Raman spectral cytopathology for cancer diagnostic applications.

Raman spectroscopy can provide a rapid, label-free, nondestructive measurement of the chemical fingerprint of a sample and has shown potential for cancer screening and diagnosis. Here we report a protocol for Raman microspectroscopic analysis of different exfoliative cytology samples (cervical, oral and lung), covering sample preparation, spectral acquisition, preprocessing and data analysis. The protocol takes 2 h 20 min for sample preparation, measurement and data preprocessing and up to 8 h for a complete analysis.

Transoesophageal endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration (EUS-B-NA) for poorly accessible thoracic lesions: a case series.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has long been a common diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis of pulmonary pathologies. In the last decade, increased interest has been shown in its usage via the oesophagus for sampling lesions inaccessible via the airways. We describe three cases in which we used this modality to biopsy lesions not visualised via conventional EBUS and which would be too risky to be attempted via a CT-guided biopsy with a high likelihood of complications.

Management of gastro-bronchial fistula complicating a subtotal esophagectomy: a case report.

Background: The development of a fistula between the tracheobronchial tree and the gastric conduit post esophagectomy is a rare and often fatal complication.

Case Presentation: A 68 year old man underwent radical esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma. On postoperative day 14 the nasogastric drainage bag dramatically filled with air, without deterioration in respiratory function or progressive sepsis.

First reported case of endocarditis caused by Candida dubliniensis.

Candida dubliniensis is an uncommon cause of bloodstream infection. We describe the first reported case of endocarditis caused by C. dubliniensis and the use of a rapid and novel real-time PCR assay based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 variable region of the rRNA operon that was used to identify this organism.