BACKGROUND Second-stage palliation with hemi-Fontan or bidirectional Glenn procedures has improved the outcomes of patients treated for single-ventricle heart disease. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze risk factors for death after second-stage palliation of single-ventricle heart and to compare therapeutic results achieved with the hemi-Fontan and bidirectional Glenn procedur...

BACKGROUND Pain due to bone metastases is a common cause of cancer-related morbidity, with few options available for patients refractory to medical therapies and who do not respond to radiation therapy. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS), a noninvasive method of thermal tissue ablation for palliation of pain due to bone m...

The palliation of patients with megaesophagus secondary to achalasia of the cardia presents significant challenges to the surgeon. Experience with palliation of megaesophagus secondary to Chagas' disease suggests that options other than cardiomyotomy or oesophagectomy can result in satisfactory outcomes. A small series of patients with non-chagasic megaesophagus who were treated with a gastroes...

Mrs E.B. is a 54-year-old woman with a 1-year history of ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with abdominopelvic recurrence 6 months ago, complicated by a rectovaginal fistula and bouts of bowel obstruction. She suffered from fatigue and anorexia, and also had perineal pain due to excoriation from the fecal incontinence via the fistula. Mrs E.B. was admitted to the palliative care unit of a small...

that the chest x-ray can be normal, but feel that colonization must be considered in this setting. An abnormal chest x-ray should be confirmed as related to MOTT by applying standard criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. Ifthese criteria are not met, dissemination from a pulmonary isolate alone can be inferred if extrapulmonary disease is documented within one month (arbitrary). 4 ...

Background The increasing longevity of the population coupled with the progress of treatments for primary tumors is enhancing the incidence and the burden of distant metastases such as bone metastases. Bone metastases are the most common cause of cancer-related pain. Quality of life may be significantly impaired as a consequence of painful bone metastases. The treatment of secondary bone lesion...

Pain is commonly perceived by patients during cancer and its treatment. Although most patients respond to conservative management implemented according to the World Health Organization guidelines, a subset of patients with advanced disease develop intractable pain that may require additional interventions such as regional blocks and intrathecal therapy. Patients with terminal abdominal or pelvi...