Suppurated mediastinal and cardiac echinococcosis: report of a case.

We herein report the case of a suppurated mediastinal and cardiac hydatid cyst which occurred after the initial treatment of the patient for a primary mediastinal hydatid cyst in a radiology department. Both extracorporeal circulation and total circulatory arrest were used during the operation. We believe that surgery is the only feasible treatment for hydatid cysts located in the mediastinum, and surgery should be urgently performed whenever a possible rupture is suspected in order to avoid a possible anaphylactic reaction, mediastinal suppurations leading to serious complications, and growth into the pleural cavity.

Effect of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on renal function.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has the risk of renal dysfunction. The cause of renal dysfunction after CPB is multifactorial, such as nonpulsatile flow, renal hypoperfusion, hypothermia, and duration of CPB. This study compared off-pump technique with on-pump technique on renal function in patients who underwent CABG. METHODS: Sixty patients with normal preoperative renal functions undergoing CABG were randomly assigned to conventional revascularization with CPB (on-pump) or beating heart revascularization (off-pump). Renal functions were assessed up to 10 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Creatinine clearance was found to be significantly higher in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (p<.05). The off-pump group had significantly less increase in creatinine levels when compared with the on-pump group (p<.05). The free water clearance values decreased similarly in both groups; however, the recovery was more prompt in the off-pump group (p<.05). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of postoperative hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The off-pump technique may provide a positive contribution and sufficient protection on postoperative renal functions in patients undergoing CABG.

Preoperative analgesia management with rofecoxib in thoracotomy patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pain management after thoracotomy is significant because pain reduces the postoperative respiratory performance. In this study, the analgesic efficacy and safety of rofecoxib in thoracotomy patients were evaluated. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. SETTING: This study was performed in the Meram Medical School of Selcuk University Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesiology. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery via thoracotomy were randomized to receive either oral placebo or rofecoxib, 50 mg, 1 hour before surgery. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received a standard anesthetic. Pain scores, sedation scores, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, analgesic requirements, and side effects were noted 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 32, 40, and 48 hours after operation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 study groups with respect to demographics, sedation score, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage. Compared with placebo, morphine consumption and pain scores at rest and during coughing were significantly lower with rofecoxib. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative administration of rofecoxib, 50 mg, provides significant analgesia for postoperative pain relief and decreases additional opioid requirements after thoracotomy.

Acute thrombosis of inferior vena cava in a pregnant woman presenting with sciatica: a case report.

A 20-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to our department with symptoms of deep venous thrombosis in the left lower extremity and excessive lumbar pain. Low-molecular-weight heparin was administered. She recovered with this treatment, however, severe lumbar pain continued. A lumbar magnetic resonance image showed dilated epidural veins compressing the roots and acute thrombosis of the inferior vena cava extending to renal veins. During the same period she had acute deep venous thrombosis in her right leg. An urgent venous thrombectomy was performed. Sciatica and deep venous thrombosis resolved after the operation. Low-molecular-weight heparin was administered until the end of her pregnancy.

Vena cubiti media for creation of a loop-shaped arteriovenous fistula at the elbow region.

Hemodialysis access is one of the major routes, for patients who need long-term hemodialysis. In this report, we tried a new secondary arteriovenous fistula technique. Between January 2000 and June 2003, hemodialysis access was created in more than 650 patients with end-stage renal failure at our institution. In 15 cases a loop-shaped hemodialysis access was created between the brachial artery and vena cubiti media as a second choice. The youngest patient was 12 years old, whereas the oldest was 75. The mean follow-up period (A+/-SD) for these patients was 10.4 A+/- 2.53A months. Twelve patients are still using these fistulas successfully for hemodialysis (86.6%), whereas one patient died 7A months after the operation (6.7%). In one patient, the arteriovenous fistula failed 6A months after the operation (6.7%). Thrombosis due to hypotension occurred in two cases (13.3%) and this was resolved by simple thrombectomy. One patient had an aneurysm over the vena cubiti media (6.6%). None of the patients had an infection. These results suggest that an end-to-side anastomosis between the brachial artery and, vena cubiti media can be used as a second choice for hemodialysis access in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Bilateral pneumothorax: a retrospective analysis of 40 patients.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively investigate the effectiveness of tube drainage in the treatment of bilateral pneumothorax. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 40 patients with bilateral pneumothorax treated at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Departments of Selcuk University between January 1994 and December 2000. There were 37 male and 3 female patients, aged 5-80 years (mean age, 42 years). The definite diagnosis of pneumothorax was made by radiological evaluation. In total, 38 tube drainage, 2 thoracentesis, and observation procedures were done, and some patients also required thoracotomy or median sternotomy. RESULTS: The types of pneumothorax were spontaneous in 9 patients, traumatic in 30, and iatrogenic in 1. We treated simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax in 34 patients and nonsimultaneous bilateral pneumothorax in 6 patients by tube drainage or additional surgical treatment. Two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral pneumothorax may require extended hospital stay and could result in death. We think that tube drainage is appropriate and effective for most cases of bilateral pneumothorax.

Methylprednisolone prevents inflammatory reaction occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass: effects on TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the correlation between tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, IL-10 and methylprednisolone pretreatment. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized and double-blinded study. Sixty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomized to receive either intravenous methylprednisolone (n = 30, Group M) or intravenous placebo (n = 30, Group S). The patients received intravenously either 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone (Group M) or placebo (Group S) 10 min before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In an intensive care unit (ICU), four additional doses were given at 6-hourly intervals. Blood samples for the measurements of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were obtained before induction of anaesthesia (T0 = control value), after induction (T1), before starting CPB (T2), after aortic declamping (T3), at the end of CPB (T4) and 6 hours (T5), 12 hours (T6) and 24 hours (T7) after skin closure. Creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) were evaluated at the following intervals: T0, T5, T6 and T7. RESULTS: When compared with the control value, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased in Group S and Group M (p < 0.05), but these values were significantly greater in Group S than in Group M (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control value, IL-10 increased in both groups (p < 0.05), but was significantly greater in Group M than in Group S (p < 0.05). CK and CK-MB were increased in both groups in postoperative values compared to control values. In Group S, CK and CK-MB levels were significantly lower than in Group M (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, we have found that preoperative administration of methylprednisolone has decreased TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 release, and increased the perfusing IL-10 levels after CPB. Thus, methylprednisolone may decrease the inflammatory response during the CPB procedure.

Lemierre's syndrome associated with septic pulmonary embolism: a case report.

An 18-year-old female patient suffering from a painful right-sided neck mass was admitted to our emergency service. Computed tomography of the neck revealed thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein. Computed tomography of the chest indicated septic pulmonary emboli in both lungs. Blood and oropharyngeal cultures showed proteus that was sensitive to cefepime and amicasin. Chemotherapy was administered for 12 days, however, her complaints continued with fulminant progression. An urgent decompression and excessive debridement were performed. Although Lemierre syndrome is a well-known cause of internal jugular vein thrombosis, association with proteus culture is very rare.

The clinical and surgical features of right-sided intracardiac masses due to echinococcosis.

Right-sided cardiac echinococcosis shows special clinical and surgical features beyond the rareness of echinococcosis in this position, leading to serious and life-threatening complications. We examined our cardiac hydatid cyst patients, retrospectively, and report our experience of the surgical treatment of right-sided cardiac hydatid cysts. Between 1985 and 2000, seven patients were transferred to our department from the cardiology department with a diagnosis of cystic cardiac masses which were highly suspected of being hydatid cysts. Two were males and 5 were females. In 3 patients the hydatid cyst was located in the right ventricle, and one was in the right atrium. The mean age of the patients was 37 years (ranging from 12 to 60 years). One patient had preoperative pulmonary emboli. In all right-sided cardiac echinococcosis patients, cardiopulmonary bypass was used. All cysts were cleaned after quilting the cystic cavities, and daughter cysts were removed carefully. The cavities were closed with purse-string sutures. Postoperatively, one patient had pulmonary emboli. In all patients, mebendazole was administered postoperatively. When a right-sided cardiac hydatid cyst is diagnosed, early surgical treatment should be performed under open-heart surgery conditions. During the operation, a single cannula in the superior vena cava should be used until fibrillation, and after clamping, the cannula for the pulmonary artery inferior vena cava should be inserted.

The cerebroprotective effects of pentoxifylline and aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebroprotective effects of pentoxifylline (PNX) and aprotinin in dogs using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen clinically healthy dogs were divided into three groups: Group 1 (control, n = 6), Group 2 (PNX, n = 6), and Group 3 (aprotinin, n = 6). PNX was administered at a dose of 300 mg/day in Group 2 three days before the operation and during the operation. Half a million IU aprotinin were added to the prime solution and 500,000 IU were transfused via a central venous jugular catheter preoperatively in Group 3. Blood samples were taken from the central jugular vein before and after CPB and interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and S100beta protein were measured. Gliosis was investigated histopathologically in cerebral cortex biopsy samples under light microscopy. RESULTS: The preoperative results of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and S100beta protein values were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) when compared with postoperative values. This significant difference was observed in the same parameters between Groups 1 and 2, and 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Groups 2 and 3. Comparison between pre- and postoperative levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha for Group 2 and Group 3 revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001), whereas S100beta protein levels did not. Histopathological examinations showed significant differences between the control group and PNX and aprotinin, and between aprotinin and PNX groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PNX and aprotinin might be useful in order to reduce postoperative cerebral damage in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.

Comparison of autologous basilic vein transpositions between forearm and upper arm regions.

Arteriovenous fistulas are crucial for hemodialysis performances in patients with end-stage renal disease. In this report, we compare the results of basilic vein transposition in the forearm and upper arm regions. Autologous basilic vein transpositions were used in 20 patients with end-stage renal failure between May 2000 and January 2002. In 10 cases the basilic vein transposition was in the upper arm region for construction of a brachiobasilic fistula (group 1); in the remaining 10 cases it was in the forearm region for creation of a radiobasilic fistula (group 2). The mean age of the patients in group 1 was 53.6 years, and in group 2 it was 47.3. At the end of the follow-up period (mean, 10 months) patency rates in group 1 were 80% and in group 2, 90%. In group 2, early-term thrombosis, which could be treated easily with second intervention and anticoagulation treatment (low-molecular-weight heparin), was the most common complication (10%). For patients who have unsuitable cephalic vein and require long-term hemodialysis, transposition of the basilic vein in the forearm region (under the elbow) can be a good secondary choice for access, as can a brachiobasilic fistula in the upper arm region.

Post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula presented with hypertrophic palmaris digitalis II.

A 19-year-old female was admitted to our department because of a hypertrophic palmaris digitalis II of the left hand displaying color changes. A thrill was easily palpated over the medial part of the finger. A review of her history revealed that this hypertrophy occurred after a blunt trauma to the left hand. Angiography showed arteriovenous fistulas between the digital branches of the radial and ulnar arteries and cephalic vein at the palmaris digitalis II of the left hand. These arteriovenous connections were closed with simple ligation under regional anesthesia. Post-operatively she had no sign of ischemia, and no thrill was palpated or auscultated.

Bilateral common carotid occlusion without neurological deficit.

A 40-year-old man presented with pain and numbness in his right arm. On his clinical examination, no neurological deficit was found. Bilateral common carotid artery duplex sonography scan demonstrated no flow in either lumen. No abnormality was recognized on brain CT. On cerebral digital substraction angiogram, total occlusion of the brachiocephalic trunk and left carotid artery were shown. There was a modest stenosis in the left vertebral artery. Collateral circulation feeding the intracranial carotid system mainly originated from the left vertebrobasilar system. Previous cases of bilateral carotid occlusion are reviewed and discussed.

A recurrent right atrial thrombus: a suggestive sign for Behçet's disease? A case report.

A29-year-old woman with Behçet's disease was admitted to our cardiology department with a history of cough, dyspnea, and palpitation. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a right atrial mass. She was operated on to remove the mass, which was shown by histopathological examination to be a thrombus. Three months later, echocardiography was repeated and recurrent right atrial thrombus was observed. Warfarin was given to the patient. One month later, the mass was not observed on echocardiographic examination. We report recurrent right atrial thrombus in a patient with Behçet's disease.

Cost-effective and time-saving surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts with multiple localization.

PURPOSE: The most frequent anatomic locations of hydatid cysts are the liver and lungs. Because there is no effective medical therapy against this parasitic disease, surgery is the treatment of choice. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the cost and effect of a one-stage operation with those of two- or three-stage operations in the treatment of lung hydatid cysts with multiple localizations. METHODS: We evaluated 364 patients who underwent surgical treatment for hydatid cysts, all of whom had multiple localizations. To avoid two- or three-staged operations, we performed median sternotomy, simultaneous bilateral thoracotomy and unilateral thoracotomy with a transdiaphragmatic approach. RESULTS: For the treatment of 460 hydatid cyst localizations in 364 patients, a collective 381 operations were performed. The number of operations and periods of hospitalization were reduced. CONCLUSION: A one-stage surgical procedure for bilateral lung and liver hydatid cysts is superior to the traditional two- and three-stage operations because it reduces morbidity, hospital stay, and cost.

Chest trauma in children.

OBJECTIVES: Chest trauma in childhood is uncommon in clinical practice. The management and treatment principles of children with thoracic trauma were discussed with the data reported in the literature. METHODS: Of the chest injury diagnosed in 1653 patients, 225 were children in the last 17-year period. There were 199 boys (88.44%) and 26 girls (11.55%). The most common causes were blunt injuries in 135 cases (60%), stab wounds in 67 cases (29.77%) and gunshot wounds in 22 cases (9.77%). RESULTS: Out of 225, 217 patients were treated conservatively and eight patients were treated surgically. There was no mortality and morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chest trauma in children due to blunt injuries is high in Turkey. Extremity injury is thought to be the most commonly associated extra-thoracic injury. However, thoracic trauma in children can be managed conservatively in most of the cases.