Circulating Tumor Cells in Diagnosing Lung Cancer: Clinical and Morphologic Analysis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of circulating non-hematologic cells to differentiate benign from malignant lung lesions and their comparison with clinico-histologic features of corresponding primary lesions.

Methods: Circulating cells were isolated by size method from peripheral blood of 77 patients with malignant (n = 60) and benign (n = 17) lung lesions. They were morphologically classified as cells with malignant feature; cells with uncertain malignant feature; and cells with benign feature; then statistically correlated with clinico-cytopathologic characteristics of corresponding lung lesion.

A home-made animal model in comparison with a standard manikin for teaching percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Objectives: As airway management specialists, thoracic surgeons should be familiar with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. To optimize the learning curve, we propose a home-made pig model obtained from a slaughterhouse for training residents in the technical aspects of performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. The satisfaction of the residents' training experience using this model was compared with that using a standard manikin model.