Basement membrane proteins, apolipoprotein E and glycosaminoglycans in pituitary adenomas and their correlation to amyloid

The aim of the study was to confirm earlier reports of the association of amyloid deposits in growth hormone (GH)-producing adenomas of the pituitary and the presence of glycosaminoglycans, basement membrane proteins and apolipoprotein E (apo E). Serial sections from 17 amyloidotic and 11 nonamyloidotic, sparsely granulated, GH-producing adenomas obtained from patients presenting with acromegaly were stained with Congo red and Alcian blue, and also with antisera directed against fibronectin, collagen IV, laminin and apo E. Glycosaminoglycans were found in capillaries of every adenoma and were also related spatially to amyloid deposits. Immunostaining of both nonamyloidotic and amyloidotic adenomas demonstrated the presence of fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin in the basement membranes of surrounding nonadenomatous tissue and tumour vessels. In approximately half the amyloidotic adenomas, each basement membrane protein presented with a distinct spatial relationship to amyloid deposits. Apo E was found in 88% of the amyloidotic adenomas within the amyloid deposits, and in six cases intracellular immunostaining was also evident in folliculo-stellate cells. The results are consistent with the presence of glycosaminoglycans, basement membrane proteins and apo E in the amyloid deposits of pituitary adenomas.

Diagnosis and immunohistochemical classification of systemic amyloidoses. Report of 43 cases in an unselected autopsy series

Fourty-three cases of systemic amyloidosis were identified in an unselected autopsy series from our institute (6305 autopsies between 1979 and 1993) and classified immunohistochemically by means of a panel of antisera directed against five major amyloid fibril proteins. Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was the most common type, being found in 21 cases (48.8%). Transthyretin-derived (ATTR) amyloidosis was present in 11 cases (25.6%), and immunoglobulin light chain-derived (AL) amyloidosis in 10 cases (23.3%). A single case (2.3%) contained deposits of more than one type of systemic amyloid. AA amyloidosis was associated with chronic inflammatory or infectious diseases (81%), malignant tumours (19%) or both (9.5%). Immunoglobulin light chain-derived amyloidoses were associated with myeloma (50%) or primary (idiopathic; 50%). In AA and AL amyloidosis the kidney was the organ most frequently involved. ATTR amyloid affecting mostly the heart and lungs presented as senile systemic amyloidosis. Systemic amyloidosis was the cause of death in 5 cases (12%) and caused symptoms in 17 cases (39%). Our results suggest that most cases can be classified by using a panel of sensitive and specific antibodies against five major amyloid fibril proteins. This technique may make amyloid type-specific therapy possible for AL amyloid patients who do not have evidence of an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia.

Clinically nonsecreting pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence

OBJECTIVE AND PATIENTS

Clinically nonsecreting pituitary adenomas are rare in childhood and adolescence. We analyzed five cases of clinically nonsecreting pituitary adenomas in patients (4 male and 1 female patient) under 20 years of age at surgery (0.22%), identified by a review of 2288 patients with pituitary adenomas treated from 1970 to 1996 at the Hamburg University.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND RESULTS

Patient age at the onset of symptoms ranged from 8 to 13 years (mean, 10.8 yr), and age at surgery ranged from 12.5 to 19.5 years (mean, 15.5 yr). Two patients presented with endocrine symptoms, two with headache only, and one with a visual field defect. Endocrinological examinations showed pituitary insufficiency in two patients with endocrine symptoms. The serum prolactin level was normal in all patients. Radiological investigations demonstrated resectable macroadenomas with ring enhancement in four patients and a nonresectable macroadenoma with parasellar extension in one. Transnasal explorations achieved radical tumor resection except in one patient. The latter underwent a transcranial resection and radiotherapy because of parasellar tumor rest. Surgical morbidity consisted of left oculomotor nerve palsy after transcranial exploration. In two patients, normal pituitary function was preserved by transnasal surgery. Follow-up duration was 2 to 23 years (mean, 10.9 yr). There was no recurrence except for one parasellar adenoma. Immunohistological diagnosis was null cell adenoma in two patients, silent prolactinoma in two, and silent gonadotroph adenoma in one. The proliferative activity measured by Ki-67 (as the antibody MIB-1) and p53 expression revealed a positive reaction in one adenoma with parasellar extension.

CONCLUSION

Clinically nonsecreting pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence cause different endocrine symptoms from those in adults. They caused pubertal and growth delay and/or primary amenorrhea in the patients investigated in this study. Transnasal surgery in childhood and adolescence is as safe as in adults. The characteristics of nonsecreting pituitary adenomas in this age group, including 20 patients cited from the literature, do not differ from those in adults.

[Combined neuronal and endocrine tumors of the sellar region]

Gangliocytomas or gangliogliomas of the sellar region are very rare tumors. In a great proportion of those cases an adenoma of the anterior pituitary develops from the cell type that is hyperstimulated by the releasing hormone produced from the gangliocytoma. Five GHRH secreting gangliocytomas are reported. Four of these were localized adjacent to a GH secreting adenoma. In one case, no adenoma tissue was found beside the ganglicytoma. As only the adenomas can secrete GH, the adenomas and not the gangliocytomas are directly responsible for acromegaly so that such an adenoma has to be present in cases of acromegaly. A CRH secreting gangliocytoma was combined with an ACTH cell adenoma that had induced Cushing's disease. A ganglioglioma of the posterior pituitary had led to an inappropriate secretion of Vasopressin. The morphology of the different tumors is presented.

Occult eutopic Cushing's syndrome--failure of simultaneous bilateral petrosal sinus sampling to diagnose pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome

Simultaneous bilateral inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) sampling has been repeatedly proposed to be a highly specific approach for the diagnosis of Cushing's disease and 100% sensitivity in detecting autonomous pituitary ACTH secretion by an adenoma has been reported in a large series. We now report on a patient suffering from ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome in whom repeated bilateral IPS sampling failed to detect a central/peripheral gradient diagnostic for autonomous pituitary ACTH secretion during initial evaluation. Applying lysine vasopressin as the corticotroph secretatogue, the maximum central/peripheral gradient was 1.0 before and 1.1 following stimulation. Moreover, results of high dose dexamethasone and corticotrophin releasing hormone administration suggested ectopic ACTH secretion. Since thorough diagnostic procedures failed to localise a suspected carcinoid tumour, occult ectopic Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed. Eight years later, a pituitary macroadenoma was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), IPS catheterisation then revealed a maximal central/ peripheral gradient of 9.3 before and 20.4 after the intravenous administration of lysine vasopressin. Resected tumour tissue was classified as a typical densely granulated ACTH cell adenoma. We conclude that repeated MRI scans should be included in the follow-up of patients with a diagnosis of occult ectopic Cushing's syndrome to avoid the risk of overlooking 'occult eutopic Cushing's syndrome'.

Results of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy do not predict pituitary tumor volume- and hormone-response to ocreotide therapy and do not correlate with tumor histology

The value of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) to predict the effect of somatostatin analog therapy on pituitary adenomas is not clear, due to the use of different radiopharmaceuticals (123I-Tyr3-octreotide and 111In-pentetreotide) and the small number of patients in previous studies. We used 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy in 49 patients in order to (i) correlate SRS results with basal tumor volume as well as volume- and hormone-response to 3 months of octreotide therapy (Oct-Tx). (ii) identify tumor remnants after incomplete surgery and (iii) evaluate any correlation with immuno histology. Twenty-five patients had a GH-secreting adenoma (GH-A, 15 prior to intended surgery, 10 with persistent/recurrent disease after previous therapy). Twenty-four patients had a clinically non-functioning adenoma (NF-A). For SRS, planar and single photon emission computer tomographic images (SPECT) were recorded 4 h and 24 h post injection. SRS grading was as follows: GO, no uptake: G1, uptake comparable to normal pituitary; G2, increased uptake: G3, very intense uptake. G2/3 was seen in 8/25 GH-A and in 12/24 NF-A. Pretreatment tumor volume (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tended to be related to 111In-pentetreotide uptake in GH-A with a tumor visible on MRI (G0/1 (n = 10) vs G2/3 (n = 8): 3.6 +/- 1.9 vs 10.5 +/- 6.5 cm3 (mean +/- S.E.), P = 0.051), but not in NF-A (G0/1 (n = 12) vs G2/3 (n = 12): 17.0 +/- 10.1 vs 14.3 +/- 3.6 cm3). SRS did not identify a tumor remnant in the 7 MRI-negative patients with persistent post-operative acromegaly. Basal GH (6-h profile) and IGF-1 in GH-A did not correlate with SRS results (G0/1 (n = 17) vs G2/3 (n = 8), GH: 32.3 +/- 18.2 vs 29.3 +/- 7.4 micrograms/l IGF-I: 851 +/- 80 vs 1038 +/- 153 micrograms/l). During Oct-Tx of GH-A neither tumor shrinkage nor GH suppression was related to SRS results. In 6 NF-A classified as gonadotropinomas (by their plasma glycoprotein hormone or alpha-subunit concentrations, basally and/or in response to TRH) 111In-pentetreotide uptake was not different from that of the non-gonadotropin/non-secreting adenomas. SRS results were not related to the immunohistological subtype in 22 GH-A (monohormonal mixed somatotrope/lactotrope, plurihormonal) or in 22 NF-A (null-cell adenomas, gonadotropinomas silent hormonal adenomas). We conclude that 111In-pentetreotide SRS reflects tumor volume poorly in GH-A and not at all in NF-A. It does not predict the effect of Oct-Tx on the volume of both GH-A and NF-A, nor on the GH concentration in GH-A. 111In-pentetreotide SRS is unable to identify post-operative tumor remnants not visible on MRI.

Morphology, immunohistochemistry and morphometry of pancreatic islets in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The pancreatic islets from 112 infants (66 males and 46 females) who died of SIDS during the years 1990-1992 have been studied. The control group consisted of endocrine pancreas tissue from 19 infants who died of a clear cause of death (pneumonia, drowning, sepsis, etc.). The mean age of the SIDS group was 5.1 months. We found histologically normally developed organs in all the SIDS cases. By evaluating the relative endocrine cell area of the pancreas by immunohistochemical investigations, A-cells were found to make up 10-30%, B-cells 30-60%, D-cells 10-30% and pancreatic polypeptide cells less than 10% in the SIDS group and in the controls with a small increase in glucagon and insulin cells among SIDS cases. The morphometric evaluation revealed that cell enlargement and cytoplasm shrinking occurred slightly more often in the SIDS group than in the control group. The diameter of the islets was normal and the maximal volume was not enlarged. The results did not show significant differences so that a relationship between alterations of the endocrine pancreas and sudden infant death syndrome could not be demonstrated.

Portal amyloid: novel amyloid deposits in gastrointestinal veins?

OBJECTIVE

To specify uncharacterized amyloid deposits in gastrointestinal vessels of the elderly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The gastrointestinal tracts from 110 consecutive autopsies of individuals aged 85 years and older were examined for amyloid using Congo red staining. Immunohistochemical classification of the amyloid deposits was conducted using antisera directed against amyloid A, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein A-II, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein C-I, lysozyme, lambda and kappa light chain amyloid fibril proteins, transthyretin, beta2-microglobulin, and amyloid P component. Electron microscopic examination assessed the ultrastructural features.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight (35%) of the 110 cases had gastrointestinal amyloid deposits. In 17 cases the amyloid fibril proteins were defined immunohistochemically. In five cases (5%) the amyloid could not be classified because amyloid deposits were not present in the deeper serial sections used for immunohistochemistry. In 13 cases (11%) the vascular amyloid deposits could not be characterized because they did not demonstrate immunoreactivity with any of a panel of antibodies specific for the fibril proteins of all major extracerebral amyloids. In three individual cases, the vascular amyloid deposits showed variable immunoreactivity, with deposits being negative in some vessels. The immunohistochemically nonreactive vascular amyloid in these 16 cases had several consistent features: it affected only vessels of the small and large intestine, it was limited to mesenteric veins, it consisted of small dot- or comma-like deposits located in close proximity to fragmented elastic fibers, and it demonstrated inconsistent immunostaining for amyloid P component.

CONCLUSIONS

The similar morphologic characteristics of nonreactive gastrointestinal amyloid deposits, which we have designated "portal amyloid," suggest a common origin. Determination of whether portal amyloid represents a new type of amyloid will require chemical analysis.

Senile amyloidoses of the pituitary and adrenal glands. Morphological and statistical investigations

The pituitary and adrenal glands are a functional endocrine unit affected by local or organ-limited senile amyloid syndromes. These occur as interstitial (pituitary only) or intracellular (pituitary and adrenal) varieties. The pituitary and right adrenal glands of each of 108 consecutive autopsy cases of individuals aged 85 years and over were investigated for the prevalence, distribution and immunostaining characteristics of local amyloid. Intracellular amyloid was detected in 77 (71%) pituitaries and 73 (68%) adrenals. Interstitial amyloid was found in 86 pituitaries (80%). Immunohistochemical studies, investigating different amyloid fibril proteins, amyloid P component, ubiquitin, intermediate filaments and pituitary hormones, failed to demonstrate any similarities, and a common origin is unlikely. Statistical analyses demonstrated significant correlations between the occurrences of all three local amyloids. The clinical and histopathological significance of local pituitary and adrenal amyloid remains obscure. The results suggested that the pathogenesis of the local senile amyloidoses of the pituitary and adrenals may be influenced by a common, still uncharacterized variable. It is not clear whether this variable also contributes to the pathogenesis of other senile amyloid syndromes, such as those associated with Alzheimers' disease.

Corpora amylacea in the lung, prostate and uterus. A comparative and immunohistochemical study

Previous studies have shown that corpora amylacea (CA) in certain organs, including the prostate, lung and uterus, are composed of amyloid. This observation raises the question of whether these amyloid deposits share a common origin or demonstrate the diversity which characterizes other amyloid syndromes. Sections of the lung, prostate and uterus from 110 consecutive autopsies of individuals over 84 years of age were studied initially using H & E and Congo red staining. CA were present in 54 cases (49%) with the prostate affected in 23 cases, the lung in 19 cases and the uterus in 15 cases. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of antibodies directed against the major amyloid fibril proteins, i.e. AA, A beta 2M, A lambda, A kappa and ATTR, yielded strong immunoreactivity of prostatic and pulmonary CA with anti-A beta 2M. Immunostaining with an antibody against cytokeratin (KL1) gave a weak reaction in a single case of prostatic CA, indicating that it is unlikely that these CA derive from cytoskeletal remnants of shedded epithelial cells. The uterine CA were not stained by any of the antibodies, suggesting that they have a different origin than prostatic and pulmonary CA. The influence of the local calcium concentration and niduses on the pathogenesis of CA is discussed.

The classification of amyloid deposits in clinicopathological practice

A series of 104 biopsy cases with histopathological proof of amyloid, submitted to our department of pathology over the last 19 years, were re-examined. The survey investigated the medical indication for surgery, the origin and quality of the biopsy and the clinical information as documented on the request form for histopathological examination and in hospital records. Amyloid deposits were classified using antisera directed against five major amyloid fibril proteins, i.e. AA, ATTR, A lambda, A kappa and A beta 2M and optimal conditions were sought for the reliable and early characterization of amyloid disease in clinicopathological practice. This survey revealed that 98% of the biopsy cases already suffered from a disease which was either a cause or a result of amyloidosis. In only 2% of the biopsy cases was amyloidosis detected without any clinical indication. Immunohistochemical classification of the amyloid deposits and comparison with hospital records demonstrated diagnostic pitfalls such as immunostaining of amyloid by two or more antibodies recognizing different fibril proteins, and disagreement between immunohistochemical typing of amyloid and the initial clinical diagnosis. Based on these observations we assume that the characterization of amyloid disease and its biological significance is impossible in clinicopathological practice without clinical information or without immunohistochemical classification of the fibril protein in biopsy specimens. Different aspects of histopathological detection of AA- and AL-amyloidosis are discussed.

Adrenocortical nodules in post-mortem series. Development, functional significance, and differentiation from adenomas

In 498 consecutive autopsy cases, the adrenal glands were light microscopically and morphometrically studied. 265 (53.7%) patients showed single or multiples nodules, 25 (5.0%) adenomas. The diameter of nodules was between 0.3 to 8.0 mm and that of adenomas between 3.2 to 28.0 mm. Clinically, 265 (36.5%) patients revealed arterial hypertension. 283 (63.5%) were normotensive. For the diagnosis of adenomas, the architecture and the cell structure were more important than the size of the tumor. Normotensive patients showed more often (55.%) nodules than hypertensive patients (52.8%). Adenomas were more frequently found in hypertensive patients. There was no correlation between age, sex and nodules, but adenomas were more frequently found in females. Normotensive patients exhibited mainly one nodule, whereas multiple nodules were found in hypertensive patients. In patients with nodules arteriosclerosis with intima hyalinosis was present in 184 (56.3%) cases, in patients without nodules in 81 (47.4%) cases. Our study clearly demonstrates that no correlation exists between the occurrence of adrenocortical nodules and age or hypertension. The etiology of adrenal nodules should be considered together with the arteriopathy.

Current pathological classification of pituitary adenomas

A classification of pituitary adenomas basing on detailed structural and immunohistochemical studies is accepted world-wide and is mandatory for each pathologist. Monohormonal (densely or sparsely granulated GH cell adenomas, Prolactin cell adenomas, ACTH cell adenomas. FSH/LH cell adenomas, alpha-subunit-only adenomas), bihormonal (mixed GH/Prolactin cell adenomas, mammosomatotroph cell adenomas, acidophil stem cell adenomas), plurihormonal (GH/Prolactin/Glycoprotein-positive adenomas, other Glycoprotein-positive types) and hormone-negative adenomas (null cell adenomas, oncocytic adenomas) have to be differentiated.

Hypophysitis in surgical and autoptical specimens

We present the clinical and histological findings of 11 cases of inflammatory anterior pituitary lesions, 8 of which were obtained during surgery and 3 of which were obtained from autopsies. Additionally, we extended the conventional classification of pituitary inflammatory disease by the new entity " secondary hypophysitis". Of the surgically obtained specimens 5 consisted of inflammatory extension into the pituitary gland out of the surrounding tissue. In all of these patients the inflammation originated from an additional tumor in the sellar region (4 craniopharyngiomas, 1 prolactinoma). These will be referred to as "secondary hypophysitis", an entity which has not yet been mentioned in the literature. Of the remaining 6 cases, 2 were granulomatous hypophysitis, 2 pituitary abscesses, 1 lymphocytic hypophysitis, and 1 showed extensive scarring of the anterior pituitary lobe due to preceeding lymphocytic hypophysitis. At histological examination the basic structure of the anterior pituitary was maintained in all cases. Relative counts of hormone-producing cells were normal. In secondary hypophysitis, the affected area was composed of fibrous tissue and granulation tissue. B and T lymphocytes were present in equal amounts. Granulomas were not found. Inflammatory infiltrates, granulation tissue and fibroses were seen in different proportions. Based on our results and three other cases reported in the literature so far, we think that the presently used classification of pituitary inflammatory diseases lacks an entity which describes a non-abscess-forming inflammation of the pituitary gland originating from an associated pathological process. Therefore, we introduced the term secondary hypophysitis to describe this fourth entity of pituitary inflammatory disease.

Interstitial amyloid deposits in the pituitary gland. Morphometry, immunohistology, and correlation to diseases

The prevalence and immunoreactivity of interstitial amyloid deposits of the pituitary glands of 109 consecutive autopsies of individuals over 84 years of age were studied using Congo red staining and antibodies directed against the major amyloid fibril proteins and pituitary hormones. In addition, the amount of interstitial amyloid formation was evaluated quantitatively and compared with all autopsy-related and clinical diagnoses available. Eighty-seven (80%) of the 109 cases exhibited interstitial amyloid deposits in the anterior lobe. All reacted immunohistochemically with antiamyloid lambda light chain and antiamyloid P-component. Quantitative analysis in 62 cases revealed a mean volume percentage of interstitial amyloid in the anterior lobe of 0.56%. In statistical analysis, only two of the 25 diseases recorded were associated with interstitial amyloid: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease correlated positively with the occurrence (chi 2; P < .02) as well as with the amount of amyloid (Wilcoxon; P < .04) in the pituitary. In addition, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was accompanied with higher amounts of interstitial amyloid than with all other disorders (Wilcoxon; P < .03). Until now, a correlation was proposed only between non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and islet amyloidosis of the pancreas.

Carcinomas of the pituitary: definition and review of the literature

Pituitary carcinomas are defined by their disconnected mode of extension, i.e. by the existence of intra- or extra-cerebral metastases. Since an invasive growth in the sella and its neighboring regions can also be noted in many pituitary adenomas, this invasion cannot be counted as a criterion for malignancy. Almost all pituitary carcinomas stem from previously operated or irradiated invasive adenomas. Like adenomas, they are classified with regard to the presumable cell of origin and the hormone which was produced contingently. Together with 67 pituitary carcinomas already published, three own cases are subject to a critical, summarizing judgement.

Gliomatosis peritonei combined with mature ovarian teratoma: immunohistochemical observations

Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is the metastatic implantation of glial cells within the peritoneal cavity of patients with ovarian teratomas. The case of a young woman is presented, who initially developed a mature teratoma in the left ovary that was surgically removed. Nine years later a mature teratoma in the right ovary was excised, upon which GP was found in the greater omentum. To identify the cellular composition of the ovarian teratoma and of the omental implants, immunostainings were performed using antibodies against glial and neuronal antigens as well as against determinants of hematopoietic cells. In the teratoma the neuroectodermal part was strongly HNK-1-positive and contained GFAP- and vimentin-positive astrocytes and some NSE-positive neuron-like cells. In addition, neuroectodermal tissue was infiltrated by numerous CD68-positive macrophages/histiocytes and CD20-positive B lymphocytes. The omental nodules consisted of astrocytes, which expressed GFAP, vimentin and desmin. The implants also contained macrophages/histiocytes, which exhibited morphologic features reminiscent of microglial cells. In GP, macrophages might release glia-promoting trophic factors, which could allow the neural component of ovarian teratoma to implant in the peritoneal cavity and survive there for many years. Macrophage-derived factors might induce astroglial differentiation, which could explain why the peritoneal implants are mostly mature even when they originate from immature teratomas.

[Prolactin producing hypophyseal carcinoma. Case report of an extremely rare metastatic tumor]

A 59-year-old male patient was transnasally operated on because of a pituitary adenoma with hypopituitarism. A second operation and X-ray therapy followed a half year later due to recurrent tumor. Both neoplasmas were classified as sparsely granulated prolactin cell adenomas. Immunohistochemical studies revealed strong immunoreactivity for prolactin and FSH in the tumor cells of both the pituitary adenoma and the recurrent tumor. Two years later the prolactin plasma levels were extremely elevated. A tumor in the liver was identified. Biopsy revealed a solid endocrine tumor containing prolactin by immunohistology. Due to structural and immunohistological similarities this tumor could be identified as a metastasis of the pituitary tumor. After 5 months of therapy the patient died from thrombembolism. Post-mortem studies confirmed the diagnosis of a metastasizing prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma. Only six similar cases have been reported in the literature. Our case report confirms the experience with 35 definite pituitary carcinomas reparted in the current literature: malignant pituitary tumors develop after pituitary surgery and can be identified not from the pituitary tumor, but only from its metastases.

Morphology, immunohistochemistry and morphometry of the thyroid gland in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The thyroid glands of 107 SIDS victims (sudden infant death syndrome) have been studied. Controls consisted of 20 thyroid glands from infants who died of other causes (accidents, pneumonia etc.). The thyroid glands were investigated histologically, immunohistologically and morphometrically. Immunohistochemistry (S-100 protein and calcitonin) and morphometry showed no significant results. Histologically, hyperemia (severe: 34 cases = 31.8%; mild: 23 cases = 21.5%), and fibrosis (45 cases = 42.1%; mild: 26 cases = 24.3%) were found. A large number of cases showed depleted follicles (87 cases = 81.3%), little colloid (little: 37 cases = 34.6%; none: 9 cases = 8.4%) and desquamation (severe: 21 cases = 19.6%; abundant: 20 cases = 18.7%). Only fibrosis and depleted follicles were found more often in SIDS than in the controls (conditional logistic regression: rise of incidence for SIDS 2.9 times, P = 0.028, and 1.2 times, P = 0.051, respectively), a commoner occurrence of hyperemia in SIDS was of limited significance (P = 0.105). The alterations found can be taken as stress reactions to current or recurrent hypoxemia and the mild fibrosis indicates recurrent hypoxemia. All alterations indicate that the victims had previously suffered near death episodes. Even though the glands were handled with care, artefacts and autolysis must be taken into consideration. Neither the histological, immunohistological nor morphometrical studies of the thyroid gland gave an explanation as to the cause of death or showed any changes providing explicit help in diagnosing SIDS.

[Urine examination for tumor cells using quantitative immunocytochemistry. Antibodies to a CEA-like antigen]

A total of 39 specimens of urine were tested for tumor cells using a monoclonal antibody (mab 486p 3/12, "medaquic"). Of these specimens, 18 were obtained from patients with histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma. All these specimens were also examined morphologically for the presence of atypical cells, and 25 specimens using a monoclonal antibody against CEA. The "medaquic" test showed a 77.8% sensitivity for detecting transitional cell carcinoma (conventional cytology: 61.1%). The percentage of false-positives with the "medaquic" test was 33.3% (2/6): the results of conventional cytology were similar; two GI carcinomas were not detected by "medaquic". The antigen for the mab 486p 3/12 is a CEA-like glycoprotein. The "medaquic" test was positive appreciably more often than was the CEA antibody reaction.

Pathology of adrenal neoplasms

The use of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy enables the strict separation of adreno-cortical and adreno-medullary tumors in every case, as tumors of the medulla are generally positive for neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin) and negative for D11 whereas those of the cortex are stained with D11 and are negative with the other markers. Our surgical collection of cortical tumors and tumor-like lesions (n = 104) covers adenomas (39%), carcinomas (15%), microadenomatosis (2%), macronodular hyperplasia (4%), hemangioma (1%), myelolipoma (2%), hematoma (1%), pseudocysts (2%), and metastases (6%). The often difficult interpretation of dignity was aided by a point system of criteria. Isolated nodules were differentiated from adenomas by their size (ie less than 3 cm), the histological pattern and the lack of cellular atypia. Correlations of the lesions with the endocrine functions were presented. The tumors of the medulla (n = 42) were differentiated in pheochromocytomas (88%), malignant pheochromocytomas (7%), neuroblastomas (2%), and ganglioneuroblastomas (2%). 8-10% of pheochromocytomas are malignant, but with the exception of invasion of the capsule or of the veins or the demonstration of metastases, no other reliable criteria for malignancy exist. The lack of S100-protein-immunoreacting satellite cells may indicate a malignant growth. 89% of pheochromocytomas in our collection were shown to be endocrine active secreting catecholamines and in one case additionally ACTH.

Preoperative octreotide treatment of growth hormone-secreting and clinically nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas: effect on tumor volume and lack of correlation with immunohistochemistry and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy

The factors that determine the hormone and volume responses of pituitary adenomas to the somatostatin analog octreotide are poorly understood. We, therefore, studied the correlation between 111indium-pentetreotide somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and the clinical and immunohistochemical classification of pituitary adenomas, on the one hand, and hormone and volume responses, on the other hand. Ten patients with GH-secreting (6 females and 4 males; age, 31-67 yr) and 14 patients with clinically nonfunctioning (NF) macroadenomas (5 females and 9 males; age, 22-79 yr) were preoperatively treated with 300 micrograms/day octreotide, which was increased to 600 and 1500 micrograms/day at weekly intervals and then continued for at least 3 months until surgery. SRS was performed before therapy. A sellar magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed before therapy; 1, 2, and 3 weeks and 3 months after start of therapy; and after surgery. Acromegalics also had an 8-h GH profile, insulin-like growth factor-I determination, and a 100-g oral glucose load at these time points. An attempt was made to identify NF adenomas as gonadotroph adenomas using their LH, FSH, and alpha-subunit responses to TRH. In acromegalic patients, octreotide suppressed mean GH (8-h profile) and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations from 34.9 +/- 9.7 to 8.1 +/- 3.6 micrograms/L and from 2122 +/- 1025 to 701 +/- 208 micrograms/L, respectively, after 3 months. Significant (26-85% decline) tumor shrinkage occurred in 5 of 10 patients, mainly within the first week. Tumor shrinkage and GH suppression were not correlated. Four of 7 patients had increased pituitary 111indium-pentetreotide uptake, but this did not predict GH suppression or tumor shrinkage. Of the NF adenomas, 2 responded with shrinkage (57% and 96% decline). Four of 12 adenomas had increased 111indium-pentetreotide uptake, but this did not correlate with tumor shrinkage (2 adenomas; 1 gonadotroph and 1 null cell adenoma), immunohistochemistry, or clinical classification. We conclude that preoperative octreotide therapy suppresses GH in most patients and reduces tumor volume in up to 50% of acromegalic patients. It also induces shrinkage in some NF adenomas, although less frequently. SRS does not predict shrinkage of either tumor type. Shrinkage does not correlate with clinical classification or immunohistological characteristics. Further studies are needed to identify the factors that determine the hormone and volume responses of pituitary adenomas to octreotide therapy.