Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis

ABSTRACT Background Papillary cystadenoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the epididymis. It may occur sporadically or in association with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD). Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis (PCE) is a benign mimic of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) given their histologic similarities. Case presentation Herein, we present the case of a 40-year-old man with a four-year history of microhematuria and a recently detected right paratesticular mass. A testicular sonogram revealed a hypoechoic, hypervascular solid mass in the right epididymal head treated by surgical excision. Histopathological examination demonstrated a 1.1 cm papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis. Genetic testing performed later showed no signs of VHLD. However, heterozygous mutations in three genes - CASR, POT1, and RAD51D - were found which have never been reported in PCE before. Conclusions Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of epididymal lesions, especially those that are cystic. The mainstay of treatment remains surgical excision, which provides an excellent prognosis.

Rectal endometriosis presenting as toxic megacolon

Background The bowel is the most common site of extragenital endometriosis, with involvement of the locoregional sigmoid colon and anterior rectum seen most often. The clinical presentation varies depending on how soon patients seek medical care, thus requiring changes in management strategies. Endometriosis can cause a life-threatening surgical emergency with progressive obliteration of the bowel lumen leading to obstruction and late complications including toxic megacolon and transmural necrosis. Case presentation We report the case of a 41-year-old woman presenting with an acute abdomen and complete large bowel obstruction complicated by sepsis and toxic megacolon. The patient underwent emergency total colectomy with ileostomy. Medical history was significant for chronic, vague, and episodic lower abdominal pain self-medicated with herbal tea and laxatives. Pathologic examination demonstrated colonic endometriosis within the bowel wall as the cause of obstruction, ischemia, and transmural necrosis. Conclusions Although a rare clinical entity, this case highlights two important points. First, it demonstrates the value of performing proper and complete clinical work up to rule out or in all possible causes of colonic obstruction, including intestinal endometriosis. Second, it suggests a potential benefit of a formalized multidisciplinary approach, including surgery, in the management of medically unresponsive endometriosis. In conclusion, this case shows that endometriosis can cause life-threatening colonic obstruction in women of childbearing age. Prompt early intervention is warranted, particularly when obstruction is only partial and ischemia has not supervened, to conceivably prevent the development of a toxic megacolon requiring colectomy and avoid late complications.

Parathyroid hemangioma

Background Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of capillary proliferation that arise from a developmental anomaly where angioblastic mesenchyme fails to form canals. Most hemangiomas arise in the head and neck region, either superficially in the skin or deeper within endocrine organs such as the parotid gland. Parathyroid hemangiomas, however, are extremely rare, with only five cases previously reported in the literature. Case presentation Herein, we present a case of a 68-year-old man with a hemangioma almost completely replacing the right upper parathyroid gland, grossly measuring 1.3 × 1.3 × 1.2 cm and weighing 700 mg, associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. Conclusions Parathyroid gland enlargement due to vascular neoplasms such as hemangiomas can mimic, both clinically and radiographically, hyperplasias and/or adenomas. Surgeons need to be aware of the presence of this entity and should consider it in the differential diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid gland enlargement.

Congenital acinar dysplasia: a lethal entity

Congenital acinar dysplasia is a lethal, developmental lung malformation resulting in neonatal respiratory insufficiency. This entity is characterized by pulmonary hypoplasia and arrest in the pseudoglandular stage of development, resulting in the absence of functional gas exchange. The etiology is unknown, but a relationship with the disruption of the TBX4-FGF10 pathway has been described. There are no definitive antenatal diagnostic tests. It is a diagnosis of exclusion from other diffuse embryologic lung abnormalities with identical clinical presentations that are, however, histopathologically distinct.