Pheochromocytomas (PHEO) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare tumors originated in cells derived from the neural crest. The first ones are located in the adrenal medulla, and the second ones in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. These kind of tumors may secrete excess catecholamines, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and/or their metabolite metanephrine, normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine, respectively. Its clinical manifestations depend on the location, the secretory profile and the malignant potential of the tumor. These tumors are frequently benign in their presentation. Some arise in the context of familiar syndromes, accounting for up to one-third of the total of diagnosis. The metastatic form is the most common presentation of the tumors with familiar origin and due to their rarity, their diagnosis and management is often difficult. Over the years, our knowledge and perception of PHEO and PGL has greatly expanded and changed. This review article aims to focus on the genetic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approaches, to give the clinician knowledge of the most recent updates regarding these themes.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an uncommon auto-inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, with a classical triad of fever, arthritis, and evanescent rash. Its low prevalence and lack of specific guidelines contribute to frequent delays in diagnosis and treatment. Clinical manifestations vary greatly between mainly systemic or articular symptoms and the clinical pattern between monocyclic, polycyclic, or chronic illness. Treatment options include nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), systemic corticoids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and, more recently, biological agents directed at identified immune pathological pathways like anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) or anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). We report a case of a 40-year-old male with persistent fever, polyarthralgia, sore throat, and rash for two weeks despite antibiotic treatment for suspected bacterial pharyngitis. During hospitalization and after extensive diagnostic workup, an AOSD diagnosis was made according to Yamaguchi's criteria and successfully managed with systemic corticoids.

Simulation is emerging as a mandatory component of surgical training. The egg is an excellent cost-effective model for drilling and dissection training and helps in improving surgical skills, enables learning of fine motor skills, and allows repeated practice. Although this method of training does help one control a drill and manual instrumentation, it does not help with temporal bone anatomy knowledge.

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Despite a recent decline, tuberculosis (TB) infection is still a frequent diagnosis in Portugal. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) measurement has become an important tool in the timely diagnosis of this infection. However, ADA elevation in bodily fluids is not pathognomonic of TB infection. We present the case of a 70-year-old woman, undergoing treatment for pleural TB, diagnosed based on elevated ADA levels in a pleural effusion. Due to worsening symptoms she was readmitted, and the previous diagnosis was reconsidered. Thoracocentesis was repeated and cytometry analysis of the fluid was performed, showing the presence of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). DLBCL is the most frequently occurring non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Pleural involvement is rare in the initial stages. ADA elevation >250 U/l should raise suspicion of malignancy, especially in association with markedly elevated LDH levels. The purpose of this case report is to highlight that in the absence of microbiologic or histologic confirmation, a presumptive TB diagnosis should not be lightly made, and alternative diagnoses should be systematically ruled out.

Posterior circulation strokes are responsible for about 20-25% of all ischemic strokes. Recognition and diagnosis of posterior circulation strokes or transient ischemic attacks is more difficult than that of other stroke types, being frequently misdiagnosed in acute setting/emergency evaluation -up to more than three times as often as anterior circulation strokes.In accordance with the guidelines in effect at the time of this case presentation, thrombolysis and medical therapy are the mainstay treatment. Mechanical thrombectomy is emerging as a treatment option in posterior vessel occlusion but randomized clinical trials are still lacking.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is the complete or partial occlusion of the main venous sinuses or cortical veins. The most known risk factors are oral contraceptives, pregnancy, thrombophilias, malignancy and infections. The SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with a hypercoagulable state and there are some reported cases of CVST in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Although infection is one of the possible causes of CVST, it is important to rule out malignancy. We report a case of a 27-year-old male, with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, who went to the emergency department for a severe left occipital headache and was diagnosis with CVST. An etiological study revealed a retroperitoneal mass, compatible with a paraganglioma.