Background. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a recently recognized histologic entity whose clinical features and optimal treatment have not yet been well defined and are still being assessed. We report our retrospective assessment of cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma observed from 1989 to 1999 in terms of survival.Methods. Cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosed between 1989 and 1999 were reassessed retrospectively according to the World Health Organization classification. The clinical outcome and pathologic features of all cases are described. Survival rates of patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma are compared with those patients with small cell lung cancer treated in the same period.Results. Patients were 41 men and 7 women with an average age of 63.7 years. Twenty-nine patients (60.4%) had pathologic stage I disease, 11 patients (22.9%) had

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Preoperative computed tomography hook-wire localization is a suitable strategy for peripheral nodules < or = 1 cm in diameter.

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Background: Penetrating chest injuries account for 1-13% of thoracic trauma hospital admissions and most of these are managed with a conservative approach. Nevertheless, 18-30% of cases managed only with tube thoracostomy have residual clotted blood, considered the major risk factor for the development of fibrothorax and empyema. In addition, 4-23% of chest injury patients present persistent pneumothorax and 15-59% present an injury to the diaphragm, which is missed in 30% of cases. In order to make a correct diagnosis, reduce the number of missed injuries, chronic sequelae and late mortality we propose performing surgical exploration of all patients with a penetrating injury of the pleural cavity.