The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Primary chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) of the sternum is quite rare with only four cases documented in the literature. We present a new case of CMF arising from the sternum of a 47-year-old man and compare it with the previous cases.
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We used serial measurements of serum S-100B protein to evaluate the time course of serum S-100B protein concentration after cardiovascular surgery and to determine the clinical relevance of its concentration and cerebral damage. ⋯ Serial measurement of serum S-100B protein in the initial 12 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass can be used to predict early postoperative brain injury.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of topical head cooling during the first 2 postoperative hours after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest. ⋯ Topical cooling of the head during the first 2 postoperative hours after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest does not appear to provide any neuroprotective effect.
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The aim of this study is to report a series of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a population of young, tall, and thin patients with a history of thoracic hyper pressure, and to analyze the assessment required in such patients. ⋯ Spontaneous pneumomediastinum follows alveolar rupture in the pulmonary interstitium. The dissection of gas towards the hilum and mediastinum is produced by an episode of acute high intrathoracic pressure. It affects mostly young people, and this is the case in our series. Endoscopic thoracic assessment may be risky and is not always necessary. Chest CT or esophageal contrast study should be performed in case of diagnostic doubt of esophageal perforation.