Subxiphoid Chest Tube Insertion for Extrapericardial Pneumomediastinum: A Simple and Effective Nonsurgical Treatment.

Extrapericardial pneumomediastinum (EPM) is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of air in the mediastinum outside the pericardial sac. It may present with symptoms such as dysphonia, shortness of breath, and neck or chest pain; however, it is often asymptomatic. In the absence of a history of trauma or foreign body aspiration, treatment is usually supportive.

Exploring the Potential of Saphenous Vein Grafts Ex Vivo: A Model for Intimal Hyperplasia and Re-Endothelialization.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) utilizing saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) stands as a fundamental approach to surgically treating coronary artery disease. However, the long-term success of CABG is often compromised by the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) and subsequent graft failure. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this pathophysiology is crucial for improving graft patency and patient outcomes.

Sarcoma With Pulmonary Metastases: A Management Dilemma.

Pulmonary metastases in soft tissue, such as sarcoma and osteosarcoma, are associated with a poor prognosis. A complete surgical resection has been proven to prolong survival. We report four cases of sarcoma with pulmonary metastases, all with differing progressions, prognoses, and management.

Successful Treatment of Sternal Osteomyelitis and Mediastinitis Caused by Rhizopus Following Cardiac Surgery.

Sternal osteomyelitis and mediastinitis are rare yet severe complications post-cardiac surgery, often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Fungal etiologies, particularly those caused by spp., are infrequent but can lead to aggressive infections.

Massive hemoptysis in pregnancy due to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with pulmonary tuberculosis co-infection.

A 37-year-old woman, 25 weeks pregnant, experienced sudden massive hemoptysis. She had a background history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and past pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Emergency intubation was necessary, and bronchoscopy revealed blood pooling in both main bronchi, with active bleeding from the right upper lobe bronchus.

Retrospective review comparing intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (alteplase) and surgical intervention in complex pleural effusion.

Background: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) is one of the treatment options for complex pleural effusion. In this study, the IPFT agent used was alteplase, a tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). This study aims to determine the difference in the outcome of patients with complex pleural effusion between IPFT and surgery in terms of radiological improvement, inflammatory parameters, length of stay, and post-intervention complications.

Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Endocarditis as a Sequela of Pneumonia in a Patient without Valvular Abnormalities.

A 50-year-old woman with underlying end stage renal disease on hemodialysis developed large isolated staphylococcal infective endocarditis over the left ventricular outflow tract when she had pneumonia, without apparent valvular involvement. She subsequently had successful surgery for excision of vegetation.

Incidental finding of congenital pericardial defect during vats bullectomy. Tips and tricks to avoid blunder.

The absence of a small portion of the pericardium is termed pericardial defect. This rare entity can be either acquired or congenital. The prevalence of congenital pericardial defect is exceedingly rare, which is approximately 0.