Safety and efficacy of combined micropuncture and shallow angle femoral artery access for neurovascular angiography.

Introduction: The AXERA 2 low-angle vascular access device utilizes a dual arteriotomy mechanism in which the standard access tract is compressed by a vascular sheath inserted over the second, low-angle tract. It is unknown whether this device could be effectively used with 21-gauge micropuncture access, as the micropuncture introducer makes a larger arteriotomy than the 19-gauge needle provided with the AXERA 2 system.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 189 patients who underwent common femoral artery access for diagnostic cerebrovascular angiography using either combined micropuncture and AXERA 2 access or standard access with manual pressure hemostasis.

The evolution of image-guided lumbosacral spine surgery.

Techniques and approaches of spinal fusion have considerably evolved since their first description in the early 1900s. The incorporation of pedicle screw constructs into lumbosacral spine surgery is among the most significant advances in the field, offering immediate stability and decreased rates of pseudarthrosis compared to previously described methods. However, early studies describing pedicle screw fixation and numerous studies thereafter have demonstrated clinically significant sequelae of inaccurate surgical fusion hardware placement.

Vesical calculus: an unusual complication of renal transplantation.

Vesical calculus formation in renal transplant patients is rare. We describe seven patients who developed calcium oxylate or combination calcium oxylate-magnesium ammonium phosphate stones on a polypropylene suture nidus at the site of a ureteroneocystostomy. The use of a nonabsorbable suture in the urinary tract should be avoided.