Sunny Garg

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of temporomandibular joint and associated soft tissue changes following acute condylar injury.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cases of acute condylar injury and assessed soft tissue damage such as disc displacement, capsular tear, and hemarthrosis within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted in 15 patients who presented with unilateral or bilateral condylar fracture or contusion with a unilateral or bilateral diagnosis of TMJ sprain/strain. Patients with trauma of less than 7 days previously with a unilateral or bilateral condylar fracture or contusion with a diagnosis of TMJ sprain/strain were included in the present study. The clinical diagnosis of TMJ sprain was made and further classified and graded according to the severity and type of injury. On confirmation of the diagnosis of condylar injury, patients underwent evaluation by MRI. All patients were treated by closed reduction of the condylar fracture and intermaxillary fixation for 14 to 21 days. RESULTS Of the 15 patients, 5 were children and 10 were adults. Of all 17 TMJ cases (2 bilateral, 13 unilateral), 2 condylar fractures were of the high variety and 13 were of the low variety. MRI diagnosis of disc displacement was established in 8 of 17 TMJ cases. There was a significant association between degrees of condylar injury and the MRI diagnosis of displaced disc and hemarthrosis. However, an MRI finding of capsular tear was not significantly associated with the degree of condylar injury. CONCLUSIONS Soft tissue changes of the TMJ can be predicted accurately by MRI and are in direct proportion to the severity of the condylar injury of the mandible. Among the soft tissue changes, disc displacement and hemarthrosis seem to affect the outcome of functional treatment.

Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as alopecia

Alopecia is a rare manifestation of Hodgkins disease. It may be due to follicular destruction due to direct infiltration by the disease, or it may be a secondary or paraneoplastic manifestation. In this patient, hair loss, diffuse yperpigmentation, and generalized itching preceded other manifestations of the disease. The pattern of hair loss was diffuse and generalized in nature involving scalp, eyebrows, axilla, and groin. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed to be a case of Hodgkins lymphoma, based on clinical and histopathological features. Earlier reports on alopecia accompanying Hodgkins disease have also been discussed. This case highlights the importance of keeping a high suspicion of an underlying malignancy in patients presenting with such cutaneous manifestations.

Primary empty sella with isolated ACTH deficiency and microprolactinoma

The empty sella turcica is defined as the herniation of the subarachnoid space within the sella with displacement of the pituitary towards the posteroinferior wall. By autopsy studies, the incidence in the general population is around 20%. The association of prolactinoma and empty sella has been coincidental & infrequently reported. As such for microadenoma, visual field testing and screening for hypopituitarism is not needed, but if it is associated with empty sella, both visual field testing and screening for hypopituitarism is necessary.

Correlation of Serum Endothelial Dysfunction Markers with CT Angiographic Findings in Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Objective Endothelial dysfunction is considered as root cause of vascular diseases like stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and venous thromboembolism. Soluble endothelial dysfunction markers are emerging as surrogate markers of disease risk. We aim to correlate the findings of Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) with biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients of stroke. Material and method 40 patients diagnosed to have ischemic stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) based on clinical history, examinations and imaging were included. We assessed high sensitive C – reactive protein (hsCRP), total nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in all patients within 24 hours and CT-Angiography of bilateral neck vessels within 48 hours of hospital admission. Results Increase in hsCRP, NO and decrease in SOD was significant in cases as compared to controls. These biochemical markers correlated significantly with CT Angiographic findings. Conclusions This study demonstrates that hsCRP, NO and SOD is good surrogate biochemical markers for assessing disease risk and burden in ischemic stroke. These surrogate markers showed a linear correlation and statistical significance with CT angiography score. Specific intervention targeted to reduce the oxidative stress, as indicated by these markers, and imaging findings should be a part of stroke management protocol.

Primary neuroendocrine mediastinal tumor presenting with carcinoid syndrome and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Clinico-radiological and pathological features.

Primary mediastinal neuro-endocrine tumor is very rare. The primary modality to evaluate the lesion is computed tomography, to know disease extent, involvement of various structures, vascular invasion and metastasis. Histo-pathological and immuno-histochemical confirmation is mandatory. We report a rare case of primary neuroendocrine mediastinal tumor/atypical carcinoid in a young male who presented with carcinoid syndrome and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Complete diagnostic work up was done followed by histo-pathological and immuno-histochemical confirmation. Later on patient underwent radical surgery followed by chemotherapy. The patient is currently on follow up. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thymus generally follows an aggressive clinical course.The biologic behavior is directly related to grade and degree of differentiation. This case report of primary low grade neuroendocrine tumor/atypical carcinoid adds to the biological behavior of this tumor and sheds light on the radiological and pathological features of neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Oral mucosal involvement in visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis affects both the visceral and cutaneous tissues in body. Oral Mucosal involvement in leishmaniasis is rare and is often overlooked. We present a case 17 year old boy from the north east region of Bihar who has a history of visceral leishmaniasis one year back, came to the department of oral surgery for treatment of persistent oral ulcers. Oral examination did not give any diagnostic information while systemic examination revealed enlarged spleen and low grade fever. Patient was screened for leishmaniasis by rK39 based immunochromatographic strip test which came to be positive. Biopsy of the ulcer as well as splenic and bone marrow aspirate confirmed the presence of leishmaniasis. Patient was administered Amphotericin B for 20 days following which significant clinical and haematological improvement followed.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a rare disorder with a rare presentation.

A young man was brought for mental retardation, frequent non-bloody diarrhoea and swellings at ankles and elbow. He became bed-ridden due to cataract, mental retardation and pain in the back and lower limb. There were repeated pathological fractures and vitamin D deficiency without renal dysfunction. There were low low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels. MRI of the brain revealed hypointense lesions in cerebellar white matter, heterogenous hyperintensity in dentate nucleus and adjacent white matter, right basal ganglia and in the periventricular region with diffuse cerebral atrophy. T1-weighted MRI (ankle region) revealed bilaterally thickened and irregular achilles tendons with hyperintense masses surrounded by patchy hypointensities. A similar xanthomatous lesion (cholestanol deposits) was also present in the sacral region. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation and chenodeoxycholic acid therapy improved pain at lower limbs and body weight. Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare autosomal-recessive familial mutation of the sterol 27 hydroxylase causing lipid metabolic disease.

Trichotillomania and Dermatitis Artefacta: A Rare Coexistence

A 24-year-old pregnant female patient presented with complains of bilateral lower limb swelling and fever for 1 month. On examination, blood pressure was 144/94 mmHg along with pitting pedal edema. She had bizarre skin lesions, aligned longitudinally and distributed over the approachable site of the body with tapering ends and in various stages of healing. Lower limbs examination also revealed similar lesions with signs of cellulitis. Her scalp had short and distorted hair suggesting pulling and plucking. These skin lesions and the denial of self-infliction by the patient made us reach the diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta with trichotillomania. Psychotherapy was advocated along with conservative management of skin lesions. The patient improved and is under our follow up.

Atypical neurofibroma and osteosclerotic metastasis.

35-year-old male presented with multiple swellings in left leg, headache, weakness of limbs for 4 months, and blurring of vision for the last 15 days. On examination, he was pale, cachexic with generalized lymphadenopathy and lower motor neuron type weakness of limbs sparing right upper limb. Blood investigations showed anemia with high alkaline phosphatase. Chest radiograph revealed osteosclerotic metastatic lesion in humerus. Biopsy of leg lesion revealed atypical neurofibroma. Computed tomography (CT) of thorax revealed osteoblastic metastasis. Bone marrow aspiration showed cells with round to oval nuclei, fine granular chromatin with large central prominent nucleoli and eosinophilic cytoplasm with acini formation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and spinal cord defined metastatic leptomeningeal deposits. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology was positive for malignant cells. Gastroscopy showed an ulceroinfiltrative growth from stomach which on histopathology revealed diffuse adenocarcinoma. Palliative treatment was given with intrathecal methotrexate and systemic corticosteroid with chemotherapy. Patients symptom improved drastically, but we lost him to followup.

Visceral leishmaniasis or systemic lupus erythematosus flare

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder characterised by B-cell hyperactivity with production of multiple autoantibodies. Fever in SLE may be caused by disease exacerbation or by infection. We report a patient of SLE that was later complicated by fever, pancytopenia, and massive splenomegaly. Corticosteroid therapy for SLE might have masked the underlying infection at earlier stage. Despite negative results of rk-39 test and bone marrow biopsy, a very high suspicion for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) led us to go for direct agglutination test (DAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for leishmanial antigen that revealed positive results. Moreover, significant improvement in clinical and biochemical parameters was noted on starting the patient on antileishmanial therapy.