The 'light bulb' sign

Computed tomography angiography lightbulb sign: Characteristic enhancement pattern on neck computed tomography angiography in differentiating paraganglioma from schwannoma of the carotid space

It is important to correctly distinguish paragangliomas from other tumors such as schwannomas in the preoperative assessment of head and neck tumors because paragangliomas have a propensity to bleed profusely during surgery. Therefore, preoperative embolization is often required while with schwannomas preoperative embolization is generally not required. Occasionally, schwannomas can mimic paragangliomas on routine computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the computed tomography angiography of the neck of 10 patients with carotid space tumors. Seven patients had pathologically proven paraganglioma while three patients had schwannomas. We describe the "computed tomography angiography lightbulb sign" as avid homogeneous enhancement in the arterial phase which can accurately distinguish these entities.

Recurrent Shoulder Posteroinferior Subluxation Status Post Reverse Remplissage

Posterior shoulder dislocation is an uncommon injury that typically follows intense contraction of the external rotator muscles, such as from seizure activity, high-velocity trauma, or intense electrical shock. The diagnosis is often missed or delayed, leading to complications such as functional deficits or osteonecrosis of the humeral head. Closed reduction can be utilized following an initial occurrence, however, repeated insult to the glenohumeral joint may lead to posterior instability. A reverse Hill-Sachs lesion, a vertical impacted fracture of the anteromedial aspect of the humeral head, can occur. Surgical treatment options for posterior instability include the modified McLaughlin procedure also known as the reverse remplissage procedure. Unfortunately, the success rates of this procedure are controversial.

Posterior Shoulder Dislocation Associated With the Head (Splitting) and Humeral Neck Fracture: Impact of Understanding Radiologic Signs and Experience With an Extended Deltopectoral Approach

In this paper, our main objective was to emphasize the competency of extended deltopectoral exposure, enforced with the supraspinatus and subscapularis detachment, to gain access to the entire head. The second important point in this paper was to underline the importance of the knowledge that is necessary for interpreting classic radiologic signs of posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulder. A 47-year-old woman fell down directly onto her shoulder while she was skiing. She was diagnosed with posterior shoulder dislocation, associated with fracture of the head (head splitting) and humeral neck fracture, with the aid of plain radiographs and computed tomographic results. The patient was treated with open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture, through the extended deltopectoral approach, which was augmented with rotator cuff detachment. At the 1-year follow-up, x-rays showed stable fixation with good evidence of healing. One year after the surgery, the patient had no pain, and she regained most of her functionality in her right shoulder with 140 to 150 degrees of lateral elevation (abduction), 140 to 150 degrees of forward flexion , internal rotation hand at T12 vertebra (slightly restricted). These results showed good functionality, with a painless shoulder at the 1-year follow-up. The "double shadow" and "lightbulb" signs are indicative of posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation, and augmented (with the detachment of supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons) traditional deltopectoral incision is suitable for managing these kinds of difficult fracture dislocations.