Endobronchial Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the Lung: A Case Report

Sarcomatoid carcinomas of the lung are rare malignant biphasic tumors composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. We report a case of endobronchial sarcomatoid carcinoma in a 56-year-old man with a history of smoking, in whom the tumor was an endobronchial mass arising from the superior segmental bronchus of the left lower lobe and protruding against the main bronchus without parenchymal invasion. The patient underwent left pneumonectomy but four months later died of mesenteric sarcomatous metastasis.

Atypical CT and MR Features of Chondroid Chordoma at the Base of the Skull: A Case Report

We report a case of chondroid chordoma without calcification in which T2-weighted MR images revealed homogeneous high signal intensity. The tumor was located in the left middle cranial fossa extending to the cerebellopontine angle and with displacement of the pituitary gland to the right side. Precontrast CT scans showed a homogeneous low -density mass, without calcification. T1-weighted MR images of the mass demonstrated relatively homogeneous low signal intensity, T2-weighted images showed homogeneous high signal intensity, and post -contrast T1-weighted images revealed somewhat heterogeneous enhancement.

Sonographic Evaluation of Plantar Fasciitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both feet of 30patients(mean age, 44years) in whom plantar fasciitis had been clinically diagnosed, and those of healthyvolunteers(mean age, 34years) were evaluated with ultrasound(US) using a 7.0MHz linear array transducer. Heel painwas unilateral in 26 patients and bilateral in four. Sagittal sonograms were obtained in the prone position, andthe thickness of the plantar fascia was measured at its proximal end near its insertion into the calcaneus. Wealso evaluated hypoechoic fascia, perifascial fluid collection, fiber rupture, calcaneal spur and calcifications. RESULTS: Plantar fascia thickness was significantly greater in the heels of patients with plantarfasciitis(3.2-8mm; mean, 5.1 +/-1.12) than in their asymptomatic heels(1.3-5mm; mean, 3.5 +/-0.78)(p<0.0001), inwhich it was similar to that of heels of patients in the control group(1.8-5mm; mean, 3.0 +/-0.71)(p<0.0001). Theproximal plantar fascia was hypoechoic in 31 symptomatic heels(91.2%), in four asymptomatic heels(15.4%), and innone of the patients in the control group. Calcaneal spurs were identified in sixteen symptomatic heels(47.1%),and in two which were asymptomatic(7.7%). Perifascial fluid collection was identified in only two symptomaticheels(5.9%). CONCLUSION: In plantar fasciitis, sonography demonstrates that the fascia is thicker as well ashypoechic. For the clinical diagnosis of planter fasciitis, US can therefore be used as an adjunct to clinicaldiagnosis.