Metastasizing atrial myxoma

Tumors that were identical in morphology to a previously excised atrial myxoma were found in the choroid plexus and the scapula of a 46-year-old woman 8 and 10.5 years, respectively, after cardiac surgery. Ultrastructurally the scapular lesion resembled previously reported atrial myxomas. This case demonstrates that atrial myxoma is a true neoplasm capable of metastatic spread despite its slow growth and innocuous histologic appearance.

[Crystal chemistry of two cases of subdeltoid calcification]

We studied the mineral phase of two cases of subdeltoid calcification by thermogravimetry, infrared spectometry and X ray diffraction. We have shown that these were phosphates deficient in calcium ions with an apatite structure. They contained both carbonate ions and HPO4 ions in variable proportions from one sample to another. These phosphates are very similar both by their structure and their composition to phosphates in bony tissue. They differ by the fact that they are better crystallised than the latter.

Infiltrative lipoma in dogs

Infiltrative lipomas, similar to those described in man, were diagnosed in 12 dogs of various breeds, sexes, and ages. The neoplasms were poorly delineated, soft enlargements in muscle and connective tissue that caused dysfunction because of mechanical interference or pressure pain. The neoplasms consisted of differentiated fat cells that had infiltrated between or replaced muscle, collagen fibers or both. Single or multiple recurrences followed surgical removal in four of eight dogs: no follow-up was possible in the other four.

Hereditary multiple exostoses: clinicopathologic features of a comparative study in horses and man

Investigation of hereditary multiple exostoses in horses under controlled research conditions for 10 years and epidemiologic studies that have spanned up to five generations of human families contain notable similarities. The present study demonstrated that a single dominant autosomal gene is responsible for hereditary multiple exostoses in horses and man. Affected individuals transmit this trait to approximately 50% of their progeny, whereas nonaffected individuals do not transmit the condition to their offspring. The tumors in affected horses are most often present at birth. They tend to be bilaterally symmetrical and vary in size, shape, and texture. Those on the legs generally do not appear to enlarge as the animal matures, but others, notably those on the ribs and scapulae, enlarge until skeletal maturity, Histologically, the tumors appear as typical ostosteochondromas in both horse and man. Sarcomatous transformations have not yet been detected after 10 years in horses, although such changes are occasionally reported in the similar disease condition in man. The remarkable similarities of hereditary multiple exostoses in the horse to that in man provide an opportunity for comparative biomedical study.

Aggressive osteoblastoma

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of two cases of an osteogenic tumour with long survival are described. The tumours have the histological pattern of benign osteoblastoma with other more cellular and aggressive features suggestive of a low grade osteosarcoma. They are locally invasive but the absence of metastases indicates that separation from both entities is justified clinically and pathologically. The term aggressive osteoblastoma is suggested.

Eosinophil granuloma of the scapula

The writers present a case of eosinophil granuloma of the scapula. This is extremely rare at this site. They describe the clinical course, the unusual radiographic appearances, and the complete functional recovery following local resection.

Fibrous osteodystrophy in a wild dolphin

Skeletal lesions observed during necropsy of a wild mature male dolphin (Delphinus delphis) were consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy when examined microscopically. The lesions were pronounced in the ribs, scapulae, and pelvis, with no apparent skull or vertebral involvement. Whether the cause was nutritional or nonnutritional was not determined.

[Contribution to the study of scapulo-humeral periarthritis: anatomical lesions of simple chronic painful shoulder]

The authors restate that simple pain of the shoulder, which is a form of scapulo-humeral periarthritis characterized by the existence of pain without limitation of movement, is almost always associated with lesions of the tendons of the short muscle teres of the shoulder. They term chronic simple pain of the shoulder the rare cases where, despite therapy that is reputed to be efficient, there is a gradual development lasting more than one year, either continuously or with relaps periods of less than three weeks. They show that these chronic shoulders are practically always associated with a rupture of the coat of the muscle teres or a calcification of the tendons of the teres coat. Ruptures are as much frequent in men as in women and calcifications definitely more frequent in women (60%). Before 30 years of age, the most frequent lesion is almost always a calcification, and after 65 rupture is more common. Between 30 to 65, the probability of a calcification in a chronic simple painful shoulder, goes from 100% to 0, while the probability of a rupture increases from 0 to 100%.

Amyloid tumor. A clinicopathologic study of four cases

Four examples of amyloid tumors were studied to determine whether there was an association with myelomatosis. Three patients had follow-up examinations of 12 years, 9 years, and 2 1/2 years, respectively. A local recurrence developed in one patient and a second lesion developed in this patient and in one other who also had a transient monoclonal 7S globulin peak. In spite of these findings, none of our patients developed myelomatosis. A study of the scanty literature on amyloid tumors reveals that only patients with lesions of the lung and urinary bladder have had long-term follow-up. They have invariably remained free of disease. Several reports of bone lesions have inferred that amyloid tumors occurring here signify solitary myeloma despite a lack of follow-up confirmation. Our longest surviving patient developed two bone lesions over a 12-year period without developing myelomatosis. Our findings lead us to conclude that there is little evidence to regard the presence of an amyloid tumor at any site as a manifestation of solitary myeloma or myelomatosis.

[Morphology of the incisura scapulae in relation to the frozen shoulder (author's transl)]

A flat incisura scapulae was registered on radiological examination of four cases of frozen shoulder. A modified X-ray technique was used to investigated 250 patients with spondylosis cervicalis in a morphological study of the incisura scapulae. Three types were found: Type I with a deep, sharp incisura, type 2 with a widened, balloon-sharped incisura and type 3 with a flat, barely-distinguishable incisura. The significance of the X-ray appearance is discussed.

[Solitary plasmacytoma of the scapula and clavicle]

A 59 year old female patient with a large solitary medullary plasmocytoma of two years duration of the right scapula and clavicle is presented. The patient refused operation and received telecobalt radiation therapy. The palpable swelling and pain disappeared. Bone marrow puncture, blood and urine analyses were quite normal. An individualized therapeutic procedure is recommended for such cases.

Malignant chondromyxoid fibroma of the scapula

A rare case of malignant chondromyxoid fibroma developed in the scapula of a woman who was treated with interscapulothoracic resection. When a biopsy specimen was submitted for study, difficulty was encountered in establishing the histologic diagnosis. A large dose of radiation was given before surgery, based on an original biopsy diagnosis of osteosarcoma; in retrospect, preoperative irradiation probably was contraindicated. Two years and four months after surgery, the patient was working with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.

Macrodactyly, hemihypertrophy, and connective tissue nevi: report of a new syndrome and review of the literature

Macrodactyly and hemihypertrophy have been described in association with a number of syndromes which are reviewed. We describe a child who, in addition to macrodactyly and hemihypertrophy, has extensive connective tissue nevi. He does not conform to any known entity and would appear to represent a "new" syndrome.

Anomalies of the scapula

This is a report of a case of double acromion and double coracoid and a commentary on the comparative anatomy and embryology of the shoulder. Congenital elevation of the scapula, ossification of the transverse scapular ligament, clasp-like superior border of the scapula, coracoclavicular joint, coracoclavicular bridge, coracosternale bone, os acromiale, elongated acromion, convex glenoid, hypoplasia of the inferior border of the glenoid, dentated glenoid, infrascapular bone, and notched inferior angle of the scapula are other anomalies of the scapula reported in the literature.

The pathology of neonatal osteomyelitis

The examination of multiple bones from a child who died of complications of septicemia and osteomyelitis elucidated the pathologic processes of infantile osteomyelitis. From a metaphyseal focus, there is spread in several directions. Most important, the infection can spread across the growth plate, along transphyseal vessels, to penetrate the epiphysis. Areas of direct destruction of growth plate were frequent findings, and allowed another route into the epiphysis.