Annals of vascular surgery
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Nowadays, compression ultrasonography (CUS) is the gold standard for the routine diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The drawback of CUS is the low sensitivity concerning the diagnosis of isolated pelvic vein thrombosis, especially referring to isolated internal iliac vein and ovarian vein thromboses. Therefore, magnetic resonance (MR) venography has become a valuable alternative. ⋯ Owing to the fact that this thrombus was free floating, surgical removal of the thrombus was scheduled and performed successfully. In some patients it might be important to look for so-called rare causes of pulmonary embolism, even when CUS of the lower limbs does not reveal any DVTs. The diagnostic procedure of choice for these patients seems to be MR phlebography, as iliac and pelvic veins can be evaluated without radiation exposure with this procedure.
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Cardiovascular complications, such as death, myocardial infarction, or heart failure, are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. ⋯ These data suggest a significant benefit of an intensive cardiac preoperative evaluation in reducing the incidence of perioperative and postoperative cardiac morbidity and mortality.
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We reviewed our experience to determine the effect of epidural versus intravenous analgesia on postoperative pulmonary function and pain control in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm. ⋯ Epidural anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia improve the postoperative respiratory function, compared with general anesthesia and systemic analgesia, and reduce postoperative pain as well, in COPD patients undergoing elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
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Case Reports
Delayed axillary artery pseudoaneurysm as an isolated consequence to anterior dislocation of the shoulder.
Injury to the axillary artery after anterior shoulder dislocation is a very rare occurrence; although infrequently seen as an iatrogenic complication, very few cases have been reported. We describe a case of delayed axillary artery pseudoaneurysm, presenting as single complication after anterior shoulder dislocation reduction, which was successfully managed by surgical intervention-resection-anastomosis. Although uncommon, pseudoaneurysms should not be forgotten after trivial trauma. The early diagnosis of upper-limb pseudoaneurysms should prevent the risk of vascular and neurological compromises with potential serious long-term sequelae.
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Aortoenteric fistulas (AEFs) are a rare complication of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. They occur in <1% of aortic grafting procedures, result from graft defects, foreign bodies, and trauma, and are associated with a high mortality rate. We report a complex AEF associated with vertebral body osteomyelitis, likely secondary to tuberculous infection. ⋯ With fluoroscopic guidance, injection of contrast in the aortic sac drainage catheter demonstrated complex fistulous communications from the aortic sac to the overlying small intestine. After a course of drainage, antibiotic therapy, and parenteral nutrition, the patient underwent a transperitoneal repair of the AEF with duodeno-duodenectomy and wide debridement of the aortic sac and Dacron graft. Pathology revealed giant cell granulomas, highly suggestive of tuberculosis.