Successful Treatment of Enterocutaneous Fistula in a Hemodialysis Patient with Somatostatin

Although cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease affecting the central nervous system, spinal cysticercosis is rare. A rare form of spinal cysticercosis involving the whole spinal canal is presented. A 45-year-old Korean male had a history of intracranial cysticercosis and showed progressive paraparesis. Spinal magnetic resonance scan showed multiple cysts compressing the spinal cord from C1 to L1. Three different levels (C1-2, T1-3, and T11-L1) required operation. Histopathological examination confirmed cysticercosis. The patient improved markedly after surgery.

Total thyroidectomy is safer with identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) identification on the complications after total thyroidectomy and lobectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 134 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy from January 2003 to November 2004 were investigated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: RLN identified (Group A) or not (Group B). The two groups were compared for RLN injury and hypocalcaemia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The numbers of patients and nerves at risk were 71 and 129 in Group A, and 63 and 121 in Group B, respectively. RLN injury in Group A (0) was significantly lower than that in Group B (5 [7.9%]) patients, 7 [5.8%] nerves) for the numbers of patients (P=0.016) and nerves at risk (P=0.006). Temporary hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (14 [24.1%] vs 6 [10.3%], P=0.049). Permanent complications in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A (13 [20.6%] vs 4 [5.6%], P=0.009).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RLN injury was prevented and permanent complications were decreased by identifying the whole course and branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy.</p>