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Thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSQCC), accounting for 70-80% of thymic carcinoma cases, is distinct from thymoma. However, differential diagnosis for type B3 thymoma is sometimes challenging, even with established markers for TSQCC, including KIT and CD5, which are expressed in ~ 80% of TSQCCs and ~ 3% of thymomas. Novel TSQCC-specific markers would facilitate precise diagnosis and optimal treatment. Herein, we found that preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) may be a novel TSQCC-specific diagnostic marker. We comprehensively profiled 770 immunerelated mRNAs in 10 patients with TSQCC and two healthy controls, showing that PRAME and KIT were significantly upregulated in TSQCC (adjusted p values = 0.045 and 0.0011, respectively). We then examined PRAME expression in 17 TSQCCs and 116 thymomas via immunohistochemistry. All 17 (100%) TSQCCs displayed diffuse and strong PRAME expression, whereas eight of 116 (6.8%) thymomas displayed focal and weak expression (p < 0.0001). KIT and CD5 were positive in 17 (100%) and 16 (94.1%) TSQCCs, respectively, whereas one (0.9%) type B3 thymoma showed double positivity for KIT and CD5. The KIT-/CD5-positive type B3 thymoma was negative for PRAME. Thus, combinatorial evaluation of PRAME with KIT and CD5 may facilitate a more precise diagnosis of TSQCC.

Background Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung (ABLL) is a relatively rare congenital anomaly characterized by aberrant systemic arterial blood flow to the basal segment of the lung. We experienced a rare presentation of ABLL, in which a giant aberrant artery with the same dimensions as that of the descending aorta flowed from the celiac artery to left lower lobe. Case presentation An otherwise healthy 42-year-old man was referred to our department due to an abnormal chest X-ray. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a huge and winding aberrant artery with mural thrombus originating from the celiac artery and perfusing into the left lower lobe. We diagnosed giant ABLL and considered possible concomitant pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. The diameter of the aberrant artery was > 30 mm and high-pressure flow was assumed; therefore, we performed staged resection of the left lower lobectomy including division of the aberrant artery at the pulmonary ligament and subsequent embolization of the remnant arterial flow uneventfully. Pathologically, the aberrant artery was abundant with elastic fibers, and dissections of the tunica media and mural thrombus were observed; however, arteriovenous fistula was not confirmed. At 6 postoperative months, enhanced computed tomography showed the aberrant artery to be completely occluded without any symptoms. Conclusions We present a case of ABLL that was successfully managed by surgical resection of the left lower lobe with most of the giant aberrant artery and subsequent embolization of the remnant portion. Our study demonstrates that a staged surgical therapy is an acceptable approach for ABLL in case of complication with a giant aberrant artery.

Objectives The surgical Apgar score, calculated using three intraoperative variables (blood loss, lowest mean arterial pressure, and lowest heart rate), is associated with mortality in cancer surgery. The original score has less applicability in lung cancer surgery; therefore, we innovated the modified pulmonary surgical Apgar score with additional intraoperative oxygen saturation representing pulmonary parenchymal damage and cardiopulmonary dynamics. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 691 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer between 2015 and 2019 at a single institute. We analyzed the utility of the pulmonary surgical Apgar score compared with the original surgical Apgar score. Results Postoperative complications were observed in 57 (8.2%) and seven (1.0%) of the 691 patients who were stratified as grade ≥III and V, respectively, according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. We compared the fitness of the score in predicting postoperative complications; the calculated c-index (0.622) was slightly higher than the original c-index (0.604; P = 0.398). Patients were categorized into three groups based on their scores as follows: 0–6 points (n = 59), 7–9 points (n = 420), and 10–12 points (n = 212). Univariable and multivariable analyses demonstrated that a lower score was an independent negative risk factor for postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.53; P = 0.02). Patients with lower scores had a considerably poor 5-year overall survival (64.6%) (P = 0.07). Conclusions The pulmonary surgical Apgar score predicts postoperative complications and long-term survival in patients with lung cancer undergoing surgery and may be utilized for postoperative management.

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