The aim of the study was to assess the morphology of secundum-type atrial septal defects (ASD) with a view to percutaneous closure using Amplatzer septal occluders (ASO). One hundred and ninety patients who underwent closure of isolated secundum-type ASD between September 1995 and January 2000 were included. The morphology of the defects was studied using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Patients with defects of suitable morphology and size underwent percutaneous closure using ASO. The remaining patients underwent surgical closure. Centrally placed defects were observed in 46 patients (24.2%). Morphological variations of secundum-type ASD were detected in 144 patients (75.8%). One hundred and fifty-one patients (79.5%) underwent percutaneous closure using ASO. Thirty-nine patients (20.5%) underwent surgical closure. Centrally placed defects, defects with deficient superior anterior rim, multiple defects, and perforated aneurysms of the interatrial septum are morphological variations of secundum-type ASD suitable for percutaneous closure using ASO. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:386-391.

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The use of short-term HFJV resulted in resolution of the airway obstruction in intubated patients with plastic bronchitis.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare variant of extranodal large B-cell lymphoma and it is characterized by selective intravascular proliferation of malignant cells. Typical features of the disease include aggressive behavior, rapid and frequently fatal course. Clinical picture is non-specifi c and heterogeneous, depending on the affected organ. It is not uncommon that this unique type of lymphoma is diagnosed post mortem. Herein, we report two cases of IVLBCL with neurologic symptomatology. In our clinical study patient 1 was an 80-year-old male with mixed paraparesis of lower extremities and diffi culties with sphincter control. Patient 2 (56-year-old male) had vision malfunction, mental status changes and defect in phatic and motor functions. In both cases defi nite diagnosis was established by histological examination of necroptic material. We propose to include IVLBCL in differential diagnostic considerations in patients presenting with gradually impairing neurological status and spinal cord damage of unknown etiology (Fig. 2, Ref. 9). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.