Suprasellar Mass – Rathke Cleft Cyst
History: 20 year old female with headache and blurry vision This is a case of a Rathke cleft cyst, which is a benign suprasellar mass. Rathke’s pouch is a depression in the roof of the developing mouth in front of the buccopharyngeal membrane. It gives rise to the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis), a part of the endocrine system. Rathke’s pouch normally closes early […]
Contrast Enhancing Mediastinal Mass Mnemonic – CAPT CAPT
This mnemonic is commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis for contrast enhancing mediastinal masses: CAPT CAPT C – Carcinoid tumor A – Aneurysm P – Paraganglioma T – Thyroid C – Castleman A – Anuerysm (I know, its mentioned twice because you definitely don’t want to miss this one) P – Parathyroid T – […]
Solitary Lung Mass Mnemonic – CASH PLEASE
This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis for a solitary lung mass: CASH PLEASe C – Cancer A – Abscess S – Solitary Metastasis H – Hamartoma P – Pseudotumor L – Lymphoma E – Echinococcus A – Actinomyces S – Sequestration See a case discussion of solitary lung mass here.
Cavitating Lung Mass Mnemonic – CAVITY
This mnemonic has been used commonly to aid in recalling the differential diagnosis of a cavitating lung mass (CAVITY): C – cancer (primary bronchogenic carcinoma or pulmonary metastases) A – autoimmune (rheumatoid lung disease and Wegener’s granulomatosis) V – vascular (pulmonary emboli including septic emboli) I – infection (pulmonary abscess) T – trauma (pneumatocele) Y […]
Lytic Bone Lesion Mnemonic – FEGNOMASHIC
This is a commonly used mnemonic to recall the differential diagnosis of lytic bone lesions: F – fibrous dysplasia, fibrous cortical defect E – enchondroma (of the tibia here or of a phalanx here), eosinophilic granuloma G – giant cell tumor N – non-ossifying fibroma O – osteoblastoma M – metastases, myeloma A – aneurysmal […]
Ring Enhancing Intracranial Mass Mnemonic – MAGIC DR
This is a commonly used mnemonic to recall the differential diagnosis for ring enhancing intracranial masses: M – Metastases A – Abscess G – Glioblastoma Multiforme I – Infarct (subacute) C – Contusion D – Demyelinating disease (such as tumefactive multiple sclerosis) R – Radiation Necrosis and Resolving hematoma
Solution to Unknown Case # 11 – Differential Diagnosis of a Cystic Pediatric Neck Mass
History: 5 year old male with a midline neck mass. This is the appearance of a lymphatic malformation, which use to be termed “cystic hygroma.” A lymphatic malformation is a congenital malformation of lymph channels which collect into embryonic lymphatic sacs. They can virtually be found in any head and neck location, and are characteristically […]
Lung Mass – Differential Diagnosis
History: 60 year old male with cough. A lung mass is a focal opacity that measures greater than 3 cm. If it measures less than 3 cm and is the only lesion, it is classified as a solitary pulmonary nodule. Read this post for the differential diagnosis for a solitary pulmonary nodule. The differential diagnosis […]
Endometrioma
History: 35 year old female with pelvic pain. Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial cells (the cells that line the inside of the uterus) are found outside of the uterus within other areas of the body. Patients typically complain of painful menstruation, irregular bleeding, and infertility. When endometrial tissue forms a localized mass, such as […]
Unilateral Opaque or “White Out” Hemithorax – Differential Diagnosis
History: 60 year old male with shortness of breath. The differntial diagnosis for unilateral opaque hemithorax is broad, and includes large pleural effusion, empyema, hemothorax, complete lung collapse, pneumonectomy, community acquired pneumonia, bronchogenic carcinoma, pleural masses such as mesothelioma, and finally pulmonary agenesis. This patient had complete collapse of the left lung secondary to a […]