Endovascular stent graft treatment in a patient with splenic artery aneurysm

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare but important vascular lesions that constitute approximately 60% of all visceral arterial aneurysms. Splenic artery is the third most common localization of intraabdominal aneurysm formation. Rupture is the main complication that occurs in 3%-10% of the cases. We describe a case with a proximal splenic artery aneurysm. To preserve splenic function and reduce the risk of aneurysmal rupture, we used stent-graft to embolize the aneurysm treated percutaneously. The follow up of patient was uneventful after embolization. Endovascular embolization of the splenic artery aneurysm may prevent the need for emergency surgery and also offer an effective alternative surgical treatment.     

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is a rare but potentially limb threatening peripheral vascular disease occurring predominantly in young adults. We report a case of a 17-year-old boy who presented with intermittent claudication on the right side. Digital subtraction angiography revealed bilateral, focal narrowing of the popliteal arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging displayed compression of the arteries by the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscles. The mechanism, presentation, imaging findings, and management of this rare disease are discussed.     

Detrimental effects of immobilization on functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush

Peripheral-nerve trauma has been a challenge to surgeons, with significant advances in the surgery of repair. Immobilization of the injured limb after repair has been the traditional method of treatment. Although peripheral-nerve regeneration has been studied extensively, the correlation between functional recovery and the immobilization period has not been well-documented. In the present study, the authors studied the effects of immobilization on axonal regeneration after sciatic crush injury. They found a detrimental effect of immobilization on the functional recovery.     

Effects of ketamine and thiopental on ischemia reoxygenation-induced LDH leakage and amino acid release from rat striatal slices

Increased release of glutamate is thought to contribute to ischemia-induced neuronal damage. Since general anesthetics such as thiopental and ketamine are thought to provide some degree of cerebral protection, this study was intended to 1) compare the effectiveness of ketamine and thiopental on ischemia-induced tissue damage; and, if so, 2) determine whether attenuation of the increased amino acid release is the sole mechanism for the protective effects demonstrated. Striatal slices prepared from Wistar Albino rats were incubated in an ischemic medium for 1 hour followed by 5 hours in a reoxygenation (REO) medium. Ketamine and thiopental were added medium during ischemia and/or REO periods, and the medium was collected at the end of each incubation period for measurement of amino acid release and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Ischemia significantly increased amino acid release without altering LDH leakage. Ischemia-induced increments in glutamate and aspartic acid releases returned to control levels during REO, but LDH leakage increased (P > 0.001) during this period. Although ketamine (100 microM) and thiopental (100 microM) failed to decrease ischemia-induced excitatory amino acid release, they protected the slices against REO-induced LDH leakage. Ketamine, but not thiopental, was effective even if added after ischemia (P < 0.05). These results indicate that ketamine and thiopental protect the slices against REO-induced LDH leakage. However, mechanisms other than attenuation of the enhanced glutamate release might be responsible for their protective effects.     

Cystic hygroma in the quadriceps muscle: a sanguine diagnosis for knee pain

Reported here is a 28-year-old female who presented with severe right knee pain and swelling nearby the joint. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and eventually surgery were performed. She was diagnosed to have a cystic hygroma in the vastus lateralis muscle. This is the first patient of a cystic hygroma in the quadriceps muscle.     

Tuberculosis of the parotid gland

Tuberculosis of the parotid gland is very rare and clinically indistinguishable from a neoplasm. Thus the diagnosis of parotid gland involvement with tuberculosis has traditionally been made after surgical resection. We present a case which was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology and managed medically.     

Angiolipoma of the neck: a case report

Angiolipomas of the neck are extremely rare; to our knowledge, only 2 cases have been previously reported. We report a new case, which occurred in a 28-year-old woman. The mass was totally resected, and the patient showed no recurrence at the 18-month follow-up.