Periareolar mediastinoscopy: a new technique.

Biopsy of anterior mediastinal or aortopulmonary nodes is usually accomplished through a left anterior mediastinostomy. Cosmetic concerns expressed by patients about scars in the neck or the upper chest led us to consider a new periareolar approach for mediastinoscopy. This technique has been used successfully in 10 patients.

Aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare tumors of the heart and affect primarily the cardiac valves. These lesions are responsible for embolic accidents that clinically manifest as neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. We describe the case of a 40-yr-old woman who presented with a neurological deficit caused by a papillary tumor of the aortic valve.