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Biomedical subjects

A Chapelier

Publications and source records attributed to A Chapelier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Surgical treatment of post-embolism pulmonary hypertension].

Pulmonary hypertension is a serous condition which, after a long history as an orphan disease, has raised renewed interest due to the development of efficacious therapeutic options including lung transplantation and continuous infusion of prostacycline. Bilateral endarteriectomy of the pulmonary arteries is another possibility for post-embolism pulmonary hypertension. The procedure is complex and must be performed in conditions of cardiac arrest and deep hypothermia but, unlike transplantation, provides definitive cure. Recognizing the post-embolic nature of pulmonary hypertension is not simple because old episodes of venous thrombosis or embolus migration are not found in 50% of patients. Segmentary defects on the perfusion scintigraphy contrasting with the homogeneous respiratory scintigraphy is the primary diagnostic feature. Lesions must be located in a main trunk or at the origin of lobular or segmentary branches to be accessible to endarteriectomy. An antero-posterior and lateral angiogram of each lung and a multiple-array helicoidal angioscan performed with a precise protocol by an experienced team are needed to identify the localization of the lesions. If the pulmonary resistance determined at right catheterism is correlated with anatomic obstruction, the risk of mortality of pulmonary endarteriectomy is low, offering patients a significant chance for normal or nearly normal cardiorespiratory function.

Endarterectomy↗

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe disease that has been ignored for a long time. However, over the past 20 yrs chest physicians, cardiologists and thoracic surgeons have shown increasing interest in this disease because of the development of new therapies, that have improved both the outcome and quality of life of patients, including pulmonary transplantation and prostacyclin therapy. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTEPH) can be cured surgically through a complex surgical procedure: the pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is performed under hypothermia and total circulatory arrest. Due to clinically evident acute-pulmonary embolism episodes being absent in > 50% of patients, the diagnosis of CTEPH can be difficult. Lung scintiscan showing segmental mismatched perfusion defects is the best diagnostic tool to detect CTEPH. Pulmonary angiography confirms the diagnosis and determines the feasibility of endarterectomy according to the location of the disease, proximal versus distal. The technique of angiography must be perfect with the whole arterial tree captured on the same picture for each lung. The lesions must start at the level of the pulmonary artery trunk, or at the level of the lobar arteries, in order to find a plan for the endarterectomy. When the haemodynamic gravity corresponds to the degree of obliteration, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy can be performed with minimal perioperative mortality, providing definitive, excellent functional results in almost all cases.

Chronic Disease↗

[Catamenial pneumothorax. Failure of videothorascopic treatment].

INTRODUCTION: Catamenial pneumothorax occurs in women during the menses. It is frequently associated with diaphragmatic fenestrations or episodes of pleural endometriosis. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a patients who had presented 25 episodes of right pneumothorax despite treatment with videothorascopy initiated after the 10th episode. These episodes coincided with menstruation. Diagnosis of catamenial pneumothorax was evoked and thoracic surgery was indicated. Exploration of the pleural fossa did not reveal symphysis but 7 diaphragmatic orifices, which were sutured before conducting mechanical pleurodesis. No relapse of pneumothorax was reported following surgery. COMMENTS: Around one hundred cases of catamenial pneumothorax have been reported in the literature. They represent 2.8 to 5.6% of spontaneous pneumothroax in women. Diagnosis is evoked on the occurrence of recurrent pneumothorax appearing 24 to 72 hours after the onset of menstruation. The pathogeny is uncertain and several mechanisms are frequently evoked. In the prevention of relapses, treatment consists in closing the diaphragmatic orifices with thoracotomy, resection of eventual bubbles, and pleural symphysis. Videothorascopy does not appear adapted to treatment.

Adult↗

Late intracaval and intracardiac leiomyomatosis following hysterectomy for benign myomas treated by surgery and GnRH agonist.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report an exceptional case of a patient presenting with intracaval and intracardiac leiomyomatosis treated by combined surgical and medical treatment. CASE: A 48-year-old presented with intracaval and intracardiac leiomyomatosis (IL) discovered 6 years following a total hysterectomy with ovarian conservation for myomas. Surgical resection of the pelvic myomas and intracaval leiomyomatosis was performed during the same surgical procedure. Given the presence of a small tumor residuum in the pelvic cavity, postoperative medical treatment based on a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was delivered for 1 year. The patient was followed-up using clinical examination and systematic CT scan. Ten months following the end of medical treatment, she is still in good health and the pelvic residuum has stabilized. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pelvic tumor combined with IL could be treated using a one-stage surgical procedure. In cases of incomplete surgical resection, medical treatment based on GnRH agonist could be successfully delivered.

Angiomyoma↗

Partial cricoidectomy with primary thyrotracheal anastomosis for postintubation subglottic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a Pearson-type technique and evaluate its results for postintubation subglottic stenosis. METHODS: Forty-five patients underwent a partial cricoidectomy with primary thyrotracheal anastomosis, and 5 underwent simultaneous repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula as well. Twenty-four (53%) patients were referred to us after initial conservative (n = 21) or operative (n = 3) management. There were 27 cuff lesions, 7 stomal lesions, and 11 at both levels. The upper limit of the stenosis was 1.5 cm (range, 1-2.5 cm) below the cords, and the subglottic diameter was reduced by 60% in 38 (84%) of the patients. The length of airway resection ranged from 2 to 6 cm (median, 3 cm). Despite 23 thyrohyoid or suprahyoid releases, 8 anastomoses were under tension. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (82%) patients were extubated after the operation (n = 30) or within 24 hours (n = 7). Six patients required postoperative airway stenting (median, 5.5 days). Early (<30 days) complications occurred in 18 (41%) patients, mainly as transient airway and voice complaints, aspiration, and dysphagia. One (2%) patient died of myocardial infarction. Late morbidities were 2 failures occurring as bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis and restenosis requiring definitive tracheostomy. Patients had excellent or good anatomic (n = 42 [96%]), functional (n = 41 [93%]), or both types of long-lasting results, with no stenotic relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Partial cricoidectomy with primary thyrotracheal anastomosis can be applied in patients with postintubation stenosis extending up to 1 cm below the cords and measuring up to 6 cm in length with excellent-to-good definitive results. The association with a tracheoesophageal fistula does not contraindicate surgical repair.

Adolescent↗

Gamma radiation effects on alpha-lactalbumin: structural modifications.

Alpha-lactalbumin was irradiated in the lyophilized state in air at ambient temperature. The irradiated protein was examined by size exclusion chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and microcalorimetry. Irradiation induced the loss of aromatic amino acids and of helicity so that fragmentation and aggregation products were obtained. The thermodynamic properties of the protein were also modified. The irradiated protein had lower stability, however, the temperature at which denaturation occurred process remained constant.

Calorimetry↗

Surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma: current outcome.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was designed to confirm that aggressive pulmonary resection can provide effective long-term palliation of disease for patients with pulmonary aspergilloma. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1959 to 1998, 84 patients underwent a total of 90 operations for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in the Marie-Lannelongue Hospital. The mean follow-up period was 9 years, and 83% of the patients were followed up for 5 years or until death, if the latter occurred earlier. The median age was 44 years. The most common indications were hemoptysis (66%) and sputum production (15%). Fifteen patients (18%) had no symptoms. Tuberculosis and lung abscess were the most common underlying causes of lung disease (65%). The procedures were 70 lobar or segmental resections, 8 cavernostomies, and 7 pneumonectomies. Five thoracoplasties were required after lobectomy (3 patients) or pneumonectomy (2 patients). The operative mortality rate was 4%. The major complications were bleeding (23 patients), prolonged air leak (31 patients), respiratory failure (10 patients), and empyema (5 patients). The actuarial survival curve showed 84% survival at 5 years and 74% survival at 10 years. During the first 2 years, death was related to the surgical procedure and the underlying disease. In contrast, 85% of the survivors had a good late result. CONCLUSION: Lobar resection in both the symptomatic and the asymptomatic patients was conducted in low-risk settings. For patients whose condition is unfit for pulmonary resection, cavernostomy may need to be undertaken despite the high operative risk. The better survival rate in this study may have been due to the selection of patients with better lung function and localized pulmonary disease.

Adult↗

Evaluation and outcome of different surgical techniques for postintubation tracheoesophageal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the outcome of different surgical techniques for postintubation tracheoesophageal fistula. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients aged 51 +/- 23 years had tracheoesophageal fistulas resulting from a median of 30 days of mechanical ventilation via endotracheal (n = 12) or tracheostomy (n = 20) tubes. Tracheoesophageal fistulas were 2.5 +/- 1.2 cm long and were associated with a tracheal (n = 10) or subglottic (n = 3) stenosis in 13 patients. RESULTS: All but 3 patients were weaned from respirators before repair. All operations were done through cervical incisions and included direct division and closure (n = 9), esophageal diversion (n = 3), muscle interposition (n = 6), or, more recently, tracheal or laryngotracheal resection and anastomosis with primary esophageal closure (n = 14). Nine thyrohyoid and two supralaryngeal releases reduced anastomotic tension. Twenty-three patients (74%) were extubated after the operation (n = 16) or within 24 hours (n = 7), and 7 required a temporary tracheotomy tube. One postoperative death (3%) was associated with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. Seven complications (22%) included recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (n = 1), delayed tracheal stenosis (n = 2), dysphagia (n = 2), and recurrent nerve palsy (n = 2). Complications necessitated reoperation (n = 1), dilation (n = 2), definitive tracheostomy (n = 1), Montgomery T tubes (n = 1), and Teflon injection of the vocal cords (n = 1). Twenty-nine patients (93%) had excellent (n = 24) or good (n = 5) anatomic and functional long-term results. Complications have been less common (7% vs 38%) and long-term results better (93% vs 65%) recently with tracheal or laryngotracheal resection and anastomosis with primary esophageal closure as compared with previous procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Postintubation tracheoesophageal fistula is usually best treated with tracheal or laryngotracheal resection and anastomosis with primary esophageal closure even in the absence of tracheal damage.

Adult↗

Factors affecting long-term survival after en-bloc resection of lung cancer invading the chest wall.

OBJECTIVE: Several reports emphasize the importance of en-bloc resection as the optimal surgical treatment of lung cancer with chest wall invasion. We investigated possible factors which could affect long-term survival following radical resection of these tumors. METHODS: Between 1981 and 1998, 100 patients (90 male; ten female), with a median age of 60 years (36-84), underwent radical en-bloc resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with chest wall involvement. Patients with superior sulcus tumors invading the thoracic inlet were excluded from this series. There were 43 squamous and 57 non-squamous tumors. The median number of resected ribs was three (1-5). Lung resection included 73 lobectomies, two bilobectomies, 18 pneumonectomies and seven segmentectomies. Chest wall resection also extended to the sternum in one patient, the transverse process in one, the costotransverse foramen and hemivertebrae in two. All patients had a complete resection. Sixty-three patients received postoperative radiotherapy and 12 received chemotherapy. Histological data, including differentiation and depth of chest wall invasion, were carefully reviewed. The effect of various factors on survival were studied. RESULTS: There were four in-hospital deaths. Lymph node involvement was negative on surgical specimens in 65 patients, and 28 patients had positive N1 nodes; the final histology revealed seven N2 diseases. Chest wall invasion was limited to the parietal pleura in 29 patients and included intercostal muscles, bones and extrathoracic muscles in 67, 24 and seven cases, respectively. The overall 2-year survival rate was 41%. The 5-year survival for patients with N0, N1 and N2 disease was 22, 9 and 0%, respectively. A local recurrence occurred in 13 patients, with four having a new resection and 45 patients developing systemic metastases. The nodal status (N0-1 vs. N2; P=0. 026) and the number of resected ribs(<2 vs. >2; P=0.03) were survival predictors in univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, the two independent factors affecting long-term survival were the histological differentiation (well vs. poorly differentiated; P=0. 01) and the depth of chest wall invasion (parietal pleura vs. others; P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Histological differentiation and depth of chest wall involvement were the main factors affecting long-term survival in this series. The role of induction chemotherapy for tumors with poor prognosis should be investigated.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Subclavian artery resection and reconstruction for thoracic inlet cancers.

PURPOSE: We previously described an original transcervical approach to resect primary or secondary malignant diseases that invade the thoracic inlet (TI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical aspects and long-term results of the resection and revascularization of the subclavian artery (SA). METHODS: Between 1986 and 1998, 34 patients (mean age, 49 years) underwent en bloc resection of TI cancer that had invaded the SA. The surgical approach was an L-shaped transclavicular cervicotomy in 33 patients. In 14 of these patients, this approach was associated with a posterolateral thoracotomy (n = 10) or a posterior midline approach (n = 4). In one patient, the procedure was achieved with a single posterolateral thoracotomy approach. An end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 16 patients. In one patient, a subclavian-left common carotid artery transposition was performed. In one other patient, an end-to-end anastomosis was performed between the proximal innominate artery and the SA. The right carotid artery was transposed into the SA in an end-to-side fashion. In 16 patients, prosthetic revascularization with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft was performed. Thirty-three patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy. RESULTS: There were no cases of perioperative death, neurologic sequelae, graft infections or occlusions, or limb ischemia. There were two delayed asymptomatic polytetrafluoroethylene graft occlusions at 12 and 31 months. The 5-year patency rate was 85%. During this study, 20 patients died: 18 died of tumor recurrence (5 local and systemic and 13 systemic), one of respiratory failure, and one of an unknown cause at 74 months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 36%, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 18%. CONCLUSION: Tumor arterial invasion per se should not be a contraindication to TI cancer resection. This study shows that cancers that invade the SA can be resected through an L-shaped transclavicular cervicotomy, with good results with a concomitant revascularization of the SA.

Adult↗

Clamshell or sternotomy for double lung or heart-lung transplantation?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of either incision on the lungs and chest wall. METHODS: Ninety-two double lung (DLT) or heart-lung (HLT) transplantations were done since January 1990. There were 22 (24%) hospital deaths, leaving 70 patients with complete data for evaluation. We did 38 DLT and 32 HLT for end-stage chronic respiratory failure (n = 22) and primary (n = 34) or secondary (n = 14) pulmonary hypertension, using 37 fourth or fifth interspace clamshell incisions and 33 median sternotomies. RESULTS: The clamshell group included a higher percentage of DLTs (73 vs. 33%, P = 0.001) but recipient age, gender, preoperative diagnosis, bronchial anastomotic complications, number of cytomegalovirus infection, episode of acute rejection per patient-months and incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans were not statistically different between the two groups. At a follow-up time of 3.7 +/- 2 years, the overall 5-year survival of 57% was not influenced by the type of incision. The clamshell incision caused sternal over-riding in 12 (32%) patients, and eight surgical clamshell revision were necessary as compared with one median sternotomy (P = 0.02). The clamshell incision was associated with a significantly higher incidence of postoperative chronic pain (27 vs. 6%, P = 0.02). Postoperative mechanical properties of the chest wall were significantly (P < 0.0001) worse in the clamshell-group patients while the intrinsic properties of the airways were not different. CONCLUSIONS: The clamshell incision results in more postoperative deformity, chronic pain, and impaired function as compared with median sternotomy. A bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy without division of the sternum is proposed for the sequential bilateral lung transplantation technique.

Adult↗

Angioscopic video-assisted pulmonary endarterectomy for post-embolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the use of video-assisted angioscopy would increase the outcome of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). METHODS: PTE included a median sternotomy, intrapericardial dissection of the superior vena cava, institution of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia and sequential circulatory arrest periods. It was always performed through two separate arteriotomies on both main intrapericardial pulmonary arteries, into which a rigid 5 mm angioscope connected to a video camera was introduced to increase the visibility and endarterectomies. RESULTS: From January 1996 to July 1998, 68 consecutive patients (35 males and 33 females) aged 54.3 +/- 13.5 years underwent PTE. Patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II (n = 2), III (n = 43) or IV (n = 23) with the following hemodynamics: mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) 54 +/- 13 mmHg; cardiac output (CO): 3.8 +/- 0.8 l/min, and total pulmonary resistance (TPR): 1207 +/- 416 dyne x s x cm(-5). The cumulated circulatory arrest time was 23 +/- 12 min and postoperative length of ventilatory support 10 +/- 12 days. Nine patients died, for an overall in-hospital mortality of 13.2%. The functional outcome in surviving patients was significantly improved (P < 0.0001) both clinically (NYHA class 3.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.6) and hemodynamically (PAP (mmHg) 53.1 +/- 13 vs. 30.2 +/- 11.8, CI (l/min per m2) 2.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.6, TPR (dyne x s x cm(-5)) 1174 +/- 416 vs. 519 +/- 250). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted angioscopy improves the quality and degree of pulmonary endarterectomy expanding the indications to include patients with previously inaccessible distal disease.

Adult↗

Quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization in lung cancer as a diagnostic marker.

The diagnosis of lung cancer is quite often hampered by the existence of various cell types within samples such as biopsies or pleural effusions. We have established a new marker for image cytometry of interphase tumor cells of the lung by using the most recurrent and early cytogenetic event in lung cancer, the loss of the short arm of chromosome 3. The method is based on the detection of the imbalance between the long and the short arms of chromosome 3 by performing two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization on both arms. Fourteen tumors were analyzed after short-term culture and compared with the corresponding cytogenetic data obtained from metaphase analysis. Results on interphase nuclei and control experiments on metaphases were the same, with imbalance ratios ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 (mean value 1.6, median 1.5). To assess the clinical significance of this approach, three pleural effusions were analyzed. Data showed that normal cells within the sample could have been distinguished from the tumor cells based on different imbalance values between the long and the short arms. Thus, our method allows refined detection of lung tumor cells within samples containing heterogeneous cell populations.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Travel as a risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The link between travel and the risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) has been widely suspected. However, only cases or series of cases have been reported in the literature. STUDY OBJECTIVES: By means of a case-control study, we sought to confirm this relationship and to determine the main features, if any, of these posttravel VTEDs. DESIGN: The history, in particular the history of recent travel, of 160 patients presenting in our department with VTED was scrupulously investigated. All journeys undertaken during the preceding 4 weeks and lasting > 4 h by whatever means of transport were considered. The same questionnaire was submitted to a control group. RESULTS: When the two groups of patients are compared, a history of recent travel is found almost four times more frequently in the VTED group (p < 0.0001). The odds ratio for having a VTED in patients who traveled was 3.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 8.4). Means of travel used included the train in 2 cases, airplane in 9, and car in 28. Mean duration of travel was 5.4+/-2.1 h. These posttravel VTEDs are not confined to a specific location, seem to involve no particular predisposition, and are more often "idiopathic." This fact supports the hypothesis that travel alone can produce vein clot formation. CONCLUSIONS: A history of recent travel is a risk factor for VTED. Posttravel venous thrombotic events can occur after short journeys in patients with no other risk factors or concomitant disease

Aged↗

[Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy with video-angioscopy and circulatory arrest: an alternative to cardiopulmonary transplantation and post-embolism pulmonary artery hypertension].

The best predictor of poor or suboptimum outcome from pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is insufficient relief of obstruction, especially in the lower lobes. The aim of this study is to emphasize that the use of video-assisted angioscopy may increase the quality of PTE and thus improve outcome. PTE included a median sternotomy, intrapericardial dissection limited to the superior vena cava, institution of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia and sequential circulatory arrest periods. PTE was always bilateral and performed through two separate arteriotomies of both main intrapericardial pulmonary arteries. A rigid 5 mm angioscope connected to a video camera was introduced through the arteriotomy into the lumen to increase the visibility and perform the video-assisted endarterectomies of all obstructed segmental branches, including normally inaccessible anterior segmental branches. Between January 1996 and December 1997, 48 patients with severe postembolic pulmonary hypertension had PTE. Patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II (n = 2), III (n = 28) or IV (n = 18) with the following hemodynamics: mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) 53 +/- 13 mmHg, cardiac index 2.16 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2, pulmonary vascular resistances (PVR): 1,152 +/- 414 dyne.s-1.cm-5. Six patients died from alveolar hemorrhage (n = 1), high residual pulmonary pressure and rethrombosis (n = 4) and hypoxic cardiac arrest (n = 1). The functional outcome in surviving patients was as follows: (NYHA) class I (n = 24), II (n = 16) or III (n = 2) with improved hemodynamics: mean pulmonary arterial pressure: 30 +/- 9 mmHg, cardiac index: 2.78 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2, pulmonary vascular resistances (PVR): 484 +/- 159 dynes.s-1.cm-5. Video-assisted angioscopy allows much improved quality and degree of pulmonary endarterectomy. This expands the indications to include patients with previously inaccessible distal disease and candidates for heart-lung transplantation.

Adult↗

Lung reperfusion injury after chronic or acute unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion.

Because the lungs receive their blood supply from both the pulmonary and bronchial systems, chronic pulmonary artery obstruction does not necessarily result in severe ischemia. Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) lung injury may therefore be attenuated after long-term pulmonary artery obstruction. To test this hypothesis, isolated left lungs of pigs were reperfused two days (acute IR group) or 5 wk (chronic IR group) after left pulmonary artery ligation and compared to those of sham-operated animals. The severity of IR-lung injury after 60 min ex vivo reperfusion of the left lung was assessed based on lung histology and measurements of filtration coefficient (Kfc), pulmonary arterial resistance (Rpa), and lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Marked bronchial circulation hypertrophy was seen in the chronic IR group. Hemorrhagic alveolar edema was found in all acute IR lungs but not in sham or chronic IR lungs. Compared with the sham-operated controls, Kfc and Rpa increased two-fold and threefold, and MPO 1.5-fold and twofold in the chronic and acute IR groups, respectively. In conclusion, IR-induced lung injury was markedly reduced when it occurred 5 wk after pulmonary artery ligation, probably because the systemic blood supply to the lung had time to develop, limiting ischemia.

Animals↗

Surgery of lung metastases of breast cancer: analysis of 40 cases

Between 1987 and 1995, 52 breast cancer patients had a surgical resection of lung secondaries. In 40 patients, the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer could be confirmed following pathological examination. Five-year survival rates of these 40 patients was 54 8 % and 5-year disease free survival was 30 8%. The median survival (70 months) of these patients was better than that of 57 patients with isolated lung metastases who had been treated conservately (chemo- or/and hormonotherapy) during the same time interval. Twenty-six patients benefitted from a radical excision and had a longer disease free interval (42 versus 27 months, p = 0.03) than patients who had had a wedge resection. Overall survival was not significantly different (71 versus 41 months, p = 0.07). We feel that isolated lung nodules may best be treated by radical (segment or lobe) excision, in particular since preoperative differential diagnosis with primary lung cancer may be difficult. In the presence of multiple nodules, first line medical treatment by chemo- or hormonotherapy should be advocated, allowing to reduce the tumor load and to optimize survival in association with surgery.

Journal Article↗