotizing mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation as the result of incarcerated thoracic hernia of the stomach, therefore, we had to perform esophagus extirpation and cervical esophagostomy. During the reconstruction of the intestinal tract, we found shrinkage of the complete esophageal stump with unknown cause. The gastric sleeve was joined to the hypopharynx. Insufficiency was solved with conservative therapy. The patient regained partial swallowing ability after complex dysphagia treatment. Hyophapharyngo-gastrostomy done due to non-malignant disease is extremely rare in the literature, however, it can be a surgical technique of choice if required as in our case. It should be followed by rehabilitation done by a team, with emphasis on dysphagia treatment. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(18): 756-760.

[Cases of migration of swallowed foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract]. / A gastrointestinalis traktusból migrált, lenyelt idegen testek esetei.

Migration of swallowed foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract is a rare phenomenon compared with the total number of ingestions. In the reported two cases, the serious septic condition indicated urgent surgical intervention. We found a piece of wire swallowed a few months earlier in the right lobe of the liver and the retroperitoneum in case one, and a piece of wire in the pericardium, which migrated from the stomach through the left lobe of the liver, in case two. Abscesses and phlegmonae were found in the retroperitoneum and then in the femoral region requiring a reoperation in case one, and in the liver and pericardium in case two. After the evacuation of abscesses, both patients made full recovery. Diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic challenges served the reasons to present these cases. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(42): 1677-1681.

[Surgical excision of a giant schwannoma located in the posterior mediastinum and partially in the retroperitoneum]. / Óriási, a hátsó mediastinumot és a retroperitoneumot részben kitölto schwannoma mutéti kezelése.

A characteristics of mediastinal disorders is that the high anatomical density of vital structures in this region represents a challenge for diagnosis and surgical treatment. Space-occupying lesions can grow without causing overt manifestations - or can progress symptom-free - hence they can reach an extreme size by the time of surgery. A 58-year-old male patient was hospitalized for pleural effusion and an extensive, space-occupying mediastinal lesion, which had been causing respiratory symptoms for 15 years. Cytology of the pleural effusion did not confirm malignancy. The CT scan depicted progression manifested as an increase in the size of the lesion with a likely site of origin in the left adrenal gland. According to the MRI, by contrast, the lesion might have originated in the region of vertebrae Th9-10, as suggested by the lack of dural continuity. However, its adrenal origin could not be excluded either; endocrine activity was not detected. An operation was performed with a neurosurgeon included in the surgical team. A spinal tumor of the size of 20.2 by 11.1 by 10.8 cm was removed through thoraco-laparotomy, and reconstruction of the diaphragm was performed. Histology confirmed a schwannoma. Postoperatively, the expansion of the lung was only partial, because the patient discontinued respiratory rehabilitation. The follow-up CT scan depicted local recurrence. In the lack of alternative therapeutic modalities, surgical resection is usually the sole option for the management of large, mediastinal space-occupying lesions diagnosed at an advanced stage. Such operations should only be performed in specialist surgical centers and with multidisciplinary collaboration. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(37): 1476-1479.

[Operative treatment of non-malignant esophageal perforations - a summary of our experiences]. / Nem tumoros nyelocso-perforáció mutéti kezelésével szerzett tapasztalataink.

INTRODUCTION: Despite significant development in surgical and intensive therapy, esophageal perforation is still a severe, life-threatening condition. Successful therapy depends on several clinical factors, available medical equipments, but most of all on the available expertise and experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients' data operated at the 1st Department of Surgery at Semmelweis University between 2005 and 2017 due to esophageal perforation of non-malignant origin. RESULTS: During the period above 77 patients were treated. All of them were referred to us from an external institute. 15 patients (19%) arrived in shock. The patients developed perforation in 29 cases spontaneously (38%), in 32 cases (41%) during endoscopy, in 12 cases (16%) due to food bolus impaction, and in 4 cases (5%) following balloon tamponade of esophageal variceal bleeding. Patients were sent to our clinic 2.7 days after the presentation of the symptoms. In 2 patients (2%) drainage, in 6 patients (8%) suture, in 8 patients (12%) funduplication, in 19 patients (28%) esophageal exclusion, and in 33 patients (50%) total esophageal extirpation had to be done. 27 patients (35%) died. Discussion, conclusion: Surgical treatment of esophageal injuries is basically influenced by two factors: observation time before surgery and the presence of sepsis symptoms. We have to perform radical surgery basically due to delay. Waste of time is caused by the non-uniform diagnostic strategy and the delay in the true diagnosis.

[Relationship of consequences of anastomotic insufficiency and bacterial flora of oral cavity in patients with esophageal and cardia cancer]. / A szájüreg baktériumflórájának összefüggése az anastomosiselégtelenség következményeivel nyelocso- és cardiatumoros betegeknél.

INTRODUCTION: In the course of anastomotic insufficiency following resection of esophageal cancers the bacterial compound of the esophageal substance has a remarkable, presumable role in the outcome of complications. AIM: The purpose of this study is to compare the consequences of the anastomotic leak with the bacterial flora of patients' oral cavity. METHOD: In this prospective study a total of 131 patients were investigated directly before the surgical intervention taking a bacterial sample. Bacterial flora of patients' oral cavity was analysed; and the correlation between the consequences of the anastomotic leak and the content of the bacterial flora was examined. RESULTS: Pathogenic bacteria in the oral microflora in 50 cases (38.2%) was found. Statistically significant, moderate correlation was found between the severity of the complication and the incidence of pathogenic bacteria (rs = 0.553; p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic agent in the microbial flora might induce higher risk and more severe outcome in case of anastomotic leakage and it might be evaluated as a determinative factor. Consideration of the bacterial flora of the oral cavity requires more attention in the preoperative preparation than before and it demands the change of the current practice. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(1), 25-30.

Quantitative liver lesion volume determination by nanoparticle-based SPECT.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to present a simple and quantitative data analysis method with a new potential in the application of liver single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. We have established quantitative SPECT/computed tomography (CT) in vivo imaging protocols for determination of liver tumor burden based on the known role of Kupffer cells in cancer of the liver. PROCEDURES: As it is also known that functional Kupffer cells accumulate particulate material contained in the arterial blood of liver supply, we used radiolabeled macro-aggregated albumin particles ([(99m)Tc]-MAA) injected intravenously to image liver disease. Quantification of cold spot liver lesion imaging was also a general objective. METHODS: We examined a healthy control group (BALB/C mice, n = 6) and group of induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, matrilin-2 transgenic KO mice, n = 9), where hepatocellular carcinoma was induced by diethylnitrosamine. We used [(99m)Tc]-MAA as radiopharmaceutical for liver SPECT imaging in a small animal SPECT/CT system. A liver radioactivity overview map was generated. Segmentation of the liver was calculated by Otsu thresholding method. Based on the segmentation the radioactivity volume and the summarized liver activity were determined. RESULTS: Tumor burden of the livers was quantitatively determined by creating parametric data from the resulting volumetric maps. Ex vivo liver mass data were applied for the validation of in vivo measurements. An uptake with cold spots as tumors was observed in all diseased animals in SPECT/CT scans. Isotope-labeled particle uptake (standardized uptake concentration) of control (median 0.33) and HCC (median 0.18) groups was significantly different (p = 0.0015, Mann Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: A new potential application of [(99m)Tc]-MAA was developed and presents a simple and very effective means to quantitatively characterize liver cold spot lesions resulting from Kupffer cell dysfunctions as a consequence of tumor burden.

Experience with stent implantation in malignant esophageal strictures: analysis of 1185 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the experience in endoprosthesis implantation in cases of malignant esophageal strictures. METHODS: A total of 1185 consecutive patients underwent endoprosthesis implantation: through open surgery in 42 cases and by endoscopy in 1143 cases. RESULTS: Stent implantation was performed successfully in 61.2% of cases. Dysphagia was resolved temporarily in 6.2% and permanently in 93.5% of cases. The score of dysphagia decreased from 1.93 to 0.38. Complications were detected in 23.7% of patients, and 69.2% of cases were treated by endoscopy. Wound complications were seen in 21.9% of patients intubated through surgery. The mean survival time of patients with esophageal intubation was 5.4 months and that of patients not eligible for stent implantation was 3.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Stent implantation improves the quality of life and gives an opportunity for adjuvant oncological therapy. Evaluation of morphologic anomalies is of considerable importance for achieving success in treatment through implantation.

[Palliative management of malignant oesophageal strictures with endoprosthesis implantation -- 25 years experience]. / Malignus eredetu nyelocsoszukületek palliatív kezelése endoprotézis beültetésével -- 25 év tapasztalata.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the feasibility of the use of oesophageal endoprosthesis based on a large series of cases. METHODS: 2952 malignant oesophageal strictures managed between 1984 and 2009 were analysed. While surgical intubation was carried out in 42 patients, endoscopic implantation was feasible in 1143 cases. Patients not eligible for oesophageal stenting were treated with gastrostomy in 125, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in 19, catheter jejunostomy in 9 and supportive therapy in 965 cases, respectively. RESULTS: Endoprosthesis could have been inserted in 61.2% of the patients. Dysphagia was terminated temporarily in 6.2% and permanently in 93.5%. Complications were detected in 23.7% of the cases, which included stent migration, perforation, bleeding, airway obstruction, early unexpected death, aspiration, stent obstruction, tumor overgrowth, oesophago-respiratory fistula formation and neoformation, and reflux. Complications were treated endoscopically primarily (69.2%). Lethal complication rate was 2.1% (27 cases). Furthermore, complication rate of patients who underwent surgical stent insertion was 21.9%. Mean survival of patients with oesophageal intubation was 5.4 months, with nutritional support via gastrostomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or jejunostomy 3.6 months and with supportive therapy alone 3.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal endoprosthesis insertion is an effective method for the palliative management of malignant oesophageal strictures. Stent implantation improves survival as well as quality of life. Methods used for nutritional support decreases hungriness but do not influence survival.

[Surgical repair of postintubation esophago-tracheal fistulas: report of two cases surgically repaired]. / A posztintubációs oesophagotrachealis fistulák sebészi kezelésérol két operált eset kapcsán.

Persistence of postintubation esophago-tracheal fistulas is a difficult therapeutic problem. Authors present and discuss two successfully operated cases. Surgical reconstruction was done via left lateral cervical approach, including dissection of the fistulous tract, closure of the defect on both sides by suture, exclusion of the esophagus with a linear stapler beyond a loop esophagostomy, separation the suture lines with interposing of omohioid muscle flap, and making a Pezzer-catheter splinted esophagostomy. In the first case the spontaneous recanalization of the occluded esophagus was prolonged and the fistula recurred. Reoperation was done by the same procedure without exclusion of the esophagus. The second patient needed intervention because of the prolonged closure of esophagostomy. Recovery of both patients was successful. In conclusion, it can be stated that adaptation of surgical techniques for the individual pathologic situation helped the authors to find the way to the successful outcome.

Characteristics of esophagorespiratory fistulas resulting from esophageal cancers: a single-center study on 243 cases in a 20-year period.

BACKGROUND: Esophagorespiratory fistulas are serious complications of esophageal tumors. The main goal of this study was to reveal their characteristics. METHODS: In the period between 1984 and 2004, 243 fistulas were diagnosed among the 1993 patients with esophageal cancer. Comparing the characteristic data of patients with and without fistula (demographics, symptoms, duration time of symptoms, morphologic features, histology, metastases, staging), multivariance analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.05). Patients with fistula were divided into two additional groups (I, n = 82; II, n = 161 cases) with cluster analysis. The difference between these two groups was also significant. RESULTS: It was possible to perform a palliative endoscopic intubation in 176 cases, while 62 patients could be treated only supportively. The average survival was 3.4 and 1.2 months, respectively. Fistula was a late complication of tumor in two thirds (66.3%) of the cases, while in 33.7% it was diagnosed in younger patients at the early stage of the disease, with a more aggressive, less differentiated histology. In these patients the weight loss, the grade of dysphagia, and the size of the tumor were smaller, the possibilities of treatment were fewer, and survival time was shorter (2.1 vs. 3.1 months). CONCLUSIONS: These tumors seem to be specific forms of esophageal cancers. For a better quality of life and longer survival time for these patients, there should be earlier diagnosis and endoscopic intubation as the best palliative treatment should be performed.

Esophagorespiratory fistulas of tumorous origin. Non-operative management of 264 cases in a 20-year period.

OBJECTIVE: Esophagorespiratory fistulas developing from malignant tumors have serious complications by maintaining continuous airway contamination. The objective was to reveal the incidence, causes and characteristics of fistula formation and to examine the possibilities and efficiency of the treatment. METHODS: In a single-center study between 1984 and 2004, the data of 2113 patients with tumorous esophageal stenosis were analyzed. Esophagorespiratory fistulas were detected in 264 cases (12.5%). Successful esophageal intubation, stent correction or replacement was performed in 188 cases, while there was one lethal complication. Twenty-seven patients had an intervention for nutritional support: 25 gastrostomies, 1 jejunostomy and 1 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. RESULTS: The mean survival period of all patients was 2.8 months; patients with implanted endoprosthesis 3.4 months; with nutritional support 1.1 months and with only supportive therapy 1.3 months, respectively. The differences between the endoprosthesis implanted group and the other two groups were significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By sealing the fistula, a successful endoscopic esophageal intubation ends the severe respiratory contamination and the inability to swallow, improving the quality of life and survival period. After the procedure, it is the malignant tumor and not the fistula that determines the future of the patient.

[Pathological characteristics of esophago-respiratory fistulas of esophageal tumor origin]. / Nyelocsotumor-eredetu oesophago-respiratoricus fistulák kórtani jellemzoi.

Esophago-respiratory fistulas, evolving as a result of esophageal tumors, are serious and lethal complications on account of the constant respiratory contamination and the inability to swallow. They can develop either as the complication of the end stage disease or sometimes even in the first stage of the malignancy. The objective was to reveal the characteristics of the disease. In a prospective single-center study in the period between 1984 and 2004, 243 fistulas were diagnosed. Their data were analyzed using multivariate analysis. The mean age of patients with fistula was 56.9 years, the male-to-female ratio was 4.3:1. The average time of the complaints was 5.2 months, while the time of manifestation of the fistula was 7.5 months. Dysphagia was diagnosed in 97.5% of the patients, fever in 36.9%, and cachexia in 59.5%, respectively. The average loss of weight was 10.4 kg and the average size of the tumor was 7.7 cm. Endoscopic intubation was performed in 176 cases. The average survival was 3.4 months. Patients with fistula were divided into two groups, where the characteristics of the disease were significantly different. Only in 66.3% was the fistula a late complication. In the other 33.7% of the cases the fistula was diagnosed in younger patients at the early stage of the disease, with a more aggressive, less differentiated histology. In these patients the weight loss, the grade of dysphagia and the size of the tumor were smaller, the possibilities of treatment were fewer, and survival were shorter.

[Esophago-respiratory fistulas of tumorous origin]. / Tumoros eredetii oesophago- respiratorikus fisztulák.

Esophago-respiratory fistulas developing in malignant disease have serious consequences by continuous airway contamination. Between 1984 and 1999 in the 1st Department of Surgery of Semmelweis University 1439 patients were treated with esophageal cancer. During regular examinations esophago-respiratory fistulas were detected in 163 patients (11.3% incidence). By analyzing data about these patients, we examined the causes, the characteristics of the disease and the possibilities and the efficiency of treatment. The mean age of these 163 patients was 55 (21-83) years, the ratio between men and women 3.7:1. By analyzing data of these patients according to their age, history, degree of dysphagia, weight loss, tumor size and survival rate, it can be noticed that there are two specific peaks, which differs from the average patients with esophageal tumors. Presumably, patients with esophago-respiratory fistulas can be divided into two groups. One consists of relatively younger patients with biologically more aggressive carcinomas, while the other group is of older patients where the fistula formation is the end stage of the slower progressing tumor. Twenty eight patients received irradiation before the fistula developed, most likely the longer survival rate contributed to the rise of the number of the fistulas. Ninety-five patients underwent endoscopic endoprosthesis implantation, 24 had the position of a stent corrected, 44 patients received palliative therapy, gastrostomy was performed in 15 patients. The median survival period was 5.0 months (0-46 months). Patients with endoprosthesis, gastrostomy and palliative treatment only had mean survival periods of 6.2 (1-46), 1.7 (0-5) and 1.6 (0-5) months. By sealing off the fistula, a successful endoscopic stent can end the serious airway contamination and the dysphagia, improving the quality of life and length of survival. Endoscopic endoprosthesis implantation is a feasible method in the treatment of patients with esophago-respiratory fistula.

[Esophageal tumors at our outpatient clinic]. / Nyelócsótumoros betegek klinikánk szakambulanciáján.

INTRODUCTION: In the 1984-1997 period 1179 tumorous patients presented themselves at the oesophagus consultation of the Ist. Department of Surgery of Semmelweis University. The authors examined the changes in the characteristic features of these patients and the task of supply. OBJECT: The aim of analysis was estimating of the place and importance of the therapeutic methods applicable to ambulatory patients. METHODS: Essential task of the outpatients service was to summarize the diagnostic results and to supply the lacks for the therapeutic plan of the patients. Having possession of the results they had to make decisions of the necessary and possible method of therapy. From the 1179 patients it was necessary the ward admittance of 787 patients, in 512 cases in hope of resective operation, and in 275 cases in order to carry out palliative intervention under hospitalized circumstances. 392 patients were treated as outpatients. To outpatients in 296 cases tube endoprosthesis was implanted by endoscopic method for palliative purposes, there were made 14 dilating nasogastric tube treatments, in 2 cases percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and in the case of 116 patients there were collaborations in intraluminal after-loading irradiation treatments. RESULTS: It appeared from the age-characteristics of the patients that the incidence in the examined period increased in the younger age-groups. The patients' main complaint was dysphagia, their average anamnesis-time was 4.03 months and it did not change during the 13 years. The incidence of the oesophago-respiratory fistula was 11.1% in the patient-population, and the incidence of reflectory dysphagia was 13.2%. There was an improvement in respect of the medical check-up of patients and the verification by histological examination of the tumorous process. In the case of 597 patients it was observed dysphagia requiring palliation and in 482 cases it succeeded to perform it by implanting endoprosthesis. There were 36 unsuccessful implantation attempts and in the case of 79 patients there were no conditions of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of oesophageal tumorous patients the interventions made in favour of the palliative improvement of agglutination were executable within the frame of the outpatient service, from among of which the implantation of endoscopic tube appeared to be the method improving the patients' quality of life and survival with the best result. In the course of years palliative treatments were made more and more in the frame of outpatient service. The authors feel it necessary to consider all the condition-ameliorating treatment possibilities and applications, which may not be alternatives of each other but complementaries.