Pericarditis mimicking Brugada syndrome.

Introduction: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disorder due to alteration of the ion channels function that causes an impaired in the cardiac conduction system. It is characterized by an abnormal electrocardiogram pattern and may be complicated by malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium and 90% of isolated cases of acute pericarditis are idiopathic or viral.

A dry lab for medical engineers?

Introduction: We describe a teaching and training method with objective evaluation to improve medical engineering students' knowledge and analysis skills about Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) instrumentation and techniques through hands-on experience. Training has been scheduled during a three-month course.

Methods: Twenty medical engineering students were trained to perform three times on a pelvic trainer a sequence of standardized drills connected with the selected MIS techniques, in order to improve their dexterity.

Dynamics of liver trauma: tearing of segments III and IV at the level of the hepatic ligament.

The liver is the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ. Liver mass is the key factor in determining the extent of the inertial force and consequently of damage in the case of sudden deceleration. In this respect, high-speed accidents usually produce characteristic lesions where the III-IV segments tear at the level of the hepatic ligament causing grade I-III liver injuries.