Embolization of a ruptured intercostal artery aneurysm in type I neurofibromatosis

We present the case of a female with history of a ruptured lumbar aneurysm years ago. She was known to have neurofibromatosis type I with the typical clinical signs. The patient was transferred to us with a hematothorax and an aortic lesion was suspected on the outside CT scan. Reevaluation of the investigation raised suspicion of a ruptured intercostal artery aneurysm, which was consequently demonstrated on angiography. The aneurysm was embolized and the patient recovered uneventful. We will discuss the optimal therapy for vessel lesions in neurofibromatosis type

Delayed heart perforation after blunt trauma

A 33-year-old patient was hospitalized after a blunt chest trauma with a left flail chest. Six hours after admission to the intensive care unit the patient suddenly developed hypotension and tachycardia. His left chest tube drained 1.5 l of blood within minutes. Immediate resuscitation and emergency sternotomy with left anterolateral extension was performed for pericardial tamponade secondary to left ventricular perforation due to a sharp rib fragment. Outcome was favourable and the patient was operated on for his flail chest by internal stabilization the next da

Failed coronary artery bypass anastomosis detected by intraoperative coronary flow measurement

Objectives: To assess intraoperative flow of arterial and venous coronary grafts after myocardial revascularization which may allow early detection of low flow situations, especially during minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery (MIDCAB), and lead to immediate correction of technical problems. Methods: In two patients with severe and diffuse multi-vessel disease the left internal mammary artery (IMA) was connected to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). During reperfusion, the flow was measured in the IMA and vein grafts using a transit time flow meter. Results: In both cases the IMA showed only a systolic pendulating flow curve with a mean flow of 0-1 ml/min and a high resistance. Manual IMA assessment revealed an adequate pulsation. Both distal IMA anastomoses were re-explored on cardiopulmonary bypass yielding an initial flow of 7 and 14 ml/min, respectively. After treatment with papaverine/adenosine the IMA flow increased from 7 to 26 ml/min (coronary flow reserve (CFR)=3.7) and from 14 to 46 ml/min (CFR=3.3), respectively. Conclusion: Intraoperative flow assessment of IMA and venous bypass grafts can be recommended to monitor flow; especially during MIDCAB procedure

Delayed visceral malperfusion in aortic dissection—successful surgical revascularization using a saphenous vein graft

Obstruction of the thoracoabdominal aorta and/or its branches with subsequent organ ischemia is a frequent complication of aortic dissection. Surgical and percutaneous fenestrations have been used and endovascular stenting has emerged as an additional less invasive approach. In some cases, surgical revascularization may be the most successful procedure. We report two patients who underwent surgical revascularization of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery for delayed abdominal malperfusion due to aortic dissectio

Embolization of a ruptured intercostal artery aneurysm in type I neurofibromatosis

We present the case of a female with history of a ruptured lumbar aneurysm years ago. She was known to have neurofibromatosis type I with the typical clinical signs. The patient was transferred to us with a hematothorax and an aortic lesion was suspected on the outside CT scan. Reevaluation of the investigation raised suspicion of a ruptured intercostal artery aneurysm, which was consequently demonstrated on angiography. The aneurysm was embolized and the patient recovered uneventful. We will discuss the optimal therapy for vessel lesions in neurofibromatosis type I

Delayed heart perforation after blunt trauma

A 33-year-old patient was hospitalized after a blunt chest trauma with a left flail chest. Six hours after admission to the intensive care unit the patient suddenly developed hypotension and tachycardia. His left chest tube drained 1.5 l of blood within minutes. Immediate resuscitation and emergency sternotomy with left anterolateral extension was performed for pericardial tamponade secondary to left ventricular perforation due to a sharp rib fragment. Outcome was favourable and the patient was operated on for his flail chest by internal stabilization the next day

Delayed visceral malperfusion in aortic dissection—successful surgical revascularization using a saphenous vein graft

Obstruction of the thoracoabdominal aorta and/or its branches with subsequent organ ischemia is a frequent complication of aortic dissection.Surgical and percutaneous fenestrations have been used and endovascular stenting has emerged as an additional less invasive approach. In somecases, surgical revascularization may be the most successful procedure. We report two patients who underwent surgical revascularization of theceliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery for delayed abdominal malperfusion due to aortic dissection

Failed coronary artery bypass anastomosis detected by intraoperative coronary flow measurement

Objectives: To assess intraoperative flow of arterial and venous coronary grafts after myocardial revascularization which may allow early detection of low flow situations, especially during minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery (MIDCAB), and lead to immediate correction of technical problems. Methods: In two patients with severe and diffuse multi-vessel disease the left internal mammary artery (IMA) was connected to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). During reperfusion, the flow was measured in the IMA and vein grafts using a transit time flow meter. Results: In both cases the IMA showed only a systolic pendulating flow curve with a mean flow of 0–1 ml/min and a high resistance. Manual IMA assessment revealed an adequate pulsation. Both distal IMA anastomoses were re-explored on cardiopulmonary bypass yielding an initial flow of 7 and 14 ml/min, respectively. After treatment with papaverine/adenosine the IMA flow increased from 7 to 26 ml/min (coronary flow reserve (CFR)=3.7) and from 14 to 46 ml/min (CFR=3.3), respectively. Conclusion: Intraoperative flow assessment of IMA and venous bypass grafts can be recommended to monitor flow; especially during MIDCAB procedures

Tuberculosis in a Swiss army training camp: contact investigation using an Interferon gamma release assay

BACKGROUND: In tuberculosis (TB), the risk of exposure is determined mainly by the proximity to and the hours of direct contact with an infectious patient. We describe the contact investigation after detection of an infectious form of TB in a military camp using an Interferon-g-Release-Assay (IGRA, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube [QTF-GIT]) eight weeks after detection of the index case. INDEX PATIENT: The index patient presented with fever, cough and weight loss in the military hospital six weeks after entering the camp. TB was suspected and anti-tuberculous therapy given immediately. Subsequently, TB was microbiologically confirmed. METHODS: Four exposure groups were formed a priori based on the proximity and the hours of direct contact to the index case. 168 (95.5%) agreed to be investigated: - Group A: sharing the same dormitory (15 persons) - Group B: same platoon, but not sharing the dormitory (20 persons) - Group C: staff and patients of the military hospital (22 persons) - Group D: other three platoons and senior military staff (111 persons). RESULTS: 34 (20.2%) out of 168 contacts tested positive in the QFT-GIT assay. For the exposure groups, the respective QFT-GIT testing results were: group A, 14/15 (93%); group B, 4/20 (20%); group C, 5/22 (22.7%); and group D, 11/111 (9.9%). No secondary TB cases were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, test results show a correlation with the risk of exposure, suggesting that IGRA may be useful for the assessment of TB infection in TB contacts. The high mobility of recruits reduced traceability of contacts. In this context, QFT-GIT allowed for an efficient screening of contacts at a single time point