Mucormycosis: a rare complication of an amputation.

Mucormycosis is a rare but serious opportunistic fungal infection. Several clinical forms have been described, including cutaneous localization that is frequently associated with soft tissue trauma or burns. We report a case of cutaneous mucormycosis in a diabetic patient with severe occlusive arterial disease. The diagnosis was made early with mold growth on an amputation wound and the presence of nonseptate hyphae on direct microscopic examination, later identified on culture as Lichtheimia ramosa. Aggressive treatment, including the control of underlying diseases, systemic and local amphotericin B, and extensive surgical debridement permitted successful outcomes.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided luminal remodeling as a novel technique to restore gastroduodenal continuity.

Pyloric exclusion is a method of treatment for duodenal injury. Surgery is usually needed to restore digestive continuity in due time, yet a new surgical procedure can be challenging due to fibrotic adhesion development. We present here a retrospective case series of three patients with pyloric exclusion who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided duodenal repermeabilization using metallic stents. All procedures were successful with no complication and allowed regular feeding. This case series shows that endoscopic ultrasound-guided recanalization is a feasible and safe procedure.

Leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava.

Leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava is a very rare tumor and only a few cases have been reported, with various techniques of vascular reconstruction. We describe a new case of leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava in a 61-year-old woman with extension to the brachiocephalic arterial trunk. Resection and vascular reconstruction were performed using, respectively, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephtalate vascular grafts.