Cryptococcosis: an unusual cause of endobronchial obstruction

We report the case of a 43 year old male patient, with normal immune function, who presented with right middle and lower lobe collapse. At bronchoscopy, a white lobulated lesion was seen, completely obstructing the origin of bronchus intermedius. Bronchial washings and biopsy of the lesion demonstrated cryptococcal organisms. The patient responded clinically and radiologically to amphotericin B and flucytosine; however, repeat bronchoscopy revealed only partial resolution of the endobronchial lesion.     

Reduction of severe lumbosacral spondylolisthesis. A report of 22 cases with a ten-year follow-up period

Severe spondylolisthesis produces a kyphos at the lumbosacral junction. Reduction can be complicated by injury to the cauda equina. To prevent this, a posterior decompression and fusion is carried out before a slow reduction in extension. An anterior fusion with internal fixation then locks the reduction. Using these principles, a good reduction was achieved in 20 of 22 patients. Only two patients suffered a permanent neurologic deficit consisting of slight loss of ankle dorsiflexion. Severe spondylolisthesis can be safely reduced by this method.