ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of echinococcosis is based on clinical, radiologic and serologic findings. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is useful in evaluating the lesion when the presentation is atypical. We report a case of hydatid cyst at the lung apex in which the diagnosis was made on FNA, with no adverse reaction to the aspiration. CASE: A 30-year-old male, a chronic smoker, presented with pain radiating to the medial two fingers of the right hand for two years. He also had miosis and ptosis of the right eye and anhidrosis of the right side of theface. There was wasting of small muscles in the right hand. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hyperintense mass at the apex of the right lung, thoracic inlet and adjacent vertebral bodies. A clinical diagnosis of Horner's syndrome due to pancoast tumor was rendered. Ultrasound-guided FNA showed protoscolices, scattered hooklets and bits of acellular laminated membrane, characteristic of echinococcosis. Surgical excision of the cyst was done. Gross and histopathologic examination of the excised cyst confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: FNA, though traditionally contraindicated, is a highly desirable, rapid, noninvasive diagnostic mode for echinococcosis. In view of its pathognomonic cytomorphologic features and numerous reports on cytodiagnosis in the literature, it is time to evaluate the diagnostic benefits and weigh the risks against the advantages of the technique.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis, Pulmonary/pathology , Horner Syndrome/pathology , Pancoast Syndrome/pathology , Adult , Biopsy, Needle , Echinococcosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Echinococcosis, Pulmonary/physiopathology , Echinococcosis, Pulmonary/surgery , Horner Syndrome/diagnosis , Horner Syndrome/etiology , Horner Syndrome/surgery , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Pancoast Syndrome/diagnosis , Pancoast Syndrome/physiopathology , Pancoast Syndrome/surgeryABSTRACT
Colonic lipomas are rare, benign tumours that rarely produce symptoms. Presented here is a case where a sigmoid lipoma acted as lead point to produce intussusception.
Subject(s)
Colonic Diseases/etiology , Intussusception/etiology , Lipoma/complications , Lipoma/surgery , Sigmoid Neoplasms/complications , Sigmoid Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Barium Sulfate , Colectomy/methods , Colonic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Colonic Diseases/surgery , Enema , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intussusception/diagnostic imaging , Intussusception/surgery , Lipoma/diagnosis , Male , Sigmoid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Fetal diastematomyelia is a rare form of spinal dysraphism that is characterized by a complete or incomplete division of the spinal cord by an osseous or fibrocartilaginous septum. A case of diastematomyelia, which was detected on the routine third trimester detailed ultrasound scan, is presented. The diagnosis was based on the detection of an echogenic focus in the posterior aspect of the spine in association with widening of the interpedicular vertebral space. The case illustrates that diastematomyelia can occur in the absence of overt spina bifida and that prenatal detection will allow timely postnatal investigation and treatment. Prenatal literature is further reviewed to assess the clinical significance of this finding.
Subject(s)
Neural Tube Defects/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Adult , Female , Fetal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pregnancy , Radiography , Spinal Dysraphism/diagnostic imaging , Spine/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
An intrathoracic kidney, although rare, should be considered in a patient with a mass at the base of the lung on a chest radiograph. Excretory urography is diagnostic and may eliminate the need for further extensive investigation and operation.
