Metastatic urinary bladder paraganglioma on Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT

Paragangliomas are extra-adrenal catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors that can present with adrenergic signs and symptoms. The urinary bladder is a rare location for a paraganglioma, and these tumors must be distinguished from other more common bladder neoplasms. In this case report, we discuss a 59 year-old woman who initially presented with tachycardia, palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and weight loss. Laboratory evaluation showed significantly elevated catecholamines in the plasma and urine. A CT (Computed Tomography) scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed an enhancing mass arising from the urinary bladder and an enlarged right pelvic lymph node. A follow up Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography and/or Computed Tomography) showed increased uptake in the primary bladder mass, right pelvic lymph node, numerous skeletal lesions, and pulmonary nodules, consistent with metastatic paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. This case report demonstrates the radiological findings of metastatic urinary bladder paraganglioma and highlights the importance of skull base to mid-thigh PET/CT using Ga-68 DOTATATE. It is crucial for the radiologist to be familiar with the characteristics of urinary bladder paragangliomas and identify these tumors on imaging to allow prompt initiation of surgical resection and/or systemic therapy.     

Supraorbital Nerve and Cavernous Sinus Invasion with Poorly Differentiated Carcinoma of Unknown Primary

A 50-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of right-sided trigeminal neuropathy in the V1 and V2 distribution, right sixth nerve palsy and Horner syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed enhancement and thickening along the right ophthalmic nerve and supraorbital nerve and fullness at the right cavernous sinus extending to Meckel’s cave. Evaluation for a primary tumour was negative. Cavernous sinus biopsy showed infiltrating poorly differentiated carcinoma; the patient underwent radiation therapy. To our knowledge this is the only case of poorly differentiated carcinoma involving the supraorbital nerve presenting with trigeminal neuropathy and Horner syndrome in the English ophthalmic literature.     

The effects of statins and renin-angiotensin system blockers on atrial fibrillation recurrence following antral pulmonary vein isolation

Introduction: Ablation has emerged as a major treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this procedure is limited by a significant rate of AF recurrence. We aimed to examine the effects of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on the recurrence rate of AF following ablation.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 177 consecutive patients (mean age = 56 ± 11 yrs, 69% males) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal (n = 132) or persistent AF (n = 45). Patients were treated with ACE-I (n = 31) or ARB (n = 18) or statins (n = 50) prior to ablation and for the duration of follow-up.
Results: After a mean follow-up of 13.8 ± 8.6 months, 72% of patients were free of AF. For patients taking statins, 33 of 50 (60%) were free of AF. In patients treated with ACE-I, 17 of 31 (55%) were free from AF, while in the group of patients treated with ARB, 17 of 18 (94%) were free from AF. Using Cox regression analysis to correct for baseline variables, treatment with statins did not decrease the recurrence rate (HR = 1.10 [95% CI: 0.55–2.27] p = 0.79); nor did treatment with renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers (HR 0.94 [95% CI: 0.46–1.93] p = 0.87). However, subgroup analysis showed that treatment with ARB was associated with a trend towards lower AF recurrence [HR 0.17, (95% CI: 0.02–1.34) p = 0.09].
Conclusions: Even though statins and RAS blockers possess anti-inflammatory properties, they did not decrease the recurrence of AF following ablation. However, the subset of patients taking ARB exhibited a trend towards lower AF recurrence. Larger, randomized studies are needed to address this observation.