MediAI

A Worm on CT? The Hidden Diagnosis Behind Persistent Right Upper Quadrant Pain Keywords:  Gastric ascariasis, Ascaris lumbricoides, abdominal CT, liver lesions, parasitic infection, intestinal helminths, emergency radiology, AI radiology, abdominal pain diagnosis, medical imaging AI How CT Imaging Revealed Gastric Ascariasis, Hepatic Involvement, and the Rare Risk of Brain Migration Clinical Hook A 32-year-old previously healthy woman arrived at the emergency department after nearly ten days of worsening right upper quadrant pain. The discomfort intensified during deep inspiration but did not radiate elsewhere. She also reported a persistent cough, reduced appetite, and generalized fatigue. Routine laboratory studies were largely unremarkable, making the diagnosis initially elusive. Physical examination demonstrated decreased breath sounds over the right lower lung and tenderness in the right upper abdomen. The turning point occurred when contrast-enhanced CT unexpectedly demon...

Trichobezoar and Rapunzel Syndrome: The Hidden Cause of Abdominal Pain Every Radiologist Must Recognize Introduction Emergency departments frequently encounter adolescents presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. While appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, bowel obstruction, and ovarian pathology are common considerations, rare entities such as trichobezoar remain important diagnostic possibilities. A trichobezoar is a compact mass of ingested hair that accumulates within the stomach and occasionally extends into the duodenum and small bowel. When the hair mass extends beyond the pylorus into the small intestine, the condition is commonly referred to as Rapunzel syndrome. Although uncommon, delayed diagnosis can result in gastric outlet obstruction, bowel perforation, malnutrition, intussusception, and even death. Consequently, radiologists play a pivotal role in early identification. The present case involves a 17-year-old female with autism and trichotil...