Granulomatous pulmonary angiitis in sarcoidosis

The occurrence and morphologic aspects of granulomatous pulmonary angiitis were evaluated in open lung biopsy specimens from 128 patients with sarcoidosis. All of the specimens showed parenchymal granulomas characteristic of sarcoidosis, and in 88(69%), granulomatous angiitis was seen. In the speclimens that exhibited granulomatous angiitis, venous involvement was mos common, seen in 92% of the cases. In 61% of these biopsy specimens, only venous involvement was seen; in 31%, both venous and arterial involvement was present. Only 8% of the positive specimens showed arterial lesions exclusively. The extent of angiitis was quantitated. Focal segmental elastic tissue destruction, partial or complete, was a common finding. No instances of aneurysm formation, endothelial erosion, or thrombosis were observed. Occlusive narrowing of small vessels was frequent. Bronchial blood vessels were not involved.

Mixed ovarian tumor composed of Brenner and thyroid elements

An exceedingly rare ovarian neoplasm composed of mixed thyroid and Brenner tumor is reported. Review of the literature yielded only one well-documented case previously described. Although the possibility of a "collision" of two different tumors cannot be completely discarded, a possibility of an endodermal teratoma (thyroid-urothelium) is also proposed.

Small cell epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. An oat-cell-like carcinoma

A case of small cell anaplastic epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus is reported. The morphology of this rare esophageal neoplasm simulates that of oat cell carcinoma. Four similar cases have been previously reported. The finding of epidermoid differentiation in two of these tumors, including the present one, raises considerable doubt that any are truly oat cell carcinomas of the esophagus. Although it is theoretically possible that an oat cell carcinoma may arise in the esophagus, there is as yet no conclusive evidence for the existence of such an entity.

Ascorbic acid in fetal human brain

Ascorbic acid concentrations in fetal human forebrain in the period 11 to 19 weeks' gestational age were 4 to 11 times higher than those of adults. Levels fell progressively with increasing gestational age but, in term babies dying within 4 weeks of birth, were still at least 3 times those of adults. It was confirmed that, in women delivering at term, ascorbic acid concentrations are approximately 4 times higher in cord blood plasma than in maternal blood plasma. The possible importance of ascorbic acid for normal human brain development is discussed.