Balo’s Concentric Sclerosis Mimicking Tumor on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Young Patient

Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare demyelinating disease known as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) lesion type III. It is a disease of the white matter of the brain characterized by a round lesion with variable concentric myelinated and demyelinated layers, appearing as “onion bulb.” We present a case of BCS and discuss the imaging findings and management strategies of this disease. A 26-y-old male developed headache, weakness, and numbness of limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed concentric lamellar like demyelinating lesions at the subcortical regions. The patient’s neurological symptoms were consistent with the MRI findings.

Surgical Repair of a Transannular Rupture During Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Annular rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Mortality rates are high if immediate intervention, most often necessitating surgical repair, is not performed. Herein, we describe an 87-year-old man who, after deployment of TAVR, experienced acute decompensation and required urgent conversion to a midline sternotomy to repair an aortic annular rupture. This case demonstrates an example of a rare but severe complication of TAVR. This report provides an in-depth description of the surgical approach to repair an aortic annular rupture and demonstrates the utility of performing minimally invasive procedures inside a hybrid operating room.

Isolated Congenital Mastoid Cholesteatoma with no Involvement of Aditus Ad Antrum and Middle Ear

Cholesteatoma is a non-neoplastic, keratinized squamous epithelial lesion that affects the temporal bone. The middle ear is the most frequent, while the isolated cholesteatoma of the mastoid is rare. The aim of this study was to describe a rare case of isolated mastoid cholesteatoma with no involvement of aditus ad antrum and middle ear including a literature review of the topic. This case report describes the case of a 58 years old female with a cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region, evidenced by imaging (computer tomography and magnetic resonance). A mastoidectomy was performed: mastoid process was completely involved, but antrum was not reached. Moreover, it reached the soft tissue of stylomastoid foramen as well as the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. In the literature few articles described cases of cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region. Research was conducted using PubMed and reference list and there were considered only reports about cholesteatoma exclusively located in the mastoid process without involvement of antrum or middle ear. Fourteen articles were included in this review, with a total number of 23 cases of cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region. All papers analyzed reported the cases of isolated mastoid cholesteatoma that presented a congenital origin. Its diagnosis is difficult, therefore, imaging evaluation is mandatory and surgery is the treatment of choice. Mastoid cholesteatomas without involvement of aditus ad antrum and middle ear are rare and only 23 cases are reported in literature. Our case is in line with all clinical and diagnostic features of this rare disease, but it is the only one that evidenced an exposure of the soft tissue of stylomastoid foramen as well as the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The treatment of choice was the surgical one, avoiding damaging of important anatomo-functional structure.

Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback Rehabilitation Associated to Action Observation Therapy in Buccofacial Apraxia: Case Report

Background: Buccofacial Apraxia is defined as the inability to perform voluntary movements of the larynx, pharynx, mandible, tongue, lips and cheeks, while automatic or reflexive control of these structures is preserved. Buccofacial Apraxia frequently co-occurs with aphasia and apraxia of speech and it has been reported as almost exclusively resulting from a lesion of the left hemisphere. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of treating apraxia using motor training principles such as Augmented Feedback or Action Observation Therapy. In light of this, the study describes the treatment based on immersive Action Observation Therapy and Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback in a case of Buccofacial Apraxia. Participant and Methods: The participant is a right-handed 58-years-old male. He underwent a neurosurgery intervention of craniotomy and exeresis of infra axial expansive lesion in the frontoparietal convexity compatible with an atypical meningioma. Buccofacial Apraxia was diagnosed by a neurologist and evaluated by the Upper and Lower Face Apraxia Test. Buccofacial Apraxia was quantified also by a specific camera, with an appropriately developed software, able to detect the range of motion of automatic face movements and the range of the same movements on voluntary requests. In order to improve voluntary movements, the participant completed fifteen 1-hour rehabilitation sessions, composed of a 20-minutes immersive Action Observation Therapy followed by a 40-minutes Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback sessions, 5 days a week, for 3 consecutive weeks. Results: After treatment, participant achieved great improvements in quality and range of facial movements, performing most of the facial expressions (eg, kiss, smile, lateral angle of mouth displacement) without unsolicited movement. Furthermore, the Upper and Lower Face Apraxia Test showed an improvement of 118% for the Upper Face movements and of 200% for the Lower Face movements. Conclusion: Performing voluntary movement in a Virtual Reality environment with Augmented Feedbacks, in addition to Action Observation Therapy, improved performances of facial gestures and consolidate the activations by the central nervous system based on principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity.

Global Hypertrophic Calcification of Shoulder Joint Capsule

Background: Calcification around the shoulder joint usually occur inside or around the tendons of the rotator cuff. We herein report on a case of global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule in a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis. Case Report: An 86 years-old male with a long-standing history of seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment for his Rheumatoid arthritis included Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine initially, but due lack of control, adalimumab was added with excellent control of his arthritis. He has progressively experienced an increasing pain and stiffness in his shoulders, in addition to an increasing limitation of shoulder movement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed severe arthritis with remoulding deformity with extensive capsular calcification, intra-articular loose-bodies. Discussion: This phenomenon of calcification of shoulder capsule has not been reported before. The pathophysiology of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder remains controversial. The calcific deposits consist of poorly-crystallized hydroxyapatite. Conclusion: Global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule is unique and unreported in the literature. We can postulate that the long-standing inflammation of the synovial lining of the capsules had a major part. Moreover, Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, and repetitive manoeuvres are recognized contributing factors as well for similar conditions. Genetic predisposition seems to play a role as well. We think all those have played part in the development of this unprecedented presentation. Management should be tailored to target specific symptoms for pain, rigidity, and decreasing calcification size. Several options are available, including Kinesiotherapy, electrotherapy modalities, iontophoresis, electroshock wave therapy, and finally surgical approaches for progressive and refractory cases.

Seronegative Arthritis as a Complication of Whipple’s Disease

Whipple’s disease (WD) is an uncommon cause of seronegative arthritis. WD is known for its gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain. However, arthritis may precede gastrointestinal symptoms by 6 to 7 years. We describe a case of an 85-year-old Caucasian male with multiple joint complaints, not responsive to traditional treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. We suggest that WD be considered for seronegative arthritis especially affecting large joints.

Surgical Repair of Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: Case Report

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are extremely rare aneurysms. Treatment options are conventional open surgery, endovascular surgery, and conservative treatment. Surgical treatment of such aneurysms is challenging and it is important to determine the treatment strategies wisely. There is still no definite association for treatment modalities. In this case report, we present open surgical treatment of a 58-year-old female patient with internal carotid artery aneurysm. The patient was admitted to our clinic with spontaneous pulsatile mass in the right jugular region. Computed tomography angiography shown right internal carotid artery aneurysm. Aneurysm cranial distance was enough to perform end to end anastomosis. Aneurysm was excised by preserving cranial nerves. No complications developed during the postoperative period.

An Unusual Cause of Biliary Tract Obstruction: Lemmel Syndrome

Background: Lemmel syndrome is a rare and misdiagnosed etiology of obstructive jaundice due to a periampullary duodenal diverticulum causing a mechanical obstruction of the common bile duct. It represents an obstructive jaundice with the absence of choledocholithiasis or pancreaticobiliary tumors. It is an underreported entity due to the absence of specific pathognomonic signs. Case presentation: A 77-year-old-woman admitted for sepsis, due to an ascending cholangitis, underwent a MRCP and a gastroduodenoscopy revealing Lemmel’s syndrome. Due to failure of ERCP, the patient underwent surgical derivation. Conclusion: Lemmel syndrome represents an uncommon diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, that shouldn’t be neglected if no other organic cause is detected. It is usually asymptomatic, however some patients can develop symptoms and complications such as cholangitis, as is the case of our patient. Imaging allows diagnosis, with MRCP as the modality of choice to confirm diagnosis. Endoscopy is the first line treatment.

Transhepatic Tunneled Catheter Using Left Hepatic Vein: The Last Resort for Dialysis

Vascular access is the Achilles tendon of hemodialysis and is considered the lifeline for patients with end stage renal disease. Arteriovenous fistulas and grafts are the preferred traditional access for performing dialysis therapy. However, some patients exhaust the traditional routes of dialysis vascular access for different reasons. In search for alternatives, other unusual vascular routes have been explored, such as transhepatic and translumbar approaches, as the last resort to preserve life in this unfortunate population. Here, we present the unusual case of a 66-year-old female who ran out of the traditional vascular access options and became catheter dependent via the right femoral vein. However, due to recurrent femoral catheter infections, extensive skin calciphylactic lesions and her body habitus, other routes were explored and the decision was to use the transhepatic approach. Traditionally, the right and middle hepatic veins are used to insert these catheters. However, the use of the left hepatic vein was not reported in the literature. Hence, in order to avoid the skin lesions seen in our patient, the dialysis catheter was inserted using the left hepatic vein. Overall, this case highlights the challenges of securing a reliable vascular access to perform dialysis therapy and brings attention to other vascular dialysis routes in certain clinical scenarios.

Intentional Ingestion of a Metallic Wire Causing Perforation and Retroperitoneal Abscess: A Case Report

Foreign body ingestion is a frequent condition, with the majority of foreign bodies (FBs) tending to spontaneously proceed along the gastrointestinal tract without any major complications. A wide range of procedures are available to remove FBs; however, a real challenge exists in managing sharp, rigid, and long foreign objects, which are related to higher rates of complications. A 34-year-old man who intentionally swallowed a metallic wire of 20 cm length, presented to our ED with abdominal pain 2 weeks after the ingestion. The FB had migrated to the stomach and duodenum. Complications included perforation of the duodenum and ascending colon and a retroperitoneal abscess. FB removal was done via laparotomy, followed by the repair of perforations and damaged tissues. This case highlights the complications of a FB presence in the gastrointestinal tract for 14 days and emphasizes the importance of urgent and appropriate management of such conditions.