Pancreatitis-associated splenic vein thrombosis with intrasplenic venous thrombosis: a case report.

Splenic vein thrombosis most often results from pancreatic disease and can result in gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric varices. The diagnosis is becoming more frequent with the increasing utilization of imaging. This case report will review the imaging findings of splenic vein thrombosis with an illustration of the involvement of intrasplenic segmental venous branches.

Bradyarrhythmias during use of the AngioJet system.

The AngioJet system is an effective thrombectomy device, but it may cause chest discomfort and provoke bradyarrhythmias that range from mild bradycardia to asystole. The cause of AngioJet-induced bradyarrhythmia is unknown, although several hypotheses have attempted to explain the phenomenon. Herein several cases will be described, followed by a review of the relevant literature. The literature review suggests that the cause may be related to the effects of the hydrodynamic jets on stretch-activated receptors present on the vascular endothelium, and that pretreatment with gadolinium or streptomycin might prevent activation of these receptors.

Misplaced devices in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis: Part I.

Numerous medical devices are used in the chest and fewer in the abdomen and pelvis. They are frequently seen on various radiological studies in daily practice. Knowing the specific name of the device is not important. However, knowing the proper positioning and function of the device is necessary. It is a duty of the reporting radiologist to recognize the malpositioning or breakage of a medical device and to inform the responsible physician promptly, since these complications can have undesirable consequences and sometimes a fatal outcome.

Misplaced devices in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis: Part II.

Numerous medical devices are used in the chest and fewer in the abdomen and pelvis. They are frequently seen on various radiological studies in daily practice. Knowing the specific name of the device is not important. However, knowing the proper positioning and function of the device is necessary. It is a duty of the reporting radiologist to recognize the malpositioning or breakage of a medical device and to inform the responsible physician promptly, since these complications can have undesirable consequences and sometimes a fatal outcome.

Delayed presentation of traumatic aortocaval fistula: a report of two cases and a review of the associated compensatory hemodynamic and structural changes.

Chronic aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare complication of gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Herein we report two cases of traumatic ACF: one asymptomatic and the other presenting with congestive heart failure (CHF) 20 and 30 years, respectively, after their initial injury. The recent onset of CHF, the presence of a continuous abdominal bruit, and, in the second patient, a history of penetrating trauma suggested the diagnosis of ACF. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography scanning in both patients. Surgical repair of the ACF in the symptomatic patient resulted in resolution of the CHF and reversed the dilatation of the aorta and inferior vena cava. The asymptomatic patient was lost to follow-up. CHF in a young male patient with a history of penetrating abdominal trauma should alert the surgeon to this rare complication.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return: iatrogenic occlusion of the innominate vein producing right-to-left shunt.

A patient experienced acute dyspnea and hypoxia upon removal of a thrombosed peripherally inserted central venous catheter. This was shown to be caused by innominate vein occlusion complicated by a right-to-left shunt, via an anomalous pulmonary vein, causing arterial desaturation. A stent was placed in the occluded innominate vein and arterial saturation returned to normal.

Reactivation of herpes zoster after liver biopsy.

A patient developed reactivation of herpes zoster infection (shingles) after a routine liver biopsy. Reactivation of herpes is often related to trauma. This entity should be considered when patients report postbiopsy pain inappropriate to the procedure. If the typical rash of shingles develops, antiviral therapy should be considered.