No abstract

The combination of high and low respiratory frequencies (600 and 15 breaths/min) improves pulmonary gas exchange during subglottic jet ventilation via an endotracheal catheter. However, subglottic combined-frequency jet ventilation is less effective than supraglottic combined-frequency jet ventilation via a jet ventilation laryngoscope.

In 59 patients having non-operable malignant renal tumours, palliative trans-catheter embolization was performed. In 42 of them follow-up observations were realized over 18 months. The average survival rate was then 43% of cases. Local tumour growth was documented in 9 patients (23%) due to recanalization of the embolized arteries (13%) and to non-occluded collateral vessels (10%). The choice of suitable embolizing materials mainly influences the therapeutic result: Oily contrast labeled amino-acid Ethibloc is considered to be the material of choice for safe application and reliable vascular distribution causing persisting occlusion of the renal arteries.

A 59-year-old male patient who suffered from a systemically metastasized, large extrascleral uveal melanoma recurrence of the left eye presented with active hemorrhage from the tumor. He had undergone proton beam irradiation for an epithelioid ciliary body melanoma 4 years before presentation and was lost to follow-up. Magnetic resonance angiography showed vascularization of the lesion via the ophthalmic and maxillary artery. Selective transarterial embolization of the tumor was conducted with polyvinyl alcohol microparticles followed by coiling of the supplying arteries. The bleeding stopped after 2 days and the tumor started to become necrotic. As tumor removal was the primary wish of the patient at this point in time, exenteration was carried out a week later without significant blood loss, intraoperative or postoperative complications. Socket healing was adequate, and the patient reported improved quality of life. He refused systemic palliative treatment and died 3 months after the intervention.