Extrapolation of in situ data from 1-km squares to adjacent squares using remote sensed imagery and airborne lidar data for the assessment of habitat diversity and extent.

Habitat surveillance and subsequent monitoring at a national level is usually carried out by recording data from in situ sample sites located according to predefined strata. This paper describes the application of remote sensing to the extension of such field data recorded in 1-km squares to adjacent squares, in order to increase sample number without further field visits. Habitats were mapped in eight central squares in northeast Estonia in 2010 using a standardized recording procedure.

How to build your own coronary anastomosis simulator from scratch.

Objectives: Gaining cardiac surgical competence is a complex, multifactorial process that may take years of experience and on-the-job training. It is critical to provide suitable educational opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge, judgment and skills. In response to the multitude of factors (e.

Surgical management of superior vena cava syndrome after failed endovascular stenting.

The superior vena cava syndrome encompasses a constellation of symptoms and signs resulting from obstruction of the superior vena cava. We report a successful surgical management after failed endovascular stenting for superior vena cava syndrome, caused by a postradiation fibrosis after conventional radiotherapy for breast cancer. We emphasize the rarity of this uncommon surgical procedure and the bailout procedure for failed angioplasty and intravascular stenting.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: Anno 2011.

Since 1998, a large body of literature regarding off-pump coronary bypass surgery has been published, although varying techniques and outcomes likely have led to its inconsistent application. One approach has been developed and standardized at the University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. This approach is straightforward and can be replicated without need for conversion toward cardiopulmonary bypass.

Isolated traumatic gallbladder rupture.

Blunt traumatic injury to the extrahepatic biliary system is a rare event usually recognized on evaluation and treatment of other visceral injuries during laparotomy. Isolated gallbladder rupture secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is even more uncommon, but poses a potential life-threatening surgical emergency. Delay in the diagnosis of the injury for several days due to no or vague symptoms and an insidious course are common.

Late recovery of atrioventricular conduction after pacemaker implantation for complete heart block in congenital heart disease: fact or fluke?

Objectives: Pacemaker implantation is a standard recommendation for patients with persistent complete heart block with congenital heart disease. This study was performed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of late recovery of atrioventricular (AV) conduction following pacemaker implantation.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with congenital heart disease needing pacemaker implantation was performed between 1977 and 2008 at our institution.

Non-Meckel's ileal diverticulitis with perforation: a rare cause of acute right lower quadrant pain.

A man, aged 74, presented with a rare clinical entity of an acute surgical abdomen similar to acute appendicitis. This case showed a non-Meckel's ileal diverticulitis that was complicated with a diverticular perforation and associated peritonitis. This is a very rare but potential life-threatening surgical emergency, mimicking the clinical presentation of acute appendicitis.

Malignant giant solitary fibrous tumor of the mediastinum.

Malignant giant solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the mediastinum is a rare neoplasm derived from mesenchymal tissue. Owing to its large size, a complete resection of the tumor can present many challenges, particularly given its proximity to vital neighboring structures. We report a successful en-bloc resection of a massive mediastinal SFT, which was compressing the inferior trachea and heart, by means of a median sternotomy and an anterior left thoracotomy.

Waist circumference is an independent risk factor for the development of parastomal hernia after permanent colostomy.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the risk factors of parastomal hernia after abdominoperineal rectal amputation.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent abdominoperineal rectal amputation for rectal cancer between January 1999 and August 2006. The effects of age, sex, surgical approach, chemotherapy, waist circumference, and body mass index on the development of a parastomal hernia were analyzed.

Nonunion of a Pediatric Distal Radial Metaphyseal Fracture Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation : A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A boy, age 9, presented with deformation and pain of the left distal forearm, 1 year after a plate osteosynthesis for a distal radial metaphyseal fracture. This case showed a pediatric nonunion of a distal radial metaphyseal fracture which caused strong deformation of the left distal forearm. This is an extremely rare complication in children following an open reduction and internal fixation for a displaced distal forearm fracture.

Penetrating pediatric cardiac trauma caused by fall on a pencil with normal echocardiography.

A toddler, age 2, presented with a penetrating cardiac trauma caused by a fall on a pencil. This case showed a normal echocardiography. However, during removal of the pencil, signs of cardiac tamponade were noticeable.

Late spontaneous haemarthrosis: an unusual complication following an unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

A man, aged 55, presented with a spontaneous haemarthrosis of his right knee, 1 year after an unicompartmental knee replacement. This case showed an atraumatic rupture of the metal marker wire of an all-polyethylene inlay tibial implant which caused a destruction of the polyethylene surface and a disseminated synovitis of the right knee. This is a rare but destructive complication following an unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

"Twist & slide" bowel obstruction: two different rare causes of adult bowel obstruction in the same patient.

A man, age 68, presented with two rare clinical entities of adult bowel obstruction. This case showed a caecocolic intussusception (due to a caecal malignant lesion) with a small bowel volvulus secondarily. These are rare but potential life-threatening surgical emergencies.

Ruptured femoral pseudo-aneurysm through the skin: a rare vexing complication following aortobifemoral reconstruction.

A man, aged 73, presented with a pulsatile mass in his left groin area after an aortobifemoral reconstruction 24 years ago. This case showed a femoral pseudo-aneurysm that evolved very quickly to rupture through the skin requiring emergency operative repair.