Skeletal metastases: an update of the literature with pictorial review.

The skeleton is one of the common places were many tumors metastasize. Skeletal metastases may profoundly affect the patients' quality of life by making them unable to move freely and help themselves, while in some cases impingement upon the CNS structures can cause neurologic symptoms. Early diagnosis of bone metastases is therefore very important in order to prevent severe debilitating conditions. We review the role of different diagnostic methods available for the detection of bone metastases, as well as their response to treatment: bone scintigraphy, plain films, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The role of positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT is also discussed.

Endovascular management of aortoenteric fistulas with aortic cuff extenders: report of two cases.

Despite immediate open surgery, aortoenteric fistula (AEF) remains a highly lethal condition. Endovascular management is widely employed, although there is no agreement on its role as a definite treatment or, because of a high incidence of recurrent bleeding and sepsis, as a bridge to open repair. Two cases of secondary AEFs after distant elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair are presented. The first patient was a 76-year-old man and the second one a 70-year-old man. Both patients presented with hematemesis, had no signs of sepsis and were successfully managed with endovascular surgery, using aortic cuff extenders. Postoperative course was uneventful for both patients who were discharged on long-term antibiotics. However, during follow-up the first patient was readmitted four times; twice due to infection (at 2 and 6 months, respectively) and twice due to recurrent bleeding (at 5 and 9 months, respectively). The last episode of bleeding was managed with axillobifemoral bypass grafting, removal of the prostheses and closure of the aortic stump and the duodenal defect, but the patient died on the 5th postoperative day from multiple organ failure. The second patient remained asymptomatic until the 16th postoperative month when he developed lumbar spine osteomyelitis as a direct extension of graft infection and was deemed inoperable due to multiple comorbidities. Endovascular management of AEF can achieve satisfactory short-term results. Due to the high rate of recurrent bleeding and sepsis it should be used as a temporary measure and a bridge to open repair, whenever this is feasible.

Cerebellar hemorrhage after supratentorial burr hole drainage of a chronic subdural hematoma.

Cerebellar hemorrhage is an unusual, but increasingly recognized complication after supratentorial surgery. Even rarer are the cases of cerebellar hemorrhage after supratentorial burr-hole drainage of a chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The pathophysiology of this rare complication still remains unclear. Hypertension and overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid seem to be causative factors of postoperative cerebellar hemorrhage. The most important key to minimize this hazardous sequel is to be aware of this potential complication and its pathogenetic mechanisms. We report our case of a 43-year old man who developed cerebellar hemorrhage after burr hole trephination for supratentorial CSDH.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck: report of 5 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe, rapidly spreading soft tissue infection of polymicrobial origin. This condition most frequently affects thorax, abdominal wall, extremities, perineum and groin, but according to recent literature the head and neck area is also involved with increasing frequency. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five cases of head and neck NF were detected among patients who were admitted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece, over a 5-years period. Various parameters including patients' health status, co-morbidity, etiology, microbiology, affected area, antibiotic therapy, hospital stay, surgical treatment and complications were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The management of NF should comprise of hemodynamic and respiratory evaluation and monitoring, broad-spectrum i.v. antimicrobial therapy, surgical debridement and nutritional support. Close postoperative management of NF patients remains of paramount importance.

Giant serpentine aneurysm in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome.

SUMMARY: Giant serpentine aneurysms (GSA) are a rare, distinct group of giant intracerebral aneurysms. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) syndrome is characterised by tumours of the parathyroid glands, pancreatic islets and the pituitary. We report a case of a GSA in a diabetic patient diagnosed with MEN 1 syndrome.