Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative method to treat the inoperable NSCLC and there were few serious complications after RFA therapy have been reported. Here, we reported a NSCLC patient endured empyema after treatment by RFA for one month. There was a 20 × 25 × 20 mm mass on the right middle lobe by CT scan before RFA and a huge gas cavity with liquid was found in the right chest cavity after RFA treatment for twenty- eight days. A hole in the right middle lobe was found with large amount of pus in the pleural cavity as well as the bronchopleural fistula (BPF) during the operation. Results from the postoperative pathology showed a multiple small foci differentiated adenocarcinoma, partial bronchiolar-alveolar carcinoma, 0.5 cm away around the hole at the same time. It is difficult to diagnose and treat the rare complication of BPF, while, the larger field of ablation might be helpful to postpone the tumor local progression. Therefore, surgery was a good option for BPF especially when an empyema occurred.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8028049341122276.
Highlights
Despite surgical resection was the standard treatment of localized non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only 20% of all diagnosed lung cancers were suitable for potentially curative resection [1]
We reported a NSCLC patient who was first treatment by Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endured empyema one month after treatment
In addition to the use of chemotherapy drugs [6], RFA is a potential local therapy used for NSCLC patients who were not suitable for surgery or refused operation [7,8]
Summary
Despite surgical resection was the standard treatment of localized non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only 20% of all diagnosed lung cancers were suitable for potentially curative resection [1]. We reported a NSCLC patient who was first treatment by RFA and endured empyema one month after treatment. The patient recovered rapidly and discharged 5 days after RFA treatment. The patient was readmitted because of chest tightness, shortness of breath and fever at 38.5°C twenty-three days after discharge. The number of her leukocytes in blood increased to 22 × 109/L. We found a hole in the right middle lobe with large amount of pus in the pleural cavity (Figure 2). The resected right middle lobe showed a 30 × 35 × 32 mm hole perforating into lobe and communicating with bronchus. The postoperative evolution was uneventful and patient was discharged in 7th days after operation
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