Tonsillar Plasmacytoma: clues on magnetic resonance imaging

A Proposal to Perform High Contrast Imaging of Human Palatine Tonsil with Cross Polarized Optical Coherence Tomography

The palatine tonsils provide the first line of immune defense against foreign pathogens inhaled or ingested. However, a disruption in the epithelial layer within the tonsil crypts can lead to recurrent acute tonsillitis (RAT). Current imaging techniques suffer from poor resolution and contrast and do not allow a classification of the severity of RAT. We have developed a cross-polarized optical coherence tomography system. The system can detect a change in the polarization of the light after the light-tissue interaction. We demonstrate improved resolution and contrast in tonsil imaging with the developed method. Intensity, as well as retardance images of the excised tonsil tissue, were acquired. Features such as crypt epithelium, lymphoid follicles, and dense connective tissue were observed with improved contrast. Cross polarized optical coherence tomography can be a valuable tool in the clinic to evaluate palatine tonsils as it would allow visualizing common tonsil features without the need for any external contrast agent.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma involving rectum: A case report and literature review

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the gastrointestinal tract is an extreme rarity. Clinical manifestations of EMPs are varied, depending on the position and progress of tumor. Here we report a case of an EMP involving rectum in an 80-year-old, male patient with a change of bowel habit. Computed tomography scanning confirmed a circumscribed, iso-attenuating mass with the obvious heterogeneous enhancement. Patient received the surgical resection by laparoscope and the plasmacytoma was finally confirmed by the pathology. Furthermore, we made a literature review about the EMP of gastrointestinal tract to get the further study. Finally, we found out there is no specificity in imaging examination. Diagnosis of EMP still depends on the histopathology.