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Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the contemporary presentation and management of subglottic cysts and make recommendations on the treatment of these patients., Methods: Retrospective case series of 105 patients between October 1999 and November 2017 from a paediatric teaching hospital., Results: Ninety-one percentage (n = 96) had a history of prematurity, with a mean gestation of 27.2 weeks (SD ± 4.1). A history of intubation was found in 99% (n = 104) of cases [median 18 days (range = 1-176)]. Presenting symptoms were: Stridor 57.1%, (n = 60), difficult intubation 14% (n = 15), recurrent croup 11.4% (n = 12), failed extubation 7.6%, (n = 8), hoarseness/weak cry 10.5% (n = 10). Ninety percentage (n = 94) underwent intervention for management of SGCs with 86% (n = 81) treated with cold steel marsupialisation and 14% (n = 13) with CO  2  laser. Recurrent cysts occurred in 56% (n = 53) of cases. Treatment modality did not affect recurrence (p = 0.594  Δ ). Sixty-six percentage (n = 69/105) of patients had one or more concurrent airway pathology at MLB. Most frequent was subglottic stenosis 47% (n = 49), with 16% (n = 8) subsequently requiring open reconstructive airway surgery. Mean duration of follow-up was 47.6 months (SD ± 38.3)., Conclusion: SGC are an uncommon, reversible cause of upper airway obstruction and should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses in patients with a history of prematurity and perinatal intubation, presenting with stridor. While concurrent SGS is common, adequate symptom improvement in such cases may be achieved with SGC removal alone. Management is by surgical marsupialisation. Recurrence and additional airway pathologies are common and may necessitate longer-term treatment in centres with paediatric airway expertise.

Purpose: Although we generally perform thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital lung cysts (CLCs), we recently began performing thoracoscopic-limited pulmonary resection (segmentectomy or small partial lung resection) on relatively small lesions and on lesions involving multiple lobes. Our study aimed to determine the therapeutic outcomes of thoracoscopic CLC surgery., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients aged ≤ 18 years who underwent their first CLC surgery at our facility between 2013 and 2020., Results: A comparison between patients < 4 months old and those ≥ 4 months old showed no significant difference in operating time or incidence of complications. Blood loss volume (mL/kg) was significantly greater in patients < 4 months old and in patients who had undergone semi-urgent or urgent surgery. Operating time and postoperative complications were not increased in semi-urgent or urgent surgeries. There was no significant difference in operating time, blood loss volume, or postoperative complications between patients with a preoperative history of pneumonia and patients with no such history., Conclusion: In most patients, thoracoscopic surgery for CLC was safely performed. Limited pulmonary resection is considered difficult to perform thoracoscopically in children, but can be safely performed using new devices and navigation methods., Level of Evidence: III.

Purpose: Vallecular cyst is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening disease. The aim of this study was to review the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of vallecular cysts in children., Methods: Medical records of 156 patients treated for vallecular cysts between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into four age groups for comparison of clinical data: A, < 1 month; B, 1-6 months; C, 7-12 months; and D, > 1 year., Results: The median age of all patients (98 males and 58 females) was 12.1 months (range 1 day-11 years), including 21, 86, 21, and 28 patients in group A, B, C, and D, respectively. A diagnosis of vallecular cysts was made for 135 patients using a combination of flexible laryngoscopy and ultrasound, and ten patients (all in group A) required pre-surgery ventilation support. The most common symptoms were wheezing (59.6%) and stridor (36.5%). Ten patients experienced difficulty with intubation. Endoscopic-assisted transoral coblation marsupialization was performed for all patients, combined with supraglottoplasty for 41 out of 68 patients with concurrent laryngomalacia. Patients in group D had a longer operation time and higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding, two of whom experienced post-operation recurrence, and symptoms resolved after a second operation in both cases., Conclusions: Flexible laryngoscopy and ultrasound are recommended for a diagnosis in suspected cases of vallecular cysts. Coblation marsupialization has advantages of minor damage, low recurrence rate, and suitability for all age groups.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the safety and effectiveness of videolaryngoscope-assisted coblation of epiglottic cysts (VACECs) under general anesthesia., Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients with epiglottic cysts (ECs), underwent VACECs in this prospective clinical series from January 2015 to March 2019. The pre-operative electronic flexible laryngoscopic or 70° rigid laryngeal endoscopic examination was carried out to assess the location and size of ECs. There was a periodical follow-up survey for all patients., Results: A total 28 of patients were enrolled, including 12 men and 16 women, with an average age of 55 (range 24-78). The patient's medical history ranged from half a month to 2 years. The size of the cyst arranged from 0.8 to 1.5 cm. All patients were cured without pharyngeal or systemic complications. No tooth loss occurred in five patients (17.9%) with loose anterior teeth. Specimen pathology confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. No recurrence was found after more than half a year's follow-up., Conclusions: VACECs brings together the advantages of videolaryngoscope and coblation. It is a simple, safe and feasible procedure for patients with ECs and is worthy of clinical application.

Purpose: To describe the clinical results of patients who underwent surgical treatment for a intra-osseous tibial tunnel cyst on a bioabsorbable interference screw following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL)., Methods: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2016 for an intra-osseous tibial tunnel cyst on bioabsorbable interference screw following ACL reconstruction. The diagnosis was suggested clinically by pretibial pain at the incision site, sometimes associated with a palpable subcutaneous nodule and then confirmed on MRI. The first stage of surgery included exploratory arthroscopy followed by open excision/curettage of the cyst and then the tunnel was filled. The main criterion for outcome was a clinically normal knee (no pain, 0-120 range of motion, stable, with no effusion) at 6 months of follow-up., Results: This series included 53 patients, mean age 35.3 ± 9.9 years old w ith a mean 4.6 ± 3.1 years (between 3.1 months and 19 years) of follow-up after ligament reconstruction. The tibial screw was completely absorbed in 9/53 (17%) of patients, and fragmented in 22/53 (41.5%). At the 6-month follow-up, 42/53 (79.2%) patients had a normal knee, 11/53 (20.8%) persistent pain in the cyst area, 52/53 (98.1%) normal range of motion and 53 (100%) a stable knee. A recurrent cyst developed at 2 years of follow-up in one patient., Conclusion: Complete absorption of a bioabsorbable interference screw is long, increasing the risk of developing intra-osseous tibial cysts during this period. The development of new materials with improved absorption properties is needed., Level of Evidence: IV-Retrospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate upper esophageal sphincter (UES) activity in patients with benign glottic lesions., Methods: Twenty-three patients with benign vocal fold (VF) lesions scheduled for manometric evaluation were enrolled as the study group (SG); 20 healthy subjects without vocal pathology or dysphagia were included as the control group (CG). UES residual, basal, relaxation time and peak pharyngeal pressures were evaluated by manometry. The reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) were used to estimate the clinical findings of laryngopharyngeal reflux, and the voice handicap index (VHI) was measured in both groups. The patients' data were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and t test., Results: The diagnoses in the SG were vocal nodules, vocal polyps, vocal cysts, sulcus vocalis, or Reinke's edema. The evaluation scores (RSI, RFS, and VHI) were significantly higher in the SG than in the CG (P < 0.05). UES basal and relaxation pressures, relaxation time, and peak pharyngeal pressures did not differ between the SG and the CG (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: UES manometric pressure was similar in patients with VF mucosal lesions and controls. Studies involving larger populations are necessary to confirm the manometric changes in the UES and to elucidate the pathogenesis of benign VF lesions.

Both maxillary sinusitis (MS) and maxillary retention cyst (MRC) involve the maxillary sinus and show similar clinical features. Clinically, differentiating between MS and MRC is sometimes difficult in asymptomatic patients, despite their quite different pathogenic behaviors. To identify differential protein expressions in the secretory fluids of MS and MRC, 25 cases of asymptomatic MS and 15 cases of asymptomatic MRC were examined pathologically in this study. All patients underwent routine endoscopic sinus surgery or modified Caldwell-Luc procedure and the sinus mucosal specimens obtained during these procedures with the approval of the Institutional Review Board. Their secretory fluids were analyzed via immunoprecipitation-based high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-HPLC) using 25 types of antiserum, including inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial proteins, and mucosal protective proteins. In the histological examinations, MS and MRC showed similar features in the secretory columnar epithelial lining and thick submucosal connective tissue, both of which contained few inflammatory cells infiltrates. The IP-HPLC analysis revealed that TNFα, IL-1, -8, MMP-3, -10, α1-antitrypsin, cathepsin C, lysozyme, lactoferrin, β-defensin-1, -3, LL-37, mucocidin, and mucin-1 were more intensely expressed in MS than in MRC; whereas IgA, cystatin A, and proline-rich proteins were more strongly expressed in MRC than in MS. These data indicate that the secretory fluid of MS is indicative of a more robust inflammatory reaction to certain bacteria compared to that of MRC, while the secretory fluid of MRC contains more abundant mucosal protective proteins compared to that of MS. Taken together, the IP-HPLC analysis of MS and MRC secretory fluid revealed that MRC showed a weaker inflammatory reaction but a stronger mucosal protective function than MS.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study is to discuss the evaluation and treatment of patients with vallecular cysts removed via potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser therapy. This is a retrospective cohort study with longitundinal follow-up. Clinical records were reviewed for demographic information, symptoms, and findings on laryngoscopy of nine patients having had KTP laser surgery for vallecular cysts. Nine patients (six female, three male) had vallecular cysts removed via KTP laser. The average age at the time of removal was 61, with a range of 34-95 years. The most common preoperative symptom was dysphagia, present in two-thirds of patients. The most common physical exam finding was a smooth, rounded vallecular cyst with reproduction of symptoms upon palpation of the lesion. More than half of the patients had a history of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease and were being treated with acid-reducing medication. Only, patient #1 had a history of trauma. All but two patients had a vallecular cyst located on the right side. Four of the patients underwent treatment in the office procedure room and five in the operating room. The average age of those treated in the office was 71 and 53 in the operating room. 89 % of patients had complete resolution of symptoms post operatively. Patient #4, treated in the office, continued to experience the symptoms but was lost to follow-up. No complications or adverse events were noted. KTP laser removal of vallecular cysts is a successful treatment option for symptomatic patients. Furthermore, the ability to remove such lesions in an office setting is advantageous, cost-effective, and convenient., Level of Evidence: Level 4.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for symptomatic midline cyst of the prostate in patients with hematospermia and symptoms associated with prostatitis., Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to July 2013, 61 patients with symptomatic (hematospermia, pain on ejaculation, scrotal discomfort) midline cyst of the prostate, who did not improve with medication within a 4-week period, were included. Diagnosis of a midline cyst of the prostate was based on an anechoic round or spheroid-shaped lesion in the median, above the level of the verumontanum, extending into the prostatic base on transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). All patients underwent transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy using a 9.0 Fr rigid ureteroscope and Bugbee electrode. Medical records, the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and TRUS were used for assessment for more than 3 months after the procedure., Results: Of the 61 patients, 32 (52.4 %) had hematospermia, 20 (32.7 %) had symptoms associated with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, such as perineal pain, scrotal discomfort, and testicular pain, and nine (14.7 %) patients had ejaculatory disturbances, such as painful or uncomfortable ejaculation and anejaculation as major complaints/symptoms. In endoscopic findings, hemorrhage was present in the dilation of the prostatic utricle and in the seminal vesicle in 11 (18.0 %) and 21 (34.4 %) of the patients, respectively. Calculi were found in the dilation of the prostatic utricle and in the seminal vesicle in 12 (19.7 %) and six (9.8 %), respectively. Hematospermia resolved in 29 of 32 (90.6 %) patients after transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy. In 29 patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and ejaculatory disturbances, NIH-CPSI scores improved, from 19.0 ± 3.8 to 11.8 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001), after treatment. The pain domain and quality-of-life domain scores of the NIH-CPSI were better postsurgery than presurgery (p < 0.001). Acute epididymitis, as a postoperative complication, was observed in two patients (3.3 %)., Conclusions: There are various endoscopic findings in the dilation of prostatic utricle and seminal vesicle such as hemorrhage, calculi or/and purulent material in the patients with midline cyst of the prostate. The role of transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy in reducing symptoms may be mediated through the effects of endoscopic fenestration, removal of blood clots, calculi, or whitish debris and/or electrocautery of intracystic hemorrhage. This endoscopic technique enables useful diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for symptomatic midline cysts of the prostate.

A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate the effect of balloon catheter dilation technology combined with a fibrolaryngoscope in the treatment of a maxillary sinus cyst. The clinical data of 14 cases (19 maxillary sinuses) with balloon catheter dilation technology combined with a fibrolaryngoscope to remove sinus cysts (balloon group) and 16 cases (23 maxillary sinuses) with conventional nasal endoscopic sinus surgery to remove sinus cysts (conventional group) were analyzed. All cases have completed the preoperative and postoperative SNOT-20, nasal endoscopy and coronal sinus CT scan. Lund-Kennedy endoscopic and Lund-Mackay CT scan staging scores were recorded. All patients were followed up for 24 weeks after the operation. The SNOT-20 scores, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic and Lund-Mackay CT scan staging scores were lower in the balloon group than that in the control group. Balloon catheter dilation technology combined with a fibrolaryngoscope can effectively preserve the function and structures of the nasal cavity and sinus, making it a good choice in the treatment of a retention cyst of the maxillary sinus.

Tailgut cysts are congenital lesions that arise from the primitive hindgut in the true embryonic tail but fail to regress during gestation. These lesions are rare and more frequently encountered later in life and more commonly in women, and are the most common primary retrorectal tumor. Tailgut cysts may be asymptomatic or cause rectal bleeding, pain, or symptoms related to mass effect on the rectum or bladder. Pathologically, tailgut cysts are typically multilocular, lined with a variety of epithelial cell types, and are most frequently benign. Imaging is the linchpin of diagnosis due risks associated with biopsy. The purpose of this pictorial review is to present the spectrum of imaging findings associated with tailgut cysts on CT and MRI with focus on the use of advanced MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging. We present case examples of tailgut cysts, their CT and MR imaging findings, and diagnostic and management considerations.

Tailgut cysts are rare congenital lesions that typically manifest as a presacral, retrorectal, multicystic mass. Even though they are derived from remnants of the embryonic tailgut, they most often present in women. Differential diagnosis includes rectal duplication cyst, sacrococcygeal teratoma, and anterior meningocele. Treatment demands complete excision to prevent infection and malignant degeneration. Fewer than 20 pediatric cases have been reported. Two further affected children are described, one of whom presented uniquely with urinary tract obstruction and acute renal failure.

Background: The initial abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) sometimes reveal equivocal hepatic lesions. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of equivocal hepatic lesions found by abdominal CT and the diagnostic accuracy of subsequent liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: We evaluated data of patients who underwent CRC resection between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Equivocal hepatic lesions of <1 cm in size on preoperative staging CT scans were included in this study. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI was subsequently performed in all patients. Hepatic lesions that grew during the follow-up period (≥ 3 years) were considered potential metastases., Results: Overall, 121 equivocal hepatic lesions were detected on preoperative staging CT in 65 out of 494 patients (13.2 %) who underwent colorectal surgery. Based on subsequent MRI, 11 lesions were classified as definitive metastatic lesions and 100 were classified as definitive benign lesions, including simple cysts or hemangiomas. Findings in the other 10 lesions were still inconclusive even after examining CT and MRI. Of the 11 lesions that were classified as metastatic by MRI and were resected, 10 were pathologically confirmed as metastases and one lesion was a pathologically benign nodule. All 100 benign lesions were stable on follow-up imaging and were classified as benign. Of the 10 equivocal lesions, 6 increased in size during the follow up, suggesting they were early metastases, while 4 were stable. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting liver metastases by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI of small equivocal hepatic lesions found by CT were 100 % (16/16) and 95.2 % (100/105), respectively, if MRI was equivocal or indicated definite metastasis. The negative predictive value was 100 % (100/100)., Conclusion: Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing equivocal hepatic lesions on preoperative CT of CRC patients that allows increased diagnostic accuracy and detection of additional colorectal liver metastasis lesions.

Cystic lesions within the peritoneum have been classified classically according to their lining on histology into four categories-endothelial, epithelial, mesothelial, and others (germ cell tumors, sex cord gonadal stromal tumors, cystic mesenchymal tumors, fibrous wall tumors, and infectious cystic peritoneal lesions). In this article, we will proceed to classify cystic peritoneal lesions focusing on the degree of radiological complexity into three categories-simple cystic, mildly complex, and cystic with solid component lesions. Many intra-abdominal collections within the peritoneal cavity such as abscess, seroma, biloma, urinoma, or lymphocele may mimic primary peritoneal cystic masses and need to be differentiated. Clinical history and imaging features may help differentiate intra-abdominal collections from primary peritoneal masses. Lymphangiomas are benign multilocular cystic masses that can virtually occur in any location within the abdomen and insinuate between structures. Ultrasound may help differentiate enteric duplication cysts from other mesenteric and omental cysts in the abdomen. Double-layered wall along the mesenteric side of bowel may suggest its diagnosis in the proper clinical setting. Characteristic imaging features of hydatid cysts are internal daughter cysts, floating membranes and matrix, peripheral calcifications, and collagenous pericyst. Non-pancreatic psuedocysts usually have a fibrotic thick wall and chylous content may lead to a fat-fluid level. Pseudomyxoma peritonei appears as loculated fluid collections in the peritoneal cavity, omentum, and mesentery and may scallop visceral surfaces. Many of the primary cystic peritoneal masses have specific imaging features which can help in accurate diagnosis and management of these entities. Knowledge of the imaging spectrum of cystic peritoneal masses is necessary to distinguish from other potential cystic abdominal mimicker masses.

Purpose: The optimal management of simple hepatic cysts (SHCs) remains controversial. A retrospective review was carried out to evaluate the clinical presentation and surgical consideration of children with SHCs and outcome of management at our institution., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with SHCs between January 1993 and May 2013. Patient variables included prenatal findings, age, gender, presenting symptoms, signs and diagnostic modality. Operative management and nonoperative follow-up were abstracted., Results: The 67 patients comprised 42 females and 25 males: 16 had prenatally detected, and 51 had postnatally detected hepatic cysts with a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (10 months-12 years). The average age was 5.9 years (0-17 years). Ten patients (six females and four males) were treated surgically. Fifty-seven asymptomatic patients were observed. Of those 57 patients, 9 (17%) had enlarged cysts, and 1 (2%) had clinical signs. The average enlargement time was 36 months (6-67 months). The cysts occurred in the right lobe in 47 patients, in the left lobe in 17 patients and in both lobes in 3 patients. The median cyst size for the asymptomatic cases was 2.1 cm (1.5-6 cm) and 13.7 cm (8-25 cm) for the surgery group. A statistically significant difference in cyst size was found between these two groups (p < 0.05). Prenatally detected cysts (n = 5) were subjected to surgery postnatally at an average age of 1.5 months (1 week-6 months). The main indication was the compressive effect of the cyst on the surrounding area. There was one case of hepatomegaly found to be causing pressure symptoms, two cases of respiratory distress, one case of hydroureteronephrosis, and one case of jaundice due to compression of the biliary system. Five patients underwent surgery in the postnatally detected group, and the main indication was a complication of the cyst or progressive enlargement. Symptoms included abdominal discomfort and pain in all five patients: one case exhibited a hemorrhage within the cyst, one case displayed a rupture with possible peritonitis, one case had a 25-cm cyst leading to secondary infection, and two cases were admitted with progressive enlargement with clinical symptoms., Conclusion: Conservative management of SHCs is practical. Surgical excision is recommended in patients with larger cysts, causing pressure symptoms, or if the cyst size does not seem to involute with intractable abdominal pain or becomes complicated in the follow-up period.

Tailgut cysts are developmental hamartomas found in the presacral space. They are usually detected incidentally during physical examinations or imaging studies. However, they may cause symptoms due to compression of nearby organs. Due to their potential malignant transformation, surgical resection is warranted, while routine biopsy is considered controversial because of the concern about infection of the tailgut cyst and needle-track implantation of malignant cells. The co-existence of a carcinoid in a tailgut cyst is extremely rare. Only 16 cases have been reported previously, the vast majority of which were found in females. We herein present the case of a carcinoid in a tailgut cyst found in a male patient, discuss the potential pathogenesis of tailgut carcinoids, and underline the fact that their previous consideration of the condition as a female-restricted entity should be rejected.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency of patient characteristics, causative factors and imaging features associated with pathology-proven peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs)., Methods: From a retrospective search of all available hospital records-dating back 19 years-we identified 228 patients with pathology-proven PICs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for patients' demographic and clinical characteristics. Imaging features of pathology-proven PICs were recorded on a total of 77 computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or ultrasound (US) studies from patients who underwent imaging before surgery., Results: PICs occurred over a wide age range (18-89 years); 82.5 % of patients were women and 17.5 % were men. A history of prior insult to the peritoneum was identified in 70.6 % of patients. Imaging appearances of PICs ranged from loculated, simple fluid collections to complex, multi-septated lesions. In the absence of haemorrhage or debris, PICs were never found to have thick walls. The presence of nodularity, papillary excrescences or other solid components also excluded a diagnosis of PIC, as did the presence of more than a physiological amount of ascites, provided the ascites had no alternate explanation., Conclusions: PICs are more common than suggested by previously published reports. Knowledge of patient characteristics and typical PIC imaging appearances may prevent unnecessary or unnecessarily aggressive therapy.

Background: The ventriculus terminalis (VT) is formed during early embryonic development of the spinal cord and can only be identified histologically in both children and adults. Cystic dilatation of the VT can be seen in young children, but it rarely persists through adulthood., Clinical Case: We describe a 27-year-old female with paraparesis secondary to a massive and tethered cystic dilatation of the VT mimicking syringomyelia. Symptoms appearing in early childhood were ignored, probably leading to the much prominent presentation in early adulthood. The preoperative presentation and surgical treatment are discussed in relation to childhood history., Conclusions: Although extremely rare, symptomatic dilatation of the VT can be seen in young adults, usually with previous manifestations in early childhood. This entity should be considered while treating tethered cord spectrum.

An intramural pseudocyst in the alimentary tract develops as a rare complication of acute pancreatitis or trauma. A 60-year-old woman with pancreatic head cancer underwent preoperative radiological examinations, which revealed a 45-mm cystic mass around the second portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic ultrasonography confirmed a cystic lesion in the submucosal layer of the duodenum and fine needle aspiration cytology of the cystic contents suggested adenocarcinoma. The cystic fluid was amylase-rich, at 17040 U/l. We performed pancreaticoduodenectomy for the pancreatic head cancer. Pancreatography of the resected specimen showed a communication between the main pancreatic duct and the cystic lesion. The cut surface of the resected specimen revealed a cystic lesion, which surrounded the duodenum. Pathologically, the cystic lesion was diagnosed as a pseudocyst, located between the dissociated smooth muscle layers of the duodenum.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of ethanol ablation (EA) of cystic and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules, and to evaluate factors affecting efficacy., Methods: From October 2008 to December 2010, a total of 217 thyroid nodules were treated with EA. Nodule volumes, symptoms and cosmetic scores were evaluated before and after EA. EA efficacy in treating cystic and predominantly cystic nodules was compared; and factors related to EA efficacy in each type, including initial volume, solid component, vascularity, fluid nature, ethanol retention time and number of EA sessions, were evaluated., Results: Mean nodule volume decreased from 15.7 ± 18.1 ml to 3.0 ± 7.9 ml (mean volume reduction, 85.2 ± 16.1%) and the therapeutic success rate was 90.3% at last follow-up. EA was significantly more effective in cystic than predominantly cystic nodules. Independent predictors of EA efficacy for all nodules included initial volume, solid component and vascularity. Initial volume and vascularity were independent predictors of EA efficacy in predominantly cystic nodules, but no factor was independently related to efficacy in cystic nodules., Conclusions: EA is effective in both cystic and predominantly cystic nodules, especially the former. EA is less effective in large or vascular predominantly cystic nodules, but is effective in cystic nodules regardless of related factors., Key Points: • Ethanol ablation under ultrasound guidance is increasingly used for cystic thyroid nodules. • EA seems effective for cystic and predominantly cystic nodules, especially cystic nodules. • The effectiveness of EA was reduced in large or vascular predominantly cystic nodules.

A rare case of retroperitoneal gastric duplication is reported and discussed. An intra-abdominal cyst was detected at 31 weeks gestation and was followed up prenatally as a left sided duplex kidney. Post-natal ultrasound however, showed a normal kidney, but a cyst with features of enteric duplication in the left upper quadrant adjacent and compressing the kidney. Surgery was carried out during infancy and a retroperitoneal cyst was excised that contained heterotrophic gastric mucosa.

Purpose: Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pseudocyst is an uncommon complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. A large pseudocyst may exert a significant pressure effect, but vascular or urological symptoms are extremely rare. We report an unusual case of a CSF pseudocyst causing inferior vena caval and ureteric obstruction., Case: A 14-year-old girl had previously undergone ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for congenital hydrocephalus. She developed bilateral ankle edema as the only presenting symptom of a large non-infected cerebrospinal CSF pseudocyst. The associated abdominal distension was initially attributed to obesity, and the patient was unable to communicate due to developmental delay. Imaging studies showed that the pseudocyst was causing inferior vena caval obstruction and bilateral hydronephrosis. The ankle edema and hydronephrosis resolved after aspiration of the pseudocyst and shunt revision., Conclusion: Children who require CSF shunting may suffer from associated developmental delay and are frequently unable to communicate their symptomatic complaints. This case illustrated the importance of a heightened clinical suspicion in managing these patients in whom shunt failure may present with subtle and obscure signs of lower body venous congestion.

Objective: To evaluate the additional value of inversion recovery (IR) single-shot turbo spin-echo (SSTSE) imaging with sensitivity encoding (SENSE) using the inversion time (TI) value of hepatic haemangioma as a supplement to conventional T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging for the discrimination of hepatic haemangiomas and cysts., Methods: A total of 134 lesions (77 hepatic haemangiomas, 57 hepatic cysts) in 59 patients were evaluated. Three readers evaluated these images and used a five-point scale to evaluate the lesion status. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and 2 x 2 table analysis were used., Results: The ROC analysis for all the readers and all the cases revealed a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) for the combination of moderately and heavily T2-weighted TSE with IR-SSTSE images (0.945) than for moderately and heavily T2-weighted TSE images alone (0.894) (P < 0.001). For the combination of T2-weighted TSE with IR-SSTSE versus T2-weighted TSE alone, the 2 x 2 table analysis revealed a higher true-positive rate; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: The introduction of IR-SSTSE with SENSE sequences significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy of the differentiation of hepatic haemangioma and cysts while increasing the time required for routine abdominal imaging by only 20 s.

We described for the first time a foregut cyst presenting as an umbilical mass in a female infant. The diagnosis was made microscopically. This case illustrates, based on varied histologic findings, the complexity in classifying such cysts, in view of existing terminology.

Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) is a rare foregut developmental malformation usually diagnosed in adulthood; however, rare cases have been reported in the pediatric population. CHFC can transform into a squamous cell carcinoma resulting in death despite surgical resection of the isolated malignancy. We report the presentation, evaluation, and surgical management of a symptomatic 17-year-old girl found to have a 6.5 x 4.5 cm CHFC and suggest that all patients with suspected CHFC undergo prompt evaluation and complete cyst excision.

Introduction: Endodermal cysts, also known as enterogenous, neurenteric, foregut, epithelial, bronchogenic, or respiratory cysts, are rare benign lesions lined by columnar epithelium of a presumed endodermal origin. Endodermal cysts are rarely intracranial, but when this occurs, the cysts are frequently located in the posterior fossa with the most common locations being anterior to the brainstem and within the fourth ventricle. However, an endodermal cyst located in the medulla oblongata is extremely rare., Case Report: Here, we present a case of a 23-year-old man with an endodermal cyst located in the medulla oblongata. Although rare, clinicians should be aware that this lesion is differentiated from other cystic lesions of the posterior fossa by the absence of a mural nodule., Discussion: Total resection of endodermal cysts in the medulla oblongata is recommended, despite their location and adhesion to surrounding structures, due to its frequent recurrence.

A case of ovarian autoamputation in an asymptomatic neonate is presented. An abdominal cyst was detected in a 30-week-gestation fetus on an antenatal ultrasound scan (USS). Postnatal USS confirmed the presence of a cyst in the right pelvis and revealed it to be 3.2 cm in diameter. CT and MRI revealed cyst wall calcification and intracystic hemorrhage. To confirm the diagnosis and treatment, the cyst was surgically removed. During the operation, a free autoamputated right ovarian cyst was found and removed from the abdomen. Ovarian cyst autoamputation is an extremely rare complication. In this article, we review the infantile ovarian autoamputation cases reported in the literature and assess their diagnosis and therapeutic management.

This article describes modified physical examination maneuvers for diagnosing lateral meniscal cysts. The typical presentation of lateral meniscal cysts usually makes their clinical diagnosis simple, but a wide variation in size may sometimes lead to misdiagnosis. We evaluated the effect of leg rotations on the cystic swelling at 45 degrees of knee flexion. Eleven consecutive patients with positive Pisani's sign were evaluated prospectively. Lateral mid-third joint-line swelling was most prominent at 30-45 degrees of knee flexion. With the knee held at 45 degrees of flexion, the prominence was also inspected during internal and external rotation of the leg. The masses became noticeably more prominent with external rotation, and completely disappeared with internal rotation. With external rotation of the leg, even doubtful lateral meniscal cysts became apparent. Disappearance of the cystic mass with internal rotation further confirms the diagnosis.

Screening of the liver for hepatic lesion detection and characterization is usually performed with either ultrasound or CT. However, both techniques are suboptimal for liver lesion characterization and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as the preferred radiological investigation. In addition to unenhanced MR imaging techniques, contrast-enhanced MR imaging can demonstrate tissue-specific physiological information, thereby facilitating liver lesion characterization. Currently, the classes of contrast agents available for MR imaging of the liver include non-tissue-specific extracellular gadolinium chelates and tissue-specific hepatobiliary or reticuloendothelial agents. In this review, we describe the MR features of the more common focal hepatic lesions, as well as appropriate imaging protocols. A special emphasis is placed on the clinical use of non-specific and liver-specific contrast agents for differentiation of focal liver lesions. This may aid in the accurate diagnostic workup of patients in order to avoid invasive procedures, such as biopsy, for lesion characterization. A diagnostic strategy that considers the clinical situation is also presented.

We report a case of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation with a liver cyst and hemangioma. A 58-year-old woman was referred for investigation of a cystic lesion and peripheral intrahepatic bile duct dilatation in the left lateral segment of the liver. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts in the left lateral segment, near a 4.5-cm cystic lesion. Early enhancement into the delayed phase was seen in the dorsal part of the cystic lesion. Celiac angiogram showed a belt-shaped hypervascular area, but no encasement or irregularity of the artery. To exclude malignancy, we performed a left lobectomy. Microscopically, the cyst was lined with a single layer of flattened epithelial cells and a spongy tumor was diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma, which compressed the bile duct. The histopathological diagnosis was biliary stenosis associated with cavernous hemangioma of the liver. Invasive surgery may be avoided by awareness of this unusual benign pathology.

Purpose: To introduce a practical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of space-occupying benign lesions in children's spleens., Method: Ten cases were collected from 1988 to 2007, and analysis of some related literature were included with special attention to the criteria of the diagnosis and the indications of splenectomy, particularly to the age for operation., Results: The age of patients on admission ranged from 5 to 15 years, with the mean age of 10 years. All chose the operation to mitigate the fear of either accidental rupturing or malignancy. The clinical diagnosis depended on ultrasonographic or other imaging findings, while the final diagnosis was based on pathological study of operative specimens. The final diagnosis of the five patients undergoing operation was benign tumors (angioma group), and the other five were cystic (mainly congenital). Eight children underwent primary splenectomy, and the other two underwent partial or secondary splenectomy, all with satisfactory results. Seven were followed up for more than 2 years and recovered uneventfully., Conclusion: Preoperative imaging examinations and postoperative pathology mutually confirmed space-occupying benign lesions in the spleen. The age of the children, size and character of the lesion, as well as the risk of rupturing and malignancy are reasonable indications of surgery. Splenectomy, unless with contra-indications, is a feasible choice of treatment.

Hepatic peribiliary cysts are composed of multiple tiny cysts along the larger portal tracts and have been reported to be harmless. On clinical images, peribiliary cysts resemble other diseases such as biliary dilatations, cholangitis, or periportal edema. Therefore, it is important to distinguish peribiliary cysts from these diseases using a combination of several imaging modalities. Herein, we report three cases of peribiliary cysts. The first case underwent laparotomy for the presumptive diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In the remaining two cases, hepatic peribiliary cysts were diagnosed and laparotomy was avoided. Magnetic resonance cholangiography contributed to the diagnosis, owing to their characteristic distribution. In addition, computed tomography during cholangiography (cholangio-CT) demonstrated that the cysts had no communication with the intrahepatic biliary system. Therefore, cholangio-CT is considered to be the most useful modality for the diagnosis of peribiliary cysts.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of 11 surgically resected pelvic tailgut cysts were analyzed with reference to histopathologic and clinical data. Homogeneity, size, location, signal intensity, appearance and presence of septa and/or nodules and/or peripheral rim and involvement of surrounding structures were studied. Histological examination demonstrated 11 tailgut cysts (TGC), including one infected TGC and one TGC with a component of adenocarcinoma. Lesions (3-8 cm in diameter) were exclusively or partly retrorectal in all cases but one, with an extension down the anal canal in five cases. Lesions were multicystic in all patients but one. On T1-weighted MR images, all cystic lesions contained at least one hyperintense cyst. The peripheral rim of the cystic lesion was regular and non or moderately enhancing in all cases but the two complicated TGC. Nodular peripheral rim and irregular septa were seen in the degenerated TGC. Marked enhancement of the peripheral structures was noted in the two complicated TGC. Pelvic MRI is a valuable tool in the preoperative evaluation of TGC.

A rare case of a completely isolated, alimentary tract duplication cyst in a 27-day-old neonate is reported. The duplication cyst was detected on antenatal fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 27 weeks' gestational age. At surgery, the duplication cyst was in a retroperitoneal site with no apparent communication between the cyst and any portion of the alimentary tract. On histopathological examination, the diagnosis was a gastric duplication cyst. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. There have been eight cases of completely isolated duplication reported in the literature, of which seven were detected during the prenatal or neonatal period. No previous report in the English literature has described the fetal MR imaging findings of this type of duplication cyst.

Parathyroid cysts are rare lesions that can present clinically as low neck masses. The clinical diagnosis of parathyroid cyst can be challenging and requires a high level of suspicion as it often mimics a thyroid nodule. The cyst occasionally can cause compressive symptoms such as dysphagia or dyspnea. When it occurs in the mediastinum, it can cause recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. In this report, we present a patient with a hyperfunctional parathyroid cyst in association with a papillary thyroid carcinoma. In addition, we briefly discuss the current literature on parathyroid cyst. This case is unusual in its clinical presentation in that the parathyroid cyst mimicked a thyroid goiter.

Parathyroid cysts are uncommon entities. Symptomatic parathyroid cysts are extremely rare with approximately only 200 cases reported in the literature. Only ten cases have been reported with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and none in the radiological literature. We present a case of parathyroid cyst and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis with illustrations of the clinical, radiological and pathological appearances as well as discussion on the management of this condition.

Introduction: Cystic lesions in and around the third ventricle have been known to cause intermittent and acute obstruction of the foramen of Monroe with rapid onset symptoms. Most of these lesions are seen on routine investigations, whereas some are not so obvious resulting in mistaken diagnosis. Symptomatic choroids plexus cysts have only been infrequently reported, predominantly in the lateral ventricle., Case Report: A 3-year-old female child presented with rapid loss of consciousness for the first time. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans only showed triventriculomegaly. Endoscopy revealed a cyst of the third ventricle, which was excised, leading to good recovery. Biopsy of the wall revealed a choroid plexus cyst., Conclusion: Choroid plexus cysts are rare causes for symptomatic obstruction of the third ventricle and may be difficult to detect on routine investigations and may lead to the wrong choice of treatment. Endoscopic fenestration or excision is a good option to manage such lesions.

Primary pleural synovial sarcoma (PPSS) is a rare pleural malignancy with a grave prognosis. Most cases present as a well-circumscribed mass with foci of haemorrhage and necrosis. We present an unusual case in a Nepalese boy that presented as a multiloculated cyst mimicking hydatid disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and cytogenetic analysis.

Mutations in PKHD1 cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). We produced a mouse model of ARPKD by replacing exons 1-3 of Pkhd1 with a lacZ reporter gene utilizing homologous recombination. This approach yielded heterozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/+) mice, that expressed beta-galactosidase in tissues where Pkhd1 is normally expressed, and homozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ) knockout mice. Heterozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/+) mice expressed beta-galactosidase in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. Homozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ) mice lacked Pkhd1 expression and developed progressive renal cystic disease involving the proximal tubules, collecting ducts, and glomeruli. In the liver, inactivation of Pkhd1 resulted in dilatation of the bile ducts and periportal fibrosis. Dilatation of pancreatic exocrine ducts was uniformly seen in Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mice, with pancreatic cysts arising less frequently. The expression of beta-galactosidase, Pkd1, and Pkd2 was reduced in the kidneys of Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mice compared with wild-type littermates, but no changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or liver function tests were observed. Collectively, these results indicate that deletion of exons 1-3 leads to loss of Pkhd1 expression and results in kidney cysts, pancreatic cysts, and biliary ductal plate malformations. The Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mouse represents a new orthologous animal model for studying the pathogenesis of kidney cysts and biliary dysgenesis that characterize human ARPKD.

Gastric duplication cysts are a rare cause of abdominal masses in infants. Most children present with a gastric outlet obstruction or some vague abdominal complaints. We present an unusual case of a gastric duplication cyst that created a distal common bile duct obstruction which led to a proximal common bile duct perforation.

Pseudotumors or tumor-like proliferations (non-neoplastic masses) and benign mimickers (non-neoplastic cellular proliferations) are rare in the testis and paratesticular structures. Clinically, these lesions (cysts, ectopic tissues, and vascular, inflammatory, or hyperplastic lesions) are of great interest for the reason that, because of the topography, they may be relevant as differential diagnoses. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the pseudoneoplasic entities arising in the testis and paratesticular structures; emphasis is placed on how the practicing pathologist may distinguish benign mimickers and pseudotumors from true neoplasia. These lesions can be classified as macroscopic or microscopic mimickers of neoplasia.

Symptomatic solitary nonparasitic cysts of the liver (SNCL) are rarely encountered in children, especially rapidly enlarging cysts presenting as acute abdomen. Therefore, it is difficult to establish the pre-operative diagnosis and to determine the treatment protocol of SNCL. While imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and computed tomography are modalities for diagnosis of SNCL, making a pre-operative diagnosis in the case of very large cysts remains difficult. We present a child with SNCL who initially presented with a rapidly enlarging cyst presenting as acute abdomen, and also provide a review of the literature. Moreover, we evaluate the surgical procedures and conclude that total excision of the cysts when possible is a suitable treatment procedure in children.

Embryological abnormalities of the branchial apparatus present an interesting diagnostic and surgical challenge. Thymic cysts are a rare form of branchial apparatus anomaly, resulting from abnormal development of the third pharyngeal pouch. We present two cases of a thymic cyst coexisting with a non recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN), two anomalies that to our knowledge have not been associated previously. A possible embryological explication for this double abnormality is discussed, while the clinical implications of this association are presented.