A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report

Abstract Background Anomalous bifurcation of the right superior pulmonary vein is an important anomaly that should be recognized not only in respiratory and cardiac surgeries, but also in esophageal surgery for the safe performance of surgery. We report a case in which thoracoscopic esophagectomy wa...

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Main Authors: Naoki Kuwayama, Isamu Hoshino, Hisashi Gunji, Toru Tonooka, Hiroaki Soda, Takeshi Kurosaki, Nobuhiro Takiguchi, Yoshihiro Nabeya, Wataru Takayama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan Surgical Society 2022-03-01
Series:Surgical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-022-01396-8
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author Naoki Kuwayama
Isamu Hoshino
Hisashi Gunji
Toru Tonooka
Hiroaki Soda
Takeshi Kurosaki
Nobuhiro Takiguchi
Yoshihiro Nabeya
Wataru Takayama
author_facet Naoki Kuwayama
Isamu Hoshino
Hisashi Gunji
Toru Tonooka
Hiroaki Soda
Takeshi Kurosaki
Nobuhiro Takiguchi
Yoshihiro Nabeya
Wataru Takayama
author_sort Naoki Kuwayama
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Anomalous bifurcation of the right superior pulmonary vein is an important anomaly that should be recognized not only in respiratory and cardiac surgeries, but also in esophageal surgery for the safe performance of surgery. We report a case in which thoracoscopic esophagectomy was safely performed using preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging. Case presentation An 81-year-old male patient received an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a 20-cm incisor at the entrance, 43-cm EGJ, and 30-mm large type 1 + IIc lesion between the 23-cm and 26-cm incisors; biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Contrast-enhanced CT showed wall thickening in the anterior wall of the upper thoracic esophagus, without evidence of multi-organ invasion or lymph node metastasis. In addition, a break in the right pulmonary vein passing dorsal to the right main bronchus and flowing directly into the left atrium was observed, and 3D CT was performed preoperatively to confirm the 3D positioning. Positron emission tomography (PET)–CT showed a high degree of accumulation (SUVmax 19.95) in the upper thoracic esophagus. The patient was diagnosed with upper thoracic esophageal cancer, cT2N0M0 cStage II, and underwent thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy (three-region dissection) and gastric tube reconstruction. The dorsal inflow of the pulmonary vein in the right main bronchus, which was recognized on preoperative CT, was confirmed and preserved. The pathological diagnosis was basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, pT1b(SM1)N0(0/58)M0 pStage I. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 20. Conclusions The anomalous bifurcation of the pulmonary vein in the right upper lobe area required attention because of its potential to cause massive bleeding and difficulty in securing the operative field if misidentified and damaged during surgery. Although it is not frequently encountered, it is the bifurcation anomaly that esophageal surgeons must bear in mind due to its severe consequences. Preoperative image-reading and intraoperative manipulation of this vessel are imperative for surgical safety.
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spelling doaj-art-13f2b264433a4efe9f8f11265cb4e68b2025-08-20T03:32:41ZengJapan Surgical SocietySurgical Case Reports2198-77932022-03-01811610.1186/s40792-022-01396-8A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case reportNaoki Kuwayama0Isamu Hoshino1Hisashi Gunji2Toru Tonooka3Hiroaki Soda4Takeshi Kurosaki5Nobuhiro Takiguchi6Yoshihiro Nabeya7Wataru Takayama8Division of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterDivision of Gastroenterological Surgery, Chiba Cancer CenterAbstract Background Anomalous bifurcation of the right superior pulmonary vein is an important anomaly that should be recognized not only in respiratory and cardiac surgeries, but also in esophageal surgery for the safe performance of surgery. We report a case in which thoracoscopic esophagectomy was safely performed using preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging. Case presentation An 81-year-old male patient received an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a 20-cm incisor at the entrance, 43-cm EGJ, and 30-mm large type 1 + IIc lesion between the 23-cm and 26-cm incisors; biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Contrast-enhanced CT showed wall thickening in the anterior wall of the upper thoracic esophagus, without evidence of multi-organ invasion or lymph node metastasis. In addition, a break in the right pulmonary vein passing dorsal to the right main bronchus and flowing directly into the left atrium was observed, and 3D CT was performed preoperatively to confirm the 3D positioning. Positron emission tomography (PET)–CT showed a high degree of accumulation (SUVmax 19.95) in the upper thoracic esophagus. The patient was diagnosed with upper thoracic esophageal cancer, cT2N0M0 cStage II, and underwent thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy (three-region dissection) and gastric tube reconstruction. The dorsal inflow of the pulmonary vein in the right main bronchus, which was recognized on preoperative CT, was confirmed and preserved. The pathological diagnosis was basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, pT1b(SM1)N0(0/58)M0 pStage I. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 20. Conclusions The anomalous bifurcation of the pulmonary vein in the right upper lobe area required attention because of its potential to cause massive bleeding and difficulty in securing the operative field if misidentified and damaged during surgery. Although it is not frequently encountered, it is the bifurcation anomaly that esophageal surgeons must bear in mind due to its severe consequences. Preoperative image-reading and intraoperative manipulation of this vessel are imperative for surgical safety.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-022-01396-8Esophageal cancerThoracoscopic esophagectomyThoracoscopyAnomalous pulmonary vein
spellingShingle Naoki Kuwayama
Isamu Hoshino
Hisashi Gunji
Toru Tonooka
Hiroaki Soda
Takeshi Kurosaki
Nobuhiro Takiguchi
Yoshihiro Nabeya
Wataru Takayama
A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
Surgical Case Reports
Esophageal cancer
Thoracoscopic esophagectomy
Thoracoscopy
Anomalous pulmonary vein
title A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
title_full A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
title_fullStr A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
title_full_unstemmed A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
title_short A right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3D CT assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer: a case report
title_sort right pulmonary vein abnormality treated with 3d ct assistance in thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer a case report
topic Esophageal cancer
Thoracoscopic esophagectomy
Thoracoscopy
Anomalous pulmonary vein
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-022-01396-8
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