Primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney: a case report with literature review

We describe a case of primary renal synovial sarcoma (SS) in a 48-year-old man. The patient presented with hematuria and was found to have a large tumor in his left kidney on computed tomography scan. Histology revealed a highly cellular spindle cell neoplasm with minimal pleomorphism. The major differential diagnoses included leiomyosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and SS. The presence of focal areas with a biphasic pattern, uniformly positive immunostain for bcl-2, focally positive immunostains for epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin, and negative immunostains for CD-34, smooth muscle actin and S-100 established the diagnosis. This was subsequently confirmed by molecular testing for t(X;18) translocation. Since the existence of primary SS in the kidney was first suggested in 1999, to the best of our knowledge a total of 19 cases including the present case have been reported to date. Although primary renal SS is rare, these findings indicate that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell tumors of the kidney.

A report of intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease with literature review

Rosai-Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy), is a rare benign histiocytic proliferative disorder. Over 650 cases have been reported since 1969. To the best of our knowledge, there have been only 31 cases with central nervous system involvement reported in the literature. Intracranial disease usually presents clinically and radiologically as a "meningioma". It can be misdiagnosed as a nonspecific inflammatory process because of the atypical histologic features of Rosai-Dorfman disease occurring in a non-nodal location. Familiarity with such atypical histologic features and appropriate use of immunohistochemical stains is required for a definitive diagnosis of central nervous system Rosai-Dorfman disease. We report such an intracranial lesion with other extranodal sites of involvement with a 5-year follow up and a review of previously reported cases. Ann Diagn Pathol 5:96-102, 2001.

A report of mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescences and a literature review

We report the case of a rare cardiac lesion, mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescences, and also provide a review of the literature. Diagnosis of this entity was based on both its unique morphologic features and imunohistochemical stains. Cytokeratin positivity confirmed the epithelial component, mesothelial cells, in the lesion. Positive staining of CD68 in the monocytic-appearing cells revealed the histiocytic nature of the second component of this lesion. Differential diagnoses are discussed. This report emphasizes the diagnostic dilemma encountered with this unusual entity and the possibility of misdiagnosing the epithelial portion as a metastatic lesion or vice versa.

Deep juvenile xanthogranuloma: an unusual presentation

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a disorder of histiocytes usually associated with cutaneous lesions. It may present a diagnostic dilemma in the absence of cutaneous lesions and when deeply located. Differentiation of JXG from other childhood histiocytosis syndromes, especially Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), is important. We describe an unusual case of deep JXG in a 27-month-old girl with multiple omental and peritoneal nodules presenting with ascites. Although a diagnosis of LCH was suspected clinically, the absence of Birbeck granules and S-100 protein and T6 antigen negativity, together with CD68 and factor XIIIa positivity, led us to a diagnosis of JXG. Physicians should be aware of the widening spectrum of manifestations of juvenile xanthogranuloma.

Periosteal chondrosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Periosteal chondrosarcoma occurs predominantly in the long tubular bones. The long-term survival rate is better and there are fewer local recurrences than with central chondrosarcoma. A case of periosteal chondrosarcoma is reported with a review of the literature. A 13-year-old girl presented with swelling of the distal right thigh of 3 weeks' duration. Radiographs and computed tomographic scan of the lesion showed a soft tissue mass, measuring 6 x 6 cm, with matrix calcification arising from the surface of the bone. An open biopsy followed by en bloc resection of the tumor was performed. The histologic features were those of a chondrosarcoma. An 8-year follow-up period has shown no local recurrence or distant metastases. The differential diagnosis of periosteal chondrosarcoma includes periosteal (chondroblastic) osteosarcoma and periosteal chondroma. Controversy exists as to whether periosteal chondrosarcoma is an entity distinct from periosteal osteosarcoma. The clinicopathologic features in this case and in the cases reported in the literature support the contention that periosteal chondrosarcoma is indeed distinct.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with a lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm mimicking adult rhabdomyoma: a case report and review of the literature

Massive accumulation of crystals within histiocytes in association with a lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm causing histologic features closely mimicking adult rhabdomyoma is a rare occurrence. We report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with a left posterior cervical mass. Histologic examination demonstrated sheets of large, elongated, and polygonal cells with prominent eosinophilic cytoplasm surrounding scattered dense lymphoplasmacytic collections. Evidence of the reactive histiocytic nature of the eosinophilic cells was provided by an immunohistochemical reaction that was positive with KP-1 (CD68), but negative with common muscle actin, desmin, and myoglobin. The ultrastructural finding of elongated and rhomboid, membrane-bound, cytoplasmic crystals further supported the reactive histiocytic nature of these cells. B-cell kappa monoclonality of the lymphoplasmacytic component was proven by gene rearrangement studies. A recurrence involving the right parotid gland, 18 months after removal of the cervical mass, confirmed the aggressive nature of this B-cell lymphoma. Misdiagnosis of crystal-storing histiocytosis as adult rhabdomyoma can be avoided if the following features are recognized: lack of cytoplasmic cross striations, frequent multinucleation of the histiocytes, and prominence of the atypical lymphoplasmacytic component.

Ki-67 reactivity in breast carcinoma analyzed by a computer-assisted image system: preliminary results

The proliferative index of 63 breast carcinomas was measured on Ki-67 immunostained frozen tissue sections with a computer-assisted image analysis system. The mean proliferative index in estrogen-positive breast carcinomas was lower than in estrogen-negative carcinomas. An inverse relationship between proliferative index and short-term disease-free survival was noted.

Dermal and intravascular fasciitis. Unusual variants of nodular fasciitis

Three cases with characteristic features of nodular (pseudosarcomatous) fasciitis arising in the dermis are described. This is only the second report documenting a dermal location for this condition. One of the three cases also showed features of intravascular fasciitis. A fourth case of intravascular fasciitis arising in periocular tissue is included. The differential diagnosis of dermal fasciitis includes benign fibrous histiocytoma, pyogenic granuloma, peripheral nerve tumors, cutaneous smooth muscle tumours, spindle cell carcinoma, spindle cell melanoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and atypical fibroxanthoma.

Detection of messenger RNA from O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene MGMT in human normal and tumor tissues

BACKGROUND

The level of the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase is an important determinant of the response of tumor cells in culture to alkylating nitrosoureas. In these cells, the abundance of messenger RNA (mRNA) is directly correlated with repair activity.

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to compare transferase mRNA levels with the repair activity in primary human tumors.

METHODS

Human transferase mRNA was measured in tissue samples from brain tumors, normal lung, lung tumors, ovarian tumors, and normal human liver by use of an RNA protection assay with an antisense probe prepared from the cloned gene.

RESULTS

Normal and tumor tissue samples from the same patient had similar transferase activity levels, but transferase expression varied widely among tissue samples from different patients. Brain and lung samples, on average, had transferase mRNA levels closer to those in liver samples than their transferase activity levels. In two cases, tissue samples which were transferase deficient by the activity assays were found to lack transferase mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Deficiencies in transferase activity are due to reduced or absent mRNA transcription or processing. In brain and lung, there may be post-transcriptional control of mRNA expression. The wide interindividual variation in transferase expression is also seen at the transcription level.

IMPLICATIONS

These are among the first measures of transferase mRNA expression in primary human tissue. More samples should be examined to extend these observations.

Cartilage necrosis due to pin penetration: experimental studies in rabbits

An animal model was used to evaluate the role of pin penetration into the hip joint as the cause of chondrolysis. The gross and microscopic studies, as well as the biochemical studies, showed changes indicating cartilage destruction. These changes were more severe when the pins remained in the joint. Immunologic studies showed some type of immunological interaction. The immunologic response may be initiated by release of cartilage byproducts. The initial insult of the slip may cause release of cartilage byproducts from the exposed growth plate within the joint, and is compounded by penetration of the pin in the hip joint.

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in human normal and tumor tissue from brain, lung, and ovary

The resistance of human tumor strains in culture to cell killing by alkylating nitrosoureas is correlated with their levels of the DNA repair activity O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase. Strains with the Mer- phenotype have no activity and are extremely sensitive. However, the relationship between the sensitivity of human tumors in vivo and transferase levels is not known, and even the existence of Mer- human tumors in vivo has been questioned. In this study 73 human tumor and normal tissue samples from brain, lung, and ovary were assayed for transferase levels and methylpurine glycosylase activity. For each organ, transferase levels varied over 100-fold, and Mer- tumors were detected in each group. There was no correlation between transferase and glycosylase levels, indicating that the absence of transferase in some tumor samples was not an artifact due to necrosis or inactivation of enzymes in the extract.

Microvascular complications of NIDDM in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

The goal of this article was to examine the differences in the rates of microvascular complications of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white subjects. This was a geographically based case-control study where prevalent cases of NIDDM were identified in medical records. Subjects attended a 4-h clinic to confirm NIDDM diagnosis and assess complication end points. Retinopathy was defined by stereofundus photographs. Distal symmetric neuropathy was determined by standardized clinical examination. Nephropathy was indicated by serum creatinine level, urine protein-creatinine ratio, and urine albumin concentration. This study consisted of 279 NIDDM subjects confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test and World Health Organization criteria aged 20-74 yr (187 Hispanic and 92 non-Hispanic white subjects). Duration-adjusted prevalence of retinopathy was significantly higher in non-Hispanic white subjects (54.1 per 100, 95% confidence interval [CI] 44.4-63.7) than in Hispanics (41.8 per 100, 95% CI 34.8-48.8). This excess occurred only in non-Hispanic white subjects with background retinopathy but not in those with more severe retinopathy. Hispanics and non-Hispanic white subjects did not differ significantly for the prevalence of neuropathy (31.6 per 100 in non-Hispanic white subjects and 26.3 per 100 in Hispanics) or nephropathy by any measure. There were no significant differences in duration of diabetes or mean glycohemoglobin levels between ethnic groups. Microvascular complications of NIDDM are not in excess among Colorado Hispanics, and retinopathy may be somewhat more common in non-Hispanic white people.

Accuracy of reported family history of diabetes mellitus. Results from San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

There are two possible sources of bias in the assessment of family history of diabetes: 1) a person with diabetes may be more likely to report a diabetic relative than a nondiabetic person would be, and 2) relatives of individuals with diabetes may be more likely to be tested for diabetes than relatives of nondiabetic individuals. We conducted a study on a subsample of families of subjects in the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study to examine these issues. A sample of 5 White and 5 Hispanic subjects (probands) with diabetic glucose tolerance tests and the same number with normal glucose tolerance were selected. The 20 probands all provided contact information on their 227 primary family members. Ninety-two percent of the family members had interviews completed by themselves or, if deceased, by surrogates other than the proband. Family members were asked by telephone if they had ever been tested for diabetes, when they had been most recently tested, why they had been tested, and if they had ever been told they had diabetes. The results showed that study subjects accurately reported family history of diabetes, because there were no discrepancies between proband and family reports. A positive family history of diabetes was associated with increased reported screening in Hispanics, but a similar effect in White families was not seen. Women were also more likely to report being screened than men regardless of whether there was a positive family history of diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sensory neuropathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

A screening neurologic examination capable of detecting distal symmetric (sensory) neuropathy in a large population-based study of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in San Luis Valley, Colorado, in 1984-1986 is described and validated. The examination, completed in 279 diabetics and 577 controls, had 90% agreement with a standard neurologic examination completed on a subsample of 38 patients. Independent validation of neuropathy status was obtained with the Optacon tactile (vibration) stimulator. Mean, age-adjusted vibration threshold was significantly greater in those with neuropathy than in those without. The subtests of the examination most sensitive in detecting neuropathy were a combination of a positive history of neuropathy symptoms and decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes in both ankles. Age-adjusted prevalence of neuropathy in controls, those with impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetics was 3.9%, 11.2%, and 25.8%, respectively. Prevalence odds ratios were 3.5 and 10.6 for the presence of neuropathy in persons with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes, respectively, compared with persons with normal glucose tolerance. Neuropathy was significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes, male sex, and glycemic control, but not with Anglo/Hispanic status.

Cardiovascular risk factors and impaired glucose tolerance: the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

Cardiovascular risk factor patterns were examined cross-sectionally in 856 Hispanic and Anglo subjects aged 20-74 years enrolled in the population-based San Luis Valley Diabetes Study of Colorado. Risk factor levels and prevalence were compared for 279 individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 89 with impaired glucose tolerance, and 488 with normal glucose tolerance. Sex-specific comparisons of continuous risk factors were made by diabetic status and ethnicity, adjusting for age using two-way analysis of covariance; similar comparisons of discrete variables were made using logistic regression. A number of vascular, metabolic, lipid, obesity-related, family history, and life-style risk factors for cardiovascular disease were examined. In general, biologic risk factors tended to be more strongly associated with diabetic status, while life-style risk factors varied more by ethnicity. Age-adjusted levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypertension history, triglyceride, and body mass index were lowest among normal subjects, intermediate for those with impaired glucose tolerance, and highest in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, while the trend was reversed for high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and its subfractions. Hispanics had lower serum uric acid levels and greater central obesity than Anglos; they were less likely to have a Type A personality, less physically active at work, and more likely to be a current smoker than Anglos. Hispanic males had a lower body mass index and a higher HDL cholesterol level than Anglo males. These results indicate that an adverse cardiovascular risk factor pattern is present not only in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus but also in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance who are at increased risk of developing diabetes. This suggests that an adverse risk factor pattern may develop concurrently with or prior to the onset of impaired glucose tolerance. Future prospective studies will help to clarify the temporal sequence involved in the development of adverse cardiovascular risk factor patterns and impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods and prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a biethnic Colorado population. The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study was undertaken to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and complications of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Hispanics and Anglos (non-Hispanic whites), using a geographically based case-control design. The study was conducted in two southern Colorado counties that include 43.6% Hispanic and 54.9% Anglo persons. Medical practice records were reviewed to identify medically diagnosed diabetics. Controls without diabetes were identified by a two-stage random sample of households. Diabetics (n = 343) and controls (n = 607) attended a clinic where an oral glucose tolerance test or current hypoglycemic therapy confirmed or diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The age-adjusted prevalence of confirmed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was 21/1,000 in Anglo males and 44/1,000 in Hispanic males, accounting for non-response. For Anglo females, the prevalence was 13/1,000 compared with 62/1,000 for Hispanic females, accounting for nonresponse. Previously undiagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was also higher among Hispanics. There was a 2.1-fold excess of confirmed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among Hispanic males and a 4.8-fold excess among Hispanic females, consistent with the excess non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among Hispanics reported from comparable studies. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a major chronic disease problem for persons of Hispanic ethnicity.

Metastatic neuroblastoma after 52 years of dormancy

A metastatic neuroblastoma arose in a posterior mediastinal tumor that had been present for at least 52 years. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma was first made when the patient was 81 years of age from biopsy of a metastatic lesion to the femur and later from biopsy of the mediastinal mass.

Simultaneous renal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of kidney

A unique case of a collision tumor of the kidney composed of a renal cell carcinoma and a squamous cell carcinoma is reported. Although a few cases of combined tumors of the kidney have been reported previously, we were unable to find any similar case in the literature. Squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney usually behaves aggressively. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment before the tumor has extended beyond the capsule offer the best hope of cure.

Metastatic trichomatricial carcinoma

Trichomatricial carcinoma has been recently recognized as a rare malignant variant of pilomatricoma with a potential for local recurrence and, rarely, for distant metastases. We describe such a tumor in a 52-year-old man who developed local recurrence and axillary lymph node metastases within six months of local excision, followed by bilateral pulmonary metastases and 2 1/2 years later by death due to disseminated tumor. This, to our knowledge, is the second reported case of metastasizing trichomatricial carcinoma.

Immunohistochemistry of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas: a study of 76 cases

A retrospective study of 76 primary gastrointestinal lymphomas utilizing an avidin: biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex (ABC) technique demonstrated 22 B-cell lymphomas, including two associated with alpha-heavy chain disease. Seven cases were classified as true histiocytic lymphomas based on a positive reaction for one or more of three histiocytic enzyme markers utilized, predominantly alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. However, in 20 cases, an intense admixture of reactive histiocytes was noted and these cells stained preferentially for the enzyme, lysozyme. Twenty cases, which stained for both kappa and lambda light chains and positively or negatively for albumin, could not be classified and 27 cases failed to stain with any of the antisera utilized.

Müllerian adenosarcoma with ovarian sex cord-like differentiation. A light- and electron-microscopic study

A Müllerian adenosarcoma in which the sarcomatous element showed ovarian sex-cord like differentiation, occurred as a polypoid growth in the uterine cervix of a 53-year-old woman. The tumor was composed of an admixture of benign neoplastic glands and a sarcomatous stroma, the latter containing in addition to endometrial stromal sarcoma, nests of lipid-rich cells resembling ovarian sex-cord elements. This is the first report of such differentiation in Müllerian adenosarcoma. Origin from a focus of cervical endometriosis is postulated.

Primary thymic carcinoma. An unusual case originating in a lymphocytic rich thymoma

A case of thymic carcinoma arising within a lymphocyte rich thymoma is reported. The undifferentiated carcinoma contained cellular elements resembling choriocarcinoma but could be differentiated therefrom by positive staining for prekeratin antigen and an absence of staining for B-HCG antigen utilizing immunohistochemical techniques.

Vocal cord polyps: biochemical and histologic evaluation

The stratified squamous epithelium covering vocal cord polyps can vary from normal to hyperplastic and keratinized. We have analyzed the histology and cytokeratins of 11 of these polyps. Cytokeratins were separated on one-dimensional SDS-acrylamide gels to determine molecular weights. There was significant heterogeneity in the cytokeratins present in the different polyps. Comparison of histologic findings and cytokeratin content showed a correlation between extent of keratinization and presence of high molecular weight cytokeratins. We conclude that the epithelium of vocal cord polyps exhibit patterns of cytokeratins characteristic of both hyperproliferation and abnormal states of differentiation, which are mirrored by histologic variations, and that vocal cord polyps are a heterogeneous group of benign lesions.

Adenocarcinoid of the appendix presenting as bilateral Krukenberg's tumor of the ovaries. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies and literature review

A patient with an adenocarcinoid of the appendix presented with bilateral Krukenberg's tumors of the ovaries. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies revealed a selective ability of the mucinous (goblet cell) component of the appendiceal neoplasm to metastasize. A review of the literature has revealed nine previously published cases of appendiceal adenocarcinoid metastatic to the ovaries. All showed involvement of both ovaries, but none provided unequivocal evidence of a metastatic proliferating carcinoid element. As the appendiceal lesion is often grossly inconspicuous, it may be overlooked in cases presenting initially with ovarian tumors. Routine appendectomy is therefore recommended in such patients where no grossly obvious primary tumor is evident.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy and unusual extranodal manifestations

We describe a predominant extranodal involvement of unusual sites by sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML). The patient first presented at 13 years of age with bilateral parotid gland enlargement and was discovered to have a large asymptomatic left renal mass and adjacent hilar adenopathy, histologically diagnostic of SHML. Following a left nephrectomy, he remained well with persistent parotid and lacrimal gland disease and, 20 years later, plaquelike meningeal involvement mimicking meningioma en plaque developed that was associated with reactive meningeal nests within the body of the lesion. At no time during the last 20 years has there been a recurrence of significant external nodal enlargement, and biopsy specimens of neck and intrathoracic lymph nodes have been nondiagnostic of SHML.

Gastrointestinal lymphoid neoplasms

Primary gastrointestinal lymphomas (PGLs) are the most frequent extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and involve stomach more commonly than small bowel in Western countries. PGLs need to be differentiated from a variety of tumor-like hyperplastic lymphoid lesions; this may be facilitated by immunotyping of lymphoid cells. In PGLs, large-cell types predominate. Our study of 76 PGLs utilizing the ABC immunoperoxidase technique has led us to conclude that the majority are of B cell origin and that, while true histiocytic PGLs do indeed exist, their incidence is not greater than in nodal lymphomas. An important observation was that 26% of the cases showed an intense admixture of muramidase-positive reactive histiocytes, a feature that could result in an erroneous impression of a histiocytic derivation of the neoplasm. The prognostic significance of immunologic subtypes is currently not known. However, survival in PGL is determined by the clinical stage of the disease and to a lesser extent by the histologic type. Current optimal therapy includes resection of tumor-bearing bowel followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

Benign isolated histiocytosis mimicking chicken pox in a neonate: report of two cases with ultrastructural study

Two cases of benign isolated cutaneous histiocytosis X in newborn infants are reported. Clinically, the lesions mimicked chicken pox, and the histologic findings in skin biopsies were indistinguishable from those described in infantile Letterer-Siwe disease. Electron microscopy showed Langerhans' cells with the classical trilaminar, racket-shaped granules. Our cases a well as 10 of the 21 previously reported cases showed spontaneous resolution of the skin lesions. Since this is a benign spontaneous resolving histiocytosis, we recommend that no therapy be given provided that no other signs of systemic involvement are found.

Granulocytic sarcoma of breast: aleukemic bilateral metachronous presentation and literature review

This report describes an unusual case of bilateral metachronous granulocytic sarcoma of the breast. The patient initially did not have evidence of leukemia and her marrow cell culture in soft agar (CFU-C array) showed normal in vitro growth pattern. The patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy at a time when there was no evidence for systemic disease but she nevertheless developed meningeal leukemia and bone marrow disease 11 and 18 months, respectively, following the initial chemotherapy.

Osteogenic sarcoma producing human chorionic gonadotrophin. Case report with immunohistochemical studies

An osteogenic sarcoma occurring in a 22-year-old woman was found to be associated with production of a large amount of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (B-hCG). Pregnancy was excluded on the basis of a normal ultrasonogram and a proliferative type endometrium obtained by curettage. A homogenate of the tumor was strongly positive for B-hCG while immunohistochemical staining of the tumor cells was strongly positive for B-hCG and negative for pregnancy associated glycoprotein. These results indicate ectopic production of hCG by the osteosarcoma.

Calcospherites in pituitary prolactinomas. A hypothesis for their formation

Calcospherites are being reported with increasing frequency in pituitary prolactinomas. Ultrastructural study of such a case, along with the recent characterization of the molecular composition of prolactin granules, has led us to hypothesize that a unique intracellular milieu exists in which calcification can be initiated and can proceed to calcospherite formation.

Immunohistochemistry of Hodgkin's disease. A study of 20 cases

An immunoperoxidase study of 20 cases of Hodgkin's disease demonstrated universal staining of Reed Sternberg cells and their mononuclear variants for both kappa and lambda light chains and, in all but one case, for IgG. Staining for IgA and albumin was variable and for IgD and IgM uniformly negative. A double staining procedure using two different chromogens produced the paradoxical finding of both light chain types within the same cell, but these could only be demonstrated sequentially and not simultaneously, suggesting a blocking phenomenon. The above findings coupled with the demonstration of muramidase and/or alpha-1-antitrypsin in Reed-Sternberg cells and their mononuclear variants in all but two cases studied favor a histiocytic origin for these cells. This characteristic profile of results is also very helpful in distinguishing Hodgkin's disease from other neoplasms which mimic Hodgkin's disease because of the presence of Reed-Sternberg-like cells.

The significance of microscopic invasive cancer in endoscopically removed polyps of the large bowel. A clinicopathologic study of 51 cases

A clinicopathologic study of 51 patients with endoscopically removed large bowel polyps showing histologic evidence of malignancy, either focally, to a massive extent, or comprising the entire polyp, revealed only one absolute finding capable of predicting residual disease, namely, the presence of cancer at the resection line. Of 23 radical resections, only one was justified. This case showed evidence of residual disease in the colectomy specimen that could have been predicted on the basis of involvement of the diathermy margin by carcinoma. Of 28 patients having polypectomy alone, 1 patient developed a Dukes' B carcinoma. The polyp, removed 9 months previously from the same site, had shown involvement of the margin by carcinoma. A conservative approach is thus advocated in the absence of this finding.

Chondroid chordoma. Electron-microscopic study of two cases

Chondroid chordoma is an unusual tumor composed of an admixture of chondromatous and chordomatous tissue usually located in the spheno-occipital region. This tumor shares many of the clinical and histologic features of classic chordoma and chondrosarcoma and has been shown to have a better prognosis than either of these lesions. To the best of our knowledge, no ultrastructural studies have been performed in the 26 cases of chondroid chordoma published previously. We document the ultrastructural features of two examples of chondroid chordoma. Certain features such as prominent and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, intracytoplasmic glycogen aggregates, and abundant fibrillogranular matrix are common to chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and chondroid chordoma. The presence of well-formed tonofilament desmosome complexes as well as complexes composed of alternating profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were seen only in chordoma and chondroid chordoma, but not in cartilaginous tumors. Of particular interest was the finding of crystalline, tubular structures within the rough endoplasmic reticulum of both cases of chondroid chordoma, a finding not described previously. The distinction of chondroid chordoma from classical chordoma is said to be a difficult one at the light-microscopic level, and we suggest that these intraergastoplasmic tubular structures might constitute an extremely helpful differential marker.

Case report 235. Ewing-like adamantinoma of the left radial head and neck

Skeletal adamantinoma is a rare malignant bone tumor with a poorly understood histogenesis. The lesion is easily recognized by a distinctive microscopic pattern of anastomosing trabeculae of epithelial-like cells in a fibrous stroma. Ultrastructural evidence has been presented to support an origin from two widely-divergent cell types: an epithelial cell with squamous characteristics [12, 15] and a mesenchymal cell with endothelial features [5, 9]. An addition to the histogenetic controversy has been the recent description of a bone neoplasm with an adamantinoma-like growth pattern which proved both by subsequent histological evolution and ultrastructure, to have features of Ewing tumor [10]. The authors report a further example of this entity and suggest that it may be sufficiently distinctive within the adamantinoma group to merit the term Ewing-like adamantinoma. Consonant with increasing evidence supporting the concept of tumor "metaplasia" that transcends traditional concepts of epithelial-mesenchymal immutability, the authors propose that all adamantinomas arise from a common stem cell.

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma arising in an ectopic hamartomatous thymus. Report of a case and review of the literature

A unique case of an osteosarcoma arising within a hamartoma of the thymic gland located in the left pleural cavity of an 11-year-old girl is described. The presence of abundant mature lamellar bone within this thymic hamartoma provides an explanation for the osseous histogenesis of the sarcoma. The development of an osteosarcoma from extraskeletal osseous tissue is a rare occurrence and has been documented in association with myositis ossificans and most recently in a case of dermatomyositis with metaplastic ossification.

Chronic granulomatous disease of childhood presenting as gastric outlet obstruction

A case of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood was first diagnosed when a 20-month-old infant developed gastric outlet obstruction. Because of the unusual clinical presentation and negative gastric mucosal biopsies, the diagnosis was delayed. A subsequent full thickness biopsy of the stomach wall which led to a correct diagnosis showed a granulomatous infiltrate in the muscularis propria. Characteristic yellow pigment-laden macrophages were seen in the gastric mucosa and pyloric lymph node. Early recognition of this chronic disorder is important not only for proper management but genetic counseling as well.

Angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy

Two patients presented with a short history of constitutional symptoms including fatigue, weight loss, night sweats and pruritus. Both had hepatosplenomegaly and tender lymphadenopathy, and in each case lymph node biopsy revealed prominent vascularization of the interfollicular zones and the presence of an amorphous eosinophilic fibrillar material, together with many epithelioid histiocytes, immunoblasts and plasma cells. In other areas of the same lymph nodes unequivocal lymphocytic lymphoma was present. The first patient was treated with levamisole, to which there was dramatic response. She subsequently died of septicaemia, and at autopsy was shown to be free of lymphoma. The second patient responded completely to the epipodophyllotoxin VP16-213 and is back at work as a heavy labourer without any residual disease. These 2 cases illustrate that complete clinical remission can be obtained in patients with this disease even after lymphomatous transformation has occurred. Levamisole has the additional attraction of being less immunosuppressive in patients whose immune response is already impaired.

Ultrastructural comparison of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

The ultrastructural features of Reed-Sternberg cells and reactive epithelioid histiocytes from patients with Hodgkin's disease were compared with those of large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The cytoplasmic organelles of Reed-Sternberg cells were dissimilar to those of neoplastic large lymphocytes from follicular centre cell lymphomas, immunoblastic lymphomas, lymphoblastic lymphomas, and mycosis fungoides both in type and distribution. Reed-Sternberg cells could be distinguished from reactive epithelioid histiocytes; however, the cytoplasmic organization of the Reed-Sternberg cells bore a closer resemblance to these histiocytes than to the cells of the various large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Multiple juvenile polyposis. A study of the pathogenesis of juvenile polyps and their relationship to colonic adenomas

Solitary juvenile polyps are common lesions whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. Multiple juvenile polyposis is characterized by large numbers of these lesions either confined to the colon or throughout the gastrointestinal tract. A study of two cases of multiple juvenile polyposis provided fresh insight into the pathogenesis of juvenile polyps and their relationship to colonic adenomas. Mucosal ulceration in very early lesions, together with glandular epithelial calcification, suggested that impaired cell renewal resulting from disturbed regenerative kinetics may predispose to surface epithelial erosion, setting in motion a cycle of ulceration, inflammation, and granulation tissue formation. We postulate that a dyskinetic continuum may link juvenile, "metaplastic," and adenomatous polyps. The finding in our second case of multiple adenomatous lesions, including a villoglandular polyp, emphasizes the neoplastic potential of juvenile polyposis.

Hemangiopericytoma: a light microscopic and ultrastructural study

An ultrastructural study of three cases of hemangiopericytoma showed cells partially or completely enveloped by well-formed basement membrane and basement membrane-like material. The cells exhibited prominent cytoplasmic filaments, some showing dense body formation, interdigitating cytoplasmic processes, and pinocytotic vesicles. A review of the literature revealed only 19 other cases of hemangiopericytoma studied by electron microscopy, and these included seven cases of meningeal origin ("angioblastic meningioma"). The most consistent feature seen in all but two cases was the presence of a basal lamina or basal lamina-like material either partially or completely surrounding tumor cells and separating endothelial cells from pericytes. The light microscopic diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma is difficult, and there is a tendency to append the diagnosis to a variety of other tumors with a prominent vascular pattern in which other specific diagnoses are not immediately evident. The presence, ultrastructurally, of well-developed basement membrane, myogenic type filaments, and pinocytotic vesicles in a tumor with light microscopic features suggestive of hemangiopericytoma would consolidate the diagnosis and usually eliminate diagnostic uncertainty.