Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Aug 2003
ReviewSurgical sepsis: dysregulation of immune function and therapeutic implications.
Sepsis is defined clinically as the systemic inflammatory response of the host to the documented systemic infection. The pathophysiological disturbance involves both the innate and adaptive immune systems encompassing cellular immunity, humoral components and the complement system. ⋯ The clinical features of the sepsis syndrome may vary from minor clinical disturbances to severe multiple organ failure and death of the host. Appropriate therapeutic strategies for patients with sepsis utilise conventional therapy and new novel forms of treatment, which are showing promise for the future.
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Aneurysms of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are extremely rare, with a range of reported presentations including deep venous thrombosis. Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are suggested appropriate diagnostic imaging modalities, but even then it may not be possible to differentiate between an IVC aneurysm and a retroperitoneal tumour. This case illustrates that an IVC aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal tumour.