Bilateral follicular thyroid carcinoma with large sternal metastasis: Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) typically spreads hematogenously, with bone metastasis being worrisome, often appearing to be resistant to radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Metastasis to sternum is exceedingly rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old Egyptian male presented with chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath. He was initially treated as bronchial asthma. Later, he was referred to our thyroid surgery clinic as a case of goitre and palpable sternal mass. He looked clinically well, with enlarged anterior neck mass and visible sternal mass, no lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests showed thyroid-stimulating hormone levels within normal (2.13 mIU/L), and mildly decreased FT4 (10.3 pmol/L). Neck/chest CT demonstrated multinodular goitre with retrosternal extension, expansile lytic lesion in the sternum, and bilateral lung metastases. Thyroid fine needle aspiration and cytology showed FLUS, and true cut biopsy from the sternal lesion showed invasive FTC. DISCUSSION: Rare bilateral FTC presenting as slow-growing sternal metastasis. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, followed by high dose RAI therapy, and concluded with sternectomy and reconstruction surgery repair using polymethyl methacrylate wrapped in proline mesh. On follow-up, he received further RAI ablation therapy and became RAI refractory. He then received systemic therapy (Lenvatinib). Most recent follow up showed that the disease was controlled (low volume cancer) and he was tolerating treatment well with no reported symptoms. CONCLUSION: Bilateral FTC with sternal metastasis is rare, and can be treated with total thyroidectomy, sternectomy and reconstruction, followed by RAI therapy and systemic therapy where required, hence inferring real survival benefit.

Severe hypercalcemia secondary to parathyroid adenoma: Series of four consecutive cases at a tertiary care hospital in Qatar.

INTRODUCTION: In most cases of parathyroid adenoma (PA), it is not palpable and physical examination shows no remarkable findings. Hence diagnosis requires an index of suspicion. The current paper describes four cases of severe hypercalcemia secondary to PA. PRESENTATION OF CASES: Case 1 - 29 years old Sudanese female with history of nausea/vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite and bone aches. She had large palpable left lower neck swelling, and high calcium and PTH. Ultrasound (US) neck and SPECT/CT scan after sestamibi injection showed left inferior PA. Case 2-73 years old Sudanese male referred with history of abdominal pain and flatulence. He had severely high calcium, elevated parathormone (PTH), and high 24-hour urine calcium. US and SPECT/CT showed a left inferior PA. Case 3-54 years old Bangladeshi male, referred with history of renal colic/urolithiasis. Laboratory results showed severely high calcium and PTH levels. US and SPECT/CT scan showed right inferior PA. Case 4-35 years old Tunisian female, 12 weeks pregnant, referred with recurrent nausea and vomiting of increasing frequency from the second week of pregnancy. Laboratory tests revealed severe hypercalcemia and high PTH. US showed two parathyroid lesions. DISCUSSION: The patients were admitted as emergency cases and investigations diagnosed severe hypercalcemia secondary to PA. All patients underwent neck exploration and PA excision. Histology confirmed PA. The four cases were swiftly assessed and treated before progressing into the more serious hypercalcemic crisis which can lead to grave consequences, particularly in the case of the pregnant female. All patients recovered with no complications and were clinically well with normal calcium level on follow up. CONCLUSION: Severe hypercalcemia must be swiftly and thoroughly assessed to prevent the more serious hypercalcemic crisis. Clinicians need to be suspicious of parathyroid adenoma as a probable cause. Severe hypercalcemia is often accompanied with vomiting, and in pregnant females, this could be mistaken for hyperemesis gravidarum. Excision of the parathyroid adenoma treats the condition and follow up of serum calcium and PTH confirms the favorable outcome of surgery.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) in the thyroid mimicking a painless subacute (De Quervain's) thyroiditis on presentation, fine needle aspiration and cytology, and ultrasound findings: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: We report a rare case of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) in the thyroid mimicking painless subacute (De Quervain's) thyroiditis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Patient with history of hypothyroidism presented with huge non-tender goiter, compression symptoms and choking, no lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound (US) showed large thyroid lobes. There was a small hypoechoic nodule, and nonspecific lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspiration/cytology (FNAC) of right thyroid nodule showed scant follicular cells, abundant polymorphic lympocytes, epithelioid histiocytes, and tingible body macrophages, suggestive of De Quervain's (granulomatous) thyroiditis. Total thyroidectomy was decided due to compression symptoms and huge goiter. DISCUSSION: Intraoperative, thyroid was huge with no adhesions to the strap muscles/trachea. Total thyroidectomy with lymph node biopsy was undertaken. There were no complications. Postoperatively, the patient's condition was stable, breathing normally, and neck wound was clean. PTH was 11 pg/mL and calcium was 2.16 mmol/L, suggesting impending transient hypocalcemia. Histopathology showed lymphoepithelial lesions as clusters of lymphocytes within the thyroid follicles epithelium (MALT Balls). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the neoplastic lymphocytes were B cells and stained positive with B-cell markers CD20 and PAX5, but were negative for Cyclin D1 and for T cell markers CD3, CD5 and CD43. The patient was discussed at the lymphoma MDT meeting and the decision was to start the patient on radiotherapy which the patient received. CONCLUSION: Thyroid MALT lymphoma can mimic painless subacute thyroiditis. The triad of a large swelling of non-tender goiter with compression symptoms during a short period; FNAC findings suggestive of thyroiditis; and US showing enlarged thyroid lobes might cause confusion to the unsuspecting practitioner. Histopathology after excision provides definitive diagnosis.

Right thyroid lobe agenesis and left thyroid colloid benign nodule discovered incidentally in female with breast carcinoma receiving chemotherapy for multiple metastases: Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Thyroid hemiagenesis (THA) is the failure of embryologic development of a lobe of the thyroid gland and is a rare anomaly of uncertain incidence. The left lobe is more commonly absent than the right lobe. It is discovered incidentally during investigations. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48 year old Egyptian female presented at the thyroid surgery clinic at our institution to follow up after a nodule left thyroid lobe accidently discovered on positron emission tomography (PET) scan undertaken to follow up on bone metastasis of breast cancer which was surgically removed about 14 years ago. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The patient looked clinically well with no scar in the anterior of the neck, no palpable thyroid nodules, and no lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound imaging of the neck revealed absent right thyroid lobe tissue and a nodule was noted at the upper pole of the left thyroid. Laboratory tests unremarkable, with TSH (2.14 mIU/L), and FT4 (12.4 pmol/L) within normal range. Fine needle aspiration and cytology of the thyroid nodule revealed atypia of undetermined significance. CONCLUSION: THA is rare and right THA is even rarer. It is usually asymptomatic, and diagnosis is mostly incidental while investigating symptoms due to pathology of the other thyroid lobe or any of the parathyroid glands. In much rarer circumstances, right THA might be discovered when investigating conditions not related to the thyroid or parathyroid glands years after the initial pathology as in the current case. Etiology is inconclusive but genetic factors could play a role. No treatment is required if no symptoms are present.

Multifocal Nodular Fatty Sparing Mimicking Hepatic Tumors.

Hepatic steatosis is frequent; however, it may present with unusual patterns, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma. Herein, we present a case of fatty liver and multifocal nodular hepatic lesions that were found to be due to multifocal nodular fatty sparing, which mimics metastasis or primary multifocal tumors. As the differential diagnosis of such lesions can be difficult based on ultrasound alone, the knowledge of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings is crucial. It enables the radiologists to make the correct diagnosis and alleviate the patient from unnecessary biopsies.

Atypical parathyroid adenoma: Series of two consecutive cases from a tertiary care hospital in Qatar.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical parathyroid adenomas (APA) are an uncommon cause of hypercalcemia and comprise a minority of parathyroid adenomas. PRESENTATION OF CASES: Case 1 - Egyptian male, 48 years old with history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, incidentally discovered increased serum of calcium level on routine investigation, was diagnosed as PHPT, US and MIBI scan showed large left inferior parathyroid adenoma, focused exploration and excision of the APA was undertaken, histopathology confirmed APA. Case 2 - Egyptian male, 60 years old, cardiac patient with history of diabetes, hypertension and multiple cardiac interventions, had nausea, vomiting, constipation abdominal pain, polyuria, polydipsia, and history of passing renal stones, hypercalcemia workup showed primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), MIBI was negative and SPECT scan suggested right inferior parathyroid adenoma, focused exploration and excision of the APA was undertaken, histopathology confirmed APA. DISCUSSION: APA are an uncommon cause of hypercalcemia and are responsible for a minority of parathyroid adenomas. Combined US and MIBI and SPECT scans can detect APA. Focused exploration and excision of the APA under general anaesthesia can completely remove the APA. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the physician and a high index of suspicion to symptoms or signs that could reflect an underlying PHPT is essential. Yearly biochemical and neck US follow up are required to detect any risk of recurrence or malignancy in the long term.

Choroidal metastasis as initial presentation of aggressive medullary thyroid carcinoma with widespread mediastinal, brain, pituitary, bone, lung, and liver metastasis: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that originates from the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland. MTC can be due to sporadic or hereditary causes due to gain of function germ line mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. MTC presenting as ocular symptoms due to choroidal mass is rare with bad prognosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38-year-old Sudanese male presented to Hamad General Hospital, complaining of sudden painless decrease of vision of the right eye of 3 weeks duration. After investigations using imaging methods, the patient was discovered to have metastatic MTC that presented as choroidal mass and metastasized to his lung, bone, brain, pituitary, liver and mediastinum. DISCUSSION: In terms of investigations, serum levels of calcitonin have superior diagnostic accuracy. Our patient undertook diagnostic imaging including ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration and computerized tomography (CT) scan and/or MRI imaging. He undertook total thyroidectomy and left neck dissection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery for the right orbit and pituitary. He then received systemic anti-RET therapy (Selpercatinib). At 5 months follow up there was dramatic drop in CEA from 888 µg/L to 164 µg/L, and calcitonin from >585.2 pmol/L to 354 pmol/L. CONCLUSION: Choroidal metastasis as initial presentation of MTC is extremely rare and challenging to diagnose. Surgeons need a high index of suspicion when ocular symptoms accompany a neck mass or thyroid-related symptoms. MTC has a progressive course with involvement of blood vessels and neck lymph nodes. Choroidal metastasis of MTC is challenging to manage.

Evaluation of how users interface with holographic augmented reality surgical scenes: Interactive planning MR-Guided prostate biopsies.

BACKGROUND: User interfaces play a vital role in the planning and execution of an interventional procedure. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of using different user interfaces for planning transrectal robot-assisted MR-guided prostate biopsy (MRgPBx) in an augmented reality (AR) environment. METHOD: End-user studies were conducted by simulating an MRgPBx system with end- and side-firing modes. The information from the system to the operator was rendered on HoloLens as an output interface. Joystick, mouse/keyboard, and holographic menus were used as input interfaces to the system. RESULTS: The studies indicated that using a joystick improved the interactive capacity and enabled operator to plan MRgPBx in less time. It efficiently captures the operator's commands to manipulate the augmented environment representing the state of MRgPBx system. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates an alternative to conventional input interfaces to interact and manipulate an AR environment within the context of MRgPBx planning.

End-user evaluation of software-generated intervention planning environment for transrectal magnetic resonance-guided prostate biopsies.

BACKGROUND: This study presents user evaluation studies to assess the effect of information rendered by an interventional planning software on the operator's ability to plan transrectal magnetic resonance (MR)-guided prostate biopsies using actuated robotic manipulators. METHODS: An intervention planning software was developed based on the clinical workflow followed for MR-guided transrectal prostate biopsies. The software was designed to interface with a generic virtual manipulator and simulate an intervention environment using 2D and 3D scenes. User studies were conducted with urologists using the developed software to plan virtual biopsies. RESULTS: User studies demonstrated that urologists with prior experience in using 3D software completed the planning less time. 3D scenes were required to control all degrees-of-freedom of the manipulator, while 2D scenes were sufficient for planar motion of the manipulator. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides insights on using 2D versus 3D environment from a urologist's perspective for different operational modes of MR-guided prostate biopsy systems.

Variations in CT Utilization, Protocols, and Radiation Doses in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Results from 28 Countries in the IAEA Study.

Background There is lack of guidance on specific CT protocols for imaging patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Purpose To assess international variations in CT utilization, protocols, and radiation doses in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials and Methods In this retrospective data collection study, the International Atomic Energy Agency coordinated a survey between May and July 2020 regarding CT utilization, protocols, and radiation doses from 62 health care sites in 34 countries across five continents for CT examinations performed in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The questionnaire obtained information on local prevalence, method of diagnosis, most frequent imaging, indications for CT, and specific policies on use of CT in COVID-19 pneumonia. Collected data included general information (patient age, weight, clinical indication), CT equipment (CT make and model, year of installation, number of detector rows), scan protocols (body region, scan phases, tube current and potential), and radiation dose descriptors (CT dose index and dose length product). Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations were performed. Results Data from 782 patients (median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 15 years]) from 54 health care sites in 28 countries were evaluated. Less than one-half of the health care sites used CT for initial diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and three-fourths used CT for assessing disease severity. CT dose index varied based on CT vendors (7-11 mGy; P < .001), number of detector rows (8-9 mGy; P < .001), year of CT installation (7-10 mGy; P = .006), and reconstruction techniques (7-10 mGy; P = .03). Multiphase chest CT examinations performed at 20% of sites (11 of 54) were associated with higher dose length product compared with single-phase chest CT examinations performed in 80% of sites (43 of 54) (P = .008). Conclusion CT use, scan protocols, and radiation doses in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia showed wide variation across health care sites within the same and between different countries. Many patients were imaged multiple times and/or with multiphase CT scan protocols. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Lee in this issue.

Giant parathyroid adenoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Giant parathyroid adenoma is a rare type of parathyroid adenoma defined as weighing > 3.5 g. They present as primary hyperparathyroidism but with more elevated laboratory findings and more severe clinical presentations due to the larger tissue mass. This is the first reported case of giant parathyroid adenoma from the Middle East. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Indian woman presented with a palpable right-sided neck mass and generalized fatigue. Investigations revealed hypercalcemia with elevated parathyroid hormone and an asymptomatic kidney stone. Ultrasound showed a complex nodule with solid and cystic components, and Sestamibi nuclear scan confirmed a giant parathyroid adenoma. Focused surgical neck exploration was done and a giant parathyroid adenoma weighing 7.7 gm was excised. CONCLUSIONS: Giant parathyroid adenoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism and usually presents symptomatically with high calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Giant parathyroid adenoma is diagnosed by imaging and laboratory studies. Management is typically surgical, aiming at complete resection. Patients usually recover with no long-term complications or recurrence.

The enigma of primary and secondary encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) describes a variety of diseases that are frequently confused with different names and different etiopathogeneses. The aim of this article is to report personal experience of focusing on correct classification and the status of current diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed. Age, sex, ethnic origin, past medical history, symptoms and their duration, radiological tools and signs, laboratory tests, preoperative diagnosis, surgical approach, intraoperative findings, pathological findings, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality were studied. RESULTS: A total of seven patients, including six males and one female, aged from 24 to 72 years were observed. Four patients had recurrent abdominal colic pain for 3 months, 1, 2 and 9 years; two patients also reported recurrent attacks but without any specification of the duration. All seven patients presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain that was mainly diffused over the entire abdomen. Six patients were submitted to a CT scan. Only in two patients was the diagnosis of EPS made preoperatively. All seven patients were submitted to open surgery. The hospital stay was between 4 and 60 days. One patient had morbidity, and one patient died of MOF. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the correct identification of EPS is more easily possible than in the past, but the diagnosis is still a challenge. Surgery must be performed as soon as possible to avoid a poorer quality of life.

Advantage of Adding Diffusion Weighted Imaging to Routine MRI Examinations in the Diagnostics of Scrotal Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to identify the diagnostic value of adding diffusion weighted images (DWI) to routine MRI examinations of the scrotum. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study included 100 testes of 50 patients with a unilateral testicular disease. Fifty normal contralateral testes were used as a control group. All patients underwent conventional MRI and DWI examinations of the scrotum. The results of MRI and DWI of the group of patients treated surgically were correlated with histopathological findings. The MRI and DWI results of non-surgical cases were correlated with the results of clinical, laboratory and other imaging studies. Comparison of the ADC value of normal and pathological tissues was carried out followed by a statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between ADC values of malignant testicular lesions and normal testicular tissues as well as benign testicular lesions (P=0.000). At a cut-off ADC value of ≤0.99, it had a sensitivity of 93.3%, specificity of 90%, positive predictive value of 87.5%, and negative predictive value of 94.7% in the characterization of intratesticular masses. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of DWI to routine MRI has a substantial value in improving diagnosis in patients with scrotal lesions and consequently can reduce unnecessary radical surgical procedures in these patients.

Heterotopic pancreas: a rare cause of ileo-ileal intussusception.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic pancreas is a rare developmental anomaly defined as pancreatic tissue found on ectopic sites without contiguity with the main pancreas. An isolated heterotopic pancreas as a cause of bowel intussusception is extremely rare. CASE REPORT: A case of 47-year old male with multiple episodes of melena, constipation and abdominal pain for one year duration is presented. CT eneterography revealed a large circumferential lesion involving the terminal ileum that acted as a leading point to an ileo-ileal intussusception. The resection of the lesion and related bowel segment was carried out. The histopathological examination confirmed the excised lesion as a heterotopic pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Though a rare entity, heterotopic pancreas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bowel intussusception.

Acute myelopathy with sudden paraplegia as the sole manifestation of meningococcal meningitis.

Acute myelopathy with sudden paraplegia is a very rare manifestation of meningococcal meningitis, with only a few cases reported in the literature. In almost all previously reported cases, other clinical manifestations of meningitis, such as fever, headache, and neck stiffness preceded acute myelopathy. In this paper, we report a case of acute myelopathy with sudden paraplegia as the sole manifestation of meningococcal meningitis, in the absence of other clinical manifestations of meningitis.