[Evulsion of the optic nerve, a diagnosis to be recognised!]. / L'avulsion du nerf optique, un diagnostic à connaître!

INTRODUCTION: Evulsion of the optic nerve is a rare but serious injury. It occurs generally after an ocular contusion and may cause blindness. CASE: We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with a blunt ocular trauma after having been punched by her husband. Initial examination of the left eye was impossible due to a major palpebral oedema. A CT scan of the orbit revealed a thickened optic nerve. No improvement was noted. DISCUSSION: Optic nerve avulsion is often caused by sudden and forceful rotation of the eye with tearing of the optic nerve as its globe entry level. The diagnosis can be confirmed by examination of the ocular fundus or by medical imaging such as CT scan of the orbital cavity as in our case report. The prognosis is usually poor.

Pseudoaneurysm of internal carotid artery following mandibular reconstruction treated by covered stent.

SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 68-year-old woman who had a mandibular titanium plate reconstruction following surgery for a parotid carcinoma. Fifteen months later she presented bleeding episodes related to a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery located just above the bulb. This was probably related to the weakening of the arterial wall following friction with the mandibular plate and radiotherapy.We successfully obliterated this pseudoaneurysm using a covered stent. This rare diagnosis should be evoked in case of bleeding following a mandibular reconstruction. Stenting is an effective treatment strategy obviating the need for open surgery.

[Radiologic study of renal colic]. / Exploration radiologique de la colique néphrétique.

Ureterolithiasis is a common disease responsible for a large number of admissions in emergency departments and a wide utilization of imaging studies. The purpose of this review was to analyze the respective role of the different available imaging techniques. Intravenous urography is the gold-standard for diagnosis of acute obstruction, but positive detection of a stone may prove difficult at times. US is less accurate than urography for both diagnoses of obstruction and lithiasis, but it represents a non invasive alternative to IVU (no ionizing radiation and no IV contrast). The information obtained from measurements of intra-renal resistive index is poorly contributive. Non contrast helical CT has become the gold-standard for the diagnosis of ureterolithiasis, the two main factors limiting its widespread use are its accessibility and the radiation exposure. Nevertheless, its excellent diagnostic performance tends to dramatically reduce the need for IVU.

Suprasellar seeding of a benign choroid plexus papilloma of the fourth ventricle with local recurrence.

A suprasellar location of a benign choroid plexus papilloma is reported. Local recurrence within the fourth ventricle was also present, 8 years after apparently complete removal. Imaging and histological findings were similar to those of the initial lesion. At surgery, the suprasellar lesion had no connection with the ventricular system. Seeding of choroid plexus papillomas is discussed, and the pertinent literature reviewed.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with Castleman's tumour.

We present a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with Castleman's disease. Our patient had stomatitis and vulvar erosions followed by a cutaneous polymorphous eruption. Investigations for neoplasia disclosed a Castleman's tumour suggesting the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus. The diagnosis was supported by immunoblotting using an extract of cow tongue although keratinocytes extracts did not identify relevant target antigens. One year after surgical excision of the tumour the patient remained unwell with persistent buccal erosions and lymphopenia. This case is unusual because of the length of its evolution before the discovery of the Castleman's tumour. It is only the second occasion that the association between paraneoplastic pemphigus and Castleman's tumour has been reported. Our case emphasizes the usefulness of immunoblotting on cow tongue in suspected cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus.

Mesoblastic nephroma: prenatal ultrasonographic and MRI features.

Antenatal detection of mesoblastic nephroma by US is possible. Reviewing the literature, we found 19 previously reported cases, only 1 of which underwent prenatal MRI. We present a further case diagnosed by US and confirmed with MRI. The imaging findings and differential diagnoses are discussed. Early and correct detection of this rare entity is of great interest, as it may facilitate prevention and management of severe obstetric and neonatal complications such as polyhydramnios and prematurity. MRI can help to evaluate the origin and the morphological features of a fetal abdominal mass.

Castleman disease: CT and MR imaging features of a retroperitoneal location in association with paraneoplastic pemphigus.

We describe the CT and MRI features of a case of Castleman disease which was unusual by both its retroperitoneal location and its association with paraneoplastic pemphigus.