Chest Wall Ulcer Research Articles

Man With an Anterior Chest Wall Ulcer

Man With an Anterior Chest Wall Ulcer

Indocyanine green angiography technique assisted brachial artery perforator propeller flap to repair soft tissue defects of trunk and upper limb

To explore the feasibility of using indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to detect brachial artery perforators, and the clinical application of brachial artery perforator propeller (BAPP) flaps to repair soft tissue defects of the trunk and upper limbs. Between August 2016 and February 2019, ICG angiography was used to detect the perforating vessels of the brachial artery muscle septum, and the BAPP flaps were cut out with the detected perforating vessels as the pedicle to repair 19 cases of trunk and upper limb soft tissue defects. There were 12 males and 7 females, with an average age of 28.6 years (range, 5-66 years). Etiologies included the post-burn scar in 10 cases, soft-tissue sarcoma in 5 cases, congenital melanocytic nevi in 2 cases, chronic chest wall ulcer in 1 case, and malignant melanoma in 1 case. Defects located in axilla in 8 cases, chest wall in 4 cases, elbow in 5 cases, and shoulder in 2 cases. The area of the defect ranged from 15 cm×3 cm to 20 cm×8 cm. Pre-transfer tissue expansion was used in 11 patients. Thirteen flaps were pedicled with 1 perforator vessel, and 6 flaps were pedicled with 2 perforator vessels. The length of the vascular pedicle was 2.5-4.5 cm, with an average of 3.08 cm. The area of the skin flap ranged from 11 cm×5 cm to 22 cm×10 cm. The flap rotation angle was 110° in 1 case, 120° in 1 case, and 180° in 17 cases. Except for one donor site repaired by skin graft, the other donor sites were directly sutured. A total of 24 perforating vessels of the brachial artery muscle septum were detected by ICG angiography, 26 were identified during the operation, with an accuracy rate of 92.31%. Eighteen flaps survived without arteriovenous crisis. Venous congestion was observed in the distal 3-cm of one flap and the flap survived after conservative management. Intraoperative analysis showed that the blood perfusion of the distal 4-cm of one flap was poor, the relative value was less than 32%, the flap survived after removing the poor perfusion area. All the patients were followed up 3 to 23 months (mean, 8.6 months). The color and texture of the flap were similar to those of the recipient area. Flap debulking was not needed in all patients owing to the thinness of the flap. The contracture symptoms of patients with scar contracture on the medial of the elbow joint and axilla were significantly improved; a patient with malignant melanoma underwent tumor resection at 1 year and 5 months after operation due to tumor recurrence, and additional surgery was done to remove the recurrent tumor. No tumor recurrence was found in other patients. The ICG angiography technique can be used to explore the perforating vessels of the brachial artery muscle septum. The BAPP flap pedicled with the perforating vessels can be used for the repair of skin and soft tissue defects in the chest wall, axilla, shoulder, and elbow joint.

Incidence and Reconstruction of Chronic Radiation-Induced Chest Wall Ulceration in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Breast cancer patients who receive radiotherapy for postoperative tumor control are exposed to the possibility of adverse effects including osteoradionecrosis and ulceration. The purpose of this study is to explore reconstruction of ulcers according to their characteristics, and also to investigate the incidence of skin ulcers in patients who had undergone radiotherapy after modified radical mastectomy (MRM).Methods: Data of patients who underwent radiation therapy after MRM from 1979 to 2003 were collected. Demographics and radiation details were analyzed along with their reconstruction outcomes and pathologic characteristics. Effects of surgical debridement and reconstruction strategies for success were also assessed.Results: A total of 113 patients had radiotherapy after MRM in our institution, out of which nine patients (7.96%) developed ulcerations in the chest wall. Eleven patients underwent reconstructive surgery, including the nine patients who developed chest wall ulcerations and an additional two patients from other hospitals. Seven patients had thoracoepigastric flaps while three had latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps and one had a perforator flap. The average initial wound size was 5.77 cm<sup>2</sup>, and this average was enlarged by 23.6 times after debridement. There was no reconstructive failure in any of the patients. Fibrosis, necrosis with ulceration, and dystrophic calcification were common pathological findings. Dystrophic calcification was found in seven of 11 cases. Additionally, ossification with bone formation was noted in three of seven cases with dystrophic calcification.Conclusion: A thorough preparation of the wound bed and reconstruction with flaps appropriate for the defect can successfully treat chronic radiation-induced ulceration.

Anterior chest wall reconstruction for cutaneous involvement of Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma with initial thoracic involvement is common and it is more frequently localized in the mediastinum, followed by lung parenchyma and the pleura. However, skin involvement of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is extremely rare. We report this case to illustrate a rare and unique presentation of a potentially curable disease, with resistance to standard treatment. Free tissue transfer was used as an adjunct to provide a better quality of life for the patient with Hodgkin lymphoma complicated with extensive anterior chest wall ulceration exposing lung and pericardium.

Staged Treatment of Chest Wall Radiation-Induced Ulcer With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Transplantation.

Chest wall ulcer induced by postmastectomy radiation therapy (PRMT) remains challenging for plastic surgeons because of the reduced blood supply, fibrosis, and impaired cellular potential in the irradiated area. In this study, chest wall ulcer was treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous (LDM) flap reconstruction in 2 stages. A retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients with chronic radiation-induced ulcers in chest wall from June 2012 to June 2017. Surgical debridement and NPWT were performed in the first stage and the chest wall reconstructed by the LDM flap transplantation after extensive debridement in the second stage. There were 10 female patients with chest wall ulcers with a mean age of 60.3 years. The average duration of the ulcers was 21.2 months and the ulcers varied from 1 × 2 to 5 × 7 cm. Histological examination denied any recurrent breast cancer or radiation-related malignancy. Negative pressure wound therapy was applied with 100 to 125 mm Hg negative pressure during a period of 5 to 7 days in the first stage. The LDM flap varied from 11 × 15 to 15 × 20 cm. The mean follow-up was 25.9 months. All the flaps survived well with satisfactory appearance and there was no donor-site morbidity or ulcer recurrence during the follow-up period. The staged treatment of the chest wall radiation ulcer incorporated the benefits of NPWT and LDM flap. It is beneficial in increasing the blood and nutrient supply to the irradiated tissue, enhancing the debridement and promoting tissue healing, thus improving the flap survival and decreasing the ulcer recurrence.

PRIMARY HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA WITH CHEST WALL ULCERATION AND HYPEREOSINOPHILIA: A RARE PRESENTATION AND DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) with cutaneous manifestation is a rare condition which usually occurred late in the course of the disease. Due to its rare presentation, misdiagnoses are common. We report a 26-year-old Chinese gentleman who presented with painless and large anterior chest wall ulceration. Computed tomography scan showed sternal mass and erosion, with skin and anterior mediastinal extension. The second histopathologic examination (with immunohistochemistry) of the skin biopsy showed HL with mixed cellularity pattern. However, there was a marked dominance of eosinophils in both the peripheral blood and the tissue samples. This was a very unusual presentation of extranodal HL with ulceration and pronounced hypereosinophilia. The diagnosis was only made after the second biopsy because of the rare occurrence.

Non-healing chest wall ulcer caused by cutaneous melioidosis

Non-healing chest wall ulcer caused by cutaneous melioidosis

A case of axillary arterial bleeding caused by radiation-induced chest wall ulcer after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast: Extraanatomic bypass grafting for upper limb salvage

A case of axillary arterial bleeding caused by radiation-induced chest wall ulcer after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast: Extraanatomic bypass grafting for upper limb salvage

A case of axillary arterial bleeding caused by radiation-induced chest wall ulcer after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast: Extraanatomic bypass grafting for upper limb salvage

Radiation injury to the subclavian and axillary arteries is a rare and late complication of radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast. Although there have been several reports of upper extremity arterial occlusive disease attributable to radiotherapy for breast cancer, descriptions of arterial bleeding caused by radiation-induced chest wall ulcer are rare. We report a patient who experienced hemorrhage from the axillary artery, which had been injured by radiotherapy for breast cancer 21 years previously.

USE OF OMENTAL PEDICLE FLAP FOR RADIATION INDUCED CHEST WALL ULCER-A CASE REPORT-

A 79-year-old female with breast carcinoma undergoing a classical Halsted radical mastectomy followed by irradiation (total; 180 Gy) 20 years before developed a left anterior chest wall ulcer. The ulcer was 10.0×8.0cm in size with osteolysis of 3rd 4th and 5th ribs, exposed pericardium, and parietal pleura with a pleuro-cutaneous fistula. After thorough debridement, an omental pedicle flap was transposed onto the chest wall defect and subsequently covered using a split-skin graft. The omental pedicle flap was 90% effective in covering the pericardial defect and resulted in a complete closure of the pleuro-cutaneous fistula. This report emphasises that an omental pedicle flap is effective in the treatment of radio-necrosis of the chest wall and also stresses the importance of judging the extent of debridement of radio-necrotic tissue.

The revere hockey stick technique: Postmastectomy radiation therapy for breast cancer patients with locally advanced tumor presentation or extensive loco-regional recurrence

A combination of photon and electron radiation therapy (RT) fields was devised to treat patients with initial or recurrent brut cancer presentations which extensively involved the chest wall (CW) and/or the axilla. The ipsilateral supraclavicu ar, infraclavicular, axillary, and lateral CW regions are treated in continuity by anterior and posterior opposed photon beam “reverse hockey stick” fields. The internal mammary and medial chest wall regions are treated by ai anterior electron beam field which is tightly junctioned to the photon beam fields. Electron beam energy and thickness of applied bolus are selected so that the electron beam 80% depth isodose curve matches the anterior pletiral surface and/or deepest extent of tumor. The goal of treatment is to deliver 4400–5000 cGy to regions at risk of microscopic tumor with local boosts to 6000–7500 cGy to sites of gross disease. Between January 1977, and June 1985, this technique was selectively used in 46 patients, 31 patients with loco-regional tumor recurrence and 15 post-mastectomy patients who initially presented with locally advanced disease. A minimum tumor dose Of 4400 cGy was delivered in all except five patients. A diffuse moist skin reaction developed in 31 of the 44 (70%) patients who received at least 3800 cGy. This healed in less than 1 month in all except seven. Frequency of CW diffuse moist skin reaction within the electron beam field was related to the daily applied RT dose. Diffuse moist skin reactions were also noted to be more frequent among patients who had received prior or concurrent Adriamycin. Significant complications included symptomatic arm lymphedema in seven; CW ulcer in two; and acute radiation pneumonitis; steroid-withdrawal radiation pneumonitis, pleuritis, and marked thrombocytopenia in one patient each. With a follow-up of 36–100 months, there was no evidence of loco-regional tumor relapse in 55% of patients treated for recurrent disease and in 73% treated following mastectomy for locally advanced presentations. In summary, we find the reverse hockey stick technique to be a simple, highly reproducible and effective RT approach for postmastectomy breast cancer patients with extensive initial presentation or recurrent disease.

Local recurrent mammary carcinoma failing multimodality therapy. A solution.

Chest wall recurrence following radiation and hormonal therapy is an uncommon but serious and disabling condition. A chest wall ulcer secondary to treatment for recurrence also presents the same dilemma. Over the past 35 years, the Thoracic Service at our institution has treated 35 patients for these problems by surgical resection and reconstruction. Eight patients were seen after the first recurrence, six after the second, ten after the third, and ten after the fourth. One patient had chest wall resection with mastectomy when recurrence followed radiation therapy. Following resection of the tumor, 21 patients had reconstruction using mesh or a mesh "sandwich." There were no operative deaths and no respirator need. Twenty patients are alive from five to 120 months, with a median of 50 months. One of 35 patients had chest wall recurrence. Surgical resection of recurrent mammary carcinoma resistant to all other therapy is a viable alternative for both palliation and cure.

Radiation to the breast. Complications amenable to surgical treatment.

Major complications of radiation directed to the breast, axilla, and mediastinum were treated in 54 patients from 1974 to 1983. A classification of these complications facilitates both an understanding of the pattern of injury and the development of a treatment plan. I. Breast necrosis; II. Radionecrosis and Chest Wall Ulceration; III. Accelerated Coronary Atherosclerosis with Median Sternotomy Wound Failure After Coronary Revascularization; IV. Brachial Plexus Pain and Paresis; V. Lymphedema and Axillary Cicatrix; VI. Radiation-induced Neoplasia. The treatment has evolved during the 10-year study period to excision of the necrotic wound, including any tumor, and closure with a transposed muscle or musculocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi (II, III, V) or rectus abdominis (I, II, VI). This strategy reflects a change from primary use of the omentum during the first years of the study. The vascularity, oxygen and antibiotic delivery of these muscle and musculocutaneous flaps promote wound healing, usually with one operation. The transfer of these muscles has not caused significant functional deficits.

A comparison of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone (CMFVP) in patients with advanced breast cancer

The Southeastern Cancer Study Group, in a prospectively randomized study involving patients with advanced breast cancer, has compared a low dose intermittently administered five-drug regimen including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone (CMFVP) with an aggressively administered three-drug regimen including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF). CAF induced more responses and more complete responses and a longer duration of disease control. However, only a marginal difference was demonstrated in overall survival between the two regimens (p = less than 0.10). Patients with a good risk pattern of metastases, i.e. those with nodular local chest wall recurrence, nodular pulmonary metastases, or bone-only metastases were more likely to achieve a response and survive longer than those with a poor risk pattern, i.e. lymphangitic pulmonary metastases, pleural effusion with chest wall ulceration, or widespread metastases, including hepatic. All of the differences between the two regimens were noted in the good risk pattern groups. CAF provided no additional benefit to patients presenting with poor risk patterns of metastases. Adriamycin-containing combinations may achieve a greater degree of tumor cell kill in certain subsets of patients with advanced breast cancer, but this provides only a marginal increase in survival.