We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who underwent kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate for painful compression fracture of the third lumbar vertebra. Infiltration of cement into the inferior vena cava, noted intraoperatively, was confirmed with postoperative CT scan. A Greenfield filter was placed to prevent cardiopulmonary embolization of the fragment. On follow-up x-rays, the cement fragment was found to have detached and embolized into the vena cava filter. Endovascular technique was used to retrieve it to the common femoral vein with subsequent successful removal of the crescent-like fragment with operative exploration. Patient was asymptomatic at four-week follow-up visit.

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Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are uncommon intra-abdominal tumors. These tumors tend to present with higher frequency in the stomach and small bowel. In fewer than 5% of cases, they originate primarily from the mesentery, omentum, or peritoneum. Furthermore, these extra-gastrointestinal tumors (EGIST) tend to be more common in patients greater than 50 years of age. Rarely do EGIST tumors present in those younger than 40 years of age.

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Objective We sought to study the outcomes of redo-mitral valve surgery in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods We reviewed data on redo mitral valve surgery in patients with pulmonary hypertension measured by Swan-Ganz catheter (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg or systolic pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 40 mm Hg). Results Between 1996 and 2010, 637 patients underwent 658 redo mitral valve operations; 138 of them had pulmonary hypertension. The mean patient age was 61.3 (13.9) years, with mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 47.6% (13.2%). The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 61.5 (16.8) mm Hg, and mean pulmonary artery pressure was 40.8 (11.6) mm Hg. Patients had one (71%, 98/138), two (23.9%, 33/138), and three (5.1%, 7/138) previous mitral valve operations. Thirty-day mortality was 10.1% (14/138). Multivariate predictors of 30-day mortality were chronic renal failure [odds ratio (OR), 8.041; P = 0.022], peripheral vascular disease (OR, 5.976; P = 0.025), previous mitral valve replacement (OR, 9.034; P = 0.014), and increasing age (OR, 1.077; P = 0.013). The severity of pulmonary hypertension did not impact 30-day ( P = 0.314) or late mortality ( P = 0.860). Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 76.6% (n = 99), 65.7% (n = 62), and 55.9% (n = 41), respectively. Conclusions Patients with pulmonary hypertension that undergo redo mitral valve surgery have a 55.9% 5-year survival rate. Increasing age, chronic renal insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease, and preexisting mitral valve prosthesis are associated with early mortality. The severity of pulmonary hypertension does not affect operative mortality rates, but it may decrease 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival.

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A rare lateral abdominal wall hernia is described in an adult patient. This was diagnosed in a patient with a prominent right lateral abdominal wall deformity. The patient had been experiencing pain that increased progressively in severity over time. A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed the location of the lateral abdominal wall defect. The hernia defect was through the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique, with the inferior aspect of the 11th rib forming part of the superior border of the defect. A 4-cm bony spur from the inferior aspect of the rib formed part of the lateral margin of the defect. The hernia sac was contained within a space underneath the external oblique muscle. The association of the hernia defect with a bony spur was highly suggestive of a congenital etiology. The hernia was successfully repaired laparoscopically with Parietex mesh (Sofradim, Lyons, France), and the patient had resolution of the symptoms on discharge and follow-up visits.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare condition caused by complete venous occlusion that leads to impaired arterial flow. Prompt diagnosis and treatment initiation are paramount in preventing progression to gangrene, the need for amputation, and possibly the death of the patient. Thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy, for advanced disease and cases in which anticoagulation is contraindicated, represent the current standard treatment. Here we report the case of a 47-year-old male who sustained severe trauma during a car accident. After having a prophylactic retrievable inferior vena cava filter placed, he developed caval thrombosis with progression to phlegmasia cerulea dolens. He was successfully treated with a combination of surgical thrombectomy of the lower extremity veins and catheter-assisted thrombectomy of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava, in the setting in which an initial attempt at balloon thrombectomy of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava failed. He was discharged from the hospital in stable condition and on follow-up visits had full resolution of symptoms. Ultrasound evaluation showed no residual venous clot. The presented case illustrates how the use of catheter-assisted thrombectomy alleviated the need for a laparotomy and direct caval evacuation of the thrombus and provided a timely and effective treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens with impending gangrene.