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Background: Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (ESMCS) is an unusual pathologic variant of chondrosarcoma. There are no specific clinicoradiographic parameters to distinguish it from other intracranial pathologies. The diagnosis can be established only on the basis of histopathology, which may pose significant challenges in certain unusual locations. Purpose: In this case, we discuss the pitfalls in diagnosis, management, and major characteristics of ESMCS with a review of current literature. Methods and Results: A 47-year-old female patient presented with a jugular foramen tumor which was misdiagnosed as glomus jugulare tumor for which she received primary gamma knife radiosurgery at 2 instances. But unfortunately, the patient died because of the increase in size of the lesion associated with necrosis. Autopsy analysis revealed a highly cellular tumor, rich in sarcomatous cells, and well-differentiated cartilages consistent with ESMCS. Conclusion: A definite preoperative diagnosis of ESMCS is crucial though difficult especially when located at complex sites like jugular foramen and clinicoradiological mimicry. The most crucial step in the management of ESMCS is accurate diagnosis with critical evaluation of clinical, radiological, and histopathological parameters and realization of highly variable clinical course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal perforation is a dreaded complication of anterior cervical spinal surgery. A 52-year-old diabetic man had undergone a surgery for a C6-C7 disc prolapse and developed spiking fever with chills and rigor on the 7th postoperative day. No cause could be found out but a CT scan of thorax done in the course of investigations revealed pneumomediastimum. The patient succumbed on the 10th day after surgery. Autopsy revealed the cause of death to be mediastinitis following iatrogenic esophageal perforation. A second patient, 53 years of age, following surgery for C5-C6 disc prolapse and developed intractable dysphagia. Later, fever and purulent discharge from the wound prompted an MRI showing prevertebral collection extending to the superior mediastinum. Presuming only wound infection, debridement and implant removal was done. However persistent serous discharge from the wound revealed an esophageal injury. Late diagnosis precluded primary repair. With conservative treatment, the fistula finally closed after 42 days. Postoperative dysphagia, a common complaint following surgery, may not always be present in cases of esophageal injury. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosing and initiating treatment for esophageal perforation before complications set in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Near-Death experience (NDE) following a severe head injury, critical illness, coma, and suicidal attempt has been reported. Purpose: Purpose of study was to examine why a few patients report NDE after survival, do cultural and socio-demographic factors may play a role? Methods: The details of 3 cases of patients who reported near-death experience (NDE), is presented here. Several theories regarding the reasons, of the various components of the experiences, are discussed with a brief review of literature. Results: All the three patients report the Out of body experience OBE. All the three patients reported to remember initially the events that took place during this time, but after some time all three patients could not recall exactly the events that had happened. Conclusion: Whether these are only hallucinations or a proof of `after life' will remain debatable until more data is communicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]