Myopericarditis in a patient with hepatitis C and cryoglobulinemic renal disease.

Although cryoglobulinemia is a well-appreciated complication of hepatitis C (HC), myopericarditis with resulting pericardial effusion is extremely rare, especially in the absence of a liver transplant. In patients with HC, pericardial effusion with impending tamponade can be a florid and potentially life-threatening manifestation of multiorgan cryoglobulinemic disease.

The healing effects of autologous platelet gel on acute human skin wounds.

Objective: To compare the healing of full-thickness skin punch wounds treated with topical autologous platelet gel (APG) vs conventional therapy (antibiotic ointment and/or occlusive dressings) in healthy volunteers.

Methods: A prospective, single-blind, pilot study comprising 80 full-thickness skin punch wounds (4 mm diameter) was conducted on the thighs of 8 healthy volunteers. With each subject serving as his or her own control (5 punch sites per leg), APG was applied topically on one thigh, and an antibiotic ointment and/or a semiocclusive dressing was applied on the other thigh.

Use of tissue ultrafiltration for treatment of compartment syndrome: a pilot study using porcine hindlimbs.

Objectives: To demonstrate the efficacy of compartment syndrome ultrafiltration for the treatment of acute compartment syndrome in an animal model. Our hypothesis is the removal of interstitial fluid will result in a reduction of intramuscular pressure compared with untreated controls in a model of bilateral induced compartment syndrome.

Design: Controlled experimental model.

The cytological spectrum of chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) refers to a spectrum of changes generally seen after repeated injury that ranges histologically from mild fibrosis to extensive fibroinflammatory replacement of acinar tissue with accumulation of calcific debris. Because CP can share clinical and radiological features with malignancy, it often is sampled by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The cytology files at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) were searched for 20 consecutive cases of CP sampled by FNA.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes: the Hennepin County Medical Center experience.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) allows for the sampling and diagnosis of lesions of the gastrointestinal system and adjacent tissues. It has also proved helpful with the sampling of lymphadenopathy both for the staging of malignancy and for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy of other causes. We review our experience with EUS-guided FNA of lymph nodes.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of peripheral nerve-sheath tumors.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has allowed for the fine-needle aspiration and diagnosis of many different gastrointestinal neoplasms, including mesenchymal tumors. Although most mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), other mesenchymal tumors, including neural tumors, do occur. Proper diagnosis and differentiation of these tumors from GISTs are important because of their different prognoses and treatment regimens.

Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas. The findings and limitations of cytologic samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

All clinically and ultrasonographically suspected examples of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) aspirated during a 17-month period were reviewed and analyzed for follow-up. We identified 18 cases of suspected IPMN in patients 52 to 87 years old. All patients had dilated pancreatic ducts, with 3 showing sonographically apparent intraductal papillary lesions; 5 had adjacent cystic or solid pancreatic masses.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration findings of gastrointestinal leiomyomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

True leiomyomas of the gastrointestinal system are rare but remain the most common mesenchymal tumors of the esophagus. It has become important to distinguish these tumors from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) because the neoplasms have different prognoses and treatment options. We describe and compare clinical findings and the following fine-needle aspiration (FNA) features of 9 gastrointestinal leiomyomas and 19 GISTs sampled with endoscopic ultrasound: overall cellularity, cell group features, cell shape and cytoplasmic features, nuclear characteristics, background, cell block features, and immunohistochemical results.