Wide QRS in a 2-month infant associated with recurrent ventricular tachycardia: A case of Brugada-like syndrome

We report the case of a 2-month old infant who experienced recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a structurally normal heart. Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) showed wide QRS with a complete right bundle branch bloc (RBBB) morphology. There was no family history of syncope or sudden death, but the ECGs of the father and the brother showed incomplete RBBB with negative T waves on V1 lead. This case seems to fit well with the newly defined entity of Brugada-like syndrome with a highly suspected genetic underlying disposition.

[Percutaneous closure of persistent ductus arteriosus in low-weight infants]

INTRODUCTION

The persistent ductus arteriosus remains a common congenital pathology. Although percutaneous closure of wide channels using an Amplatzer Duct Occluder is an attractive alternative to the surgical treatment, this prosthesis is not recommended for infants weighing less than 6kg.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this prosthesis in low-weight children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of children weighing less than 6kg who underwent closure with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder prosthesis between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (mean weight: 5.7kg [range: 4.8-6]; mean age: 6.5months [range: 3-12]) were included. The main circumstance for discovery was difficulty in breathing (93% of children). The average angiographic persistent ductus arteriosus diameter was 3.5mm (range: 3-6mm), correlating well with that found on ultrasound (r=0.68). The prosthesis was implanted successfully in 93% of cases. The only failure was explained by the increased risk of aortic subocclusion. The immediate angiographic occlusion rate was 71%. The average duration of the procedure was 46±12min. Three children had a channel C-type on the Krichenko classification. Two complications occurred in two patients: a case of cardiac tamponade drained during the procedure without incident and one case of partial protrusion of the Amplatzer disk into the aortic lumen. C-type (tubular) persistent ductus arteriosus and a ratio of the diameter of the persistent ductus arteriosus/weight greater than 0.95 were significantly associated with intervention failure and/or major complications during the percutaneous closure, while weight of less than 6kg was not retained as a predictor of procedure failure. No late embolization occurred after 11months of median follow-up. During this monitoring, we noted a marked clinical improvement with normalization of pulmonary pressure.

CONCLUSION

This study includes the few records reported in the literature assessing the feasibility of percutaneous closure in persistent ductus arteriosus in infants weighing up to 6kg. It confirms the effectiveness of the procedure with a relatively low prevalence of complications.

Tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire de la vessie

La tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire est une lésion classéepar l’OMS parmi les néoplasies intermédiaires. Elle peut siégerdans différents organes : les poumons, le pancréas, le mésentèreet l’utérus. La localisation vésicale est rare.Nous rapportons le cas d’un jeune homme de 38 ans qui aconsulté pour hématurie. L’échographie a révélé la présence d’unestructure tissulaire intravésicale de 3 cm de grand axe. L’examenanatomopathologique et l’étude immunohistochimique ont concluà une tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire de la vessie. À partirde cette observation, nous présentons les diagnostics différentiels etles particularités anatomopathologiques de cette localisation rare.

Distribution of molecular breast cancer subtypes among Tunisian women and correlation with histopathological parameters: a study of 194 patients

According to the immunohistochemical test of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2), breast cancer can be divided into 4 molecular subtypes: luminal A, luminal B, Her-2, and basal-like. The purpose of this study is to correlate these subtypes with clinicopathological features. We have selected from the files of our Pathology Department 194 breast carcinomas which had already been studied for ER, PR, and Her-2, diagnosed between January 2008 and October 2009. The cases were classified into 4 molecular subtypes. The clinicopathological characteristics of each subtype were compared. The luminal A subtype was the most prevalent (51.5%). The basal-like and Her-2 subtypes were significantly correlated to a large tumor size, a high tumor grade, and a high-volume nodal involvement (≥4). On multivariate analysis, patients with the Her-2 and basal-like subtypes were 4.2 (95% CI, 1.3-13.5) times more likely to have developed metastases in four or more lymph nodes than those with luminal tumors. Our analysis revealed that the Her-2 and basal-like subtypes are correlated with factors associated with a poor prognosis. The luminal A subtype is the commonest subtype, showing that breast cancer in Tunisia has no aggressive phenotype.

Mucinous carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastasis in a male breast: A case report

CONTEXT

Pure mucinous carcinoma of the male breast is an extremely rare neoplasm. It is characterized by a lower incidence of metastatic nodal involvement and a higher survival rate than invasive ductal carcinomas.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 75-year-old male who presented with a retroareolar mass of the right breast. The patient underwent radical mastectomy including right axillary lymph node dissection. The tumor was well demarcated and had a friable consistency with a gelatinous appearance. Histologically, the diagnostic of pure mucinous carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was performed. After surgery, the patient received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonotherapy (Tamoxifen). The patient remained free of disease for 36 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Pure mucinous carcinoma of the male breast is a very rare tumor; in which axillary nodal disease is exceptional.

Synovial Sarcoma: A Clinicopathological and Radiological Study of 12 Cases Seen Over 18 Years

Background

Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant soft tissue tumor characterized by a poor outcome. We report herein our experience concerning synovial sarcoma and review its diagnosis, histology, treatment and prognosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective review, from 1990 to 2007, of cases of synovial sarcoma diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Farhat Hached hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. The clinical, radiological and pathological features as well as treatment modalities and patient's outcome were recorded.

Results

From 1990 to 2007, 12 cases of synovial sarcoma have been diagnosed in our department. Patients' mean age at the time of diagnosis was 21 years. There was no sex predominance and the lower extremity was the most commonly involved. A painful tumefaction was the most common presenting symptom. The duration of symptoms ranged from 6 months to 6 years. Malignancy was suspected on radiological findings in only 2 cases. Ten patients underwent surgery, in association with adjuvant chemotherapy in 4 cases, one of whom underwent post-operative radiotherapy. Histological subtypes included monophasic synovial sarcoma in 8 cases, biphasic synovial sarcoma in 3 cases and poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma in one case. At the time of analysis, 6 patients were dead with an average follow-up of 18 months.

Conclusions

Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignancy with a propensity for young adults and a poor prognosis. Its symptomatology is non-specific and it is characterized by histopathological diversity. Diagnosis can be suggested by radiology and definitive diagnosis is achieved after pathological analysis.

Primary Subcutaneous Ewing Sarcoma Presented as Pseudo Aneurysmal Subcutaneous Tumor

BACKGROUND

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin, which is histologically similar to primary osseous Ewing's sarcoma. It has been well described in deep soft tissues. However, location in cutaneous or subcutaneous tissue has rarely been reported. Being seen principally in children, it can be seen, rarely, in old men.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma within the left shoulder of a 49-year-old man, without osseous involvement. Physical examination suggested a vascular tumor. Histologically, it was a small round cell tumor that marked strongly for CD99. The diagnosis of subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma was performed.

CONCLUSION

Ewing sarcoma is a rare malignant small round cell tumor of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It should be differentiated from other cutaneous neoplasms composed of small round cells.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from an epidermal inclusion cyst: A case report

CONTEXT

Cutaneous epidermal cysts are common lesions, but fortunately, malignant transformation of their epithelium is rare. There are few case reports in the literature concerning malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst into squamous cell carcinoma. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from an epidermal inclusion cyst and describe the clinical and histopathologic findings.

CASE REPORT

A tumour measuring 1.5cm was surgically excised. Based on the histopathologic findings of the tumour, this case was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma that arises in an epidermal cyst. Malignant change had not been suspected until histological examination revealed it. Nine months after tumour resection, the patient is free of disease.

CONCLUSION

malignant transformation of an epidermal inclusion cyst is rare; this case illustrates the importance of routine histology in excision of epidermal cysts.