Surgical correction of congenital vascular anomaly of left lung, anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of left lower lobe (PALLADA): a report of eight cases.

Eight cases of PALLADA were found. Preoperative diagnosis and hemodynamic confirmation were made in all cases except the first case. Surgical correction by anastomosing the abnormal artery to the existing pulmonary is recommended. Lobectomy or division of anomalous shunt is also a choice of treatment in some cases. No operative complications occurred.

Survival analysis of Thai patients with non-small-cell lung cancer undergoing surgical resection.

This study examined the survival duration among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing surgical resection from January 1988 to December 1992 at the Central Chest Hospital, Thailand. Patients were followed-up until death or survival as of September 1997. Survival durations for different stages were analysed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log rank test. A total of 127 patients with histologically proved NSCLC underwent 79 lobectomies, 9 bilobectomies, 39 pneumonectomies during 1988-1992. The mean age was 60 years (SD 10.4). There were 103 males and 24 females. Percentage of histologic types were: 59 per cent adenoCA, 35 per cent squamous cell CA, and 6 per cent large cellCA. Survival analysis was feasible in 88 patients, 38 alive and 50 deaths. 1-yr, 2-yr, and 5-yr survival were as following: 85 per cent, 78 per cent, and 60 per cent in stage 1 (n = 47); 70 per cent, 50 per cent, and 30 per cent in stage 2 (n = 12); and 54 per cent, 23 per cent, and 15 per cent in stage 3a (n = 29) [log rank 19.06, df 2, p = 0.0001]. Based on the present study, the survival outcome in patients with lung cancer beyond stage 1 is uniformly poor. Measures should be made to diagnose early stage disease and expedite surgery in order that a better survival outcome can be achieved.

Percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy of localized lung lesions under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance.

Diagnostic percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance was performed in 195 patients with peripheral lung lesions. Final diagnosis was confirmed in 178 cases. These consisted of 150 cases of malignant and 28 cases of non-malignant lung lesions. Most cases of the latter belonged to the infectious group. Sensitivity of TNAB in the diagnosis of malignancy and lung infections were 92.0 per cent and 62.5 per cent respectively. Needles with different sizes were used and the needle number 18G was found to obtain both cytological and histological samples and showed the highest sensitivity. Among cases that TNAB provided both types of samples, histology alone showed higher sensitivity in diagnosis than cytology alone. However, by cytological examination, malignant tumors could be interpreted for definite cell type in more cases than by histology. To reach the highest diagnostic yield, the results of both samples should be combined. We also found that the aspirated samples with solid or semisolid features were more diagnostic than those with other features. Pneumothorax, the most common complication of the TNAB procedure, was found in only 2.0 per cent of our series.

Intrapulmonary teratoma: a report of three cases.

Three cases of intrapulmonary teratoma are described. A specific symptom of trichoptysis occurred in two patients. The other presented with only recurrent hemoptysis. All were treated by lobectomy of the affected lung. Pathologic examination in each specimen showed that the tumor had a cystic portion which was connected to the bronchial system and contained sebaceous material and pieces of hair. The solid portion consisted of tissues representing all three germ cell layers. The pathologic findings correlated well with the clinical symptoms and radiologic findings in the patients.

Video thoracoscopic lung biopsy in diffuse interstitial lung diseases.

The present study examined the use of video thoracoscopic lung biopsy (VTLB) in diffuse interstitial lung disease, in comparison with open lung biopsy (OLB). Twenty and fifteen patients underwent VTLB and OLB, respectively, from 1987 to 1997 at the Central Chest Hospital, Thailand. Data in mean (SD). The mean age was 39 years in both groups. VTLB yielded equivalent size of lung tissues, 4.7 (2.32) cm3, and was as diagnostically useful as OLB. Estimated blood loss, 60 (37) mls, and length of pleural drainage, 2.8 (0.5) days, were comparable in either technique. As OLB had been in practice for decades, it took shorter operative time, 64 (11) mins, than VTLB, 105 (30) mins, (p = 0.005). Both VTLB and OLB approaches were safe and not associated with major postoperative complications.

Medline CD-ROM title extracter.

We develop a computer program which extracts and displays all TITLES form MEDLINE CD-ROM preselected data. This method is helpful for rapid screening large amount of preselected data. The procedure is very simple and responses promptly.

Pulmonary hydatid cyst in Thai: A report of first case.

The first case of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst at the Central Chest Hospital was recently found in a Thai male presenting with haemoptysis. His chest x-ray revealed a round mass (2.5x3.5 cm) with distinct border at the anterior segment of the left upper lobe. The diagnosis of lung cyst was made by ultrasonography. Examination of aspirated cyst fluid revealed Echinococcus granulosus parasite. Left thoracotomy was performed to remove the cyst; there was no post-operative complication.