[Intrauterine volvulus with complete bowel necrosis and formation of a pseudo-cyst]

The article reports on a male newborn who attained an age of one day only. An intrauterine volvulus resulted in complete necrosis of the ileum with subsequent intrauterine development of a pseudocyst and corresponding structural changes in the abdominal wall. Clinically and on postmortem examination a highly inflated abdomen was particularly remarkable. The diaphragm was displaced upwards to an extremely high degree. The cause may be attributed to a disturbed development of the mesenterium, since other possible causes could be excluded. This case is compared with reports in the literature on this rare phenomenon.

Problems of differential diagnosis of blastomyces and Russell bodies

The European dermato-histologist is only rarely confronted with the diagnosis of granulomatous and systemic mycosis. The proper identification in sections and smears of blastomycetes of systemic importance is rather problematic, as Russell bodies may simulate fungi in certain stains. An own observation is reported with particular emphasis on differential diagnosis.

Tumoral calcinosis. Observations during six years

Findings of a 56 year old woman suffering from tumoral calcinosis, who was treated for 6 years, are presented. Under conditions known to lead to negative calcium-phosphorus balance, a reduction in tumor size was seen. Transient hypercalcemia was attributed to immobilization. The process of tumor reduction was not definitely accelerated by treatment with ethane-hydroxy-diphosphonate (EHDP; 500 mg/day for 20 months). Nephrotic syndrome as a consequence of amyloidosis developed. Amyloidosis seems to have resulted from the aseptic histiocytic inflammatory process in the tumors. The possible importance of high cholesterol in very low density lipoproteins in the serum of the patient is discussed.

[A contribution to pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder joint (author's transl)]

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder joint, particularly with osseous invasion, is a rare disease. Typical clinical, roentgenological and histological criteria are pointed out on the basis of the case report of one of the authors' own patients. Aetiology and pathogenesis of the changes are discussed. This disease must be included in differential diagnostic deliberations in the shoulder joint region as well, where it may be superficially confused with malignant tumours of the joint.

[The development of the adrenal cortex in pig (Sus scrofa domestica). (A contribution on the development of the fetal interior zone of the adrenal cortex in pig) (author's transl)]

The adrenals of pigs have been investigated histologically and histochemically during different periods of time pre- and postnatally. The pig (Sus scrofa domestica) shows a proper fetal cortex in the prenatal development of the adrenal gland. This involves slowly during the last quarter of pregnancy. A weight reduction is not noted thereby. Just before delivery the adrenal cortex of the pig has been subdivided into a zona arcuata and zona fasciculata. The zona reticularis develops only postnatally.

[Synovial sarcoma of the neck (author's transl)]

Two cases of synovial sarcoma of the neck are reported. As it is already known from comparable literature, the extraoridinary localisation and the unusual histological pattern showing sarcomatous and synovial elements may cause major difficulties in diagnosis. In both cases the treatment consisted of radical surgical removal.