Sarcoid­like granulomatous inflammation in a carotid body paraganglioma: A case report and mini­review of the literature.

Sarcoid-like granulomatous inflammation (SLGI) is defined as the development of non-necrotizing epithelioid granulomas in patients who do not meet the criteria for systemic sarcoidosis. Its occurrence is known to be linked to diverse conditions, including malignancies, infections, the use of certain drugs and inorganic substances. To the best of our knowledge, the available literature to date lacks any description regarding SLGI in a paraganglioma. The present study describes the first case of SLGI in a carotid body paraganglioma (CBP). A 54-year-old female patient presented with anterior neck swelling for 27 years without any other symptoms. An ultrasonography revealed a multinodular goiter with retrosternal extension and a solid lesion on the right side of the neck measuring 40x30x22 mm, which was suggestive of a CBP. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy, and the right-side cervical mass was resected via another longitudinal incision. A histopathological examination of the thyroid specimen revealed findings of a multinodular goiter. Sections from the right-side cervical mass confirmed the diagnosis of CBP accompanied by multiple, well-formed, small-medium sized, non-necrotizing epithelioid granulomas associated with multinucleated giant cells, indicative of SLGI. Non-necrotizing epithelioid cell granulomas (as with SLGIs), identical to those observed in sarcoidosis, may rarely be observed in patients who do not meet the criteria of systemic sarcoidosis; however, they have been observed in association with various neoplasms. It is thus crucial to distinguish them from actual sarcoidosis, as misdiagnoses may lead to severe consequences. The presence of SLGIs accompanying a paraganglioma is an extremely rare phenomenon. Due to this, it is difficult to conclude if it confers a better prognosis or not.

Sonographic measurement of splenic size and its correlation with body parameters.

There are controversies regarding the normal size of the adult spleen and its correlation with age, sex and body parameters. The present study aimed to establish a reference value of splenic dimensions, volume and their correlations with different body parameters. The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 healthy adult volunteers of both sexes. Age, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The ultrasound measurements of spleen parameters included length, thickness and width. The spleen volume was calculated using the standard prolate ellipsoid formula (length x thickness x width x0.523). The mean ± SD age was 38.7±14 years, the mean height was 166±9.9 cm, the mean weight was 74.7±15.8 kg and the mean BMI was 27±5 kg/m2. The mean spleen length, thickness, width and volume were 10.68±1.28 cm, 4.1±0.58 cm, 7.3±0.9 cm and 174.4±52.4 ml, respectively. Males had larger spleen parameters than females. Spleen volume significantly correlated with the subjects' height (r=0.655, P<0.001) and weight (r=0.643, P<0.001). However, weaker correlations were detected between age (r=-0.238, P<0.001) and BMI (r=0.299, P<0.001) with spleen volume. A higher significant correlation was found between spleen volume and spleen length rather than with its thickness and width. In the present study, the normative data of splenic dimensions and volume have been provided and may be used in certain clinical situations.

Pattern of facial nerve palsy during parotidectomy: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to report and analyze the prevalence of permanent facial nerve paralysis following parotidectomy for various benign and malignant lesions in a single center. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent parotidectomy (total and superficial) for benign and malignant tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases during a 6-year period. Patients who had previously undergone an operation of the parotid gland and those with preoperative facial weakness were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 127 patients ranging in age from 14 to 83 years (median, 45.89 years). Most patients were female (n = 83, 65.4%). The most prevalent procedure was superficial parotidectomy (n = 117, 92.1%), followed by total parotidectomy (n = 6, 4.7%). The average operative duration was 138 minutes (range, 80-400 minutes). Histopathology revealed that 109 (85.8%) patients had benign tumors, 14 (11.0%) had malignant tumors, and 4 (3.1%) had chronic sialadenitis. Only two patients sustained an injury to the cervical branch of the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: In this single-center experience of parotid surgery, the rates of transient and permanent facial paralysis were acceptably low at 9.0% and 1.6%, respectively, for all pathologies.

Post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis; a meta-analysis study.

Introduction; Pulmonary fibrosis is a frequently reported COVID-19 sequela in which the exact prevalence and risk factors are yet to be established. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the prevalence of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) and the potential risk factors. Methods; CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify English language studies published up to December 3, 2021. Results; The systematic search initially revealed a total of 618 articles - of which only 13 studies reporting 2018 patients were included in this study. Among the patients, 1047 (51.9%) were male and 971 (48.1%) were female. The mean age was 54.5 years (15-94). The prevalence of PCPF was 44.9%. The mean age was 59 years in fibrotic patients and 48.5 years in non-fibrotic patients. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the only comorbidity associated with PCPF. Fibrotic patients more commonly suffered from persistent symptoms of dyspnea, cough, chest pain, fatigue, and myalgia (p-value < 0.05). Factors related to COVID-19 severity that were associated with PCPF development included computed tomography score of ≥18, ICU admission, invasive/non-invasive mechanical ventilation, longer hospitalization period, and steroid, antibiotic and immunoglobulin treatments (p-value < 0.05). Parenchymal bands (284/341), ground-glass opacities (552/753), interlobular septal thickening (220/381), and consolidation (197/319) were the most common lung abnormalities found in fibrotic patients. Conclusion, About 44.9% of COVID-19 survivors appear to have developed pulmonary fibrosis. Factors related to COVID-19 severity were significantly associated with PCPF development.

Post COVID-19 transverse myelitis; a case report with review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Recently, various complications have been reported. The aim of the current study is to report a rare case of transverse myelitis after recovering from COVID-19. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old lady, presented with inability to walk for one day duration due to the lower limb weakness. After two weeks from the recovery of COVID-19; she developed progressive intermittent leg pain, paresthesia and weakness on both sides. Brain and cervical MRI showed evidence of a short segment inflammatory enhancing lesion at upper cervical region (at C1 level). The patient was treated conservatively. DISCUSSION: Transverse myelitis has many different causes, it occurs as an autoimmune phenomenon post-infection and vaccination, or it may result from direct infection or acquired demyelinating disease like multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION: Although it is a sporadic finding, SARS-CoV-2 can cause transverse myelitis. The condition responds to medical therapy.

Scarf pin inhalation; presentation and management; a case series.

BACKGROUND: Pin inhalation is an accidental entry of a pin into the respiratory passages. This study aims to shed the light on pin inhalation as a hazard and show the magnitude of such preventable thoracic problem and determine the safest method of management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective single center case series, conducted during 18 month period from January 2016 to April 2017, All patients with pin inhalation had been collected and analyzed according to the age, gender, time between aspiration to presentation and symptoms and signs, number of attempts, bronchoscopic or open removal of the pins with complications. RESULTS: The total number of patients in this study was 162. The mean age was 11years. Pin inhalation accident was more common in patients less than 10 years in males and less than 20 years in females. The most common gender was female (73%). The most common presenting symptom was cough (54%). The left tracheobronchial tree was the most common site for pin lodgment 107 (67.3%) followed by the right side 23 (14.4%). The majority of the pins were extracted in one piece (94%). Thoracotomy was done in one patient, no death reported. CONCLUSION: Sharp pin inhalation is a serious hazard and can have lethal outcome. History is the major parameter to start the diagnosis of pin inhalation and radiography is the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis.

Post-thyroidectomy tracheocutaneous fistula; A case report with literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Total thyroidectomy represents one of the commonest procedures performed for thyroid diseases. The aim of this paper is to report a rare case of tracheocutaneous fistula after total thyroidectomy. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-age female presented with left side neck swelling for 2 month duration. Neck ultrasound showed a well-defined left thyroid nodule (25 × 15 × 14 mm) with features highly suggestive of malignancy, under general anesthesia total thyroidectomy was performed. On the third postoperative day, the patient came back with neck swelling especially during speaking, there was subcutaneous emphysema, wound opened with residual air leak. Under local anesthesia, the wound opened, there was 10 × 10 mm opening in the anterior aspect of trachea, a tracheostomy was inserted, the patient was sent home after decannulation with an opening in the anterior neck. Twenty days later the tracheal opening closed spontaneously. DISCUSSION: The possibility of a tracheal wall ischemic necrosis is plausible due to cautery use. Some autopsy studies have demonstrated that small branches of inferior thyroid artery form the main blood supply of the upper segment of trachea. These fragile branches have a lateral entry point that can be damaged readily leading to ischemia and necrosis. CONCLUSION: Ischemic tracheal necrosis, although very rare, is possible after total thyroidectomy, minimal use of electro-cautery is advised whenever possible.

Large vessel thrombosis in patient with COVID-19, a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of the large vessels is rarely reported and poorly understood in cases of Corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19). The aim of this study is to present a series of cases with large vessel thrombosis (LVT). METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective case series study. The participants were consecutive in order. All the patients were diagnosed as cases of COVID-19 with documented LVT were included in the study. Large vessels were defined as any vessel equal or larger than popliteal artery. The mean duration of follow up was 4 months. RESULTS: The study included 22 cases, 19 (86.4%) cases were male, 3 (13.6%) patients were females. The age ranged from 23 to 76 with a mean of 48.4 years. Four (18.2%) cases had pulmonary embolism confirmed by IV contrast enhanced chest CT scan. All of the cases showed pulmonary parenchymal ground glass opacities (GGO) and high D-Dimers (ranging from 1267 to 6038 ng/ml with a mean of 3601 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is a hidden risk factor of LVT that may endanger the patient's life and lead to major amputation. Despite therapeutic anticoagulants still all COVID-19 patients are at risk for LVT, a high index of suspicion should be created and with minimal symptoms surgical consultation should be obtained.

Intermammary pilonidal sinus: The first case series.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is an inflammatory condition caused by hair penetration into the epidermis. It occurs usually in sacro-coccygeal area. Intermammary pilonidal sinus is a very rare variant with a few case reports in literature. The aim of this study is to highlight the presentation and management of intermammary pilonidal sinus. METHOD: A retrospective multicenter case series. Including all cases of intermammary PNS admitted to either of 5 major tertiary hospitals in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Inclusion criteria were any case of intermammary PNS diagnosed by histopathological examination. The data were taken from the medical records and direct interview with the patients. RESULTS: The case series included 12 patients, all case were female. The age range was from 13 to 29. All of cases were obese with body mass index (BMI) ranged between 30.1-32.2kg/m2. All of them presented with discharge for a long time ranging between four weeks to two years. Nine cases (75) were diagnosed preoperatively as cases of infected sebaceous cysts. Resection and direct closure without flap were done for nine (75%) of them and in other three cases (25%), the PNS were resected and left for secondary healing. Three of the patients (25%) developed recurrence. CONCLUSION: Intermammary PNS occurs in young, obese ladies with large breasts which are kept in tight brassieres. Resection and primary closure is the main method of management.