Mycotic (Infected) Pseudoaneurysm, a Diagnostic Challenge – Case Series

Mycotic pseudoaneurysm (or infected pseudoaneurysm) is an infectious arteritis, leading to the destruction of the arterial wall with the formation of a blind, saccular outpouching contiguous with the arterial lumen. Delayed management or non-management of mycotic pseudoaneurysms is associated with high morbidity and mortality due to complications such as arterial rupture, hemorrhage, and fulminant sepsis. Earlier diagnosis of mycotic pseudoaneurysm is essential for time management. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used imaging modality for detecting the mycotic pseudoaneurysm, its characterization, and vascular mapping. MDCT findings of mycotic pseudoaneurysm are blind, saccular outpouching of an artery with irregular arterial wall, perivascular soft-tissue mass, or edema. Uncommon results of MDCT include arterial lumen thrombosis, arterial wall calcification, and perivascular gas. Management of mycotic pseudoaneurysm includes endovascular stenting with graft repair, endovascular embolization, open surgery, medical therapy (intravenous antibiotics), or a combination of these. We report three cases of mycotic pseudoaneurysm affecting aortic isthmus, a segmental branch of the pulmonary artery, and the internal mammary artery. All cases posed a diagnostic challenge, which only on subsequent imaging revealed to be a mycotic pseudoaneurysm.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF SOFT TISSUE MASS IN THE HAND BY ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

Journal of Musculoskeletal Research ◽

10.1142/s0218957705001448 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 09 (01) ◽

pp. 45-51

Author(s):

Alexander Blankstein ◽

Aharon Chechick ◽

Abraham Adunski ◽

Uri Givon ◽

Yigal Mirovski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Soft Tissue Mass ◽

Wrist Joint ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Routine Practice ◽

X Rays ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Soft Tissue Masses ◽

The Right

Soft tissue masses are amongst the commonest complaints encountered in orthopedic practice. Of these, masses found in the hand and the wrist are presented at higher frequency. They are often painful and may cause limitation of movement. This work describes the prevalence and the nature of soft tissue masses in the hand and wrist encountered in routine practice. This work was performed to assess the characteristics of soft tissue mass in the hand and the effectiveness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of soft tissue masses and their differentiation from other lesions in the hand and wrist. Orthopedic surgical conditions that involve soft tissue in the hand and wrist may remain a diagnostic challenge when clinical diagnosis is uncertain and standard X-rays are non-diagnostic. High resolution ultrasound is widely available, non-invasive, without damage of radiation, imaging modality that can help the diagnosis. We reviewed retrospectively 25 patients with soft tissue masses. We compared the ultrasound findings with the histological findings in seven operated patients. A substantial majority of these lesions occurred in the right hand: 79% of the lesions were in the dorsal aspect of the hand, of which 37% were distal to the wrist joint, among them 42% at wrist either radial or ulnar; and 21% of the lesions were found in the volar aspect, among them 17% at wrist aspect, either radial or ulnar side. No predisposing factors could be found. The findings of this study reaffirm the utility of ultrasonography as primary diagnostic tool in routine orthopedic practice.

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Progressive Neurological Decline with Deep Bilateral Imaging Changes: A Protean Presentation of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1159/000487332 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 256-264

Author(s):

Rene A. Colorado ◽

Marcelo Matiello ◽

Hyun-Sik Yang ◽

James D. Rabinov ◽

Aman Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correct Diagnosis ◽

Case Series ◽

Endovascular Embolization ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Neoplastic Disease ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Cerebral Vasculature ◽

Arteriovenous Fistulae ◽

Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae ◽

Variable Clinical Presentation

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) within the deep cerebral vasculature are diagnostically challenging because of their variable clinical presentation and typical bilateral neuroimaging findings mimicking inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic processes. Increasingly, reports have emerged highlighting the diagnostic and treatment challenges of these lesions and their associated high morbidity and rapid clinical deterioration when untreated. We describe here a case series of 4 patients with deep cerebral DAVF who presented with impaired arousal or memory and behavioral changes. In all patients, the initial differential diagnosis included metabolic, inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic disease, with an eventual correct diagnosis obtained after catheter angiography had demonstrated arterialization of the deep venous structures, including the vein of Galen. All patients were successfully treated with endovascular embolization, with 1 patient requiring additional surgical treatment. We review the contemporary diagnostic evaluation and management of DAVF within the deep cerebral vasculature. With rapid diagnosis and treatment, a favorable outcome is possible.

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Malignant Soft Tissue Masses

Musculoskeletal Imaging Volume 1 ◽

10.1093/med/9780190938161.003.0066 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 346-350

Author(s):

Kevin J. Blount

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Soft Tissue Mass ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Diagnostic Delay ◽

Soft Tissue Tumors ◽

Imaging Features ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Soft Tissue Masses ◽

Malignant Soft Tissue

Chapter 66 discusses malignant soft tissue masses. Soft tissue malignancies are less common than those of benign origin but should be in the differential diagnosis for any soft tissue mass. Malignant soft tissue tumors have a wide range of clinical and imaging appearances, which can present a diagnostic challenge. If the imaging features of the soft tissue mass are not entirely characteristic for a benign diagnosis, biopsy should be performed. After initial radiographs, MRI is considered the best imaging modality to characterize malignant soft tissue lesions. Prompt diagnosis is critical because a diagnostic delay is associated with a worse clinical outcome.

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A Rare Case of Bilateral Incarcerated Obturator Hernias and a Right-Side Femoral Hernia

10.31487/j.jscr.2020.01.03 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Jinping Xu ◽

Ruth Wei ◽

Salieha Zaheer

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Abdominal Pain ◽

Femoral Hernia ◽

Rare Case ◽

Hernia Recurrence ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Abdominal Ct ◽

Abdominal Ct Scan ◽

History Of

Obturator hernias are rare but pose a diagnostic challenge with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Our patient is an elderly, thin female with an initial evaluation concerning for gastroenteritis, and further evaluation revealed bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias, which confirmed postoperatively as well as a right femoral hernia. An 83-year-old female presented to the outpatient office initially with one-day history of diarrhea and one-week history of episodic colicky abdominal pain. She returned 4 weeks later with diarrhea resolved but worsening abdominal pain and left inner thigh pain while ambulating, without changes in appetite or nausea and vomiting. Abdominal CT scan then revealed bilateral obturator hernias. Patient then presented to the emergency department (ED) due to worsening pain, and subsequently underwent hernia repair. Intraoperatively, it was revealed that the patient had bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias and a right femoral hernia. All three hernias were repaired, and patient was discharged two days later. Patient remained well postoperatively, and 15-month CT of abdomen showed no hernia recurrence.

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IgG4-related intracranial disease

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/1971400918806323 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 29-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shahine Goulam-Houssein ◽

Jeffrey L Grenville ◽

Katerina Mastrocostas ◽

David G Munoz ◽

Amy Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Cells ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Case Series ◽

Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Perineural Spread ◽

Related Disease ◽

The Third ◽

Igg4 Related Disease ◽

Intracranial Involvement

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multi-organ chronic inflammatory process caused by infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in one or more organs. Intracranial involvement has only recently become better recognized. Our case series adds to the growing literature on the varying presentations of intracranial IgG4 by describing the clinical and imaging findings of three patients who presented to our institution with intracranial involvement. Our first patient presented with a mass-forming IgG4 pachymeningitis mimicking a sphenoid wing meningioma, which is to our knowledge the largest mass-forming pachymeningitis published in the literature. Our second case depicts another presentation of extensive IgG4 pachymeningitis involving both cavernous sinuses and surrounding Meckel’s caves. The third case describes a patient with presumed lymphocytic hypophysitis, which was later determined to be IgG4-related hypophysitis with concomitant pachymeningitis and perineural spread along the optic nerves. The delayed diagnoses in our cases illustrates the diagnostic challenge that clinicians face in differentiating intracranial IgG4-RD from other infiltrative diseases such as sarcoidosis, granulomatous disease, tuberculosis and lymphoma. Earlier consideration of IgG4-related hypophysitis and hypertrophic pachymeningitis in the differential diagnosis can prevent significant morbidity including unnecessary surgical intervention and organ failure secondary to extensive fibrosis.

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Feasibility and Clinical Utility of Ultra-Widefield–Navigated Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging

Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases ◽

10.1177/2474126421997335 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 247412642199733

Author(s):

Kyle D. Kovacs ◽

M. Abdallah Mahrous ◽

Luis Gonzalez ◽

Benjamin E. Botsford ◽

Tamara L. Lenis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Clinical Utility ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Imaging System ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Case Series ◽

Subretinal Fluid ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Swept Source ◽

Oct Imaging

Purpose: This work aims to evaluate the clinical utility and feasibility of a novel scanning laser ophthalmoscope-based navigated ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography (UWF SS-OCT) imaging system. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series evaluated patients between September 2019 and October 2020 with UWF SS-OCT (modified Optos P200TxE, Optos PLC) as part of routine retinal care. The logistics of image acquisition, interpretability of images captured, nature of the peripheral abnormality, and clinical utility in management decisions were recorded. Results: Eighty-two eyes from 72 patients were included. Patients were aged 59.4 ± 17.1 years (range, 8-87 years). During imaging, 4.4 series of images were obtained in 4.1 minutes, with 86.4% of the image series deemed to be diagnostic of the peripheral pathology on blinded image review. The most common pathologic findings were chorioretinal scars (18 eyes). In 31 (38%) eyes, these images were meaningful in supporting clinical decision-making with definitive findings. Diagnoses imaged included retinal detachment combined with retinoschisis, retinal hole with overlying vitreous traction and subretinal fluid, vitreous inflammation overlying a peripheral scar, Coats disease, and peripheral retinal traction in sickle cell retinopathy. Conclusions: Navigated UWF SS-OCT imaging was clinically practical and provided high-quality characterization of peripheral retinal lesions for all eyes. Images directly contributed to management plans, including laser, injection or surgical treatment, for a clinically meaningful set of patients (38%). Future studies are needed to further assess the value of this imaging modality and its role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating peripheral lesions.

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Transition to Ductal Stenting for Single Ventricle Patients Led to Improved Survival: An Institutional Case Series

World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery ◽

10.1177/21501351211007808 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 518-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Neel K. Prabhu ◽

Alexander Zhu ◽

James M. Meza ◽

Kevin D. Hill ◽

Gregory A. Fleming ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Ventricle ◽

Heart Defects ◽

Ductus Arteriosus ◽

Pulmonary Atresia ◽

Case Series ◽

Stage Ii ◽

Shunt Revision ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Mechanical Ventilation Duration ◽

Hospital Morbidity

Background: The use of systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (SPS) in neonates with single ventricle heart defects and ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow (ddPBF) was historically associated with high morbidity and mortality at our center. As a result, we transitioned to the preferential use of ductus arteriosus stents (DS) when feasible. This report describes our initial results with this strategy. Methods: A single-center study of single ventricle patients that received DS or SPS from 2015 to 2019 was performed to assess whether DS was associated with decreased in-hospital morbidity and increased survival to stage II palliation. Results: A total of 34 patients were included (DS = 11; SPS = 23). Underlying cardiac anomalies were similar between groups and included pulmonary atresia, unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect, and tricuspid atresia. Procedure success was similar between groups (82% vs 83%). Two DS patients were converted to SPS, due to ductal vasospasm or pulmonary artery obstruction, and four SPS patients required surgical shunt revision. In DS patients, postprocedure mechanical ventilation duration was shorter (one vs three days, P = .009) and fewer required postprocedure extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (9% vs 39%, P = .11). A higher proportion of DS patients survived to stage II palliation (100% vs 64%, P = .035), and the probability of one-year survival was higher in DS patients (100% vs 61%, P = .02). Conclusions: At our center, patients with single ventricle heart defects and ddPBF that received DS experienced reduced in-hospital morbidity and increased survival to stage II palliation compared to SPS.

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Ovarian Dysgerminoma in Pregnant Women with Viable Fetus: A Rare Case Report

Case Reports in Oncology ◽

10.1159/000513622 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 141-146

Author(s):

Reda Youssef ◽

Gamal Sayed Ahmed ◽

Samir Alhyassat ◽

Sanaa Badr ◽

Ahmed Sabry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Ovarian Neoplasms ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Short Period ◽

Ovarian Dysgerminoma ◽

The Impact ◽

In Pregnancy

Dysgerminoma is an uncommon malignant tumor arising from the germ cells of the ovary. Its association with pregnancy is extremely rare, with a reported incidence of about 0.2–1 per 100,000 pregnancies. Women in the reproductive age group are more commonly affected. It can be extremely rare to conceive naturally, without assisted reproductive interventions, in cases with ovarian dysgerminoma. If a pregnancy does occur with a concurrent dysgerminoma, it is even more unusual to carry the pregnancy to viability or childbirth without fetal or maternal compromise. We report a case of right ovarian dysgerminoma in a young female with a viable intrauterine pregnancy at 10 weeks, which is rarely diagnosed and managed at this gestational age. Numerous factors played a role in her favorable outcome, including early suspicion by ultrasound and presenting history, surgery, histopathological assessment, imaging, and involvement of the multidisciplinary oncology team. Ovarian neoplasms may rapidly increase in size within a short period with little or no symptoms. This poses a diagnostic challenge for obstetricians and oncologists. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the role of imaging in pregnancy using ultrasound as an imaging modality for both early detection of ovarian neoplasms and for follow-up. In conclusion, patients with ovarian dysgerminoma in pregnancy can have favorable outcomes. Treatment should be individualized on a case-to-case basis, depending on many factors; cancer stage, previous reproductive history, the impact of imaging in staging or follow-up of tumor on the fetus, fetal gestational age, and whether termination of the pregnancy can improve survival or morbidity for the mother.

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Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolization: prediction of angiographically-confirmed recanalization according to PAVM Diameter changes on CT

CVIR Endovascular ◽

10.1186/s42155-021-00207-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jihoon Hong ◽

Sang Yub Lee ◽

Jung Guen Cha ◽

Jae-Kwang Lim ◽

Jongmin Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arteriovenous Malformation ◽

Case Series ◽

Pulmonary Angiography ◽

Endovascular Embolization ◽

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation ◽

Conventional Angiography ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽

Vein Diameter ◽

Diameter Reduction

Abstract Background To assess pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) recanalization after embolization based on PAVM diameter changes on computed tomography (CT), with pulmonary angiography used as a gold standard. Methods A retrospective review was done of patients from 2008 to 2019 with a PAVM treated with endovascular embolization. The treatment outcome was determined by conventional angiography. Follow-up pulmonary angiography was performed when recanalization was suspected on CT, or embolization of all lesions in multiple PAVM patients could not be completed in a single session. Patients who had no preprocedural or follow-up CT were excluded. Draining vein, feeding artery, and venous sac diameter were measured on CT, and diameter reduction rates were compared with the widely-used, binary 70 % criteria. Results Forty-one patients with 114 PAVMs were treated during the study period. Eight patients with 50 PAVMs met the inclusion criteria. Mean vein, artery, and venous sac diameter reduction rates were as follows: 59.2 ± 9.3 %, 47.5 ± 10.6 %, and 62.6 ± 13.2 %, respectively, in the occluded group and 5.4 ± 19.5 %, 11.3 ± 17.7 %, and 26.8 ± 14.2 %, respectively, in the recanalized group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for PAVM recanalization for the draining vein was 1.00, showing a better result than the artery (0.97) and sac (0.99). Patients showed > 42 % draining vein diameter reduction in the occluded group and < 32 % in the recanalized group. The widely-used 70 % criteria showed low specificity for predicting recanalization (draining vein, 7.3 %; venous sac, 41.7 %) but 100 % sensitivity for both the draining vein and venous sac. Conclusions The widely-used 70 % binary criteria showed limited performance in predicting outcomes in this angiographically-confirmed case series. Further investigations are warranted to establish a strategy for detecting recanalization after PAVM embolization.

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Heterotopic caval valve implantation for the management of severe tricuspid regurgitation: a case series

European Heart Journal - Case Reports ◽

10.1093/ehjcr/ytaa428 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aidan Sharkey ◽

Ronny Munoz Acuna ◽

Kiran Belani ◽

Ravi K Sharma ◽

Omar Chaudhary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Therapy ◽

Tricuspid Regurgitation ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Symptom Relief ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Case Series ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation ◽

Maximal Medical Therapy ◽

Valve Implantation

Abstract Background Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a complex condition that can be difficult to treat medically, and often surgical intervention is prohibited due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with this intervention. In patients who have failed maximal medical therapy and have progressive symptoms related to their severe TR, heterotopic caval valve implantation (CAVI) offers potential for symptom relief for these patients. Case summary We present two cases of patients with severe TR with symptoms of heart failure that were refractory to medical therapy. Due to extensive comorbidities in these patient’s surgical intervention was deemed unsuitable and the decision was made to proceed with heterotopic CAVI in order to try and control their symptoms. Both patients successfully underwent the procedure and had an Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) implanted in the inferior vena cava/right atrium junction. In both patients, there was improvement in the postoperative haemodynamics as measured by invasive and non-invasive methods. Successful discharge was achieved in both patients with improvement in their symptoms. Discussion Selective use of heterotopic CAVI to treat symptomatic severe TR that is refractory to medical therapy may be a viable option to improve symptoms in those patients that are unsuitable for surgical intervention.

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