Ossification of the membranous labyrinth, high-density bone deposition involving all the cochlear turns.
This usually occurs as a complication of suppurative labyrinthitis, either due to otomastoiditis or meningitis. Other causes include trauma, autoimmune diseases, and surgery.
Dear Friends,
Due to the coronavirus scare, Dr Pepe and Miss Piggy have eloped to the Bahamas, leaving me alone in charge of the blog. Until his return in late March, I will present interesting cases in the Caceres’ Corner. I may even dare to present a Diploma case, although I am not as knowledgeable as Dr Pepe.
This week’s case is a preoperative PA radiograph of a 47-year-old woman.
Diagnosis:
1. Double aortic arch
2. Enlarged azygos vein
3. Mediastinal mass
4. None of the above
What do you see? Come back on Friday to see the answer!
Findings: PA shows a right mediastinal bump at the confluence between the trachea and the RUL bronchus (A, arrow). There is a curved mediastinal line below (A, red arrow) and an extra mediastinal line in the left lower mediastinal border (A, yellow arrow).
The combination of these findings strongly suggests increased circulation in the azygos system, with prominent azygos and hemiazygos veins. In an asymptomatic patient the most likely diagnosis is a congenital interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation.
A double aortic arch can be ruled out because the right component raises higher than the left, and in this case the opposite occurs.
Unenhanced coronal CT confirms the dilated azygos arch (B, arrow) and the dilated ascending azygos (B-C, red arrows) and hemiazygos (C, yellow arrow)
Final diagnosis: Congenital interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation.
Congratulations to Hazem who was the first to give the correct answer and to Krister who gave a nice and accurate description of the findings.
Teaching point: this case is a good example of non-significant findings secondary to a congenital malformation, as mentioned in webinar eight.
Dear Friends,
Showing today the leading case of webinar eight. Radiographs belong to 27-year-old with seminoma and pain in the anterior chest wall. What is your opinion about the clavicular lesion?
1. Metastasis
2. Osteomyelitis
3. Benign bone lesion
4. Any of the above
Check out the last webinar form the series explaining in detail this case on our youtube channel and and catch up on previous ones on the EBR YouTube channel!
Findings: the chest radiograph shows a lytic lesion in the proximal right clavicle (A-B, circles). It has a sclerotic border (A-B, red arrows), indicating a slow-growing process. This finding excludes options 1 and 2 and leaves option 3. Benign bone lesion as the correct diagnosis.
This lytic lesion correspond to a normal variant, called the rhomboid fossa. It represents the insertion site of the costoclavicular ligament( yellow), which extends from first rib (red) to the proximal clavicle (blue).
Is a normal variant and should not to be mistaken for an osteolytic lesion.
It occurs in 30% of males and 5% of females. It is more common in the young and becomes less visible with age.
Final diagnosis: rhomboid fossa of right clavicle
Congratulations to Faelivrin, who made the correct diagnosis
Teaching point: it is important to know the most common normal variants of the chest, to avoid confusing them with pathology.
