Postgraduate medical journal
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Case Reports
Diagnostic aspiration of an iatrogenic hydrothorax following subclavian catheterization.
Central venous catheterization is not without hazard. Inadvertent placement in the pleural space can occur without the development of a pneumothorax and pressure measurements may appear misleadingly normal. This case report illustrates an effective method of diagnosing and draining an iatrogenic hydrothorax which resulted in this way.
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A recent report by the National Audit Office found that only 50% to 60% of weekday operating time was being used. This report was examined by the Committee of Public Accounts and much of the blame for underutilization of operating theatres was attributed to poor working practices among surgeons. ⋯ The single largest cause of underutilization was understaffing. To increase theatre utilization higher levels of staffing and expenditure are needed rather than changes in the working practices of surgeons.
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Case Reports
Large bowel obstruction due to an impacted barolith--a delayed complication of a barium study.
Complications of barium sulphate studies abound in the literature but there are very few recorded instances of large bowel obstruction due to inspissated barium and faeces forming a 'barolith'. A patient who suffered this complication is reported.