The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of percutaneous one-channel double stent implantation on hilar biliary obstruction involving both hepatic ducts and its clinical value. A total of 8 patients with hilar biliary obstruction involving the left and right hepatic ducts were enrolled. A percutaneous unilateral approach was adopted. Two stents were implanted, one between the left and r...

We investigate retrospectively the efficacy of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) for severe respiratory distress (SRD) in patients with central airway obstruction (CAO). Thirty three patients with CAO were treated with SEMS using fiberoptic bronchoscopy method. We found an intraluminal obstruction present in 7, extraluminal compression in 10, and combined stenosis in 16 cases. Tumor infilt...

1. Early identification of strangulated bowel allows for faster treatment and improved outcomes. 2. Accurate diagnosis of strangulation cannot be made using physical exam or laboratory studies. 3. Most sensitive and specific modality for diagnosing strangulation is a non-contrast CT scan followed by an arterial and venous phase looking for enhancement of bowel wall. 4. Oral Gastrografin has bee...

Extracorporeal life support has been increasingly utilized in different clinical settings to manage either critical respiratory or heart failure. Complex airway surgery with significant even total perioperative obstruction represents an indication for this technique prevent/overcome a period of severe hypoxaemia, hypoventilation, and/or apnea. This review summarizes the current published scient...

Direct connections between normal distal coronary arteries are rarely detected with angiography. In a 67-year-old man a diagnosis of intercoronary arterial continuity was established after ruling out collateral circulation secondary to coronary obstruction. Published reports of similar cases are reviewed.

The case history is presented of a patient with acute respiratory failure complicated by nasal obstruction resulting in intolerance of nasal ventilation. Urgent insertion of nasal stents permitted restoration of ventilation with resolution of breathlessness and stabilisation of arterial blood gases. (Thorax 2000;55:434–436)

ummary: Intermittent methohexitone for conservative dentistry has been shown to cause clinically undetectable respiratory obstruction, depression of the laryngeal reflex, and arterial hypoxaemia. Because of the pronounced decrease in total peripheral resistance, the blood pressure was maintained only by large increases in cardiac output. Furthermore, the output of the heart could not increase w...

The effect of a single dose of diazepam on sleep and respiration was studied in nine patients with chronic airflow obstruction with moderate arterial hypoxaemia but no hypercapnia. Diazepam improved sleep duration without exacerbating nocturnal hypoxaemia and there was no change in the number of apnoeic events after a single 5 mg dose at night.