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C F Kittle

Publications and source records attributed to C F Kittle.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the bronchopulmonary tract. A classification of the spectrum of carcinoid to small cell carcinoma and intervening variants.

Eighty-one primary pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms were assessed by the classification of Gould and associates. The neuroendocrine features of these tumors were studied by a combination of conventional light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining for hormonal substances and neuron-specific enolase. In each case, clinical follow-up was obtained to test the prognostic value of this new pathological classification. This study indicated that bronchial carcinoids are very low-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms that are locally invasive and only occasionally metastasize late in their course. Well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas are relatively low-grade carcinomas that either present with or subsequently develop nodal or distant metastases in 73% of patients. Intermediate cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are highly aggressive tumors often mistakenly called "large cell undifferentiated carcinoma." Their clinical course is comparable to that of small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, which has a mean survival of 9 months. The different clinical courses of these tumors demonstrate the predictive value of the proposed classification. It appears particularly valuable to identify well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma as a low-grade carcinoma, distinct from true bronchial carcinoids. This classification may resolve some discrepancies regarding the therapy for and prognosis of "carcinoids" and their presumed variants.

Biopsy↗

Results of sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma in 101 patients.

Sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma is an alternative to pneumonectomy. The extent and location of the tumor must be such that a sleeve procedure is feasible. The conservation of lung tissue benefits both compromised and uncompromised patients. From 1961 to 1982, 101 patients underwent sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma of the lung. There were 58 procedures on the right side and 43 on the left. Life-table analysis of 94 of the patients shows a 5-year survival of 30% and a 10-year survival of 22%. Preoperative irradiation was utilized in 51 patients with a 5- and 10-year survival of 25% and 16%, respectively. The sleeve lobectomy group that did not have radiation therapy demonstrated a 5-year survival of 36% and a 10-year survival of 28%. There were 2 operative deaths (2%). Completion pneumonectomy was required in 7 patients because of anastomotic dehiscence in the early postoperative period in 6 and tumor at the margin in 1. Other major complications included empyema and granulation tissue at the anastomosis that were successfully managed by bronchoscopic dilation and suture removal. Tumor recurred locally in the area of the anastomosis in 9 patients. Sleeve lobectomy is a safe procedure and when technically feasible can be considered the procedure of choice for bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adult↗

The biological implications of bronchial tumors.

Seventy-six consecutively resected primary pulmonary tumors were assessed first by routine light microscopy and subsequently by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining techniques to precisely identify features of differentiation. In 66% of the cases, this assessment provided information that modified or revised the histologic diagnosis provided by light microscopy alone. The following conclusions were reached: (1) The term "large cell undifferentiated carcinoma" has been applied to a heterogenous group of tumors, most of which have ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of differentiation not identifiable by routine light microscopy. (2) Forty percent of the tumors previously called "large cell undifferentiated carcinoma" have predominantly neuroendocrine differentiation and appear to have a clinical course comparable to that of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. (3) The majority of pulmonary carcinomas (especially those previously called "poorly differentiated" or "undifferentiated") may simultaneously demonstrate more than one pattern of differentiation when studied by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. (4) The frequency of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung, as determined by these and previous studies, is considerably greater than suspected on the basis of light microscopic studies alone. These comprise a clinical and morphologic spectrum ranging from bronchial carcinoid to small cell carcinoma, all of which have immunohistochemically demonstrable hormone production, although paraneoplastic hormonal syndromes are manifested in only a small minority of cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Survival following resection for second and third primary lung cancers.

The performance of sequential resections and the consideration of new lesions as second or third primary lung cancers remain controversial issues. Criteria to define these as new primary lesions depend upon a difference in histologic types, a prolonged interval between initial and second or third resections, and location in the contralateral lung or a different ipsilateral lobe. Ninety patients have undergone multiple resections for bronchogenic carcinoma from 1960 to December, 1983. There were 10 examples of synchronous lesions and the remaining 80 were metachronous with the longest interval between resections being 17 years, 4 months. The initial surgical procedure was pneumonectomy in 11, lobectomy in 43, sleeve lobectomy in eight, segmentectomy in 27, and carinal resection in one. At the second operation, the procedures were segmentectomy in 55, lobectomy in 11, completion lobectomy in six, and completion pneumonectomy in 15. Two patients had sternotomy with bilateral resections and one patient had a tracheal resection. At the third operation, the procedures were segmentectomy in seven, completion lobectomy in two, and completion pneumonectomy in two. In 20 patients undergoing the second procedure and three undergoing a third resection, a different cell type was identified. The perioperative mortality following the second operation was seven of 90 patients (8%) and there were no deaths in those patients undergoing three resections. The cumulative survival rate following second resection in 80 patients with metachronous tumors was 33% at 5 years and 20% at 10 years. These data support continued aggressive surgical approach to second and third primary lung cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Survival in patients undergoing tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma.

Thirty-four patients underwent tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy during the years 1964 through 1981. In 30 patients, simultaneous resection of the right lung and carina was performed with an anastomosis established between the left main bronchus and trachea. In four patients a previous pneumonectomy had been performed (two right and two left) and, because of recurrence in the stump, resection of the stump and carina was carried out with either right or left bronchotracheal anastomosis. Preoperative irradiation was given in 28 of the patients in the group, and tumor sterilization occurred in six of those so treated. Four of 30 patients are long-term survivors: Two are still alive and free of cancer at 7 and more than 11 years postoperatively. One patient in the group of four with stump recurrence is alive more than 11 years postoperatively. All long-term survivors had epidermoid carcinoma and all received preoperative irradiation. The most frequent complications were fistula formation and pneumonia, resulting in 10 deaths in the perioperative period for a mortality of 29%. The 5 year survival rate of the entire group was 15%, and the survival rate by life-table analysis in the 30 patients with lung and carinal resection was 13.3% at 5 and 8.8% at 10 years.

Aged↗

High-frequency ventilation with an uncuffed endobronchial tube. A new technique for one-lung anesthesia.

Conventional one-lung intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (OL-IPPV) has been a valuable technique during anesthesia for intrathoracic operations. OL-IPPV has been associated with a high incidence of hypoxemia, as a result of the associated intrapulmonary shunt of 21% to 65% of cardiac output. The administration of OL-IPPV requires the use of a large cuffed endobronchial double-lumen tube. These tubes can be difficult to position properly and have been associated with malfunction, trauma, and tracheobronchial rupture. In an effort to avoid the problems associated with conventional OL-IPPV, we have developed a new technique of modified one-lung high-frequency ventilation (MOL-HFV). MOL-HFV is based on the administration of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) through a small uncuffed endobronchial tube. MOL-HFV was studied in 26 patients during a variety of intrathoracic surgical procedures, and it was compared to one-lung high-frequency ventilation (OL-HFV) and OL-IPPV in each patient. After the chest was opened, each patient received a sequence of OL-IPPV, OL-HFV, and MOL-HFV. Arterial PO2 was measured and intrapulmonary shunting was calculated after 30 minutes of each type of ventilation. This study showed that arterial PO2 was significantly higher during MOL-HFV (mean 379 mm Hg) than during OL-HFV (mean 235 mm HG) or OL-IPPV (mean 141 mm Hg). This was the result of a significantly lower intrapulmonary shunt during MOL-HFV (19%). We conclude that MOL-HFV through a small uncuffed endobronchial tube provides better oxygenation, optimal surgical access, and avoids the problems associated with the use of double-lumen tubes.

Adolescent↗

Successful management of esophagopericardial fistula complicating esophagogastrectomy.

An anastomotic leak into the right pleural space developed following esophagogastrectomy for cancer in a 56-year-old patient. Subsequently, a similar fistula occurred into the pericardium. This was managed successfully by a modification of Abbott's T-tube technique, together with a pericardial window, multiple drainage tubes, systemic antibiotics, and hyperalimentation. The anastomotic disruption healed completely, with only minimal narrowing on repeat roentgenograms of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Only four survivors of this rare and highly lethal problem have been previously reported.

Esophageal Fistula↗

Survival following resection for second primary bronchogenic carcinoma.

A second resective procedure has been done on 64 patients with multiple primary bronchogenic carcinoma, and a third operation has been performed in six. Fifty-three initial resections and all repeat procedures were performed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. Six patients had synchronous primary cancers, and in the 58 with metachronous disease the cumulative probability of tumor-free interval was 47% at 3 years. The initial resection performed was pneumonectomy in seven, lobectomy in 40, and segmentectomy in 17 patients. At the second operation, segmental resection was done in 41, lobectomy in six, completion lobectomy in four, and completion pneumonectomy in 13 patients. At the third operation, segmentectomy was done in three, completion lobectomy in two, and completion pneumonectomy in one patient. Ten patients had a tumor of different histologic type identified at the second procedure, but all patients with three operations had the same tumor cell type in each specimen. Six patients died following the second operation (a postoperative mortality of 9.3%), but there were no deaths in the six patients undergoing three procedures. Cumulative survival following the second resection was 36% at 5 years, 22% at 10 years and 13% at 15 years. In summary, second or third surgical efforts for reappearing bronchogenic cancers are justified and have significantly prolonged survival. The use of segmental or subsegmental resective techniques have provided superior survival results.

Adult↗

Thoracotomy in patients over age seventy years: ten-year experience.

Recent reports have demonstrated satisfactory long-term survival following pulmonary resection in the elderly. However, the high operative risk commonly cited in patients over 70 years of age has led some authors to conclude that advanced age is a contraindication to pulmonary resection. During 1969 to 1978, 218 thoracotomies were performed in patients over the age of 70 years. Operations performed include 175 pulmonary resections and 43 miscellaneous thoracic surgical procedures. Primary or metastatic cancer was the indication for 174 operations (pulmonary resection, 150 cases; exploration and biopsy, 16 cases; pleurectomy, eight cases). One hundred thirty-seven patients (63%) had a benign course, whereas 74 patients experienced a total of 83 complications. Minor complications of atrial fibrillation, air leaks persisting for 7 to 14 days, and successfully managed retention of secretions were seen in 34 patients (16%). Nonfatal major complications were predominantly cardiac and respiratory in nature and occurred in 40 patients (18%). The overall hospital mortality was 3% (seven patients). Lung-sparing procedures were utilized whenever possible among the 150 patients undergoing pulmonary resection for carcinoma (sleeve lobectomy, 13 cases; segmental resection, 52 cases; wedge resection, 12 cases). The hospital mortality of 4% among these 150 patients was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the 17% mortality among 308 elderly patients compiled from five series reported by other centers between 1973 and 1978. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 129 of the 139 (93%) available patients surviving pulmonary resection for cancer. The overall 5 year survival rate is 27%, ranging from 13% for patients having pneumonectomy to 42% for those having segmental resection.

Age Factors↗

Lesions of the thoracic aorta and its arch branches simulating neoplasm.

Abnormal radiographic densities in the midportion of the chest are most commonly caused by neoplasms, cysts, or inflammatory disease. However, vascular lesions may present an identical x-ray appearance, with no distinguishing clinical history or physical findings. The cardiothoracic surgeon must be aware of this similarity in order to ensure the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach. In our experience, the most frequent problem in differential diagnosis is a lesion of the thoracic aorta or its arch branches simulating neoplasm. Nine such cases are presented, with pertinent conventional radiographs angiograms, and computed tomographic (CT) scans. These are considered in anatomic sequence: (1) ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm; (2) ascending aortic aneurysm; (3) tortuosity or aneurysm of the innominate and subclavian arteries; (4) transverse arch aneurysm; (5) pseudocoarctation; and (6) descending aortic aneurysm. Such vascular lesions must be considered early in the evaluation of any juxta-aortic chest density, particularly if the patient is hypertensive and has other manifestations of atherosclerosis. Angiography and computed tomography establish the diagnosis in most instances, although both are less reliable when thrombus fills all or part of an aneurysm. If these methods fail to establish a vascular origin, the possibility of neoplasm is pursued. When neither a vascular nor neoplastic origin can be proved, surgical exploration is indicated in the otherwise good-risk patient.

Adult↗

Median sternotomy for synchronous bilateral pulmonary operations.

Since 1975 10 patients at Rush Medical Center have undergone synchronous bilateral pulmonary operations by median sternotomy. Nine had pulmonary metastases and one had bullous emphysema with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Between three and 20 metastases were removed by wedge resection per patient, but right upper lobe anterior segmentectomy and left upper lobectomy were required in one patient. Bilateral bullae resections and plications improved pulmonary function in the patient with emphysema. The average hospital stay was 9 days, and the only complication was one reoperation for postoperative bleeding. Median sternotomy has been advantageous in selected patients with bilateral pulmonary disease because it allows one-stage completion of the required pulmonary procedures with minimal impairment of pulmonary function, shortened hospital stay, and maximal patient recovery.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis.

Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis is a rare but distinct clinical and pathological entity. It is characterized by hamartomatous proliferation of smooth muscle around the lymphatic vessels of the lung, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. It occurs only in menstruating women and girls and is manifested by spontaneous pneumothorax and chylous pleural or abdominal effusion. As it progresses, the lungs become increasingly involved with subsequent pulmonary insufficiency and recurrent infection. Eventually death results. This entity has not been reported previously in the surgical literature even though the thoracic surgeon is called on to both establish the diagnosis and aid in palliation. The hypothesis that the disease is estrogen dependent is reviewed and the desirability of estrogen ablation in patients with positive estrogen receptors is suggested.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Segmental resection for bronchogenic carcinoma.

Segmental resection was performed on 168 patients with peripheral, Stage I bronchogenic carcinoma from 1957 to July 1, 1978. Seventy-four patients (44%) had adenocarcinoma, 58 (34%) had an epidermoid type, 28 (17%) had an unadifferentiated tumor, and 8 (5%) had a bronchoalveolar variety. Ninety-five resections were done on the left lung, the most frequent procedure being removal of the superior division of the left upper lobe (38 patients). On the right side, 73 resections were done. The anterior segment was removed most frequently (19 patients). There were 3 surgical deaths, for a mortality of less than 2%. Complications requiring prolonged hospitalization were associated with air leak in 10 (6%) of the 168 patients. Survival by actuarial curve is 53% at 5 years, 33% at 10 years, and 25% at 15 years. Forty-five patients (27%) died of metastatic carcinoma. Patients with epidermoid lesions have the most favorable prognosis.

Adult↗

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia in adults.

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia (IDH) is the rarest type of adult diaphragmatic hernia. Only 28 cases have been reported. Indirect blunt trauma has been implicated in most cases, but one resulted from a stab wound to the anterior chest. Patients presented immediately or up to 20 years following trauma with symptoms of intermittent bowel obstruction, including one with strangulation, or cardiac dysfunction, including dyspnea, palpitations, and two patients with cardiac tamponade. Physical findings included bowel sounds in the chest, decreased heart and lung sounds, and an absent point of maximal cardiac impulse. Chest roentgenography usually revealed supradiaphragmatic gas shadows suggestive of bowel in the chest. Thorough examination of both anteroposterior and lateral chest roentgenograms and barium gastrointestinal series may provide positive diagnosis of anterior diaphragmatic hernia, and fluoroscopy after induced pneumoperitoneum may establish its pericardial involvement. Celiotomy is the preferred approach to surgical repair of IDH. Since the symptoms referable to adult IDH can be incapacitating or life threatening, herniorrhaphy should be performed promptly upon diagnosis, with expectation of an uneventful recovery and negligible recurrence rate.

Abdomen↗

Surgical management of malignant mesothelioma.

The surgical management of 18 patients diagnosed as having malignant mesothelioma is reviewed. Of these patients, 7 received limited treatment--pleurectomy or biopsy. The mean survival was 10 months, and no patient was disease-free at time of death. The other 11 patients were treated by radical extrapleural pneumonectomy. There were 2 long-term, disease-free survivors at 2 and 4 years. Mean survival for the entire group was 15 months, but most patients received good palliation following tumor removal. Surgical procedures for removal of malignant mesothelioma can be accomplished safely and without major morbidity. When possible, radical extrapleural pneumonectomy affords the best palliation and the only opportunity for cure.

Adult↗