An unusual case of ectopic prostate tissue in an intradural lipoma of the conus medullaris.

We report the first case of ectopic prostate tissue in a lipoma of the spine. Ectopic prostate tissue is well documented at a number of sites within the human body. Ectopic prostate tissue has previously been reported in the spine but usually in the context of spinal teratomas. This case is unique in that this is the first description of the presence of benign prostatic tissue in a lipoma of the conus medullaris. This is a highly unusual finding and probably reflects divergent differentiation or a malformative process.

Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis: an unusual cause of reversible confusion in a patient with glioblastoma multiforme.

Confusion frequently occurs in patients with gliomas for a number of reasons. One cause is a superimposed intracerebral infection. The case of a 73-year-old man who deteriorated after debulking of a high-grade glioma is described. However, he was successfully treated for Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) diagnosed from blood cultures. This case highlights the importance for all health care workers to have a low threshold for diagnosing reversible causes of confusion in patients with gliomas - including this particularly rare cause, and not attributing their symptoms to the primary intracranial pathology.