An atypical case of calf pain: Plantaris tendon axial instability

Plantaris tendon (PT) might induce calf or Achilles pain. In this case report, a 59-year-old woman presented with axial instability of plantaris tendon; post Achilles tendon lengthening. She beneficiated from a needle tenotomy of the PT and had a prompt symptom alleviation. The patient was fully satisfied and had a SANE score of 95% at 12 months follow up and was able to return to moderate sports activities without limitations (hiking, Nordic walking). The instability of the PT might be considered for the differential diagnosis of medial calf pain for which needle tenotomy may be considered a valuable option.

Spinal disorders mimicking infection

Spinal infections are very commonly encountered by radiologists in their routine clinical practice. In case of typical MRI features, the diagnosis is relatively easy to interpret, all the more so if the clinical and laboratory findings are in agreement with the radiological findings. In many cases, the radiologist is able to make the right diagnosis, thereby avoiding a disco-vertebral biopsy, which is technically challenging and associated with a risk of negative results. However, several diseases mimic similar patterns, such as degenerative changes (Modic) and crystal-induced discopathy. Differentiation between these diagnoses relies on imaging changes in endplate contours as well as in disc signal. This review sought to illustrate the imaging pattern of spinal diseases mimicking an infection and to define characteristic MRI and CT patterns allowing to distinguish between these different disco-vertebral disorders. The contribution of advanced techniques, such as DWI and dual-energy CT (DECT) is also discussed.

An improperly positioned menstrual cup complicated by hydronephrosis: A case report

Background

Menstrual cups are increasingly used as alternatives to tampons, collecting menstrual fluid with very few side-effects, as previously reported in the literature.

Case

We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with pain in her right flank and an entrapped bladder caused by an incorrectly placed menstrual cup, complicated by acute unilateral hydronephrosis. We describe the computed tomography features that made it possible to make a correct diagnosis. We conducted a literature review in order to be able to list the reported side-effects of the use of menstrual cups.

Conclusion

Given their common use today, it is important that physicians become familiar with menstrual cups and are capable of recognizing cup misplacement to avoid complications such as hydronephrosis.

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Menstrual cups are ecologically responsible, comfortable, and cost-effective alternatives to tampons and sanitary pads.

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Hydronephrosis is a rare side-effect than can occur after the placement of a vaginal cup.

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All symptoms are immediately resolved after removal of the menstrual cup.

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We explain the advantages of menstrual cups, and describe the rare side-effects and how to recognize misplacement.