Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. A case report and review of the literature.

Cystic adventitial disease is a rare form of non-atherosclerotic stenosis and one of the main causes of claudication in young and middle-aged men. Approximately 200 case reports are available in the literature to date. It is generally located in the popliteal artery, although it may be found in other arteries and even in veins. The aetiology is still unclear: most authors believe that the cyst may originate from a synovial ganglion close to the adjacent hip joint capsule. Patients affected by adventitial cystic degeneration are often young male non-smokers with intermittent calf claudication. The treatment of choice is surgical removal of the cyst or reconstruction with autologous vein or synthetic graft interposition. Percutaneous US-guided cystic aspiration is a recent easy and safe alternative method for treating the disease but may result in local recurrence. We report the case of a 51-year-old male patient with clinically intermittent claudication of the right leg. The arteriogram showed complete occlusion of the right proximal popliteal artery and no evidence of atherosclerotic disease in other vessels. The diagnosis was made at the time of surgery. Surgical exploration revealed a gelatinous material involving the popliteal artery. It was excised and evacuated and a segment of greater saphenous vein interposed. Ultrasound examination 12 months later showed graft patency and absence of local recurrence.

Brachial artery aneurysm in a patient with HIV infection. A case report.

The authors present a case of a brachial artery aneurysm in a patient with HIV infection. Aneurysms of unusual arteries, such as the common carotid, brachiocephalic, subclavian, superior mesenteric arteries and arteries of the upper extremity distal to the axillary artery, may be related to HIV infection. Chronic inflammatory infiltrate (plasma cells, B and T lymphocytes) around the vasa vasorum is noted in many reports. This condition may represent a "distinct clinicopathology entity". The best therapeutic option is operative repair. Reconstruction with autologous material is preferable since bacterial involvement of synthetic grafts is possible in individuals with an immunocompromised condition.

Risk-scoring methods in predicting the immediate outcome after emergency open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is associated with a risk of death approaching 80%. Prediction of immediate postoperative death in this condition assumes obvious relevance because it may be helpful in preoperative risk stratification. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients underwent emergency open repair of RAAA. Data were retrospectively collected, and preoperative risk assessment was done according to the Glasgow aneurysm score, the Hardman index, and the Chen calculated risk. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (44.7%) died during the immediate postoperative period. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the Glasgow aneurysm score, the Hardman index, and the Chen calculated risk was 0.906, 0.834, and 0.672, respectively. The mortality rate among patients with a Glasgow aneurysm score >85 was 88.9%, whereas in those with a lower score it was 15.9% (P < .0001). The mortality rate among patients with a Hardman index > or =2 was 81.1%, whereas it was 27.3% in those with a lower score (P < .0001). The mortality rate in patients with a Chen calculated mortality risk >37% was 62.0%, whereas it was 31.3% in those with a calculated risk < or =37% (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the Glasgow aneurysm score and, to a somewhat lower extent, the Hardman score are valuable predictors of immediate postoperative death after emergency open repair of RAAA.

Giant non Hodgkin lymphoma of Scarpa's triangle: a case report.

A 72-year-old lady was admitted to hospital with a large, bleeding mass on the right groin and an 8-month history of deep vein thrombosis of the left leg with pulmonary microembolisation treated medically. On clinical examination there was a solid, necrotising and bleeding right inguinal mass which extended 20 cm below the right inguinal ligament. A tissue biopsy, performed under local anaesthesia, revealed the presence of a non Hodgkin lymphoma with giant B-cells of follicular origin. An angio-CT scan of the pelvis and of the leg showed the compression of the 30 cm diameter tumour on the surrounding tissues. The mass appeared to be extra-compartmental and to have a non-homogeneous aspect with internal areas of necrosis and colliquation. Particular attention was devoted to the femoral vessels which were apparently not involved in the tumour mass. The patient was then operated on by a team of vascular and plastic-reconstructive surgeons. She underwent an operation consisting in an inguinal mass excision and skeletisation of the femoral vessels and nerve. The wound was then closed using both an abdominal and lateral flap from the hip. Postoperatively the patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 11. Follow-up at 3 months showed good healing of the wound and no signs of metastatic spread of the tumour.

Major vessel injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

The aim of the study was to investigate major vascular injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is a rare but potentially lethal complication if not recognized and treated swiftly, usually secondary to placement of the Veress needle or trocar. We report on our experience with a 35-year-old woman presenting an aortic laceration of the anterior wall and a puncture wound penetrating the anterior wall of the inferior vena cava. Repair of the injuries was done using a 5-0 Prolene suture mounted on pledgets. In addition, it was necessary to suture three mesenteric vascular injuries in the posterior peritoneum with Vicryl 2-0. The estimated blood loss was 1300 cc. The patient did well and was discharged on postoperative day 13. The distal abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava and large pelvic vessels are particularly prone to injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In most cases, the vascular defect can be closed by direct suturing. Rarely is it necessary to reconstruct the injured vessel with an alloplastic prosthetic patch or a prosthetic implant.