Imaging Findings Of Desmoplastic Fibroma Rarely Involving The Clavicle: Case Report

Desmoplastic fibroma of bone is a rare locally aggressive, but non-metastatic tumor. In this case report, we present a desmoplastic fibroma in an unusual location, the clavicle. Desmoplastic fibroma involving the clavicle is extremely rare, with only 2 reported cases before 1985. We report the imaging findings of a desmoplastic fibroma of the clavicle with a review of the relevant literature.

Symptomatic Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the Newborn : Comorbidities and Outcomes

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the rate of neonatal symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax, and the corresponding clinical characteristics, co-morbidities, and outcomes. METHODS: The demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, associated abnormalities, methods of treatment, and outcomes were investigated in 22 neonates with symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Chonnam University Hospital between March 2003 and February 2008. RESULTS: The rate of spontaneous pneumothorax was 0.55%. Among the 22 neonates, the number of outborns was 15 (68.2%) and the number of males was 12 (54.5%). The main symptoms and signs were chest retraction, tachypnea, and cyanosis. The pneumothoraces were more frequent on the right side (59.1%) and all cases were diagnosed within 3 days of life. Four cases (18.2%) had urologic abnormalities and 7 cases (31.8%) had cranial abnormalities by ultrasonography. The treatments included oxygen (81.8%) and oxygen with chest tube drainage (18.2%). All of the infants survived and the overall outcomes were favorable. CONCLUSION: When respiratory symptoms and signs are develop abruptly in otherwise healthy newborns, the clinician should suspect a spontaneous pneumothorax and check a chest x-ray as soon as possible. Although the outcome of neonatal symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax is favorable, renal and cranial ultrasonography are needed because of the higher possibility of urologic abnormalities and germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage than in newborns without a pneumothorax.

MR Imaging of Intradural Extramedullary Tuberculoma of the Spinal Cord: Report of Two Cases

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord is a rare manifestation of the spinal tuberculosis, with a few cases described so far. Recently, we have experienced two cases of extensive intradural extramedullary tuberculoma at the thoracic spine. So, we report these cases with review of the literatures.

Primary Hepatic Choriocarcinoma: A Case Report

Choriocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies associated with pregnancy. The characteristics of this malignancy include abnormal growth of the trophoblastic tissue, direct invasion of adjacent organs, and distant metastasis; however, it rarely presents extragonadally. Recently, we have experienced a case of primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in a middle-aged-man, which was characterized by a solitary large hepatic mass with central necrosis and hemorrhaging, as well as metastases to the lung and lymph nodes along the hepatoduodenal ligament. We report this case with a review of the literature.

Catheter-directed Thrombolysis of Below-Knee Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremities

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of the use of local thrombolysis for below-knee deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a population of 41 patients with a lower extremity DVT, the prospective clinical trial included 11 patients (7 female, 4 male, average age 61.4 years) treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis with urokinase for below-knee DVT. After removal of the proximal ilofemoral DVT, additional interventional procedures to remove the residual thrombus and restore the venous flow from the below-knee vein were performed in cases of continuous occlusion of venous flow from the popliteal and tibial veins. Under ultrasound (US) guidance, catheter-directed thrombolysis with urokinase was performed through the ipsilateral popliteal vein. After administration of oral anticoagulation therapy, CT and venography were performed to identify patency and the presence of a recurrent thrombosis. RESULTS: Successful removal of the thrombus and restoration of venous flow were achieved in all of the patients (100%). Restoration of flow with a residual thrombus occurred in one case. Focal venous stenosis was discovered in four cases. The duration of urokinase infusion was 1-4 days (average 2.36 days), which was considered long. For 15.2 months, the venous lumen of all cases was preserved without a recurrent thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective procedure for recanalization of below-knee DVT in patients with a lower extremity DVT.