Lumbar hernia is a rare condition whose diagnosis is hardly achieved. The prevalence is higher in elderly men. The present case report describes the case of a male, 78-year-old patient who underwent pleural effusion drainage 17 years before presenting with clinical manifestations and tomographic findings compatible with acquired secondary Grynfeltt's hernia.

Keywords: Lumbar hernia, Grynfeltt's hernia, Superior lumbar hernia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the yielding of chest computed tomography in comparison with mediastinoscopy for detection of mediastinal nodal metastases in patients with bronchial carcinoma, and identifying the most problematic regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed 195 patients with bronchial carcinoma, comparing the findings of chest computed tomography and mediastinoscopy with biopsy. RESULTS: As regards mediastinal nodal metastasis, 33.9% of patients presented peribronchial and/or ipsilateral hilar nodal metastases, 46.1% ipsilateral and/or subcarinal mediastinal metastases, and 20% contralateral mediastinal and/or hilar, scalenic or supraclavicular metastatic disease. Higher sensitivity values were found in the following regions: right tracheobronchial, right upper paratracheal, and left upper paratracheal. Higher specificity values were found in the following nodal regions: left upper paratracheal, right upper paratracheal and tracheobronchial. CONCLUSION: Chest computed tomography has shown to be an important diagnostic tool for detection of mediastinal lymph nodes abnormalities. However, the neoplastic nature of such mediastinal nodes should be confirmed by means of mediastinoscopy or even thoracotomy, aiming at making the correct decision regarding the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Keywords: Lung cancer, Computed tomography, Mediastinoscopy

The authors describe a case of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a hereditary disease characterized by heterotopic ossification of the connective tissues, usually triggered by trauma, resulting in permanent immobility of the joints. Hallux valgus, clinodactyly and short thumbs are the main associated congenital anomalies. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva usually develops during early childhood. Clinical and radiological diagnosis is essential, since invasive procedures exacerbate the disease. Only palliative treatments are available and prevention plays an important role in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Keywords: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, Heterotopic ossification, Hallux valgus, Trauma, Prevention

In the literature, there is no evidence of relationship between primary bone lymphoma and osteochondroma or of coexistence of both of them in a single bone. The present report describes an uncommon case of primary bone lymphoma occurring simultaneously with osteochondroma in the proximal third of the tibia. In the present case, magnetic resonance imaging signs simulated the presence of sarcomatous degeneration.

Keywords: Primary bone lymphoma; Osteochondroma; Sarcomatous degeneration; Bone tumors.