Germinoma of the basal ganglia and thalamus--CT and MRI findings.

A case of germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus is presented. This tumour most commonly originates during childhood and adolescence, at pineal and suprasellar regions. In the early stages, the diagnosis of germinoma in the basal ganglion and thalamus is difficult because of its rarity and non-specific findings. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings though non-diagnostic, are discussed here. A few differential diagnoses had been discussed with radiological abnormality. Open biopsy done in this case proved to be two-cell pattern germinoma. Early detection of the tumour is desirable, since this tumour is highly sensitive to radio and chemotherapy and is potentially curable. Our patient was treated with combined chemotherapy and the response was well and no residual tumour or recurrence was seen on the repeated imaging modality, however his neurological deficits remained unchanged.

Hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma: a case report and radiological findings.

Primary tumours of the liver are uncommon in childhood. Of these, more than two-thirds are malignant. As such, benign hepatic tumours are often not considered in the differential diagnosis of a hepatic mass in childhood. We report a case of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma, a rare benign tumour, in a 10-month-old infant. This tumour is characterised by an admixture of ductal structures within a copious loose connective tissue stroma. Only approximately 160 cases had been reported in the literature. Awareness of the ultrasound (U/S) and computed tomography (CT) features, although not diagnostic, is helpful in distinguishing it from the more common malignant tumours. A correct preoperative diagnosis is important as surgical excision is often curative.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the sinuses and cranial basis successfully treated with radiochemotherapy. A case report.

The frustration and disappointment in managing advanced cancers of the nose and paranasal sinuses are well known. We report a case of a successful treatment of such a tumour in a 37-year-old soldier, using a combination of therapy including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Each mode of treatment is discussed.

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) vegetations and spontaneous obliteration of a large ruptured intracranial mycotic aneurysm in a case of infective endocarditis.

A 10-year-old girl with mild aortic regurgitation presented with cerebral infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed vegetations on the septal wall of the left ventricular outflow tract without involvement of the aortic valve itself. After successful antibiotic treatment the patient developed an intra-cranial haemorrhage due to rupture of a large intracranial mycotic aneurysm. Consent for surgical treatment of the mycotic aneurysm was not obtained. Twelve months later repeat angiography showed that the aneurysm had undergone spontaneous obliteration.

The role of computed tomography in the evaluation of retinoblastoma.

To assess the importance of Computed Tomography(CT) in the evaluation of retinoblastoma, we reviewed thirteen cases of retinoblastoma which presented at Hospital University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, from August 1986 to June 1991. High resolution computed tomography of the orbits was performed in all patients prior to therapy. Nine patients (69%) had unilateral and four (31%) had bilateral retinoblastoma. The interesting features were the remarkably high incidence in the right eye (89%) as compared to the left eye (11%) in unilateral retinoblastoma, and overall predominance of the male population (male to female ratio was 2:1). Computed tomography detected intraocular calcification in 82% of the tumourous eyes. All patients presented at late stages when tumours were of large size. The presence of calcification was not related to the size of the tumour. CT detected calcification in a suspected retinoblastoma with a high degree of accuracy. Computed tomographic evidence of intraocular calcification in children under 3 years of age is highly suggestive of retinoblastoma.

A case of Dandy Walker cyst with porencephaly.

A 27-year-old gravida two para one mother delivered a term male baby by caesarean section. The baby was referred for enlarged head. This neonate with large head was found to have Porencephalic cyst with dilated Triventricular system. There was a posterior fossa cyst communicating with fourth ventricle. A diagnosis of Dandy Walker Cyst with Porencephaly was made. Ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt was done on the ninth day of life. The baby had an uneventful postoperative period and was subsequently discharged.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with secondaries at the porta hepatis presenting as obstructive jaundice.

Recent reports have dispelled the previously held concept that head and neck cancer rarely metastases beyond the cervical lymph nodes. Nasopharyngeal cancer has been reported to have a higher incidence of distant metastases compared to other head and neck cancers, the common sites being bone, lung and liver. A case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice because of secondaries at the porta hepatis is presented here.