Role of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac myxomas: an imaging challenge

Nowadays, the diagnosis of cardiac myxomas (CM), particularly the histological types, remains a challenge. Two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic (TT) and transesophageal (TEE)  echocardiography (ECHO) represent the first steps in the imaging pathway. 3D ECHO,  implemented in imaging practice, appears to be an emerging diagnostic technique that overcomes some of the limitations of 2D ECHO while integrating the information provided by magnetic resonance (MRI). However, its role in the imaging arena is still debatable. Analyzing 17 myxomas in 13 patients, the study uncovers a diverse anatomical spectrum. Classical CM morphology is a minority, with most myxomas being sessile and originating from unexpected locations (right ventricular outflow tract and left atrial appendage). Texture and size variations are also noted. Comparing imaging, 2D TEE outperforms 2D TT in visualizing anatomical features, especially attachment types. 3D TEE confirms 2D TT findings and offers more detailed assessments, identifying peduncles missed in four cases by 2D TEE. Two small recurrent myxomas were exclusively detected by 3D TEE, not by 2D TEE or MRI. Two patients have papillary myxomas, one has an embolism. Another patient with a solid myxoma also suffers an embolism, with a clot found at the apex during surgery. Our study showed that CM has a wide anatomical spectrum beyond the typical features, making the diagnosis challenging. Therefore, a multimodality imaging approach is essential for distinguishing CM from other cardiac masses and differentiating myxoma histological types. These findings stress the importance of incorporating 3D ECHO alongside other imaging techniques for a comprehensive evaluation

Primary Pleural Angiosarcoma in a 63-Year-Old Gentleman

Primary pleural angiosarcomas are extremely rare. As of 2010, only around 50 case reports have been documented in the literature. Herein, we report the case of a 63-year-old gentleman who presented with a 3-month history of right-sided chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pleural effusion with partial bibasilar atelectasis. Ultrasound-guided thoracocentesis showed bloody and exudative pleural fluid. Cytologic examination was negative for malignant cells. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed two right diaphragmatic pleural masses. Whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan showed two hypermetabolic fluorodeoxyglucose- (FDG-) avid lesions involving the right diaphragmatic pleura. CT-guided needle-core biopsy was performed and histopathological examination showed neoplastic cells growing mainly in sheets with focal areas suggestive of vascular spaces lined by cytologically malignant epithelioid cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong positivity for vimentin, CD31, CD68, and Fli-1 markers. The overall pathological and immunohistochemical features supported the diagnosis of epithelioid angiosarcoma. The patient was scheduled for surgery in three weeks. Unfortunately, the patient died after one week after discharge secondary to pulseless ventricular tachycardia arrest followed by asystole. Moreover, we also present a brief literature review on pleural angiosarcoma

Bilateral Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Chest Wall in a 3-Month-Old Boy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a well-recognized but extremely rare entity. This entity is believed to be benign with no propensity for invasion or metastasis. Although the lesion manifests with alarming aggressive clinical, radiological, and histological features, it is considered benign and carries an excellent outcome. Therefore it is important to recognize this benign entity to avoid the possible misdiagnosis of malignancy and the unnecessary use of chemotherapy. We present a case of bilateral multifocal mesenchymal hamartomas of the chest wall in a male infant and a literature review of this entity. Our aim is to improve the awareness of this condition and highlight its benign behavior and satisfactory outcome following complete surgical resection

Pediatric-type follicular lymphoma: a short review

Pediatric-type follicular lymphoma is an uncommon and newly recognized entity of lymphoid neoplasm commonly encountered in the young population. Despite its indolent clinical course and localized nodal involvement, it has been characterized by its high-grade histopathological features. The overlapping features between this disease and several entities have made approaching this unique entity significantly challenging, with all such features being reflected in the strict diagnostic criteria highlighted by the WHO 2016 lymphoid malignancy classification. Despite its characteristic high-grade histology, its cure rates have remained high, with relapse and transformation rarely occurring. Interestingly, several cases have achieved remission following nodal disease resection, possibly eliminating the need for chemotherapy and radiation and preventing long-term morbidities from later approaches in disease survivors

Duodenal Obstruction as First Presentation of Metastatic Breast Cancer

The metastatic breast cancer to the duodenum is rare in spite of common breast cancer. In this paper, we are reporting a rare case of 50-year-old lady who presented with intestinal obstruction as result of metastatic breast cancer which completely responds to chemotherapy. The tumor presents again as brain metastasis after stop of Herceptin due to cardiac toxicity

Case Report Duodenal Obstruction as First Presentation of Metastatic Breast Cancer

The metastatic breast cancer to the duodenum is rare in spite of common breast cancer. In this paper, we are reporting a rare case of 50-year-old lady who presented with intestinal obstruction as result of metastatic breast cancer which completely responds to chemotherapy. The tumor presents again as brain metastasis after stop of Herceptin due to cardiac toxicity

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: The first case to be managed with a successful lung transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh

Idiopathic Pleuro-Parenchymal Fibroelsatosis (PPFE) is a rare, progressive and recently recognized subtype of idiopathic interstitial lung disease with no recorded successful treatment other than lung transplant. We report a case of idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis from the Middle East, managed successfully by bilateral lung transplant performed on a 26 year old Saudi male

The B7-H1 (PD-L1)T Lymphocyte-Inhibitory Molecule Is Expressed in Breast Cancer Patients with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma: Correlation with Important High-Risk Prognostic Factors

B7-H1 molecule increases the apoptosis of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes and reduces their immunogenicity. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of mortality after lung cancer. Direct evidence linking B7-H1 with cancer has been shown in several malignancies; however, its expression in breast cancer has not been investigated. We used immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of the B7-H1 molecule in 44 breast cancer specimens and to study its correlation with patients' clinicopathological parameters. The expression of B7-H1 was shown in 22 of 44 patients and was not restricted to the tumor epithelium (15 of 44, 34% in tumor cells), but was also expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL; 18 of 44, 41%). Interestingly, intratumor expression of B7-H1 was significantly associated with histologic grade III-negative (P = .012), estrogen receptor-negative (P = .036), and progesterone receptor-negative (P = .040) patients. In addition, the expression of B7-H1 in TIL was associated with large tumor size (P = .042), histologic grade III (P = .015), positivity of Her2/neu status (P = .019), and severe tumor lymphocyte infiltration (P = .001). Taken together, these data suggest that B7-H1 may be an important risk factor in breast cancer patients and may represent a potential immunotherapeutic target using monoclonal antibody against the B7-H1 molecule