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Biomedical subjects

R Mentzer

Publications and source records attributed to R Mentzer.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Experimental prosthetic vein valve.

The incidence of venous insufficiency is increasing, approximately 800,000 new cases are reported yearly in the United States. Medical treatment of venous insufficiency syndrome has been associated with a high incidence of failure. Although vein valve transplantation has resulted in improvement in the majority of cases, late degeneration and incompetency of the valve prompted us to devise a prosthetic vein valve for experimental use. Ten dogs underwent insertion of a prosthetic vein valve without anticoagulants. Between 3 and 8 months after insertion, ascending and descending venography revealed patency and competency of these valves.

Animals

Acute suppurative thyroiditis.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare disease which may be confused with other, more common thyroid disorders. Gram-positive organisms such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pneumococcus are most frequently responsible for this condition. Appropriate antibiotics should be selected to control local and systemic signs of infection. Incision and drainage of fluctuant areas are indicated. Thyroid function almost always returns to normal with eradication of infection.

Acute Disease

Mycotic carotid artery aneurysm.

A painful, pulsatile neck mass with associated fever should suggest the presence of a mycotic carotid artery aneurysm. Diagnosis can be confirmed from angiograms. Broad spectrum antibiotics are indicated, and an operation should be performed promptly. The lack of tissue planes uninvolved by infection will almost always prevent vascular reconstruction. Carotid artery ligation with excision of the aneurysms is recommended.

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