Immunoelectron microscopy related to T-cell monoclonal surface antigen in mycosis fungoides

Multiple intracerebral intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a rare benign reactive lesion usually found in thrombosed subcutaneous blood vessels. It uncommonly occurs in the central nervous system and may be mistaken for a more malignant type of tumour such as angiosarcoma. We present a first case of multiple IPEH occurring intracranially in a 51-year-old woman. She developed neurological compromises secondary to the mass affect of the haematoma arising from one of the lesions. Prompt surgical evacuation of the haematoma stabilized her condition. Surgical treatment, pathological findings, radiographic characteristics, and a review of the literature are presented.

The value of nuclear contour index in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. An assessment of current ultrastructural morphometric diagnostic criteria

Skin biopsy specimens from 43 patients with established mycosis fungoides (MF) and 28 with non-MF lymphoid skin infiltrations were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The nuclear contour index (NCI) of infiltrating lymphoid cells was obtained by means of a Zeiss Videoplan computer and measuring tablet. Classification of the material into MF and non-MF groups was done according to the diagnostic criteria used by McNutt et al. (1980, 1981) and Meijer et al. (1980); this study evaluates the usefulness of these previously published criteria based on quantitative electron microscopy. Statistical analysis confirmed that the mean NCI (MNCI) of the lymphoid cells of patients with MF is significantly greater than that in patients with other lymphoid infiltrates (P less than 0.001). However, all published diagnostic criteria (McNutt et al., 1980, 1981, and Meijer et al., 1980) tested in the authors' larger patient population yielded lower sensitivity than has been reported. The diagnostic criteria based on values of MNCI, percentage of lymphoid cells with NCI greater than 7, and percentage of lymphoid cells with nuclear profile area of greater than 30 microns2 reported by McNutt et al. (1981) appear to be better than others, and provide the highest sensitivity rate, which is in the range of 44% to 47%. There were no false-positive findings. It was concluded that the use of ultrastructural morphometry according to the techniques and diagnostic criteria of McNutt et al. (1981) is useful in the diagnosis of MF.

Immunoperoxidase-immunogold double labelling in immunoelectronmicroscopy of large granular lymphocytes

A method for better characterization of mononuclear cell subpopulations using detection of 2 surface antigens simultaneously in electron microscopy was developed with immunoperoxidase-immunogold double labelling. Monoclonal antibodies of IgG and IgM classes were used in the first step, and colloidal gold-labelled anti-mouse IgG antibody and peroxidase-labelled anti-mouse IgM antibody (mu chain-specific) in the second step. Immunoelectronmicroscopy with such double labelling improves ultrastructural analysis of mononuclear cell subpopulations.