A Retrospective Study of Imaging of Invasive Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis in the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Center.

Aim The study aims to analyze the imaging findings of invasive rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in patients who had COVID-19. Materials and methods This retrospective descriptive study was done on confirmed (culture and histopathology) patients who had a COVID-19 infection. The data was collected from the record section from May 2021 to June 2021. Imaging data were analyzed, and findings were tabulated according to statistical methods. Results Radiological evaluation, including CT and MRI, was done in 48 cases. The ethmoid sinus was the most common sinus involved in 60.41% of cases, followed by the maxillary sinus (52.09%). Unilateral pansinusitis was observed in 21 cases (43.75%). Among periantral extensions, retroantral fat involvement was the most common finding, seen in 24 cases (50%). Lamina papyracea and the walls of the maxillary sinus were involved in eight cases (16.67%). A total of 38 cases (79.17%) exhibited involvement of the extraconal compartment, while 32 cases (66.67%) showed involvement of the intraconal compartment. In intracranial involvement, infarct was noted in 13 cases (27%), and cavernous sinus involvement in nine cases (18.75%). Conclusions ROCM is a life-threatening fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, especially diabetics. Imaging of ROCM plays a pivotal role in early diagnosis, the extent of disease, surgical planning, prognosis, and the response to treatment. Radiologists must know the imaging features and patterns of extension of ROCM.

Leprosy Presenting as Distal Acquired Demyelinating Symmetric Variant of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: An Atypical Manifestation of Hansan's Disease.

Leprosy, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, is known to primarily affect the skin and peripheral nerves. We present a rare case of leprosy initially manifesting as demyelinating polyneuropathy. A 46-year-old female presented with progressive weakness, tingling, and numbness in her extremities. Nerve conduction studies revealed evidence of demyelination, prompting further investigations. Skin slit-skin smears confirmed the diagnosis of leprosy, with the presence of acid-fast bacilli. The patient was subsequently started on multidrug therapy, leading to significant clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering leprosy as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with demyelinating polyneuropathy, especially in endemic regions.

Area Postrema Syndrome: An Initial Presentation of Double-Seropositive AQP4 and MOG Antibodies.

Objectives: Area postrema syndrome (APS) is one of the core clinical features of neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder (NMOSD). APS is mostly associated with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and rarely reported in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. We herein report a case of APS as an initial presentation of double-seropositive aquaporin-4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. Methods: The patient fulfilled the NMOSD diagnostic criteria. Brain MRI, CSF studies, electrophysiologic test, and serum NMO and MOG antibody testing were performed. Results: An elderly woman initially presented to a gastroenterology outpatient department with a history of nausea, vomiting, and hiccups for 3 weeks. A detailed medical evaluation, including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, was performed, which showed normal findings with no improvement with symptomatic therapy. A neurologic examination showed bilateral nystagmus, postural imbalance, and gait ataxia. An MRI examination of the brain showed T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity in the dorsal medulla involving area postrema. Both anti-NMO and anti-MOG antibodies were found to be positive in serum. She was treated with intravenous methyl prednisolone with complete symptomatic resolution. Discussion: Double-seropositive APS-onset NMOSD has not been previously reported in literature. An early diagnosis and treatment result in the resolution of APS-related symptoms and prevent further progression of the disease.

Stroke in Tuberculous Meningitis and Its correlation with Magnetic Resonance Angiography Manifestations.

Objective The primary objective of the study was to assess the location of cerebral infarction and look for corresponding magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) changes in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). We also evaluated the predictors of ischemic stroke in TBM and the impact of these infarctions on patient's outcome. Methods This was a single-center prospective study between September 2018 and September 2020. Demographic and laboratory parameters were noted. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and MRA were performed at the time of admission to the hospital. Results Among 120 patients with TBM, 46 had stroke. Nineteen (15.8%) patients died, of which 12 (10%) suffered from stroke. The most common site of infarction was the basal ganglia (54.3%). The commonest site of MRA abnormalities was the middle cerebral artery (39.1%). British Medical Research Council (BMRC) stage 3, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sugar, CSF adenosine deaminase (ADA) level, basal exudates, hydrocephalus, and hyponatremia were found to be predictors of stroke in TBM, while BMRC stage 3, CSF cell count, CSF ADA level, and anemia were found to be significantly associated with mortality in TBM patients with stroke. Conclusion The basal ganglia were the most common site of ischemic stroke in TBM, and middle cerebral artery was the most often involved intracranial blood vessel. BMRC stage 3 was significantly associated with both stroke and mortality in TBM patients with stroke.

Magnetic resonance imaging of perianal fistulas in clinically symptomatic patients and the correlation among plain, contrast, and post jelly MRI fistulography

Abstract Objectives To evaluate different types of perianal fistulas and their complications on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare plain, contrast, and jelly magnetic resonance fistulography findings. Materials and Methods This prospective study was performed in 30 patients who presented with perianal pus discharge or external fistulous opening. Magnetic resonance imaging of the perianal region before and after giving intravenous contrast and after injecting jelly through a percutaneous opening was performed on a 3T scanner and the results were correlated. Results The mean age of the patients was 40.13±13.88 years (range 19-75 years). The male to female ratio was 14:1. The most common type of fistula was St. James classification type I, which was seen in 13 patients (43%), followed by type IV in 30%, type III in 16%, type II in 6.66%, and type V in 3.33% of the patients. Using agreement analysis, we compared the number of primary and secondary tracts, internal openings, and horseshoe tracts and found a significant agreement between plain and post Jelly MRI fistulography (kappa statistic close to 1).When comparing plain and contrast MRI, there was significant agreement in the primary and secondary tracts, while statistically insignificant results were obtained (p>0.05) for the horseshoe tract and internal openings. Contrast injection was helpful in 7 subjects (23.3%) as peripheral enhancement of abscesses were better delineated. Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging is the one stop diagnostic modality for perianal fistulas. Acquisition of axial (Ax) T2, axial T2 FS, coronal T2 and coronal T2 FS sequences without administering intravenous contrast or jelly is usually sufficient for the diagnosis of fistulas and their complications.

Clear cell variant of Oral Squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Among the various histopathological variants of oral squamous cell carcinoma, clear cell variant is a rarity. (1) This report is a compilation of two cases which showed the presence of clear cells. The clear cells were of koilocytic type. Although clear cell variant of squamous cell carcinoma is more common in skin, few cases have been found in oral region also. (2) This variant is considered more aggressive than the others, and hence requires more aggressive treatment protocol. Being rare, the percentage of clear cells determines whether it should be considered as a clear cell variant. The literature has been evaluated for similar cases, and discussed about the clear cells and their origin. An effort has also been made to compile the reported cases of clear cell variant of OSCC.

Intermittent CT fluoroscopic guided lung biopsy - Retrospective analysis of success rate, radiation exposure, complications and duration of procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Intermittent CT fluoroscopic biopsy is a new technology, but has not been studied widely. This study aims to investigate correlation between the radiation dose and fluoroscopic CT exposure factors to establish the low dose parameters for performing percutaneous lung biopsies, as well as the relationship of the mean diameter and depth of lesions with radiation dose, procedure time, success and complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study to analyse lung biopsies performed using intermittent CT fluoroscopic technique with 18 G semi-automated coaxial gun on 256 slice scanner. A total of 50 patients were included in the study. Biopsy was done in three mAs and KVp settings (30 and 70, 10 and 120, 30 and 120, respectively). The statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics software. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 22 % of cases. Sampling rate was 98% but histopathological diagnosis was made in 94% cases. Mean procedure time was 30.5±11.1 minutes. Low dose protocol (30 mAs and 70 KVp) had least radiation exposure during biopsy procedure (p < 0.001) with similar success rate, complications and procedure time (p > 0.05) in comparison with high dose protocol (10 and 120, 30 and 120 mAs and KVp, respectively). Mean diameter of lesions didn't correlate with radiation dose, success rate, complications and duration of procedure (p > 0.05) while significant association was found when depth was correlated with radiation exposure during fluoroscopic biopsy, duration of procedure and complication rates (p < 0.05) while no association was found with success rates. CONCLUSION: On third generation dual energy source CT scanner, reducing mAs and KVp to 30 and 70 during fluoroscopy biopsy can produce images whose complications and success rates are comparable to high dose CT. In general, intermittent CT fluoroscopy guided lung biopsy has good success rates with acceptable complications, while utilising less radiation dose and procedure time.

Giant fibroepithelial polyp of the thigh and retroperitoneal fibromatosis in a young woman: a rare case.

We present a case of 20-year-old woman who presented with a large pedunculated skin covered mass lesion arising from the left thigh, measuring 40 × 25 cm, with no history of pain or skin ulceration and a feeling of a lump with dragging pain in the left side of the abdomen for about 7 years. Subsequently, ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen and left thigh region were carried out. The lesion was broad-based toward the left upper thigh with a central core of interspersed fat supplied by branches of the superficial and deep femoral arteries. Another lesion was seen in the left retroperitoneum anterior to the psoas muscle in a left paravertebral location encasing the left common iliac vessels extending into the left pelvic cavity and inguinal region inferiorly. The lesion showed dense post-acoustic shadowing on ultrasound, mild enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and appeared hypointense on T1- and T2-weighted images. A left thigh lesion was excised, whereas incisional biopsy was done for the left retroperitoneal lesion. The diagnosis of a giant fibroepithelial polyp arising from the left thigh and left retroperitoneal fibromatosis was made. This is the first report of such a giant fibroepithelial polyp arising from the thigh with associated retroperitoneal fibromatosis.