Combined mediastinal node assessment by lymphadenectomy and intraoperative mediastinoscopy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of combined mediastinal node assessment by lymphadenectomy and intraoperative mediastinoscopy to patients with left lung cancer. Forty-one patients with left lung cancer were divided into a group of 13 and a group of 28: in the first group, the aortic arch was mobilized, while in the second group the aortic arch was not mobilized. The mediastinal nodes of both groups were then dissected and mediastinoscopes were inserted into the operation field with an approach through thoracotomy to biopsy each mediastinal node.

Immediate localization using ultrasound-guided hookwire marking of peripheral lung tumors in the operating room.

A new method of marking peripheral lung tumors using an ultrasound-guided hookwire has been developed. The procedure was done for nine tumors taking 15-20 min for each method in the operating room; all of them had no complications. In eight cases (89%), the wire tips were shown to be located within the tumor itself or within 5 mm from the targets, close enough to support appropriate surgery.

Localization and changes of diamine oxidase during cardiopulmonary bypass in rabbits.

Background: We previously observed increased serum diamine oxidase activity during clinical cardiopulmonary bypass, indicating small intestinal mucosal ischemia followed by bacterial translocation.

Materials And Methods: In seven female rabbits undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for 1 h, we analyzed the localization of diamine oxidase immunohistochemically, and measured its activity in serum and abdominal organs before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Results: Preoperatively, diamine oxidase activity and immunoreactivity were high in the small intestine, localized to villus tips.

Arterial air embolism during percutaneous pulmonary marking under computed tomography guidance.

Percutaneous pulmonary marking under computed tomography (CT) guidance is often used to identify the location of small nodules prior to pulmonary wedge resection by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Although pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage are known complications that accompany this method, arterial air embolism is an extremely rare and occasionally fatal complication. We report a case of arterial air embolism during percutaneous pulmonary marking under CT guidance.

Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung associated with loss of heterozygosity of p53 gene.

We report a case with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung in a 70-year-old man. Pleomorphic carcinoma is characterized by a heterogenous composition that includes epithelial and mesechymal malignancies. In the present case, the tumor was composed of a mixture of unequivocal squamous cell carcinoma and spindle cell components resembling sarcomatous overgrowth.

Ischemia of the intestinal mucosa during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Bacterial translocation is believed to occur during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) because serum endotoxin concentrations rise. Intestinal ischemia during CPB, however, has never been proven directly. The condition of the intestinal mucosa during CPB was studied by measuring serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, an index of intestinal ischemia.