Journal of thoracic disease
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Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) although considered less invasive than the multi-port techniques, is still an intercostal approach, resulting in intercostal nerve injury. Recently, some surgeons have tried to address this problem by attempting a subxiphoid approach. The aim of our study was to assess and compare results between intercostal and subxiphoid uniportal VATS lobectomy in terms of postoperative pain and quality of life (QoL). ⋯ Uniportal subxiphoid VATS is a safe and feasible minimally invasive approach for undertaking pulmonary lobectomy that may result in reduced postoperative pain compared to conventional VATS. There may also be earlier return of QoL. A randomized controlled trial examining this further would provide further insight into our observations.
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Reported data on the disease spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) of China are sparse and varied. We aimed to investigate the spectrum of ILDs and the distribution of diagnostic methods under a uniform diagnosis. ⋯ IPF was the most common ILDs in our ILD center, followed by IPAF, CTD-ILD and UIIP. Histological information may help to establish diagnostic algorithm in ILD.
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Despite multiple recent advances, the diagnosis and management of lung cancer remain challenging and it continues to be the deadliest malignancy. In 2011, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) reported 20% reduction in lung cancer related mortality using annual low dose chest computed tomography (CT). These results led to the approval and nationwide establishment of lung cancer CT-based lung cancer screening programs. ⋯ Radiomics is a recently coined term which refers to the process of imaging feature extraction and quantitative analysis of clinical diagnostic images to characterize the nodule phenotype beyond what is possible with conventional radiologist assessment. Even though it is still in early phase, several studies have already demonstrated that radiomics approaches are potentially useful for lung nodule classification, risk stratification, individualized management and prediction of overall prognosis. The goal of this review is to summarize the current literature regarding the radiomics of screen-detected lung nodules, highlight potential challenges and discuss its clinical application along with future goals and challenges.
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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as the main subtype of esophageal cancer (EC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite advances in early diagnosis and clinical management, the long-term survival of ESCC patients remains disappointing, due to a lack of full understanding of the molecular mechanisms. ⋯ DEGs and hub genes such as DLGAP5 from independent datasets in the current study will provide clues to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in development and progression of ESCC.
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Review
Management of cardiovascular comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is а highly prevalent, complex and heterogeneous clinical condition which is associated with significant concomitant diseases. COPD and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) often coexist due to the high prevalence of each of these pathological conditions separately as well as the common risk factors (particularly smoking), mechanisms of interaction and influence of systemic inflammation. In addition, decreased pulmonary function in COPD is closely associated with an increased risk of congestive CVDs. ⋯ A large proportion of patients with mild and moderate COPD die due to CVD, which is much more likely than deaths in the same group due to respiratory insufficiency. COPD patients have a higher rate of hospitalization and death, the cause of which are coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and CHF. Treatment of COPD today is mainly determined by national and international clinical guidelines, which should pay more attention to the problems of the treatment of COPD patients with comorbid conditions.