Large Solitary Pulmonary Cryptococcoma Mimicking Lung Carcinoma in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening mycosis typically seen in immunocompromised patients. Pulmonary cryptococcosis generally presents as multiple or solitary nodular opacities. Cryptococcal infection presenting as a destructing cavernoma (cryptococcoma) without diffuse infiltration of the lung is an extremely rare presentation, even in immunocompromised patients. This report presents a healthy, HIV negative, immunocompetent patient who presented with a large solitary lung mass provisionally diagnosed as a lung malignancy on radiological imaging that proved to be a large cryptococcoma after biopsy. The patient was treated with liposomal Amphotericin B and fluconazole, and the lesion showed regression on serial imaging. This case report thus highlights an unconventional presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent individual.

Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Ovary with Unilocular Pure Cystic Presentation: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Granulosa cell tumours of the ovary are rare, hormonally active, oestrogen-secreting tumours of the ovary existing in two forms: the adult form and the even rarer juvenile form. These tumours present as predominantly solid lesions while the cystic, unilocular presentation is uncommon. CASE REPORT: We present an 18-year-old unmarried girl who presented with complaints of chronic pain, abdominal distension and presence of facial hair. Radiological examination revealed a large, purely cystic, unilocular lesion without any solid components, debris or septations. Histopathological diagnosis was of a juvenile granulosa cell tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Radiological criteria suggestive of malignant ovarian masses include thick, irregular walls and septae; papillary projections and solid, echogenic foci. Nonetheless, we propose that a malignant ovarian lesion should be included in the differential diagnosis of a unilocular, purely cystic ovarian lesion.

Wandering spleen with torsion causing pancreatic volvulus and associated intrathoracic gastric volvulus. An unusual triad and cause of acute abdominal pain.

CONTEXT: Wandering spleen is a rare medical entity in which the spleen is orphaned of its usual peritoneal attachments and thus assumes an ever wandering and hypermobile state. This laxity of attachments may even cause torsion of the splenic pedicle. Both gastric volvulus and wandering spleen share a common embryology owing to maldevelopment of the dorsal mesentery. Gastric volvulus complicating a wandering spleen is, however, an extremely unusual association, with a few cases described in literature. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a young female who presented with acute abdominal pain and vomiting. Radiological imaging revealed a intrathoracic gastric volvulus, torsion in an ectopic spleen, and additionally demonstrated a pancreatic volvulus - an unusual triad, reported only once, causing an acute abdomen. CONCLUSION: The patient subsequently underwent an emergency surgical laparotomy with splenopexy and gastropexy.

Endovascular Management of Thenar-Hypothenar Aneurysms: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature.

Thenar-hypothenar arterial aneurysms are rare, presenting as either true aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms. Traditionally, surgical repair has been the mainstay of treatment for these aneurysms, with only isolated cases of endovascular management reported. In this study, we describe two cases of thenar-hypothenar aneurysms successfully managed with coil embolization, accompanied by a brief literature review. Our findings suggest that endovascular management is a feasible treatment option for these rare aneurysms.

Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO): Anatomical Factors Determining Procedure Outcome.

PURPOSE: To study various anatomical factors determining procedure success versus failure for plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) of gastro-lieno-renal shunt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 50 patients (M:F-37:13; mean age 58.4yrs) who were planned for PARTO of gastro-lieno-renal shunt from July 2017 to July 2019 was done. Anatomical factors [shunt diameter, shunt angle, shunt orientation, left renal vein (LRV) size/calibre and distance of shunt from renal vein-IVC confluence] were analysed on a pre-procedure CT. Statistical analysis of the data was done to assess the relationship between these factors and technical success/failure. RESULTS: PARTO was successfully performed in 82% (n = 41). Analysis of anatomical factors showed that aneurysmal dilatation of the LRV, extreme acute/obtuse angulation and extreme antero-posterior orientation of the shunt in relation to the LRV was associated with higher probability of technical failure of PARTO. Minimum/maximum and entry point shunt diameter was not associated with procedure outcome. It was also noted that an increased distance of the shunt from the renal vein-IVC confluence favoured trans-jugular over trans-femoral venous access for PARTO. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of various anatomical factors of gastro-lieno-renal shunt may help in deciding the access route for PARTO and may determine technical success/failure. Alternate methods like BRTO or coil-assisted obliteration (CARTO) or anterograde obliteration of the shunt via trans-hepatic/splenic route might be needed in such circumstances.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas <4 cm in difficult location.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor location is a critical factor for determining technical success and local recurrence following percutaneous ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and outcome measures of percutaneous microwave ablation (pMWA) for HCCs <4 cm in difficult locations. METHODS: Retrospective review included 81 patients who underwent pMWA for HCCs <4 cm. Fourty-three patients (30 males and 13 females; mean age, 61 years) with 53 HCCs located near the diaphragm, heart, gallbladder, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, large vessel and exophytic location were included under difficult location group. Thirty-eight patients (29 males and nine females; mean age, 60 years) with 48 HCCs in other locations were included under control group. Baseline demographics were recorded. Technical efficacy, local tumor progression (LTP), and complication rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 3.4 months (range 1-7). There was no major complication in both the groups; two patients had a mild perihepatic hemorrhage in the difficult location group which was managed conservatively. There was no difference between the groups in the overall technical efficacy rate (84.9% vs 91.7%, p = 0.294), LTP rate (4.4% vs 2.2%. p = 0.57) or complication rate (4.6% vs 0%, p = 0.177). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is no significant difference in technical efficacy, LTP or complication rates for MWA in both difficult and normal locations. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: With proper patient selection, pre-procedural planning and appropriate technique, pMWA is feasible, safe, and effective for small HCCs in difficult location with an acceptable range of complications.

Prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia congenita using ultrasonography.

Congenital hypophosphatasia is a rare fatal skeletal dysplasia. Antenatal determinants of lethality include small thoracic circumference with pulmonary hypoplasia and severe micromelia. These features were present in the fetus of a 25-year-old female who came for an anomaly scan in her second trimester of pregnancy. Additional findings of generalized demineralization and osteochondral spurs led to the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia congenita. The pregnancy was terminated, and the findings were confirmed on autopsy. Common differential diagnoses with clues to diagnose the above mentioned condition have been discussed here. Early and accurate detection of this medical condition is important as no treatment has been established for this condition. Therefore, antenatal ultrasonography helps in diagnosing and decision making with respect to the current pregnancy and lays the foundation for the genetic counseling of the couple.

Page kidney due to a renal pseudocyst in a setting of pancreatitis.

Pancreatic pseudocysts are notorious for their extension beyond the normal confines of the pancreatic bed due to dissection of the enzymatic pseudocyst fluid along fascial planes. Such collections of pancreatic juice may compress the kidney. Extension of the pseudocyst into the perirenal space is, however, uncommon. We report a case of pseudocyst of pancreas lying in the subcapsular plane of the left kidney with a patent communication with the pancreatic duct (pancreaticorenal fistula). The compressive effect of the pseudocyst on the kidney compromised intrarenal perfusion as evidenced by a faint nephrogram but a normal renal artery. This led to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mediated hypertension-the Page kidney phenomenon. Extensive literature search revealed our case to be the only one to describe such an occurrence.

Extension of pancreatic pseudocyst into psoas muscle in a setting of acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatic pseudocysts are known to extend beyond the confines of the pancreatic bed due to the digestive nature of enzyme rich pancreatic fluid. Extension of a pseudocyst beyond the retroperitoneum, along the retrofascial plane within the psoas muscle is, however, unusual, with only a handful of cases described in the literature. We report a case of a 28-year-old man who presented with right lumbar pain and painful ipsilateral hip extension. Imaging findings revealed extension of the pseudocyst into psoas along with features of acute pancreatitis. The pseudocyst was drained percutaneously under image guidance, which led to resolution of symptoms.

An unusual association of Ménétrier's disease with a gastric bezoar.

Ménétrier's disease is a rare protein-losing hypertrophic gastroenteropathy. While it still remains a medical curiosity, infection with Cytomegalovirus and Helicobacter pylori, and hormonal, congenital, dietary and neurogenic factors have been postulated as causative factors. We describe a case of a 14-year boy who presented with epigastric discomfort, vomiting, inability to gain weight and pedal oedema. Investigations revealed hypoproteinaemia without proteinuria and elevated faecal α-1-antitrypsin levels suggestive of protein-losing enteropathy. Imaging and endoscopic features demonstrated cerebriform gastric folds indicative of Ménétrier's disease. Infective, hormonal and neurogenic causes were ruled out in our patient. Surprisingly, the patient had a history of pica and an associated large gastric bezoar, which was ultimately removed surgically. An association of Ménétrier's disease with a bezoar has been reported only once previously. We thus add to the existing literature and highlight the plausible role of a bezoar as a causative factor in the pathogenesis of Ménétrier's disease due to its irritant nature.