Rathke's Cleft Cyst Abscess with a Very Unusual Course.

Infected Rathke's cleft cysts (RCC) are extremely rare with only a few published cases. We report the case of a 31-year-old man who presented with headaches, visual disturbance, and hypopituitarism secondary to an infected RCC with extension of abscesses along the optic tract. Magnetic resonance imaging showed ring enhancing cystic lesions within an expanded sella with suprasellar and intraparenchymal extension. The radiological appearance suggested a high-grade optic glioma, but an endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy revealed frank pus in the pituitary fossa, which subsequently grew Staphylococcus aureus . Pathological examination of the cyst wall showed an inflamed RCC. Following a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics, the infection resolved and vision improved. RCC abscesses are rare and the intracranial extension of the infection in our case makes it unique.

Simulation via instant messaging-Birmingham advance (SIMBA) model helped improve clinicians' confidence to manage cases in diabetes and endocrinology.

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based learning (SBL) has been increasingly used in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training curricula. The aim of Simulation via Instant Messaging-Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is to create a simple virtual learning environment to improve trainees' self-reported confidence in diabetes and Endocrinology. METHODS: This study was done as part of the continuous professional development for Health Education England West Midlands speciality trainees in diabetes and Endocrinology. Standardized transcripts of anonymized real-life endocrinology (endocrine session) and diabetes cases (diabetes session) were used in the simulation model. Trainees interacted with moderators through WhatsApp® in this model. All cases were then discussed in detail by a consultant endocrinologist with reference to local, national and international guidelines. Trainee acceptance rate and improvement in their self-reported confidence levels post-simulation were assessed. RESULTS: 70.8% (n = 17/24) and 75% (n = 18/24) strongly agreed the simulation session accommodated their personal learning style and the session was engaging. 66.7% (n = 16/24) strongly felt that the simulation was worth their time. In the endocrine session, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence in the management of craniopharyngioma (p = 0.0179) and acromegaly (p = 0.0025). There was a trend towards improved confidence levels to manage Cushing's disease and macroprolactinoma. In diabetes session, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence to interpret continuous glucose monitor readings (p = 0.01). There was a trend towards improvement for managing monogenic diabetes, hypoglycaemic unawareness and interpreting Libre readings. Overall, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence in managing cases that were discussed post-simulation. CONCLUSION: SIMBA is an effective learning model to improve trainees' confidence to manage various diabetes and endocrine case scenarios. More sessions with a variety of other speciality case scenarios are needed to further assess SIMBA's effectiveness and application in other areas of medical training.

Copper Deficiency Myelopathy After Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery.

A well-functioning alimentary canal is required for adequate nutrient absorption. Disruption to the upper gastrointestinal tract through surgery can lead to micronutrient malnourishment. Copper deficiency has been noted in up to 10% of those undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, but sequalae are not frequently reported. The resultant deficiency states can have profound and long-term consequences if not realized early and managed appropriately. Here we present a case of copper deficiency myelopathy, a condition indistinguishable from subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, following upper gastrointestinal bypass surgery for gastric ulceration, further complicated by inadequate nutrition.

Cerebral venous thrombosis as the first presentation of classical homocystinuria in an adult patient.

A 30-year-old woman presented with severe headache, dysarthria and right hemiparesis. She was treated for suspected viral encephalopathy and recovered over the following weeks although the headaches persisted. Two months later she was treated in-hospital for pulmonary embolism. The following year she was readmitted for increased frequency of headaches and was given a diagnosis of migraine. A subsequent MRI head scan was suggestive of longstanding venous sinus infarcts and neuroradiology review concluded that encephalitis had been the incorrect initial diagnosis. Subsequent investigations for an underlying cause of the two episodes of venous thrombosis revealed a total homocysteine level of >350 µmol/L (<15 µmol/L). An underlying diagnosis of homocystinuria secondary to cystathionine ß-synthase deficiency was made although this metabolic condition is normally recognised in childhood. Treatment with pyridoxine and betaine normalised her homocysteine levels and she has had no further thrombotic event since.

Type of interventional pain procedure, body weight, and presence of spinal pathology are determinants of the level of radiation exposure for fluoroscopically guided pain procedures.

In the recent years new technology has led to the development of a bewildering array of imaging procedures. Yet, conventional radiography remains one of the most used tools to diagnose and to aid procedural interventions. Fluoroscopy guidance facilitates targeted drug delivery or radiofrequency directly to the area of pathology, a benefit that has to be balanced against the risks of radiation exposure. In this prospective observational survey of routine practice, dose area product (DAP) and screening time (ST) were recorded in 127 consecutive patients undergoing fluoroscopically guided spinal procedures along with other probable measures of potentially greater radiation exposure such as weight, type of spinal pathology, the ease of recognition of the anatomical landmarks, and the radiographic quality of the image in terms of contrast and graininess. The mean ST was 34±27 seconds (range, 3 to 218 seconds), the mean DAP was 1.18±1.08 Gy cm(2) (range, 0.023 to 6.82 seconds). A correlation between weight and DAP was confirmed (r=0.230, P<0.05, Spearman's correlation coefficient). Patients with spinal pathology (n=33) had higher radiation exposure than those without (DAP median=0.85, U=978.00, P<0.005, r=-0.28, Mann-Whitney test). The DAP values obtained compare favourably with the recommended doses for radiographs and other procedures, although they generally exceed the values for a chest X-ray.

A protocol for the conservative management of vestibular schwannomas.

OBJECTIVES: To devise a protocol for the safe surveillance of vestibular schwannomas. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of case records. SETTING: Tertiary referral neurotology clinic. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty patients have been managed conservatively with a mean follow-up of 43 months since 1997. Two hundred seventy-six patients with at least 1 follow-up scan have been included in the study. INTERVENTION: Review of case records and radiologic data to devise management protocol. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURED: Tumor growth rates, timing of detection of growth in growing tumors, and timing of detection of growth in tumors growing at different rates. RESULTS: Of 276 patients, 62 (22%) demonstrated growth. The mean growth rate for growing tumors was 4 mm annually (range, 0.5-17 mm/yr). Of the growing tumors, 65% grew slowly (0.5-5 mm/yr) and 35% grew more rapidly (>5-17 mm/yr). Four tumors displayed genuine nonlinear growth. Of the rapidly growing tumors, 16 of 19 were detected at the first follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (6 mo). Of all growing tumors, 90% were detected within 3 years. The remaining 10% were detected within a further 3 years. CONCLUSION: Growth is usually manifest in the first 3 years after presentation. We recommend an initial magnetic resonance imaging scan at 6 months, with scans to take place at annual intervals for 2 years. A further scan 2 years later will identify any patient with indolent tumors. Thereafter, follow-up should be lifelong every 5 years. Cystic tumors represent a particular threat to patients and should only be treated conservatively with caution.