Intrauterine sling: a complication of the stuck twin syndrome.
(25/1907)
Stuck twin syndrome usually presents with polyhydramnios in the recipient sac and severe oligohydramnios in the donor sac. The donor is displaced against the uterine wall and remains adherent in that position. We present a case in which the diagnosis was more complicated, owing to the suspension of the stuck twin by a sling within the sac of the recipient. A monochorionic diamnionic twin gestation was complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome at 18 weeks of gestation. In our example, the stuck twin was suspended by a sling from the placenta. The sling band represented the intertwin membrane that was folded upon itself. Amniotic fluid from the recipient twin was present in three dimensions around the stuck twin, except for the sling band. The suspension of the stuck twin by a sling within the amniotic fluid of the recipient is an unusual manifestation of the stuck twin syndrome. (+info)
Pancreatic pseudocysts transpapillary and transmural drainage.
(26/1907)
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage has been described as a good treatment option, with morbidity and mortality rates that are lower than surgery. The aim of our study is to describe the efficacy of different forms of endoscopic drainage and estimate pseudocyst recurrence rate after short follow up period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 30 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst that presented some indication for treatment: persistent abdominal pain, infection or cholestasis. Clinical evaluation was performed with a pain scale, 0 meaning absence of pain and 4 meaning continuous pain. Pseudocysts were first evaluated by abdominal CT scan, and after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography the patients were treated by transpapillary or transmural (cystduodenostomy or cystgastrostomy) drainage. Pseudocyst resolution was documented by serial CT scans. RESULTS: 25/30 patients could be treated. Drainage was successful in 21 (70% in an 'intention to treat' basis). After a mean follow-up of 42 +/- 35.82 weeks, there was only 1 (4.2%) recurrence. A total of 6 complications occurred in 37 procedures (16.2%), and all but 2 were managed clinically and/or endoscopically: there was no mortality related to the procedure. Patients submitted to combined drainage needed more procedures than the other groups. There was no difference in the efficacy when we compared the three different drainage methods. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage is possible in most patients, with high success rate and low morbidity. (+info)
Surgical management of primary lung cancer in an elderly patient with preoperative empyema.
(27/1907)
A 74-year-old man with primary lung cancer developed preoperative empyema but was successfully managed surgically. The patient was given a diagnosis of c-T2N1M0, stage IIB, moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, but before surgery pneumothorax and empyema developed, resulting from rupture of the carcinoma. Thoracic drainage, lavage and systemic administration of antibiotics improved his empyema. As there were no malignant cells in the drainage fluid, right middle-lower bilobectomy, empyemal cavity resection and lymph node dissection were performed. The bronchial stump was covered with an intercostal muscle flap. Thoracic drainage, lavage and systemic administration of antibiotics were performed for 6 days following the operation. The patient was discharged on the 27th postoperative day without any complications having developed. The pathological diagnosis of the tumor was p-T4N2(#7)M0, stage IIIB, br(-), ly(+), v(+), p3(pleura), pm1 and d0. He died of recurrence at home 18 months after the operation. We believe the following to be the minimum requirements for surgical management of such patients: (1) immediate thoracic cavity drainage and lavage with systemic antibiotic therapy, aiming at infection control before surgery; (2) prophylactic lavage of the thoracic cavity during and after surgery and (3) coverage of the bronchial stump with an adequate flap. Six reported cases of primary lung cancer with preoperative empyema are also discussed. (+info)
Experience of combined endoscopic percutaneous stenting with ultrasound guidance for drainage of pancreatic pseudocycts.
(28/1907)
The therapeutic options for treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts are numerous. We report our experience of combined endoscopic and ultrasound guided percutaneous stenting for pancreatic pseudocysts. Data were prospectively collected for 20 consecutive patients. All patients had undergone a standard technique of combined endoscopic and ultrasound guided percutaneous placement of double J stents, between a pancreatic pseudocyst and the stomach. Patients age ranged between 25 and 84 years. Thirteen of the pseudocysts were due to acute pancreatitis and 7 were due to chronic pancreatitis. The duration of the combined procedure was mean 50 min (range 30-95 min). The length of hospital stay was mean 5 days (range 2-77 days. Only two patients suffered postoperative complications; one was re-admitted 2 weeks following stenting with acute cholecystitis, the other suffering a perforated duodenal ulcer 3 weeks after stenting. There were two failures early in the series, both due to stent migration, these stents were of a small size, (4.7 French). Following this the stent size was increased to at least 7 French, no further failures occurred. There was no operative mortality for the series. Follow-up ranged between 6 months and 5 years. We conclude that a combined percutaneous and endoscopic cyst-gastrostomy stent is a safe and effective treatment for patients with suitably placed pseudocysts. (+info)
Thyroid abscess.
(29/1907)
Thyroid abscess arising from Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST) is a rare clinical disorder. The ability of the thyroid gland to resist infection is well known and infection in the thyroid gland is rare, particularly so with the advent of widespread usage of antibiotics. An internal pharyngeal fistula (Pyriform sinus fistula) is the most common underlying abnormality in patients with AST. We report a case of an adult male who presented with a thyroid abscess. The causal organism was found to be Staphylococcus aureus. Intravenous antibiotics and, incision and drainage of the abscess led to an uncomplicated recovery. (+info)
Reversal of twice-delayed neurologic deficits with cerebrospinal fluid drainage after thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: a case report and plea for a national database collection.
(30/1907)
Delayed neurologic deficits are an uncommon yet devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The mechanisms involved in the development of delayed spinal cord ischemia remain ill defined. We report a case of complete reversal of delayed neurologic deficits with postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. After a thoracoabdominal aneurysm extent I repair, the patient experienced delayed paraplegia at 6 hours and again at 34 hours after the operation, with elevated CSF pressure (>10 mm Hg) on both occasions. Prompt CSF decompression completely reversed the neurologic deficits within hours after onset. The findings in this case further support the role of CSF drainage in spinal cord protection for patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair and make a plea for a national database collection. (+info)
Stereotactic computed tomographic-guided aspiration and thrombolysis of intracerebral hematoma : protocol and preliminary experience.
(31/1907)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We review preliminary experience with patients harboring intracerebral hematoma (ICH) treated by stereotactic computed tomographic (CT) guided thrombolysis and aspiration and assess procedure feasibility and safety. METHODS: Twelve patients with supratentorial ICH >/=25 mL without suspected underlying structural etiology or coagulopathy and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of >/=5 were treated. A catheter was directed stereotactically or manually into the ICH through a burr hole under CT guidance. Hematoma aspiration was followed by instillation of urokinase (5 000 to 10 000 IU). This was repeated every 6 to 8 hours at bedside, with interval CT imaging, until the ICH volume diminished to <25 mL, less than half of its initial volume, or after a maximum of 10 aspirations/instillations. RESULTS: Mean age was 69 years (range 55 to 82 years). Median initial GCS was 12 (range 5 to 14). There were 7 ganglionic and 5 lobar ICH, and baseline hematoma size ranged 29 to 70 mL (mean 46 mL). Final ICH volume ranged from 14 to 51 mL (mean 21 mL), with ICH volume reduction by an average of 57% (range 38% to 70%). One patient (8. 3%) suffered hematoma expansion during the procedure. At 6 months after the procedure, 3 patients (25%) had achieved a good recovery (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score of 5), 5 patients (42%) were dependent (GOS 3), and 1 (8.3%) remained vegetative (GOS 2). Three patients (25%) died in hospital (1 from cardiac arrhythmia and 2 from respiratory failure). CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided thrombolysis and aspiration appears safe and effective in the reduction of ICH volume. Further studies are needed to assess optimal thrombolytic dosage and must include controlled comparisons of mortality, disability outcome, time until convalescence, and cost of care in treated and untreated patients. (+info)
Chylothorax after myocardial revascularization with the left internal thoracic artery.
(32/1907)
A 38-year-old male underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A saphenous vein graft was attached to the left marginal branch. The left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The early recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 5th postoperative day. After three months, he came back to the hospital complaining of weight loss, weakness, and dyspnea on mild exertion. Chest X-rays showed left pleural effusion. On physical examination, a decreased vesicular murmur was detected. After six days, the diagnosis of chylothorax was made after a milky fluid was detected in the plural cavity and total pulmonary expansion did not occur. On the next day, both anterior and posterior pleural drainage were performed by videothoracoscopy, and prolonged parenteral nutrition (PPN) was instituted for ten days. After seven days the patient was put on a low-fat diet for 8 days. The fluid accumulation ceased, the drains were removed and the patient was discharged with normal pulmonary expansion. (+info)