Atypical presentation of an impacted radiolucent esophageal foreign body.

Patients with impacted esophageal foreign bodies usually present with gastrointestinal and rarely with respiratory symptoms. Impacted esophageal foreign bodies may be identified by radiologic studies. Ingested radiolucent foreign bodies may be more difficult to diagnose, especially if the patient presents with minimal symptoms.

Intravenous versus epidural analgesia after surgical repair of pectus excavatum.

Surgical repair of pectus excavatum can be associated with significant postoperative pain. Various analgesic modalities have been suggested including thoracic epidural analgesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA). The current study compares the efficacy and adverse efficacy profile of these 2 analgesic modalities.