UCLA Radiological Sciences Proceedings

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Percutaneous cryoablation is emerging as a promising treatment option for control of local recurrence and for palliative management of the disease-related symptoms. At times, recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma is difficult to target as it can recur within the mediastinum and can be surrounded by vital organs and large vessels. This case report describes a challenging yet safe and successful transvertebral approach for percutaneous cryoablation of a paraesophageal mass for palliative treatment of a patient with single-site recurrent metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma within the mediastinum.

Cherubism is a rare genetic disorder resulting in the replacement of the mandible and sometimes the maxilla with expansile cystic lesions. The disorder usually presents in childhood, with eventual quiescence in early adulthood. We report a case of cherubism involving both the mandible and the maxilla and complicated by mass effect on the nasal cavity and the left orbit. Pathologic features, clinical considerations, and treatment of cherubism are discussed.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare myeloid neoplastic disorder typically seen in children and characterized by infiltrative bone lesions. The skin, the lungs, the liver, and the central nervous system may also be involved. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is even more unusual in adults and presents a diagnostic challenge, given that its imaging characteristics are similar to those of other, more prevalent neoplastic processes. We report a case of LCH in a 28-year-old man with neurologic symptoms due to a nonspecific suprasellar mass and a single lytic lesion in the right bony pelvis. The results of histologic evaluation of the lytic lesion confirmed the diagnosis of LCH.