Solitary fibrous tumor of pleura associated with paraneoplastic syndromes Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumors of pleura (SFTP) are occasionally associated with paraneoplastic syndromes such as hypoglycemia and diffuse skeletal hyperostosis. Clinical case: We report a 60 years old male presenting with episodes of disorientation and inappropriate behavior, along with cough and weight loss. On physical examination there was digital clubbing. A chest X ray showed a big tumor in the right hemithorax. Fasting blood glucose was 24 mg/dl and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated. Large bone X rays showed hyperostosis. A needle biopsy of the tumor showed a SFTP. The tumor was excised and the final pathological diagnosis was a benign SFTP. Hypoglycemia subsided after surgery. After four months of follow up, finger clubbing was disappearing.

Pulmonary expansion edema during the management of a spontaneous pneumothorax. Report of one case Pulmonary expansion edema is a rare complication of the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. We report a 20 year old male admitted with a right primary spontaneous pneumothorax. A chest tube connected to a water seal was placed, achieving lung expansion. Immediately, the patient presented hypotension and a reduction in arterial oxygen saturation to 78%. Non-invasive ventilation was started. A chest X ray showed extensive right lung edema. The patient was managed with noradrenaline and albumin infusion with good response. Pulmonary edema resolved on day 3 but air leak was persistant so, the patient required surgery to excise apical bullae in the right lung. He was discharged during the following days in good condition.

Pancoast tumors represent a rare presentation of lung cancer. Their particular location delays diagnosis and makes resection difficult. Nevertheless recent advances in surgical techniques and multi-modality therapy (chemo-radiation followed by surgery) had increased resection rates and achieved long term survival. We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with an extensive Pancoast tumor and a synchronous hypofisiary lesion. We carried out an exhaustive staging workout determining that the infratentorial lesion was a hypofisiary adenoma. She underwent induction chemo-radiotherapy and posterior surgery. A complete resection was possible with prolonged survival and minimal functional disability. We present the evolution in management of Pancoast tumors and our approach to patients with suspicious metastases in potentially resectable tumors.

Soluble mesothelin-related protein for malignant pleural mesothelioma screening Introduction: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumor of the mesothelial cells related to asbestos exposure. This malignancy is extremely aggressive, with poor response to different treatment modalities, and it has a mean survival of 8 months since diagnosis. With the introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents and trimodality protocols, five-year survival of 40% in initial stages has been reported. Serum detection of Soluble Mesothelin-related Protein (SMRP) could be used for screening of MPM. Using the MESOMARK® test, 53% of MPM patients had levels greater than 1,5 nM, while 99% of control patients had lower concentrations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of this test in Chile and determine its utility for screening of MPM. Methods: Quantitative blind measurement of serum SMRP by MESOMARK® test. We studied 3 groups: 8 workers exposed to asbestos, 5 patients with diagnosed MPM and 14 age matched workers without known exposure to asbestos. Participants were informed of the study. Results: Mean ± standard deviation SMRP levels in the control group was 0,53 ± 0,4 nM, 0,89 ± 0,46 nM in patients exposed to asbestos and 10,68 ± 10,28 nM in MPM patients. Differences between the groups were statistically significant (p = 0,02). In the MPM group, 3 patients were found to have SMRP levels greater than 1,5 nM (17,27 nM; SD 6,95) and 2 patients normal values (0,79 nM; SD 0,32). Using a cutoff value of 1,5 nM, sensitivity of the test was 60% and specificity was 100%. Conclusions: Detection of SMRP levels allowed to identify patients with MPM, three of whom had very high concentrations. The sensitivity and specificity found is similar to that previously reported. If our results are confirmed in greater studies, SMRP detection could be used for screening of MPM.