BackgroundKocuria species are gram-positive, non-pathogenic commensals. However, in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, or patients with chronic medical conditions, they can cause opportunistic infections.Case presentationWe report the first case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in a 58-year-old, relatively healthy woman caused by Kocuria rosea.ConclusionDescending necrotizing mediastinitis due to Kocuria rosea can be successfully treated with prompt surgical drainage combined with antimicrobial therapy.

No abstract

Cardiac rupture after blunt trauma is rare and associated with high mortality. The anatomic pattern of blunt cardiac rupture has been demonstrated with the right cardiac chambers more frequently affected than the left. Furthermore, left atrial injury is usually restricted to the atrial appendage and the pulmonary vein-atrial junction. Herein, we report the first case of a 61-year old man with a rupture of the left atrial roof after blunt trauma with minimal thoracic injury.

BackgroundCardiac tamponade due to aortic injury after blunt trauma is a rare and potentially fatal injury. Most aortic injuries caused by blunt trauma present as aortic dissection or rupture of the aortic isthmus. Several cases of delayed aortic injury have been reported. However, all of these injuries were observed in the descending aorta because they had been caused by a posterior rib fracture.Case presentationWe report the first case of cardiac tamponade associated with delayed ascending aortic perforation 2 weeks after blunt trauma. The patient was an 81-year-old man.ConclusionIn cases of blunt chest trauma, delayed ascending aortic injury causing cardiac tamponade is possible associated with various causes such as direct injury by fractured rib or delayed aortic perforation of initial blunt injury.

PurposeThe purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short- to mid-term results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital.MethodsBetween February 2009 and May 2011, 8 consecutive patients had undergone endovascular stent-grafting for thoracic aortic diseases. Five patients were treated for traumatic thoracic aortic injuries, two patients were treated for thoracic aneurysms and one patient was treated for a pseudoaneurysm due to penetrating aortic ulcers. Attempted stent-graft deployment was performed electively in 6 patients and emergently in 2. Follow-up was performed at 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and annually thereafter.ResultsTechnical success rates were achieved in 87.5% and the 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Mean hospital length of stay after TEVAR was 30 days in traumatic thoracic aortic injuries and 10 days in thoracic aneurismal diseases. Intra-operative Type I endoleak due to migration at deflation was visualized in 1 patient, which was treated by insertion of another stent-graft. During follow-up, a major complication was encountered in one patient who received carotid-subclavian bypass to relieve left arm ischemia. After 5 months he was treated with arch replacement for aortic arch aneurysm with type I endoleak at proximal site after endovascular treatment. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. However, 1 case of mortality (12.5%) was observed during the follow-up period.ConclusionThe short and mid-term results of endovascular repair of thoracic aortic diseases are promising. TEVAR is an effective procedure in the management of thoracic aortic diseases.