Thymic Metastasis in Breast Cancer: A Case Report

A malignant tumor is generally believed to be very unlikely to metastasize to the thymus. Only three cases of thymic metastases have been reported so far in the medical literature. We report here a rare case of metastatic breast cancer to the thymus, which was detected by CT and PET scanning, and the metastasis was also confirmed by video-assisted thoracic surgery biopsy. Recognition of an unusual breast cancer metastasis, such as to the thymus, as well as the usual patterns of breast cancer metastasis will facilitate an accurate, prompt diagnosis and its appropriate treatment.

Naso-Sinus Chondrosarcoma: A Case Report

Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumors of the cartilage that rarely involve the sinonasal region. Here, we describe a case of histologically verified naso-sinus chondrosarcoma in a 40-year-old female presenting with nasal stuffiness and anosmia. The tumor presented on computed tomography (CT) as an expanding soft tissue mass with bone destruction and pressure erosion. The magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the tumor demonstrated high signals on T2-weighted images with nodular and papillary enhancement along the periphery on T1-weighted images with contrast enhancement. The presence of these typical imaging features should be very helpful in diagnosing chondrosarcoma involving the sinonasal region.

Efficacy of Renal Artery Embolization using a Mixture of Histoacryl(R) and Lipiodol in a Rabbit Model / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the efficacy and computed tomography(CT) findings of renal artery embolization with using a mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol in rabbit depending on the mixture proportions and the temporal course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen rabbits were equally divided into two groups: group A received a 1:3 mixture and group B received a 1:5 mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol. We subdivided each group as follows: the 1-day group, the 10-day group and the 20-day group according to the elapsed days after embolization, respectively. As a result, the experimental groups were composed of six subgroups. Afterright renal artery embolizations, plain abdominal radiographs were obtained from all the rabbits. On the first day, the 10th day and the 20th day after embolization, abdominal CT was performed in each subgroup. RESULTS: On the post-embolization radiographs, the embolic casts were formed only at the main or segmental renal arteries in 7 cases of group A. On the other hand, the embolic casts were formed at the entire arterial trees in two cases of group A and all the cases of group B. On the pre- contrast-enhanced CT scans, there were radiopaque densities of embolic casts, residual lipiodol flecks and calcifications in the embolized kidneys. On the contrast-enhanced CT scans, global perfusion defects of the kidneys were noted in 17 rabbits. The cortical rim signs were noted in all rabbits of the 10-day and 20-day groups, except for one rabbit. CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol is effective for renal artery embolization. The CT findings of the embolized kidneys are characteristic depending on the mixture proportions of the embolic agents and the temporal courses.

Pachydermoperiostosis (Primary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy): Case Report

We report a case involving a young male with the complete form of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. He presented with the typical features of the condition: thickening and furrowing of the skin of the forehead and scalp, and digital clubbing of the hands and feet. Plain radiographs of the long bones of the extremities depicted bilateral irregular, shaggy, cortical diaphyseal thickening. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the femur demonstrated low-signal-intensity cortical thickening. Bone scintigraphy revealed no photon uptake in the long bones.

Cholesterol Granuloma of the Mastoid: Case Report

We describe two cases of cholesterol granuloma arising from the mastoid in a 51-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who underwent CT and MRI. CT depicted lobular soft tissue masses involving the right mastoid, while T1- and T2-weighted MRI demonstrated high signal intensities. Underlying chronic inflammation of the middle ear cavity was noted.