Background:Hamman (Rev Méd Chile 2009; 137: 1045-50).

No abstract

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma is a rare condition. We report a 78 year-old man with progressive pain in his right thigh and hip lasting one week. The pain subsequently was associated with abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. Physical examination revealed pain to deep palpation of the area, associated with a diffuse positive rebound pain. An abdominal and pelvis CT scan showed an extensive mesenteric hematoma. During surgery, a large retroperitoneal encapsulated hematoma, without evidence of active bleeding, was found and drained. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis and was negative for cancer.

Hydatid disease is caused by the larval stages of a cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus. In humans, hydatid larva and cysts are located >90% in the liver and/or lungs. Primary mediastinal location, with absence of documented lung infection, is extremely rare and has not been previously reported in Chile. We report the first case of a primary mediastinal hydatid cyst in Chile and review the literature. A 38 year old woman was admitted because of a painful right supraclavicular mass, dyspnea on exertion and logical dysphagia. Presurgical evaluation evidenced a mediastinal tumor extending to the cervical region that was successfully removed. The diagnosis of mediastinal hydatid cyst was confirmed macroscopically and by biopsy.

Transmediastinal gunshot wound treated conservatively Background: Patients with mediastinal trauma are subjected to numerous surgical procedures and have a high mortality. Fifty percent of patients will require emergency surgery and its indication depends on their hemodynamic condition on admission. Less than 10% of hemodynamically stable patients will require surgery. Case report: A 22 years old male with a transmediastinal gunshot wound. The bullet crossed the sternum and lodged in the anterior mediastinum in front of the heart and great vessels, without causing visceral lesions. A chest X ray, echocardiography, CT scan and routine laboratory were performed. The patient was treated with antimicrobials and analgesics with a satisfactory evolution. After two years of follow up, he is in good conditions.