Ramsay Hunt syndrome in renal transplantation recipient: a case report.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome develops upon reactivation of a latent virus within the geniculate ganglion. The patient presents with acute facial paralysis, severe ear pain, and a vesicular eruption of the external auditory canal and concha. Varicella zoster virus seropositivity occurs among approximately 90% of members of society. In these persons, virus reactivation may occur especially with advancing age and immunosuppression. We present a case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome that developed in a 35-year-old male patient, who had undergone a renal transplantation 8 months prior and had received maintenance immunosuppression.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mandible.

We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) primary within the mandible of a 32-year-old female. The mandible is a rare location of MFH, accounting for only 3% of all tumours of this type occurring within bone. The clinical, pathological and radiographic features are discussed with special emphasis on the radiographic features of this lesion.

Prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea in rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Various tracheal reconstruction techniques have been developed for stenosis. Different types of grafts, flaps and synthetic materials have been used for reconstruction of the defect when primary anastomosis was unsuccessful or not indicated. The mentioned reconstruction methods have limited success. Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) prosthesis is a microporous polymer and has been applied for implantation on a wide range. It is also appropriate for tracheal reconstruction. METHODS: In the present study, segmental defects were created in 12 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups; the first group was applied an end-to-end anastomosis whilst the second a PTFE prosthesis. After 2 months, these applications were compared clinically, endoscopically and histopathologically to each other. RESULTS: Necrosis and extrusion were not observed in the rabbits with PTFE applications. After 1 month, the tracheal stenosis was found on endoscopic examination in 5 animals in the first group and 2 animals in the second group. While in longer defects, end-to-end anastomosis causes tracheal tension, PTFE applications have been well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that PTFE prosthesis is a suitable alternative method in reconstruction of circumferential tracheal defects.

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt trauma in children: report of two cases.

Tracheobronchial tree injuries occur in a small number of patients after blunt chest trauma, and their occurrence is uncommon in the pediatric trauma population. The authors report two male children, one with a tracheal rupture, and the other with disruption of the main right bronchus. Mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema resulting in airway obstruction were noted in Case 1 and soft-tissue emphysema, pneumomediastinum and tension pneumothorax were evident in Case 2 at the time of presentation. In the child with bronchial disruption, a major airway injury was suspected early on, because of a massive air leak despite two properly placed chest tubes. The definitive diagnosis was established bronchoscopically, and thoracotomy and primary repair were performed. The child with rupture of the posterior tracheal wall was diagnosed at an early stage by bronchoscopy and he was successfully managed without surgery.