J Cardiovasc Surg
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S-100beta is a specific astroglial protein whose serum level increases after cerebral injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between elevated levels of S-100beta and the neurocognitive outcome after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Serum S-100beta is a promising early biochemical marker for cerebral injury following cardiac surgery within a good correlation with the CPB time, age and especially with neurocognitive tests.
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Case Reports
Life threatening complications caused by bronchogenic and oesophageal duplication cysts in a child.
An 11-year-old girl presented with severe respiratory distress, fever and septic manifestations. Computed tomography scan (CT) of the chest showed 2 separate superior and posterior mediastinal cysts, the upper one causing severe extrinsic compression of the trachea, and the oesophagus, while the lower cyst was at the subcarinal region compressing the 2 major bronchi. Emergency thoracotomy was performed permitting complete resection of intra-mural oesophageal enteric cyst, and a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful.
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We report a case of right atrial rupture due to blunt trauma by a hoof kick to the anterior chest wall. We describe our successful management of this case. We suggest that a diagnosis of cardiac chamber rupture should be considered in all cases of blunt thoracic trauma.
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Jehovah's Witnesses, patients who refuse blood transfusions, are generally not considered as candidates for lung transplantation owing to the frequent requirement for transfusions. A successful procedure in a Jehovah's Witness is presented and to our knowledge this is the 2(nd) reported case. ⋯ From the same pulmonary bloc a twinning procedure was obtained by means of right lung transplantation in a 58-year-old man affected by the same pathology. Surgical strategies employed in achieving a successful outcome, ethical and moral aspects are discussed.
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Comparative Study
Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy in the diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease. A prospective study.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy is commonly performed for diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease. This study reports our experience with this technique in terms of diagnostic accuracy, complications and appropriate site for biopsy. ⋯ Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy is an effective procedure. Single lung biopsy from lingula or RML compared to other anatomic sites has an equivalent diagnostic yield.