Splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: transcatheter embolization

Over the past 7 years, eight patients with splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms were studied and treated. Transcatheter embolization resulted in occlusion of the lesions in all eight patients. Potentially risky and difficult surgery was avoided completely in four patients. Three patients had elective surgery at a later date when their condition was more stable. The remaining patient had definitive surgery after embolization. Transcatheter embolization should be the initial treatment of choice in splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.     

Drilling speaking valves: A modification to improve vocalization in tracheostomy dependent children

Pediatric tracheostomy dependence is associated with a variety of sequelae. Vocalization delay is commonplace and may result in long‐term communication disability. Passy‐Muir speaking valves are routinely used to allow such children to vocalize. Unfortunately, not all tracheostomy dependent children can tolerate the placement of a speaking valve. Elevated transtracheal pressures are often associated with failure. We describe a method of modifying a standard Passy‐Muir valve to decrease transtracheal pressures and thus improve tolerance of the valve. In our practice, the modification allows a broader range of children experience the benefit of speaking valve placement. Laryngoscope, 119:176–179, 2009     

Coronary artery disease in aortic surgery

The incidence of coronary artery disease in patients coming to aortic surgery and the impact of aggressive preoperative cardiac catheterization and myocardial revascularization was prospectively analyzed in 59 patients. Seventy-five percent of patients had at least one-vessel involvement, and 32% had three-vessel or left main involvement. Patients with electrocardiographic evidence of coronary artery disease had at least one-vessel involvement 84% of the time and three-vessel, left main involvement 36% of the time. Sixty-four percent of patients with no preoperative indications of coronary artery disease had at least one-vessel involvement and 29% had three-vessel, left main involvement. Resting (39 patients) and exercise multiple-gated acquisition scans (22 patients) did not predict the presence of coronary artery disease in patients without a history or electrocardiographic evidence of coronary artery disease. Myocardial revascularization was performed prior to aortic surgery in 17 patients (29%). The operative mortality was 3.7% with two patients dying from noncardiac-related complications. There were two additional deaths prior to aortic surgery with one patient dying during coronary artery bypass grafting, and one dying of aneurysm rupture prior to repair, making the overall mortality associated with this approach 7.4%. Preoperative cardiac catheterization and an aggressive approach toward coronary artery bypass grafting reduces the risk of cardiac complications in aortic surgery.     

Benign lymphoid hyperplasia manifesting as a cecal mass: Report of a case

Summary We have presented an unusual case of benign lymphoid hyperplasia, which manifested as a cecal deformity in a 15-year-old boy. The clinical manifestation may have been related to partial occlusion of the appendiceal orifice. In future cases of benign lymphoid hyperplasia, colonoscopy may be diagnostic, and if it is used for continuing observation, may avert unnecessary surgical procedures in children and young adults.