ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Castleman disease (CD) is an uncommon disorder of deregulated lymphoproliferation with unicentric (UCD) and multicentric forms based on extent of nodal involvement. Gross resection with histopathologic analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosis of UCD and is curative in most cases. Symptomatic paraspinal UCD is a rare presentation with potentially dangerous complications, and its tendency to mimic more common spinal tumors presents a significant diagnostic challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old Hispanic man with no past medical history was evaluated for a known left-sided paraspinal mass that was incidentally discovered during an emergency department work-up for hematuria. Computed tomography on initial presentation revealed a 5.3 cm × 3.3 cm × 4.8 cm heterogeneously enhancing left paraspinal mass adjacent to the T11 vertebral body with tonguelike extension into the T11-T12 neural foramen. Although he remained neurologically intact throughout most of the diagnostic work-up, an inconclusive biopsy, worsening hematuria, and late-onset radiculopathy with severe back pain prompted surgical intervention. Microscopic histomorphology was consistent with CD. He continued to have intermittent hematuria and dysuria postoperatively, but repeat computed tomography at 7 months confirmed no recurrence of the mass. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous reports, our case of postcoital hematuria and radiculopathy accompanying a paraspinal thoracic mass in a young Mexican-American man is a unique presentation. Awareness and early consideration of UCD in the work-up of a paraspinal mass may spare affected patients adverse and dangerous sequelae, such as spinal cord compression and excessive intraoperative hemorrhage.
Subject(s)
Castleman Disease/complications , Hematuria/complications , Adult , Castleman Disease/diagnostic imaging , Castleman Disease/pathology , Castleman Disease/therapy , Coitus , Diagnosis, Differential , Hematuria/diagnostic imaging , Hematuria/pathology , Hematuria/therapy , Humans , Incidental Findings , Male , Mexican Americans , Thoracic VertebraeABSTRACT
Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is an injury with high morbidity and mortality. We present a case of survival of a pediatric patient with the diagnoses of AOD, retroclival hematoma, and resulting hydrocephalus. The patient's cervical spine was stabilized until occipital-cervical fusion provided definitive treatment, and the hydrocephalus was treated with a ventriculostomy. The patient survived with no neurological deficits. A better understanding and awareness of the radiologic criteria of AOD will lead to earlier recognition of AOD and improved outcomes, even in the presence of complications from AOD. Surgical fixation should be used for definitive treatment of injuries with AOD.
ABSTRACT
Parkes Weber syndrome (PWS) is a congenital overgrowth disorder characterized by unilateral limb and axial hypertrophy, capillary malformations of the skin, and high-flow arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Spinal AVFs in the setting of PWS are challenging vascular lesions that often contain multiple arteriovenous (AV) shunts. The present case report highlights an adolescent girl with PWS who presented with a ruptured complex high-flow conus medullaris AVF. She was successfully treated with endovascular embolization and microsurgery. At the 2-year follow-up, the patient remained free of neurological symptoms and had no recurrence of the vascular malformation.
Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Fistula/complications , Arteriovenous Fistula/therapy , Embolization, Therapeutic , Endovascular Procedures , Sturge-Weber Syndrome/complications , Sturge-Weber Syndrome/therapy , Adolescent , Arteriovenous Fistula/diagnostic imaging , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Endovascular Procedures/methods , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Sturge-Weber Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Paragangliomas are rare tumors of the endocrine system. They are highly vascular and in some cases hormonally active, making their management challenging. Although there is strong evidence of the safety and effectiveness of preoperative embolization in the management of spinal tumors, only five cases have been reported in the setting of thoracic paragangliomas. We present the case of a 19-year-old man with a large, primary, functional, malignant paraganglioma of the thoracic spine causing a vertebral fracture and spinal cord compression. To our knowledge this is the first report of preoperative trans-arterial balloon augmented Onyx embolization of a thoracic paraganglioma.
