Debilitating and often misdiagnosed cardiac autonomic neuropathy affects people with diabetes. Damage to the biggest sympathetic trunk ganglion of autonomic nerve fibers that innervate the heart and blood vessels, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), is the cause of aberrant heart rate and vascular dynamics in people with diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN). Mediating host immunological responses to microbial infection and cellular damage, inflammasomes are a class of cytosolic protein complexes that include NLRP3. This review compiled the findings of experimental investigations on DCAN and discussed their connection to the NLRP3 inflammasome’s involvement. SCG P2X7 receptor expression can be boosted by inflammation brought on by hyperglycemia, leading to nerve injury. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on DCAN-related inflammation in animal models, especially in inflammasome. Currently, only IncRNAUC.360+ shRNA and Schisandrin B, prove to alleviate the pathogenesis. Therefore, more research into the causes and potential remedies for DCAN is necessary.

This case report presents a groundbreaking discovery of a hitherto undocumented ligament connecting the lingula lobe of the left lung to the diaphragm. The study involved a routine dissection of an adult Asian cadaver during a respiratory module practical session. The cord-like structure, approximately 7 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter, showed ligamentous features and was firmly attached to the upper surface of the left diaphragm without any vascular connections. This finding holds potential clinical significance, particularly during anatomical resections of the lung, as the ligament may need to be freed in surgeries such as lingulectomy, left upper lobectomy, or left lower lobectomy. However, the ligament’s relevance differs from the well-known inferior pulmonary ligament, which aids in accessing crucial lymph nodes during left lower lobectomy. The absence of vascular structures suggests a lack of mediastinal lymph nodes associated with this newly identified ligament. Further research is warranted to fully understand its clinical implications.