Isolated extra-sinus subcutaneous mucocele: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Paranasal sinus mucoceles are epithelialized cystic masses formed through the accumulation of sterile mucus. Mucoceles are expansile lesions, and their symptoms change according to their extension into the surrounding structures: anteriorly to the subcutaneous tissue, laterally to the orbit, or posteriorly to the cranium. Herein, we report the case of a pediatric patient with an isolated subcutaneous mucocele with no sinus connection. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Physical examination revealed a non-tender fluctuating round mass approximately 4 cm in diameter in the right supraorbital region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested a mucocele, and the diagnosis was confirmed via histopathological examinations postoperatively. The patient underwent a combined surgical approach that included an endoscopic transseptal approach to the frontal sinus with a right sub-brow incision and drain placement. The right frontal sinus was opened, and the mucocele was marsupialized. At the 3-month follow-up visit, the frontal sinus neo-ostium appeared patent on endoscopic examination, and the frontal sinuses were clear on imaging. DISCUSSION: The optimal treatment for frontal mucoceles is marsupialization and adequate sinus drainage. As the patient had an isolated subcutaneous extra-sinus mucocele above the orbit, a combined approach was used to ensure thorough removal of the lesion to reduce the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: This report emphasizes the importance of using a combined approach for the removal of lesions and limiting the potential risk of recurrence in similar cases.

A misdiagnosed aneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: An aneurysm is characterized by the weakening of the arterial wall, which leads to a bulge that can be filled with blood. Aneurysms of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery are rare and predominantly detected incidentally. This is a report of multiple misdiagnoses of an aneurysm of the petrous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) that highlights its imaging-based diagnosis and risk of mortality. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 60-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease and a history of stroke presented with left ear discharge, decreased hearing, and non-pulsatile tinnitus that had persisted for four months. Clinical examination showed wet tympanic membrane perforation, and imaging revealed an ill-defined infiltrative mass involving the left petrous apex initially misdiagnosed as glomus jugulare. Diagnostic computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a left aneurysm in the petrous part of the ICA, which was successfully treated with interventional radiology. Follow-up was planned for infectious diseases and internal medicine, but she was lost to follow-up by the otolaryngology department. DISCUSSION: Aneurysms in the petrous portion of the ICA are rare and usually asymptomatic. However, their clinical manifestations vary, and they have various differential diagnoses. CT and magnetic resonance imaging are essential for diagnosis, and CT angiography is the gold standard. CONCLUSION: Diagnosing petrous ICA aneurysms requires a high level of suspicion and CT angiography. Their clinical presentations vary from asymptomatic to severe. Case-specific management and endovascular treatment yield positive neurological outcomes.

Effect of Intralesional Steroid Injections Among Patients with Acquired Laryngotracheal Stenosis Undergoing Endoscopic Balloon Dilation Using Pulmonary Function Tests.

Objectives: Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is characterized by an abnormal decrease in the upper airway diameter. The pulmonary function test (PFT) is an effective adjunctive diagnostic tool for upper airway obstruction. LTS can be managed with either open surgery or less invasive endoscopic approaches, among which endoscopic balloon dilation is the main method; this may include concurrent intralesional steroid injection (ILSI), which has the potential of improving the outcomes. However, the effectiveness of ILSI is unclear. We aimed to compare the improvement in PFT parameters among patients with acquired LTS following endoscopic balloon dilation who received and did not receive ILSIs. We also compared the recurrence times and rates between the 2 patient cohorts. Methods: We retrospectively collected data regarding pre- and postoperative PFTs, as well as inter-dilation interval records, obtained between June 2015 and April 2020. Results: We included 34 patients with acquired etiologies. The most common cause of stenosis was intubation (52.9%), followed by trauma (29.4%). Further, 52.9% of the patients received ILSIs. Symptom recurrence was reported in 23 (67.6%) cases, with no significant between-group difference -0.1389 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.4483, 0.1705]. The mean (standard deviation) duration of the first reintervention was 8.62 (8.00) and 7.38 (3.20) months among patients who did and did not receive ILSIs, respectively (mean difference -1.23, P = .614, 95% CI -6.30, 3.84). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that PFT parameters improved following endoscopic balloon dilation, with forced expiratory volume in 1 second being significantly higher with concurrent ILSI. However, there was no between-method difference in the treatment effectiveness. Additionally, the restenosis recurrence rate was consistent with that reported in the literature.

Metastatic Malignant Glomus Jugulare Tumor: A Rare Case Report with Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Approach.

BACKGROUND Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine neoplasms derived from paraganglia of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Parasympathetic ganglia-derived tumors, also called non-chromaffin, are located almost exclusively in the neck and skull base and are usually non-secretory and inactive. A case of malignant glomus jugulare with a metastatic cervical lymph node is described here. CASE REPORT A 24-year-old woman was referred to an otolaryngology clinic for concern of voice change for 1 month, which was associated with right progressive hearing loss, pulsating tinnitus, and right facial weakness. A clinical examination revealed a reddish mass in the right ear behind an intact tympanic membrane with right facial weakness of House-Brackmann grade VI. A bedside flexible nasopharyngoscopy revealed an immobile right vocal fold. A computed tomography scan of the brain revealed a destructive lesion within the right jugular foramen. The patient underwent embolization followed by glomus tumor resection via infra-temporal fossa with Fisch type A approach. Pathology revealed that the tumor was an infiltrative epithelioid tumor with a spindle and nesting pattern separated by fibrovascular stroma. The submitted lateral neck lymph node revealed a metastatic tumor. CONCLUSIONS Glomus jugulare tumors are uncommon paragangliomas, and malignant behavior with metastasis is extremely rare. Metastatic tumors are often associated with facial and vagal nerves palsy. There are no histological features that distinguish malignant glomus jugulare tumors. Malignant neoplasms are characterized by the presence of metastases. Tumors of the glomus jugulare that are malignant are treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or both. However, our search of the literature revealed no clear guidelines, given the scarcity of cases. Moreover, the presence of metastasis increases the risk of death.