Lung Perfusion Scintigraphy in Pulmonary Vein Occlusion After Radiofrequency Ablation

ABSTRACT

We describe functional and anatomical imaging findings in an 86-year-old woman who was treated for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation 5 years ago with radiofrequency ablation. She had been symptom-free for 4 years. Five years after the ablation, she presented with exertional dyspnea of several months' duration. She had left bundle branch block and aortic insufficiency with normal ejection fraction on 2-dimensional echocardiogram, none of which explained her symptoms. A CT coronary angiogram showed no obstructive coronary artery disease: Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System category 1. Complete occlusion of the left superior pulmonary vein was, however, noted at its origin. Lung perfusion scintigraphy was obtained to evaluate differential perfusion.

Intramedullary Neurocysticercosis Mimicking Cord Tumor

Isolated spinal intramedullary involvement by neurocysticercosis is extremely rare. We report a case of a Hispanic female with right-sided weakness, magnetic resonance imaging showing cervical intramedullary lesion. Surgery was performed due to the progressive nature of symptoms. The cervical cord lesion was completely removed; pathology was consistent with degenerated cysticercosis. Progressive clinical improvement with physiotherapy was achieved. Although rare, especially in the absence of intracranial lesions, the diagnosis should be considered in appropriate patient population as it usually presents a peripherally enhancing cystic lesion.

An Unusual Complication of the "Supported" Ross Procedure

We present a unique surgical complication in a 19-year-old patient who underwent a "supported" Ross procedure for congenital aortic stenosis. In the present case, herniation of pulmonary autograft material through coronary fenestrations in the Dacron supporting material can be appreciated. This case suggests a possible need to modify surgical technique to ensure that all autograft tissue remains contained within the Dacron bolster.

Crinone 8% (90 mg) given once daily for progesterone replacement therapy in donor egg cycles

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether once-daily dosing of Crinone 8% (90-mg progesterone vaginal gel; Serono Laboratories, Inc., Norwell, MA) is sufficient for normal endometrial development and pregnancy support.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PATIENT(S)

Eighty-six women who required complete progesterone replacement for a donor egg cycle.

INTERVENTION(S)

Crinone 8% (90 mg) once daily or IM progesterone (100 mg) once daily was administered from day 15 onward. Both groups underwent an endometrial biopsy on day 26 of a mock cycle, followed by a second cycle in which ET was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Endometrial development, serum progesterone levels, pregnancy rates, implantation rates, and bleeding patterns.

RESULT(S)

Mean (+/-SD) serum progesterone levels on day 26 were 11.3+/-6.5 ng/mL in the Crinone group and 65.2+/-12.5 ng/mL in the IM progesterone group. At histologic examination, endometrial biopsy specimens were found to be "in phase" for 100% (42/42) of women in the Crinone group and 95.5% (42/44) of women in the IM progesterone group. Although 8 of 42 patients had serum progesterone levels of <6 ng/mL, there was no correlation with endometrial development. Only 1 patient bled before the 14th day of progesterone therapy, and she went on to be delivered of twins. Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage rates were not statistically different for the Crinone and IM progesterone groups: 45.6% (21/46) versus 52.3% (23/44); 39.1% (18/46) versus 40.9% (18/44); 21.5% (34/158) versus 19% (30/158), and 14.3% (3/21) versus 22% (5/23), respectively. Power was sufficient to detect a 25% difference in clinical pregnancy rates.

CONCLUSION(S)

Crinone 8% administered once daily appears to produce the same endometrial development and pregnancy rates as IM progesterone in women who require complete progesterone replacement, and it does not cause early bleeding.