Role of shear-wave and strain elastography to differentiate malignant vs benign subpleural lung lesions.

ABSTRACT: Elastosonography is a non-invasive diagnostic method to evaluate tissue stiffness. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of elastosonography to differentiate benign vs malignant subpleural lung lesions compared to clinical, radiological and histological findings.We performed both strain and shear wave velocity (SWV) elastosonography on subpleural lung lesions. Moreover, we elaborated a composite score called "elasto index".Fourteen patients, 10 males and 4 females were recruited. On strain elastography, 9 lesions showed a hard pattern (type 3), 3 lesions showed an intermediate pattern (type 2), and 2 lesions a soft pattern (type 1). All lesions showed a mean SWV value of 4.46 ±â€Š2.37 m/second. The mean SWV for malignant lesions (n = 6) was 5.92 ±â€Š2.8 m/second. The mean SWV for benign lesions (n = 8) was 3.36 ±â€Š1.20 m/second. SWV shows an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.792, and the Youden index shows a value of 3.6 m/second. The ROC curve elaborated for the diagnosis of malignancy by strain elastography showed an AUC of 0.688. ROC curve for the diagnosis of malignancy by elasto index demonstrated an AUC of 0.802.SWV values obtained by ARFI elastosonographic method are higher in malignant lung lesions (mean SWV: 5.92 m/second) than in benign ones (mean SWV: 3.36); a composite score (elasto index) is characterized by better statistical significance for the differentiation of the lesions.

Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients undergoing lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The impact of short-term preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation on exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer is evaluated. METHODS: A prospective observational study was designed. Inclusion criteria consisted of an indication to lung resection because of a clinical stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer and a chronic obstructive disease on preoperative pulmonary function test. In such conditions, maximal oxygen consumption by a cardio-pulmonary exercise test was evaluated; when this resulted as being < or =15 ml/kg/min a pulmonary rehabilitation programme lasting 4 weeks was considered. Twelve patients fulfilled inclusion criteria, completed the preoperative rehabilitation programme and underwent a new functional evaluation prior to surgery. The postoperative record of these patients was collected. RESULTS: On completion of pulmonary rehabilitation, the resting pulmonary function test and diffuse lung capacity of patients was unchanged, whereas the exercise performance was found to have significantly improved; the mean increase in maximal oxygen consumption proved to be at 2.8 ml/kg/min (p<0.01). Eleven patients underwent lobectomy; no postoperative mortality was noted and mean hospital stay was 17 days. Postoperative pulmonary complication was recorded in 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation could improve the exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are candidates for lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer.