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The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of low-dose computer tomography as a screening tool for early stage lung cancer. The study was performed in 332 individuals aged 55-70 who were asymptomatic, who had not previously suffered from cancer, and who smoked at least ten packs of cigarettes a year. Baseline and repeated LD-CT scans were performed. Pulmonary nodules were classified according to the size and morphology, and the results were categorized as negative (no nodules observed), semi-positive (nodules of 4 mm or smaller in diameter) and positive (nodules 5 mm or larger). Based on the category of the patient, either a repeat low-dose CT, a bronchoscopy with or without a biopsy, or a PET-CT was performed. The baseline screening showed 59 positive results. Eighteen patients were hospitalized and underwent bronchoscopy and biopsy. One of these patients had Stage I non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and a lobectomy was performed. Three patients had Stage IV NSCLC and were referred for chemotherapy. We identified 103 semi-positive results. Only 25 of those patients had a repeat scan because of noncompliance. We observed no significant growth of diagnosed nodules in a semi-positive group. Low-dose CT can be used as a screening tool for early stage lung cancer. A high percentage of false-positive results are observed. There are difficulties in diagnosing nodules in patients with post-tuberculosis changes. A high rate of noncompliance was noticed.

SummaryBackground:Congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the pelvic area is uncommon in males.Case Report:The described case is of a giant lesion of this type that caused recurrent hemorrhaging in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. Preliminary diagnosis of vascular pathology was made on the basis of an endoscopic examination that revealed numerous pulsating protuberances of the rectal wall, in which blood flow was identified by means of transrectal ultrasonography. Complementing the diagnostics with a CT revealed a considerable extent of malformation, as well as its morphology and anatomical relations with the surrounding tissues.Results:Following a two-year follow-up period, the malformation did not progress or demonstrate any intensification of clinical symptoms, therefore the patient continues to undergo conservative treatment.

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Perforations of saphenous venous grafts during coronary angioplasty are rare and potentially lethal. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight this unusual complication and necessary treatment. A 76-year-old woman, 3 months after coronary artery bypass grafting (left internal mammary artery to left anterior descendant artery, saphenous vein graft to obtuse marginal, saphenous vein graft to right coronary artery), demonstrated typical signs of acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiogram revealed, inter alia, two critical lesions in saphenous vein graft to right coronary artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed with placement of two drug-eluting stents, complicated by a vessel rupture and heavy extravasation of contrast. A polyurethane-covered stent was then deployed and successfully sealed the vascular wall. In a computed tomography of the chest, a mediastinal haematoma near the heart base and right heart margin was found. Subsequently, this intrathoracic bleeding caused external impression on saphenous vein graft to right coronary artery, leading to near occlusion of the vessel with recurrence of chest pain and ST-segment elevation in inferior wall electrocardiogram leads. Immediate coronary angiography and drug-eluting stent implantation was performed. During, further, in-hospital follow-up, patient was free of chest pain; computed tomography scan performed after 10 days revealed regression of haematoma. Clinicians must remain alert to the potential of life-threatening complications associated with saphenous venous graft angioplasty, as their recognition is critical to institution of prompt, appropriate therapy.