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A retrospective study of 100 consecutive cases of carotid endarterectomy was performed. Special attention was given to the incidence, clinical significance, and prevention of cranial nerve injury. The operative mortality was 1%, and there were no perioperative strokes. There was clinical evidence of 22 cranial nerve injuries. Nineteen injuries were temporary, resulting in a 3% incidence of permanent cranial nerve deficit.The clinical anatomy of cranial nerves encountered during carotid endarterectomy is reviewed. Technical suggestions to minimize cranial nerve injury based on a thorough knowledge of this anatomy are provided.The relationship of laryngeal physiology and vagus nerve anatomy indicates that unilateral vocal cord dysfunction may be asymptomatic. Bilateral nerve injury can cause potentially fatal airway obstruction, which may be unrecognized until after the second operation. Preoperative laryngoscopy prior to carotid endarterectomy is suggested in patients with a history of prior cardiac or neck surgery and those scheduled for the second of staged bilateral carotid procedures.

It is common for a cardiac mass to be discovered accidentally during an echocardiographic examination. Following the relief of a cardiac mass, being able to evaluate and characterize it using non-invasive imaging methods is critical. Echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and positron emission tomography (PET) are the main imaging modalities used to evaluate cardiac masses. Although multimodal imaging often allows for a better assessment, CMR is the best technique for the non-invasive characterization of tissues, as the different MR sequences help in the diagnosis of cardiac masses. This article provides detailed descriptions of each CMR sequence employed in the evaluation of cardiac masses, underlining the potential information it can provide. The description in the individual sequences provides useful guidance to the radiologist in performing the examination.

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