The current role of mediastinoscopy in the evaluation of thoracic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Mediastinoscopy is a common procedure used for the diagnosis of thoracic disease and the staging of lung cancer. We sought to determine the current role of mediastinoscopy in the evaluation of thoracic disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all mediastinoscopies performed by members of our service between January 1988 and September 1998. RESULTS: We performed mediastinoscopies on 2137 patients. A total of 1745 patients underwent mediastinoscopy for known or suspected lung cancer. In 422 of these procedures, N2 or N3 disease was identified; only 28 of these patients underwent resection. The remaining 1323 had no evidence of metastatic disease. In these patients 947 had lung cancer. Only 76 of the patients with lung cancer were found to have N2 disease at exploration. Among the 1323 patients with a negative mediastinoscopy result, 52 underwent resection of a nonbronchogenic malignancy, and 217 had resection of a benign lesion. A total of 392 patients underwent mediastinoscopy for the evaluation of mediastinal adenopathy in the absence of any identifiable pulmonary lesion. Of these, 161 had a nonbronchogenic malignancy, 209 had benign disease, and 25 had no diagnosis established; mediastinoscopy established a definitive diagnosis in 93.6% of patients. In the entire group of 2137 patients, there were 4 perioperative deaths and 12 complications. Only one death was directly attributed to mediastinoscopy. No deaths or complications occurred in patients undergoing mediastinoscopy for benign disease. CONCLUSIONS: Mediastinoscopy is a highly effective and safe procedure. We believe that mediastinoscopy should currently be used routinely in the diagnosis and staging of thoracic diseases.

Favorable results after sleeve lobectomy or bronchoplasty for bronchial malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty are established alternatives to pneumonectomy for bronchial malignancies involving a main bronchus. However, potential bronchial anastomotic complications have deterred the general application of these types of resection. Some reports have contained a mixture of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and tumors of low-grade malignancy, making it difficult to assess the long-term results of these procedures as an alternative to pneumonectomy for lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience with sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty for bronchial malignancies from January 1988 to September 1998 separating NSCLC (n = 58) from tumors of low-grade malignancy (n = 19). We compared the overall results between sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy (n = 142) performed for NSCLC over the same time interval. RESULTS: For NSCLC, after sleeve lobectomy, the operative mortality was 5.2% (3 of 58 patients) and the overall 5-year actuarial survival was 37.5%. After pneumonectomy, the operative mortality was 4.9% (7 of 142 patients) and the overall 5-year actuarial survival was 35.8%. For tumors with low-grade malignancy, there was no operative mortality after sleeve lobectomy or bronchoplasty and the 5-year actuarial survival was 100%. Major bronchial anastomotic complications occurred in 3 patients among the 77 patients who underwent sleeve resection. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve resection can be performed with a low risk of bronchial anastomotic complication. The long-term survival after sleeve resection for NSCLC is similar to pneumonectomy. Excellent results are obtained after sleeve resection for low-grade malignancies.

A comparative study of thoracoscopic vs open removal of benign neurogenic mediastinal tumors.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative benefit of thoracoscopy vs open thoracotomy in the removal of benign neurogenic, mediastinal tumors (BNMTs). DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study of thoracoscopy and open thoracotomy. SETTING: Patients underwent surgery at the thoracic surgical services of two institutions from 1988 to 1994. Patients who underwent thoracoscopy were operated on more recently, 1992 to 1994. Patients who had thoracotomies underwent resection from 1988 to 1992. PATIENTS: All adult patients undergoing isolated removal of BNMTs at both institutions were included. Eleven patients underwent removal by posterolateral thoracotomy while six patients underwent thoracoscopic removal. INTERVENTIONS: BNMTs were removed by standard posterolateral thoracotomy or by three-hole thoracoscopic techniques with extension of incisions and conversion to an open procedure as necessary. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Larger tumors were more difficult to remove thoracoscopically. Two cases of transient postoperative ptosis were noted among the patients who underwent thoracoscopy. Operative time was longer in the thoracoscopy group (171 vs 112 min; p<0.05). Postoperative stay was significantly shorter (2.6 vs 4.5 days; p<0.02) and return to work tended to be more rapid (4.3 vs 7.7 weeks; p=0.13) among patients who underwent thoracoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic resection of BNMTs can be achieved safely and effectively with more rapid postoperative recovery when compared with an open thoracotomy approach to these mediastinal tumors.

Immunostains for blood group antigens lack prognostic significance in T1 lung carcinoma.

Recent reports have suggested that the retention of blood group antigen expression on tumor cells may be an important prognostic factor for survival. From 1986 to 1991, 136 patients underwent operative resection for their T1 N0 non-small cell lung carcinoma. One hundred twenty tissue blocks were available for antigen testing, and the histologic types were as follows: adenocarcinoma (73 patients), squamous cell (39 patients), large cell/undifferentiated (7 patients), and mucoepidermoid (1 patient). Follow-up is complete for all patients (mean, 41 months). This distribution of patients among the blood groups was as follows: A, 56 (47%); O, 53 (44%); B, 9 (7.5%), and AB, 2 (1.7%). Immunostaining was performed for A, B, and H blood group antigens. The 5-year actuarial survival in the blood group A patients (53%) did not differ significantly from that in the blood group O patients (59%). Similarly, when tumors were examined for their respective antigens, no significant differences were found in the 5-year survival of either blood group A or O patients between the tumors that retain and those that lose blood group antigen expression. Retention or loss of blood groups A or O antigen expression does not predict survival in patients with early-stage lung carcinomas.

Bilateral pneumectomy (volume reduction) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We undertook surgical bilateral lung volume reduction in 20 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to relieve thoracic distention and improve respiratory mechanics. The operation, done through median sternotomy, involves excision of 20% to 30% of the volume of each lung. The most affected portions are excised with the use of a linear stapling device fitted with strips of bovine pericardium attached to both the anvil and the cartridge to buttress the staple lines and eliminate air leakage through the staple holes. Preoperative and postoperative assessment of results has included grading of dyspnea and quality of life, exercise performance, and objective measurements of lung function by spirometry and plethysmography. There has been no early or late mortality and no requirement for immediate postoperative ventilatory assistance. Follow-up ranges from 1 to 15 months (mean 6.4 months). The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second has improved by 82% and the reduction in total lung capacity, residual volume, and trapped gas has been highly significant. These changes have been associated with marked relief of dyspnea and improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life. Although the follow-up period is short, these preliminary results suggest that bilateral surgical volume reduction may be of significant value for selected patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Indeterminate mediastinal invasion in bronchogenic carcinoma: CT evaluation.

The computed tomographic (CT) scans of 80 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma classified as indeterminate for direct mediastinal invasion were retrospectively reviewed after the patients had undergone thoracotomy. Forty-eight (60%) of the masses were resectable, without invasion of the mediastinum, 18 (22%) focally invaded the mediastinum but were technically resectable, and 14 (18%) invaded the mediastinum and were not technically resectable. Although in most circumstances in this relatively small subset of patients CT was not helpful in differentiating masses with and without mediastinal invasion, CT was able to separate a large group of masses that were likely to be technically resectable. Thirty-six (97%) of 37 masses with one or more of these CT findings were considered technically resectable: contact of 3 cm or less with mediastinum, less than 90 degrees of contact with aorta, and mediastinal fat between mass and mediastinal structures. Of these 36 masses, 28 were resectable without mediastinal invasion, and eight were resectable with focal limited mediastinal invasion.

Anterior cervical disc herniation. Case report.

A 39-year-old man with an extrinsic esophageal lesion was found to have an anterior herniation of a soft degenerated cervical disc. Only two cases of symptomatic anterior cervical disc herniation have been reported previously. Dysphagia produced by anterior cervical osteophytes is more common and is a recognized clinical entity. Asymptomatic anterior cervical disc herniation may play a key role in the pathogenesis of anterior cervical osteophytes.

Direct relationship between mononuclear leukocyte and lung beta-adrenergic receptors and apparent reciprocal regulation of extravascular, but not intravascular, alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors by the sympathochromaffin system in humans.

To examine putative relationships between adrenergic receptors on accessible circulating cells and relatively inaccessible extravascular catecholamine target tissues, we measured mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) and lung beta-adrenergic receptors and platelet and lung alpha-adrenergic receptors in tissues obtained from 15 patients undergoing pulmonary resection. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured concurrently to explore potential regulatory relationships between the activity of the sympathochromaffin system and both intravascular and extravascular adrenergic receptors. MNL and lung membrane beta-adrenergic receptor densities were correlated highly (r = 0.845, P less than 0.001). Platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and lung alpha 1-adrenergic receptor densities were not. Lung alpha 1-adrenergic receptor densities were positively related to plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.840, P less than 0.01) and epinephrine (r = 0.860, P less than 0.01) concentrations; in contrast, lung beta-adrenergic receptor densities were not positively related to plasma catecholamine concentrations (they tended to be inversely related to plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine [r = -0.698, P less than 0.05] levels). This apparent reciprocal regulation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors by the sympathochromaffin system was only demonstrable with adrenergic receptor measurements in the extravascular catecholamine target tissue. Neither MNL beta-adrenergic receptor nor platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor densities were correlated with plasma catecholamine levels. Thus, although measurements of beta-adrenergic receptors on circulating mononuclear leukocytes can be used as indices of extravascular target tissue beta-adrenergic receptor densities (at least in lung and heart), it would appear that extravascular tissues should be used to study adrenergic receptor regulation by endogenous catecholamines in humans. These data provide further support for the concept of up regulation, as well as down regulation, of some adrenergic receptor populations during short-term activation of the sympathochromaffin system in humans.

Surgical intervention in histoplasmosis.

Histoplasmosis is a ubiquitous disease in endemic areas that has a generally subclinical course. Excessive inflammatory response may bring some patients to the attention of a thoracic surgeon to exclude malignancy of a noncalcified pulmonary or mediastinal mass or to relieve compression of specific structures. Mediastinal granuloma or fibrosing mediastinitis may involve the superior vena cava, pulmonary vessels, heart and pericardium, tracheobronchial tree, or esophagus. The cases of 94 recently treated patients are presented as well as a review of the American surgical literature. The current use of computed tomography, the time and extent of operative intervention, and the role of antifungal therapy are important to an overall understanding of the surgical treatment of the manifestations of histoplasmosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of mediastinal and hilar masses: comparison with CT.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compared to computed tomography (CT) of the mediastinum and/or hila in 37 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma (35 unresectable for cure) and 11 patients with other masses. Spin-echo pulse sequences using a short pulse repetition rate (TR) and short echo delay (TE) were most helpful for detection of abnormal soft-tissue mediastinal and hilar masses. The accuracy of MRI and CT in staging bronchogenic carcinoma for curative resectability/nonresectability was comparable. CT staged 35 of 37 cases appropriately, while MRI correctly staged 36 of 37 cases. Several pitfalls in MRI evaluation of the mediastinum were identified. By MRI the esophagus may be misinterpreted as an enlarged retrotracheal lymph node unless serial scans are studied. Scattered calcifications in enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes due to old granulomatous disease are not detectable by MRI. Small adjacent lymph nodes shown individually by CT may appear as a single enlarged lymph node by MRI due to partial-volume averaging. Small lung nodules may be undetected by MRI due to respiratory motion and partial-volume averaging. Certain patients are unsuitable for MR scanning. Because of the requirement for patient selection and the identified pitfalls of MRI, CT remains the radiologic procedure of choice in the staging of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and the evaluation of other mediastinal and hilar masses at present. However, because of the ability to show blood vessels without an intravascular contrast agent, MRI is useful in evaluating patients with potential contrast allergy and solving diagnostic problems not solved by CT.

Treatment of malignant tracheoesophageal fistula due to histiocytic lymphoma.

A patient had a tracheoesophageal fistula resulting from malignant histiocytoma. Surgical treatment included esophagectomy and repair of the left main-stem bronchus. Gastrointestinal continuity was restored by a right colon interposition after chemotherapy.

CT evaluation after esophagogastrectomy.

The computed tomographic (CT) scans and barium esophagrams of 25 patients who had undergone esophagogastrectomy were reviewed to assess the utility of CT in the postoperative evaluation of these patients. CT provided information not provided by esophagography in 13 cases; in nine of these 13 cases, the CT scan was instrumental in directing patient management. One anastomotic leak not detected by esophagography was demonstrated by CT. In two patients, esophagography demonstrated mucosal recurrence at the esophagogastric anastomosis which was not shown by CT. Data indicate that CT is a useful method for detecting postoperative complications and extramucosal recurrent disease in this group of patients. Knowledge of the expected postesophagogastrectomy CT appearance is essential for the proper interpretation of postoperative scans.

"Discphagia": a case report.

An anterior herniated intervertebral disc at the low cervical level caused dysphagia and an extrinsic impression on the esophagus seen on barium swallow. This entity should be added to the differential diagnosis of extrinsic esophageal defects.

Esophageal replacement with colon in children: functional results and long-term growth.

Twenty-three children consecutively undergoing colon interposition for esophageal replacement were evaluated with barium swallows, clinical interviews, and questionnaires. Fourteen patients underwent colon interposition because of caustic burns of the esophagus only or of the hypopharynx and esophagus. Nine children had long-segment esophageal atresia or esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and are included in our operative group. The mean follow-up was 12.8 years for all patients. Strictures, leaks, and colon ischemia at the proximal anastomosis represent the major morbidity for the operative procedure. Analysis of growth charts reveals that patients who ingest lye tend to remain in the 50th percentile after colon transplant, while patients with esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula who had been in the 12th percentile preoperatively improved to the 33rd percentile after successful transplantation. Radiographic examinations, functional results, and growth curves demonstrated excellent results in 20 patients. Although the choice of a conduit for esophageal replacement is controversial, the surgeon can expect good long-term function and growth with the use of colon in children.

Radiologic evaluation of complications after esophagogastrectomy.

The use of surgical stapling devices has caused renewed interest in the performance of esophagogastrectomy by reducing complications to an acceptable level. This has resulted in a more complicated radiographic appearance of the procedure. Since complications can be devastating, prompt recognition by the radiologist is critical. Sixty consecutive patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy were examined 7 days postoperatively with esophagrams. Forty-seven had been performed using the end-to-end anastomosis stapler. The spectrum of normal postoperative appearances is described. Follow-up examinations were performed in 29 patients. Postoperative complications included leak at a staple line (four), gastric outlet obstruction (two), gastric necrosis (two), and position-dependent problems with gastric emptying (five). Leaks were manifested by pleural effusions and by contrast extravasation, generally at the anastomosis or the distal gastric margin of resection. Late complications included benign strictures (eight), recurrent malignancy (seven), tracheal aspiration (one), reflux esophagitis (two), and bronchoesophageal fistula (two). The presence of a mass greater than 1.5 cm, particularly one extending across the anastomosis, correlated highly with recurrent malignancy.

Computed tomography in the staging of esophageal carcinoma.

The computed tomographic (CT) findings in 52 patients with histologically proved esophageal carcinoma were reviewed. In 30 of these patients, the CT findings were correlated with findings at surgery or autopsy. CT was found to be highly accurate in predicting tumor size and assessing invasion of the tracheobronchial tree and spread to the liver, adrenals, and celiac and left gastric nodes. By quantifying the contact between the tumor and aorta, it was found that the CT appearance correctly predicted the presence or absence of aortic invasion in 24 of 25 cases (five cases were indeterminate). CT was insensitive in detecting metastatic spread to local periesophageal nodes; in these cases the tumor tended to involve the nodes without enlarging them. CT is an accurate method for assessing the spread of esophageal carcinoma. Its use can prevent unnecessary surgery in patients with inoperable tumors.

Computed tomography in the preoperative evaluation of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Preoperative determination of the extent of bronchogenic carcinoma at presentation was assessed by CT using a 4th generation scanner with a 3-second scan time in 98 patients whose disease was later surgically staged. Prospective CT interpretations correctly staged 33 of 35 (94%) resectable lesions, and disease in 41 of 45 (91%) patients who had lesions that were not resectable for cure. No definite opinion was rendered on the scans of the remaining 18 patients. Retrospectively analysis using slightly modified criteria resulted in a correct prediction of resectability in 28 of 30 (93%) patients (scans showed a normal mediastinum with no lymph node larger than 1 cm in diameter), and nonresectability for cure in 34 of 34 (100%) patients (scans showed either direct extension of the primary neoplasm into the mediastinum or mediastinal lymph-node enlargement greater than 2 cm in diameter). However, scans of 34 of 98 (35%) patients showed inconclusive findings (mediastinal lymph-nodes with 1-cm to 2-cm diameters, neoplasms abutting but not definitely invading the mediastinum, pleural or pericardial thickening, or additional noncalcified nodules).

Esophagogastrostomy with the EEA stapler.

Esophagogastric anastomosis was performed with the EEA stapler in 31 patients who underwent esophageal resections. Anastomoses were accomplished at all levels of the thoracic and cervical esophagus by a variety of approaches. Routine barium cine-esophagograms obtained at seven days after operation failed to demonstrate an anastomotic leak in any patient. The operative mortality rate was 3% (1 of 31 patients). Technical problems occurred during the operation in three patients; in two of these an incomplete anastomosis may have resulted from the surgeon's error. All patients were able to swallow normally at the time of discharge. Late anastomotic stricture occurred in five patients, and responded to dilatation in all but one patient who had local tumor recurrence. We conclude that the EEA stapler allows rapid and reliable esophagogastric anastomosis. Successful use of the instrument requires strict attention to technical detail and awareness of possible pitfalls.

Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis in the young adult. Long-term results.

An 8 year experience with a prospective treatment program for patients with myasthenia gravis is reviewed with particular focus on the results in patients less than 35 years of age. Twenty myasthenic young adults with an average age of 24 years and a duration of symptoms of 22 months, excluding two with the juvenile form, had thymectomy followed by short-term anticholinesterase and long-term prednisone therapy. All of the 18 patients with a short duration of symptoms are in markedly improved condition and 61% of them are in remission after a mean postoperative period of 32 months. The longest follow-up period is 7.3 years. Two patients have mild improvement. There was no correlation between thymic disease and clinical result. Complete en bloc extirpation of all thymic and adjacent tissue through a median sternotomy is advocated. The patients were treated postoperatively with prednisone, 100 mg/day, a regimen which gradually is changed to every other day medication and finally a gradual reduction of dosage. There have been no operative or late deaths and no serious complications of therapy. The effects have been long lasting, with not a single instance of significant recurrence of symptoms of myasthenia gravis 6 months after thymectomy.