Computed tomography imaging features for amyloid dacryolith in the nasolacrimal excretory system: A case report

BACKGROUNDNasolacrimal duct obstruction leading to epiphora is a common ophthalmologic complaint, and it may derive from amyloidosis in rare cases. There are a few reports about localized amyloidosis, and amyloidosis with involvement and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is exceedingly rare. CASE SUMMARYA 54-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a lump overlying the left lacrimal sac that had grown rapidly for nearly half a year. Physical examination touched a firm lump in the left lacrimal sac. Nasal endoscopy discovered lesions in appearance of sediments with easy bleeding at the entry of the nasolacrimal duct of the left inferior nasal meatus. Computerized tomography scan revealed speckle high density in the left lacrimal sac and the dilated nasolacrimal duct. During an endoscopic exploration and excision, a large number of dacryoliths were exposed. Pathology indicated amorphous pink material and multinucleated giant cell reaction in the fibrous tissue.CONCLUSIONThis case showed amyloidosis in localized form mimicking dacryolith with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In clinical practice, we should be aware of the possibility of localized amyloidosis in the nasolacrimal excretory system.     

Transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and embolization for primary lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUNDAlthough tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare, they represent a potentially life-threatening situation that can easily be overlooked since patients present with features consistent with chronic dacryocystitis. Lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma is the most common lacrimal sac malignancy, but no definitive treatment is currently available. CASE SUMMARYWe describe a 34-year-old unmarried male who presented with a red and swollen right lower eyelid, which gradually developed into a mass of the lower eyelid that obstructed vision in his right eye. He was treated with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and interventional embolization based on the tumor characteristics, and we also administered intensity-modulated radiotherapy and targeted therapy after tumor shrinkage. The tumor treatment demonstrated good efficacy, and the patient’s condition was stable after 10 mo of follow-up.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first report of lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and interventional embolization, which might expand clinical treatment options for lacrimal sac carcinoma.     

产前超声诊断胎儿泪囊囊肿

目的探讨产前超声诊断胎儿泪囊囊肿的价值。方法回顾性分析12胎产前超声诊断为胎儿泪囊囊肿的声像图特征,并追踪其妊娠结局。结果产前超声检出12胎胎儿泪囊囊肿,孕周为26～36周,其中双侧3胎,单侧9胎。泪囊囊肿典型超声声像图表现为眼眶内下方见囊性无回声。6胎囊肿产前自行消失;1胎经终止妊娠后确定存在泪囊囊肿;2胎分娩后囊肿自行消失;1胎分娩后因新生儿呼吸窘迫而接受外科手术治疗;2胎失访。结论胎儿泪囊囊肿有其特征性超声表现,正确诊断有利于指导临床工作。     

Mesenteric phlebosclerosis with amyloidosis in association with the long-term use of medicinal liquor: A case report

BACKGROUND Mesenteric phlebosclerosis(MP)is a rare disease of the colon.The clinical manifestations of this disease are nonspecific and it may easily be misdiagnosed.We report a case of MP with amyloidosis in the colonic vessel walls in a patient with hypertension who had been consuming Chinese medicinal liquor for 10 years.We also review the relevant literature and summarize the characteristics of MP in patients in China's Mainland.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man was referred to our department from his primary hospital because of abdominal pain,diarrhea,and fever for almost 10 d.Computed tomography showed colon wall thickening,with threadlike calcifications in the mesenteric vein in the transverse colon.Colonoscopy revealed purple-blue mucosa with multiple ulcers in the ascending and transverse colon.Biopsy showed thickening and calcification of the vein walls,perivascular and mucosal collagen degeneration,and amyloidosis.The patient had been consuming Chinese medicinal liquor,mainly that made from gardenia fruit,for 10 years.Based on these results,a diagnosis of MP with amyloidosis was made.After conservative treatment,the patient’s discomfort subsided and he was followed closely.The use of Chinese herbal medicine was suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of MP.CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of MP are nonspecific.Recognition of its typical imaging findings,including multiple calcifications on computed tomography and purple-blue mucosal discoloration on colonoscopy,is vital.     

Esophageal superficial adenosquamous carcinoma resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection: A rare case report

BACKGROUNDAdenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), which is comprised of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma elements, is a rare histological type of esophageal carcinoma. Few reports have focused on the endoscopic findings and the effectiveness of the endoscopic treatment of early ASC.CASE SUMMARYA 77-year-old man underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for heartburn. A flat lesion with an uneven and slightly elevated central portion was found in the distal esophagus. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging showed a well-demarcated brownish area with dendritically branched abnormal vessels and highly irregular intrapapillary capillary loops. A histopathological diagnosis of SCC was obtained by endoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass confined to the mucosa layer. The lesion was suspected to be SCC with invasion into the muscularis mucosa. The lesion was resected en bloc by endoscopic submucosal dissection and histologically diagnosed as esophageal ASC limited within the muscularis mucosa, which was completely resected without lymphovascular or neural invasion. The SCC element was the pre-dominant element. The adenocarcinoma element formed ductal and nested structures distributed in a focal pattern. The patient underwent only endoscopic submucosal dissection and has been under annual endoscopic and radiographic surveillance for 3 years without recurrence.CONCLUSIONFor early ASC confined within the mucosal layer, complete endoscopic resection might also be a curative treatment.     

Management of the late effects of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND There have been few reports about the late effects of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome(DPDS). Although few reports have described the recurrence interval of pancreatitis, it might be rare for recurrence to occur more than 5 years later.Herein, we describe a case of recurrence in an 81-year-old man after the treatment of walled-off necrosis(WON) with pancreatic transection 7 years ago.CASE SUMMARY An 81-year-old man visited our hospital with chief complaints of fever and abdominal pain 7 years after the onset of WON due to severe necrotic pancreatitis. His medical history included an abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA),hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. Computed tomography(CT) scan showed that the pancreatic fluid collection(PFC) had spread to the aorta with inflammation surrounding it, and CT findings suggested that bleeding occurred from the vasodilation due to splenic vein occlusion. First, we attempted to perform transpapillary drainage because of venous dilation around the residual stomach and the PFC. However, pancreatic duct drainage failed because of complete main pancreatic duct disruption. Second, we performed endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage. After transmural drainage, the inflammation improved and stenting for the AAA was performed successfully. The inflammation was resolved, and he has been free from infection for more than 2 years after the procedure.CONCLUSION This case highlights the importance of continued follow-up of patients for recurrence after the treatment of WON with pancreatic transection.     

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic rubber band ligation of internal hemorrhoids: A case report

BACKGROUNDRubber band ligation (RBL) using rigid anoscope is a commonly recommended therapy for grade I-III symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Severe complications of RBL include pain, hemorrhage and sepsis. Flexible endoscopic RBL (ERBL) is now more commonly used in RBL therapy but few severe complications have been reported. Here we report on a case of massive bleeding after ERBL.CASE SUMMARYA 31-year-old female was admitted to the department of gastroenterology with a chief complaint of discontinuous hematochezia for 2 years. No previous history, accompanying diseases or drug use was reported. Physical examination and colonoscopy showed grade II internal hemorrhoids. The patient received ERBL therapy. Five days after ligation, the patient presented with mild hematochezia. On days 7 and 9 after ligation, she presented with a large amount of rectal bleeding, dizziness and weakness. Emergency colonoscopy revealed active bleeding and an ulcer in the anal wound. The patient received two sessions of hemoclipping on days 7 and 9 to treat the bleeding. No further bleeding was reported up to day 15 and she was discharged home. Although the hemorrhoid prolapse disappeared after ERBL, she was dissatisfied with the subsequent complications.CONCLUSIONERBL therapy is an effective treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids with satisfactory short and long-term recovery. Pain and anal bleeding are the most frequently reported postoperative complications. Coagulation disorders complicate the increased risk of bleeding. Although rarely reported, our case reminds us that those patients without coagulation disorders are also at risk of massive life-threatening bleeding and need strict follow-up after ligation.     

Cardiac amyloidosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Cardiac amyloidosis,a disease caused by the precipitation of amyloid proteins in the myocardial extracellular matrix has been historically difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific clinical manifestations and necessity of biopsy to demonstrate amyloid deposition. However,advances in cardiovascular imaging techniques have facilitated earlier recognition of this disease. In addition,while once thought of as incurable,treatment strategies are emerging for cardiac amyloidosis,making early diagnosis essential.CASE SUMMARY We outline the case of a 73 years old African American female who was admitted with sudden onset shortness of breath and found to be in cardiogenic shock.Cardiac amyloidosis was suspected due to discordance between electrocardiogram and echocardiogram findings and this was subsequently confirmed with the aid of scintigraphy and an endomyocardial biopsy.CONCLUSION Our objective is to highlight the diagnostic evaluation and clinical implications of cardiac amyloidosis.     

Pulmonary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma mimicking lymphoma in a patient with Sjogren’s syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDSjogren’s syndrome (SS), which affect salivary gland function, is an autoimmune disease. SS may involve extraglandular organs. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of SS patients have clinically significant lung disease, but presentation of pulmonary amylodosis is extremly rare. The incidence of benign monoclonal gammopathy in SS patients is high, but multiple myeloma is rare. No case involving the simultaneous occurrence of two rare diseases, pulmonary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma, in the same patient with SS has been reported so far. CASE SUMMARYA 41-year-old male patient was referred to our hematology department due to incidentally detected gastric plasmacytoma. He had been diagnosed with SS four years earlier. Multiple miliary nodules, ground glass opacity in both lung fields, and enlargement of both inguinal lymph nodes was observed on chest and abdomen computer tomography. Based on the pathological findings of lung and lymph node biopsied specimens, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. Pulmonary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma associated with SS has rarely been reported.CONCLUSIONThis is an extremely rare case of simultaneous pulmonary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma in the same patient with SS.     

Giant myxofibrosarcoma of the esophagus treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection: A case report

BACKGROUND Myxofibrosarcoma(MFS) is a fibroblast-derived sarcoma that mainly occurs in subcutaneous tissue. MFS rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the esophagus.CASE SUMMARY A 79-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital for dysphagia for a week.Computed tomography and electronic gastroscopy showed that a giant mass was located 30 cm from the incisor and extended to the cardia. There was incomplete esophageal stenosis. Endoscopic pathology showed spindle cell les...     

Gastric syphilis mimicking gastric cancer: A case report

BACKGROUNDThe nonspecific clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of gastric syphilis can establish it as an imitator of other gastric diseases. The absence of primary or secondary lubricating lesions should not prevent consideration of gastric syphilis. CASE SUMMARYA 63-year-old female patient presented to the hospital with dull pain in the middle and upper abdomen without apparent cause for one week, which was aggravated for two days. The patient had been sexually active with the same male partner for the past years, but her partner was promiscuous. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT suggested gastric cancer. The gastroscopy revealed an antral gastric ulcer with gastric retention, and also suggested gastric cancer. But no cancer cells were found in the biopsies taken during the two gastroscopies. Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) antibodies: ELISA positive, rapid plasma reagin titer 1:16. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain showed macrophage infiltration in the lamina propria. Numerous spirochetes were observed by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against T. pallidum. The patient was finally diagnosed with gastric syphilis.CONCLUSIONOnly a few cases of gastric syphilis have been misdiagnosed as gastric cancer. Penicillin can relieve symptoms of gastric syphilis.     

Intrahepatic multicystic biliary hamartoma: A case report

BACKGROUNDMulticystic biliary hamartoma (MCBH) is a rare hamartomatous nodule of the liver, which has recently been described as a new category of hepatic nodular cystic lesion. Most of them are benign. The imaging findings are similar to those of many other hepatic cystic lesions, but MCBH also has some notable features, such as large cysts, smooth cyst walls, and lack of communication with the hepatic duct. Due to the non-specific radiology, preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and is usually diagnosed by postoperative pathology. Complete resection is the best treatment option, and the postoperative prognosis is good.CASE SUMMARYWhen the patients have MCBH, the symptoms may not very typical, and they require a combination of imaging and pathology for diagnosis. Under normal circumstances, the prognosis of MCBH is good. However, in patients with MCBH, more cases need to be observed for verification.CONCLUSIONWhen the patients have MCBH, the symptoms may not very typical, and they require a combination of imaging and pathology for diagnosis. Under normal circumstances, the prognosis of MCBH is good. However, in patients with MCBH, more cases need to be observed for verification.