P-wave indices and left atrial mechanics as predictors of atrial cardiopathy in embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Recent research has shed light on the culpability of LA (left atrial) abnormality, in the form of atrial cardiopathy, as an independent risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation, LA thrombus and subsequent stroke. The aim of this study was to measure LA electromechanical dissociation (EMD), LA volumes, P-wave dispersion (PWD) and P-wave terminal force in V1 (PTFV1) as markers of atrial cardiopathy in patients with ESUS (embolic stroke of undetermined source), to determine whether atrial cardiopathy is an integral part in the causal pathway of ESUS. 28 patients presenting with ischemic stroke and fulfilling the criteria for ESUS were enrolled into this cross-sectional, observational study along with a control group of 28 age- and gender-matched apparently healthy individuals. On ECG, PWD and PTFV1 were measured. On echocardiography, LA EMD and LA volumes were recorded. Increased PWD (34.14 ± 9.89 ms vs. 27.32 ± 8.95 ms; p = 0.01), atrial EMD (73.32 ± 16.31 ms vs. 63.63 ± 13.59 ms; p = 0.02) and LA volumes were observed in patients with ESUS as compared to controls. A significant correlation was also found between these parameters (p < 0.01). According to the results of our study, PWD, atrial EMD and LA volumes may be novel predictors for ESUS. Our results support the notion that atrial cardiopathy is a distinct mechanism of thrombosis in ESUS patients. Further research is required to clarify its function in the causation of stroke, ESUS in particular.

Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Non-traumatic Vertebral Collapse: A Relook Into Its Utility in Making the Diagnosis in a Population Where Infections of Spine Are a Common Cause.

AIM: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging investigation of choice in vertebral collapse. In this study, we considered various MRI features and appearance based on morphological features, signal intensity, contrast enhancement characteristics, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of various types of non-traumatic vertebral collapse for differentiating benign from malignant causes and its role in differentiating cases of infectious causes of vertebral collapse from malignant causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2014 to November 2016 a total of 100 consecutive patients from the MRI centre of JN Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh, were evaluated for the study. Inclusion criteria included patients presenting with backache, limb weakness, and fever who had undergone radiography of the spine that showed features of collapse. All patients underwent MRI on a 1.5 T MR Scanner. Coronal, sagittal and axial spine images were obtained using T1 weighted, T2 weighted, short tau inversion recovery, T1 postcontrast, and DWI sequences. RESULTS: In our study, we found different causes of non-traumatic vertebral collapse that were broadly categorized as benign or malignant. The benign causes were further sub-categorized into osteoporotic or infectious based on morphological features, signal intensity characteristics, and DWI. However, on DWI, the patients with infective collapse showed mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of 884 × 10-6 mm2/s ranging between 700 and 1,100 × 10-6 mm2/s between those of malignant and benign osteoporotic collapse, with significant overlap. The statistical difference between the malignant and infective cases, as well as between osteoporotic and infective cases, was not found to be statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: MRI plays a key role in establishing the cause of vertebral collapse, classifying it as either benign or malignant. DWI, although described in various studies as highly sensitive in differentiating benign osteoporotic and malignant collapse, was found to be good in differentiating only osteoporotic from malignant collapse, with the infectious cases proving to be a grey zone with significant overlap of quantitative diffusion findings.

A rare case of diffuse neurofibroma masquerading as a hemangioma: a radiological perspective.

Diffuse neurofibroma is a rarely encountered subtype of neurofibroma but the most common to be misdiagnosed. Its imaging appearance is very similar to that of a vascular malformation, and it is often labelled one until a biopsy proves it to be otherwise. The infrequency of its association with neurofibromatosis makes it a rare and difficult diagnosis. Here, we report the case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with the complaint of a gradually progressive swelling around the right ankle and heel, which was initially diagnosed as a case of a vascular malformation. However, it subsequently turned out to be a diffuse neurofibroma.

Does diverting ileostomy improve the outcome in children with tuberculous small bowel obstruction requiring surgical intervention?

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal tuberculosis is fairly common in children. The most common clinical presentation is bowel obstruction. Depending upon the presentation, the intestinal obstruction can be either managed conservatively or by operative intervention. There are various options in patients who undergo operative treatment. This study was undertaken to analyze the results of operative intervention with and without ileostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study carried out over a period of 10 years on 32 children who were operated for small bowel obstruction due to abdominal tuberculosis. The patients were divided into two groups (A: with ileostomy and B: without ileostomy). The relevant data and the defined outcome measures were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 children with tuberculous bowel obstruction requiring surgical intervention were studied. The patient of group A had mean duration of postoperative ileus for 2.55 days, restoration of enteral feeding within mean period of 3.55 days and had a primary hospital stay for a mean period of 9.0 days. These outcomes when compared with group B patients were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In children with bowel obstruction due to tuberculosis, diverting ileostomy decreases the morbidity by allowing early return of enteral motility, early institution of feeding and first-line ATT and decreasing the primary hospital stay.

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis: A case report with review of literature.

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) or Haberland syndrome is an uncommon sporadic neurocutaneous syndrome of unknown origin. The rarity and common ignorance of the condition often makes diagnosis difficult. The hallmark of this syndrome is the triad of skin, ocular and central nervous system (CNS) involvement and includes a long list of combination of conditions. Herein we report a case of a 5-month-old male child who presented to our centre with complaint of seizure. The patient had various cutaneous and ocular stigmatas of the disease in the form of patchy alopecia of the scalp, right-sided limbal dermoid and a nodular skin tag near the lateral canthus of the right eye. MRI of the brain was conducted which revealed intracranial lipoma and arachnoid cyst. The constellation of signs and symptoms along with the skin, ocular and CNS findings led to the diagnosis of ECCL.

Neonatal Intestinal Obstruction: When to Suspect Duplication Cyst of Bowel as the Cause.

BACKGROUND: Duplication cyst is a rare cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction. Their most common location is the small intestine. The clinical presentation is extremely variable depending upon its size, location and type and the age of the patient and are mainly encountered during infancy or early childhood. The diagnosis is very difficult in neonates. This study was undertaken to study their presentation, diagnostic modality of choice and further management in neonatal age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, J .N Medical College Hospital, AMU Aligarh from July 2008 to June 2014. The data was analyzed with respect to demographic profile of the neonates, their initial clinical presentation, radiological features and subsequent event leading to intervention, operative features and outcome. RESULTS: There were a total of seven neonates between ages of 3 days and 21 days who were diagnosed as cases of intestinal obstruction due to duplication cyst. The majority of the patients were having ileal duplication cyst (n=4). Ultrasonography played important role in majority of the cases for diagnosis. There was one patient in which the diagnosis was confused with ileal atresia. All the patients underwent excision with restoration of bowel continuity. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of intestinal obstruction in neonate due to duplication cyst is difficult. It has varied presentation and preoperative diagnosis at times may be challenging. Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment.

Giant-cell tumor of the patella in a skeletally immature girl.

BACKGROUND: We reported on a case of a giant-cell tumor of the patella which occurred in a skeletally immature patient. This combination of unusual age of presentation and atypical location made our case clinically and radiologically unique. CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old girl presented with complains of knee pain and swelling. After radiological investigations and percutaneous needle biopsy a diagnosis of giant-cell tumor of the patella was made, for which the patient underwent patellectomy with en bloc resection of the lesion and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that early diagnosis may be difficult in such cases and hence, GCT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a destructive lesion of the patella, regardless of the age of presentation.

Sonographic diagnosis of primary hydatid disease in the breast: the scroll sign.

Primary hydatid disease of breast is a rare entity and is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is more commonly seen in sheep-rearing populations and imaging plays a pivotal role in its diagnosis. Several imaging signs have been described in relation to hydatid cysts. However, the "scroll sign," due to the infolding of the endocyst, has rarely been encountered, with only one similar case in literature, in which the imaging findings were inconclusive. We present a case of primary hydatid disease of breast in a young Asian woman, with the sonographic scroll sign.

Role of ultrasonography in detection of renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by retroperitoneal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are extremely uncommon neoplasms, predominantly seen within the deep soft tissues of the extremities, in close proximity to the nerve trunks. Retroperitoneal MPNSTs are exceedingly rare, usually seen in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), and often result from malignant degeneration of a plexiform neurofibroma. These tumors are highly malignant and the prognosis is worsened if they occur in association with NF-1. Metastasis is not uncommon, but local invasion by these tumors is rarely reported. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are mostly iatrogenic and rarely result from invasion by retroperitoneal neoplasms. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool in early diagnosis of these neoplasms and vascular complications, particularly in emergency cases requiring immediate operative intervention. To the best of our knowledge, no case of renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by retroperitoneal MPNST has been reported to date. We present a case of a middle-aged female with Von Recklinghausen disease, complaining of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, where ultrasound accurately diagnosed renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by a large retroperitoneal MPNST, and who was later treated by radical excision of the tumor and nephrectomy.

Fibromatosis Colli: A Case Report.

Fibromatosis colli or sternocleidomastoid tumor of infancy is a condition of benign proliferation of fibrous tissue within the sternocleidomastoid muscle leading to focal or diffuse enlargement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and is often clinically associated with torticollis. Radiological imaging especially ultrasound, if performed by an expert radiologist plays an important role in differentiating this benign condition from other causes of neck masses in this age group, thereby preventing unnecessary investigations in a neonate and decreasing parent`s anxiety. We hereby, present a case report of a sternomastoid tumor in a two week old neonate diagnosed using high frequency ultrasound, signifying that every physician should be aware of this clinical entity in a neonate and refer them immediately for ultrasound.

Renal replacement lipomatosis with coexisting xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a pregnant woman.

Renal replacement lipomatosis of the kidney is a rare entity characterized by renal sinus and perirenal fat proliferation often caused by renal calculi. Most of the renal parenchyma is replaced by fat and the kidney is usually small, atrophic and nonfunctioning. We report magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography findings of a pregnant woman with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and renal replacement lipomatosis coexisting in the same kidney.

Solitary vertebral plasmacytoma causing compression fracture in a patient with multiple vertebral hemangiomas: a diagnosis easily missed!

The imaging mimics, acute osteoporotic compression fractures, metastasis and malignant melanoma or plasmacytoma pathological fractures are the important clinical problems in geriatric age group that need to be differentiated due to their grossly differing prognostic and therapeutic implications. There are few suggestive features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that help differentiate between these entities. Hemangiomas are very common benign spinal tumors that have characteristic features on MRI. In the setting of multiple vertebral hemangiomas causing cord compression in elderly patients, the scenario is even more complex with four different entities with different prognostic profiles. We report such a diagnostic dilemma we encountered in a middle aged female patient with multiple vertebral hemangiomas and compression fracture in D10 vertebra.

Imaging and clinical prognostic indicators of acute pancreatitis: a comparative insight.

Acute pancreatitis is a disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentation. It varies in severity from mild edematous pancreatitis with mostly uneventful recovery to severe necrotizing forms associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Various severity scoring systems are used for assessing the prognosis of acute pancreatitis. These include the clinical scoring scales as Ranson criteria, Glasgow scales, simplified acute physiology (SAP) score and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score. The CT severity index (CTSI) derived by Balthazar grading of pancreatitis and the extent of pancreatic necrosis is now widely used in describing CT findings of acute pancreatitis and serves as the radiological scoring system. The purpose of this review is to analyze the correlation of clinical and radiological scoring scales with patient outcome and assess their role as objective prognosticators of acute pancreatitis patients.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa: four case reports.

AIM: Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare cause of gigantism of limb which can be confused with other common causes like congenital lymphedema. It presents usually with loss of function and cosmetic problems. Four cases are described with emphasis on clinical presentation, differential diagnoses, imaging and treatment options. METHODS & RESULTS: Four patients of macrodystrophia lipomatosa were thoroughly examined and subjected to investigations. CONCLUSION: Besides diligent clinical examination, imaging and histopathology are crucial in clinching the diagnosis.

Isolated retroperitoneal hydatid cyst in a child: a rare cause of acute scrotal swelling?

Hydatidosis affects almost every region of the body. Although adults are mostly affected, children also suffer from the disease especially in endemic areas. The usual affected location is the liver, lung, spleen, brain, and kidney. We report a hydatid cyst located in a retroperitoneal location presenting with a sudden scrotal extension in a 7-year-old child. The finding presented a diagnostic dilemma vis-à-vis obstructed inguinal hernia.

Advanced presentation of gallbladder cancer: epidemioclinicopathological study to evaluate the risk factors and assess the outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors and assess the short-term prognosis and independent prognostic factors of cases of gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the data of 52 patients of gallbladder cancer was done. Clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, treatment given, operative findings and histopathological findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were unresectable at presentation. A 2-year survival rate for early gallbladder cancer was 100% while it was only 29.2% in the advanced stage group. CONCLUSION: The overall 2-year survival rate was 39.58%. The TNM stage was the most important factor affecting the survival.

Neonatal Intracranial Ischemia and Hemorrhage : Role of Cranial Sonography and CT Scanning.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of cranial sonography and computed tomography in the diagnosis of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage and hypoxic-ischemic injury in an Indian set-up. METHODS: The study included 100 neonates who underwent cranial sonography and computed tomography (CT) in the first month of life for suspected intracranial ischemia and hemorrhage. Two observers rated the images for possible intracranial lesions and a kappa statistic for interobserver agreement was calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the kappa values of CT and ultrasonography (USG) for the diagnosis of germinal matrix hemorrhage/intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH/IVH) and periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) and both showed good interobserver agreement. USG, however detected more cases of GMH/IVH (24 cases) and PVL (19) cases than CT (22 cases and 16 cases of IVH and PVL, respectively). CT had significantly better interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic injury (HII) in term infants and also detected more cases (33) as compared to USG (18). CT also detected 6 cases of extraaxial hemorrhages as compared to 1 detected by USG. CONCLUSION: USG is better modality for imaging preterm neonates with suspected IVH or PVL. However, USG is unreliable in the imaging of term newborns with suspected HII where CT or magnetic resonance image scan is a better modality.

Relevance of MRI in prediction of malignancy of musculoskeletal system--a prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of MRI in musculoskeletal tumours, especially, in prediction of malignancy & to compare whether the diagnosis made on MRI correlates with the cytological/histopathological diagnosis. METHODS: 50 consecutive patients presenting in the Outpatient and Inpatient department of the Department of Orthopaedics or Casualty of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, AMU, Aligarh, India were included in this study. They were subjected to MR examination on 1.5 Tesla superconducting system (MAGNETOM Avanto, Siemens). After localizer sequences, T1W and STIR images were obtained in longitudinal planes followed by T2W and post contrast T1W images in axial planes. Additional sequences were taken when required. Various imaging characteristics of tumours were evaluated statistically and their respective sensitivity and specificity in prediction of malignancy were obtained. RESULTS: Features associated with benign diagnosis in a large percentage of cases, are size less than 8 cm, sharp margination, homogeneous T2 signal, absence of oedema, necrosis, calcification and fluid-fluid levels. Similarly, malignant tumours are commonly associated with presence of irregular margins, inhomogeneous signal intensity, oedema, necrosis, haemorrhage, fascial penetration, bone changes and neurovascular involvement. A correct histological diagnosis is reached on the basis of imaging studies alone in 65% to 75% of cases. The sensitivity for a MRI diagnosis of malignant tumour was 95% and specificity was 84%. CONCLUSION: Differentiation of malignant from benign lesions of musculoskeletal system is best made by a combination of clinical and imaging parameters rather than by any single MR characteristic. When a lesion has a non-specific MR imaging appearance, it is useful to formulate a suitably ordered differential diagnosis based on tumour prevalence, patient age, and anatomic location. A systematic approach markedly improves diagnostic results.