Radiological Study of the Ethmoidal Arteries in the Nasal Cavity and Its Pertinence to the Endoscopic Surgeon.

We studied the ethmoidal arteries using preexisting computer tomography of the paranasal sinuses (CT PNS) and statistically scrutinized data obtained between genders. A descriptive study from 77 CT PNS dated January 2016-December 2016 were collected and reviewed by two radiologists. A total of 54 (108 sides) CT PNS were studied of patients aged 18-77 years. 37 are male, 17 are female; with Bumiputera Sarawak predominance of 25 patients, 12 Malays, 16 Chinese and one Indian. Rate of identification are as follows: anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA)-100%, middle ethmoidal artery (MEA)-30%, posterior ethmoidal artery (PEA)-86%. The average distance from AEA-MEA is 8.1 ± 1.52 mm, MEA-PEA is 5.5 ± 1.29 mm and AEA-PEA is 12.9 ± 1.27 mm. The mean distance from PEA-the anterior wall of sphenoid is 7.7 ± 3.96 mm, and PEA-optic canal is 8.5 ± 3.1 mm with no statistical difference when compared between gender. AEA frequently presented with a long mesentery 57.4%, while 87.1% of PEA was hidden in a bony canal. The vertical distance of the AEA-skull base ranges from 0 to 12.5 mm whilst PEA-skull base is 0-4.7 mm. There is no statistical difference in distances of AEA, MEA nor PEA to skull base when analyzed between genders; t(82) = 1.663, p > 0.05, t(32) = 0.403, p > 0.05 and t(75) = 1.333, p > 0.05 respectively. We newly discovered, that 50% of MEA is hidden in a bony canal, and its distance to skull base ranged 0-5.3 mm. MEA and PEA less commonly have a short or long mesentery. Knowledge on the ethmoidal arteries especially in our unstudied population of diverse ethnicity, gains to assist surgeons worldwide, when embarking in endoscopic transnasal surgeries.

Call for Caution: Neonatal Portal Vein Thrombosis following Enbucrilate Embolization of Placental Chorioangioma.

We illustrate a case of giant placental chorioangioma presenting at 20 weeks of gestation. Subsequent monitoring revealed enlargement of the lesion, associated with fetal anemia and cardiac failure, prompting in utero intervention. Amnioreduction followed by percutaneous embolization of the tumour with enbucrilate:Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid™ at a dilution of 1:5 was successfully performed. No repeat intervention or additional supportive measures were required throughout pregnancy and the baby was delivered at 36 weeks of gestation, following spontaneous labour. Due to prolonged neonatal jaundice, further investigations were undertaken, demonstrating subacute right portal vein thrombosis. Other previously reported causes of neonatal portal vein thrombosis such as umbilical vein thrombosis, neonatal umbilical vein catheterization, thrombophilia and sepsis were excluded. There was resolution of the thrombus by 6 months of life. A brief discussion of measures to minimize the risk of such an event and the long-term outcomes of neonatal portal vein thrombosis was included. Whilst the simplicity and efficacy of the procedure has been demonstrated in a handful of patients, judgment on its safety is best deferred. Counselling should be comprehensive, as even rare complications can result in significant postnatal morbidity.

Lipoma of vallecula-a case report.

Lipomas of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx are rare, accounting for approximately 1% of benign laryngeal neoplasms. We present a rare case of a simple lipoma arising from the right vallecula. A 55-year-old male presented with worsening dysphagia for 1 week. CT scan revealed a lesion of fat attenuation in the right vallecula. The patient underwent surgical excision and recovered uneventfully. To our knowledge, there are only two cases of vallecular lipoma that have been reported and they are both of spindle cell subtype and located on the left side. This is the first reported case of a simple lipoma arising from the right vallecula and causing obstructive symptoms. CT scan or MRI is essential in confirming the diagnosis and assessing the extent, thus allowing prompt excision, especially when the patient is symptomatic.