Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals: an assessment of the early diagnostic value of serum amyloid A and plasma fibrinogen concentrations in equine clinical practice.

Early diagnosis and prevention of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals represent important goals for equine clinicians. Recent protocols for diagnosis and treatment of Rhodococcosis in foals typically rely on a multimodal approach based on sonographic evidence suggestive of pyogranulomas, sonographic abscess scores and laboratory findings including plasma fibrinogen concentrations, blood biochemistry testing and platelet and leukocyte counts. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of weekly testing of serum amyloid A (SAA) and plasma fibrinogen concentrations in foals to achieve early diagnosis of R.

Peristomal hernia following end-colostomy: a conservative approach.

Available data from follow-up of 183 patients who survived abdominoperineal excision for cancer of the rectum are reviewed. Sixteen patients developed a peristomal hernia, but none required surgical correction for over 20 years of observation. An additional group of 50 long-survivors has been recently examined to verify whether our restrictive surgical indications are adequate.

Successful treatment of intraoperative rupture of the left ventricle after mitral valve replacement: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of intraoperative left ventricular rupture following mitral valve replacement, promptly detected and successfully treated, is reported, and the literature concerning 19 other patients successfully treated for this complication is reviewed. Routine inspection of the posterior atrioventricular groove and left ventricular wall is to be recommended after prosthetic mitral valve replacement and before cardiopulmonary bypass is discontinued, to allow recognition of the early signs of ventricular rupture.