Sequestered disc herniation mimicking psoas abscess: A rare case report.

Intervertebral disc herniation is common condition, with majority occurring in lumbar and cervical spine. Most lumbar disk herniations occur within the spinal canal, with approximately 7%-10% identified within the foramen or extraforaminal location. Extraforaminal disc herniation in extreme lateral, retroperitoneal or anterior terms are used when disc material is seen towards anterolateral or anterior to the spine. Disc herniation in these locations is easily mistaken for an abscess or a neoplasm especially when it is not connected to the parent disc (sequestered disc). We describe a case of 60-year male who initially was misdiagnosed as psoas abscess and subjected to invasive investigation which later turned out to be histologically confirmed disc sequestration in the retroperitoneum. Thus, knowledge of this condition is essential in avoiding unnecessary workup and treatment.

High-resolution computed tomography temporal bone imaging in achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is a genetic condition caused by disordered endochondral ossification, which leads to rhizomelic dwarfism and midfacial hypoplasia. Additionally, several morphologic changes in the temporal bone are thought to at least partially contribute to hearing loss in these patients. We present a patient with achondroplasia who presented with hearing loss and was referred to radiology for temporal bone imaging. High-resolution computed tomography of temporal bones demonstrated several interesting morphological abnormalities characteristic of achondroplasia.

Infraoptic anterior cerebral artery or carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis: A very rare embryological variation. Case series and review of literature.

PURPOSE: An infraoptic course of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is a rare cerebrovascular variation that can be associated with anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The purpose of this study is: 1. Describe infraoptic ACA or Carotid-ACA anastomosis. 2. Discuss the embryology. 3. Demonstrate this rare variation on CT/MR angiography. 4. Discuss its clinical significance. 5. Understand the anatomy for appropriate management of associated vascular pathology (Anterior communicating aneurysm). 6. METHODS: We describe 2 cases with CT/MR angiographic findings of this rare vascular variation along with review of embryology and literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Generally, ACA arises from the internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus and runs medially superior to the optic nerves and communicates with contralateral ACA through the anterior communicating artery. An infraoptic course of the A1 segment of the ACA is associated with a low ICA bifurcation, usually located intradurally at or just above the level of the origin of the ophthalmic artery. Rarely, infraoptic origins of A1 are proximal or at the level of origin of the ophthalmic arteries and arise below the optic strut possibly extradurally. Abberant ACA course has been shown to be associated with aneurysms which needs prompt recognition, to allow optimum treatment planning (surgical/endovascular). Our first case has bilateral infraoptic ACA seen on CT angiography. The second case has ipsilateral (right) infraoptic ACA with associated anterior communicating artery aneurysm.

Imaging right lower quadrant pain: Not always appendicitis.

Although acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the commonest causes of right lower quadrant abdominal pain (RLQP), there are numerous other conditions in the abdomen and pelvis that can simulate the clinical presentation of AA for which imaging is essential in detection. We discuss the approach to evaluation of patients presenting with acute onset RLQP and the choice of various imaging modalities that can be utilized. Although CT remains the workhorse in evaluation, US and MRI, given lack of radiation, play an important ancillary role, particularly in the pediatric and pregnant patients. We present a spectrum of conditions presenting with RLQP which we have classified systematically ranging from conditions affecting the bowel, mesentery/omentum/peritoneum, vasculature, urinary and reproductive systems to give the reader a checklist of conditions to consider when evaluating a case of RLQP.

Traumatic vertebral artery injury: a review of the screening criteria, imaging spectrum, mimics, and pitfalls.

PURPOSE: Traumatic vertebral artery injury (TVAI) can have a varied clinical presentation and appearance on imaging. In this review, we present the screening criteria, spectrum of imaging features, grading, and imaging pitfalls of TVAI. Our review focuses on the imaging of TVAI on computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and cases of TVAI mimics. IMAGING: The imaging spectrum on CTA can range from either focal or long segment luminal stenosis (the most common findings), smooth or tapered narrowing of lumen, string of pearls appearance, concentric intramural haematoma, intimal flap (the most definite sign), and double lumen of the artery. On time-of-flight MRA, the most common findings include loss of flow void within the vessel due to slow flow, thrombosis or occlusion, and hyperintense signal within the vessel wall due to intramural haematoma on T1 fat-saturated images. CONCLUSION: The reader should be aware of the screening criteria, common and uncommon findings, variant anatomy, artifacts, and mimics of TVAI when evaluating cases of craniocervical trauma, to be competent in calling in or ruling out injury.

Dilated Appendix: Is There More to It? Case Report and Brief Review of Literature with Radiologic-Pathological Correlation.

Mucocele of the appendix is rare and represents only the tip of the iceberg of underlying benign and malignant pathological processes. Intraoperative diagnosis is also tricky because the inflammation of the appendix often hides the tumor. The preoperative diagnosis is essential to differentiate appendiceal mucocele from acute appendicitis as the treatment varies from open surgical versus laparoscopic surgical approach and for decreasing intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality rate. We present three cases of appendiceal mucocele. The purpose of this paper is to make the physicians aware of the entity, its associations and the effect on management. This review will provide radiologic and pathologic correlation for the preoperative diagnosis of benign and malignant causative processes and differential diagnostic considerations.

Understanding Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation - A Comprehensive Review of Imaging and Literature.

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is displacement of spinal cord through a dural or arachnoidal defect. Most patients present with back pain or myelopathy, paresthesia, and sensory or motor weakness. Imaging findings include anterior displacement of the cord with possible kink, no filling defect on CT myelography, and no restricted diffusion/mass lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. Abrupt kink in the spinal cord or widened cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space can be caused by a variety of reasons. The differential considerations include arachnoid web, intradural extramedullary epidermoid or arachnoid cyst, abscess or cystic schwannoma. We discuss the features, imaging, differentials, and treatment of ISCH as a rare cause of such kink in the cord. While reading such cases, a radiologist should include the location, segments involved, cord signal abnormality, visible defect, scalpel sign or C-sign, ventral cord kink, nuclear trail sign, the ventral CSF space preservation, or obliteration and the type.

A potential role of toll-like receptors, IFN-γ and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in the pathogenesis of acquired mediastinal lymphatic malformation.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder with non-caseating granulomas in various organs. The etiology of sarcoid granuloma formation is not clear and likely an antigen-induced process. We came across a previously treated sarcoidosis patient who presented with worsening dyspnea on exertion for several months and several days of difficulty swallowing. On Chest CT imaging, large posterior mediastinal mass was found that subsequently diagnosed as macrocystic lymphatic malformation after surgical resection. Pathophysiology of development of acquired lymphatic malformations in a sarcoidosis patient is currently not clear. We hypothesize there might be a complex interplay of Toll-like receptors, IFN-γ and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in the pathogenesis.

Pancreatic echinococcosis.

Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It most frequently involves the liver, followed by the lung. Pancreatic echinococcosis is very rare, even in endemic areas, with an incidence of 0.14% to 0.2%. We describe a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with epigastric pain for 1 month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a 4.0-cm hypodense mass in the pancreatic head and an uncinate process with suggestion of hyperdense/enhancing curvilinear densities. Magnetic resonance imaging with and without intravenous contrast showed a nonenhancing cystic mass. Endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated a cystic structure with curvilinear floating membranes consistent with the water lily sign, pathognomonic of hydatid disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for echinococcal antigen was positive.

Bisystolic Vertebral Artery: Critical Finding or can be Ignored?

The carotid Doppler imaging findings in three adults presenting with vertigo, transient speech difficulty and for cardiac prebypass graft surgery revealing two systolic peaks in one of the vertebral arteries. In presteal situations, vertebral artery waveform shows two systolic peaks with sharp first and rounded second systolic peak or two systolic peaks with a deep cleft between the two peaks with antegrade flow. With increase in stenosis to more than 80% there is bidirectional flow and later flow reversal. We discuss the types of presteal vertebral artery waveforms, its clinical implications and brief review of literature.

Recurrent diabetic myonecrosis -an under-diagnosed cause of acute painful swollen limb in long standing diabetics.

Diabetic myonecrosis (DMN) is an under-diagnosed complication of long-standing poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. It presents as abrupt pain and swelling of the extremity, mostly lower limbs. Diagnosis is often delayed as it mimics a number of clinical entities such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis and malignancy. Failure to properly identify this condition can result in increased morbidity through exposure to unnecessary tests and biopsy. A 56-year-old male with a history of complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension presented to emergency with gradually worsening left calf pain for last 2 weeks. A lower-extremity venous Doppler was negative for DVT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of muscle edema likely of inflammatory etiology. Muscle biopsy revealed myonecrosis with ischemic myopathy and was negative for vasculitis or inflammatory myopathy. He was managed conservatively and his symptoms resolved in 4 weeks. After 6 months he had recurrence in right thigh which was managed conservatively too. Given these findings, a diagnosis of recurrent diabetic myonecrosis was made. Myonecrosis is a less known microvascular complications of diabetes and should always be keep in mind when evaluating a diabetic patient with muscle pain. Diagnosis can be made on MRI in appropriate clinical settings. The clinical course is usually self-limiting and patients respond well to supportive medical therapy that involves bed rest, strict glycemic control along with analgesic.

Isolated intraparenchymal tension pneumocephalus.

Pneumocephalus after trauma is not uncommon but rarely develops into tension pneumocephalus. Delayed-onset spontaneous tension pneumocephalus is rare, and delayed-onset isolated intraparenchymal/intracerebral tension pneumocephalus is even more so. We describe a 35-year-old man who presented with urinary incontinence, left eye vision loss, and nasal discharge/cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea 2 months after recovering from bifrontal hemorrhagic contusions following a road traffic accident. Intraparenchymal/intracerebral tension pneumocephalus was diagnosed with computed tomography and the patient was taken for an urgent decompressive surgery along with repair of the skull base defect.

Isolated spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea as a rare presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Case reports with comprehensive review of literature.

Isolated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea as a sole presenting symptom of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is extremely rare. IIH typically presents with headache, pulsatile tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbance. We report two cases which presented with acute onset spontaneous CSF rhinorrhoea without any other symptom. In addition, we discuss in detail imaging features of IIH with review of its literature.