We present a case of a 57-year-old female diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer, which was treated and in remission for 12 years. In 2018 she presented a progressive dorsal back pain, which prevented her from performing basic tasks. An MR study was performed and revealed the presence of an extramedullary metastatic sleeve located in the thoracic intradural space. Concomitant multiple small nodular foci were adhering diffusely to the spinal cord, compatible with leptomeningeal metastatic disease. The occurrence of both forms of spread in the spine is uncommon, and its distinction on imaging is of particular importance taking into account the differences in treatment approach and prognosis.
Mediastinal lymphangiomas are rare benign congenital malformations, but complications can occur, including infection, cystic hemorrhage, superior vena cava syndrome, airway compromise, and chylothorax. Radiologically, lymphangiomas are well-defined masses, with low attenuation ranging from simple to complex fluid and fat. They often encase adjacent mediastinal structures. We present a case of mediastinal lymphangioma in a young female, who presented with recurrent complex pleural effusions, initially thought to represent an empyema and/or necrotic mass. Despite surgical chest tube and interventional radiology drainage, fluid reaccumulated. Upon further review, the interventional and thoracic radiologist concurred that the complex collection was in fact predominantly extra pleural in location. The patient underwent partial resection after it was discovered intraoperatively that the extra pleural cystic mass was contiguous with and extended deeply into the mediastinum. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioma.
Herein, we report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a mucinous borderline tumor of the ovary, which we observed as a mainly solid tumor with large solid components in the lower pelvic cavity. The appearance of ovarian epithelial tumors on imaging is often complex. Cystic to solid appearing masses may be observed, and they often resemble epithelial carcinoma. Due to mucinous or hemorrhage components of packed small or microcystic components, MRI depicts slightly high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Mucinous borderline tumor of the ovary with a large solid component is very rare, but it is clinically important to recognize the possibility of mucinous borderline tumor to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.
TB meningitis (TBM) carries high morbidity and mortality and is a relatively common extrapulmonary TB in the third world countries. TBM as thick exudative disease manifests on MRI and CT as nodular basal leptomeningitis, hydrocephalus, basal infarcts, and tuberculomas. Hydrocephalus is treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS). Shunt malfunction and revision are common. We report a case of multidrug-resistant TBM with spinal involvement and dissemination of the disease via VPS causing TB peritonitis (TBP). TBP presented as a large abdominal pseudocyst around the catheter tip with shunt malfunction. There was no evidence for any other site of extra-CNS disease. TBP per se is relatively less common. This is the first case reporting VPS as a means of TB spread.
Rasmussen's aneurysm is a peripheral pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) within a tuberculosis cavity. Because it can be perfused from the bronchial and pulmonary arterial circulations, combined embolization via the bronchial and pulmonary arteries is sometimes required. Herein, we present case of a 51-year-old man with Rasmussen's aneurysm that was successfully treated by proximal coil blocking with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) injection via the pulmonary artery alone. With proximal coil blocking, a sufficient amount of NBCA could be injected without unintended reflux of the NBCA cast to the proximal pulmonary artery. To our knowledge, there has been no report that attempted NBCA injection under proximal coil blocking for Rasmussen's aneurysm. Our treatment approach may be safe and effective for infectious lung disease-related PAP, which has to be treated from the pulmonary artery side.
Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rarely found entity with few documented cases in the literature, usually occurring in women of reproductive age with a history of myomectomy or hysterectomy. The leiomyomas can metastasize to several organs, the lungs being the most commonly affected. We report a case of a 40-year-old female patient who presented at our institution with low back pain. She underwent a lumbar MR that revealed the presence of an expansive and compressive mass in the body of L4. This mass was biopsied, corresponding to a metastasizing leiomyoma with no malignant characteristics. Subsequently, a CT examination showed several soft tissue density round masses in both lungs, but the most striking feature was a 12 cm mass located in the left iliac crest. There was asymmetrical uterus enlargement, caused by the presence of several leiomyomas. Since the lesions were estrogen and progesterone positive, hormone suppression consisting of oophorectomy followed by anastrozole was the chosen treatment. No signs of progression were observed at the 6-month follow-up. This case is one of the very few that occurred in a woman with no previous uterine intervention, adding further evidence that surgery is not an essential condition for this entity to develop.