Combining surgery with 125I brachytherapy for recurrent mediastinal dedifferentiated liposarcoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the mediastinum is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm.A few previous case reports indicate that surgical resection is the major treatment,but frequent recurrence occurs locally.Due to its rarity,its clinical characteristics,optimal treatment and clinical outcomes remain unclear.Here,we report a case of multifocal recurrent dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the posterior mediastinum treated by combining surgery with 125I brachytherapy,and summarize its clinical features,treatment and prognosis.CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of gradual dysphagia for one year and aggravated dysphagia for 3 mo.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)revealed several large cystic-solid masses with lipomatous density,and calcification in the posterior-inferior mediastinum.The patient received a wide excision by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.Pathological analysis confirmed the tumors were dedifferentiated liposarcomas.The tumor locally relapsed 24 mo later,and another operation was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.Fifteen months after the second surgery,the tumor recurred again,and the patient received CT-guided radioactive seeds 125I implantation.After 8 mo,follow-up chest CT showed an enlarged tumor.Finally,his condition exacerbated with severe dysphagia and dyspnea,and he died of respiratory failure in July 2018.CONCLUSION We reviewed the literature,and suggest that surgical resection provides beneficial effects for dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the mediastinum,even in cases with local recurrence.125I brachytherapy may be beneficial for recurrent unresectable patients.

Efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy in anterior mediastinal masses

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous core needle biopsy(PCNB)using ultrasound(US)-guided and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)-guided procedures for anterior mediastinal masses(AMMs).Methods:In total,284 consecutive patients(166 men,118 women;mean age,43.0±18.4 years)who underwent PCNB for AMMs were enrolled.Patients were divided into the US-guided group(n=133)and the CEUS-guided group(n=151).PCNB was performed using a core needle(16-gauge or 18-gauge).Internal necrosis,diagnostic yield,and diagnostic accuracy were compared between the two groups.Results:The predominant final diagnosis of the cases in this study was thymoma(29.7%),lymphoma(20.5%),thymic carcinoma(13.3%),and germ cell tumour(13.3%),respectively.There was no significant difference in patient age,sex,number of percutaneous biopsies,or display rate of internal necrosis on conventional US between the two groups.The rate of internal necrosis of the lesions was significantly higher after contrast agent injection(72.2%vs.41.7%;P<0.001).The CEUS-guided group had a higher diagnostic yield than the US-guided group(100%vs.89.5%,P<0.001).There was no significant difference between the diagnostic accuracy of the CEUSguided and US-guided groups(97.3%vs.97.4%;P=1.000).None of the patients experienced adverse reactions or complications after US-guided or CEUS-guided PCNB.Conclusions:CEUS-guided PCNB can improve the diagnostic yield by optimizing the biopsy procedure.

Mediastinal lymphadenectomy influences postoperative immune response after lung cancer surgery

The aim of the study was to calculate the amount of surgical injury caused by systematic lymphadenectomy of mediastinum in patients operated on due to non-small cell lung cancer,with uneventful postoperative course.The study group consisted of 11 patients with cancer of the right lung(Group 1).The control group consisted of 12 patients with left lung cancer(Group 2).In patients with right lung cancer systematic lymphadenectomy,while in patients with left lung cancer systematic sampling was performed.Serum IL-6 and IL-1ra concentration was measured before and after surgery,and on postoperative day 1,3,and 7,as well as in sputum at the end of surgery and in pleural fluid on postoperative day 1,by ELISA test.Peripheral blood lymphocyte(PBL) count was measured with flow cytometry.Time of surgery was higher in patients with right than left lung cancer(154.1±31.29) vs(119.6±24.81) min;P=0.008) .The number of resected mediastinal lymph nodes was higher in patients with right than left lung cancer(27.6±7.6) vs(11.1 ±8.1);P=0.00006) .Postoperative decrease of PBL was significantly higher in group 1 than 2(1.25±0.37) vs(1.75 ±0.64) ×103/μL;P=0.04) .No significant differences were found in serum,pleural fluid and sputum concentration of IL-6 and IL -1ra between groups.Negative correlation between concentration of these cytokines in pleural fluid and number of resected mediastinal lymph nodes was found(Spearman test for IL-6:r=-0.723;P<0.001;for IL-1ra:r=-0.768;P<0.001).Number of "positive" N2 lymph nodes did not correlate with pleural fluid concentration of cytokines.Systematic lymphadenectomy of the mediastinum causes immunosuppression,as measured by decreased count of PBL and a negative correlation between number of resected mediastinal lymph nodes and concentration of cytokines in pleural fluid.

Giant neurogenic tumors of mediastinum: report of two cases and literature review

Neurogenic tumors are commonly found in the mediastinum, especially in the posterior mediastinum or in the chest wall, neurogenic tumors may reach large size before becoming symptomatic. If the neurogenic tumor occupied more than half size of the chest wall accompanied by mediastinal shift, tracheal compression, or superior vena reflux disorder, it may be called giant intrathoracic neurogenic tumors. Giant intrathoracic neurogenic tumors are relatively rare. Most of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors were benign or low-grade malignant tumors in nature. Complete surgical excision should be the rule for these patients. We report two cases of giant neurogenic tumors, and study the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, surgical management, and prognosis in the light of the most important published data.

Extended operation for thoracic malignancies invading superior vena cava and/or innominate vein

Patients with thoracic malignancies invading the superior vena cava （SVC） and innominate vein that cause venous flow obstruction have a poor quality of lite and short survival time. Dartevelle et al reported that the 3-year survival rates were 27% for patients with mediastinal malignancies and non-small cell lung cancer. Recently, some surgeons＇ experience suggested that the results of extensive resection and reconstruction of the SVC and innominate vein were excellent. From May 2003 to December 2005, radical resection and reconstruction of the SVC and/or innominate vein were performed in a group of patients for mediastinal or lung tumors invading the superior vena cava and/or innominate vein. We reported our experience in this retrospective study to explore the operative method, the optimal vascular graft, and the benefits of extended resection and reconstruction of SVC and/or innominate vein for invasive thoracic tumors.

Complete resection of a huge hypervascular inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in right hemithorax after embolization

Background:Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT)is a rare and mostly benign tumor that has the possibility of malignant change.Methods:Radiological findings revealed a huge mass that filled most of the right hemithorax of a 17-month-old female infant.Tumor extirpation was stopped due to massive bleeding and limited exposure of the tumor.Embolization was conducted to obstruct the arteries feeding the mass.Complete resection was performed.Results:Histopathologic examination led to the diagnosis of IMT.Postoperative recovery was uneventful.Conclusion:Hypervascularity of IMT should be considered.Preoperative embolization can be effective to reduce intraoperative blood loss and facilitate the surgical procedure.

A giant primary myxoid liposarcoma of the posterior mediastinum

Primary mediastinal liposarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm of intrathoracic origin. A case of a giant primary posterior mediastinal liposarcoma, mimicking a benign lipomatous lesion in shape and biological behavior and being successfully managed by complete surgical excision is presented here.