New technique for in-continuity axillary and supraclavicular lymphadenectomy for advanced metastatic melanoma using intraoperative image guidance: a case report.

Simultaneousinvolvement of the supraclavicular and axillary lymphatic basins is known to occur in metastatic skin cancers. We present the case of a 35-year-old male with metastatic melanoma present in the right neck and axillary lymph nodes. He underwent a combined, in-continuity dissection of both basins using intraoperative ultrasound to ensure full clearance of lymph nodes from the cervicoaxillary canal, which otherwise would have been impossible to achieve without clavicle osteotomy. This allowed us to avoid a division of the clavicle and related morbidity. Postoperative imaging confirmed no residual disease, and no local recurrence subsequently. We conclude that intraoperative use of ultrasound can help guide surgeons trying to achieve clearance of metastatic disease in anatomically complex regions, avoiding unnecessary morbidity.

Isolated Focal Basilar Artery Stenosis with Acute Stroke Treated with Emergency Thrombectomy and Stenting.

Strokes due to basilar artery (BA) stenosis/occlusion are devastating. As it is an uncommon cause of stroke, its optimal management is not clearly defined. We present the case of a 68-year-old male with a background history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and smoking who developed a sudden onset of reduced consciousness, myoclonic jerks, generalised weakness, and nausea due to an occluded mid-segment BA with right occipital and left cerebellar infarcts. Emergent cerebral angiography was performed and he was immediately treated by clot retrieval and, due to underlying arterial stenosis, the immediate placement of a stent within 3 h of symptom onset. He had complete neurological recovery within 1 week, with no neurological deficits. He remained well at follow-up 3 months later. Emergency revascularisation of stroke due to BA occlusion should be considered as a treatment option.

Small Intracranial Aneurysms and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Is the Size Criterion for Risk of Rupture Relevant?

The current understanding is that small intracranial aneurysms (<7 mm) are not at a significant risk for rupture. However, there have been several published series of rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysms <5 mm. Three cases of intracranial aneurysms rupturing at <3 mm are presented in this paper. Patient age ranged between 38 and 57 years. The aneurysms were located in different parts of the circulation in the brain. This case series highlights that the size criterion alone is not adequate when evaluating patients with unruptured brain aneurysms for observational follow-up or treatment.