Spectrum of cryptococcal manifestations in a young male with human immunodeficiency virus.

We present the case of a young male with human immunodeficiency virus and a history of nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy who developed cryptococcal meningitis. This case highlights the diverse medical and clinical presentations of central nervous system cryptococcosis in an immunocompromised individual from a radiology perspective. CT and MR imaging demonstrated basal ganglia enhancement and leptomeningeal involvement, characteristic of this pathogen. This report underscores the significance of advanced imaging modalities, in particular MRI, in diagnosing cryptococcal meningitis. Additionally, other manifestations of cryptococcus, including within the thorax, are highlighted in the same patient. The combination of these findings, along with confirmatory cerebral spinal fluid analysis, are crucial to the rapid initiation of an appropriate antifungal regimen for treatment.

Rare Presentation of Thyrotoxicosis Defying Methimazole Treatment: A Case Series.

Thyrotoxicosis, also known as hyperthyroidism, is a condition characterized by the excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Besides Graves' disease, other common causes of thyrotoxicosis include toxic multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, and subacute thyroiditis. The treatment of thyrotoxicosis depends on the underlying cause and may include medications (e.g., antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers), radioactive iodine therapy, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). In this report, we present two instances of thyrotoxicosis where conventional high doses of antithyroid treatment failed to control the condition effectively. This failure prompted the exploration of alternative therapeutic interventions. These cases highlight the intricacies involved in managing thyrotoxic crises that do not respond to methimazole (MMI), emphasizing the necessity for innovative approaches such as plasmapheresis and thyroidectomy. Understanding such scenarios is vital for enhancing the care provided to patients encountering resistance to standard treatments. The distinct clinical pathways and treatment strategies adopted in these cases offer valuable insights into this disease management, particularly concerning resistance to MMI.

Incidentally diagnosed superior vena cava narrowing prompted by screening mammography.

An adult woman with a prior history of treated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented for screening mammography, which incidentally demonstrated dilated veins throughout the bilateral breasts. Concern for a superior vena cava stenosis or obstruction was raised despite the patient being asymptomatic; the patient underwent further imaging with chest CT, which revealed focal stenosis of the superior vena cava, attributed to fibrosis secondary to prior radiation therapy. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), the spectrum of disease caused by superior vena cava narrowing or obstruction, requires prompt investigation given its association with intrathoracic malignancy, primary lung cancer and poor outcomes. This report explores the benign and malignant causes, signs and symptoms, preferred investigations, and treatment of SVCS. This case highlights the potential importance of screening mammography in revealing unexpected ancillary diagnoses, especially in high-risk patients.

Delayed Diagnosis of Duodenal Metastasis From Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report.

The incidence of lung cancer metastasizing to the duodenum is rare, and its clinical presentation is still not fully understood due to its low frequency. It can be asymptomatic or present symptomatically in various ways. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old female with an unusual case of duodenal metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma, presenting with a new-onset seizure complicated by a fracture from a post-ictal fall. The diagnosis of anemia secondary to duodenal metastasis from lung cancer was delayed due to this sequence of events. The patient was ultimately found to have a circumferential mass in the third portion of the duodenum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which was found to be consistent with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma on pathological examination.

A Rare Case of Sinonasal Ewing Sarcoma With Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

An 89-year-old male presented with syncope and worsening difficulty in breathing through the left nostril. Computed tomography demonstrated a tumor in the anterior ethmoid air cells and maxillary sinus, which extended into the frontal lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging similarly demonstrated an aggressive lesion. This mass was difficult to differentiate from more commonly seen lesions at this location such as an esthesioneuroblastoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Direct visualization, biopsy, and subsequent pathologic analysis eventually confirmed the diagnosis of malignant Ewing sarcoma (EWS). Our case explores the radiological findings of EWS originating from the ethmoid sinus, compares EWS with other common carcinomas in the same location, confirms the diagnosis through pathological correlation, and investigates the prognosis and treatment of these lesions. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose EWS when it occurs in an atypical location. The clinical team relied on input from the radiology, surgery, ENT, neurology, and pathology departments to make an accurate diagnosis and plan treatment for this aggressive tumor.

Satisfaction of search awareness in trauma radiology: Malignant renal lesion on a trauma thoracolumbar spine CT.

Fast-paced trauma imaging can result in misses relating to the nonosseous structures included in the field of view. We report a case of a Bosniak type III renal cyst, later found to be clear cell renal cell carcinoma, incidentally noted on post-traumatic CT of the thoracic and lumbar spine. This case includes a discussion of the circumstances which could result in a radiologist missing this finding, the idea of satisfaction of search, the importance of maintaining a thorough search pattern, and the management and communication of incidental findings.

The FIND Program: Improving Follow-up of Incidental Imaging Findings.

Incidental findings are findings identified on imaging which are unrelated to the original reason for examination and require follow-up. The Radiology Finding Incidental Disease (FIND) Program was designed to track and improve follow-up of incidental imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of incidental findings on cross-sectional imaging and the adherence to suggested follow-up of incidental findings prior to and after implementation of a structured reporting and tracking system. A retrospective analysis of 2000 patients with computed tomographic cross-sectional imaging was performed: 1000 patients prior to implementation of the FIND Program and 1000 patients 1 year after establishment of the program. Data collected included the frequency of incidental findings, inclusion of follow-up recommendations in the radiology report, and adherence to suggested follow-up. There was a higher rate of completion of recommended follow-up imaging in the post-implementation group (34/67, 50.7%) compared to the pre-implementation (16/52, 30.8%) (p = 0.03). Implementation of an incidental findings tracking program resulted in improved follow-up of incidental imaging findings. This has the potential to reduce the burden of clinically significant incidental findings possibly resulting in later presentation of advanced disease.

Bilateral Thalamic Stroke Arising From an Occlusion of the Artery of Percheron: Barriers to Diagnosis, Management, and Recovery.

A 90-year-old male patient presented with excessive somnolence, right-sided weakness, and left facial droop. CT and MRI scans of the head, taken several days after initial head CT proved to be non-revealing, demonstrated a bilateral thalamic stroke, a rare phenomenon. The infarct arose in the territory of the artery of Percheron, an anatomic variant in which a single artery supplies both sides of the thalamus and midbrain. When this artery becomes occluded, it results in severely dysregulated consciousness and alertness. This type of stroke proved challenging for the medical team, due to poor resolution of initial imaging, as well as the therapy teams, due to the constant need for sleep. This case report outlines how barriers in diagnosis and management make knowledge of the artery of Percheron and its occlusion crucial to patient care and recovery.