No abstract

Laminectomy, performed on a 46-year-old woman because of weakness and paresthesias of the lower limbs, showed multiple discrete yellow nodules on the nerve roots of the cauda equina. One of these lesions was excised and proved to be a granuloma consistent with the diagnosis of histiocytosis X.

The purpose of this invited article is to promote understanding of fundamental health care finances, to gain acknowledgement of financial realities in our institutions and expand the “tool box” for cardiothoracic surgeons.