Industrial Processing Induces Pericardial Patch Degeneration.

Background: Autologous pericardium is considered gold standard for various reconstructive surgical procedures in children. However, processed bovine, equine, and porcine pericardial tissue are also widely used. We investigated structural differences and analyzed alterations caused by industrial processing.

Impact of cardiac fibrosis and collagens on right ventricular failure and acute kidney injury in patients after continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the impact of cardiac fibrosis and collagens on right ventricular failure (RVF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Methods: Heart tissues from 34 patients were obtained from continuous flow left ventricular assist device insertion sites and corresponding clinical data were collected. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to the extent of the cardiac fibrosis or collagens.

Elastica degeneration and intimal hyperplasia lead to Contegra® conduit failure.

Objectives: Currently, Contegra® grafts (processed bovine jugular vein conduits) are widely used for reconstructive surgery of the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We analysed explanted Contegra conduits from 2 institutions histologically to get a possible hint at the underlying pathomechanisms of degenerative alterations and to find histological correlations of graft failure. Additionally, we compared the explants with a non-implanted processed graft and a native jugular vein obtained from a young bull.

A 65-year-old man with an endobronchial gossypiboma after lobectomy for abscessing pneumonia.

We present a case of a 65-year-old man with recurrent hemoptysis and weight loss for 6 months. Thirty-two years earlier, lobectomy of the right lower lobe had been performed for abcessing pneumonia. Due to recurrent pulmonary infections after lobectomy the patient had to retire at the age of 46.

Effectiveness of CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the spine: an analysis of 202 examinations.

Rationale And Objectives: The study goal was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided spinal biopsies.

Material And Methods: Two hundred two CT-guided vertebral biopsies performed between May 1999 and June 2004 in 187 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics (age, sex, antibiotic therapy), technical parameters (depth and number of biopsies, needle approach), lesion features (spinal level, osteolysis, fluid collections, soft tissue tumor), and complications were documented.

Transbronchial biopsy guided by low-dose MDCT: a new approach for assessment of solitary pulmonary nodules.

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine whether transbronchial bronchoscopic biopsy of solitary pulmonary nodules under CT guidance using a low-dose protocol can increase diagnostic yield in patients who had undergone unsuccessful conventional bronchoscopic biopsy.

Subjects And Methods: We included 33 consecutive patients (25 men; mean age +/- SD, 64 +/- 9.6 years) with solitary pulmonary nodules at different sites and with a lesion-to-pleura distance of at least 2 cm who previously underwent conventional bronchoscopy that did not result in histologic diagnosis.

Evaluation of chronic infectious interstitial pulmonary disease in children by low-dose CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy.

Background: Children with chronic infectious interstitial lung disease often have to undergo open lung biopsy to establish a final diagnosis. Open lung biopsy is an invasive procedure with major potential complications. Transthoracic lung biopsy (TLB) guided by computed tomography (CT) is a less-invasive well-established procedure in adults.

Co-expression of VEGF, c-Met and HGF/SF in secondary pleural tumors.

Tumor angiogenesis is influenced by a large number of angiogenic factors among which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important cytokines. Together with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), c-Met receptor forms a paracrine signaling system. The aim was to study the characterization of the proteins, VEGF, c-Met and HGF/SF with expression pattern and possible co-expression in secondary pleural tumors.