HIV positive patient with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head, a case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis, refers to the death of bone tissue due to the lack of blood supply. Osteonecrosis in HIV can be a complication of the ART's or the disease itself. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: 47 years old male, HIV positive for 10 years on Antiretroviral-therapy had gradual onset of bilateral hip pain for 6 months, progressively and sharp in nature, aggravated by movement and relieved by resting with reduced range of movement, wheel chair dependent 2 months. No history of fever, cough, night sweats or weight loss. No history of trauma, steroid use or hormonal therapy and no history of alcohol intake. On Examination he had bilateral inguinal and hip tenderness, pain on movement, with reduced flexion and extension of the hip. His viral-load was 27copies/ml of blood. Complete blood count was unremarkable. Serum lipid panel had no evidence of hypertriglyceridemia. He was diagnosed with bilateral femoral heads Avascular-necrosis. Bilateral ceramic with polyethylene liner uncemented total hip arthroplasty was done. No complications observed, in 6 months of follow up he had Harris hip score of 90 and he had returned to his activities without hip pain complaints/complications. DISCUSSION: The management of AVN is usually total hip arthroplasty, but other surgical treatment includes, hemiarthroplasty, core-decompression and girdle stone arthroplasty, the latter has poor outcomes in-terms of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Understanding causes and mechanism of AVN is crucial for effective management and treatment, particularly when addressing cases such as in our patient with HIV induced osteonecrosis of both femoral heads, surgical treatment should aid on relieving pain and improving patient's quality of life.

Dural ectasia with cauda equina syndrome, a rare case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Dural ectasia, which is often idiopathic, is seen both in patients with neurofibromatosis and Marfan's syndrome. In neurofibromatosis, the ectasia is most often seen in the thoracic region but can occur at any point along the dura. A complication such as cauda equina syndrome is usually rare. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 48 year old male complaining of recurrent throbbing headache, for 3 years, 2 years ago he developed progressively lower back pain, associated with numbness and tingling sensation of the lower limbs. A year ago he experienced defecation and urinary incontinence. On further questioning the patient reported to have first degree relative with neurofibromatosis. On examination he has multiple café au laite on the trunk, back and left arm, and plexiform on the left palm, mild right deviation on thoracic region on the back. Lower limb muscle power grade 4/5 bilaterally, sensation was intact. Laboratory work up Full blood counts, electrolytes, renal and liver function tests were normal, MRI of the lumbar spine demonstrate L3/L4 and L4/l5 mild disc bulge with no significant narrowing of the primary canal and no evidence of existing nerve root impingement, increase antero-posterior diameter of dura sac involving L5-S1, with a Dural Sac Diameter of S1 increased compared to that of L4 with mild scalloping of lower lumbar vertebra and pronounced at S1 vertebral body. A diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome and dural ectasia secondary to neurofibromatosis was rendered. Lumbar peritoneal shunting, was reached as a surgical treatment for this patient, but due to inadequate and unavailability of the required shunting equipment, the patient was managed conservatively with anti- inflammatory medications, lumbar CSF tapping, genital hygiene and counselling. 3 months of follow up, the patient was able to walk, with power 5/5 to both lower limbs, however fecal and urine incontinence persisted. DISCUSSION: this case was particularly unusual due to the combination of cauda equina syndrome and dural ectasia, Dural ectasia is seen with various conditions including Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1, Ankylosing spondylitis, trauma, scoliosis or tumors it may also have no clear cause. In most cases patients with dural ectasia are asymptomatic few may present with low back pain, radicular pain in the buttocks or legs and headache and rarely caudal equina syndrome. The management of dura ectasia may be conservative for asymptomatic patient and for a symptomatic patient surgery such as stabilization, marsupialization and lumbar peritoneal shunt. CONCLUSION: Dural ectasia with cauda equina syndrome are rarely complication of neurofibromatosis. Familiarity with its classic imaging and clinical features as described in this case report can help its early detection and management.

Invasive sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma in the lumbar spine- A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma is a rare variant of low grade sarcoma with specific histologic and immunohistochemical features, and often associated with a poor prognosis. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 35-year old male who presented with 2 year history of lower back pain, radiating to both lower limbs, weakness to both lower limbs and weight loss more than 5kgs in the past 6 months, no past history of trauma, drenching night sweats, no TB contact history, no incontinence and no any comorbidities. He reported no history of alcohol intake or cigarette smoking, no history of exposure to radiations or similar presentation to his family and no features suggestive of metastasis. On examination - he had maximum midline tenderness L3-S1, no gibbous, upper limbs neurologically intact and power 3/5 to both lower limbs, sensation intact. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ill-defined osteolytic mass spanning L3 to L5, vertebral plana of L4 and involvement of the left paraspinal muscles. The tumor extended to the extradural space and was also abutting on the distal great vessels. Our intervention entailed laminectomy, tumor debulking and posterior instrumental fusion of the spine. Histopathology findings were in keeping with an invasive sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma. He had adjuvant chemotherapy with good outcome. DISCUSSION: This case was unique due to its lumbar column location, abutting the distal vessels and despite its low grade, it illustrates the malignant potential which responded well to adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Invasive SEF is an aggressive tumor that requires early diagnosis. Multi-modal treatment with surgical resection, adjuvant chemotherapy can improve patient survival and quality of life.