Pyknoachondrogenesis: an association of skeletal defects resembling achondrogenesis with generalized bone sclerosis. A new condition?

A stillborn male with skeletal anomalies resembling achondrogenesis with remarkably sclerotic bones is reported. The term "Pyknoachondrogenesis" is suggested for this hitherto undescribed condition.

Primary mediastinal embryonal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma. A case report

A case of primary malignant germ-cell tumor of the mediastinum is presented. The diagnosis was suggested by a fine needle aspiration biopsy and confirmed by alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin demonstration in the patient's serum. The cytologic, gross and microscopic findings are described.

Multinucleated giant cells in myeloma kidney: an ultrastructural study

The origin of multinucleated giant cells in myeloma kidney is not yet defined. These cells have long been thought to represent tubular epithelial cells transformed in syncytia, but, more recently, they have been considered as histiocytic cells arising from the interstitial tissue. We have studied by electron microscopy the distal tubules of kidney biopsies of 5 patients affected with myeloma kidney: our ultrastructural findings do not seem to clarify the problem. In fact, in the same patient, we have observed multinucleated giant cells probably originating from epithelial tubular cells and others, probably originating from histiocytes.