A consensus optimal therapy for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung has not been achieved since this entity was proposed in 1991. Accumulation of clinical data and investigation, however, can be greatly impeded by erroneous cytological diagnosis, based on which treatment may be initiated. To avoid erroneous diagnoses, cytological criteria need to be defined. Twenty cases of fine-needle aspiration specimens with a diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor by either cytology or follow-up histology were retrospectively reviewed for cytomorphologic features. Patients' clinical data were also reviewed. Three cytomorphologic patterns were identified for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, i.e., nonsmall-cell-like, small-cell-like and, mixed nonsmall-cell-small-cell-like. Small-cell-like large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma can be mistaken for small-cell carcinoma. The most important differential features between these two entities are nuclear size and perceptibility of nucleoli of tumor cells.

Adult brachial plexus root avulsion can cause serious damage to nerve tissue and impair axonal regeneration, making the recovery of nerve function difficult. Nogo-A extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) promote axonal regeneration by inhibiting the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1), and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) hydrogel can be used to fill in tissue defects and concurrently function to sustain the release of NEP1-40. In this study, we established an adult rat model of brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury and conducted nerve root replantation. PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel combined with NEP1-40 was used to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery in this rat model. Our results demonstrated that functional recovery was enhanced, and the survival rate of spinal anterior horn motoneurons was higher in rats that received a combination of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel and NEP1-40 than in those receiving other treatments. The combined therapy also significantly increased the number of fluorescent retrogradely labeled neurons, muscle fiber diameter, and motor endplate area of the biceps brachii. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the effects of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel combined with NEP1-40 are superior to those of other therapies used to treat brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury. Therefore, future studies should investigate the potential of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel as a primary treatment for brachial plexus root avulsion.

Background: Glomus Tumors (GTs) usually occur in young women, most frequently under the nail. Combined with the relevant medical history and unique signs, a preliminary diagnosis can be made, with confirmation by pathological examination. A few cases are seen outside the nail, generally located in the fingers, toes, and beyond the hands and feet, but these are rare. Extra-nail GT is often misdiagnosed and mistreated because of atypical symptoms or “pain point migration.” Simultaneously, GT often relapses within a short period due to partial resection, which causes great pain and is a serious economic burden to patients. Case presentation: Here in, we report a painful subcutaneous mass on the knee of an elderly man, 63 years old, Han nationality. It was resected 10 years prior and recurred more than 8 years after the operation. The pain was very difficult for the patient to endure. Thus, surgical resection was performed, and the scope of resection was expanded during the operation. There was no recurrence at the 3-year follow-up. Accordingly, we propose a new view on the scope of surgical resection. Conclusion: Generally, GTs should be considered first for local pain in the non-subnail region with constant location, particularly severe pain with tenderness on compression. Complete resection is the key to reducing recurrence. Since the recurrence period can be several years, thorough long-term follow-up should be implemented post-resection.