Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomogram Research Articles

An Innovative Therapy by Changing the Gut Microbiome for the Dual Post-Operative Complications of the Recurrent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections in the Residual Type II First Branchial Cyst and Facial Nerve Palsy

A very unusual, interesting, and challenging case of a 24-year-old female who was born with three openings in the neck. The patient had chronic abdominal gaseous distention, recurrent abdominal pain, and constipation since early infancy. The patient presented in emergency with acute painful red, hot, and tender swelling in the left upper cervical area. Laboratory studies showed high inflammatory markers and a provisional diagnosis of abscess with a sinus was made. The patient underwent an emergency incision and drainage. Sinus recurred and a sinogram showed it to be a residual cyst in the left submandibular salivary gland. The total cyst excision was attempted with resultant recurrence and grade IV facial nerve palsy. Post-operatively recurrent infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) required several courses of oral and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics with several hospital admissions with no resolution in sight. Subsequent ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed a residual infected cyst, cutaneous sinus, and a fistula opening in the left ear canal. A diagnosis of branchial cyst type II of the first brachial cleft remnant with a fistula was established with bilateral branchial fistulas of the second branchial remnants and the associated colorectal hypoganglionosis based on radiological studies. The patient refused any further operative interventions. Therefore, the option of conservative treatment of hypoganglionosis with holobiotics consisting of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, laxatives, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and dietary supplements started. All antibiotics were stopped. These therapies resulted in the resolution of residual first branchial remnants and recurrent MRSA infections with the improvement in the facial nerve palsy from grade IV to grade III-IV together with an excellent cosmetic and functional result. The patient is doing well at follow-ups being infection-free for 18 months and repeat contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) has shown complete resolution of the residual cyst, sinus, and fistula with fibrosis.

A Ruptured Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Detected With Ultrasonography: A Case Report

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm (PDAA) is a rare disease that is recognized as an intra-abdominal hemorrhage differential diagnosis. This case study reports on a ruptured PDAA case in which ultrasonography (US) proved useful for the initial diagnosis. A 60-year-old man presented to the emergency department with pain in the epigastrium and back. An abdominal US performed at presentation suggested a PDAA and intraperitoneal hemorrhage/retroperitoneal hematoma. In addition, a contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CT) revealed a hematoma extending from the upper abdomen to the pelvic floor and an aneurysmal pancreaticoduodenal artery arcade dilatation. Furthermore, emergency abdominal angiography findings revealed bleeding from a posterior-inferior PDAA, and coil embolization was performed. Postoperative progress was good, and the postoperative CT at 7 days showed no rebleeding signs and/or enlargement or new PDAA development. Therefore, the patient was discharged from the hospital 14 days after embolization.

Gunshot injury to the chest wall with an unusual bullet trajectory: A rare case report.

Introduction and importanceGunshot injuries are always a challenging case for a surgeon. Early assessment of trajectory of bullet leads to effective surgical plan. These cases require multidisciplinary approach for the satisfactory outcome.Case presentationWe present a case of 38-year-old male with gunshot injury over left anterior chest wall with an entry wound and no detectable exit wound. Contrast enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) thorax and abdomen was suggestive of an unusual route of a bullet from left anterior chest wall at the level of 5th costochondral junction to the right iliac fossa region. Emergency exploration for the bullet was performed based on CECT findings which confirmed bullet in subcutaneous plane in right iliac fossa. Patient was discharged on 3rd post-operative with satisfactory clinical improvement.Clinical discussionUnusual presentations of bullet trajectory in gunshot injury can create surgical and/or medico-legal diagnostic problems. An effective surgical plan requires an effective clinic-radiological assessment. Accurate detection of entry wound, exit wound, path and extent of tissue damage is significant in preoperative planning and prognosis of patient. However not every patient with gunshot injury has an unusual trajectory. But accurate radiological assessment in such challenging cases is a necessity. Multidisciplinary approach with preoperative planning is required for satisfactory outcome.ConclusionManagement of patients of gunshot injury is challenging for the attending surgeon. Multidisciplinary approach for preoperative planning along with good post-operative care is required in such cases of gunshot injury with atypical course.

Cecal dermoid masquerading dermoid cyst of ovary: a case report and review of the\xa0literature

BackgroundThe ovary is the most common site of occurrence of mature cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts). These are the most common ovarian germ cell tumor in the reproductive age group, accounting for 10–20% of all ovarian neoplasms, with a 1–2% risk of malignancy. A cecal dermoid cyst is a rare entity with only ten cases having been reported so far, eight of which could be retrieved as the rest were reported in different languages. None of these cases were managed laparoscopically. Here we present the first case of cecal dermoid managed laparoscopically.Case presentationA 35-year-old nulliparous Indian Hindu woman presented with complaints of on and off abdominal pain for 10 months. The abdominal examination revealed a well-defined mass of about 10 × 5 cm size, palpable in the right iliac fossa. On sonography, it was suggestive of a right-sided ovarian dermoid cyst. The lesion measured 10 × 7 × 5 cm on a contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CT) scan. It was well defined and hypodense and located in the right lower abdomen. The ovarian tumor markers were normal. On laparoscopy, the uterus, bilateral tubes, and ovaries were found to be healthy. The cyst was seen arising from the right medial wall of the cecum at the ileocecal junction, which was excised laparoscopically. Histopathological study revealed it to be a mature cystic teratoma.ConclusionOvarian mature cystic teratoma commonly has an indolent course and can present with palpable abdominal mass, pain, or vomiting due to complications like torsion, hemorrhage, or infection. Alternatively, these cysts can be asymptomatic and incidentally detected. Clinicians should be aware of the variety of presentations of dermoid cysts of the bowel as well as mesentery. The exact location of the teratoma eluded us till the laparoscopy despite adequate imaging including a contrast-enhanced CT scan having been performed preoperatively. We are reporting this as it is a rare entity, and this knowledge will help gynecologists and surgeons make an appropriate surgical decision.

Mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst in children: A case report and review of literature

Mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst (MPP) is an infrequent complication of acute pancreatitis in children. A contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) of the chest and abdomen can aid in diagnosing pleural effusion and MPP. We describe a child with MPP in whom a transcutaneous computed tomogram-guided external drainage was curative. The case is being presented, and the relevant literature is highlighted in view of rarity of this entity.

Gastric outlet obstruction and intussusception following Frey's procedure in a patient with chronic pancreatitis - A case report

Most commonly reported postoperative complications of Frey's procedure include sepsis, delayed gastric emptying, and endocrine insufficiency. Here, we report unusual complications such as gastric outlet obstruction and intussusception following Frey's procedure in the late postoperative period. A 40-year-old patient with chronic pancreatitis with common bile duct stricture who underwent Frey's procedure, presented with recurrent vomiting episodes 3 months postoperatively. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) abdomen showed features of gastric outlet obstruction. A gastrojejunostomy was carried out. The patient was asymptomatic for 2 months following which the patient presented with features of jejunojejunal intussusception confirmed on CECT, which was managed conservatively. The patient remains asymptomatic on follow-up for the past 9 months. Our experience reveals that although reports of such complications following Frey's procedure are rare, gastric outlet obstruction and intussusception can occur following Frey's procedure, and hence, the surgeon should have an index of suspicion in patients with atypical presentation.

Giant posterior mediastinal liposarcoma presenting as dysphagia: A clinico-radio-pathologic correlation

We report the rare case of a giant liposarcoma of the posterior mediastinum presenting with symptoms of dysphagia and esophageal reflux due to extrinsic compression. A contrast‑enhanced computed tomogram (CT) of the chest revealed a large fat density mass in the mid and posterior mediastinum. CT‑guided biospy showed vacuolated cells (lipoblasts) with marked nuclear atypia and indistinct cytoplasmic membrane and hyperchromatic nuclei suggesting liposarcoma.

Perivaterian duodenal diverticulum

A 65-year-old male was admitted with recurrent episodes of postprandial abdominal pain and belching associated with fever, chills, and rigor of 2 years’ duration. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the right hypochondrium. He had leukocytosis with mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase and transaminases. Serum amylase and lipase were elevated. Ultrasonogram showed evidence of acute pancreatitis with suspicion of a duodenal diverticulum. Contrast enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) confirmed an extraluminal diverticulum in the medial wall of the second part of the duodenum close to the papilla of Vater (Fig. 1). A sideviewing endoscopy confirmed the findings. Since the patient had recurrent episodes of cholangitis and pancreatitis, he underwent exclusion of the duodenal diverticulum in the form of Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy with duodenojejunostomy and has remained well since. Duodenal diverticula are congenital or acquired. The acquired variety is more common, and in 56 % to 80 % of cases, it arises from the second portion of the duodenum, usually along its medial aspect [1]. Approximately 60 % to 75 % of these diverticula are within 2 cm of the papilla of Vater and are termed perivaterian or juxta papillary diverticula [1]. Only about 10 % of extraluminal diverticula are symptomatic, and of these, 1 % will need intervention [2]. References

Porcelain gall bladder in a case of papillary renal cell carcinoma: A rare occurrence and its impact on treatment verdict

Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMN) is a rare clinical entity in which two primary malignancies are encountered in the same individual which can be synchronous (second primary within 6 months) or metachronous (beyond 6 months). We present a case of a 41-year-old male who underwent left partial nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma and it was confirmed based on histopathology. The gallbladder was normal on contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) abdomen. Follow-up CECT done 1 year later showed no enhancing masses in both kidneys, but incidentally porcelain gallbladder was detected. An elective open cholecystectomy was done for acalculous porcelain gall bladder owing to its premalignant nature. We report this case to highlight the relative risk of second primaries in patients treated for primary malignancies and that relevant premalignant conditions should be managed as possible second malignancies to avoid potential complications.

Gastrointestinal: Aortoenteric fistula

A 65 year old man with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, presented with recurrent hematemesis and melena of 20 days’ duration requiring multiple blood transfusions. Physical examination was unremarkable except for pallor. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy up to the duodenojejunal flexure and a colonoscopy were performed and found to be normal. He underwent a contrast enhanced computed tomogram (CECT) of the abdomen. The CECT of the abdomen revealed an atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm adherent to the third part of duodenum and adjacent inferior vena cava suggesting an aortoenteric fistula missed on endoscopy (Figure 1A and 1B). He was considered a high risk candidate for surgery and therefore was subjected to endovascular stent graft placement (Advanta V12 covered stent 16 mm × 61 mm, Atrium; Figure 2A and 2B). He did not develop any further bleeding following discharge from hospital. Contrast enhanced computed tomogram (axial image) showing A) an atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm adherent to the inferior vena cava (arrow) and B) The aneurysm is seen adherent to the 3rd part of duodenum (arrow). Digital subtraction angiogram of the abdominal aorta showing A) the aneurysm (arrow) prior to stenting and B) the aneurysm being excluded after stenting. Aortoenteric fistulas are a rare cause of acute gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, but they are associated with high mortality if undiagnosed or untreated. The third portion of the duodenum is the most common site for aortoenteric fistulas. Most patients present with an initial ‘herald’ hemorrhage that is manifested by hematemesis, melena or hematochezia. This may be followed by massive bleeding and exsanguination. The classic presentation is that of an elderly patient with massive upper GI hemorrhage, a pulsatile abdominal mass and abdominal (or back) pain. However, this triad is present in only 11% of patients. Our case was unusual with respect to the intermittent character of the hemorrhage lasting for almost a month. Intermittent bleeding is possible when a blood clot temporarily seals the fistula. A negative upper GI endoscopy can be explained by thrombus formation, presence of a tiny fistula or hypotension. The most common cause of primary aortoenteric fistulas is an atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm (as was seen in our case); other causes include infectious aortitis due to syphilis or tuberculosis. Secondary aortoenteric fistulas are caused by a prosthetic abdominal aortic vascular graft eroding into the duodenum, penetrating duodenal ulcer, tumour invasion, trauma, radiation therapy, and foreign body perforation. CECT of the abdomen is helpful with a detection rate of 30–61%. Surgery is generally the preferred mode of treatment. Age and major coexisting illnesses increase the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery. The advent of interventional radiology and endovascular stent graft placement has resulted in a quicker, safer and more successful management of this life threatening entity. Contributed by

Paradoxical Response of Intracranial Tuberculoma during Treatment

Paradoxical Response of Intracranial Tuberculoma during Treatment

Changing Concepts of Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis

Three hundred five acoustic neuromas were reviewed to determine the sensitivity of combining the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and the intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomogram (CT) as screening tests for acoustic neuroma diagnosis. The ABR detected 98% of the tumors. The enhanced CT demonstrated 97% of tumors larger than 1.5 cm, but only 48% of neuromas 1.5 cm or smaller. The combination of both ABR and enhanced CT, used as the initial screening tests, identified 99% of the neuromas. We conclude that ABR, with enhanced CT as needed, is an accurate screening protocol. This method can be used as an alternative to the traditional ABR, electronystagmography, and internal auditory canal tomograms.