The epic 1954 operation that led to one of surgery's major
advances: carotid endarterectomy by John E. Connolly
The first report of a successful operation for carotid stenosis in 1954 owes credit to the neurologist Fischer who noted that carotid disease is localized and thus could conceivably be bypassed or locally excised. With this knowledge Professor Pickering of St Mary's Hospital, London, wisely obtained a carotid arteriogram on one of his patients and suggested to Rob and Eastcott that they surgically correct the block. Their famous successful operation in 1954 startled the medical world. However, only after clinical trials conclusively showed the benefit of carotid endarterectomy in preventing stroke, was it widely accepted. Modern advances in the technique of the procedure are listed. (Landmark Case Report; General Surgery; Vascular Disease; October 2004) More...

Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms associated with proximal dissection
A case is described presenting with aortic dissection who was found to have a significant infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Various treatment options were considered for both conditions including open operation, conservative management and stent repair. (February 2004) More...

Painful Leg and Loss of Vision in a Diabetic
A case of recurrent bacteraemia due to Staphylococcus aureus with associated pyomyositis and endophthalmitis in an insulin-dependent diabetic with chronic liver disease secondary to alcohol abuse. (July 2002) More...

Critical Ischaemia Following Endovascular Instrumentation: Resolution With General Anaesthetic
Critical ischaemia of the lower limb secondary to occlusion of the puncture site vessel is an unusual but well-recognised complication of endovascular intervention. In two patients this complication was dramatically resolved with the administration of isofluorane and fentanyl anaesthetic agents. (April 2002) More...

A Painful Swollen Shoulder
This report presents a case of false aneurysm of the axilliary artery secondary to traumatic fracture of the humeral neck. This resulted in brachial plexus damage and was initially diagnosed as a neoplasm. (January 2002) More...

Common Variable Immunodeficiency Causing Granulomatous Disease of the Abdominal Aorta With Aneurysm Formation
In 1995 a 42-year old patient with common variable immunodeficiency associated with granulomatous disease had an elective repair of a granulomatous abdominal aortic aneurysm. Five years later he presented with a ruptured false aneurysm of the left common iliac artery. (February 2001) More...