Management of tracheal chondrosarcoma almost completely obstructing the airway: a case report

Checklist and flow diagram. (DOC 2887 kb

Videothoracoscopy in Pleural Empyema Following Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Our study shows the different therapeutic procedures in 64 patients with pleural effusion due to MRSA pneumonia. The thoracostomy tube associated with pleural washing was decisive in 10 simple effusion patients. Video-assisted thoracic surgery allowed a complete resolution of the disease in 22 complex parapneumonic effusion patients. In 20 of 32 patients with frank pus in the pleural cavity, the videothoracoscopic insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2) before thoracotomy facilitated the dissection of the lung tissue. In 12 patients, this approach was not applied because of cardiac insufficiency. Videothoracoscopy and decortication after thoracotomy ensured the recovery of functions

Preoperative function evaluation of the major lung resection: muscle-sparing axillary mini-thoracotomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Background: In surgically fit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, pulmonary lobectomy still represents the standard of care. In recent years, the development of minimally invasive video-assisted techniques has reduced perioperative surgical stress, including patients previously thought to be unfit for surgery. Methods: We carried out a review of literature in order to evaluate the role of the preoperative parameters in functionally compromised patients and the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) compared to the “muscle sparing” axillary mini-thoracotomy in major lung resections. Results: Of 99 analyzed papers, we considered the 24 most significant, according to the preoperative functional status evaluation and, especially cardiac and respiratory reserve. Conclusions: In patients with a reduced cardio-respiratory function undergoing pulmonary resection, VATS guarantees results superimposable to mini-thoracotomy and represents a valid alternative to be taken into consideration

Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Management of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule: A Review

Solitary pulmonary nodules are common radiologic findings and their detection has increased due to the introduction and improvement of diagnostics. Since a nodule can be an expression of early lung cancers, a proper classification and management are required because its treatment might lead to decreased morbidity and mortality. In this regard, prominent guidelines are available although they are characterized sometimes by discordant and misleading evidences. Furthermore, the same results of studies in the literature appear conflicting. Aim of this work is to evaluate the role of imaging through an extensive literature review but focusing on (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in order to assess the limits and future perspectives of SPN characterization in early detection of lung cancer

Basic statistics with Microsoft Excel: A review

The scientific world is enriched daily with new knowledge, due to new technologies and continuous discoveries. The mathematical functions explain the statistical concepts particularly those of mean, median and mode along with those of frequency and frequency distribution associated to histograms and graphical representations, determining elaborative processes on the basis of the spreadsheet operations. The aim of the study is to highlight the mathematical basis of statistical models that regulate the operation of spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel