Paravertebral paraganglioma with spinal extension: a case report.

Background: Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. While paragangliomas of the spine are rare, those located in non-cauda equina areas with spinal canal extension are even rarer.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 23-year-old female of African descent with a primary thoracic paraganglioma with intervertebral extension resulting in displacement and compression of the spinal cord and extensive local invasion of the surrounding structures.

Cytomegalovirus-associated supraglottic mass in a patient on immunosuppressive therapy.

A 33-year-old woman on chronic immunosuppressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with a history of inhaled methamphetamine use presented with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period. After being given plasma exchange, pulses of methylprednisolone and a dose of cyclosporine for suspected ANCA (anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibodies) vasculitis, she developed an obstructive supraglottic laryngeal mass that required a tracheostomy to bypass. Biopsy findings revealed the mass to be an inflammatory pseudomass secondary to cytomegalovirus (CMV).

The clinical spectrum of Actinomyces-associated lesions of the oral mucosa and jawbones: correlations with histomorphometric analysis.

Objectives: To characterize the clinical manifestations of Actinomyces-associated lesions of the oral mucosa and jawbones, and to correlate the clinical course and treatment requirements with the findings of histomorphometric analysis.

Study Design: The study was a 10-year retrospective analysis of archived cases with microscopic identification of Actinomyces infection. Actinomyces colonies were identified, using hematoxylin-eosin, Gram, and periodic acid-Schiff stains, exhibiting filamentous morphology with color variation between center and periphery.