The soluble form of the membrane hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 (sCD163), released by shedding, is a strong marker for macrophage activation. Serum sCD163 levels rise in several acute ...inflammatory states and some fibrosing diseases. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MoDM) differentiated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-MoDM) contribute to the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an irreversible and rapidly fatal interstitial lung disease. Since M-MoDM express high membrane CD163 levels, we thus postulated that sCD163 could be a relevant biomarker for macrophage activation in IPF. We found that M-MoDM constitutively released higher amounts of sCD163 (49.5 ± 24.5 ng/ml) than monocytes (0.45 ± 0.32 ng/ml) or MoDM differentiated with granulocyte macrophage-stimulating factor (2.24 ± 0.98 ng/ml). The basal production of sCD163 by M-MoDM was increased following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (123.4 ± 54.9 ng/ml) or ATP (168.9 ± 41.8 ng/ml). The sCD163 release was controlled by metalloproteases but not through ADAM17 activation. Moreover, CD163-positive macrophages and sCD163 were detected in pulmonary tissues and alveolar fluids of Caucasian patients with IPF, respectively. IPF alveolar macrophages constitutively secreted sCD163 amounts (67.6 ± 44.6 ng/µg RNA) which were significantly higher than those released by alveolar macrophages isolated from controls (19.2 ± 7.6 ng/µg RNA) or patients with other interstitial lung disease (31.5 ± 16.6 ng/µg RNA). However, the concentrations of sCD163 in blood serum collected from 155 patients with IPF did not correlate with the severity of their disease. In conclusion, our results show that M-MoDM constituted a pertinent model to study the regulation of sCD163 production. Yet, serum sCD163 values could not provide a prognostic biomarker for IPF in our cohort.
Abstract
Background
Lungsco01 is the first study assessing the real benefits and the medico-economic impact of video-thoracoscopy versus open thoracotomy for non-small cell lung cancer in the French ...context.
Methods
Two hundred and fifty nine adult patients from 10 French centres were randomised in this prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial, between July 29, 2016, and November 24, 2020. Survival from surgical intervention to day 30 and later was compared with the log-rank test. Total quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs) were calculated using the EQ-5D-3L®. For medico-economic analyses at 30 days and at 3 months after surgery, resources consumed were valorised (€ 2018) from a hospital perspective. First, since mortality was infrequent and not different between the two arms, cost-minimisation analyses were performed considering only the cost differential. Second, based on complete cases on QALYs, cost-utility analyses were performed taking into account cost and QALY differential. Acceptability curves and the 95% confidence intervals for the incremental ratios were then obtained using the non-parametric bootstrap method (10,000 replications). Sensitivity analyses were performed using multiple imputations with the chained equation method.
Results
The average cumulative costs of thoracotomy were lower than those of video-thoracoscopy at 30 days (€9,730 (SD = 3,597)
vs.
€11,290 (SD = 4,729)) and at 3 months (€9,863 (SD = 3,508)
vs.
€11,912 (SD = 5,159)). In the cost-utility analyses, the incremental cost-utility ratio was €19,162 per additional QALY gained at 30 days (€36,733 at 3 months). The acceptability curve revealed a 64% probability of efficiency at 30 days for video-thoracoscopy, at a widely-accepted willingness-to-pay threshold of €25,000 (34% at 3 months). Ratios increased after multiple imputations, implying a higher cost for video-thoracoscopy for an additional QALY gain (ratios: €26,015 at 30 days, €42,779 at 3 months).
Conclusions
Given our results, the economic efficiency of video-thoracoscopy at 30 days remains fragile at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €25,000/QALY. The economic efficiency is not established beyond that time horizon. The acceptability curves given will allow decision-makers to judge the probability of efficiency of this technology at other willingness-to-pay thresholds.
Trial registration
NCT02502318.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Severe compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is a disabling complication following thoracic sympathectomy. Our study was to establish valid patient selection criteria and determine ...outcomes of nerve reconstructive surgery. Furthermore, we assessed the clinical feasibility and safety of a robotic-assisted approach compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
METHODS
Adults with severe CH following bilateral sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis were enrolled. We performed 2 questionnaires: the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index before and 6 months after nerve reconstructive surgery. A one-time evaluation of healthy volunteers (controls) was undertaken to validate the quality of life measures.
RESULTS
Fourteen patients (mean age 34.1 ± 11.5 years) underwent sympathetic nerve reconstruction. None of the patients had a recurrence of primary hyperhidrosis. Improvement in quality of life was reported in 50% of patients. Both mean Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and mean Dermatology Life Quality Index were significantly reduced compared to preoperative assessments. In 10 patients, a video-assisted approach and in 4 patients robotic assistance was utilized. There was no significant difference in outcomes between approaches.
CONCLUSIONS
Somatic–autonomic nerve reconstructive surgery offers a reversal in the debilitating symptoms in some patients with severe CH. Proper patient selection, preoperative counselling and management of expectation are of paramount importance. Robot-assisted thoracic surgery is an alternative method to conventional video-assisted surgery. Our study provides a practical approach and benchmark for future clinical practice and research.
Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is a common adverse side effect following endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) for primary hyperhidrosis 1.
•Malnutrition is very frequent in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients.•Low fat-free mass index (FFMI) assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is reported in 28% of patients.•Body mass index ...(BMI) and mid-arm circumference (MAC) are independently associated with low FFMI.•A two-step nutritional assessment based on BMI, MAC, and BIA should be routinely performed in IPF patients.
Little is known about the indicators to assess malnutrition in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to determine the following: 1) the prevalence of malnutrition in IPF patients; 2) the nutritional indicators predictive of low fat-free mass (FFM) as measured by bioimpedance analysis; 3) the IPF patients’ characteristics associated with low FFM.
The IPF patients were consecutively recruited in a referral center for rare pulmonary diseases. Malnutrition was defined as a fat-free mass index (FFMI) = FFM (kg) / (height m2) <17 (men) or <15 (women). Nutritional assessment included body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness, analogue food intake scale, and serum albumin and transthyretin. The primary endpoint was FFMI. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) assessed low FFMI prediction from nutritional indicators. Multivariable logistic regression determined variables associated with low FFMI.
Eighty-one patients were consecutively recruited. Low FFMI prevalence was 28% (23 of 81). BMI AUC was 0.91 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.84‒0.97) and MAC AUC was 0.85 (0.76‒0.94). Multivariable analysis associated BMI (odds ratio OR 0.26 95% CI, 0.12–0.54, P = 0.0003), male sex (OR 0.02 0.00–0.33, P = 0.005), and smoking (OR 0.10 0.01–0.75, P = 0.024) with a lower risk of malnutrition.
Malnutrition occurred in nearly one-third of IPF patients. Malnutrition screening should become systematic based on BMI and MAC, which are good clinical indicators of low FFMI. We propose a practical approach to screen malnutrition in IPF patients.
OBJECTIVES
To describe a non-invasive guidance procedure, using intraoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and augmented fluoroscopy to guide lung resection during video-assisted thoracic ...surgery (VATS).
METHODS
Patients with solitary or multiple lung nodules between 5 and 20 mm in size were included. Under general anaesthesia, a moderate pneumothorax allowing the CBCT acquisition was first performed. Then a segmentation of the lesion was performed on a 3D reconstruction. A projection of this 3D reconstruction was then integrated into the digital workspace and automatically registered into the fluoroscopic images, creating an augmented fluoroscopy. The procedure was continued under classic video-thoracoscopic vision taking account of the augmented fluoroscopy to locate the targeted nodule.
RESULTS
Eight patients were included (mean age 61 ± 11.7 years): 7 patients had an isolated lesion and 1 patient had two lesions (mean size 13.2 ± 5.1 mm). Their mean depth to the pleura was 21.4 ± 10.7 mm. Four patients underwent a wedge resection associated with lymph node resection. Two patients had an initial wedge resection followed by a complementary lobectomy associated with lymph node resection (primary lung tumour). One patient had a wedge resection in the upper lobe and a lobectomy of the inferior lobe associated with lymph node resection. One patient underwent a conversion and a bilobectomy due to vascular injury. The mean global operating time was 100.6 ± 36.7 min. All the nodules have been identified on the CBCT acquisitions. The segmentation of the lesion has been performed in all cases. We have been able to detect all the nodules and to successfully perform the resection in all cases owing to the augmented fluoroscopy. The mean fluoroscopic time was 134.2 ± 55.0 s. The mean imaging time, between the incision and the final nodule localization, was 11.8 ± 3.8 min.
CONCLUSIONS
This paper is the first describing a clinical application of CBCT performed during thoracic surgery. Associated with augmented reality, it offers a significant progress in VATS resection of subpalpable lung nodules. This preliminary experience highlights the potential of the proposed CBCT approach to improve the perception of targeted small tumours during VATS.
Evacuation of infected fluid in pleural infections is essential. To date, the use of an intrapleural fibrinolytic agent such as urokinase and DNase has not yet been assessed in infections managed by ...repeated therapeutic thoracentesis (RTT).
We performed a retrospective comparative study of two successive cohorts of consecutive patients with pleural infections from 2001 to 2018. Between 2001 and 2010, patients had RTT with intrapleural urokinase (RTT-U). After 2011, patients received intrapleural urokinase and DNase with RTT (RTT-UD). Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire.
One hundred and thirty-three patients were included: 93 were men and the mean age was 59 years (standard deviation 17.2). Eighty-one patients were treated with a combination of intrapleural urokinase and DNase, and 52 were treated with intrapleural urokinase only. In the RTT-UD, RTT failure occurred in 14 patients (17%) compared to 10 (19%) in the RTT-U group (P = 0.82). There was no difference between the two groups in intensive care unit admission, surgical referrals or in-hospital mortality. RTT-UD was associated with faster time to apyrexia (aOR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.37-0.72), a reduced length of hospital stay (aOR = 0.61, 95%CI 0.52-0.73) and a higher volume of total pleural fluid retrieved (aOR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.02-1.88). Complications were rare with only one hemothorax in the RTT-UD group and no pneumothorax requiring drainage in either group.
Compared to urokinase only, intrapleural use of urokinase and DNase in RTT was associated with quicker defervescence, shorter hospital stay and increased volumes of pleural fluid drained. Randomized controlled trials evaluating urokinase and DNase with RTT technique would be required to confirm these results.
Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on ...incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.