Autosomal dominant temporal lobe epilepsy associated with heterozygous reelin mutation: 3 T brain MRI study with advanced neuroimaging methods

PURPOSE

Autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) is a genetic focal epilepsy syndrome characterized by focal seizures with dominant auditory symptomatology. We present a case report of an 18-year-old patient with acute onset of seizures associated with epilepsy. Based on the clinical course of the disease and the results of the investigation, the diagnosis of ADLTE with a proven mutation in the RELN gene, which is considered causative, was subsequently confirmed. The aim of this study was to use 3 Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and advanced neuroimaging methods in a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of ADTLE.

METHODS

3 T MRI brain scan and advanced neuroimaging methods were used in the standard protocols to analyzse voxel-based MRI, cortical thickness, and functional connectivity.

RESULTS

Morphometric MRI analysis (blurred grey-white matter junctions, voxel-based morphometry, and cortical thickness analysis) did not provide any informative results. The functional connectivity analysis revealed higher local synchrony in the patient in the left temporal (middle temporal gyrus), left frontal (supplementary motor area, superior frontal gyrus), and left parietal (gyrus angularis, gyrus supramarginalis) regions and the cingulate (middle cingulate gyrus) as compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence of multiple areas of functional connectivity supports the theory of epileptogenic networks in ADTLE. Further studies are needed to elucidate this theory.

Primary recurrent orbital schwannoma treated with surgical excision and Mitomycin-C

Purpose

Primary orbital schwannoma (POS) is a slow growing, benign encapsulated peripheral nerve sheath tumor that occurs infrequently within the orbit. Recurrence of POS is extremely rare. Previous speculations for reasons of recurrence include incomplete excision and tumor seeding.

Observations

We present the fifth case reported in the literature to date of POS that had 2 episodes of recurrences within 8 years after diagnosis, in which rapid and insidious relapses were observed after initial surgical resection. This is also the first reported recurrent POS in which topical Mitomycin-C (MMC) has been employed during surgical excision with an aim to prevent further recurrences.

Conclusions

AND IMPORTANCE: Whilst complete surgical excision remained the standard for management for most POS, when there are multiple recurrences and in cases where total excision is not possible, addition of topical MMC may be an option that may bring about tumour regression as demonstrated in our case.

The role of early diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis: A case report and literature review

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare entity caused by bacteria, which produce gas filled cysts in the bladder wall. We present a case of EC in a 72-year-old woman admitted to Vascular Surgery Department because of diabetic foot syndrome. During the hospital stay, the patient's general condition deteriorated. CT established EC diagnosis. Surgical treatment was inevitable. Salvage cystectomy was performed. Despite macroscopic removal of necrotic tissues, the condition of the patient didn't improve, 75 days past diagnosis of EC she died due to the multi-organ failure. Prompt diagnosis provided by imaging plays a key role in the treatment of EC.

A case report: Ruptured aneurysm with a wide neck treated by flow diverter stent and coil embolization

Diagnosis and endovascular treatment for ruptured wide neck aneurysms are challenges in clinics, particularly in developing countries. In the present study, we described a clinical case with a ruptured wide neck aneurysm in Vietnam treated by flow diverter stent and coil embolization. A 77-year-old- female patient had a right droopy eyelid for 2 months. The patient was admitted to hospital on the second day after being presented with a sudden-severe headache. Cerebral computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were taken on the second day and fifth day after the onset of the headache. The results showed an aneurysm in the right internal carotid artery but no potential subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was displayed. An uncoagulated blood was found in cerebrospinal fluid indicated by a lumbar puncture test. Digital subtraction angiography provided images with one wide-neck right internal carotid aneurysm. The patient was treated by flow diverter stent and coil embolization and the dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin at home. After 45 days, the patient did not face with any complication, no neurological symptoms, and the aneurysm was partially thrombosed indicated by MRI images. These results suggested that a lumbar puncture should be analyzed on the patient with brain aneurysm appeared a sudden severe headache and even no potential SAH on brain MRI or CT was found. The combination of flow diverter stent and coil embolization to treat cases with ruptured wide necked aneurysms should be considered in the future.

Co-existent abdominoperitoneal tuberculosis with endometrial cancer: A diagnostic and surgical challenge

The presence of abdominoperitoneal tuberculosis (APTB) complicates the diagnosis, staging and management of endometrial cancer. Lymph node involvement in APTB may mimic metastatic lymphadenopathy in patients with endometrial cancer. To our knowledge, there have only been 2 previous case reports on this topic. We will describe 3 cases of endometrial cancer co-existing with APTB. The 1st case is a 57-year-old female who underwent elective total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TLHBSO) and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). The final diagnosis is Stage 3C1 endometrial endometroid carcinoma with mucinous differentiation. The 2nd case is a 70-year-old female with who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO) and PLND. The final diagnosis is a Stage 1A endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The 3rd case is a 63-year-old female who underwent TAHBSO and PLND and the final diagnosis was a mixed high-grade serous (90%) and endometrioid (10%) carcinoma of the endometrium. In these cases, the importance of surgical staging is emphasised to accurately stage endometrial cancer. Moreover, thorough peri-operative optimisations by a multi-disciplinary team are essential to improve the outcomes of surgery.