Cynthia Chin

Thoracoscopic lobectomy: Report on safety, discharge independence, pain, and chemotherapy tolerance

OBJECTIVE Controversies regarding the safety, morbidity, and mortality of thoracoscopic lobectomy have prevented the widespread acceptance of the procedure. This series analyzed the safety, pain, analgesic use, and discharge disposition in patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy at a single institution. METHODS We collected data from 153 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic (video-assisted thoracic surgery) lobectomy and assessed the perioperative outcomes, postoperative pain, and chemotherapy course. A total of 111 of 127 patients with lung cancer had stage I non-small cell lung cancer. The operative technique required 2 ports and an access incision (5-8 cm), individual hilar ligation, and lymph node dissection performed without rib-spreading devices. RESULTS There were 9 major complications (6%), including 1 perioperative death (0.7%). Conversion to thoracotomy occurred in 14 patients (9.2%). Blood transfusion was required in 11 patients (7%). The median chest tube time was 3 days, and the length of hospital stay was 4 days; 94.4% of patients went home at the time of discharge, and 5.6% of patients required a rehabilitation facility. At a median postsurgical follow-up time of 2 weeks, the mean postoperative pain score was 0.6 (0-3), 73% of patients did not use narcotics for pain control, and 47% of patients did not use any pain medication. Of patients receiving chemotherapy (N = 26), 73% completed a full course on schedule and 85% received all intended cycles. CONCLUSION Thoracoscopic (video-assisted thoracic surgery) lobectomy can be performed safely. Discharge independence and low pain estimates in the early postoperative period suggest that this approach may be beneficial. Furthermore, there is a trend toward improved tolerance of chemotherapy.

A preliminary study of the prognostic value of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in gamma knife radiosurgery of recurrent malignant gliomas.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the use of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging as a prognostic indicator in gamma knife radiosurgery of recurrent gliomas. METHODS Thirty-six patients with recurrent gliomas were studied with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at the time of radiosurgery, and with conventional magnetic resonance imaging examinations at regular time intervals until the initiation of a new treatment strategy. Patients were categorized on the basis of their initial spectroscopic results, and their performance was assessed in terms of change in contrast-enhancing volume, time to further treatment, and survival. RESULTS The trends in the overall population were toward more extensive increase in the percent contrast-enhancing volume, a decreased time to further treatment, and a reduced survival time for patients with more extensive initial metabolic abnormalities. Statistical analysis of the subpopulation of patients with glioblastoma multiforme found a significant increase in relative contrast-enhancing volume (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), a decrease in time to further treatment (P < 0.01, log-rank test), and a reduction in survival time (P < 0.01, log-rank test) for patients with regions containing tumor-suggestive spectra outside the gamma knife target, compared with patients exhibiting spectral abnormalities restricted to the gamma knife target. Further studies are needed to establish statistical significance for patients with lower-grade lesions and to confirm the results observed in this study. CONCLUSION The pretreatment spectroscopic results provided information that was predictive of outcome for this patient pool, both in local control (change in contrast-enhancing volume) and global outcome (time to further treatment and survival). This modality may have an important role in improving the selection, planning, and treatment process for glioma patients.

Current Treatment Strategies and Outcomes in the Management of Symptomatic Vertebral Hemangiomas

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the outcome of patients with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas treated at University of California, San Francisco, over a 20 year period. Treatment included transarterial embolization, embolization followed by surgical decompression or vertebral reconstruction with arthrodesis, and percutaneous vertebroplasty alone. METHODS: All medical, surgical, and radiological records were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent follow-up neurological examination and evaluation of back pain. RESULTS: Sixteen patients diagnosed with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas causing pain or neurological deficit were treated at University of California, San Francisco, between 1984 and 2004. Mean follow-up was 81 months. Seven of nine patients undergoing surgical decompression and tumor resection reported pain relief and demonstrated improvement in neurological deficit when present. Two patients had recurrent myelopathy: one was successfully treated with a second decompressive surgery, whereas the second underwent a staged vertebrectomy. All three patients undergoing vertebrectomy had cord compression from extraosseous tumor growth. Preoperative embolization reduced expected intraoperative blood loss in four patients. Three of four patients who underwent transarterial embolization alone experienced resolution of back pain. Two of four patients treated with vertebroplasty had long-term pain relief. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization followed by laminectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of cord compression by vertebral hemangioma causing stenosis without instability or deformity. Vertebrectomy preceded by embolization and followed by reconstruction can be used to treat cord compression from extraosseous tumor extension. Transarterial embolization without decompression is an effective treatment for painful intraosseous hemangiomas. Vertebroplasty is useful for improving pain symptoms, especially when vertebral body compression fracture has occurred in patients without neurological deficit, but is less effective in providing long-term pain relief.

Pediatric Chiari I malformations: do clinical and radiologic features correlate?

Background: Although Chiari I malformation is increasingly recognized in children, little is known about its clinical presentation in this age group. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between clinical and MRI features of pediatric Chiari I malformations. Methods: We performed a chart review and MRI analysis of 49 children with Chiari I malformation. The degree of tonsillar ectopia was compared with age at onset, presence of syringomyelia, and a neurologic severity score as follows: asymptomatic = 0, symptomatic with normal neurologic examination = 1, and symptomatic with abnormal examination = 2. Results: Age at onset of symptoms ranged from 10 months to 14 years. Fifty-seven percent of patients were asymptomatic. Headache and neck pain were the most frequent complaints. Syringomyelia was detected in 14% of patients and skull base abnormalities in 50%. The magnitude of tonsillar ectopia (5 to 23 mm) correlated with severity score (p = 0.04) but not with other clinical measures. Conclusions: The clinical symptoms of Chiari I malformations in children are nearly identical to those seen in adults. Children with greater amounts of tonsillar ectopia on MRI are more likely to be symptomatic.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy: State of the Art and Future Directions

BACKGROUND Thoracoscopic lobectomy is performed with increasing frequency for early-stage lung cancer. Several published reports suggest thoracoscopic resection is safe, with the potential advantage of shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, and comparable oncologic results. METHODS Data on 180 video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or sublobar anatomic resection at our institution between January 2002 and December 2006 were reviewed. The conversion rate to thoracotomy, complications, length of stay, and duration of chest tube drainage were determined. Similar variables were evaluated for patients aged older than 80 years, those with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) that was less than 50% predicted, those who had undergone preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, and those who had undergone lung-sparing anatomic resections. RESULTS Thoracoscopic anatomic lung resection was performed successfully in 166 patients. One of 180 patients (0.6%) died, and 14 patients (9.2%) underwent conversions. Overall median length of stay was 4 days (range, 1 to 98; interquartile range [IQR], 3), and median duration of chest tube drainage was 3 days (range, 0 to 35 days; IQR, 2). The median length of hospital stay and median chest tube duration for the group aged 80 years and older was 5 and 3 days; for the segmental resection group, 4 and 3 days; for the chemotherapy or radiotherapy induction group, 3.5 and 3 days; and for the FEV1 less than 50% group, 5.5 and 4 days, respectively. No patients died in any of these groups. CONCLUSIONS Thoracoscopic lung resection can be performed safely in selected patients aged 80 years and older, in those with marginal pulmonary function, and in those with pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy.

Magnetic resonance neurography for the evaluation of peripheral nerve, brachial plexus, and nerve root disorders.

OBJECT Treatment of spinal and peripheral nerve lesions relies on localization of the pathology by the use of neurological examination, spinal MR imaging and electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction studies (NCSs). Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is a novel imaging technique recently developed for direct imaging of spinal and peripheral nerves. In this study, the authors analyzed the role of MRN in the evaluation of spinal and peripheral nerve lesions. METHODS Imaging studies, medical records, and EMG/NCS results were analyzed retrospectively in a consecutive series of 191 patients who underwent MRN for spinal and peripheral nerve disorders at the University of California, San Francisco between March 1999 and February 2005. Ninety-one (47.6%) of these patients also underwent EMG/NCS studies. RESULTS In those who underwent both MRN and EMG/NCS, MRN provided the same or additional diagnostic information 32 and 45% of patients, respectively. Magnetic resonance neurograms were obtained at a median of 12 months after the onset of symptoms. The utility of MRN correlated with the interval between the onset of symptoms to MRN. Twelve patients underwent repeated MRN for serial evaluation. The decrease in abnormal signal detected on subsequent MRN correlated with time from onset of symptoms and the time interval between MRN, but not with resolution of symptoms. Twenty-one patients underwent MRN postoperatively to assess persistent, recurrent, or new symptoms; of these 3 (14.3%) required a subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS Magnetic resonance neurography is a valuable adjunct to conventional MR imaging and EMG/NCS in the evaluation and localization of nerve root, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve lesions. The authors found that MRN is indicated in patients: 1) in whom EMG and traditional MR imaging are inconclusive; 2) who present with brachial plexopathy who have previously received radiation therapy to the brachial plexus region; 3) who present with brachial plexopathy and have systemic tumors; and 4) in patients under consideration for surgery for peripheral nerve lesions or after trauma. Magnetic resonance neurography is limited by the size of the nerve trunk imaged and the timing of the study.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy compares favorably with thoracoscopic lobectomy for patients with small stage I lung cancer

OBJECTIVE As thoracoscopic lobectomy becomes widely applied for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, thoracoscopic segmentectomy remains controversial for patients with small stage I lung cancers. Questions remain regarding safety, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rate. This study compared outcomes between thoracoscopic segmentectomy and lobectomy. METHODS Retrospective review was undertaken of patients who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy or lobectomy for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer between January 2002 and February 2008. Indications for segmentectomy were tumor smaller than 3 cm, limited pulmonary reserve, comorbidities, and peripheral tumor location. RESULTS Thirty-one patients underwent segmentectomy and 113 underwent lobectomy. Patients after segmentectomy had worse mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second than after lobectomy (83% vs 92%, P = .04). There were no differences in mean number of nodes (10) and nodal stations (5) resected. Segmentectomy and lobectomy groups had similar median chest tube durations (2 vs 3 days, P = .18), stays (both 4 days), total complications, recurrence rates, and survivals at mean follow-ups of 22 and 21 months, respectively. Lobectomy group had 1 30-day death; segmentectomy group had none. There were 5 (17.2%) recurrences after segmentectomy and 23 (20.4%) after lobectomy (P = .71), with locoregional recurrence rates of 3.5% and 3.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION Thoracoscopic segmentectomy is a safe option for experienced thoracoscopic surgeons treating patients with small stage I lung cancers. No significant difference in oncologic outcome was seen between thoracoscopic segmentectomy and thoracoscopic lobectomy. Lymph node dissection could be performed as effectively during segmentectomy as lobectomy.

Reduced Field-of-View Diffusion Imaging of the Human Spinal Cord: Comparison with Conventional Single-Shot Echo-Planar Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DWI of the spinal cord is challenging because of its small size and artifacts associated with the most commonly used clinical imaging method, SS-EPI. We evaluated the performance of rFOV spinal cord DWI and compared it with the routine fFOV SS-EPI in a clinical population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six clinical patients underwent 1.5T MR imaging examination that included rFOV SS-EPI DWI of the cervical spinal cord as well as 2 comparison diffusion sequences: fFOV SS-EPI DWI normalized for either image readout time (low-resolution fFOV) or spatial resolution (high-resolution fFOV). ADC maps were created and compared between the methods by using single-factor analysis of variance. Two neuroradiologists blinded to sequence type rated the 3 DWI methods, based on susceptibility artifacts, perceived spatial resolution, signal intensity–to-noise ratio, anatomic detail, and clinical utility. RESULTS: ADC values for the rFOV and both fFOV sequences were not statistically different (rFOV: 1.01 ± 0.18 × 10−3 mm2/s; low-resolution fFOV: 1.12 ± 0.22 × 10−3 mm2/s; high-resolution fFOV: 1.10 ± 0.21 × 10−3 mm2/s; F = 2.747, P > .05). The neuroradiologist reviewers rated the rFOV diffusion images superior in terms of all assessed measures (P < 0.0001). Particular improvements were noted in patients with metal hardware, degenerative disease, or both. CONCLUSIONS: rFOV DWI of the spinal cord overcomes many of the problems associated with conventional fFOV SS-EPI and is feasible in a clinical population. From a clinical standpoint, images were deemed superior to those created by using standard fFOV methods.

Percutaneous plasma decompression alters cytokine expression in injured porcine intervertebral discs

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Discectomy is a surgical technique commonly used to treat bulging or herniated discs causing nerve root compression. Clinical data suggest discectomy may also help patients with contained discs and no clear neural compromise. However, the mechanisms of clinical efficacy are uncertain, and consequently bases for treatment optimization are limited. PURPOSE To determine the effect of percutaneous plasma decompression on the histologic, morphologic, biochemical and biomechanical features of degenerating intervertebral discs. STUDY DESIGN An adult porcine model of disc degeneration was used to establish a degenerative baseline against which to evaluate discectomy efficacy. OUTCOME MEASURES Cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured from tissue samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histology and morphology images were rated for degenerative findings (of cells and matrix) in both the nucleus and annulus. Proteoglycan content was determined, and intact specimen stiffness and flexibility were measured biomechanically. Magnetic resonance images were collected for biomechanical specimens. METHODS Using a retroperitoneal surgical approach, stab incisions were made in four or five lumbar discs per spine in 12 minipigs. Animals were allocated into one of three groups: 6-week recovery, 12-week recovery and percutaneous plasma decompression using an electrosurgical device at 6 weeks with recovery for 6 additional weeks. Four additional animals served as controls. RESULTS Discs treated with discectomy had a significant increase in IL-8 and a decrease in IL-1 as compared with the 12-week, nontreated discs. There were no significant differences in morphologic and biomechanical parameters or proteoglycan content between treated discs and time-matched, nontreated discs. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that percutaneous plasma discectomy alters the expression of inflammatory cytokines in degenerated discs, leading to a decrease in IL-1 and an increase in IL-8. Whereas both IL-1 and IL-8 have hyperalgesic properties, IL-1 is likely to be a more important pathophysiologic factor in painful disc disorders than IL-8. Therefore, the alteration in cytokine expression that we observed is consistent with this effect as a mechanism of pain relief after discectomy. In addition, given that IL-1 is catabolic in injured tissue and IL-8 is anabolic, our results suggest that a percutaneous plasma discectomy may be capable of initiating a repair response in the disc.

Multicenter analysis of diaphragm pacing in tetraplegics with cardiac pacemakers: positive implications for ventilator weaning in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND Diaphragm pacing (DP) can replace mechanical ventilation in tetraplegics and in trials has assisted respiration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. This report describes results of DP in patients with cardiac pacemakers. METHODS Prospective, single-center and multicenter, nonrandomized, controlled, interventional protocols under U.S. Food and Drug Administration and/or institutional review board approval were evaluated. Patients underwent laparoscopic diaphragm motor point mapping to identify optimal electrode site for implantation. With diaphragm conditioning, patients were weaned from their ventilator. Perioperative and long-term assessments between the cardiac pacemakers and DP were analyzed for any device-to-device interactions. RESULTS Over 300 subjects were implanted from 2000 to 2010. Twenty tetraplegics with cardiac pacemakers and DP were analyzed from 6 sites. Subjects ranged from 19 to 61 years old with DP implantation 6 months to 24 years postinjury. There were no immediate or long-term device to device interactions. All patients achieved diaphragm-paced tidal volumes exceeding their basal requirements and, after conditioning, all patients could go >4 hours without mechanical ventilators; 71% could go 24 hours continuously. CONCLUSION DP can be safely implanted in tetraplegics having cardiac pacemakers. Applications for temporary use of DP to maintain diaphragm type 1 muscle fiber and improve posterior lobe ventilation may benefit complex critical care patients.