Ear, nose, & throat journal
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It is widely accepted that thyroid surgery is not without morbidity. One well-known postoperative complication is respiratory distress. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the incidence of post-thyroidectomy respiratory complications and to identify possible predictive factors. ⋯ No deaths occurred. While the findings of this observational study can only suggest the possibility of causation, preoperative factors such as long-standing goiter and giant goiter should be taken into consideration in postoperative management and the prevention of respiratory complications. In addition, the presence of at least 4 of the 8 factors studied should likewise alert the management team.
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Tracheal diverticulum is a rare entity. When it does occur, it is usually discovered incidentally in an asymptomatic patient as an outpouching from the tracheal wall, usually on the right side. It can be either congenital or acquired. ⋯ All 4 patients were thoroughly evaluated with conventional chest and neck radiographs, barium-swallow imaging, linear tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Resection of these tracheal diverticula was not considered for any patient. The author also reviews the literature on tracheal diverticulum.
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Review Case Reports
Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the occipital artery: case report and review of the literature.
Only 3 cases of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the occipital artery have been reported since 1644. We report a fourth case, which occurred in an 85-year-old woman who experienced a blunt trauma during a fall. The pseudoaneurysm resolved without surgical intervention. We also review the literature on traumatic pseudoaneurysms, as well as true aneurysms, of the external carotid system, with emphasis on current diagnostic and therapeutic options.