Resection of intrapericardial hibernoma associated with constrictive pericarditis.

Hibernoma is a benign soft-tissue tumor, which arises from the remnants of fetal brown adipose tissue. Out of less than 300 cases of hibernoma described to date, pericardial sac is an unusual localization to develop. When the tumor increases in size, this benign pathology can lead to compression of cardiac chambers and cause life-threatening complications in an asymptomatic patient.

Blood cyst of the right ventricle presenting as recurrent high fever and chills in an adult.

Blood cysts are uncommon primary cardiac tumors, frequently encountered in pediatric patients, but extremely rare when found in adults. Due to the considerable risks of embolization and obstruction of the blood flow, surgical removal is preferred. Herein, we report a case of blood cyst of the right ventricle, presenting as recurrent fever and chills in an adult patient.

Asymmetry of the height of the ethmoid roof in relationship to handedness.

The aim of this work was to study the handedness differences in the height of the right and left ethmoid roofs. Hand preference was assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. The height of the right and left ethmoid roofs was measured with computerised tomography (CT).

Elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels in a patient with choledocholithiasis.

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) has been used as a tumor marker in the diagnosis and differentiation of pancreatic cancers. However, significantly high levels of CA 19-9 in the absence of pancreatic malignancy have also been reported. We present a 50-year-old woman with a common bile duct stone and cholangitis, whose CA 19-9 level of 1.

[Short-term effect of nebivolol on the left ventricular diastolic function].

Objective: To determine the effects of nebivolol on diastolic functions of the left ventricle in the hypertensive patients in the early treatment period.

Methods: Twenty patients with mild to moderate hypertension taking daily 5 mg of nebivolol were assessed by using Doppler echocardiography before and after 6-week drug treatment period. The results were analyzed with Wilcoxon test and p<0.

[Single clamp technique in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery surgery].

Objective: The results of single clamp and partial clamp techniques were retrospectively compared in elderly patients (>70 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting operation (CABG).

Methods: A total of 244 elderly patients undergoing CABG between January 1995 and March 2002 in our center were studied. Single-clamp technique was used in 32 cases (Group 1) and partial-clamp technique was used in 212 cases (Group 2).

The assessment of internal mammary artery grafts by colour Doppler in coronary artery surgery.

Background: Various studies in progress on the flow and diameter parameters based assessment and suitability of internal mammary artery by preoperative colour Doppler examination in coronary artery surgery. Postoperative visualisation of these grafts is also in evolution. Due to its noninvasive approach, colour Doppler sonography is taking its place in the follow-up of coronary artery bypass procedure.