Calcification in Thoracic Splenosis.

Splenosis is a rare condition described as the implantation of ectopic splenic tissue, usually after a splenic rupture. Thoracic splenosis refers to acquired ectopic splenic tissue found within the thoracic cavity, often caused by thoracoabdominal trauma or surgery. Most cases are asymptomatic and many years may elapse before they are incidentally discovered on chest radiography or thoracic computed tomography. Splenosis is often misinterpreted as a malignancy on initial imaging. We wish to highlight a rare case of thoracic splenosis presenting with calcified and non-calcified nodules. Only two other cases of calcification have been reported in intrathoracic splenosis, neither of which provided CT images of this finding.

Malignant mesothelioma presenting as recurrent hydro-pneumothorax: An atypical case presentation and literature review.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare pleural malignancy, with a vague presentation complicated by a decades-long latency period between environmental exposure and clinical manifestations. Spontaneous hydro-pneumothorax is a rare presentation of MPM, most often requiring invasive tissue biopsy to confirm the etiologic diagnosis. We present the case of 79-year-old male smoker with no documented history of asbestos exposure, who was found to have MPM after presenting with dyspnea and subsequently found to have recurrent hydro-pneumothorax. On Literature review of the limited documented cases of MPM with hydro-pneumothorax, we found an exclusively male population with a significant smoking history, a marked right sided pathology predominance, and a generally poor prognosis. While this corresponds with the examined case, and suggests that the presence of hydro-pneumothorax implies a high-grade tumor and significant tissue invasion, and therefore poor prognosis similar to that of stage 4 disease, it differs from more generalized case reviews of MPM, most importantly in their anatomical descriptions, prognostic indicators, and epidemiologic tendencies.

Primary Pure Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Locally Invading the Liver, Duodenum, and Stomach: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Primary pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the gallbladder is an exceptionally rare type of tumor that comprises only 1% of all gallbladder cancer. SCC of the gallbladder portends a worse prognosis than the more common adenocarcinoma variant because of its aggressive invasion to local structures and because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Owing to its rarity, diagnosis and management can be challenging. Herein, we present the case of a 75-year-old female complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography and ultrasonography results of the abdomen were consistent with acute cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. Histologic evaluation of the resected mass revealed a malignant tumor with prominent keratinization, confirming the diagnosis of an invasive primary pure SCC of the gallbladder. Microscopic examination showed direct infiltration to the liver, duodenum, and stomach. This case report describes the hospital course of a patient with SCC of the gallbladder and suggests that gallbladder cancer should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in elderly patients presenting with acute cholecystitis. In addition, this article will review existing literature to examine the utility of different diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities available in the management of gallbladder cancer.

A rare case of bilateral chylothorax: a diagnostic challenge--follicular lymphoma versus primary effusion lymphoma.

Chylothorax is most common on the left side owing to the position of the thoracic duct. Malignancy-associated chylothorax is not uncommon. However, bilateral chylothorax is rare and malignancy should be a consideration in absence of trauma. We report a case of a patient with follicular lymphoma who presented with bilateral pleural effusion; pleural fluid analysis confirmed chylothorax. The patient did not have any significant peripheral or axial lymphadenopathy, which made the diagnosis difficult in absence of histopathology. Pleural fluid analysis was negative for malignant cells, however, the flow cytometry markers were suggestive of follicular lymphoma. Primary effusion lymphoma, which could have been another possibility, was ruled out by the flow cytometry markers. We conclude that pleural fluid flow cytometry markers play an important role where there is no significant lymphadenopathy and in absence of histopathological diagnosis. This demands further evaluation.

Not every recurrent pelvic mass in a female is a leiomyoma.

Desmoid tumors are rare neoplasms. They occur mostly in females in their reproductive age and may present with pelvic pain and intestinal obstruction. These connective tissue neoplasms are because of uncontrolled proliferation of differentiated myofibroblasts. The cells may synthesize vast amounts of collagen fibers in response to various stimuli. We describe a case of a pelvic desmoid tumor simulating a uterine leiomyoma recurrence. We review the literature on the epidemiology and the treatment options for desmoid tumors and suggest a strong index of suspicion when a new pelvic mass arises in an adult with previous pelvic surgery. We advise a planned multidisciplinary treatment approach at the first hint of the diagnosis of desmoid tumor.

Non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia associated with uterine leiomyomata.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) in a patient with large leiomyomata. METHODS: We present the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings of a diabetic patient who presented with recurrent hypoglycemia later linked to uterine leiomyomata. RESULTS: An 80-year-old woman with diabetes was admitted after falling at home. She reported dizziness and had recorded low capillary blood glucose despite discontinuing her diabetic medication prior to admission. Her physical examination was remarkable for nonorthostatic vital signs, normal cardiovascular and lung examination, and a pelvi-abdominal mass the size of a gravid uterus at 28 weeks of gestation. After receiving a 50% dextrose infusion, she became alert with no focal neurological deficit. Capillary blood glucose rose from 31 mg/dL to 110 mg/dL. A pelvic sonogram confirmed fibromyomata. She was initially treated with steroids after a hormonal profile suggested NICTH (normal fasting insulin, C-peptide, cosyntropin and glucagon stimulation tests, and negative insulin antibodies). Insulinlike growth factor (IGF) levels were IGF-1, 69 ng/mL and IGF-2, 782 ng/mL, and the IGF-2/IGF-1 ratio was 10.8. The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. Pathology reported a 3-kg uterus with multiple, large cellular fibromyomas. After steroids were discontinued, she became hyperglycemic requiring insulin and oral diabetic agents. Repeat IGF-2 and IGF-1 measurements were 261 ng/mL and 36 ng/mL, respectively. She was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: NICTH is a rare complication associated with large neoplasms. Leiomyomata should be included in the differential diagnoses of NICTH. Surgery is curative in such cases.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection in an "immunocompetent" host.

We are reporting the case of a 37-year-old immunocompetent patient who presented with anterior chest wall swelling, jaw swelling and pain, back pain, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. He underwent mediastinoscopy with lymph node biopsy, which revealed caseating and noncaseating granuloma and special stains positive for acid-fast bacteria. Cultures from two different sites surprisingly grew Mycobacterium avium intercellulare (MAI), and a diagnosis of disseminated MAI was made. He was switched from antituberculous treatment to MAI treatment.