Kwang Ho Choi

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of false‐positive supraclavicular lymph node (LN) detected on chest computed tomography (CT), using subsequent neck ultrasonography (US) and US‐guided tissue sampling. Methods Among 172 patients with suspected supraclavicular LNs identified on CT, 87 underwent neck US or US‐guided tissue sampling. Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the diagnostic performance of US and independent predictors of false‐positive LNs. Results Among 87 patients, 49 (56.3%) were pathologically confirmed as metastases, 26 (29.9%) were negative for malignancy, and 12 (13.8%) had pseudolesions or schwannomas. The diagnostic indices were as follows: sensitivity, 91.8%; specificity, 92.3%; PPV, 95.7%; NPV, 85.7%; and accuracy, 92.0% (AUC = 0.921; 95% CI: 0.832–0.970, p < 0.001). The false‐positive group had a higher mean age than the true‐positive group (mean age, 69.8 ± 9.2 vs. 63.9 ± 9.8, p = 0.003). Logistic regression analyses revealed that age ≥ 65 years was the only independent predictor of false‐positive LNs (OR = 4.391; 95% CI: 1.037–18.582; p = 0.044). Conclusion Subsequent US can be helpful for evaluating suspicious supraclavicular LNs detected on CT to establish appropriate management, especially in older patients.

Background To determine the effectiveness of ethanol (EtOH) washing on porcine pulmonary artery (PA) wall decellularization using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), we compared three different washing methods (phosphate‐buffered saline [PBS], pH 9 alkali, and EtOH washing). Methods Fresh porcine PA walls were decellularized using 0.5% SDS and 0.5% sodium deoxycholate (SDC). The decellularized tissues were rinsed using three different washing techniques. Histological, biochemical, and mechanical analyses were conducted. Implantation into the subcutaneous tissue of rats and patch implantation into the carotid artery of dogs were performed as preliminary in vivo studies. Results The decellularization protocol based on SDS and SDC effectively removed the cells. The major extracellular matrix (ECM) structures (collagen, elastic fiber, and glycosaminoglycan) were properly preserved with the 75% EtOH‐washing method. Significantly reduced residual SDS content was identified in EtOH‐washed tissues compared to that in the other methods. No significant difference in the mechanical strength test was observed between the washing methods, and the EtOH‐washing method showed better results in the metabolic activity test compared to the PBS‐washing method. In the rat study model, no acute rejection or massive calcification was observed. The in vivo preliminary canine study showed better cell repopulation in the EtOH‐washed group. Conclusion EtOH washing of SDS‐based decellularized porcine PA wall can reduce the residual SDS content and preserve ECM structures, especially the elastin content, and could also enhance cell repopulation after re‐implantation.