No abstract

Primary cardiac tumor is uncommon in childhood, with an incidence of 0.06-0.32%, and intrapericardial teratoma represents an exceptional rarity among these entities. Germ cell tumors (GCT) are rare, representing only 1-3% of childhood tumors. Twenty per cent of GCT are malignant and are associated with age and location. Extragonadal involvement accounts for nearly half of the cases. Anterior mediastinum is a common location of malignant germ cell tumors, yet pericardial and aortic adventitia involvement have been rarely reported. Here we report the case of a preterm twin baby boy with intrapericardial mixed germ cell tumor who presented with hydrops fetalis and pericardial effusion.

No abstract

In this study, vasodilator effect of iloprost on KCl-induced contraction in human internal mammary artery (IMA) was studied and compared with other vasodilators papaverin and diltiazem. Ring segments of IMA were studied in organ baths for measurement of isometric tension. After the tissues has reached their baseline tension, precontraction was induced by 100 mm KCl and cumulative concentration-relaxation was measured by the application of iloprost (10(-9)-10(-6) m), papaverine (10(-5)-10(-4) m), diltiazem (10(-9)-10(-4) m) or ethanol; a solvent for iloprost; alone. The maximal relaxation of IMA segments to iloprost was 13.5 +/- 2.2%. Iloprost caused significantly limited relaxation when compared with papaverin (106.0 +/- 2.9%) and diltiazem (93.6 +/- 2.5%) (P < 0.001). Papaverin produced the greatest maximal relaxation to KCl-induced contraction of IMA. The potency of iloprost (-log EC(50) = 6.59 +/- 0.19) was significantly higher than those of papaverine (-log EC(50) = 4.21 +/- 0.11) and diltiazem (-log EC(50) = 5.63 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.001). In addition, -log EC(50) of diltiazem was significantly greater than papaverin (P < 0.001). Iloprost appears to be more potent than those of papaverine and diltiazem but it was inefficient in maximal inhibition on KCl-induced contraction. Iloprost may have little benefit in KCl-related vasoconstriction on human IMA segments.

A 13-month-old boy with a diagnosis of atrial septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis was admitted for corrective surgery. Right juxtaposition of the atrial appendages with a tunnel between the atrial appendages was detected during the surgery. The patient was operated successfully and had an uneventful recovery. Once right juxtaposition of the atrial appendages has been identified, the possibility of a "tunnel" communication between the appendages must be considered and ruled out.