First report of paracoccidioidomycosis reactivation as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy for acute severe colitis in a caving enthusiast.

Treatment for ulcerative colitis often requires the administration of immunosuppressive therapy. Shortly after rescue therapy with infliximab for acute severe colitis, a patient who was also taking corticosteroids, azathioprine and adalimumab became rapidly unwell with atypical pneumonia, which did not respond to conventional antimicrobials. Re-examining the travel history revealed a prior caving trip to Costa Rica. Dimorphic fungal serology was thus tested and a diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis was made. After a lengthy intensive care unit admission, the patient made a recovery after the administration of appropriate antifungal therapy and was discharged home on long-term oral antifungals.

Does retraction of the sternum during median sternotomy result in brachial plexus injuries?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'does retraction of the sternum during median sternotomy result in brachial plexus injuries or peripheral neuropathies?' Altogether 58 papers were found using the reported search, of which 12 represented the best evidence to answer the question. The authors, date, journal and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated. Caudal placement of the retractor or relieving the pressure superiorly by removing the upper blades of a retractor (P = 0.02) and use of a caudally placed symmetrical retractor has been shown to reduce neuropathy. Positioning of the patient with 'hands up' positioning showed significant reduction in the incidence of brachial plexus injuries. Furthermore, how wide the retractor is opened and use of an asymmetrical retractor for internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting are also important factors in quantifying risk of postoperative neuropathy. Wider sternal retraction and longer bypass time did increase the risk of developing postoperative neuropathy. Three asymmetrical retractors were looked at that demonstrates the Delacroix-Chevalier to be the safest (P < 0.05). We conclude that median sternotomy risks brachial plexus injury and where possible the sternum should be opened as small a distance as possible with symmetrical retractor and using a caudally placed retractor.