Contributing Author, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Thoracoscopic surgery of the chest was first described in terms of its original concept in 1922 by Dr. Jacobaeus. He was far ahead of his time in terms of originality of thought and almost 50 years ahead of the technology needed to make this exciting new diagnostic and therapeutic tool available Read more

Francis C. Evans, M.D. FACS When a lump is found in a woman’s breast, and it is not a fluid-filled cyst, it usually requires removal, both for diagnosis to see whether or not it might be a cancer, and for treatment. Surgery to remove or biopsy breast lesions is relative simple, not usually associated with Read more

Contributing Author, Cardiothoracic Surgeon The word carotid is derived from the Greek term karotide or karos meaning to stupefy or plunge into deep sleep. The term was applied to the arteries of the neck because compression of these vessels during combat produced stupor or sleep. The 31st metope from the south side of the Parthenon Read more

Francis C. Evans, M.D. FACS Acute appendicitis is a very common emergency, presenting with equal likelihood at any stage in one’s life. The appendix is a vestigial organ, and has no function in humans. Arising from the very beginning of the large intestine (colon), it can become blocked by fecal matter, preventing drainage, leading to Read more

SAMUEL E. GREENBERG, M.D. Summary: Compartment Syndrome is a condition characterized by an elevation of the interstitial pressure within the closed confines of the skeletal muscle/fascia compartment. This pressure elevation is caused by trauma or excessive muscle activity resulting in excessive fluid or blood accumulation within this closed space and when the pressure exceeds the Read more

Contributing Author, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Most patients learn of their need for coronary artery surgery after they present to the ER complaining of chest pain, shortness of breath or pain radiating to their jaw or down the left arm. Other patients notice a pressure-like sensation often described as an elephant standing on their chest. An EKG Read more

James W. Lucarini, MD FACS Introduction The middle ear is an air space behind the ear drum that houses the three ear bones-the “hammer” or malleus, the “anvil” or incus, and the “stirrup” or stapes (see figure 1). When sound travels down the ear canal it vibrates the eardrum and sets in motion the connected Read more

Samuel E. Greenberg, M.D. METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS SUMMARY: Staphylococci and Streptococci are normal flora of the skin, intestinal and female genital tract. Ordinarily, they do not cause infections. They may be carried for months in the nose and on the skin. However, under certain circumstances, where the skin is broken or Read more

Samuel E. Greenberg, M.D. Image yourself as a physician, having a patient who is quite ill from an overwhelming infection or major trauma or cancer, or even a premature separation of the placenta in pregnancy, and the patient suddenly shows signs of multiple Blood Clots developing in many different areas of the body. They may Read more

SAMUEL E. GREENBERG, M.D. When an Embolus from a deep vein thrombosis reaches the lung, after traversing the right side of the heart, it is trapped in the small arterioles in the lung and is referred to as a Pulmonary Embolus (PE). This is fortuitous, because, although it causes havoc in the lung, it is Read more