Intracranial metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate presenting with symptoms of spinal cord compression.

Spinal cord compression is a not uncommon complication of metastatic prostate cancer. Intracranial metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma is however unusual. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with metastatic prostate carcinoma, who presented with a 3-day history of lower limb weakness and collapse. Neurological assessment demonstrated increased tone and reduced power in both legs. As he had typical signs and symptoms of spinal cord compression, an MRI of the spine was performed; this demonstrated no evidence of cord compression. A subsequent CT of the brain demonstrated an extensive parafalcine metastasis. This revealed an extensive enhancing mass extending bilaterally along almost the entire length of the falx cerebri, measuring up to 3 cm in width and associated with marked white matter oedema in the adjacent brain bilaterally. Unfortunately, this man succumbed to his illness a few days later. The imaging findings are presented and highlight the importance of brain imaging in patients presenting with suspected cord compression due to prostatic metastatic disease when MR of the spine shows no evidence of cord compression.

Evidence-based drainage of infected hydronephrosis secondary to ureteric calculi.

INTRODUCTION: The obstructed, infected kidney is a urological emergency. It has been accepted that the management of infected hydronephrosis secondary to ureteric stones is through prompt decompression of the collecting system. However, the optimal method of decompression has yet to be established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed and Medline search was performed of all English-language articles from 1960 using key words "sepsis," "urosepsis," "obstruction," "obstructive pyelonephritis," "pyonephrosis," "infection and hydronephrosis" "decompression," "stent," "nephrostomy," and "management." The Cochrane database and National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness guidelines were searched using the terms "sepsis," "urosepsis," "stent," "nephrostomy," or "obstruction." Scottish intercollegiate guidelines were reviewed and no relevant guidance was identified. RESULTS: Two randomised trials have compared retrograde stent insertion with percutaneous nephrostomy with one trial reporting specifically on patients with acute sepsis and obstruction. Neither trial showed one superior modality of decompression in effecting decompression and resolution of sepsis. A further literature search regarding the complications of percutaneous nephrostomy and stent insertion was carried out. An overall major complication rate from percutaneous nephrostomy insertion was found to be 4%, although the complication rates from stent insertion are less consistently reported. DISCUSSION: There appears little evidence to suggest that retrograde stent insertion leads to increased bacteraemia or is significantly more hazardous in the setting of acute obstruction. Further region-wide discussion between urologists and interventional radiologists is required to establish management protocols for these acutely unwell patients.

Spontaneous recanalization of a middle cerebral artery occlusion with subsequent carotid endarterectomy.

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with a left hemisphere stroke. The initial computed tomography scan demonstrated a cerebral infarct in association with a left middle cerebral artery occlusion. Carotid duplex ultrasound imaging revealed a surgical grade stenosis of the proximal left internal carotid artery; however, in view of the uncertain benefits of internal carotid endarterectomy in the face of ipsilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion, surgery was deferred. Subsequent surveillance by transcranial Doppler imaging and repeat computed tomography demonstrated spontaneous recanalization. The patient proceeded to carotid endarterectomy with no complications.

Thrombosis of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm by deployment of angioplasty balloon after total knee arthroplasty.

Vascular complications after total knee arthroplasty are rare, with incidence ranging between 0.03% and 0.2%. We describe a case of a popliteal artery false aneurysm after total knee arthroplasty successfully treated by deployment of an angioplasty balloon across the aneurysm neck resulting in thrombosis.

Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms presenting as progressive cranial nerve palsies.

Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are rare and can present with different clinical findings. We report such a case presenting with progressive cranial nerve palsies due to gradual increase in the size of aneurysms. This case demonstrates the clinician's difficulty in diagnosis when isolated cranial nerve palsy is the sole presenting sign.

Intramuscular hemangioma of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle failing to highlight on magnetic resonance imaging.

Intramuscular hemangiomas of the digastric muscle are rare. We present the fifth case reported and the second to be imaged in vivo with magnetic resonance imaging. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of these lesions is difficult, but may be facilitated by a high degree of clinical suspicion and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging using T2-weighted sequencing has been reported to effectively highlight these lesions. We present a case in which magnetic resonance imaging failed to highlight an intramuscular hemangioma of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. Possible reasons for this failure are discussed.