Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli: An uncommon cause of neck pain.

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli is an uncommon disease with unknown incidence, caused by the deposit of calcium hydroxyapatite in the superior oblique tendon of the longus colli. We report a case of A 57-year-old woman with a history of a thyroglossal cyst, presented in the emergency department with severe neck pain, odynophagia, and a biological inflammatory syndrome. The CT scan showed calcifications in the longus colli muscle (LCM) in front of the C1-C2 level with poorly defined margins, a thickening of the prevertebral soft tissue measured at 15 mm, with no evidence of abscess formation. The diagnosis of resorbed calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle was established. The patient was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a complete resolution of symptoms after. Radiologists should be aware of the pathognomonic imaging feature of Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli to guide physicians and to avoid invasive treatment and over-prescription of antibiotics, after excluding life-threatening diseases.

Reversible Wernicke encephalopathy caused by hyperemesis gravidarum in the second trimester of pregnancy: a case report.

Wernicke encephalopathy is a potentially life-threatening neurologic syndrome caused by acute thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It is usually associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Less frequently, this syndrome can be caused by persistent vomiting. This is a case report of a 33-year-old woman diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) during the second trimester of pregnancy. The presence of neurological and ophthalmological symptoms in the context of hyperemesis gravidarum led us to evoke the diagnosis of WE, and it was confirmed when specific lesions were found in the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Luckily for our patient, WE was diagnosed promptly and the signs were reversible after thiamine supplementation. In conclusion, any first line care taker or midwife must know the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy because prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to recovery.

Locally advanced cervical cancer with bladder invasion: clinical outcomes and predictive factors for vesicovaginal fistulae.

OBJECTIVE: We report outcomes of cervical cancer patients with bladder invasion (CCBI) at diagnosis, with focus on the incidence and predictive factors of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were identified. Twenty-one (30%) had para-aortic nodal involvement. Eight had VVF at diagnosis. With a mean follow-up time of 34.2 months (range: 1.9 months-14.8 years), among 63 patients without VVF at diagnosis, 15 (24%) developed VVF. A VVF occurred in 19% of patients without local relapses (9/48) and 40% of patients with local relapse (6/15). Two-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and local control rates were 56.4% (95% CI: 44.1-67.9%), 39.1% (95% CI: 28.1-51.4%) and 63.8% (95% CI: 50.4-75.4%), respectively. Para-aortic nodes were associated with poorer OS (adjusted HR = 3.78, P-value = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, anterior tumor necrosis on baseline MRI was associated with VVF formation (63% vs 0% at 1 year, adjusted-HR = 34.13, 95% CI: 4.07-286, P-value = 0.001), as well as the height of the bladder wall involvement of >26 mm (adjusted-HR = 5.08, 95% CI: 1.38-18.64, P-value = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A curative intent strategy including brachytherapy is feasible in patients with CCBI, with VVF occurrence in 24% of the patients. MRI patterns help predicting VVF occurrence. METHODS: Patients with locally advanced CCBI treated with (chemo)radiation ± brachytherapy in our institute from 1989 to 2015 were analyzed. Reviews of baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were carried out blind to clinical data, retrieving potential parameters correlated to VVF formation (including necrosis and tumor volume).