A 66-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was referred soon after developing left lower limb and abdominal pain with rectal bleeding. An immediate flush aortogram showed embolic occlusion of the left distal superficial femoral artery and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), 3 cm from its ostium. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) 40 mg was selectively instilled in the SMA in two boluses. Abdominal symptoms resolved within 48 h, and complete recanalization of the SMA was shown on angiography. Exploratory laparotomy after 72 h showed a normal small bowel and right colon, and was completed by femoropopliteal embolectomy. Six months later, the patient remained asymptomatic.

Percutaneous recanalization should be proposed in cases of renal artery occlusion, especially to avoid terminal vascular azotemia and dialysis.

The infratemporal fossa and its contents (particularly the pterygoid muscles) is a region difficult to explore, in spite of its importance in odontostomatological pathology. In order to reduce the indications that justify examination by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, for reasons of economy of health, the authors describe by application of orientated anatomical slices the way in which ultrasonography can be performed. Only the posterior approach between the mandible laterally and the mastoid process medially provided consistently adequate exploration of the infratemporal fossa and the pterygoid muscles.