Background and aims – Description of two cases of rare intravascular large B-cell lymphoma and secondary T-cell lymphoma diagnosed postmortem, that manifested clinically as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). We discuss causes of diagnostic difficulties, deceptive radiological and histological investigations, and outline diagnostic procedures based on our and previously reported cases. Case reports – Our first case, a 48-year-old female was admitted to the neurological department due to paraparesis. MRI suggested LETM, but the treatments were ineffective. She died after four weeks because of pneumonia and untreatable polyserositis. Pathological examination revealed intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVL). Our second case, a 61-year-old man presented with headache and paraparesis. MRI showed small bitemporal lesions and lesions suggesting LETM. Diagnostic investigations were unsuccessful, including tests for possible lymphoma (CSF flow cytometry and muscle biopsy for suspected IVL). Chest CT showed focal inflammation in a small area of the lung, and adrenal adenoma. Brain biopsy sample from the affected temporal area suggested T-cell mediated lymphocytic (paraneoplastic or viral) meningoencephalitis and excluded diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The symptoms worsened, and the patient died in the sixth week of disease. The pathological examination of the presumed adenoma in the adrenal gland, the pancreatic tail and the lung lesions revealed peripheral T-cell lymphoma, as did the brain and spinal cord lesions. Even at histological examination, the T-cell lymphoma had the misleading appearance of inflammatory condition as did the MRI. Conclusion – Lymphoma can manifest as LETM. In cases of etiologically unclear atypical LETM in patients older than 40 years, a random skin biopsy (with subcutaneous adipose tissue) from the thigh and from the abdomen is strongly recommended as soon as possible. This may detect IVL and provide the possibility of prompt chemotherapy. In case of suspicion of lymphoma, parallel examination of the CSF by flow cytometry is also recommended. If skin biopsy is negative but lymphoma suspicion remains high, biopsy from other sites (bone marrow, lymph nodes or adrenal gland lesion) or from a simultaneously existing cerebral lesion is suggested, to exclude or prove diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, IVL, or a rare T-cell lymphoma.

Here we report an anterior thoracic meningocele case. Twoyears- old female patient was presented with kyphosis. Azygos lobe of the lung was also demonstrated during radiological studies. Posterolateral thoracotomy incision and extralpeural approach was performed for excision of the anterior meningocele to untether the cord. Although both anomalies are related to faulty embryogenesis and it is well known that faulty embryogenesis may also reveal coexisting abnormalities, we could not speculate a common mechanism for anterior thoracic meningocele and azygos lobe of the lung association.

[The development of anti-TNF-α agents represents a great advance in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases. Adalimumab is the first fully human, recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction of TNF with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors, thereby neutralising the activity of this cytokine. In well designed, placebocontrolled trials adalimumab significantly reduced symptoms, improved quality of life, and reduced radiologically evident joint damage in patients with rheumatoid athritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arhritis. The drug was generally well tolerated, and the follow up studies confirmed, that the incidence of serious adverse events was similar to that generally seen in patients not receiving anti-TNF agents. This review summarises the recent available data related to the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in inflammatory joint diseases.]

[In ischaemic heart disease, if the medically treated patient’s anginal complaints and/or ischaemic symptoms are persistent, coronary angiography, and according to its results, coronary intervention (surgery or dilatation) may become necessary. The intervention is required in critical stenosis (>70% diameter) of the main vessels, the emergency depends on the clinical situation. Basic method of coronary angioplasty is the balloon dilatation, other tools (stent, rotablator, laser wire, atherectomy device, etc.) are also available. Periprocedural anticoagulant (heparin) and platelet aggregation inhibitor (aspirin, ticlopidine, GP IIb/III/a receptor blocker) treatment is required, the latter after the procedure as well. After stent implantation the lumen of the vessel is bigger and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction, repeated intervention, fatal outcome) is diminished. Decrease of serum lipid level improves the outcome of coronary angioplasty. It is applicable successfully for multiple lesions, occluded vessels, stable and unstable angina, in the early phase of myocardial infarction, in patients who underwent coronary surgery, and in old age too. Risk factors of the intervention are: tortuous vessel, significant calcification, stenosis in angle or ostium, luminal thrombus, urgent intervention, old age, female gender, congestive heart failure, unstable condition and acute myocardial infarction. When indicating the intervention, besides the probable results, it is necessary to consider the possibility of complications (myocardial infarction, malignant rhythm disorders, acute heart failure, bleeding, etc.). In left main stem stenosis, 3 vessel disease and in the case of 1 functioning coronary artery surgery would be preferable. With the present facilities the ratio of urgent surgical intervention as well as the mortality is below 1%.]