Cholangiocarcinoma of the Common Bile Duct Presenting as Empyema of the Gallbladder: A Rare Case Report.

Cholangiocarcinoma of the common bile duct (CBD) presenting as empyema of the gallbladder is a rare entity that poses a risk of septicemia, septic shock, peritonitis, and abscess formation. This case report describes an elderly female presenting with pain in the right hypochondrium, a positive Murphy's sign, and a history of regurgitation and constipation. It highlights the value of imaging in the early diagnosis of this rare presentation of underlying malignancy. The most common cause of empyema of the gallbladder is acute cholecystitis, followed by gallbladder neck obstruction by a calculus. This report discusses the important role of imaging supported by clinical history, examination, laboratory tests, and histopathological findings to diagnose this rare presentation of empyema of the gallbladder as a complication of underlying cholangiocarcinoma. Additionally, it briefly discusses the change in the management line for cholangiocarcinoma patients with complications such as gallbladder perforation and septicemia. The study concludes that the possibility of underlying bile duct malignancy cannot be overlooked in patients with similar symptoms, particularly among the elderly.

Left Hemifacial Spasms Due to Left Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) arises from involuntary, recurrent, irregular tonic-clonic-like contractions of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve. Typically, compression of the facial nerve root exit on the same side is attributed to either a vascular loop or a mass located in the cerebellopontine (CP) angle. Dolichoectasia, alternatively termed dilated arteriopathy, is characterized by arterial dilatation, elongation, and tortuosity. Here, we present a case involving vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) as the cause of HFS, alongside relevant imaging findings.

Proteus Syndrome: A Rare Congenital Disorder.

An uncommon congenital hamartomatous disorder called Proteus syndrome is characterized by multifocal tissue expansion originating from all three germinal layers. Diagnosis mainly relies on clinical and radiological criteria. Here, we present a case of a 13-year-old female child exhibiting bony, soft tissue, and vascular abnormalities, along with developmental delay. We conclude by highlighting the importance of imaging studies in conjunction with physical examination, which are characterized by general and specific criteria to diagnose this rare condition until a specific gene test becomes available.