ObjectiveTo explore the influence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) status on the prognosis of elderly breast cancer patients ≥70 years old, and to screen patients who may be exempted from sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), so as to guide clinical individualized treatment for such patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on 270 breast cancer patients aged ≥70 years old who underwent SLNB in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from 2012 to 2021. The clinicopathological characteristics of the total cases were compared according to the status of SLN. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and the influence of SLN status on the overall survival (OS) time, local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) of patients were analyzed, and used log-rank to compare between groups. At the same time, the patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive were analyzed by subgroup. The differences between groups were compared by single factor χ2 test, and multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze and determine the factors affecting OS, LR and DM of patients. ResultsThe age of 270 patients ranged from 70 to 95 years, with a median age of 74 years. One hundred and sixty-nine (62.6%) patients’ tumor were T2 stage. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 83.0%, histological gradeⅡ accounted for 74.4%, estrogen receptor positive accounted for 78.1%, progesterone receptor positive accounted for 71.9%, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative accounted for 83.3%. The number of SLNs obtained by SLNB were 1-9, and the median was 3. SLN was negative in 202 cases (74.8%) and positive in 68 cases (25.2%). Thirty-five patients (13.0%) received axillary lymph node dissection. There was no significant difference in LR between the SLN positive group and the SLN negative group (P>0.05), but the SLN negative group had fewer occurrences of DM (P=0.001) and longer OS time (P=0.009) compared to the SLN positive group. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis suggest that the older the patient, the shorter the OS time and the greater the risk of DM. Analysis of HR positive subgroups showed that SLN status did not affect patient survival and prognosis, but age was still associated with poor OS time and DM. ConclusionsFor patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast in T1-T2 stage, HR positive, clinical axillary lymph nodes negative, and age ≥70 years old, SLNB may be exempted. According to the patient’s performance or tumor biological characteristics, patients who need systemic adjuvant chemotherapy may still consider SLNB.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of BRAFV600E mutation test in high-risk thyroid nodules with easily underdiagnosed fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results.MethodsRetrospectively collected 122 cases of thyroid nodule who treated in the Hebei Petrochina Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018, all the cases admitted preoperative ultrasound and FNAB detection. All of the patients had the non-positive cytological results of FNAB and the high-risk features of ultrasound. Contrasted the postoperative pathological coincidence rate of combination of FNAB and BRAFV600E test with FNAB alone.ResultsThe BRAFV600E mutation rate was 27.0% (33/122). The positive rate of BRAFV600E mutation increased with the increase of ultrasound thyroid imaging reporting and data system(TI-RADS) grade (P<0.05), which was independent of patients’ age, gender, number of nodules, diameter of nodules, and FNAB results (P>0.05). The coincidence rate of FNAB combined with BRAFV600E mutation detection was higher than that of FNAB alone ［86.9% (106/122) vs. 69.7% (85/122), P<0.05).ConclusionsThe BRAFV600E mutation test can detect papillary thyroid carcinoma that might be missed by FNAB. We recommend that FNAB should be routinely accompanied by the BRAFV600E mutation test in the high-risk thyroid nodules.
ObjectiveTo investigate the metastatic status and risk factors of axillary non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) in breast cancer patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN), and to provide theoretical basis for exemption of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in these patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 54 patients diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and confirmed to have 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNS) and received ALND in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Tongling People’s Hospital from January 2018 to April 2023. The patients were divided into NSLN metastatic group (17 cases) and NSLN non-metastatic group (37 cases) according to whether there was metastasis. Chi-square test was used to compare the basic information and clinicpathological features of the two groups. The independent risk factors for axillary NSLN metastasis were screened out by multivariate binary logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of independent risk factors combined with axillary NSLN metastasis. Results There were 54 cases with 1–2 metastasis of SLN, 17 cases with axillary NSLN metastasis (31.5%). The incidence of axillary NSLN metastasis in patients with tumor at T1 stage (maximum diameter ≤2 cm) was only 14.3% (4/28), however, the metastatic rate of axillary NSLN in patients with tumor in T2–T3 stage (maximum diameter >2 cm) was as high as 50.0% (13/26). The axillary NSLN metastasis rate was only 21.2% (7/33) with 1 SLN metastasis, while the axillary NSLN metastasis rate was 47.6% (10/21) with 2 SLN metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm), 2 SLN metastases, number of SLN >5 and tumor with vascular embolus were more likely to develop axillary NSLN metastases (P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm) and 2 SLN metastases were independent risk factors for axillary NSLN metastasis in breast cancer patients, the area under ROC curve of combined prediction of axillary NSLN metastasis by the two was 0.747, 95%CI was (0.657, 0.917), sensitivity was 0.765 and specificity was 0.649. Conclusions The combination of tumor T stage and the number of SLN metastases can better predict axillary NSLN metastasis in breast cancer patients. ALND is recommended for breast cancer patients with T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm) and 2 SLN metastases to reduce the risk of residual axillary NSLN metastasis.
Objective To investigate the clinical value and complication factors of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) guided by multislice computed tomography (MSCT). Methods From January 2013 to December 2016, 179 patients treated with MSCT-guided lung biopsy in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College and Dianjiang People’s Hospital were reviewed. Occurrence rate and the influencing factors of complications were analyzed. Meanwhile, biopsy findings and diagnostic accuracy rate were summarized. Results A total of 129 cases of lung cancer were detected under MSCT-guided percutaneous biopsy in 179 patients with a diagnostic accuracy of 93.30%. The correct rate of malignant tumor diagnosis was 92.14%. The main complications were pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, dyspnea and hemoptysis. Major risk factors of MSCT-guided PTNB complications included lesion size ≤ 2 cm, the shortest distance to the diaphragm ≤ 5 cm, puncture depth > 5 cm, pleural puncture angle > 50°, the puncture times ≥ 2, puncture time ≥ 20 minutes, age of patients > 60 years, and existence of pulmonary disease (P<0.05). Conclusions The clinical application value of MSCT-guided PTNB is high. Skilled puncture technique and appropriate puncture procedure are helpful to reduce complications.
Objective To systematically evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in hepatitis B viral hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC), and to study the clinical value of ctDNA. Methods The databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library database were retrieved systematically from the establishment of the database to April 26, 2021. The characteristic information of literatures and the original data such as the sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were extracted. A meta-analysis was conducted by applying RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software. The combined sensitivity, combined specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio (OR) were calculated, ROC curve was plotted and the AUC was calculated, Deck’s funnel chart to assess publication bias, the Fagan diagram to test the diagnostic efficiency. Results Finally, 16 studies involving 3 744 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 1 852 were HBV-HCC patients, and 1 892 were HBV-infected patients without HCC. The meta-analysis results showed that ctDNA had a pooled sensitivity of 0.85 [95%CI (0.78, 0.90)], a specificity of 0.74 [95%CI (0.63, 0.83)], a diagnostic OR of 15.98 [95%CI (10.65, 23.99)], and the AUC of ROC was 0.87 [95%CI (0.84, 0.90)] in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic OR, and the AUC of ROC for ctDNA combined with AFP in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC were 0.86 [95%CI (0.80, 0.90)], 0.79 [95%CI (0.68, 0.87)], 22.69 [95%CI (13.64, 37.76)], and 0.90 [95%CI (0.87, 0.92)]. Meta-regression analysis found that the heterogeneity came from other non-covariate factors. The Fagan chart showed that while HBV-HCC was diagnosed by liquid biopsy-based on ctDNA, the probability of being diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma was 77%, if HBV-HCC was excluded, the probability of having the corresponding disease was 17%. Deek’s test showed no obvious publication bias (P>0.05). ConclusionsThe ctDNA can diagnose HBV-HCC with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and can be used as a promising circulating biomarker in the early diagnosis of HBV-related HCC. The combination of ctDNA in serum and AFP is beneficial to improve the diagnostic accuracy of HBV-HCC.
Objective To evaluate the complication rate of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy and determine the risk factors. Methods A retrospective investigation of patients with CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between2002 and 2009 was performed. The risk factors for complications were determined by multivariate analysis of variables related to patients’demographics, lung lesions, biopsy procedures, and individual radiological features. Results 281 biopsy procedures were enrolled. The total complication rate was 55. 9% with pneumothorax 32. 4% ( 91/281) , hemoptysis 34. 5% ( 97 /281) , and cutaneous emphysema2. 1% ( 6 /281) , and with no mortality.The pneumothorax rate was correlated with lesion location, lesion depth, and number of pleural passes. The bleeding risk was correlated with lesion size, lesion depth, and age. Prediction models for pneumothorax and bleeding were deduced by logistic regression. The pneumothorax model had a sensitivity of 80. 0% and a specificity of 62. 4% . And the bleeding model had a sensitivity of 67. 4% and a specificity of 88. 8% .Conclusions Lesion location, lesion depth, and number of pleural passes were independent risk factors for pneumothorax. Lesion size, lesion depth, and age were independent risk factors for bleeding. The prediction models for pneumothorax and bleeding will helpfully reduce the complication of CT-guided lung biopsy.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of two biopsy methods, electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) and transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB), in peripheral pulmonary lesions. To select a low-risk and high-benefit biopsy method based on the clinical characteristics of the lesions and patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients who underwent ENB and/or TTNB for peripheral pulmonary lesions in Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. Propensity score matching was used to compare the diagnostic yield and safety of the two biopsy methods. Results A total of 126 patients were included in the ENB group, and 104 patients in the TTNB group. After propensity score matching, 83 matched pairs were obtained. The TTNB group exhibited a significantly higher diagnostic yield compared with the ENB group (90.4% vs. 48.2%, P<0.001), but it was also associated with a higher incidence of pneumothorax (1.2% vs. 21.7%, P<0.001). In the ENB group, the diagnostic efficacy was correlated with lesion diameter (P<0.001, OR=0.183, 95%CI 0.071 - 0.470), but there was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic yield among different lung segments (P>0.05). In the TTNB group, lesion characteristics did not significantly affect the diagnostic yield, but a lesion diameter ≤30 mm (P=0.019, OR=5.359, 95%CI 1.320 - 21.753) and a distance from the pleura ≥20mm (P=0.030, OR=6.399, 95%CI 1.192 - 34.360) increased the risk of pneumothorax. When stratified based on lesion and patient blood characteristics, no significant difference was found in the diagnostic yield between the two groups for characteristics such as left upper lobe (P=0.195), right middle lobe (P=0.333), solid with cavity (P=0.567), or abnormal serum white blood cell count (P=0.077). However, the incidence of pneumothorax in the TTNB group was higher than that in the ENB group. Conclusions The diagnostic yield of ENB is affected by the size of the lesion, while the incidence of pneumothorax in TTNB is influenced by both lesion size and distance from the pleura. In cases with lesions located in the left upper lobe, right middle lobe, solid with cavity, or with abnormal serum white blood cell count, selecting ENB for biopsy is considered preferable to TTNB.
Objective To investigate the clinical features, chest imaging manifestations, pathological changes, diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis with pleural effusion as the initial manifestation, and to analyze the possible causes of misdiagnosis, so as to help clinicians improve their understanding of sarcoidosis with pleural effusion as the initial manifestation, and reduce the rate of clinical misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Methods The general data, clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, pathological findings and outcomes of 4 patients with sarcoidosis with pleural effusion as the first manifestation admitted to Ningxia Medical University General Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Out of these patients, 3 were female and 1 was male, with an average age of 50.3 years. The main clinical features were cough, expectoration, chest tightness, shortness of breath and other common respiratory symptoms. Chest CT indicated right pleural effusion. After admission, closed thoracic drainage, tracheoscopy, thoracoscopy, pleural biopsy and cervical lymph node biopsy were performed to obtain pathology. Combined with imaging and pathology, diagnosis was made. After hormone therapy, symptoms and imaging were improved. Conclusions Sarcoidity-related pleural effusion is relatively rare as the first episode, with no specific clinical symptoms and no specific physical and chemical properties of pleural effusion. Non-caseous granulomatous lesions can be found pathologically, and the diagnosis needs to rely on clinical, imaging and pathological comprehensive judgment.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of the comprehensive guidance technologies, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN), and superimposed high-frequency jet ventilator for respiratory control in the biopsy of peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPNs). MethodsThe clinical information of 3 patients with PPNs diagnosed by CBCT combined with VBN and superimposed high frequency superposition jet ventilator in Shanghai Changhai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results Clinical data of 3 patients were collected. The average diameter of PPNs was (25.3±0.3) mm with various locations in left and right lung. The first nodule was located in the apex of the left upper lung, and the biopsy was benign without malignant cells. The lesion was not enlarged during the 5-year follow-up. The second one was located in the left lingual lung, and the postoperative pathology was confirmed as mucosa-associated lymphoma. The third one was located in the anterior segment of the right upper lung. After the failure of endobronchial procedure, percutaneous PPNs biopsy under CBCT combined with VBN was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was confirmed as primary lung adenocarcinoma. Postoperative pneumothorax complication occurred in the third patient with right lung compression rate approximately 20%. ConclusionsThe application of CBCT, combined with VBN and the superimposed high frequency jet ventilator for respiratory control can potentially improve the accuracy and safety in the diagnosis of PPNs. Multi-center clinical trials are needed to verify its further clinical application.
ObjectiveTo improve clinicians' awareness of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP).MethodsThirty-three inpatients with COP, who had been diagnosed by pathology in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital during January 2013 to December 2016 were collected. Their clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging data were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThirty-three cases consisted of 18 males and 15 females, and the mean age was (58.7±13.5) years old. Most patients had subacute or insidious onset. The common symptoms were cough, fever, shortness of breath and chest tightness. About half of patients revealed inspiratory crackles or velcroes. Autoantibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. High-resolution computerized tomography findings of COP included bilateral patchy areas of air-space consolidation that showed predominantly subpleural or peri-bronchovascular distribution, focal nodules, enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes and pleural effusion. 25 patients were treated with glucocorticoid, 6 with macrolid, and 2 were only followed up without drug treatment.ConclusionsClinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging features are important clues to diagnose COP. Diagnosis depends on pathology. Meanwhile, definite pathogen and potential underlying diseases must be excluded.