Arch Surg Chicago
-
To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, and outcome and confounding factors associated with the development of a brain abscess in solid organ transplant recipients. ⋯ The epidemiological features of brain abscess formation after solid organ transplantation suggest 2 populations of patients exist that differ in timing, clinical setting, and response to therapy. For the chronically immunosuppressed outpatient, an established abscess should be empirically treated with sulfonamides until tissue diagnosis is confirmed. On the other hand, the acutely immunosuppressed posttransplant recipient, with defined risk factors, should receive full-dose therapy with amphotericin B and concomitantly lowered immunosuppression.
-
To evaluate the effects of pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide, argon, and helium; different abdominal pressures (ie, 8, 12, and 16 mm Hg); and different positions (ie, head up, head down, supine) on hemodynamic and respiratory function in a porcine model. ⋯ Helium may be an alternative gas to establish pneumoperitoneum because it does not have any effect on respiratory function and has only a moderate effect on hemodynamic function. Argon insufflation has some hemodynamic disadvantages. An intraperitoneal pressure greater than 12 mm Hg and a head-up position should be avoided because both have a markedly negative effect on respiratory and hemodynamic factors.