[Infection of aorto-bifemoral vascular prosthesis complicated by multiple visceral fistulas. A case report]. / Infezione di protesi vascolare aorto-bifemorale complicata da fistolizzazioni viscerali multiple. Presentazione di un caso.

The authors present the case of a late aorto-bifemoral graft infection: the pecularity of the case lies on the contemporary existence of multiple visceral phistulas beetween perigraft collection, the duodenum, the large bowel and the bladder. The phatogenetic mechanism of the clinical event is discussed.

[Diagnostic problems in traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. Observations on 8 surgically treated cases]. / Problemi diagnostici della rottura traumatica dell'aorta toracica. Osservazioni su 8 casi trattati chirurgicamente.

The authors report their experience concerning the diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, based on a review of eight surgically treated cases. They emphasize the importance of the immediate performance of an aortography which, providing highly specific findings, permits the diagnosis of this serious lesion, which is often misrecognized. The diagnostic value of the standard chest roentgenogram is discussed, with special attention to mediastinal enlargement which (especially if associated with a CT finding of a periaortic haematoma) must lead to the performance of an aortography, even in those cases with atypical or absent symptoms. Following this diagnostic approach, an early surgical treatment of the aortic lesions, with favorable results in five out of eight cases was obtained.