BACKGROUND Anatomical comparisons of the ear region of baleen whales (Mysticeti) are provided through detailed osteological descriptions and high-resolution photographs of the petrotympanic complex (tympanic bulla and petrosal bone) of all extant species of mysticete cetaceans. Salient morphological features are illustrated and identified, including overall shape of the bulla, size of the conic...

Surgery of the ear is commonly indicated in small animal practice for a variety of causes including otitis externa, otitis media as well as traumatic and neoplastic conditions of the bulla, ear canal and pinna. The complexity of these interventions can range from very basic to highly complex and ear surgery remains an area of soft tissue surgery that is associated with significant morbidity. In...

Nasopharyngeal polyps are non-neoplastic masses, originating from the mucosa of the nasopharynx, the tympanic bulla or the Eustachian tube. Inflammatory polyps extending into the tympanic bulla cavity are a common cause of otitis media in cats. In dogs, however, occurrence of middle ear polyps has rarely been reported. The present report describes the findings of the clinical examination, diagn...

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a serious and life-threatening condition often caused by ruptured apical lung bulla in young male individuals. It commonly associated with different syndromes but also occurs healthy In this case report, we aim to discuss the etiology, clinical course, surgical treatment of 21-year-old kickboxer right-sided that occurred during sparring session. A chest tube neg...

The cases of three sisters who presented with spontaneous pneumothoraces are described. In two of the patients large bullae were clearly demonstrable. No recognisable associations of bullae or pneumothorax were present and there was no evidence of generalised emphysema. The cases suggest a familial predisposition to the development of bullae in otherwise apparently healthy lungs.

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare and progressive disease of young women that usually causes death from respiratory failure. Here we report an early case that was diagnosed by thoracoscopy. A 28-year-old woman presented to a local clinic with chest pain and her chest X-ray film showed left pneumothorax. After placement of a chest tube, the lung re-expanded fully. Following the ...

We have previously described the use of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), a novel, tissue engineering-based, minimally invasive technique, in experimental homogeneous pulmonary emphysema in sheep. In this report, we describe the use of CTguided, site-directed BLVR in the treatment of experimental heterogeneous emphysema. Nine sheep were treated with localized papain instillations and ...