Left molar laryngoscopy can make unexpected difficult intubation easier and should be attempted in cases of difficult intubation.

Caudal administration of ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1 with or without alfentanil in children produced satisfactory postoperative analgesia without respiratory depression or other side-effects.

Complicated hydatid cyst may have different clinical manifestations and may present radiologically as a primary lung tumour. In patients with suspicious lung masses owing to endemic area, history of a hydatid cyst or contralateral or extrathoracic hydatid cyst involvement at the same time should indicate a complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst. Preoperative anthelmintic therapy must be avoided owing to the risk of perforation. Treatment of a complicated hydatid cyst differs from that of an intact hydatid cyst. Anatomic resection may be necessary owing to destroyed lung tissue secondary to suppuration from a hydatid cyst; however, parenchymal preserving surgery is preferable in an uncomplicated hydatid cyst. A modified capitonnage method is recommended for complicated hydatid cyst treatment as it has a low morbidity rate.

A prospective, randomized study in 52 patients during cardiopulmonary bypass revealed that pH-stat increased jugular venous oxygen saturation and decreased arteriovenous oxygen-glucose differences. There was no difference in the incidence of jugular venous desaturation. These findings suggest an increased cerebral blood flow with no protection against jugular venous desaturation during pH-stat.

Unusual location and presentation of hydatid cyst disease in the thorax requires careful consideration with respect to clinical approach and therapy. In this pictorial essay, we present imaging findings and describe treatment of thoracic hydatid cysts in patients with lung, mediastinal, chest wall, cardiac, endobronchial, pulmonary artery, and diaphragmatic involvement. A review of the literature is also included.

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Pulmonary embolism (PE) after lung resection has a high mortality rate, and it is one of the most severe complications after lung resection. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. We present a case of severe PE after left pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Computed tomography angiography was useful for confirming the diagnosis of PE. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was used to treat the embolism, and the patient was discharged on the seventh day. LMWH is an effective and safe agent for the treatment of PE after pneumonectomy and may reduce the need for surgery. It may be used as an initial procedure. Secondary severe complications, including hemorrhage and subsequent empyema, may be avoided with the use of LMWH.

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