Endovascular treatment of a ruptured aneurysm of the inferior thyroid artery. Case report and literature review

Aneurysms of the inferior thyroid artery are rare. The natural course of these aneurysms seems to be unfavourable, why aneurysm exclusion is recommended in the literature. Open surgical repair is complex why endovascular exclusion seems to be an appealing alternative. We present a patient who developed dysphagia and respiratory distress caused by a ruptured aneurysm of the right inferior thyroid artery. Successful coil embolization of the aneurysm is described along with a review of the literature. Despite the very rare data of these aneurysms, all reported cases of endovascular treatment (n=3) showed favourable results, therefore aneurysm embolization seems to be a feasible and safe alternative to open surgery, especially in emergency cases.     

Is laparoscopic cholecystectomy more challenging in male patients?

Background  

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) seems to be more challenging in males than in females. The surgery seems to be longer in male patients. There also seems to be an increased rate of conversion to open surgery in male patients. We sought to objectively verify this widespread belief.     

Hepaticoportoappendicostomy

In one case of extrabiliary atresia, reconstruction of the biliary tract was performed by using the appendix. The child, who was 2 years old, is doing well without ascending cholangitis. This operation seems simple and satisfying because it seems to be more anatomic and more physiologic than the standard Kasai operation. Its efficacy in a large number of cases remains to be proven.     

Single photon emission computed tomography imaging in obsessive-compulsive disorder and for stereotactic bilateral anterior cingulotomy

In conclusion, the present study suggests that SPECT, using a sophisticated SPM analysis method, may be useful as a potential diagnostic tool for OCD and a possible predictor of treatment outcome for OCD patients undergoing bilateral anterior cingulotomy. The anterior cingulate gyrus seems to be an important structure in the pathogenesis of OCD symptoms. Furthermore, our operative technique of anterior cingulotomy, featuring a larger lesion, seems to be effective in ameliorating the symptoms of OCD without causing any serious complications.     

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of brain tumors

DTI seems to offer the possibility of adding important information to presurgical planning. Although experience is limited, DTI seems to provide useful local information about the structures near the tumor, and this seems to be useful in planning. In the future, DTI may provide an improved way to monitor intraoperative surgical procedures as well as their complications. Furthermore, evaluation of the response to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy might also be possible. Although DTI has some limitations, its active investigation and further study are clearly warranted.     

Giant colonic diverticula. Review of diagnostic and therapeutic options

BACKGROUND: A rare complication of diverticulosis of the colon is giant colonic diverticula (GCD). The condition was first described in English literature in 1953. METHODS: A Medline search was undertaken for English, French and German language articles on 'giant colonic diverticula'. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were identified, presenting with a total of 155 GCD. With a complication rate of 28% and an operative mortality of 5%, GCD seems to have a high clinical significance. Radiological examination of choice seems to be plain abdominal X-ray and CT examination, barium enema carries the risk of perforation of the diverticulum, and should not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: There are different therapeutic options, in our opinion diverticulectomy alone is not the treatment of choice. Because of the possibility of recurrence and oncological reasons, colectomy seems to be the best treatment. The creation of a protecting colostomy depends on other operative findings.     

Subpectoral-transaxillary method of breast augmentation in orientals

Many Oriental patients are very flat-chested and the scar at the site of prosthesis insertion tends to become conspicuous. The author has been using a method combining the transaxillary and subpectoral approaches since 1979 in 47 patients. There are still some problems in this method to be worked out, but the physical stature of the Japanese seems to be suited to this method. This seems to be the reason for the author's success in breast augmentation in Japanese patients. If the indications are evaluated properly, this combined method will be worthy and useful to Orientals in general.     

New aspects in Peyronie's disease--a mini-review

There have been several advances in elucidation of the pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease. Transforming growth factor beta 1 seems to play a major role in this disease, while the importance of penile trauma is a matter of debate. High-resolution ultrasound sonography is the method of choice in detecting penile plaques, while magnetic resonance imaging is useful in the evaluation of actively inflamed plaques. There are still differences of opinion on the best drug therapy in noncalcified plaques. The results on tamoxifen or interferon therapy vary between useless and useful. Potassium-para-aminobenzoate seems to have a significant effect in decreasing plaque size and deviation angle. The operative strategy for big plaques or complex deviation has changed to the 'small incision' graft, leading to far lower post-operative impotence rates. Iontophoresis seems to be worthy of further trials, while the results of extracorporal shock wave therapy have to be discussed critically.     

A cellular quantitative immune deficiency in chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis]

The specific cellular host defence in patients with chronic post-traumatic bone infection was analyzed in a prospective study. The study included 120 patients with chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis and 60 healthy volunteers. The number of CD-5, CD-4, CD-8, natural killer cells and the CD-4/CD-8 ratio were significantly decreased. The immunodeficiency seems to be trauma-induced and reinflammation seems to be due to other immunodeficient factors. The potential key role of a defect in cytokines is discussed.     

Notärzte im Umgang mit psychisch belastenden Einsatzsituationen

Reactions of 20 physicians to more than 260 situations of cardiopulmonary resuscitations were examined using a retrospective study of their emotions and communication pattern. Coping strategies of physician's vary: Young physicians show a pattern of emotional denial whilst being active in their resus-citation behaviour. More experienced doctors tend to deny less. Physicians with a history of recent loss seem to be reluctant to cope emotionally. Discussing the situation seems to improve coping behaviour. Active behaviour during the emergency seems to result in relieve for a short time, however, long term coping seems to be impaired. In our data we could identify variables which make coping more difficult to achieve. Amongst others these were age and experience of the physician, maritial status and a history of recent loss. Younger, less experienced physicians and those with recent losses seem to be in need of support. Suggestions to improve the situation of the emergency physician and the team are made with special regards to the time after the emergency and supervision.     

Recurrent dislocation of the hip prosthesis

Recurrent dislocation of a hip prothesis is a severe complication. For the patient it is debilitating both physically and mentally. In most such cases one or more revision operations are necessary. Reintervention is more likely to be successful if the cause and the mechanism of luxation are understood. Recurrent hip dislocation is often seen after insertion of socalled tumor prostheses, after the "southern" approach and in the case of fracture treatment. One helpful and secure method seems to be the conversion of a non-linked prosthesis to a linked prosthesis. For elderly patients the simplest method seems to be cementing the head of a bipolar hip prosthesis.     

Cardiac complications following hip fracture surgery

Hip fracture is a major health burden due to both its frequency and its deep impact on patient's outcome. The key issue of this poor outcome seems to be cardiac complications. The onset of these cardiac complications seems to appear early in the clinical course in the form of perioperative myocardial ischemia that are both preventable and treatable. Their clinical and electrocardiographic pattern is very poor and they can be thoroughly detected by only either a systematic electrocardiographic 12 lead monitoring or troponin dosage.     

Complications cardiovasculaires après chirurgie du col fémoral

Hip fracture is a major health burden due to both its frequency and its deep impact on patient's outcome. The key issue of this poor outcome seems to be cardiac complications. The onset of these cardiac complications seems to appear early in the clinical course in the form of perioperative myocardial ischemia that are both preventable and treatable. Their clinical and electrocardiographic pattern is very poor and they can be thoroughly detected by only either a systematic electrocardiographic 12 lead monitoring or troponin dosage.     

Renal cell carcinoma with venous invasion: therapy--prognosis]

Between 1966 and 1988 a total of 406 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was treated at our department. Among these 51 patients were found to have gross renal vein involvement, in 21 cases with extension into V. cava. In one case the tumor-thrombus has been reaching the level of the hepatic veins, in two cases the right atrium. MR and sonography, especially echocardiography, seems to be the best choice of diagnostics. Because of the advanced stage of disease only 21 patients were selected for operative treatment, in two cases under extracorporal circulation. Prognosis seems to be very poor, 11 patients (more than 50%) died within 2 years after diagnosis. But still the high risk and the great expense of tumor nephrectomy and thrombectomy in such cases, even with substitution of extracorporal circulation, seems to be justified by the actuarial 5-year survival rate of 20%.     

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate in prevention of thromboembolic phenomena in surgical patients.

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate appears to be a safe drug with no apparent hemorrhagic or other complications when used pre- and postoperatively in the manner described. With the criteria for thromboembolism of abnormal impedance plethysmography and confirmatory clinical signs, protection seems to have been afforded by hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Since these studies support prior extremely favorable results, further clinical trial with parenteral hydroxychloroquine sulfate seems indicated.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in benign pancreatic disease

It seems that EUS will most likely become the gold standard technique to diagnose chronic pancreatitis not diagnosed on plain radiography, standard transcutaneous sonography, or CT scanning. Because of its low risk and increased sensitivity, it will replace ERCP as a diagnostic test for this condition. Confirmation with cytology may be beneficial for indeterminate cases. EUS will also have an important role in determining the management of cystic lesions in the pancreas. EUS seems to be very effective in determining which cystic lesions have malignant potential. If a cyst appears malignant or produces symptoms, it requires resection and therefore does not require FNA. Prediction of the clinical course for cysts of indeterminate nature requires EUS-guided FNA and analysis of fluid. EUS, although quite accurate in diagnosing CBD stones, has a more limited role in diagnosis and management of stone disease because of current limitations of therapeutic maneuvers, which can be performed at the same time. In general, patients with probable CBD stones or sludge require therapeutic ERCP. Therefore, ERCP is the preferred initial test to diagnose and simultaneously treat these disorders. Patients with a low suspicion for CBD stones, or patients with relative contraindications to ERCP (i.e., pregnancy or bleeding disorders), can be evaluated first with EUS to determine whether further invasive treatment is required. EUS seems to be complementary to therapeutic ERCP for the aspiration and drainage of cysts and pseudocysts. Although celiac plexus nerve blocks using EUS-guided injection of neurolytic agents seems to be more effective than other nerve block techniques, surgical bypass or resection is likely to continue as the primary method of treatment of patients with pain from chronic pancreatitis or those who do not respond to endoscopic stenting when there is a dominant stricture that can be bypassed.     

Aneurysm of the arteria lusoria. Case report and review of the literature

Aneurysms arising from an aberrant subclavian artery represent a seldom but dangerous condition, which can be treated successfully when appropriately diagnosed. From 37 patients described in the literature most presented a mediastinal mass and had symptoms like dysphagia, dyspnoe or chest pain. Diagnosis is today possible by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The aneurysm should be resected to prevent lethal rupture. Left thoracotomy seems to be the appropriate approach in most cases. Reestablishment of blood flow to the right subclavian artery seems not necessary and may be done if ischemia develops in a second procedure by subclavian transposition to the common carotid artery. The case of a 74-year-old women who had resection of an aneurysm in an aberrant subclavian artery is described together with a review of the literature and discussion of the surgical management.     

Surgical therapeutic possibilities of cartilage damage

Therapy of cartilage damage is a frequent problem, especially in the young and active patient. For the treatment of a cartilage damage we have to consider the size of the defect, age and weight of the patient, meniscal tears, ligament instabilities and varus-/valgus-malalignment. Lavage, shaving and debridement are only sufficient for a short time and have no long term effect. Abrasio and drilling could be useful in eldery people. Microfracturing seems to be an effective alternative for small defects. The restoration of the cartilage surface with the use of autologous chondrocyte transplantation, osteochondral autograft transplantation and posterior condyle transfer seems to be an adequate treatment for younger patients.     

Positive end expiratory pressure in anesthesia

It is well established that general anesthesia, with or without paralysis, causes profound changes in respiratory function. From a clinical point of view, the more important consequence of this impairment is a decreased efficiency of gas exchange, with a decreased blood oxygenation. The main reason of this respiratory embarrassment is the intraoperative occurrence of atelectasis, mainly in the dependent lung regions. The amount of atelectasis, computed through Computerized Tomography, correlates with the amount of intrapulmonary shunt; thus, alveolar collapse and ventilation/perfusion mismatching are considered the most important factors for poor respiratory function. This deterioration seems also to play a crucial role in obese patients, who have poorer respiratory function and gas exchange than normal subjects already in physiological conditions. Different ventilatory approaches have been tried to resolve and eventually prevent the anesthesia-induced atelectasis. In normal subjects, the sole application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) seems to be an useless tool for improving gas exchange, probably because of changes in hemodynamics functions. The only effective application of PEEP seems to be in association to an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre. As the anesthesia-induced atelectasis are also present in the postoperative period, this ventilatory approach may also be used to prevent this condition. In obese patients PEEP seems to have a major effectiveness than in normal subjects, with an improvement of lung volumes, respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and an occurrence of recruitment. However, further studies are necessary to define optimal value of PEEP and tidal volume for different types of patients.     

Efficacy and safety of tissue plasminogen activator

Simple aspiration to remove acute intracerebral hematomas has been thwarted by the solidity of the clot. Urokinase, a first generation fibrinolytic agent, has been used to liquefy such clots with some success. Therefore, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a second generation fibrinolytic drug that may be safer and more effective, was studied to evaluate its ability to lyse clot in vitro and its reactivity in the brain and subarachnoid space. t-PA seems to cause partial clot lysis in small dosages (3750 units/70-cc clot) and in a short time (15 minutes). It seems to perfuse through the clot when injected in one place. It does not cause inflammation or bleeding when injected into the rat brain, but indeed seems to promote resorption of blood when the two are injected together. It does not cause aseptic meningitis when injected into the cisterna magna of rabbits. t-PA may prove to be an important adjuvant to the stereotactic aspiration of intracerebral hematomas. It may be particularly helpful in lysing these clots to make possible more gentle aspiration, removing the risk to surrounding brain of strong vacuum.