scholarly journals Osseous Infections Caused by Aspergillus Species

Diagnostics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Christos Koutserimpas ◽  
Ifigeneia Chamakioti ◽  
Konstantinos Raptis ◽  
Kalliopi Alpantaki ◽  
Georgia Vrioni ◽  
...  

Background: Osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus spp. is a severe, but rare, clinical entity. However, clear guidelines regarding the most effective medical management have not yet been established. The present study is a literature review of all such cases, in an effort to elucidate epidemiology, as well as the therapeutic management and the infection’s outcome. Methods: A thorough review of all reports of osteomyelitis of the appendicular and the axial skeleton, without the skull and the spine, caused by Aspergillus spp. was undertaken. Data about demographics, imaging techniques facilitating diagnosis, causative Aspergillus, method of mold isolation, antifungal treatment (AFT), surgical treatment, as well as the infection’s outcome were recorded and evaluated. Results: A total of 63 cases of osseous infection due to Aspergillus spp. were identified. The studied population’s mean age was 37.9 years. The most commonly affected site was the rib cage (36.8%). Most hosts suffered immunosuppressive conditions (76.2%). Regarding imaging methods indicating diagnosis, computer tomography (CT) was performed in most cases (42.9%), followed by plain X-ray (41.3%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (34.9%). The most frequent isolated mold was Aspergillus fumigatus (49.2%). Cultures and/or histopathology were used for definite diagnosis in all cases, while galactomannan antigen test was additionally used in seven cases (11.1%), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in four cases (6.3%), and beta-d-glucan testing in three cases (4.8%). Regarding AFT, the preferred antifungal was voriconazole (61.9%). Most patients underwent surgical debridement (63.5%). The outcome was successful in 77.5%. Discussion: Osteomyelitis due to Aspergillus spp. represents a severe infection. The available data suggest that prolonged AFT in combination with surgical debridement is the preferred management of this infection, while identification of the responsible mold is of paramount importance.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulla Vieira Rodrigues ◽  
Katiane Tostes ◽  
Beatriz Pelegrini Bosque ◽  
João Vitor Pereira de Godoy ◽  
Dionisio Pedro Amorim Neto ◽  
...  

The assessment of three-dimensional (3D) brain cytoarchitecture at a cellular resolution remains a great challenge in the field of neuroscience and constant development of imaging techniques has become crucial, particularly when it comes to offering direct and clear obtention of data from macro to nano scales. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron or optical microscopy, although valuable, still face some issues such as the lack of contrast and extensive sample preparation protocols. In this context, x-ray microtomography (μCT) has become a promising non-destructive tool for imaging a broad range of samples, from dense materials to soft biological specimens. It is a new supplemental method to be explored for deciphering the cytoarchitecture and connectivity of the brain. This review aims to bring together published works using x-ray μCT in neurobiology in order to discuss the achievements made so far and the future of this technique for neuroscience.


2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 943-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WANG ◽  
M. Y. ZHU ◽  
C. LI ◽  
H. B. ZHANG ◽  
G. B. ZUO ◽  
...  

SUMMARYOutbreak of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections associated with acupuncture has not been reported. Thirteen patients with a painful swollen lump were referred to our hospital. The index patient received acupuncture and paraspinal muscular injection at a local acupuncture clinic in April 2011 and was diagnosed with M. tuberculosis 1 month later. From May 2011 to August 2011, 12 more patients with a swollen lump on the nuchal region or in the lower back or the buttocks region were referred to our hospital. Tuberculin skin test (TST), T-SPOT.TB, acid-fast stain, M. tuberculosis culture, chest radiograph, and lump magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and the patients were diagnosed with tuberculous abscess of the lump. All 13 patients received intramuscular injection at the paraspinal muscle by two acupuncturists at a local clinic and reported a swollen lump at the injection site. The needles and syringes were reused after autoclave sterilization. The TST was positive in all patients. Twelve patients had positive acid-fast stains. Mycobacterial cultures of abscess specimens were positive in all 13 patients. T-SPOT.TB tests were positive in all patients who underwent the test. The lesions and biopsies were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing by the Disease Control Center of Zhejiang Province, China and the causative agent was identified as M. tuberculosis, Beijing type. In conclusion, physicians should consider the possibility of mycobacterial infections, apart from other bacterial agents, in patients with a swollen paraspinal lump following intramuscular injection.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Adela Saco ◽  
Natalia Rakislova ◽  
Lorena Marimon ◽  
Aureli Torne ◽  
Berta Diaz-Feijoo ◽  
...  

Malacoplakia is an uncommon chronic granulomatous inflammation that rarely affects the female genital tract. A case of a 78-year-old woman with malacoplakia involving the uterine cervix and the vagina is described. The patient complained of vaginal bleeding. Clinically, a 13-mm mass was detected in the cervix, which was confirmed by ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Histological examination showed a dense histiocytic infiltrate with abundant Michaelis–Gutmann bodies involving the uterine cervix and the upper vagina. The presence of Escherichia coli was confirmed in the lesion by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. Only 12 cases of cervical malacoplakia have been reported to date. This condition should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical tumors.


1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Lev ◽  
Fred Hochberg

Background: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is effective in detecting the location of intracranial tumors, new imaging techniques have been studied that may enhance the specificity for the prediction of histologic grade of tumor and for the distinction between recurrence and tumor necrosis associated with cancer therapy. Methods: The authors review their experience and that of others on the use of perfusion magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate responses of brain tumors to new therapies. Results: Functional imaging techniques that can distinguish tumor from normal brain tissue using physiological parameters. These new approaches provide maps of tumor perfusion to monitor the effects of novel compounds that restrict tumor angiogenesis. Conclusions: Perfusion MRI not only may be as effective as radionuclide-based techniques in sensitivity and specificity in assessing brain tumor responses to new therapies, but also may offer higher resolution and convenient co-registration with conventional MRI, as well as time- and cost-effectiveness. Further study is needed to determine the role of perfusion MRI in assessing brain tumor responses to new therapies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (19) ◽  
pp. 3262-3264
Author(s):  
Taher Felemban ◽  
Abdullah Ashi ◽  
Abdullah Sindi ◽  
Mohannad Rajab ◽  
Zuhair Al Jehani

BACKGROUND: Having hoarseness of voice as the first clinical manifestation of tuberculosis is rare. This atypical presentation causes some confusion since other more common conditions, such as laryngeal carcinoma, present similarly and might require more invasive tests to confirm the diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old male presented to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with a four-month history of change in voice. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a right glottic mass, raising suspicion of laryngeal cancer. The computed tomography showed a mass and incidental finding of opacities in lung apices. Chest x-ray demonstrated findings suggestive of tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction and culture of sputum samples confirmed the diagnosis and the patient was started on anti-tuberculosis treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite accounting for only 1% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases and having a similar presentation to laryngeal carcinoma, we recommend considering laryngeal tuberculosis when evaluating hoarseness of voice in endemic areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Șerban ◽  
Daniela Fodor ◽  
Iulia Papp ◽  
Mihaela Cosmina Micu ◽  
Dan Gabriel Duma ◽  
...  

Aim: To compare the ultrasonography (US) performance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying pathology in ankles, hindfeet and heels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the reasons for discordances between the two imaging methods.Material and methods: RA patients were enrolled and evaluated using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Disease Activity Score 28 with C-reactive Protein (DAS28-CRP). The ankle (tibiotalar joint, tendons), hindfoot (talonavicular, subtalar joints) and heel of the most symptomatic or dominant foot (for the asymptomatic patient)were evaluated by two pairs of examiners using US and contrast-enhanced MRI.Results: Totally, 105 joints, 245 tendons and 35 heels in 35 patients [mean age 59.2±11.25 years old, median disease duration 36 (16.5-114), mean CDAI 19.87±12.7] were evaluated. The interobserver agreements between the two sonographers, and the two radiologists were good and very good (k=0.624-0.940). The overall agreement between US and MRI was very good for subcalcaneal panniculitis (k=0.928, p<0.001), moderate for synovitis (k=0.463, p<0.001) and tenosynovitis (k=0.514, p<0.001), fair for osteophytes (k=0.260, p=0.004), and poor for erosions (k=0.063, p=0.308) and heel’s structures. MRI found more erosions, synovitis, osteophytes,tenosynovitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, but US found more enthesophytes and plantar fasciitis. Many of the discordancesbetween the two imaging techniques have explanations related to the technique itself or definition of the pathologic findings.Conclusions: US is comparable to MRI for the evaluation of ankle, hindfoot and heel in RA patients and discordances in theinterpretation of the pathological findings/normal structures must be carefully analyzed.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6495
Author(s):  
Bartłomiej Sawaryn ◽  
Natalia Piaseczna ◽  
Szymon Sieciński ◽  
Rafał Doniec ◽  
Konrad Duraj ◽  
...  

The knee joint, being the largest joint in the human body, is responsible for a great percentage of leg movements. The diagnosis of the state of knee joints is usually based on X-ray scan, ultrasound imaging, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or arthroscopy. In this study, we aimed to create an inexpensive, portable device for recording the sound produced by the knee joint, and a dedicated application for its analysis. During the study, we examined fourteen volunteers of different ages, including those who had a knee injury. The device effectively enables the recording of the sounds produced by the knee joint, and the spectral analysis used in the application proved its reliability in evaluating the knee joint condition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Setoue ◽  
Jun-ichiro Nakamura

Pyogenic facet joint infection is a rare but severe infection. The most common complaint on presentation is pain followed by fever, then neurologic impairment. While the lumbar spine is involved in the vast majority of cases presented in the literature, the case presented here occurred in the thoracic spine. The patient was a 48-year-old immune-competent female who presented with left back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated a facet effusion, paraspinal abscess, and epidural abscess in the level of 9th-11th thoracic vertebra. On the 6th day of treatment, she presented a neurological disorder and underwent decompressive laminectomy and surgical debridement. We observed immediate improvement as a result of the surgery.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (2) ◽  
pp. L269-L280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Lawler ◽  
William A. Suk ◽  
Bruce R. Pitt ◽  
Claudette M. St. Croix ◽  
Simon C. Watkins

The recent resurgence of interest in the use of intravital microscopy in lung research is a manifestation of extraordinary progress in visual imaging and optical microscopy. This review evaluates the tools and instrumentation available for a number of imaging modalities, with particular attention to recent technological advances, and addresses recent progress in use of optical imaging techniques in basic pulmonary research. 1 Limitations of existing methods and anticipated future developments are also identified. Although there have also been major advances made in the use of magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and X-ray and computed tomography to image intact lungs and while these technologies have been instrumental in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of patients, the purpose of this review is to outline developing optical methods that can be evaluated for use in basic research in pulmonary biology.


Author(s):  
Danielle Ayumi Nishimura ◽  
Ana Luiza Esteves Carneiro ◽  
Kaisermann Costa ◽  
Wladimir Gushiken de Campos ◽  
Jefferson Xavier de Oliveira ◽  
...  

Salivary glands tumors account for 2-5% of tumors in the head and neck region, possibly being benign or malignant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presents high soft tissue contrast resolution, thus being an excellent method for salivary gland analysis. The objective of this literature review is to analyze MRI as an evaluation instrument for the diagnosis of salivary glands lesions. Compared to other imaging techniques, MRI can better evaluate the relationship between adjacent anatomical structures, presenting greater sensitivity and specificity.


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