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Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization and disability among lung diseases. Its chronic, progressive nature and acute exacerbations influence the quality and expectancy of life of COPD patients. The pulmonary rehabilitation is a basic non-pharmacological intervention in COPD and its role is increasing in recent years. The goal of this work was to evaluate the impact on quality of life patients undergoing 3 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program., Material and Methods: 132 patients with COPD were admitted to pulmonary rehabilitation program; 70 completed the 3 weeks long program. Pulmonary function tests, exercise endurance, quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) were measured at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months., Results: There was significant improvement in quality of life in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and exercise endurance (treadmill) measured at 3 weeks and at 3 months. Parameters of lung function tests did not improved after completion of rehabilitation., Conclusions: 3 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program of patients with COPD was effective in improving exercise endurance and the quality of life. The improvement was noted as well at 3 months post rehabilitation.

Tetany, which occurs in young women, poses common diagnostic problem. Two types of tetany are distinguished: one which is characterized by hypocalcemia and which rarely occurs (in person after strumectomy in the course of post-operational hypoparathyroidism) and latent one, which occurs more often. In the literature there is a lack of precise data concerned witch most probably results from its underestimation. Clinical symptoms which appear in latent tetany (normocalcemic) are related to the intracellular magnesium deficiency and increased respiratory drive. A noncharacteristic clinical picture and the lack of a pathognomonic symptom, cause that despite of the fearly common occurrence, the latent tetany is rarely recognized. In this paper the case of a 53 year old women has been described. The women had the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux of asthma and depressive syndrome, witch masked the symptoms of the latent tetany.

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Noncharacteristic clinical signs, radiological features and similarity to other neoplasma (adenocarcinoma) in a microscopical evaluation lead to often diagnostic problems. Thoracoscopy followed by biopsy is routinely performed and is considered a main diagnostic procedure. Microscopic samples are usually examined by immunohistochemical analysis. In this report, presented is a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma, in which final diagnosis was delayed because of difficulties in diagnosis based on thoracoscopic biopsy.