Three dimensional printed models of the airway for preoperative planning of open Laryngotracheal surgery in children: Surgeon's perception of utility.

Background: Preoperative planning of open laryngotracheal surgery is important for achieving good results. This study examines the surgeon's perception of the importance of using life size 3D printed models of the pediatric airway on surgical decision making.

Methods: Life-size three-dimensional models of the upper airway were created based on CT images of children scheduled for laryngotracheal-reconstruction and cricotracheal resection with anastomosis.

Quantification of pericardial effusions by echocardiography and computed tomography.

Echocardiography is a well-accepted tool for the diagnosis and quantification of pericardial effusion (PEff). Given the increasing use of computed tomographic (CT) scanning, more PEffs are being initially diagnosed by computed tomography. No study has compared quantification of PEff by computed tomography and echocardiography.

The effect of the cryosurgical cox-maze procedure on pulmonary veins diameter and left atrial size: computed tomography angiographic assessment.

Objective: : The Cox-Maze procedure using cryoablation results in transmural lesions, which follow the lesion pattern of the cut-and-sew Cox-Maze procedure. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of the Cox-Maze procedure on left atrial and pulmonary vein size using computed tomography angiogram (CTA). An additional aim was to evaluate pulmonary vein anatomic variability.

Treating patients abroad. Worlds apart.

The government is making a virtue out of necessity by letting the NHS use spare capacity on the continent to help clear waiting lists. Better-educated and informed patients are likely to benefit most. The move will encourage comparisons between health services in the UK and other European countries, even if take-up is limited.