Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis Presenting as “Eyebrows” Sign on 18F FDG PET/CT

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis refers to linear or nodular thickening of the dura mater covering the brain and spinal cord following various inflammatory/infective processes. Usually, magnetic resonance imaging brain shows uniform thickening with enhancement of involved meninges. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) findings of pachymeningitis are rarely reported in literature. We describe the PET/CT findings of a patient with hypertrophic pachymeningitis involving the bilateral supraorbital regions depicting as “eyebrows” on brain maximum intensity projection image.

COVID-19 associated multisystemic mucormycosis from India: a multicentric retrospective study on clinical profile, predisposing factors, cumulative mortality and factors affecting outcome

PURPOSE

The clinical course of COVID-19 has been complicated by secondary infections, including bacterial and fungal infections. The rapid rise in the incidence of invasive mucormycosis in these patients is very much concerning. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis was detected in huge numbers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, with several predisposing factors indicated in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, predisposing factor, cumulative mortality and factors affecting outcomes among the coronavirus disease COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM).

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study across three tertiary health care centers in Southern part of India was conducted during April-June 2021.

RESULTS

Among the 217 cases of CAM, mucormycosis affecting the nasal sinuses was the commonest, affecting 95 (44%) of the patients, orbital extension seen in 84 (38%), pulmonary (n = 25, 12%), gastrointestinal (n = 6, 3%), isolated cerebral (n = 2) and disseminated mucormycosis (n = 2). Diabetes mellitus, high-dose systemic steroids were the most common underlying disease among CAM patients. The mucormycosis-associated case-fatality at 6 weeks was 14%, cerebral or GI or disseminated mucormycosis had 9 times higher risk of death compared to other locations. Extensive surgical debridement along with sequential antifungal drug treatment improved the survival in mucormycosis patients.

CONCLUSION

Judicious and appropriate management of the predisposing factor and factors affecting mortality associated with CAM with multi-disciplinary approach and timely surgical and medical management can be much helpful in achieving a successful outcome.

Endovascular glue embolization for control of massive hemoptysis caused by peripheral pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms: Report of 7 cases

Purpose:

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare cause of massive hemoptysis and need to be considered as a differential with prompt recognition preventing mortality from life-threatening hemorrhage. We report the clinical details and imaging findings for a series of patients presenting with massive haemoptysis due to peripheral pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm, managed by endovascular glue embolization.

Methods:

Hospital based retrospective study wherein records and image database of patients presenting with massive hemoptysis between January 2014 and March 2016 were studied. The immediate technical success, reintervention rate, and recurrence of massive hemoptysis were recorded.

Results:

Among patients with massive hemoptysis who underwent endovascular management in our department, seven patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 54.3 years; mean lesion diameter was 10.8 mm (range 6–14 mm); underlying pathology being infective (tuberculosis) in all cases (n = 7). All lesions were treated with endovascular glue embolization. The technical success was 100%. Mean follow-up was 11.7 months. There was no case of recurrence of massive hemoptysis. There were no major complications with a single case of minor complication (in the form of chest pain and discomfort) which resolved with medical management.

Conclusion:

The endovascular approach using glue (N-butyl cyanoacrylate) is a minimally invasive and technically feasible, effective technique for emergent management of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms presenting as massive hemoptysis.

Rete mirabile of posterior inferior cerebellar artery: A rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Rete mirabile is a congenital aberrant arterial collateral network resulting from abnormal embryonic activity during native vessel formation. Even though frequently observed in mammals, this entity is rare in humans except when there is hypoplasia, aplasia or narrowing of native vessels. Rete mirabile is reported involving internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Rete mirabile of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is not described in the literature. We report the clinical presentation, imaging findings and management of PICA rete mirabile formation with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Spontaneous Isolated Inferior Mesenteric Artery Dissection With Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: Case Report and Endovascular Management

We report the clinical details, imaging findings, and management for a 39-year-old female presenting with recurrent episodes of pain in abdomen due to systemic lupus erythematous vasculitis associated with spontaneous isolated inferior mesenteric dissection. Spontaneous mesenteric artery dissection is an uncommon cause of mesenteric ischemia. Symptomatic spontaneous isolated inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) dissection is a rare condition, and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus is not previously described in the English literature. The optimal treatment options are debatable and include medical management, surgical reconstruction, and endovascular therapy. We wish to highlight spontaneous isolated IMA dissection as a rare etiology for chronic mesenteric ischemia and its management by endovascular methods.

Nondecussating retinal-fugal fiber syndrome: Clinical and neuroimaging clues to diagnosis

We report the clinical details and imaging findings for a case of nondecussating retinal-fugal fiber syndrome or isolated achiasma in a 4-year-old female child. Findings included the isolated absence of optic chiasm with unremarkable rest of the optic pathway and midline structures in a child presenting clinically with see-saw nystagmus. Clinically congenital see-saw nystagmus, “mirror reversal” of visual field representation and interocular ipsilateral asymmetry on monocular visual evoked potential point toward achiasma and warrant further evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Isolated achiasma is a rare condition that may remain undiagnosed unless MRI is done.