Superior vena cava syndrome caused by embolisation of liquid Onyx.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is usually caused by a malignancy or the presence of an intravascular device in a central vein. A 74-year-old male with a history of a superior vena cava (SVC) stent underwent embolisation of a brain arterio-venous malformation through the right meningeal artery with liquid Onyx. Two weeks later he presented with acute respiratory failure, upper airway obstruction, plethora, varices of the chest wall and stridor.

Chest tube drainage of transudative pleural effusions hastens liberation from mechanical ventilation.

Background: Pleural effusions occur frequently in patients requiring mechanical ventilatory support. Treatment of the precipitating cause and resolution of the pleural effusion may take considerable time. We retrospectively studied the effect of chest tube drainage of transudative pleural effusions on the liberation of patients from mechanical ventilatory support.

ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema in elderly African American females requiring tracheostomy.

Angioedema is a well-demarcated localized edema involving the deeper layers of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa, and submucosa. It is a well-recognized side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy. Prolonged angioedema is rare.