[Differentiation of influenza (Flu) type A, type B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by QuickNavi™-Flu+RSV].

Because it is not easy to differentiate Influenza virus (Flu) from RS virus (RSV) just by clinical symptoms, to accurately diagnose those viruses in conjunction with patient's clinical symptoms, rapid diagnostic kits has been used separately for each of those viruses. In our new study, we have developed a new rapid diagnostic kit, QuickNavi™-Flu+RSV. The kit can detect Flu A, Flu B, and RSV antigens with a single sample collection and an assay.

[Video assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of catamenial pneumothorax].

Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was applied in 3 cases of pneumothorax combined with pathologic changes in the diaphragm (two cases of catamenial pneumothorax and one case of suspected catamenial pneumothorax). Case 1, 39-year-old woman, was preoperatively diagnosed as catamenial pneumothorax in the right lung. Thoracoscope was inserted through the 5th intercostal anterior axillary line and the lesion with the pathologic changes in the central tendon of the diaphragm was incised and sutured with Endo-GIA and Endo-STAPELAR.

[Concomitant cardiac and pulmonary operation, the profits of not using cardio-pulmonary bypass].

We performed off pump CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) and right upper lobectomy with R2a lymph nodes dissection on the patient suffered from both lung cancer in the right S1 and stenotic lesion in the left anterior descending artery. Because the coronary lesion was long-segmented one, it was not suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. To perform absolutely curative operation for the lung cancer, CABG was undergone simultaneously under off pump condition.

Changes in immune-endocrine response after surgery.

The authors evaluated the relationship between hormonal and cytokine responses after surgery. Patients who underwent thoracic oesophagectomy (O group; n = 7), pulmonary lobectomy (P group; n = 5), modified mastectomy (M group; n = 5) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group; n = 7), were randomly selected. Circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte numbers were assayed.

[A case of supramediastinal neurinoma: its operative approach (via supraclavicular route) and radiographic findings (target sign)].

A 76-year-old female with supramediastinal tumor was admitted. CT scan showed central high density area surrounded by low density area and MR imaging emphasized the same concentric circle. This concentric circle pattern on CT scan and MR imaging is called "Target sign", which is known as characteristic radiographic finding of neurinoma.