Tongue Ulceration as a First Symptom of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

Since the introduction of effective chemotherapy, the development of new diagnostic tools, and raising public awareness of the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB), the frequency of this disease has decreased. Pulmonary TB is the most common form of the disease, but TB bacilli can spread to other organs including lymph nodes, and the oral cavity especially the tongue with very unusual features. Oral lesions, although rare, are very important for early diagnosis and interception of primary TB. The bacteriological and histopathological results are important to confirm the diagnosis. Oral TB lesions may be either primary or secondary. The evolution is generally good under a medical treatment. A 35-year-old patient was admitted to our department for an ulcerous tumor in the lateral border of his tongue. The biopsy of the ulceration confirmed the diagnosis of TB. A concomitant pulmonary localization has been found. This case report aims to attract the attention of TB, which can be located in some uncommon regions, and have unusual clinical presentations.

Primary non-cutaneous melanomas of the head and neck: Case series and review of the literature.

Primary non-cutaneous melanoma is a rare type of melanoma that occurs mostly on mucosal surfaces. The head and neck region is the most common site for these melanomas. The following cases described herein include patients diagnosed with primary non-cutaneous melanomas. The locations included the parotid gland (one case), the submandibular gland (one case), and the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (three cases). Among these patients, one patient developed lymph node metastasis and one patient had distant metastasis. Treatment included endoscopic surgery (one case), endoscopic surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (one case), open surgery (one case), and palliative chemotherapy (one case). One patient refused to receive treatment. After treatment, one patient had local recurrence. A local and distant recurrence was noted in one case. This report aims to describe clinical features, treatment options, and prognosis of primary non-cutaneous melanomas of the head and neck.

Olfactory cleft mass as the first presentation of asymptomatic metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Renal cell carcinoma metastasis in the sinonasal cavities is rare. They account for less than 1 % of all metastases of these renal cancers. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a patient with an unremarkable pathological history, who consulted for recurrent right epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy revealed a reddish mass located medial to the right middle turbinate. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion located at the level of the olfactory cleft. The patient had a complete removal of the mass and the anatomopathological examination concluded to a metastasis of a clear cell carcinoma of renal origin. Taking into account these results, a thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT scan was performed and it discovered a left renal tumor. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The most frequent functional sign of Renal cell carcinoma metastases is epistaxis. This is explained by the rich vascularity of these metastases. The imaging data are not specific and do not allow differentiation between primary tumor and metastasis. The definitive diagnosis can be confirmed only by histologic examination. CONCLUSION: Faced with any hypervascularized tumor of the nasal cavity, the ENT physician must evoke a metastasis of a renal cancer, even in the absence of history and symptoms evoking this cancer.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the External Auditory Canal.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) originating from the external auditory canal are uncommon; only few cases have been reported in the literature. In this article, we report a case of a 35-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of a gradual swelling in the entrance of the left external auditory meatus associated with hearing loss. The tumor was surgically removed, and histological examination showed spindle-cell proliferation with a collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD34 confirming the diagnosis of an SFT. Although SFTs are benign, complications such as relapses and metastasis after excision were reported. Thus, a careful and long follow-up is recommended.

Burkitt's Thyroid Lymphoma Revealed in a Pregnant Woman With Acute Dyspnea.

Extraganglionic Burkitt's lymphoma is rare. Primary thyroid localization accounts for 1% to 5% of malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. The association of Burkitt's lymphoma and pregnancy is even rarer. Our patient was pregnant at 36 weeks. She was brought to the emergency department with anterior cervical swelling, rapidly increasing in volume and becoming compressive for 15 days, in addition to dysphonia and inspiratory dyspnea. Cervical ultrasound and computed tomography scan revealed a compressive and plunging goiter. Surgery attempted after fetal extraction proved impossible due to massive tumor infiltration into adjacent structures shielding the cervical region. Accordingly, the act was limited to a glandular biopsy. The newborn was healthy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma. Given the poor general condition of the patient, chemotherapy was not administered and the patient died after 15 days of stay in intensive care unit.

Parapharyngeal Lymph Node Metastasis From Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Metastatic parapharyngeal lymph nodes (LNs) from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) are uncommon and can easily remain undetected. We describe a case that involves a 62-year-old woman treated for a PTC, who presented a rise in serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels. A computed tomography scan was performed, and revealed metastatic nodes in the left parapharyngeal space (PPS). A surgical resection of the nodes was performed with external cervical approach. A histological exam confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic LN of a PTC. The aim of this report is to emphasize on the possibility of parapharyngeal metastatic nodes in PTC and to describe the diagnosis methods, treatment options, and impact on the prognosis.

Basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland: A rare entity.

Basal cell adenoma (BCA) is a rare benign salivary gland tumor accounting for only 1-2% of all salivary gland tumors. We report a case of a 50-year-old man presenting a BCA of the parotid gland. A pleomorphic adenoma was initially suspected based on radiological features and fine needle aspiration cytology findings (FNAC).

Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a child with type 1 diabetes: A case report.

Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis is a rare but potentially severe fungal infection in children with high rate of morbidity and mortality. In pediatric patients, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is considered to be a predisposing factor only in 15% of cases. To prevent and reduce mortality rate of this severe disease, early diagnosis based on clinical findings and biopsy is highly recommended. Herein, we report a case of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a 12-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes to demonstrate that a multimodal management approach, involving early surgery which consists in frequent endoscopic sinus debridement and appropriate antifungal therapy, is essential to effectively reduce the spread of infection and achieve effective outcome.

[Performance of the magnetic resonance imaging in parotid gland tumor histopathology]. / Performance de l´imagerie par résonance magnétique dans l´approche histopathologique des tumeurs parotidiennes.

INTRODUCTION: salivary gland tumors mainly occur in the parotid gland. These tumors are rare but are characterized by histological heterogeneity, thus posing diagnostic challenges. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the most reliable imaging test for the evaluation of these tumors. The purpose of this study was to highlight the diagnostic value of MRI and its role in parotid gland tumor histopathology. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective descriptive and analytical study of 50 patients with parotid gland tumor, operated and treated in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) Department and in the Department of cervicofacial surgery at the Tahar Sfar University Hospital of Mahdia between 2001 and 2019. All patients underwent preoperative MRI of the parotid gland. RESULTS: out of 50 patients included in the study, 36 (72%) had benign tumor and 14 (28%) malignant tumor. The sensitivity of MRI for the diagnosis of malignant tumor was 92.8% with a specificity of 97.2%, a negative predictive value of 93% and a positive predictive value of 97%. With respect to benign tumor characterization, MRI suggested the diagnosis of Warthin tumor in all cases (13 cases) and of pleomorphic adenoma in 22 out of 23 cases. There were two diagnostic errors: MRI suggested the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma instead of adenoid cystic carcinoma in one case and of malignant tumor instead of pleomorphic adenoma due to diffusion restriction. CONCLUSION: MRI is highly efficient in the assessment of parotid tumor histology and, especially, after the advent of new functional sequences. However, only histological examination allows to confirm with certainty the diagnosis.

Necrotising otitis externa: A single centre experience.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotising otitis externa (NOE) is a rare infection of the ear canal with frequent bone erosion. This study's objective is to describe the different features of NOE as well as its management in an ear-nose-throat department. We also tried to identify the particularities of the fungal infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is an observational cohort that included all the patients hospitalised for the management of NOE. The study was carried out in the ear-nose-throat Department of Mahdia University Hospital in Tunisia between January 2006 and december 2019. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 12.9 years and the sex ratio was 0.9. Ninety percent of the patients included were diabetics. The most common signs found were oedema of the external canal (97.5%) and auricular discharge (92.5%). The main pathogen isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (61.7%). Fungi were isolated in 9 cases (26.47%). Computed tomography was performed for 32 patients (80%). Bone erosion was seen in 26 cases (81.3%). The main complications were cerebral venous thrombosis, retropharyngeal abscess and cerebral empyema. Thirty one patients received only antibiotics, 2 received only antifungal treatment, and 7 received both antibiotics and antifungal treatment. All patients had a favorable outcome. Univariate analysis showed a higher median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was associated with fungal infections. No other differences were noted. CONCLUSION: Our management protocol seems to be efficient since all patients had initial favorable outcome. A higher median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was associated with fungal infections.

Noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis: a case series.

Introduction: Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) remains a rare disease. The noninvasive forms are hard to diagnose. The management protocols remain controversial. We aim to describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of noninvasive FRS and present our management protocol and follow-up results. Patients and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the ear-nose-throat department of the university hospital, Taher Sfar in Mahdia, Tunisia. All patients who responded to the definition of noninvasive FRS (fungal balls and allergic fungal sinusitis) were included. The study was conducted over a three year period (May 2017 - April 2021). Results: Eleven patients were included in this study: four cases of fungal balls and seven cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Patients presented with symptoms of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis with no response to conventional treatments. Computed tomodensitometry scan showed opacification of the paranasal sinuses in all patients. Other signs were heterogeneous opacities, local calcifications and thinning of the bony walls of the sinuses. Histopathological findings were inflammatory polyps in all cases of allergic FRS with the presence of fungal hyphae in 42.8% of the cases. All patients underwent surgery after a median delay of 12 [6-24] months of the symptom's onset. The used procedures were endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy for all patients, ethmoidectomy (81.8%) and sphenoidotomy (36.4%). None received systemic antifungals or corticosteroids with a favorable outcome in all cases. Conclusion: Symptoms of noninvasive FRS are nonspecific. The scan images contribute to the diagnosis, but the perioperative findings and the histopathological results remain crucial.  The management is mainly surgical.

Isolated Myxoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Myxoma is a benign myxoid tumor of connective tissue that develops primarily in the heart. At the level of the external auditory canal, it is extremely rare. It can be isolated or associated with Carney syndrome. Only 5 cases of isolated myxoma of the external auditory canal have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 53-year-old patient who consulted for a hearing loss that has been evolving for 3 years. Otoscopy revealed a mass filling the external auditory canal. The scan showed a total filling of the external auditory canal with a homogenous sessile neoformation of 20 × 10 mm. This mass was completely resected and the histological examination showed spindle-shaped and star-shaped cells against an abundant myxoid background, which was consistent with myxoma. All the tests, done to eliminate Carney syndrome, did not reveal any abnormalities. The postoperative course was favorable, and no complications were noted. The patient was under follow-up. There was no recurrence 1 year after surgery.

A case of giant sarcomatoid carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a rare malignant parotid neoplasm arising from primary or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma. Histologically, it can be sub-classified by upwards of eight different variations (e.g., myoepithelial carcinoma, salivary duct carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma sarcomatoid carcinoma). We present the fourth case in the literature of sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from an underlying pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. We present a case of a 47-year-old female who consulted for a left parotid mass of 15cm long axis. There was no facial paralysis. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears showed a pleomorphic adenoma. The parotid MRI showed a left parotid mass, with heterogeneous signal (hyposignal T1 and hypersignal T2 and in diffusion sequences). The patient underwent a total parotidectomy with a pleomorphic adenoma on extemporaneous examination. Histological examination of the part revealed a pleomorphic adenoma on which a sarcomatoid carcinoma developed. Therefore, a second operation occurred. We performed selective lymph node dissection carrying out the sectors I, II and III followed by radiotherapy. The evolution was favorable. In addition to its rarity, our case joins historical cases by its huge size.

Predictive epidemiological and clinical factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis: Adult versus pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the clinical presentation and the cancer staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) between pediatric and adult populations to highlight the main characteristics of this disease within the two subgroups. MATERIEL AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study including all patients with a primary diagnosis of NPC over a period of 19 years. The pediatric group included patients aged less then 16 years old. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included. The pediatric population represented 22.5% of the cases. No difference in gender distribution was found (p˃.05). The most common presenting symptom was neck mass in children (77.8% vs. 48.4%, p = .02), and nasal obstruction in adult patients (64.5% vs. 16.7%, p < .01). The median time between the presenting symptom's onset and the diagnosis was 5 months. The diagnosis of NPC was delayed in pediatric patients compared to adults (<0.05). We noted a predominance of patients with stages III and IV (32.5% and 40%, respectively) with no difference between the two subgroups (p˃.05). CONCLUSION: Our study showed some differences in NPC clinical features between pediatric patients and adults. Neck mass was the most common symptom in children. The initial presentation is sometimes misleading. NPC was mainly diagnosed in advanced locoregional stages in both pediatric and adult patients. Efforts toward early diagnosis are of great importance.

[Symptomatic vallecular cyst in adults: about 4 cases]. / Le kyste de la vallécule symptomatique chez l'adulte: à propos de 4 cas.

Symptomatic vallecular cyst is a rare benign lesion. These cysts are often asymptomatic in the adult. We here report 4 cases of symptomatic vallecular cyst in the adult. Three patients presented with mixed high dysphagia associated with dysphonia. The fourth patient complained of foreign body sensation in the throat. Laryngoscopy showed a cyst in left vallecular region in all cases. CT scan confirmed vallecular cyst. Treatment was based on marsupialisation of the cyst in two cases and endoscopic resection in two cases. This study suggests to clarify the diagnostic and therapeutic features of this disorder.

Merkel cell carcinoma with lymphoepithelioma-like pattern: a case report of an exceedingly rare variant of merkel cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases at presentation.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) or primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin is a rare neoplasm with aggressive behavior. Primary lymphoepithelioma-like (LEL) carcinoma of the skin is a recently described exceptional tumor, with a relatively good prognosis, and is characterized by a neoplastic epithelial component associated with a dense lymphoid stroma. Rarely, MCC shows a marked lymphocytic host response or can even mimic a LEL carcinoma. We report a new case of MCC mimicking an LEL carcinoma in a 72-year-old male; the diagnosis of MCC was made on the basis of the morphology and immunohistochemical findings. We present through this case an exceptional pattern of MCC which can be misleading, and we insist on differential diagnoses.