Elderly patients with lung cancer have a significantly increased risk of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications due to physiological decline, high incidence of complications and reduced surgical tolerance, which directly affects postoperative recovery and long-term survival. Although the concepts of minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery have improved clinical outcomes, early recognition and intervention of postoperative complications in elderly patients remains a significant challenge in the field of thoracic surgery. By integrating recent literature and clinical practice, this paper systematically analyzes the pathophysiological mechanism and risk factors of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer, and discusses individualized intervention strategies based on risk stratification and multidisciplinary team, in order to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for optimizing perioperative management and improving postoperative prognosis in elderly patients.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in discriminating fumarate hydratase-deficient (FH-d) uterine leiomyomas (ULs) from FH-preserved ULs. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of three stages, with independent cohorts recruited for each stage: 1) sample-size estimation was retrospectively performed on UL specimens (diameter ≥3 cm; age, 20–40 years) from our database with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for 2-succinocysteine (2-SC) as the reference, without genetic testing, 2) MRS sequence optimization in confirmed FH germline mutation participants with ultrasound-detected ULs (diameter ≥3 cm), without IHC analysis, and 3) prospective diagnostic test accuracy was evaluated in consecutive participants with ultrasound-detected ULs (diameter ≥3 cm;age, 20–40 years), using IHC for 2-SC for determining the FH status and subsequent genetic testing in those with positive 2-SC results to identify whether FH mutations were germline or somatic in origin. The choline and fumarate peaks in MRS were classified as positive, negative, or technical failure (TF). TFs were analyzed separately and excluded from the primary diagnostic accuracy calculations. T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted images were interpreted as hyperintense or hypointense. The enhancement rate and apparent diffusion coefficient were also acquired. Diagnostic performance was compared between MRS and various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. Results: The optimal MRS parameters for the fumarate peak were echo time (TE) = 140 ms and an average of 256. Among the 360 prospective participants, 37 were confirmed to have FH-dULs. MRS showed positive fumarate peaks in 35 of 37 FH-dULs.After excluding six TFs, the positive fumarate peak on MRS showed 94.6% (35/37) sensitivity, 99.7% (316/317) specificity, and 99.2% (351/354) accuracy, all of which were significantly superior to those of other MRI features (P ≤ 0.002). Conclusion A positive fumarate peak on MRS may be a useful imaging biomarker for diagnosing FH-dULs.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a fatal malignancy with steadily increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Since most CCA cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, systemic therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, play a crucial role in the management of unresectable CCA. The recent advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies brought more options in the clinical management of unresectable CCA. This review depicts the advances of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for unresectable CCA, summarizes crucial clinical trials, and describes the efficacy and safety of different drugs, which may help further develop precision and individualization in the clinical treatment of unresectable CCA.
Humans ; Cholangiocarcinoma/drug therapy* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods*

AIM: To observe the manifestations and distribution patterns of visual field in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(NAION).METHODS: Retrospective observational study. The investigation encompassed 183 patients(246 eyes)diagnosed with NAION who were evaluated at the Neuro-Ophthalmology/Acupuncture Department within the Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from June 2018 to December 2023. Recorded clinical data covered demographic details, incidence, disease duration, presence of systemic diseases, and histories of tobacco and alcohol use, along with best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), visual field index(VFI), type of visual field defect, and thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(pRNFL).RESULTS: A total of 183 patients(246 eyes)were enrolled. The cohort consisted of 101 males and 82 females; 120 exhibited unilateral symptoms, while 63 showed bilateral symptoms, with a mean age of 56.20±9.78 years(range 29-81 years). The types of visual field defects observed were varied: 90 eyes(36.6%)had diffuse loss, 63 eyes(25.6%)experienced inferior hemifield loss, 32 eyes(13.0%)displayed ring scotomas, 22 eyes(8.9%)had arcuate scotomas, 11 eyes(4.5%)presented with quadrant defects, 15 eyes(6.1%)had sectorial or wedge defects, and 13 eyes(5.3%)showed superior hemifield loss. The BCVA(LogMAR)and VFI of patients with diffuse visual field loss were poorer than patients with other types of visual defects(all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in visual field defects among patients of different genders and ages(all P<0.05). However, history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea and other systemic diseases, history of smoking and alcohol, and course of disease did not show specificity in the NAION visual field(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:NAION manifests with a broad spectrum of visual field impairments across different genders, age, and levels of visual functionality. Extensive future research is necessary to identify additional reasons influencing the types of visual field damage in NAION.

Objective:To observe the clinical characteristics of non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in patients of different genders.Methods:A retrospective clinical analysis. A total of 183 cases (246 eyes) of NAION with complete diagnosis and treatment confirmed by Departments of Neuro-ophthalmology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from June 2018 to December 2023 were included. Among them, 101 cases (138 eyes) were male and 82 cases (108 eyes) were female. Their age was (59.2±9.8) years. The number of right and left eyes were 120 and 126, respectively. The patient's gender, age, disease course, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, history of hyperlipidemia, history of smoking and drinking, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (pRNFL) thickness were recorded in detail. Visual field defects were classified into diffuse defects, ring scotoma, fan-shaped or wedge-shaped defects, upper and lower half defects, arcuate scotoma, and quadrantanopia. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine whether gender was an independent factor affecting the degree of visual field impairment in NAION.Results:Compared with female patients, male patients showed earlier onset age, a shorter interval between binocular onsets, a higher morbidity rate of hyperlipidemia, and a higher proportion with history of smoking and drinking, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in disease duration, intraocular pressure, pRNFL thickness, and intraocular perfusion pressure between patients of different genders ( P>0.05). Female patients exhibited better BCVA than male patients, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The degree of visual field impairment in female patients was significantly better than that in males. Males' visual field defects were mostly in the lower half, while females' defects were mostly of arcuate scotoma, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the gender of male was an independent risk factor for severe visual field impairment in NAION patients (odds ratio=2.936, 95% confidence interval 1.275-6.763, P=0.011). Conclusions:Male NAION patients have an earlier onset age and a shorter interval between the initial and contralateral eye onset. Male patients exhibit a more severe degree of visual field impairment, which is mostly manifested as lower half visual field defect. While female patients tend to develop arcuate scotoma. After adjusting for other influencing factors, the gender of male remains an independent risk factor for severe visual impairment in NAION patients.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of the surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct(TD) ligation established through fluorescence thoracoscopy TD imaging technology on the occurrence of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.Elderly patients who underwent right lung cancer surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from October 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled as the research subjects.The surgical approaches involved pulmonary resection, systematic lymphadenectomy, and selective TD ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy.Prior to the surgery, 0.4 mg/kg indocyanine green(ICG)was injected subcutaneously into the right inguinal region of all patients.Clinical data, surgical details, pathological information, and intraoperative TD imaging, including the course, collateral vessels, and any injuries, were collected.Postoperative chylothorax and other complications were also recorded.Results:A total of 83 patients were enrolled, of which 38 were males, and 45 were females, with a median age of 68 years raging from 60 to 83 years old, TD imaging was observed in 69 cases(83.1%)within one hour after IGC injection.Intraoperative injuries of collateral branches were visualized in 4 cases(4.8%). Among them, 2 cases had injuries in both the 2R+ 4R and the subcarinal station, while 2 others had injuries of collateral branches only in the 2R+ 4R station.These 4 patients underwent concurrent TD ligation.No TD or collateral injury was found in the remaining patients during the surgery, and the TD was not ligated, none of the patients developed chylothorax postoperatively, and no adverse reactions related to indocyanine green were observed.Conclusions:Fluorescence thoracoscopy-guided TD imaging technique can well visualize TD and its collateral injuries in elderly lung cancer surgeries, assist in the management of leaks or TD ligation, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of postoperative chylothorax.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of the surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct(TD) ligation established through fluorescence thoracoscopy TD imaging technology on the occurrence of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.Elderly patients who underwent right lung cancer surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from October 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled as the research subjects.The surgical approaches involved pulmonary resection, systematic lymphadenectomy, and selective TD ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy.Prior to the surgery, 0.4 mg/kg indocyanine green(ICG)was injected subcutaneously into the right inguinal region of all patients.Clinical data, surgical details, pathological information, and intraoperative TD imaging, including the course, collateral vessels, and any injuries, were collected.Postoperative chylothorax and other complications were also recorded.Results:A total of 83 patients were enrolled, of which 38 were males, and 45 were females, with a median age of 68 years raging from 60 to 83 years old, TD imaging was observed in 69 cases(83.1%)within one hour after IGC injection.Intraoperative injuries of collateral branches were visualized in 4 cases(4.8%). Among them, 2 cases had injuries in both the 2R+ 4R and the subcarinal station, while 2 others had injuries of collateral branches only in the 2R+ 4R station.These 4 patients underwent concurrent TD ligation.No TD or collateral injury was found in the remaining patients during the surgery, and the TD was not ligated, none of the patients developed chylothorax postoperatively, and no adverse reactions related to indocyanine green were observed.Conclusions:Fluorescence thoracoscopy-guided TD imaging technique can well visualize TD and its collateral injuries in elderly lung cancer surgeries, assist in the management of leaks or TD ligation, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of postoperative chylothorax.

Objective:To observe the clinical characteristics of non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in patients of different genders.Methods:A retrospective clinical analysis. A total of 183 cases (246 eyes) of NAION with complete diagnosis and treatment confirmed by Departments of Neuro-ophthalmology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from June 2018 to December 2023 were included. Among them, 101 cases (138 eyes) were male and 82 cases (108 eyes) were female. Their age was (59.2±9.8) years. The number of right and left eyes were 120 and 126, respectively. The patient's gender, age, disease course, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, history of hyperlipidemia, history of smoking and drinking, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (pRNFL) thickness were recorded in detail. Visual field defects were classified into diffuse defects, ring scotoma, fan-shaped or wedge-shaped defects, upper and lower half defects, arcuate scotoma, and quadrantanopia. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine whether gender was an independent factor affecting the degree of visual field impairment in NAION.Results:Compared with female patients, male patients showed earlier onset age, a shorter interval between binocular onsets, a higher morbidity rate of hyperlipidemia, and a higher proportion with history of smoking and drinking, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in disease duration, intraocular pressure, pRNFL thickness, and intraocular perfusion pressure between patients of different genders ( P>0.05). Female patients exhibited better BCVA than male patients, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The degree of visual field impairment in female patients was significantly better than that in males. Males' visual field defects were mostly in the lower half, while females' defects were mostly of arcuate scotoma, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the gender of male was an independent risk factor for severe visual field impairment in NAION patients (odds ratio=2.936, 95% confidence interval 1.275-6.763, P=0.011). Conclusions:Male NAION patients have an earlier onset age and a shorter interval between the initial and contralateral eye onset. Male patients exhibit a more severe degree of visual field impairment, which is mostly manifested as lower half visual field defect. While female patients tend to develop arcuate scotoma. After adjusting for other influencing factors, the gender of male remains an independent risk factor for severe visual impairment in NAION patients.

Objective To evaluate the perioperative safety of lung surgery for patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients recovered from COVID-19 infection and received lung surgery from December 2022 to February 2023 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Beijing Hospital. Patients who received lung surgery and without COVID-19 at the same time were selected as a control group. Perioperative data between the two groups were compared. Results A total of 103 patients were included with 44 males and 49 females at an average age of (62.2±12.1) years. All surgeries were performed by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Among patients who recovered from COVID-19, 53 (51.5%) received lobectomy, 30 (29.1%) received segmentectomy, and 20 (19.4%) received wedge resection. The interval between diagnosis of infection and lung surgery was ≤1 month in 32 (31.1%) patients, and >1 month in 71 (68.9%) patients. The results of virus nucleic acid test for all patients before surgery were negative. A total of 13 (12.6%) patients had positive IgM, and 100 (97.1%) patients had positive IgG. A total of 20 patients experienced perioperative complications (13 patients with pulmonary air leakage, 3 patients with chylothorax, 2 patients with atrial fibrillation, and 2 patients with severe pulmonary complications). There was one perioperative death. Comparing the patients who recovered from COVID-19 with those without COVID-19, we found no statistical difference in perioperative outcomes including surgical duration, postoperative drainage, duration of thoracic tube, and duration of postoperative stay (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in perioperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Multivariable logistical regression analysis demonstrated that positive IgM before surgery (OR=7.319, 95%CI 1.669 to 32.103, P=0.008), and longer duration of surgery (OR=1.016, 95%CI 1.003 to 1.028, P=0.013) were independent risk factors of perioperative complications for patients who recovered from COVID-19. Conclusion It is safe for patients recover from COVID-19 to receive lung surgery when symptoms disappear and the nucleic acid test turn negative. However, positive COVID-19 IgM is an independent risk factor for perioperative complications. We suggest that lung surgery could be performed when the nucleic acid test and COVID-19 IgM are both negative for patients recover from COVID-19 infection.

Objective:To evaluate the safety of thymic surgery in patients aged 65 years and over.Methods:A total of 696 patients who underwent thymectomy/thymoma resection in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from November 2011 to March 2022 were collected and divided into two groups according to the age of 65 years old.The preoperative course of disease, MG stage, dosage of pyridostigmine bromide, American College of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score, surgical method, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage, postoperative complications, Clavien-dindo score(CDC), and myasthenic crisis were recorded and statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 696 patients were enrolled, including 364 males and 332 females, aged 15~86 years, with an average age of 49.1 years.There were 309 patients with thymoma, 565 patients with MG, and 178 patients with both.There were 124 cases in the elderly group(≥65 years old)and 572 cases in the non-elderly group(<65 years old). The incidence of thymoma was higher in the elderly group(54.8 % versus 42.1 %, χ2=6.664, P=0.010), while the incidence of MG was lower(67.7 % versus 84.1 %, χ2=17.827, P<0.001). The ASA score of the elderly group was higher than that of the non-elderly group( χ2=52.372, P=0.000), and the preoperative ventilation function FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were also significantly lower than those of the non-elderly group( z=8.187, 4.580, P=0.000 for all). The drainage volume in the first 3 days after operation and postoperative drainage tube time in the elderly group were significantly higher than those in the non-elderly group( P=0.018, P=0.003). The incidence of postoperative myasthenia crisis in the elderly group was higher than that in the non-elderly group( P=0.034). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups, but after Clavien-dindo classification, the score of the elderly group was higher than that of the non-elderly group( P=0.003). Although the ASA score and Clavien-dindo score of the elderly group were both higher than those of the non-elderly group, there was no correlation between the two. Conclusions:Although the preoperative ASA score and pulmonary function of elderly patients were poorer than those in the non-elderly group, while the incidence of postoperative myasthenia crisis was higher, and the incidence of postoperative complications was not higher, the Clavien-dindo classification, however, was higher in elderly patients than that of the non-elderly group.After careful preoperative evaluation and strengthening perioperative management, most elderly patients can receive thymus surgery safely with acceptable risks.