Polymorphous Low Grade Adenocarcinoma of the Parotid Gland. Cytological, Histological and Immunohistochemical Features and Review of the Literature

Dural metastasis mimicking meningioma: an interesting case

Dural metastasis is a rare entity in clinical practice. We report a case of dural metastasis secondary to thyroid carcinoma, which on both preoperative CT and MRI and at surgery had the typical appearance of a meningioma. Histopathological findings confirmed metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma as a primary site. Although rare, dural metastases can mimic a meningioma. Our experience in this case has led us to consider metastasis as a differential diagnosis even when a meningioma is suspected. We believe that reporting of the case of dural metastasis mimicking a meningioma may help clinicians in future.

Intraoperative cytological evaluation of Marjolin ulcers

BACKGROUND

Marjolin ulcers are malignant neoplasia developing in chronic open wounds and pathological scars. A definitive diagnosis is made by histological examination of permanent sections. Frozen section biopsy has been widely used for intraoperative diagnosis and evaluation of surgical excision safety margins. This preliminary study aims to discuss the reliability of a simpler and faster method -- intraoperative cytology -- in the diagnosis of Marjolin ulcers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Touch or scrape smears of 76 Marjolin ulcers from 22 patients were assessed, and features were compared to the histological appearance of permanent sections.

RESULTS

Cytology revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 45 ulcers from 11 patients. Histology confirmed SCC in 48 ulcers from 12 patients. No false-positive and one false-negative results were found. Cytology was found to have a 98.7% accuracy, 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the intraoperative diagnosis of Marjolin ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytology is a fast and reliable alternative in the intraoperative diagnosis of Marjolin ulcers.