Acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis: a source of non-surgical acute cervical pain.

BACKGROUND: Prevertebral calcific tendinitis results from calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposits in the longus colli muscles, which induce symptoms similar to some surgically-treated conditions, such as retropharyngeal abscesses. Imaging techniques are critical for accurate diagnosis. PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings associated with prevertebral calcific tendinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis performed in an 18-month period, searching for patients with neck CT and reports with diagnosis of "calcific longus collis tendinitis" or "prevertebral calcific tendinitis". CT images and clinical data available in the medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four examinations were performed in the period studied. Nine patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were identified and their CT imaging characteristics are presented. Six presented with calcific deposits in the right longus colli muscle. CT matched the clinical pain lateralization in all cases. Eight patients had no significant enhancement post injection of contrast media. CONCLUSION: Prevertebral calcific tendinitis is a cause of acute cervical pain that clinically mimics a retropharyngeal abscess, however on neck CT has a characteristic appearance. Correct identification of this pathologic condition will help avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures.

[Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to infectious mononucleosis]. / Rotura esplénica espontánea secundaria a mononucleosis infecciosa.

Splenic rupture is a rare but potentially fatal complication of infectious mononucleosis. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman, who presented a 7-day history of abdominal pain, sudden temporary loss of consciousness and fever. Admission blood tests showed anemia, and lymphocytosis. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated extensive hemoperitoneum and numerous cervical, mesenteric and inguinal enlarged lymph nodes. Laparoscopy was performed and abundant hemoperitoneum with blood clots along the left parietocolic gutter were observed. The spleen was completely decapsulated and surrounded by a hematoma and the subcapsular tissue was bleeding. Total splenectomy was performed without complications. Splenic histology demonstrated white pulp attenuation and expansion of the red pulp with focal hemorrhage and necrosis. IgM anti-viral capsid antigen of Epstein Barr virus was positive. The patient had a satisfactory recovery.

Computed tomography imaging of complications of acute cholecystitis.

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a frequent complication of biliary cholelithiasis. Although ultrasound is the first diagnostic imaging procedure, frequently the initial imaging modality is computed tomography (CT). Therefore, familiarization of CT findings in AC and potential related complications are extremely important. This pictorial essay reviews a broad spectrum of complications related to AC and its key findings in CT.

Laparoscopic resection of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are of rare occurrence. Since first reported laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the gold standard in the treatment of adrenal tumors, the feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the setting of pheochromocytoma has also been established given a careful preoperative planning. Literature on the laparoscopic treatment of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas is lacking. We report a hypertensive 54-year-old male patient (body mass index, 26.2) with elevated urinary catecholamines and a 6-cm solid mass under the right renal hilum diagnosed after a magnetic resonance. The patient underwent complete transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of the tumor. Recovery was uneventful and final histopathologic examination showed an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. We believe that transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is a feasible and reproducible technique that allows for complete removal of tumoral tissue with low morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and minimal convalescence.

Rotura esplénica espontánea secundaria a mononucleosis infecciosa / Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to infectious mononucleosis

Resumen La rotura esplénica es una complicación rara pero potencialmente fatal de la mononucleosis infecciosa. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 18 años que consultó por dolor abdominal de siete días de evolución, asociado a fiebre y pérdida de conciencia brusca y transitoria. En el hemograma presentaba una anemia y linfocitosis. Se realizó una tomografía computada de abdomen y pelvis que mostró un extenso hemoperitoneo, con el bazo rodeado por un hematoma, y numerosas adenopatías cervicales, mesentéricas e inguinales. Se efectuó una laparoscopía que demostró abundante hemoperitoneo con coágulos a lo largo de la gotera parietocólica izquierda. El bazo estaba completamente decapsulado y rodeado por una colección hemática con sangrado en napa. Se realizó una esplenectomía total sin complicaciones. El estudio histopatológico esplénico mostró una atenuación de la pulpa blanca y expansión de la pulpa roja con áreas de hemorragia y necrosis. La IgM anti-cápside para virus de Epstein Barr fue positiva. La paciente evolucionó de manera favorable.

Abstract Splenic rupture is a rare but potentially fatal complication of infectious mononucleosis. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman, who presented a 7-day history of abdominal pain, sudden temporary loss of consciousness and fever. Admission blood tests showed anemia, and lymphocytosis. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated extensive hemoperitoneum and numerous cervical, mesenteric and inguinal enlarged lymph nodes. Laparoscopy was performed and abundant hemoperitoneum with blood clots along the left parietocolic gutter were observed. The spleen was completely decapsulated and surrounded by a hematoma and the subcapsular tissue was bleeding. Total splenectomy was performed without complications. Splenic histology demonstrated white pulp attenuation and expansion of the red pulp with focal hemorrhage and necrosis. IgM anti-viral capsid antigen of Epstein Barr virus was positive. The patient had a satisfactory recovery.