Splenic Subcapsular Hematoma from Commercial Air Travel: Case Report of a Unique Incident of Altitude-Associated Splenic Syndrome.

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT), the heterozygous form of sickle cell disease, is generally thought of as a benign condition. However, it is possible for those with SCT to have serious complications, especially when they are exposed to high altitudes where oxygen levels are low.

Case Report: We present a case of a 41-year-old man with a history of SCT who developed severe epigastric pain and nearly lost consciousness while traveling on a commercial airplane.

Assessment of canine vocal fold function after injection of a new biomaterial designed to treat phonatory mucosal scarring.

Objectives: Most cases of irresolvable hoarseness are due to deficiencies in the pliability and volume of the superficial lamina propria of the phonatory mucosa. By using a US Food and Drug Administration-approved polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), we created a novel hydrogel (PEG30) and investigated its effects on multiple vocal fold structural and functional parameters.

Methods: We injected PEG30 unilaterally into 16 normal canine vocal folds with survival times of 1 to 4 months.