Symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis in the presence of a persistent primary hypoglossal artery.

OBJECTIVES: Anatomic variations of the extracranial carotid artery are rare. Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery appears with a reported incidence between 0.03% and 0.2%. We report a case of recurrent transient ischemic attacks originating from proximal internal carotid artery stenosis associated with ipsilateral persistent primitive hypoglossal artery and give a review of the existing literature. METHODS: A 78-year-old patient with a medical history of two previous transient ischemic attacks consulted our emergency department with an acute left hemispheric stroke. Intravenous thrombolysis permitted complete resolution of symptoms. Concurrent Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) angiography revealed an unstable plaque causing 50% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery with a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery dominantly perfusing the posterior circulation, and bilateral hypoplastic vertebral arteries. RESULTS: Uneventful carotid artery stenting using a proximal protection device was performed, and the patient was discharged after 12 days. Six months follow-up was uneventful with a patent stent in the internal carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the presence of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is challenging. Management should be driven by patients' co-morbidities, the anatomical localization of the lesions and local expertise. In the case of a high origin of the persistent primary hypoglossal artery, carotid artery stenting with the use of a proximal cerebral protection device is probably the preferred and simplest approach.

Retrograde mesenteric perfusion from the deep femoral artery in a patient with a recurrent anastomotic aneurysm in the groin: a case report.

In patients with atherosclerotic disease in two of the three main vessels in the splanchnic circulation, symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia may arise, depending on the disease chronicity and the presence of mesenteric collateral pathways. The most commonly described collateral pathways are between the celiac artery (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA); and between the IMA and the internal iliac artery (IIA). Another collateral network between the deep femoral artery and the IIA can also become important, especially in patients with aorto-iliac occlusion. Here we report a patient with a symptomatic anastomotic aneurysm of the right femoral artery after a previous aorto-bi-femoral bypass. This patient's bowel viability relied on a well-developed collateral network from the ipsilateral deep femoral artery. This unusual anatomy required special surgical considerations and planning, to minimize the risk of perioperative mesenteric ischemia. During open repair, distal femoral debranching with a distal-to-proximal anastomotic sequence allowed minimizing of the ischemic time, and avoidance of potential ischemic complications from the visceral circulation. This case emphasizes the importance and benefit of the deep femoral artery and its collaterals as a reserve network of the splanchnic circulation. Favorable outcomes can be achieved with careful analysis of the preoperative imaging and proper planning, with adaptation of the surgical strategy.

Giant gluteal lipoma surgical management.

Surgical treatment of lipomas is typically only considered when they are painful or unsightly. We present the case of a massive hip lipoma; with this extreme case, we show that the global prolongation of life expectancy can lead to other indications of removal.

Infrarenal Infected Aortic Aneurysm Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.

Infectious aneurysm is a rare entity associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current knowledge on pathogenesis, outcome, diagnosis, management, and follow-up remains debatable. We report the case of a patient with Streptococcus pyogenes aneurysm who was successfully treated with a homograft implant and discuss microbiological characteristics, diagnostic methods, and treatment options currently available for this serious disease.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury following iodine opacification other than by intravascular injection.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) classically occurs following the intravascular administration of iodinated contrast medium (CM). However, some cases of iodine-induced nephrotoxicity have been reported in patients who did not receive intravascular CM, as a consequence of iodine absorption through mucosae, burned skin or interstitial tissues. Recently, we observed the first case of CI-AKI occurring after an enteroclysis without any direct intravascular injection of CM. Here, we report this case, and review other clinical situations in which renal toxicity has been reported following the non-intravascular use of iodinated compounds.

Aorto-venous fistula between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant renal vein: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The potential complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include rupture, compression of surrounding structures, thrombo-embolic events and fistula. The most common site of arterio-venous fistula is the inferior vena cava. Fistula involving a renal vein is particularly uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes a 54-year-old Caucasian woman who was admitted to the emergency department with fatigue, severe dyspnea and bilateral lower limb edema. In the first instance this anamnesis suggested possible heart failure. In fact, our patient presented with multi-organ system failure due to a fistula between an infra-renal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant retro-aortic renal vein. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a woman with a fistula between an infra-renal aortic aneurysm and an aberrant retro-aortic left renal vein. Aorto-venous fistulas may be asymptomatic or may present with symptoms characteristic of arterio-venous shunting and/or aneurysm rupture. This type of fistula is a rare cause of heart failure. Clinical examination and imaging are essential for detection.