Hydatid cysts are rarely detected in the muscle tissue, even in endemic countries. Echinococcus granulosis is the most common causative agent, whereas Echinococcus alveolaris is rare. Three patients, two females and one male, with primary echinococcosis of the skeletal muscles are described in this report. Mean patient age was 33.3 ± 14.6 years. The disease occurred as soft tissue masses in all three patients, and no hydatid foci were detected elsewhere in the patients. Skeletal muscle echinococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of limb masses, especially in endemic countries.

Background: Sphenoid sinus (SS) is an important landmark for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESC) and endoscopic skull base surgery. This study examines the relation of the extent of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus with adjacent vital structures such as the internal carotid artery, optic canal, and Vidian nerve by using paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNSCT). Methods: The study was designed retrospectively. PNSCT images in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes on both sides (right, R; left, L) were examined for sphenoid sinus, Vidian canal (VC), optic canal (OC), and carotid canal (CC) bilaterally. Results: The carotid canal did not show identification on the SS wall in females compared to males bilaterally (right, p= 0.002 and left, p= 0.002). The mean age was significantly higher in patients with a presellar type of sphenoid sinus (p=0.003). The mean age was significantly lower on the right side with a VC completely within the sphenoid sinus (p=0.005). The mean age of patients with an optic canal protrudation to the SS wall was significantly higher than patients with an optic canal indentation to the SS wall (p= 0.007). On the left side, cases with an optic canal protruding to the SS wall were older than cases with an optic canal indentation to the SS wall (p= 0.008). SS variations on the sagittal plane were significantly correlated with RVC, RCC, LVC, and LCC variations. Also, SS variations on the coronal plane were significantly related to types of LVC and RVC. Conclusions: Pneumatization of SS significantly affects the development of surrounding vital structures, especially with increasing age.

Objective: To examine the relationship that the types and locations of fractures of the sternum have with mortality and morbidity. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the records of 115 patients diagnosed with fracture of the sternum, due to blunt trauma, between 2007 and 2018. Records of computed tomography studies were obtained from the radiology archive of a tertiary teaching hospital. The type of fracture was classified as linear, displaced, or comminuted, whereas the fracture location was classified as the manubrium, body, or xiphoid process. Results: A total of 108 patients were included in the study. Of those patients, 92 (85.2%) were male and 16 (14.8%) were female. The etiology was a traffic accident in 72 cases (62.6%) and a fall from height in 36 (31.3%). The mean age was 42.1 ± 17.7 years for males and 53.9 ± 20.0 years for females. The mortality rate was 11.1%. Among the 12 deceased patients, the mean age was 44.4 ± 18.3 years. The fracture was located exclusively in the manubrium in 64 patients (59.3%), exclusively in the body of the sternum in 41 (38.0%), and in both locations in three (2.7%), whereas none were located in the xiphoid process. Morbidity rates were higher in the patients with fractures of the manubrium than in those with fractures of the body of the sternum, as was the incidence of accompanying bone fractures and organ injuries. The fracture was linear in 44 patients (40.7%), displaced in 62 (57.4%), and comminuted in 30 (27.8%). The mortality was significantly higher for comminuted fractures than for the other fracture types (p = 0.045; β = 4.40). Conclusion: Fracture of the manubrium can be indicative of the severity of trauma and has a poor prognosis.

Cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is a zoonotic parasitic disease, caused by ingestion of Echinococcus granulosus eggs, that can result in cyst formation anywhere on the body. Hydatid disease is frequently seen in regions where there is human-animal contact and poor socioeconomic development. The prevalence of the disease ranges from 0 to 79 cases/100,000 population. Hydatid cysts are typically found in the liver and lungs, being less common in other parts of the body. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is often used in order to clarify the sites affected by a hydatid cyst, such as the cranial and thoracic regions, which also facilitates the surgical evaluation and minimizes complications. Although rare, hydatid cysts in atypical locations can provoke unusual complications, with unpredictable findings and symptoms. This essay discusses the radiological aspects of rare thoracic hydatid cysts.