Inverted papilloma of upper urinary tract. Four case reports

As part of urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma, inverted papilloma deserves a particular place owing to its histologic features, rarity and prognosis. These tumors are usually located in the bladder and their location in the upper urinary tract is quite exceptional. This is the reason why we were prompted to report 4 new cases.

[Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver and superior vena cava. Radiological results apropos of a case in an adult]

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare, ubiquitous, vascular tumor, difficult to diagnosis but sometimes identified after detection of metastases, and with a prognosis intermediary between angioma and angiosarcoma. The tumors have been described as developing in the large venous trunks and recently lesions have been reported in liver. Little documented data exist with respect to radiologic appearances. A case is reported with a histologically confirmed hepatic localization in association with a lesion in superior vena cava.

Atenolol induced systemic lupus erythematosus syndrome

We report the first case of an illness resembling idiopathic lupus erythematosus, with fever, pleuropericarditis, antinuclear antibodies and antidenaturated DNA antibodies after 18 months of treatment with atenolol for hypertension. After withdrawal of atenolol our patient's clinical symptoms disappeared and laboratory test results returned to normal, which strongly suggests the role of atenolol in inducing the syndrome, therefore atenolol should be added to the list of beta blocking agents capable of inducing a lupus-like syndrome.

Digestive tract and renal small vessel hyalinosis, idiopathic nonarteriosclerotic intracerebral calcifications, retinal ischemic syndrome, and phenotypic abnormalities. A new familial syndrome

A new familial syndrome that affected 3 of 7 siblings is described. All 3 patients were young women with a very peculiar phenotype, poikilodermia and hair greying, and idiopathic nonarteriosclerotic cerebral calcifications. Pathological studies demonstrated a marked and progressive hyalinosis involving capillaries and often arterioles and small veins of the digestive tract, kidneys, and calcified areas of the brain. Using electron microscopy, we found that the hyalin substance in the intestinal capillaries consisted of several concentric layers of basal membrane-like deposits within a finely granular fluffy material. Huge deposits of this material were present in the subepithelial and mesangial spaces of the kidneys. Endothelial cells and, in the kidneys, mesangial cells were markedly abnormal, and a true mesangiolysis pattern was present in 2 patients. The clinical and biologic expression of these vascular changes was variable. Diarrhea, rectal bleeding, malabsorption, and protein-losing enteropathy were the main and lethal clinical problems in the proband. Hypertension appeared in the early stage of a second pregnancy in 1 sister, and mild proteinuria was found in all 3 affected patients. Peripheral retinal ischemic syndrome and chorioretinal scars were found in the ocular fundi of both affected sisters of the proband. A subarachnoid hemorrhage, due to a right sylvian aneurism, also occurred in both sisters and was lethal in 1 sister. None of the known causes of distal vessel hyalinosis could be ascertained.

Papaverine-induced chronic liver disease

The case history of a women with jaundice and laboratory evidence of chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis is reported. The patient had taken papaverine for 6 yr for cerebral arterial disease. Jaundice improved after the drug was discontinued but reappeared when papaverine therapy was reintroduced. Antinuclear antibody and smooth muscle antibody were present. Clinical manifestations disappeared and laboratory results again returned to normal upon withdrawal of papaverine. This case suggests that papaverine should be added to the list of drugs known to produce chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Association of systemic light-chain deposition disease and amyloidosis: a report of three patients with renal involvement

Three patients with renal involvement, plasma cell dyscrasia and systemic light chain deposition are reported in whom well characterized amyloid deposits were also found in the vessel walls. This association, not yet reported, is probably more frequent than believed and still brings nearer these two manifestations of monoclonal light chain deposition. Whether or not the finding of amyloid deposits during systemic light chain deposition is a separate entity and modifies the prognosis remains to be answered.

Cavitation of mesenteric lymph nodes, splenic atrophy, and a flat small intestinal mucosa. Report of six cases

This study describes, in 6 patients with a flat small intestinal mucosa and splenic atrophy, a particular lesion of the mesenteric lymph nodes termed "cavitation." In 4 women and 2 men with abdominal mass, intestinal obstruction, or suspected celiac disease-associated lymphoma, unusual pseudocystic lymph node lesions were found in the jejunal or jejunoileal mesentery. These lesions consisted histologically of a large central cavity occupied by hyaline-type material and surrounded by fibrous tissue and remnants of lymph node structures. There was no histologic evidence of malignant lymphoma or mesenteric panniculitis. Diffuse subtotal villous atrophy involving at least the jejunum was found in each case, together with unequivocal biological and morphological evidence of splenic atrophy, severe malabsorption, and a history of chronic or childhood diarrhea. HLA B8 or DR3, or both, was present in 4 of 4 cases; dermatitis herpetiformis was present in 1 case. An unequivocal mucosal response to a gluten-free diet was observed in 2 cases. Four patients died of cachexia or hyposplenism-related infections. We conclude that cavitation of mesenteric lymph nodes is an original feature which may be associated with splenic atrophy and a flat small intestinal mucosa; some of these patients may have celiac disease. Pathogenesis is unknown.

[Pancreatitis: a little-known cause of ureteral obstruction]

Left ureteral stenosis induced by pancreatitis was observed in one case. Five similar cases have been reported in the literature. Ureteral obstructions may be found in two clinical contexts--patent pancreatitis or retroperitoneal fibrosis. The ureter may be simply compressed mechanically, or there may also be enzymatic or ischemic necrosis. The clinical approach should be directed towards treating primarily the pancreatitis and secondarily the urological pathology. As regards the urological treatment, ureterolysis or ilio-ureteroplasty are indicated in cases of organized irreversible ureteral stenosis.

[Does the direct immunofluorescence examination of superficial temporal artery biopsies have any value? Results of the study of 101 biopsies]

The lesions in temporal arteritis (TA) are known to be often segmental and the pathologic study of involved temporal arteries may be falsely negative. Several reports suggest that direct immunofluorescence (IF) may be of value in the diagnosis of the disease. We have studied by IF 101 consecutive biopsies from 100 patients investigated during the last two years. Adjacent segments were processed for light and immunofluorescent microscopy. For the latter, tissues were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -- 70 degrees C. Cryostat sections were stained with anti-gamma, alpha, mu, C3, fibrinogen and albumin conjugates. A sister section was also stained with HE for light microscopy. Deposits of Ig and/or C were either granular (intra- or extra-cellular) or linear closely applied to internal elastic lamina. The 100 patients fall into 4 groups: Group I, (19 patients) with diagnosis ascertained upon typical clinical record and clear cut anatomic lesions by light microscopy; Group II (10 patients) with the clinical features of TA and a negative biopsy by light microscopy; Group III (29 patients) in whom the diagnostic criteria of polymyalgia rheumatica were fulfilled according to Forestier and Certonciny; Group IV (42 patients) affected with various diseases unrelated to T.A. (1 with polyarteritis nodosa, 5 with rheumatoid arthritis...). The following results were obtained by IF: in group I, deposits were found in 63% of the patients studied (linear in 11 and granular in 4 cases). They included Ig usually with C3 and fibrinogen. In group II, we observed linear deposits of IgG in one patient and granular C3 deposits in another case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inverted papilloma of the bladder. A report of 10 cases

The inverted papilloma is a distinct lesion characterized by its rarity compared to the frequency of the other vesical papillomas. The typical histological aspect of this lesion should lead us to call it adeno-urotheliome. Its progress is generally benign. However, the possibility of recurrence indicates a close periodical cystoscopic follow-up.

[Massive sarcomatous infiltration of the liver disclosed by jaundice and hepatocellular failure in Waldenström's disease]

We report herein the case of a patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia in whom an immunoblastic sarcoma produced acute jaundice and hepatic failure. Transvenous liver biopsy, performed because of coagulation deficiencies, revealed massive infiltration of the liver by the sarcoma. Immunofluorescence study showed numerous portal and sinusoidal cells stained exclusively by anti-micron anti-kappa antisera. As shown by others in the literature, this study supports evidence for the same clonal origin of the two proliferations. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in marrow and blood cells (trisomy 5 and 20, 6 q-, 7 q+, and 8 p-); their role in emergence of sarcoma is discussed. This case shows that immunoblastic sarcoma emerging during the course of Waldenström macroglobulinemia may be revealed by severe hepatic manifestations.

[Chronic radiation-induced esophagitis after treatment of oropharyngolaryngeal cancer: a little-known anatomo-clinical entity]

Chronic esophagitis induced by radiation therapy (CRE) for carcinoma of the oropharynx and larynx, and involving an initially normal esophagus, is poorly known, and often confused with a locally recurrent malignancy. By reporting 8 consecutive cases, the aim of this study is to contribute to proving that cervical CRE does indeed exist. Eight men, aged 58 to 76 years, developed complete aphagia (7 cases) or severe dysphagia (1 case), 2 to 56 months (median 8.5 months) after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the laryngopharyngeal area. In 5 patients, the primary tumour and/or chains of cervical lymph nodes were removed before radiation therapy; in the 8 patients, the esophagus was endoscopically free of disease. The total dose of radiation exceeded 60 grays in 6 patients. Although they were initially considered as suffering from a locally recurrent malignancy on a clinical basis, none of the 8 patients had patent signs (either endoscopic or histologic) of recurrence. In each case a severe lesion of the cervical esophagus was documented (stenosis 7 cases, giant ulceration 1 case): the diagnosis of CRE was based on endoscopic, histological, and evolutive criteria. Six patients were treated by prolonged nutritional support (via enteral route, 5 cases; parenteral route, 1 case); endoscopic dilatations were used as a single treatment or in association with nutritional support in 4 cases. Three patients died of CRE-induced regional complications; post mortem examination, performed in 2 cases, confirmed CRE without evidence of locally recurrent malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Castleman's pseudotumor. Apropos of a case with pelvic localization]

The authors report a case of a pelvic site of a Castleman pseudo-tumour, still called angio-follicular hyperplasia or lympho-vascular hamartoma. This disorder of unknown aetiology may be situated anywhere along the lymphatic chains (70% of cases in the mediastinum). It is often associated with immuno-haematological disorders. Suitable for surgical treatment, the course is always favourable.

[Atypical Cogan's syndrome with cutaneous vasculitis: a case]

The authors report the case of a 81 years-old-woman who had simultaneously atypical Cogan's syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis and diverticular sigmoiditis. The relations being between these three diseases are discussed.

[Vertebral osteonecrosis. Apropos of 4 cases with slow spinal cord compression in 1 case]

The authors report on four cases of aseptic osteonecrosis of the vertebral body in adults (VON). Among these, one patient, in whom histological data were available, presented with a slow spinal cord compression syndrome (SSCCS). This complication is uncommon since only one other similar case has been reported so far (4). VON thus remains an underestimated etiology of SSCCS by non-tumoral compression fracture of the vertebral body. Diagnosis is based on the roentgenograms which evidence osteocondensation with "gaseous dissection" of the vertebral body, the latter being considered as pathognomonic of this disease. The etiopathogeny is still unknown. Treatment is purely symptomatic and the course has always been favorable.

[Nephrotic syndrome associated with chronic lymphoid leukemia. Review of the literature apropos of a case]

A case of chronic lymphoid leukaemia complicated by a nephrotic syndrome is reported. There was no evidence of amyloidosis or renal vein thrombosis. Percutaneous renal biopsy disclosed lobular membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with subendothelial deposits of IgG, C3, C4 and C1q. Circulating immune complexes, IgG lambda cryoglobulin and low CH50 levels due to activation of the classical pathway were demonstrated in serum. Immunosuppressive treatment of the leukaemia resulted in complete regression of the nephrotic syndrome.

Jejunal IgA and C3 deposition in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura with severe intestinal manifestations

An adult male patient with Henoch-Schônlein purpura and severe intestinal involvement is reported. Henoch-Schönlein purpura was documented by microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of the skin and kidney. At duodenojejunoscopy there were multiple ulcerations and thickening of mucosal folds. Microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of duodenum and proximal jejunum showed submucosal vasculitis and granular deposits of immunoglobulin A and complement components (C3) in the vessel walls, similar to those observed in the skin and kidney. This patient exhibited severe and prolonged intestinal lesions of Henoch-Schölein purpura, and was resistant to a 10-day course of total parenteral nutrition. However a dramatic clinical response was observed within 24 h after the initiation of plasma exchange therapy; steroids were not used. Intestinal involvement in anaphylactoid purpura may be associated with local immunologic abnormalities similar to those observed in cutaneous vessels and glomerular mesangium.

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the small bowel associated with primary jejunal malignant lymphoma. Evidence favoring a cytogenetic relationship

A nonimmunodeficient patient with diffuse nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the small bowel and a jejunal malignant lymphoma of mixed lymphocytic-histiocytic type is reported. Surface marker and immunohistologic studies of the malignant lymphoma and of histologically benign lymphoid nodules proximal to the tumor showed a similar pattern of monoclonality (IgM-kappa) and gave suggestive evidence of a cytogenetic relation of the lymphoma to nodular lymphoid hyperplasia. It is suggested that intestinal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia may be a condition leading to lymphoid malignancy; its exact incidence in patients with both malignant lymphoma of the gut and a primary immunodeficiency syndrome should warrant further consideration.

[Hypocomplementaemic leucocytoclasic vasculitis. (Mac Duffie's syndrome). One case with bacterial lymphadenitis (author's transl)]

Mac Duffie's syndrome includes a hypocomplementaemic allergic vasculitis with essentially cutaneous and articular manifestations. Its pathogenesis, still incompletely elucidated, involves the precipitation of immune complexes in the walls of the all vessels. The problem remains as to whether the alteration in the complement system is merely a reflection of this formation of immune complexes, or if it is primary, favourising the chronic infections which produce such complexes. The significance of the presence of low molecular weight precipitins reacting with C1g in the serum of a number of patients remains uncertain. The case reported, with its new clinical features, does not provide an answer to these questions but emphasises the possible role of chronic infections in the origin of this syndrome.

[Acute renal failure in the course of occupational lead intoxication. Chelation therapy responsability (author's transl)]

In a patient with occupational plumbism and a normal kidney function, EDTA therapy (1 g/24 h) resulted in a massive lead excretion (15 000 microgram/24 h) together with acute renal failure. A direct nephrotoxic effect of EDTA was excluded: after renal function returned to normal, EDTA could be subsequently readministered at progressively increasing doses (250 mg to 1 g/24 h) without any renal dysfunction. These findings strongly suggest a close relationship between the burden of lead mobilized by EDTA and the acute renal failure. This case can be classified as acute lead nephropathy of which only a few instances have been reported in the literature. The interest of monitoring lead excretion during chelation therapy is particularly emphasized.