Residual Air Research Articles

Mass Effect in the Thoracic Spine from Remnant Bone Wax: An MR Imaging Pitfall

Bone wax used in neurosurgical procedures is a rare cause of complications after surgery. We present a patient who developed paraplegia following thoracic spine surgery. A subsequent MR imaging study demonstrated a signal void that resembled postoperative air but appeared to cause cord compression and proved after a second surgery to represent bone wax. Recognizing the MR imaging and CT characteristics of bone wax is important to prevent mistaking it for residual air in postoperative imaging.

Continuous tubular flow reactor for XAFS studies of organometallic reactions: Possibilities and limitations for studies of the Soai reaction

A computer-controlled continuous tubular flow reactor system has been commissioned that permits time-resolved in situ XAFS measurements of organometallic reactions. The system was commissioned by Zn K-edge measurements of products formed during the Soai reaction. XANES data are shown that illustrate the quality of the data that can be achieved. The XANES spectra are compatible with the presence of dimer, trimer or other oligomeric alkoxide species in the Soai process. It is shown how heterogeneity in the Soai reaction system leads to considerable complications with the measurements due to the formation of floating particles of the aldehyde/iPr2Zn adduct formed in the reaction; additionally, decomposition of iPr2Zn with residual air and moisture leads to deposits on cell walls.

Application of the Invasion Percolation Model to Water-Gas Flows in Artificial Soils with Plants

A modification of the invasion percolation model with trapping is proposed by introduction of special extraction sites on the lattice with given concentration. It is studied as an idealised model of the forced quasi-static water invasion in artificial hydrophobic soils with plants at reduced gravity. The special sites model effectively the presence of plants in the porous media. These special sites, when invaded by the water, can block with certain probability (called extraction probability) the further spreading of the water to neighbour sites in the network. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we study how the presence of the extraction sites modifies the amount of the residual air (or, respectively, the amount of the water) on the lattice and its distribution. We also study how the spreading process itself is affected, i.e. we study the influence of the concentration of special sites and the extraction probability on the rate at which the water invades the medium. Our results show that for the finite systems considered, the presence of the extraction sites leads to an increase of the water fraction on the lattice at low concentrations but further increase of the concentration, as expected, eventually blocks the spreading process. The phase diagram of the model system in the (concentration /extraction probability) plane is obtained.

A new de-airing technique that reduces systemic microemboli during open surgery: A prospective controlled study

We have evaluated a new technique of cardiac de-airing that is aimed at a) minimizing air from entering into the pulmonary veins by opening both pleurae and allowing lungs to collapse and b) flushing out residual air from the lungs by staged cardiac filling and lung ventilation. These air emboli are usually trapped in the pulmonary veins and may lead to ventricular dysfunction, life-threatening arrhythmias, and transient or permanent neurologic deficits. Twenty patients undergoing elective true left open surgery were prospectively and alternately enrolled in the study to the conventional de-airing technique (pleural cavities unopened, dead space ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass [control group]) and the new de-airing technique (pleural cavities open, ventilator disconnected during cardiopulmonary bypass, staged perfusion, and ventilation of lungs during de-airing [study group]). Transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler continually monitored the air emboli during the de-airing period and for 10 minutes after termination of the cardiopulmonary bypass. The amount of air embolism as observed on echocardiography and the number of microembolic signals as recorded by transcranial Doppler were significantly less in the study group during the de-airing time (P < .001) and the first 10 minutes after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (P < .001). Further, the de-airing time was significantly shorter in the study group (10 vs 17 minutes, P < .001). The de-airing technique evaluated in this study is simple, reproducible, controlled, safe, and effective. Moreover, it is cost-effective because the de-airing time is short and no extra expenses are involved.

Revision surgery for chronic otitis media: Characteristics and outcomes in comparison with primary surgery

Objectives To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of revision surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma, and to compare with those of primary surgery. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 208 patients who underwent revision surgery for COM over an 8-year period (1997–2004) and 51 patients who underwent a primary canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM), and were followed for more than 12 months. Results Recurrent or residual cholesteatoma was found in 49.5% of cases. The mastoid tip and perisinal air cells were the most frequent sites of residual air cells. As a result of revision surgery, a dry and safe ear was achieved in 88.5% of patients. A residual air–bone gap (ABG) of ≤30 dB was achieved in 70.1% of cases with a revision CWDM with ossiculoplasty. In comparison with 51 patients who underwent primary CWDM, the disease control rate was not different. However, postoperative hearing result after ossiculoplasty was worse and longer healing time was required after revision surgery. Conclusion The characteristics and surgical outcome of recurrent COM must be fully understood for complete control of the disease.

Usefulness of Bowel Preparation Using Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Lavage Solution Three Hours Before Capsule Endoscopy

Background: In some cases observation of target sites is very poor because of residual substances, and so on, at the time of capsule endoscopy(CE). However, the usefulness of a bowel preparation method has not been established to date. Herein, we examined the usefulness of a preparation comprised of polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution (PEG) at the time of CE. Patients: The subjects were 40 patients (25 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 17 - 84 years), in whom CE was performed during the period from September 2005 to September 2007 at our institution. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized and controlled study. CE was performed following a 12-hour fast. The patients were randomized into two groups. The first 20 patients (Group A) received no preparation and the other 20 patients (Group B) received 1L of PEG with 200 mg of dimethylpolysiloxane three hours before CE. Four investigators, blinded as to which group received the preparation, independently evaluated the CE images. As the method of evaluation, the small intestine observation time was divided into two parts: the first half and the second half. Next, a four-step evaluation (4: Excellent to 1: Poor) was performed for items pertaining to residual substances and air bubbles in the first and second observation periods. Moreover, this four-step evaluation procedure was also performed for the overall effect of the preparation. The usefulness of the preparation was compared between the two groups to detect any statistically significant differences. Results: There were no significant differences in patient background factors between the two groups. The results for the first half of the observation period were as follows: residual substances (Group A; median 3.13 [IQR 0.88] vs Group B; 3.50 [0.50]; (P=0.14)) and air bubbles (Group A; 3.25 [1.25] vs Group B; 3.75 [0.50]; (P=0.0038)). In the second half of the observation period, the following results were obtained: residual substances (Group A; 2.38 [1.25] vs Group B; 3.00 [0.75]; (P=0.0087)) and air bubbles (Group A; 2.88 [0.88] vs Group B; 3.50 [0.75]; (P=0.0011)). The overall effects of the preparation showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (Group A; 2.50 [1.00] vs Group B; 3.50 [0.63]; (P=0.0003)). Conclusions: Bowel preparation using 1L of PEG with 200 mg of dimethylpolysiloxane three hours before CE significantly improved residual substances and air bubbles, and can therefore be regarded as useful.

Filling the Gaps for Indoor Wayfinding

Orientation and wayfinding are critical skills for successful mobility of people with visual impairments. The inability to perform these skills successfully may result in a person becoming lost, injured, and discouraged from further mobility. At times, it may be impossible to maintain orientation. The person may temporarily travel without cues until it is possible to reestablish the location on his or her internal cognitive map. One method of improving mobility is to develop assistive technology that fills in the when available orientation cues are lacking and that intelligently augments the senses by providing relevant value-added information. Relevance is key to this issue. Any provision of nonrelevant information makes the task more difficult and is perceived by the traveler as requiring excess effort and time. When orienting to a travelers use a combination of cues, including those provided by residual vision, sounds, smells, temperature sensations, air movement, and proprioceptive-haptic sensations. Most travelers have some residual vision, and although that vision may be only the perception of light and dark, it can be useful for finding cues that are not perceptible with the other senses. Viewing the interactions that travelers who are visually impaired have with the environment and then augmenting that information could hypothetically help fill gaps in information for them. Augmenting either orientation information or wayfinding success should reduce the travelers' time and effort. USING CYBER CRUMBS TO FILL THE GAPS We conducted a pilot study that examined specific methods of augmenting orientation information. The purpose was to determine the types of information that travelers desire and how that information may be best controlled, selected, and presented dynamically, according to individual preferences. To perform this research, we developed and evaluated an indoor technological infrastructure called Crumbs. Using a sticky backing, these Cyber Crumbs are placed at any location where a particular crumb of information may be useful. Each Cyber Crumb transmits up to 128 characters of programmable text using Infra-Red Digital Association coding. An electronic badge worn by the person (see Figure 1) receives this information over a distance of approximately 12 feet. A speech synthesizer in the badge converts received text to verbal messages. The badge also contains two buttons: a Mute button and a Repeat button. Any undesired information can be quickly muted, while information of interest can be repeated if it is not understood. No other interface functionality was implemented in this initial prototype, because the intent was to have the participants provide the essential information needed for further refinements of the design. METHOD Testing protocols Of the 15 participants, 10 were visually impaired (were blind or had low vision) and 5 were sighted. The 5 sighted persons were included to establish a frame of reference for the difficulty of performing the task. A mobility instructor established two comparable test routes (A and B), each 340 feet long, starting at an elevator, taking 9 turns through an unfamiliar area of the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and ending at a specific office. Along each the participants passed a set of restrooms where they were asked to identify (touch) the door matching their gender. One route acted as a route, and one acted as a route. Before a participant traveled a baseline the mobility instructor described the route and answered any questions the participant may have had. Before a participant traveled a prototype the mobility instructor spent 10 minutes teaching the participant how to use the device. The 5 sighted participants did not use Cyber Crumbs; they traveled both routes using visual signage to find their way. To reduce learning effects and the effect of differences in routes across the participants, we randomly selected Routes A and B as either baseline or prototype routes and further randomly selected the routes to be either the first or second route that was traveled. …

Intraoperative ultrasonographic localization of pulmonary ground-glass opacities

Ground-glass opacities are typically difficult to inspect and to palpate during video-assisted thoracic surgery. We therefore examined whether ultrasonographic assessments could localize ground-glass opacities and help to achieve adequate resection margins. An intraoperative ultrasonographic procedure was prospectively performed on 44 patients harboring ground-glass opacities of less than 20 mm in diameter to localize these lesions and to achieve adequate margins. We also examined whether there were any complications resulting from the intraoperative ultrasonogram, such as lung injury, heart injury, or arrhythmia. We excluded patients with both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from this study inasmuch as the intraoperative ultrasonographic procedure is more difficult to interpret when residual air is present in the lung. A total of 53 ground-glass opacities were successfully identified by intraoperative ultrasonography without any complications. Of the 20 mixed ground-glass opacities that we examined, 15 were found on palpation. However, only 4 (12.1%) of the 33 pure ground-glass opacities could be palpated. In all instances in which complete collapse of the lung was achieved (30/53 of these cases), high-quality echo images were obtained. Additionally, a strong correlation was found between the resection margins measured by ultrasonogram and the margins determined by histologic examination in the resected lung specimens (r(2) = 0.954, P < .001). Intraoperative ultrasonography can both safely and effectively localize pulmonary ground-glass opacities in a completely deflated lung. This procedure is also useful for the evaluation of surgical margins in a resected lung. Hence, ultrasonography may assist surgeons to perform minimally invasive lung resections with clear surgical margins during the treatment of solitary lung ground-glass opacity.

A new technique to reduce residual air emboli in open left cardiac surgery

Residual air emboli, as seen on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) analysis after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for true open left cardiac surgery, might lead to ventricular dysfunction, life-threatening arrhythmias, and transient or permanent neurologic deficits. These residual air emboli can show on TEE analysis for as long as 28 minutes after the termination of CPB. We report here an original technique of cardiac deairing that is aimed at reducing residual air emboli by (1) minimizing air from entering into the pulmonary veins and (2) flushing out residual air from the lungs, even at low right cardiac output.

Successful Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Neonatal Foal

Successful Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Neonatal Foal

Probing Luminescence from Conical Bubble Collapse

ABSTRACTA summary of experimental findings on the luminescence from conical bubble collapse, CBL is presented. Spatial, temporal, and spectral features of luminescence were investigated. In the experimental runs, two inert gases (Ar, Xe) and 1,2-Propanediol, PD, as work liquid were used. Single and multiple light emission events were recorded. Results show that there is a spectral evolution inside each pulse and through the whole experimental sequence. The average spectra consist of a broad continuum background, on which line emissions of OH°, CN, Na+, K+, and Swan lines are superimposed. An increase in continuum intensity from 300 to 860 nm was observed. The molecular and atomic lines as well as the continuum emission arise from different chemical pathways that take place during the bubble compression. Pathways come from the degradation of the liquid due to the repetition of the compression process, resulting in changes of the thermo-chemical conditions inside the cavity, such that each collapse was different. This becomes evident, by using low gas pressures, in which the luminescence was spatially and temporally non uniform. On the other hand if Xe instead of Ar is used the intensity of the luminescence increased one order of magnitude. These findings indicate that several components are presents in the bubble, besides the residual air and inert gas, vapor and liquid droplets, and within the latest water vapor, inert gas and alkali solutions are dissolved.

Aluminum toxicity and ecological risk assessment of dried alum residual into surface water disposalA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.

This paper presented a simplified ecological risk assessment of the toxicity of alum residuals from water treatment plants to surface water that is based on the framework recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Though few studies have investigated the potential for increased aluminum toxicity with discharge of alum residual streams to the aquatic environment, none have explored the use of ecological risk assessment methodologies to gain additional insight into the potential risk. This systematic approach has been used to elucidate the process of aluminum toxicity from oven-dried alum residuals on aquatic habitats. A laboratory experiment was performed to assess the leaching of dried alum residuals to five lake water samples. The tests were also done to evaluate the effect of pH levels (4, 5.5, and 7) and drying mechanism of alum residual (oven, air or freeze–thaw). Total inorganic aluminum leaching from laboratory analysis was used along with toxicity reference values to determine a risk quotient (RQ) for assessment of risk. Results revealed that alum residuals in surface water could reduce aluminum concentration or potential risk (RQ) for fish in some lake waters at natural pH levels. Surface water pH and drying mechanism of alum residuals did not have considerable effect on leachability of aluminum. Lake waters with and without the addition of alum residual showed a potential risk for chronic sub-lethal toxicity for trout species. Both chronic and acute lethal toxicity was observed in some tests depending on the initial aluminum concentrations in the lake water. A detailed review of toxicological effects of aluminum, its exposure and bioaccumulation was studied for appropriate risk assessment.

A Terrella Device for Simulating Aurora-Like Phenomena in a Box

A Terrella device was developed and setup in Trieste in 2006 to be used as an experimental training device during practicum sessions of the Advanced International School on Space Weather at ICTP. The Terrella consisted of a vacuum chamber, where an aluminum sphere with an embedded permanent magnet bar mimics the Earth (Terrella) and its magnetic field, and a system of electrodes is set to a high potential difference to generate an electron flow (particle wind) that ionizes the residual air around the sphere. This results in aurora-like glowing patterns whose geometry is dependent on the orientation and distance of the bar magnet, so that various configurations can be experimented. This Terrella device proved to be an effective tool not only for academic but also for outreach purposes. We will briefly present both applications, focusing in particular on the latter, and on the planned use for IHY EPO activities.

The self-heating effect in the process of KMnO4 decomposition in vacuum

It has been shown that the exothermic decomposition of KMnO4 in vacuum is accompanied by a significant self-heating effect. It manifests itself in the reduction of the molar enthalpy of the reaction, determined by the third-law method. In comparison with the value 138.3±0.6 kJ mol−1 that is valid for the decomposition of KMnO4 under atmospheric pressure at 493–553 K, the molar enthalpy in vacuum (10−4-10−7 bar) at 484–511 K varies in the range of 136 to 126 kJ mol−1. This is related to the reduction of the thermal conductivity of residual air in the furnace and, as a result, to the self-heating of the reactant, that accelerates the exothermic reaction. A simple method of evaluation of the self-heating effect has been developed. By analogy with the known method for evaluation of the self-cooling effect, it is based on the determination of the molar enthalpy by the third-law method at two different temperatures. The increase of sample temperature above the furnace temperature Tf in the case of the exothermic decomposition of KMnO4 in a high vacuum and Tf≥490 K reaches a few tens of degrees.

Surface and boundary layer exchanges of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and ozone during the GABRIEL campaign

Abstract. We present an evaluation of sources, sinks and turbulent transport of nitrogen oxides, ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the boundary layer over French Guyana and Suriname during the October 2005 GABRIEL campaign by simulating observations with a single-column chemistry and climate model (SCM) along a zonal transect. Simulated concentrations of O3 and NO as well as NO2 photolysis rates over the forest agree well with observations when a small soil-biogenic NO emission flux was applied. This suggests that the photochemical conditions observed during GABRIEL reflect a pristine tropical low-NOx regime. The SCM uses a compensation point approach to simulate nocturnal deposition and daytime emissions of acetone and methanol and produces daytime boundary layer mixing ratios in reasonable agreement with observations. The area average isoprene emission flux, inferred from the observed isoprene mixing ratios and boundary layer height, is about half the flux simulated with commonly applied emission algorithms. The SCM nevertheless simulates too high isoprene mixing ratios, whereas hydroxyl concentrations are strongly underestimated compared to observations, which can at least partly explain the discrepancy. Furthermore, the model substantially overestimates the isoprene oxidation products methlyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and methacrolein (MACR) partly due to a simulated nocturnal increase due to isoprene oxidation. This increase is most prominent in the residual layer whereas in the nocturnal inversion layer we simulate a decrease in MVK and MACR mixing ratios, assuming efficient removal of MVK and MACR. Entrainment of residual layer air masses, which are enhanced in MVK and MACR and other isoprene oxidation products, into the growing boundary layer poses an additional sink for OH which is thus not available for isoprene oxidation. Based on these findings, we suggest pursuing measurements of the tropical residual layer chemistry with a focus on the nocturnal depletion of isoprene and its oxidation products.

Kinetics of water adsorption on loose grains of SWS-1L under isobaric stages of adsorption heat pumps: The effect of residual air

In this paper we studied the effect of a non-adsorbable gas (air) on kinetics of water adsorption on loose grains of the composite adsorbent SWS-1L (silica modified by calcium chloride) (grain size 0.8–0.9 and 1.4–1.6 mm). The adsorbent grains were placed on the surface of isothermal metal plate at T = 60 °C and equilibrated with the mixture of water vapor at P H 2O = 10.3 mbar and air at a certain partial pressure P A. After that the metal plate was subjected to a temperature drop down to 35 °C at almost constant pressure over the grains. Reduction of the adsorption rate was revealed even at the partial pressure of residual air P A as low as 0.06 mbar. At P A > 0.4 mbar the kinetic curves were near-exponential and the characteristic adsorption time τ did not depend on the grain size and increased as τ = τ 0 + AP A, where A = 700 ± 50 s/mbar. Desorption stage was less affected by the residual air. The specific cooling power generated during the isobaric adsorption stage was estimated as a function of the residual air pressure.

Clinically Important Factors Influencing the Diagnostic Measurement of Pleural Fluid pH and Glucose

Accurate pleural fluid pH and glucose measurement is a key component in the diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusion. Standardized methods of pleural fluid collection have not been defined. To assess the effect of common clinical factors that may distort measurement accuracy of pleural fluid pH and glucose. Ninety-two exudative pleural aspirates were collected in commercially available blood gas syringes. Samples were analyzed immediately using a blood gas analyzer. The effects of residual air, lidocaine, heparin, and delay in analysis (24 h) on pH and glucose measurement accuracy were assessed. Pleural fluid pH was significantly increased by residual air (mean +/- SD, 0.08 +/- 0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06 to 0.09; P < 0.001) and significantly decreased by residual lidocaine (0.2 ml; mean change in pH, -0.15 +/- 0.09; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.18; P < 0.001) and residual heparin (mean change in pH, -0.02 +/- 0.05; 95% CI, -0.01 to -0.04; P = 0.027). Pleural fluid pH was stable at room temperature for 1 hour and significantly increased at 4 (mean +/- SD, 0.03 +/- 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.04; P = 0.003) and 24 hours (0.05 +/- 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.08; P < 0.001). Pleural fluid glucose concentration was not clinically significantly altered by residual air, lidocaine (up to 0.4 ml), or 24-hour analysis delay. Accuracy of measured pleural pH is critically dependent on sample collection method. Residual air, lidocaine, and analysis delay significantly alter pH and may impact on clinical management. Pleural fluid glucose concentration is not significantly influenced by these factors. Protocols defining appropriate sampling and analysis methods are needed.

Residual apical space following surgery for pneumothorax increases the risk of recurrence

Residual air spaces on chest radiographs after pneumothorax surgery are not uncommon. We aimed to study their incidence and impact on surgical outcomes. Four hundred and twenty-seven patients [283 men and 144 women with a median age of 31 (14-96) years] underwent surgery for pneumothorax from 1995 to 2005 in a single unit. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was used in 225 cases (53%). Outcomes were: duration of intercostal drainage and hospital stay, recurrence, re-operation and referral to chronic pain clinic. Median duration of intercostal drainage and hospital stay were 5 and 6 days, respectively. We found a recurrence rate of 6.6% (n=28), re-operation rate of 2.8% (n=12) and need for referral to pain clinic of 7% (n=30). In 129 patients (30%) a small residual apical space (RAS) was reported on chest radiograph prior to discharge. Hospital stay and duration of drainage were longer in these cases (p=0.002 and 0.02, respectively). On multivariate analysis RAS on chest radiograph was associated with increased risk of recurrence [hazard ratio 3.1 (1.4-6.8 95% CI)] (p=0.005); but no need for re-operation or referral to pain clinic. Re-operation was associated with VATS surgery (p=0.001) and when no abnormalities were identified at operation (p=0.04). Referral to pain clinic was more common after open surgery (p=0.01). The risk of recurrence after pneumothorax surgery is low. But the presence of a residual apical space on chest radiography after surgery increases it significantly. Recurrence may be due to the failure to achieve early pleural symphysis.

Unified saturation and micro-macro voids method in Liquid Composite Molding

The topic of this paper concerns void defects. We introduce a model to describe the macroscopic resin flow considering the compression of residual air in the preform. A microscopic flow model is also developed to account for the microvoid formation due to the variation of resin velocity at the flow front. According to these mathematical models, a numerical simulation code was developed to perform a combined macro and micro flow analysis with the saturation of the medium. The results of these simulations are compared with experimental results obtained by the laboratory device. We present the real-time measurement of the void content evolutions during the injection, using an original sensor. Our technique is based on the electrical conductivity of the injected liquid. After the material and method presentation, some results obtained during injection are shown. The developed analysis technique and the numerical simulation code can be used for obtaining the optimal processing conditions and design parameters in manufacturing of composites by Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) processes.

The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on complications in patients undergoing surgical treatment for non small cell lung cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before resection is being the standard of care for stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer in many institutions. The risk of complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy after induction chemotherapy remain controversial. We reviewed our experience. From 1998 to 2003, 29 patients underwent pulmonary resection after induction chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Pneumonectomies were performed for 16 (55,2%) patients (2 right sleeve pneumonectomy and 1 pneumonectomy with wedge excision of tracheal carina), lobectomies for 11 (37,9%) patients (3 right upper sleeve lobectomy), segmentectomies for 1 (3,45%) patient and explorative thoracotomy for 1 (3,45%) patient. There were 3 (10,3%) postoperative deaths, all after right pneumonectomy; 2 caused by pneumonia of the left lung, 1 caused by pulmonary embolism in patient after rethoracotmy for hemothorax. The postoperative complications included pneumonia in 2 patients, postoperative bleeding in 2, hemothorax in 1, prolonged intubation in 1, vocal cord paralysis in 2, cardiac arrhythmia in 2, atelectasis in 1 and residual air space in 1, resulting in 41,4% morbidity. Most of complications occured after right pneumonectomy (45,5%). The mortality of patients who had received induction chemotherapy was higher than that of a comparative group of 1529 who underwent lung resection or only exploration without induction chemotherapy during the same period, and the difference was significant(10,3% vs 4,1%; p=0,01). Morbidity differences were not significant(p=0,94). Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2004, 72, 477:481