A case of primary psoas abscess presenting as buttock abscess

Buttock abscess is a rare clinical manifestation from unusual extrapelvic extension of psoas abscess. A 48-year-old woman presented with painful swelling of the buttock with a sense of local heat. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large subfascial abscess over the glutei muscles and was traced into the intraabdominal cavity over the iliac wing to the psoas muscle. Both the psoas abscess and the buttock abscess were evacuated via separate approaches. Empirical antibiotic therapy was delivered for 3 weeks. After 6 months, no evidence of recurrence was found. Psoas abscess could be included in the differential diagnosis of buttock abscess.     

A case presenting brain abscess with multiple infectious aneurysms

We report a case presenting a brain abscess with multiple infectious aneurysms. A 59-year-old man was transferred to our hospital suffering from left hemiparesis. MRI demonstrated a huge mass in the right frontal lobe with marked brain edema in the surrounding area. Diffusion-weighted image revealed heterogenous intensity, which is not typical in cases of brain abscess. Surgical removal was planned, and preoperative angiography was performed. Angiography demonstrated aneurysms at the distal branch of both the right middle cerebral artery and the anterior cerebral artery. These aneurysms were surgically resected, and the abscess was totally removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Left hemiparasis was resolved, and there was no ischemic lesion seen on postoperative MRI. In the treatment of brain abscess, stereotactic aspiration has recently been preferred to removal by craniotomy. We conclude that cerebral angiography might be necessary to evaluate cerebrovascular complications including infectious aneurysms, in cases presenting atypical findings in neuroimaging study.     

A case of olfactory neuroblastoma presenting symptoms of a brain metastasis--a case report

A rare case of olfactory neuroblastoma presenting symptoms as a brain metastasis is reported. A 47-year-old-man was admitted to Yamagata City Hospital complaining of head heaviness and headache attack. Neurologically, bilateral slight choked disc and right anosmia were found. The otolaryngologist in this hospital pointed out a reddish-purple polypoid tumor in the right nasal cavity. But there were no episodes of nasal bleeding or obstruction before admission. CT scan on admission showed the tumor density in the right upper nasal cavity and ethmoid sinus, which partially infiltrated into the orbital cavity, and enhanced heterogenous high density mass in the inner basal portion of the right frontal lobe. Carotid angiogram revealed a small tumor blush in the ethmoid region and avascular mass lesion in the right frontal region. On the 11th hospital day, surgical biopsy of the nasal tumor was performed by the otolaryngologist and the evident tumor cells in the fibrous tissue were observed. So the endonasal removal of the tumor and the total removal of the intracranial tumor were achieved. On operation, the continuity of intracranial tumor and nasal tumor was not observed. The histological pictures of both tumors were similar and the diagnosis was olfactory neuroblastoma. From histological and operative findings, we concluded the intracranial tumor was metastatic lesion from nasal origin. CT scan taken after the operation showed the tumor rested only in the right ethmoid sinus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A case of tularemia presenting as a dental abscess: case report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to present a tularemia case accompanied by a neck mass that easily may be confounded with dental abscess. SUMMARY: Francisella tularensis is a potential agent of biologic terrorism. Thirty percent of the symptoms seen in tularemia localize in the head and neck region and are sometimes mistaken for complications of a dental abscess. To our knowledge, reports of the differential diagnostic characteristics of tularemia are lacking in the dental literature and, to date, no dental journal articles have focused on the disease. In this present case, a 51-year-old woman arrived at the public health department with high fever and facial swelling. The findings suggested a dental origin and the patient was directed to dentistry. Radiology and a detailed intraoral and extraoral examination failed to reveal a dental problem. Fortunately, the patient was known to come from a tularemia region; with the suspicion of tularemia the patient was referred to the faculty of medicine. Serologic tests showed that the patient had a Francisella tularensis infection.     

Disseminated nocardiosis presenting as retroperitoneal abscess: a case report

A 64-year-old man presented to our emergency room with right back pain on July 10, 2009. At the emergency room, abdominal enhanced computed tomography revealed a cystic lesion in the retroperitoneum. Then he was referred to our department. We performed percutaneous drainage of the retroperitoneal lesion and aspirated white pus. The retroperitoneal cystic lesion proved to be an abscess. Microscopic examination of a Gram stained specimen of the abscess revealed gram-positive bacillary fragments ; therefore, we suspected the pathogen to be Nocardia. He had a history of chronic glomerulonephritis and had received treatment consisting of 20 mg prednisolone, and 75 mg cyclosporine per day. He was regularly visiting the department of cardiovascular for follow-up of chronic heart failure. On the day before his visit to our emergency room, his chest X-ray medicine had revealed a nodular shadow. Then he was referred to the department of respiratory medicine and was scheduled to receive a bronchoscopy later. We suspected the nodule of the lung also to be an abscess of Nocardia. Later, head computed tomography (CT) revealed a brain abscess the pathogen of which was Nocardia. Nocardia is a filamentous, gram-positive, branched bacterium and classified as an aerobic actinobacteria. Nocardia species are difficult to diagnose due to non-specific clinical and histological manifestation. We report this case of disseminated nocardiosis presenting as retroperitoneal abscess. The disseminated nocardiosis was diagnosed without delay by percutaneous drainage and appropriate treatment was provided.     

Osteosarcoma of the maxilla presenting as a chronic pyogenic abscess: A case report

IntroductionOsteosarcoma of the maxilla is recorded as the least common of all bone malignancies. It exhibits a clinical behavior and natural history distinct from their counterparts of the trunk and extremities. Transformation from a chronic pyogenic abscess of the maxilla is even more unusual.Case summaryA 70 year old lady presented to our hospital with a hard, fixed and tender bony swelling in her left cheek. She had initially presented to a different hospital with a similar presentation which was excised after imaging and post excision was found to be a chronic pyogenic abscess. The swelling reappeared within one year and on re-excision was found to be a low grade paraosteal osteosarcoma of the hard palate. CECT and PET-CT work-up at our hospital showed a left maxillary sinus growth with prominent neck lymph nodes along with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pulmonary metastasis. Final histopathology revealed ulcerated stratified squamous epithelium mucosa overlying a lesion suggestive of osteosarcoma.DiscussionComplete surgical excision with negative margins continues to be the mainstay of treatment, but osteosarcomas of maxillofacial region pose difficulties in obtaining tumour free margins because of their complex anatomy around the cranium. Surgery may be complemented by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Small size of the tumour and low-grade histology have been assumed to reflect a better prognosis.ConclusionOsteosarcoma of maxillofacial region has variable appearance clinically as well as radiologically posing a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Any chronic abscess or recurrent cheek swelling thus necessitates further suspicion and requires a full work-up to rule out this high risk malignancy.     

Syringomyelia presenting as a delayed complication of treatment for nocardia brain abscess

OBJECTIVE: Syringomyelia is defined as a dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord which often leads to neurologic impairment. Syringomyelia has not previously been reported as a late complication for the treatment of brain abscess. In this report, we review a case involving this unusual association. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 25 year-old woman sustained a nocardia brain abscess initially presenting as a pulmonary infection. Treatment led to the development of multiloculated hydrocephalus and syringomyelia. INTERVENTION: Treatment included placement of multiple ventriculoperitoneal shunts and a syringo-pleural shunt. This resulted in stabilization of neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION: The possibility of developing syringomyelia should be considered in any case involving post-infectious hydrocephalus.     

A case of hemorrhage into a brain abscess

A rare case of hemorrhage into a brain abscess in a 23-year-old man is reported. The patient complained of headache and low-grade fever on February 26, 1986. Two days later, he developed right hemiparesis and right hemisensory disturbance with mild consciousness disturbance and was admitted to a local hospital. Seven days after the onset, he suddenly became semicomatose, developed anisocoria and was consequently transferred to the University Hospital. On admission, his temperature was 37.5 degrees C and neurological examination revealed semicoma, anisocoria and right hemiparesis without nuchal rigidity. Enhanced CT scan showed a high density area within an irregular ring enhancement at the left basal ganglia. At that time, malignant glioma was diagnosed and an emergency operation was performed by left frontotemporal craniectomy. During the operation blood clot was found in the posterior part of the basal ganglia. After operation, a histological examination was made and a brain abscess was diagnosed. Gram staining revealed gram-positive bacillus. By aspiration of the abscess and chemotherapy, recovery was gradually made. He was discharged with motor dysphasia and mild right hemiparesis three months later. Differentiation between abscess and malignant glioma and the cause of the hemorrhage are discussed.     

Tuboovarian abscess presenting as sciatic pain: case report

The authors report the successful conservative treatment of a tuboovarian abscess in a 25-year old woman who presented with low grade fever and severe right sciatic pain. Computed tomography and ultrasonography corroborated a clinical diagnosis of tuboovarian abscess after an initial diagnosis of epidural abscess had been made. This is the first report of a tuboovarian abscess presenting principally as sciatic pain. The diagnosis and treatment of this lesion are discussed.     

Acute appendicitis presenting as an abdominal wall abscess: A case report

IntroductionAmyand hernia (AH) is a rare type of hernia characterized by the presence of appendix vermiformis in the inguinal hernial sac. It is rarely reported in women.Presentation of caseWe presented a case of a 60- year old woman who was admitted initially with an abdominal wall abscess and found to have perforated appendix in the right inguinal hernia. The patient underwent standard open appendectomy and the post-operative course was uneventful.DiscussionThe initial presentation of our case as an abdominal wall abscess is rare in the contemporary literature.ConclusionsA high index of suspicious, early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are the keys to have favorable outcome in amyand hernia. The management should follow general guidelines of appendectomy, hernia repair and dealing with the associated pathology if present.     

A case of amebic brain abscess

Amebic brain abscess is a rare and usually fatal complication of Entamoeba histolytica infections. We successfully treated a patient with this infection accompanied by brain, liver and pulmonary abscesses. Treatment consisted of administration of metronidazole through a nasogastric tube, and drainage of the brain abscess. A 51-year-old male patient presented with a two-week history of fever, severe back pain, and chest pain. Liver and pulmonary abscesses were drained upon admission. Biopsy of the colon showed infection by Entamoeba histolytica. After oral administration of metronicazole, the patient became somnolent, and neurological examination showed left side weakness. CT scan and MRI of the brain disclosed an abnormal lesion in the right basal ganglia. He was then transferred to our department, where stereotactic aspiration with drainage of the brain abscess was performed. The abscess was filled with reddish purulent material. Treatment with metronidazole (1,200 mg daily) for 18 days resulted in almost complete resolution of the intracerebral lesion and survival of the patient without any neurological deficits. His general condition improved dramatically, and he was discharged from our hospital 2 months later. Only 14 cases with amebic brain abscess associated with Entamoeba histolytica infection who recovered after treatment have been reported. We suggest amebic brain abscess should be taken into consideration for patients with brain abscess with a history of dysenteric illness especially since early diagnosis and aggressive management is likely to result in a cure.     

A case of idiopathic brain stone presenting as psychomotor epilepsy

A rare case of idiopathic brain stone with psychomotor epilepsy is reported. On December 9, 1982, a 29-year-old man with 18 years' history of psychomotor epilepsy was admitted to our neurosurgical service. He had no history of neonatal asphyxia, trauma or other neurological diseases. No neurological deficit was disclosed. Skull x-ray films and plain CT scan demonstrated a calcified mass in the right temporal lobe. No contrast enhancement was noted. Despite an extensive search, the etiology of the calcified mass was not revealed. Conventional EEG showed focal spike discharges in the right anterior temporal lead and telemetered EEG monitoring for 24 hours disclosed sharp wave burst in the right temporal lobe. In spite of appropriate medication, seizures persisted. At surgery, electrocorticogram and stereo-electrocorticogram showed paroxysmal epileptiform events in the right temporal lobe. Anterior temporal lobectomy with excision of calcified mass was done. Histopathological examination demonstrated thick collagen fibers and gliosis around the stone, and diagnosis of idiopathic brain stone was made. We reviewed five previously reported cases. We also emphasized an epileptogenicity of idiopathic brain stone and indication of surgical excision which may result in an excellent control of epilepsy.     

Squamous carcinoma of the breast presenting as an abscess. A case report

Metaplastic squamous carcinoma of the breast presenting as an abscess in a 51-year-old woman is reported. The incidence, importance of early diagnosis, and the general clinical features are discussed.     

Acute appendicitis presenting as a scrotal abscess

A 50 year old man presented with scrotal pain of 2 weeks' duration. The finding of acute appendicitis as a scrotal abscess due to perforated appendix in an inguinal hernia is rare, and literature on this finding is reviewed.     

A case of Rhodococcus equi brain abscess

We treated a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for a brain abscess caused by Rhodococcus equi, an actinomycete that usually infects the lung in immunosuppressed hosts. Rhodococcus equi brain abscess is an extremely rare lesion that has never been reported in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The infection was cured by lengthy therapy with multiple antibiotics after aspiration of the lesion to identify the infective organism and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics.     

Meningioma presenting at a site of a previously aspirated brain abscess

Summary We report the case of a meningioma which developed in the parieto-occipital lobe at the site where a brain abscess had been aspirated 9 years previously. There was no history of head trauma. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of a meningioma associated and possibly aetiologically related to a previous inflammatory process in the absence of head trauma. The association of chronic inflammation and the subsequent development of a meningioma is discussed.