Thoracic Lesions Research Articles

NIMG-96. SPINAL MENINGEAL MASS LESION: A RARE PRESENTATION OF FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA

Abstract OBJECTIVE We aim to describe a case of follicular lymphoma that presented as a durally-based thoracic spine lesion manifested as rapidly progressive back pain and meningismus. BACKGROUND Follicular lymphoma is one of the most common forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; however, it is rare for follicular lymphoma to present as a spinal meningeal mass lesion. METHODS This is a case report and review of literature. RESULTS A 38-year-old man developed thoracic back pain that progressed over one month with associated severe focal tenderness over his mid to lower thoracic spine. He developed intermittent numbness of the bilateral lower extremities, nuchal rigidity, difficulty sleeping, and night sweats. An MRI of the thoracic spine demonstrated a dorsal intradural, extramedullary enhancing lesion from T6-T9 extending outside the spinal canal. Dural thickening across the entire circumference of the spinal cord was noted. CT-guided biopsy of the thoracic lesion was performed, and pathology was consistent with follicular lymphoma. FDG PET: CT demonstrated no systemic disease. Bone marrow biopsy was negative for malignancy. Symptoms resolved with dexamethasone therapy. He was treated with bendamustine and rituximab with follow up PET: CT two months later demonstrating a complete response. DISCUSSION This case illustrates an unusual presentation of follicular lymphoma as a spinal meningeal mass lesion. Though rare, lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a dural mass lesion. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment can lead to complete response and resolution of symptoms.

Angio Cone-Beam CT (Angio-CBCT) and 3D Road-Mapping for the Detection of Spinal Cord Vascularization in Patients Requiring Treatment for a Thoracic Aortic Lesion: A Feasibility Study.

Spinal cord ischemia is a major complication of treatment for descending thoracic aorta (DTA) disease. Our objectives were (1) to describe the value of angiographic cone-beam CT (angio-CBCT) and 3D road-mapping to visualize the Adamkiewicz artery (AA) and its feeding artery and (2) to evaluate the impact of AA localization on the patient surgical strategy. Between 2018 and 2020, all patients referred to our institution for a surgical DTA disorder underwent a dedicated AA evaluation by angio-CBCT. If the AA feeding artery was not depicted on angio-CBCT, selective artery catheterization was performed, guided by 3D road-mapping. Intervention modifications, based on AA location and one month of neurologic follow-up after surgery, were recorded. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. AA was assessable in 100% of patients and in 15 (71%) with angio-CBCT alone. Among them, 10 patients needed 3D road-mapping-guided DSA angiography to visualize the AA feeding artery. The amount of contrast media, irradiation dose, and intervention length were not significantly different whether the AA was assessable or not by angio-CBCT. AA feeding artery localization led to surgical sketch modification for 11 patients. Angio-CBCT is an efficient method for AA localization in the surgical planning of DTA disorders.

Assessment of Intraoperative Spinal Angiography via the Popliteal Artery for Spinal Vascular Diseases

Intraoperative spinal angiography via the popliteal artery for patients in the prone position has been reported only twice in 4 patients. This study aimed to clarify the safety precautions to be taken with this technique in a larger patient cohort. Seven patients with spinal vascular disorders underwent intraoperative spinal angiography in the prone position via the popliteal artery. Ultrasound was used to evaluate the neurovascular anatomy in the popliteal fossa and guide the arterial puncture. Patient characteristics, features of angiography devices, puncture attempts, and angiography-related complications, such as hematoma formation and injury to the neurovascular bundle, were analyzed. The average number of arterial puncture attempts was 1.3 times (range: 1-2). Sheaths (4 and 4.5 Fr) with different ineffective lengths were used. In 1 case, a 4.5-Fr sheath was replaced with a 4-Fr sheath with a shorter noneffective length as the length of the catheter limited access to the target. Catheters with Type-JB2 tip shapes were used for craniocervical junction lesions, and those with Type-KAGAWA tip shapes were used for thoracic and lumbar spinal lesions. No puncture site complications were observed in any patient. Intraoperative spinal angiography via the popliteal artery was an effective tool in surgeries for spinal vascular diseases. The introduction of the ultrasound enabled atraumatic puncture of the popliteal artery. Spinal targets above T5 to T6 may be inaccessible from the popliteal fossa when using a 100-cm-long catheter.

The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging compared to computed tomography in the evaluation of fat-containing thoracic lesions.

Intrathoracic fat-containing lesions may arise in the mediastinum, lungs, pleura, or chest wall. While CT can be helpful in the detection and diagnosis of these lesions, it can only do so if the lesions contain macroscopic fat. Furthermore, because CT cannot demonstrate microscopic or intravoxel fat, it can fail to identify and diagnose microscopic fat-containing lesions. MRI, employing spectral and chemical shift fat suppression techniques, can identify both macroscopic and microscopic fat, with resultant enhanced capability to diagnose these intrathoracic lesions non-invasively and without ionizing radiation. This paper aims to review the CT and MRI findings of fat-containing lesions of the chest and describes the fat-suppression techniques utilized in their assessment.

S3140 Posterior Mediastinal Mass: Unraveling a Non-Traumatic Herniation of the Caudate Lobe of the Liver

Introduction: Posterior mediastinal mass is most likely due to neurogenic tumor, meningocele or thoracic spine lesions. Caudate lobe of the liver herniation presenting as posterior mediastinal mass is a rare occurrence. Diaphragmatic herniation (DH) of the caudate lobe presents in various way including dyspnea, dyspepsia or incidental finding on imaging. We present a case of diaphragmatic hernia of the caudate lobe of the liver presenting as a posterior mediastinal mass found during evaluation of dyspnea. Case Description/Methods: A 75-year-old female presented to her physician with worsening shortness of breath from her baseline of 3 days duration. She had a history of sarcoidosis, COVID pneumonia over 1 year ago, COPD, diastolic heart failure, and hypertension. She was initially evaluated for COVID re-infection, which was negative and a CT of the chest with contrast to check for sarcoidosis flare revealed posterior mediastinal mass measuring 4.5 × 6.5 × 6.4 cm. Further work up with CT chest and abdomen with contrast revealed that the posterior mediastinal mass had similar attenuation as the liver and appears continuous with the caudate lobe of the liver. This was confirmed by NM scan of liver. Review of her records from an outside organization revealed similar finding on imaging a few years ago. Patient denied any history of trauma and laboratory work up revealed normal liver functions. After pulmonologist evaluation she was started on 2 L home oxygen following six-minute walk test, and also CPAP following a positive sleep study. Pulmonary function tests were performed and inhalers were continued. Given the chronicity of her symptoms and co-morbidities with stable caudate lobe herniation, conservative management was advised with surgery warranted if symptoms persist despite treatment (Figure 1). Discussion: DH is typically found on the left side with stomach or intestine while the right side is usually guarded by the liver. Isolated herniation of part of the liver into the thoracic cavity is rarely reported and is mostly acute from traumatic or spontaneous rupture requiring immediate repair. Our patient was initially evaluated for the posterior mediastinal mass for concerns of tumor, followed by the finding of what was thought to be acute herniation of the caudate lobe of liver into the thoracic cavity. Review of records showed this to be a stable lesion, we suspect that the patient had congenital diaphragmatic defect. Chronic and stable liver herniation into thoracic cavity can be managed conservatively if uncomplicated.Figure 1.: (A) Computed Tomography of chest with contrast (axial view) showing a well-defined soft tissue density lesion in the posterior mediastinum (red arrow). (B) Computed Tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with contrast (sagittal view) showing well defined soft tissue mass in the posterior mediastinum (red arrow) similar in attenuation to the adjacent liver and appears continuous with the caudate lobe of liver.

LUNG CANCER IS NOT ALWAYS THE ANSWER: EXPLORING THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF THORACIC MASSES

LUNG CANCER IS NOT ALWAYS THE ANSWER: EXPLORING THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF THORACIC MASSES

Could cytology supplant frozen section for intraoperative evaluation of thoracic lesions? A single institutional experience in a developing country.

The diagnostic performance of cytology was compared with the frozen results and its usability was evaluated as a rapid diagnosis method in intraoperative thoracic surgery in a single institution (Istanbul, Turkey). All 197 subsequent patient specimens (cases) from 158 patients who were sent to our department from the thoracic surgery clinic for an intraoperative diagnosis request between the years 2016 and 2021 were evaluated. Obtained results from frozen and cytology were compared with final paraffin section diagnoses. Lesions were grouped into three different groups as nonneoplastic, benign, and malignant neoplasms. Diagnostic accuracy values of cytology and frozen sections in intraoperative consultation were 98.8% and 99.4%, respectively. Sensitivity values of cytology and frozen sections in intraoperative consultation were 96.3% and 98.7%, respectively. Specificity values of cytology and frozen sections in intraoperative consultation were 100% and 100%, respectively. Negative predictive values of cytology and frozen sections in intraoperative consultation were 96.7% and 98.9%, respectively. Positive predictive values of cytology and frozen sections in intraoperative consultation were 100% and 100%, respectively. Kappa statistics between cytology and frozen revealed a very high interrater reliability (Cohen's Kappa value: 0.911; p=.001; p < .01). The difficulty in distinguishing primary and metastatic carcinoma, which is mostly undecided in frozen sections and the definitive diagnosis is left to paraffin sections, seems also be a problem in the cytological examination. Cytological diagnosis can be used in the evaluation of small biopsy specimens that require tissue preservation in intraoperative consultation, especially for immunohistochemical and advanced genetic studies.

Image-guided percutaneous biopsy and pathological diagnosis in atypical tuberculous spondylitis: a case series and clinical outcomes.

Tuberculous spondylitis can be difficult to distinguish from alternative spinal pathologies such as malignancy, particularly if the imaging features are not typical. Biopsy and histopathological analysis are facilitative to the early and accurate diagnosis of atypical tuberculous spondylitis and the clinical management. The purpose of this study is to describe some of the atypical imaging features of tuberculous spondylitis diagnosed by image-guided percutaneous biopsy, as well as associated treatment outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with tuberculous spondylitis after image-guided percutaneous biopsy at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between 2013 and 2020. Of the patients identified, those with atypical imaging features were selected for case review. All patients were given anti-tuberculous medication treatment with or without surgery. The imaging features, histological and microbiological results, and clinical presentations and outcomes were evaluated. Neurological function was evaluated according to the Frankel grading system. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) scores for pain, imaging [X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] results, and laboratory examinations. Comparison of VAS scores was made by Student t-test. Of the 102 patients identified with tuberculous spondylitis between 2013 and 2020, eight patients (two females and six males) with a mean age of 41.6 years (range, 18-61 years) demonstrated atypical imaging findings, including central vertebral body lesion, multiple skip vertebral lesions, extradural mass lesion and anterior subperiosteal lesion. All eight patients received anti-tuberculous medication treatment, and six underwent surgery. One patient developed a pleural effusion after debridement of the thoracic lesion. The mean follow-up period was 16.2 months (6-37 months). The VAS scores before treatment and at the final follow-up showed significant differences (7.25±1.49 and 0.0±0.0, respectively, P<0.01). Improved neurological function were observed in all patients. Solid fusion and osteogenic osteosclerosis were observed at the final follow-up, and no recurrence was observed in any cases. All eight patients had a good prognosis. Image-guided biopsy and histopathological analysis are helpful for the early diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis, especially when imaging features are not typical for this condition.

OA21 Ankylosing Spondylitis management with Secukinumab but related Inflammatory bowel disease phenomenon

Introduction/BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis is a HLA B27 associated inflammatory spondyloarthropathy. It can be a debilitating disease affecting mobility and quality of life, therefore, effective symptom and disease control is crucial and consists of pharmacological, including biologics, and non-pharmacological modalities. Until recently, pharmacological treatment options for spinal inflammatory disease control was limited to mainly NSAIDs. Development of biological drugs such as TNF inhibitors and selective Interleukin-17 inhibitors have revolutionized the management especially for patients refractory to conventional treatment. However, use of these novel biologics can come at a cost of side effects including risk of infection and exacerbation of underlying inflammatory conditions.Description/MethodThis 60-year-old Afro-Caribbean female was referred to Rheumatology department with 1-year history of non-radiating lower back pain, alternating buttock pain and morning stiffness. On spinal and sacral MRI, she was found to have multiple thoracic and lumbar spine Romanus lesions and active sacroiliitis and had bilateral grade 2-3 sacroiliitis on plain x-rays of the sacroiliac joints. She also had a raised ESR. There was no peripheral joint involvement, psoriasis, inflammatory eye disease or previous history of inflammatory bowel disease. Her HLA-B27 was negative. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with AS. Previously, she had tried NSAIDs via GP including Diclofenac and Naproxen. She was started on Etoricoxib.Other issues included spinal canal stenosis at L4/L5 due to disc degeneration, facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.For non-pharmacological management she was under the care of physiotherapy team who advised for regular physiotherapy, acupuncture and hydrotherapy.On follow up, she did not derive benefit from the Etoricoxib (BASDAI 8.5 and VAS 75), consequently underwent pre-biologic work up. After these were confirmed as normal she was started on Secukinumab 150mg monthly injections (after weekly loading) as per the patient’s preferred biologic choice.After initiating Secukinumab, her AS improved significantly (reductions in BASDAI to 2.5 and VAS 30). However, after six months, she developed gastrointestinal symptoms with mainly bloating, intermittent diarrhoea and epigastric abdominal pain. She then developed gradual unintentional weight loss.Under gastroenterologist care, she had extensive diagnostic workup including upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy (with biopsies), CT-TAP, MRI small bowel and faecal elastase, all of which were normal. However, her faecal calprotectin was high at 130mg/kg (normal range 0-51mg/kg).Secukinumab was continued given her spinal disease improvement, however, after 18 months of therapy and ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, Secukinumab was stopped in May-2021. Within weeks of stopping her GI symptoms completely resolved.Discussion/ResultsUse of Secukinumab has been licensed for rheumatological diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, AS and plaque psoriasis. It works by antagonizing interleukin 17, which is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. We started Secukinumab in this patient as per patient choice.Considering she developed gastrointestinal symptoms it was important to rule out IBD as Secukinumab has been associated with exacerbating underlying IBD or even inducing new cases. For this purpose, part of our workup included faecal calprotectin, colonoscopy and MRI to rule out IBD.We recommend for patient who are being treated with Secukinumab that if they develop gastrointestinal symptoms it is important to consider iatrogenic IBD. It is recommended in such cases to discontinue Secukinumab and consider alternative biologics with a different mode of action.It is still not clear what risk factors may help to predict which patients treated with Secukinumab for AS (or other seronegative disorders) could develop iatrogenic IBD. It is also unclear why the epiphenomenon of IBD can be exacerbated by IL17 inhibition when it is clear that such cytokine targeting in AS, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is evidently beneficial. Is there a role in pre-biologic screening and monitoring during treatment using faecal calprotectin?Key learning points/ConclusionThough Secukinumab is an effective biologic in the management of symptoms and disease control in Ankylosing spondylitis it can be associated with either flare or development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease phenomenon.

Cranial thoracic myelopathies (T1-T6 vertebrae): Retrospective evaluation of the signalment, clinical presentation, and, presumptive or final diagnoses in 84 dogs.

The aim of the study was to describe the signalment, clinical presentation and presumptive or final diagnoses of dogs with cranial thoracic spinal cord lesions identified on advanced imaging. Retrospective evaluation of the databases of three veterinary specialty centres, between 2009 and 2021, was performed to identify dogs with a lesion affecting the cranial thoracic vertebral column (T1-T6 vertebrae) as the primary cause for presenting signs of myelopathy and/or spinal pain. Eighty-four dogs were included in the study, with the majority (n = 76) presenting with a progressive history of over 4-weeks' duration. On neurologic examination, most dogs were ambulatory (n = 64), and the most common neuroanatomic localisation was the T3-L3 spinal cord segments (n = 63). Twelve dogs (14%) showed a short-strided thoracic limb gait on clinical examination. The most common diagnosis was neoplasia (n = 33), followed by anomalies (n = 22, including vertebral body malformations in 14 dogs) and degenerative disorders (n = 16, with intervertebral disc protrusion diagnosed in 9 dogs). The most common vertebrae affected were T3 and T5. Most dogs with degenerative conditions showed asymmetric clinical signs, and the majority of dogs with neoplasia showed signs of spinal hyperaesthesia on examination. The findings of this study describe the clinical signs and presumptive or final diagnoses associated with lesions affecting the cranial thoracic spinal cord. When combined with the signalment and clinical history, this information can assist in both the recognition of and problem-based approach to these cases.

Patterns of failure and long-term outcome of postoperative radiotherapy on the survival of patients with pathological T3N0M0 esophageal cancer.

PurposeThe prognostic effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) on pathological T3N0M0 (pT3N0M0) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains inconclusive. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate patterns of failure and whether PORT after R0 resection improves survival in patients with pT3N0M0 ESCC, compared with surgery alone.Patients and methodsThe clinical data of 256 patients with pT3N0M0 ESCC from January 2007 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The included patients were classified into two groups: the surgery-plus-postoperative radiotherapy group (S + R) and the surgery-alone group (S). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to create comparable groups that were balanced across several covariates (n = 71 in each group). Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Chi-squared test.ResultsIn the study cohort, the 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates in the S + R group were 53.4% and 38.4%, and those in the S group were 50.3%, 40.9% (p = 0.810), respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates in the S + R group were 47.9% and 32.9%, and those in the S group were 43.2%, 24.0% (p = 0.056), respectively. The results were coincident in the matched samples (p = 0.883, 0.081) after PSM. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with upper thoracic lesions in the S + R group had significantly higher OS than patients in the S group (p = 0.013), in addition, patients with upper and middle thoracic lesions in the S + R group had significantly higher DFS than patients in the S group (p = 0.018, 0.049). The results were also confirmed in the matched samples after PSM. The locoregional recurrence between the two groups were significantly different before and after PSM (p = 0.009, 0.002). The locoregional control rate (LCR) in the S + R group was significantly higher than that in the S group before and after PSM (p = 0.015, 0.008).ConclusionPostoperative radiotherapy may be associated with a survival benefit for patients with pT3N0M0 upper thoracic ESCC. A multicenter, randomized phase III clinical trial is required to confirm the results of this study.

1629P Increased incidence of thymic epithelial tumors during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis from the French RYTHMIC network

TETs are rare malignancies ranging from indolent thymoma (T) A to aggressive thymic carcinoma (TC). The incidence rate of TET ranges from 0.13 to 0.32 per 100 000 person/year, although limited data is available. Because of respiratory complications, patients with COVID-19 infection frequently had chest CT-scan, leading to a potential overdiagnosis of asymptomatic thoracic lesion, including TET. Here, we report the incidence rate of TET by year during first decade of the French RYTHMIC network.

The risk factors of neuropathic pain in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a retrospective case-cohort study

BackgroundNeuropathic pain is a common complication in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which seriously affects the quality of life of NMOSD patients, with no satisfactory treatment. And risk factors of neuropathic pain are still uncertain.ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of neuropathic pain in a NMOSD cohort.Materials and methodsOur study was a retrospective case-cohort study, the patients diagnosed with NMOSD in the Department of Neurology from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2011 to October 2021 were screened. Inclusion criteria were: (1) patients diagnosed as NMOSD according to the International Panel for NMO Diagnosis (IPND) criteria, (2) the aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G antibodies (AQP4-IgG) test was performed. Patients without AQP4-IgG antibody were excluded. Clinical data, including sex, age of the first onset, symptoms of the first episode including neuropathic pain and attack types, localization of lesions of the first episode on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Extended disability status Scale (EDSS) of the first onset, treatment of immunosuppression in the first acute phase, disease modifying therapy (DMT), treatment of neuropathic pain and APQ4-IgG status were collected from the hospital system database. Neuropathic pain was defined according to the International Association for the Study of Pain criteria and was described as “pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system”.ResultsOne hundred nineteen patients were screened and finally 86 patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in our study. The prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with NMOSD was 43.0%. Univariate analysis showed that the factors associated with neuropathic pain were the age at the onset, the attack type of optic neuritis, the attack type of myelitis, length of spinal cord involvement, localization of thoracic lesion, optic lesion, upper thoracic lesions, lower thoracic lesions, extended spinal cord lesions (≥ 3 spinal lesions), extended thoracic lesions (≥ 4 thoracic lesions), intravenous immunoglobulin and mycophenolate mofetil. Multivariate regression analysis showed that extended thoracic lesions (OR 20.21 [1.18–346.05], P = 0.038) and age (OR 1.35 (1–1.81) P = 0.050) were independently associated with neuropathic pain among NMOSD patients and that gender (OR 12.11 (0.97–151.64) P = 0.053) might be associated with neuropathic pain among NMOSD patients.ConclusionExtended thoracic lesions (≥ 4 thoracic lesions), age and gender might be independent risk factors of neuropathic pain among patients with NMOSD. However, with a small sample size and predominantly female, caution must be applied and these results need validating in further cohorts.

Development of Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity after Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury Is Accompanied by Time-Dependent Changes in Lumbosacral Expression of Axonal Growth Regulators.

Thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in urinary dysfunction, which majorly affects the quality of life of SCI patients. Abnormal sprouting of lumbosacral bladder afferents plays a crucial role in this condition. Underlying mechanisms may include changes in expression of regulators of axonal growth, including chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs) and repulsive guidance molecules, known to be upregulated at the injury site post SCI. Here, we confirmed lumbosacral upregulation of the growth-associated protein GAP43 in SCI animals with bladder dysfunction, indicating the occurrence of axonal sprouting. Neurocan and Phosphacan (CSPGs), as well as Nogo-A (MAI), at the same spinal segments were upregulated 7 days post injury (dpi) but returned to baseline values 28 dpi. In turn, qPCR analysis of the mRNA levels for receptors of those repulsive molecules in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons showed a time-dependent decrease in receptor expression. In vitro assays with DRG neurons from SCI rats demonstrated that exposure to high levels of NGF downregulated the expression of some, but not all, receptors for those regulators of axonal growth. The present results, therefore, show significant molecular changes at the lumbosacral cord and DRGs after thoracic lesion, likely critically involved in neuroplastic events leading to urinary impairment.

Surgical outcome of pediatric thoracoscopic surgery: retrospective evaluation and literature review

IntroductionMinimally invasive thoracoscopic surgical techniques are increasingly being applied in paediatrics for a multiplicity of conditions. It has been shown to minimise thoracic musculoskeletal deformity and to improve pulmonary mechanics compared to open procedures. Methods:All the children who underwent advanced thoracoscopic procedures from July 2020 up to December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated and reviewed with regard to outcome and complications. Techniques of thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair and decortication for empyema were standardized in our series. Results: There were 26 children who underwent thoracoscopic procedures, out of which 14 were neonates having congenital diaphragmatic hernia and eventration. In addition, there were five children having infective pathologies, namely four empyemas and one lung abscess. All of them had successful thoracoscopic interventions. There were five children who had thoracic neoplastic lesions including three neurogenic tumours. Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair was showing good post-operative outcome while the repair of congenital eventration was reported to have 75% recurrence following thoracoscopic repair. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic techniques could be successfully utilized to treat a number of conditions in children. Case selection by predefined criteria and standardized technique in congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair have contributed for improved postoperative outcome. The technique of thoracoscopic repair of diaphragmatic eventration has to be revisited due to its higher recurrence rate in our setting probably due to technical difficulty. Thoracoscopic tumour resections have shown promising outcomes in our series.

The Role of Imaging in the Detection of Non-COVID-19 Pathologies during the Massive Screening of the First Pandemic Wave.

During the COVID-19 pandemic induced by the SARS-CoV-2, numerous chest scans were carried out in order to establish the diagnosis, quantify the extension of lesions but also identify the occurrence of potential pulmonary embolisms. In this perspective, the performed chest scans provided a varied database for a retrospective analysis of non-COVID-19 chest pathologies discovered de novo. The fortuitous discovery of de novo non-COVID-19 lesions was generally not detected by the automated systems for COVID-19 pneumonia developed in parallel during the pandemic and was thus identified on chest CT by the radiologist. The objective is to use the study of the occurrence of non-COVID-19-related chest abnormalities (known and unknown) in a large cohort of patients having suffered from confirmed COVID-19 infection and statistically correlate the clinical data and the occurrence of these abnormalities in order to assess the potential of increased early detection of lesions/alterations. This study was performed on a group of 362 COVID-19-positive patients who were prescribed a CT scan in order to diagnose and predict COVID-19-associated lung disease. Statistical analysis using mean, standard deviation (SD) or median and interquartile range (IQR), logistic regression models and linear regression models were used for data analysis. Results were considered significant at the 5% critical level (p < 0.05). These de novo non-COVID-19 thoracic lesions detected on chest CT showed a significant prevalence in cardiovascular pathologies, with calcifying atheromatous anomalies approaching nearly 35.4% in patients over 65 years of age. The detection of non-COVID-19 pathologies was mostly already known, except for suspicious nodule, thyroid goiter and the ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. The presence of vertebral compression or signs of pulmonary fibrosis has shown a significant impact on inpatient length of stay. The characteristics of the patients in this sample, both from a demographic and a tomodensitometric point of view on non-COVID-19 pathologies, influenced the length of hospital stay as well as the risk of intra-hospital death. This retrospective study showed that the potential importance of the detection of these non-COVID-19 lesions by the radiologist was essential in the management and the intra-hospital course of the patients.

Lung, Pleural, and Mediastinal Biopsies: From Preprocedural Assessment to Technique and Management of Complications.

Biopsies of the lung, pleura, and mediastinum play a crucial role in the workup of thoracic lesions. Percutaneous image-guided biopsy of thoracic lesions is a relatively safe and noninvasive way to obtain a pathologic diagnosis which is required to direct patient management. This article reviews how to safely perform image-guided biopsies of the lung, pleura, and mediastinum, from the preprocedural assessment to reviewing intraprocedural techniques, and how to avoid and manage complications.

Infrapedicular approach to CT-guided thermal ablation in the thoracic spine.

The aim of this study is to introduce the infrapedicular approach to CT-guided spine interventions, a specialized technique that can safely expand the scope of spine lesions amenable to treatment, and to document the feasibility in a variety of procedural scenarios to the extent possible with a retrospective case series. Data from 24 cases performed at a single institution over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed to assess the technical feasibility and safety profile of the technique. The infrapedicular approach enabled a technically satisfactory procedural result in 24 cases (mean age 63.9years, range 35-83years). Two peri-procedural complications occurred, including a small pneumothorax and a cerebrospinal fluid leak, both of which resolved with conservative treatment. No lasting injurious effects or additional complications were identified. The infrapedicular approach was found to be particularly useful in multiple technically challenging scenarios: it facilitates access to lesions in the inferior vertebral body, allows biopsy, cement augmentation, or ablation of high thoracic lesions difficult to treat due to limitations of steep angulation of fluoroscopy and CT scanners, and enables treatment of large lesions by using multiple overlapping probes.

The 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT for the differential diagnosis of solitary fibroma of pleura from other chest disease with low uptake of 18 F-FDG.

We conducted a prospective study using 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/computed tomography (CT) to differentiate solitary fibromas of pleura (SFP) from other chest similar masses showing low uptake of 18 F-FDG. A prospective study including 13 patients was divided into two groups: five cases of SFP and eight of thoracic lesions resembling SFP on general imaging examination. Except for CT and MRI, all patients underwent both 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT examinations. Compare the differences of lesions in CT net enhancement value and the uptake of 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 between the two groups. The values of CT and PET/CT for differential diagnosis were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The uptake of 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 in SFP was significantly higher than the others in chest, SUVmean (8.10 ± 5.57) versus (1.11 ± 0.38); and SUVmax (15.46 ± 8.16) versus (3.96 ± 2.43), and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 could effectively distinguish SFP from other lesions, and the accuracies of SUVmax and SUVmean for differential diagnosis were 92.31 and 100%, the corresponding cutoff value being 7.19 and 2.26. The uptake of 18 F-FDG in SFP was slightly lower than other lesions, SUVmean (1.63 ± 0.30) versus (1.88 ± 1.02); and SUVmax (2.51 ± 0.54) versus (3.60 ± 1.57), and the difference was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The SFP showed significant enhancement in the venous phase, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 has potential application value in differentiating SFP from lesions with low 18 F-FDG uptake, in addition, 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 may specifically target SFP.

Acute Ascending Necrotizing Myelitis After COVID-19 Infection: A Clinicopathologic Report.

Neurologic manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) infection are common and varied. The objective of this report was to describe clinicopathologic findings of rare acute ascending necrotizing myelitis (ANM) and briefly summarize similar COVID-19-associated longitudinally extended transverse myelitis cases. We described the clinical presentation, disease course, diagnostic workup, therapeutic measures, and pathologic findings of ANM associated with COVID-19 infection. A 31-year-old previously healthy woman developed a longitudinally extensive lower thoracic myelopathy 3 weeks after COVID-19 infection. The thoracic spinal cord lesion extended to cervical level in 1 week and to the lower medullary level in 2 more weeks. Thoracic laminectomy at T5-T6 level and cord biopsy revealed necrobiotic changes without viral particles or microglial nodules. The clinical deficit stabilized after immunomodulatory and eculizumab therapies. COVID-19 infection can cause ANM. It adds to the spectrum of reported cases of COVID-19 -associated encephalitis and myelitis.