INTRODUCTIONNasal obstruction secondary to pathological enlargement of inferior nasal turbinates contributes to sleep-disordered breathing (SBD) in prepubertal children, but treatments designed to address turbinate enlargement are often not performed. The aims of these studies are: (1) to appreciate the contribution to SDB of untreated enlarged nasal turbinates in prepubertal children; and (2) to report our experience with treatment of enlarged nasal turbinates in young children with SDB.

MATERIALS AND METHODSChildren with enlarged nasal turbinates who underwent adenotonsillectomy (T&A) had significantly less improvement in postoperative apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) compared to those treated with concomitant turbinate reduction. Children in the untreated turbinate hypertrophy group subsequently underwent radiofrequency ablation of the inferior nasal turbinates; following this procedure, AHI was no different than AHI of those without hypertrophy.

RESULTSIn an analysis of safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency treatment of the nasal turbinates, we found the procedure to be a well-tolerated component of SDB treatment.

CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that radiofrequency (RF) treatment of inferior nasal turbinates is a safe and effective treatment in young prepubertal children with SDB. When indicated, it should be included in the treatment plan for prepubertal children with SDB. However, the duration of effectiveness is variable and therapy may need to be repeated if turbinate hypertrophy recurs.

Adenoidectomy ; Adolescent ; Catheter Ablation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Infant ; Male ; Nasal Obstruction ; complications ; etiology ; pathology ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; etiology ; Tonsillectomy ; Turbinates ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the ECG and electrophysiological characteristic of patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) originating from left (LVOT) and right (RVOT) ventricular outflow tracts and assess the clinical effect of radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on these patients.

METHODSRFCA was performed in 58 patients (10 with VT and 48 with PVC, 5 patients with VT from RVOT under the guidance of non-contact mapping system Ensite3000). VT or PVC originated from LVOT in 15 patients (12 out of 15 from left sinus of Valsalva) and RVOT in 43 patients.

RESULTS(1) R wave in II, III, aVF leads was the common characteristics of VT or PVC originated from LVOT and RVOT and difference in wave duration index and R/S-wave amplitude ratio in V(1) or V(2) could be used to define VT and PVC originated from LVOT or RVOT. (2) Ablation was successful in 55 out of 58 patients (9 patients with the 2nd ablation, evaluated as arrhythmia-free at 3 months post ablation without medication) and failed in 3 patients. One patient developed pericardial tamponade during ablation and recovered without complication after related treatments.

CONCLUSIONSRFCA is an effective, safe and curative therapy for VT or PVC originated from LVOT and RVOT. Non-contact mapping system (Ensite3000) is a safe and reliable tool to guide mapping and ablation in patients with complex VT and unstable hemodynamics.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; etiology ; therapy ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction ; complications ; Ventricular Premature Complexes ; etiology ; therapy ; Young Adult

A rubber tip disconnection of Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device (PTD) may occur occasionally. We experienced 5 cases of a rubber tip disconnection among 453 mechanical thrombectomy sessions with the use of PTD. We present a report about these five cases and suggest possible causes for the occurrences.
Aged ; Catheter Obstruction/*etiology ; Equipment Failure Analysis/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis/*instrumentation ; Rubber ; Thrombectomy/*instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

We report a case of multinodular thyroid goiter in an 80-year-old man who successfully underwent tracheal stent placement for respiratory distress caused by the thyroid goiter and following two radiofrequency (RF) ablation sessions performed for thyroid volume reduction. This sequential treatment allowed elective stent removals four weeks after the second RF ablation session because the thyroid volume had been progressively reduced. Combination therapy of temporary airway stenting and RF ablation for the treatment of thyroid goiter has two advantages, i.e., immediate reliefs of dyspnea with airway stenting and reductions of the thyroid volume with RF ablation, and thus, allowing symptom reliefs even after the stent removals.
Aged, 80 and over ; Airway Obstruction/etiology/radiography/*therapy ; Catheter Ablation/*methods ; Goiter, Nodular/complications/radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; Male ; *Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms occuring worldwide. Surgical resection currently provides the best chance of long-term tumor free survival, but the most HCCs are not candidates for surgical excision due to poor liver function or poor medical background. Numerous noninvasive alternatives to surgical resection have been introduced to treat liver cancers. Radiofrequency thermal ablation has begun to receive much attention as an effective and minimally invasive technique for the local control of HCC. The biliary system related complications after radiofrequency ablation has rarely been reported. We report a case of biliary-duodenal fistula with liver abscess after radiofrequency ablation for HCC. The case was treated by abscess drainage and antibiotics.
Biliary Fistula/*diagnosis/etiology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/*surgery ; Catheter Ablation/*adverse effects ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology ; Duodenal Obstruction/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*diagnosis/etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed