1/1355. Safe removal of massive intrapelvic cement using ultrasonic instruments. The extraction of massive intrapelvic deposits of cement in revision total hip arthroplasty presents the surgeon with a philosophical dilemma and a technical challenge. The cement is difficult to remove because of the disparity between the size of the cement mass and the defect in the acetabulum. In addition, the cement mass lies close to major intrapelvic organs, and the use of force applied with sharp cement-removing instruments poses a danger to these structures. We report on the ultrasonic technique of cement removal used to extract a massive intrapelvic cement deposit safely. ( info) |
2/1355. Pellet embolization to the right atrium following double shotgun injury. A 28-year-old man sustained two shotgun injuries of the left inguinal region from a distance of about 1.5 m by simultaneous discharge of both shells from a sawn-off double-barrelled 16-bore shotgun (diameter of the lead pellets, 4 mm). The first X-ray examination carried out soon after hospital admission showed a single embolized pellet near the right margin of the cardiac silhouette. Eight months later, the man committed suicide by drug intoxication. At autopsy, the embolized pellet was found embedded between the pectinate muscles of the right atrium. On the basis of the reported case and with reference to the pertinent literature, the paper points out the medico-legal aspects of venous bullet/pellet embolism and the risk of lead poisoning after shotgun injury. ( info) |
3/1355. Endovascular repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: a tip for systemic pressure reduction. A proposed technique for systemic pressure reduction during deployment of a stent graft was studied. A 67-year-old man, who had a descending thoracic aneurysm, was successfully treated with an endovascular procedure. An occluding balloon was introduced into the inferior vena cava (IVC) through the femoral vein. The balloon volume was manipulated with carbon dioxide gas to reduce the venous return, resulting in a transient and well-controlled hypotension. This IVC-occluding technique for systemic pressure reduction may be safe and convenient to minimize distal migration of stent grafts. ( info) |
4/1355. popliteal artery occlusion as a late complication of liquid acrylate embolization for cerebral vascular malformation. Occlusion of arteriovenous malformations of the brain (BAVMs) by means of an endovascular approach with liquid acrylate glue is an established treatment modality. The specific hazards of this procedure are related to the central nervous system. In the case of unexpectedly rapid polymerization of the cyanoacrylate glue and adhesion of the delivering microcatheter to the BAVM, severing the catheter at the site of vascular access is considered an acceptable and safe management. We present a unique complication related to this technique that has not been described yet. Fragmentation and migration of the microcatheter, originally left in place, had caused popliteal artery occlusion, which required saphenous vein interposition, in a 25-year-old man. Suggestions for avoiding this complication are discussed. ( info) |
5/1355. Central venous catheter-associated thrombosis in severe haemophilia. Significant subclavian vein thromboses associated with indwelling fully implanted (port-a-cath) devices are described in two boys with severe haemophilia A and factor viii inhibitors. Investigations were prompted by prominent chest wall veins in one case, whereas the thrombosis was a chance finding in the other case during investigation of mechanical dislocation of the catheter tubing. Extensive collateral venous circulations were demonstrated by venography in both instances indicating that the thrombus had been present for some time. Possible contributing factors to the thromboses included desensitization therapy (both patients), high-dose FEIBA (in one patient) and use of lower doses of heparin for line flush than that recommended by some authors. Neither patient had a familial or non-familial predisposition to thrombosis. ( info) |
6/1355. Severe migratory granulomatous reactions to silicone gel in 3 patients. In humans implanted with silicone gel breast prostheses, a mild foreign body response results in the formation of a collagenous capsule around the prosthesis. Although many such patients may show evidence of a microscopic granulomatous foreign body reaction upon examination of capsular material at explantation of a prosthesis, it is unusual to have large, palpable granulomas, even in the presence of rupture or leakage. Rare patients have had severe local inflammation and complications resulting from silicone migration to the axilla, arm, or abdominal wall. We describe 3 patients who had deforming granulomas after implant rupture, along with other consequences of silicone gel migrating down the upper extremity. Silicone gel, once it leaves the implant, is not biologically inert and in some persons can elicit profound pathologic responses. ( info) |
7/1355. Pediatric scalp laceration repair complicated by skin staple migration. skin staples are ideal for pediatric scalp laceration closure because of their rapidity of placement and economy and ease of use. We report two cases of rotatory staple migration necessitating improvised removal techniques. Clinicians should be alert for this complication, which may result from a combination of staple design, local anatomic factors, superficial placement, and prolonged delay prior to removal. ( info) |
8/1355. mitral valve prosthesis disk embolization during transeptal atrioventricular junction ablation. We report a case of disk embolization from a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis (Shiley Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) which occurred during transeptal atrioventricular (RV) junction ablation. The disk lodged in the lower thoracic aorta. The patient was treated successfully by emergency valve replacement, and the escaped disk has been left in situ with no complications. ( info) |
| Combined occlusion of the central retinal artery and central retinal vein is an infrequently encountered clinical entity. Although there are reports in the literature of a combined occlusion of the central retinal artery and vein, its occurrence following pars plana vitrectomy has not been described. We report the case of an elderly patient who developed this unusual occurrence following an uneventful pars plana vitrectomy for a posteriorly dislocated IOL. ( info) |
10/1355. pulmonary embolism caused by acrylic cement: a rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty. A pulmonary embolus of acrylic cement was present in a 41-year-old woman with Langerhans' cell vertebral histiocytosis (LCH) after percutaneous vertebroplasty. Chest radiograph and CT confirmed pulmonary infarction and the presence of cement in the pulmonary arteries. She was treated with anticoagulants, and responded favorably. This rare complication occurred because perivertebral venous migration was not recognized during vertebroplasty. Adequate preparation of cement and biplane fluoroscopy are recommended for vertebroplasty. ( info) |