Uncommon orbital metastasis in ductal breast carcinoma: a rare presentation 12 years after treatment.

Orbital metastasis originating from breast carcinoma, particularly ductal carcinoma, represents a rare clinical entity, with lobular carcinoma usually being more common. Long-term surveillance in breast cancer patients is crucial for early detection of metastasis. Herein, we present a case of a 70-year-old woman with a history of left ductal breast carcinoma, diagnosed and treated 12 years ago. She then developed left eye vision loss, diplopia, enophthalmos, and chemosis in October 2024. Imaging revealed orbital metastasis involving the left superior and lateral rectus extraocular muscles. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of orbital metastases arising from ductal breast carcinoma. This case underscores the significance of long-term surveillance in breast cancer patients, as metastasis can manifest years after the initial diagnosis. Despite its rarity, orbital metastasis warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis of ocular symptoms in patients with a history of breast carcinoma. Treatment primarily aims at palliation and preserving visual function, with prognosis typically poor.

Bilateral swelling of the lacrimal glands as first manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis in a patient with breast cancer.

Sarcoidosis, a multifaceted granulomatous disease primarily affecting the lungs, occasionally presents in atypical locations. Lacrimal gland involvement, though rare, poses distinct diagnostic challenges. This case report details a 52-year-old female with bilateral lacrimal gland swelling initially suggestive of metastatic tumor due to a history of breast cancer. Subsequent investigations, including CT and MRI, unveiled pulmonary sarcoidosis. Discussion emphasizes the diverse ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis, with lacrimal gland participation potentially indicating early stages. Diagnostic complexities involve differentiation from other lacrimal pathologies, including neoplasms, lymphoproliferative disorders, Sjögren's syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, tuberculosis, and IgG4-related disease. In summary, while lacrimal gland involvement in sarcoidosis is infrequent, it should be considered in orbital masses, necessitating a comprehensive approach for accurate diagnostic orientation in such cases.

Transgastric migration of retained intraabdominal surgical sponge: Gossypiboma in the fundus.

The retention of a surgical sponge is a rare complication that presents diagnostic challenges and carries the risk of potential complications. Two distinct foreign body reactions, fibrinous, and exudative, can result in the formation of a granuloma (known as gossypiboma) or lead to complications such as abscess formation and migration into the gastrointestinal tract. In this report, we present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a history of splenectomy who presented with symptoms including epigastric pain, vomiting, and episodes of hematemesis. Imaging studies, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a mass consistent with a gossypiboma that had migrated transmurally into the stomach. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed through gastroscopy, and successful endoscopic removal of the retained surgical sponge was performed.

Transdiaphragmatic extension of a thymoma invading the peritoneum and the spleen.

Thymoma, a rare tumor originating from thymic epithelial cells in the anterior mediastinum, presents various diagnostic and clinical challenges, particularly when exhibiting unusual invasive behaviors. We report a case involving a 66-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea and a dry cough, where a CT scan revealed a large, lobulated mass in the anterior mediastinum that had extended through the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity, infiltrating the pleura, spleen, and adjacent structures. Histopathological examination confirmed a type B2 thymoma, classified as T3N2M0 stage IV B. The case underscores the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving radiologists, oncologists, and thoracic surgeons to manage such advanced thymoma cases. The unusual transdiaphragmatic extension into the peritoneum and spleen emphasizes the necessity of considering extensive local invasion in the staging and treatment planning of thymomas, which often necessitates a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before potential surgical intervention.

Insights into Gradenigo syndrome: Case presentation and review.

Gradenigo syndrome (GS) is characterized by a triad of clinical features: abducens nerve palsy, retro-orbital pain, and otorrhea, arising as a complication of suppurative otitis media. Herein, we present a case of GS in a 15-year-old male patient, secondary to left otitis media. The patient exhibited fever, otorrhea, accompanied by diplopia, retrobulbar pain, and headache. Imaging studies demonstrated petrous bone destruction and inflammatory changes with opacification of petrous bone, mastoid cells and surrounding structures, confirming the diagnosis of GS. Treatment included intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulants, resulting in the resolution of symptoms and radiological improvement. GS, though rare, warrants prompt recognition and appropriate management to prevent severe complications. Diagnostic imaging plays a crucial role in evaluation, and treatment often involves prolonged antibiotic therapy and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. Understanding the clinical presentation and management strategies is essential for clinicians encountering this condition.

Navigating the complexity of skull base osteomyelitis: a case study and comprehensive review.

Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare and life-threatening infection of the skull base, commonly seen in elderly diabetic patients as a result of otogenic or paranasal infection. The diagnosis is based on a series of arguments, including a high clinical suspicion, imaging findings, negative biopsies for malignancy, and microbiological isolation. Complications, including abscess formation and vascular involvement, mandate a multidisciplinary treatment approach, primarily involving broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement, but the prognosis is usually poor. Herein, we describe the case of a 55-year-old male, who 15 years prior, underwent radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He presented with an infection of the skull base with extensive bone erosion accompanied by an uncommon complication; an intra clival abscess. Despite aggressive antibiotic therapy, the patient ultimately succumbed to septic shock.

A rare case of ispilateral hemiparesis in a patient with uncrossed pyramidal tract shown by tractography.

This article presents a unique case of ipsilateral hemiparesis in a 66-year-old individual, contrary to the conventional understanding of supratentorial strokes causing contralateral neurological deficits. The patient exhibited persistent weakness and sensory abnormalities on the left side of the body following a left occipital infarct. Neuroimaging revealed a chronic stroke in the left occipital lobe, with diffusion tensor imaging demonstrating uncrossed pyramidal tracts at the level of the medulla. The discussion encompasses the anatomical basis of corticospinal tract crossing, historical perspectives, and previous documented cases of ipsilateral strokes. The rarity of complete uncrossed corticospinal tracts without underlying congenital abnormalities or genetic disorders is highlighted. The study underscores the importance of considering such atypical presentations in stroke evaluations and the role of advanced imaging techniques in confirming diagnosis and understanding underlying mechanisms.

The "pancake-like" enhancement in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, characterized by chronic spinal cord compression resulting from degenerative spine changes, manifests with a spectrum of neurological and pain symptoms. Despite the complexity of intramedullary spinal cord abnormalities, employing a systematic approach to differential diagnosis, considering factors such as lesion location, cord length, segment involvement, and enhancement pattern, can significantly aid in narrowing down the potential diagnoses, potentially avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures and guiding treatment decisions. This article presents two cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy characterized by progressive weakness and paraesthesia, exhibiting progressive bilateral upper extremity numbness, tingling, and impaired gait, with cervical myelopathy evident on MRI displaying transverse pancake-like gadolinium enhancement.

About two unusual cases of pancreatic primary squamous cell carcinoma.

Pancreatic primary squamous cell carcinoma (PPSCC) is very uncommon. The major diagnostic method is histology, and it requires the exclusion of a metastasis from a different primary location (lung, esophagus…). Herein, we describe two cases of a PPSCC (one in the head and the other one in the tail and the body of the pancreas) with a brief review of literature. When it comes to the poorly differentiated PPSCC, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is crucial. Regretfully, there is currently no unanimity on treatment, and the outcome is dismal.

A Rare Case of an Isolated Facial Nerve Aplasia: Radiological Findings.

Congenital facial palsy is a rare condition that can be categorized into traumatic and developmental etiologies. Trauma related congenital facial palsy represents by far the most frequent cause with a spontaneous complete recovery within weeks, contrary to developmental causes that can be syndromic or non-syndromic, and have a poor prognosis. We present the case of an 11-month-old boy who suffers a congenital facial palsy. He undergoes an MRI examination with the adapted sequences to assess the facial nerve, and a high-resolution CT scan that reveals a seventh cranial nerve agenesis.