Diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: ultrasound features with histopathological correlation.

AIM: To evaluate the ultrasound (US) features of the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma (DSVPC) of the thyroid, with histopathological correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The US and histopathological findings of six patients with surgically proven DSVPC of the thyroid were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: Most of cases showed diffuse, scattered microcalcifications with or without associated masses and underlying heterogeneous hypoechogenicity at the site of the DSVPC in the thyroid. At ultrasound, scattered microcalcifications and heterogeneous hypoechogenicity seen in the DSVPC correlated to psammoma bodies and lymphocytic infiltration at histopathological review. CONCLUSION: DSVPC of the thyroid usually manifested as diffuse scattered microcalcifications and associated suspicious mass on ultrasound. These findings are not specific for the DSVPC of the thyroid. However, in relatively young patients with suspicious masses associated with underlying diffuse scattered microcalcifications on US, the possibility of DSVPC should be included in differential diagnosis.

Evaluation of non-surgical treatment of benign oesophageal stricture.

Benign oesophageal stricture is a disabling problem associated with oesophageal surgery, injection sclerotherapy and patients with reflux problems. Fortunately, mechanical dilatation has emerged as an effective treatment of choice. In recent years, balloon dilatation appears to have gained popularity because of its efficacy and safety. This study of 43 patients compares manual dilatation with balloon dilatation. Twenty-one patients underwent manual dilatation with either Eder-Puestow or Gum Elastic dilators. There were 4 failures which were then treated successfully with balloon dilatation. Two other patients developed perforation and needed emergency surgery. Nine patients required 3 or more graduated dilatations within one month. Another group of 22 patients were treated successfully by balloon dilatation without any complications. Ten patients developed recurrent dysphagia and needed another repeat dilatation after an interval averaging 4.5 months. The results show quite conclusively that balloon dilatation is superior to manual dilatation.

Percutaneous biliary drainage into the jejunum via a tube gastrostomy in patients with complete biliary obstruction: a report of two cases.

In recent years, percutaneous gastrostomy has been used to return bile draining from percutaneous transhepatic drainage catheters in patients with complete biliary obstruction that could not be bypassed surgically or stented either percutaneously or endoscopically. We report our initial experience with two patients in whom the combined percutaneous and endoscopic technique was used to divert the bile back into the jejunum.

Cerebral venous angioma--a misnomer?

Cerebral venous angioma (CVA) is an embryonic venous malformation. Its incidence was thought to be radiologically rare previously but with greater clinical awareness, the routine use of contrast enhanced computerised tomography (CECT) and the increasing availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is no longer perceived to be a rare lesion. In fact, it is the commonest intracranial vascular malformation seen at autopsy. We report our experience of 15 patients with cerebral venous angiomas, 14 of whom had their lesions confirmed by cerebral angiography. Presentation was variable and non-specific. The commonest presenting symptom was headache (n = 7). Other clinical presentations included epilepsy (n = 5), intracerebral bleed (n = 4, two were thought to be due to an associated cerebral cavernous angioma and one was due to a ruptured arteriovenous malformation) and non-specific giddiness (n = 3). Six were diagnosed incidentally. Based on the angiographic findings and the relatively benign clinical course in the majority of our patients, we believe that CVA is a developmental anomaly and should not be excised routinely.

Gastritis polyposus et cystica--an unusual case without exophytic growth and antecedent surgery.

Gastritis polyposus et cystica is usually an exophytic growth developing at the gastroenterostomy site. This is a case-report of a patient without any antecedent surgery or obvious lesion though the computed tomographic scan showed an interacting 'gyral' form of enhancement which has not been reported. This X-ray image correlated with the hypertrophic mucosa fold and cystic changes and may help towards pre-operative diagnosis, thereby avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Radiologic manifestations of rheumatic joint diseases in the plain radiograph.

In the assessment of radiologic manifestations of joint diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the disease to which all others are compared. Knowledge of its characteristics form the basis of the other conditions. To understand the changes seen on the plain radiograph, it is essential to understand its pathophysiology first so that the manifestations of each disease can be appreciated more fully. Due to space constraint, I shall only discuss the main forms of rheumatic joint disease. Other examples of erosive arthropathies, although not rheumatic in origin, will also be included as they form part of the differential diagnosis of an erosive arthropathy, eg gout and psoriasis.

Percutaneous lung aspiration biopsy: a comparison between two fine needles.

Fine needle lung aspiration biopsy is now a well established method of obtaining tissue for histopathological diagnosis. It is fast, simple and reliable, and has a very low complication rate. We report our experience using two fine needles, the Turner and the EZ-EM Cut-Biopsy needles, comparing their yield and complication rates. We found that both needles had comparable diagnostic yields (65% with the Turner, and 71% with the EZ-EM) and complication rates. We also found that in most cases, aspirates alone were sufficient for diagnosis, and that obtaining tissue cores with larger bore EZ-EM needles did not significantly influence the diagnostic outcome. We conclude that both the Turner and the EZ-EM needles are equally effective and safe in percutaneous lung aspiration biopsy. The least traumatic needle should be used except when the cytological diagnosis is nonspecific inflammatory cells or inadequate, in which case a repeat with a cutting needle is advised to obtain a core of tissue.

Actinomycosis of the brain.

Actinomyces species are rare but treatable causes of central nervous system infection. A case of actinomycotic cerebral abscess is reported. The primary source of infection was probably the lung based on radiological findings although culture of the bronchial brushings was negative. The patient had surgical excision and repeated drainage with two prolonged causes of antibiotic therapy. At follow-up examination 36 months later, the patient was well except for a residual left hemiplegia. Diagnosis of cerebral actinomycosis can be made by anaerobic culture of the appropriate specimens or on histologic grounds. Optimal management combines adequate surgical drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Air in the cervical annulus--the lucent cleft sign.

The lucent cleft sign is a sign of soft tissue injury. It was first described as a sign of acute cervical injury but it is neither confined to cases of trauma nor the cervical region. The sign is also seen in degenerative disease and in the lumbar spine. The lucent cleft sign is seen anteriorly, as an area of hyperlucency above the superior end plate of the vertebra. It is the result of a partial tear of the annulus. In complete avulsion, the sign may be absent and the radiograph, completely normal. We report our experience of 15 patients with the lucent cleft sign. Our patients are relatively young (commonest age group 30-35 years) and the majority (10 patients) had a history of acute trauma. Four patients had non-specific (3 cervical and one lumbar) aches while in the last patient, the lucent cleft was an incidental finding. Although we only documented the disappearance of the sign in 4 patients, we believe that with healing, the sign will eventually disappear. Although the sign is transient, it is useful as it may be the only sign present in cases of trauma.