The role of human papillomavirus in nongenital cancers.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, has an established role in the pathogenesis of genital malignancies such as cervical cancer. The virus has also been implicated in the oncogenesis of nongenital cancers including head and neck malignancies (specifically oropharyngeal cancers) as well as anal cancer. There is less clarity regarding its role in lung and esophageal cancers.

Aortic valve bypass for aortic stenosis in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired bone marrow disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinuria, and venous thrombosis. Cardiopulmonary bypass-induced complement activation may be associated with exacerbation of hemolysis in patients with PNH undergoing cardiac operations. We describe a 77-year-old man with PNH and critical symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent successful aortic valve bypass operation without cardiopulmonary bypass as an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement.

The Heimlich maneuver: breaking down the complications.

The very young and the very old are vulnerable to choking, and there are over 4000 choking-related deaths annually in the United States. Complications from the Heimlich maneuver (HM), as reported in infrequent case reports, predominantly relate to the elderly. It is doubtful that the denominator, numerator, appropriateness, expertise, and problems of maneuvers applied to choking victims will ever be known.

Dural venous thrombosis following splenectomy in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis is a common form of hemolytic anemia sometimes requiring splenectomy in recalcitrant cases. The complications of splenectomy include an increased risk of thrombosis, usually presenting with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. However, common complaints such as headache should warn clinicians of involvement in less common sites, primarily the dural venous system.