Investigating the effects of PTEN mutations on cGAS-STING pathway in glioblastoma tumours

BACKGROUND

PTEN is a tumour suppressor gene and well-known for being frequently mutated in several cancer types. Loss of immunogenicity can also be attributed to PTEN loss, because of its role in establishing the tumour microenvironment. Therefore, this study aimed to represent the link between PTEN and cGAS-STING activity, a key mediator of inflammation, in tumour samples of glioblastoma patients.

METHODS

Tumour samples of 36 glioblastoma patients were collected. After DNA isolation, all coding regions of PTEN were sequenced and analysed. PTEN expression status was also evaluated by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical methods. Interferon-stimulated gene expressions, cGAMP activity, CD8 infiltration, and Granzyme B expression levels were determined especially for the evaluation of cGAS-STING activity and immunogenicity.

RESULTS

Mutant PTEN patients had significantly lower PTEN expression, both at mRNA and protein levels. Decreased STING, IRF3, NF-KB1, and RELA mRNA expressions were also found in patients with mutant PTEN. Immunohistochemistry staining of PTEN displayed expressional loss in 38.1% of the patients. Besides, patients with PTEN loss had considerably lower amounts of IFNB and IFIT2 mRNA expressions. Furthermore, CD8 infiltration, cGAMP, and Granzyme B levels were reduced in the PTEN loss group.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals the immunosuppressive effects of PTEN loss in glioblastoma tumours via the cGAS-STING pathway. Therefore, determining the PTEN status in tumours is of great importance, like in situations when considering the treatment of glioblastoma patients with immunotherapeutic agents.

Molecular dynamic simulation and functional analysis of pathogenic PTEN mutations in glioblastoma

PTEN, a dual-phosphatase and scaffold protein, is one of the most commonly mutated tumour suppressor gene across various cancer types in human. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the stability, structural and functional effects, and pathogenicity of 12 missense PTEN mutations (R15S, E18G, G36R, N49I, Y68H, I101T, C105F, D109N, V133I, C136Y, R173C and N276S) found by next generation sequencing of the PTEN gene in tissue samples obtained from glioblastoma patients. Computational tools and molecular dynamic simulation programs were used to identify the deleterious effects of these mutations. Furthermore, PTEN mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry staining methods. Various computational tools predicted strong deleterious effects for the G36R, C105F, C136Y and N276S mutations. Molecular dynamic simulation revealed a significant decrease in protein stability for the Y68H and N276S mutations when compared with the wild type protein; whereas, C105F, D109N, V133I and R173C showed partial stability reduction. Significant residual fluctuations were observed in the R15S, N49I and C136Y mutations and radius of gyration graphs revealed the most compact structure for D109N and least for C136Y. In summary, our study is the first one to show the presence of PTEN E18G, N49I, D109N and N276S mutations in glioblastoma patients; where, D109N is neutral and N276S is a damaging and disease-associated mutation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Composite pheochromocytoma with spindle cell sarcoma - a rare tumor of the adrenal gland: case report

Composite pheochromocytomas with a non-pheochromocytoma component stemming from an embryological origin other than the neural crest comprise a unique entity. We present a patient diagnosed with a composite pheochromocytoma with spindle cell sarcoma, which is, to our knowledge, the first case reported in the current literature. A 45-year-old female patient with elevated blood pressure had undergone adrenalectomy for clinically and radiologically diagnosed pheochromocytoma. Macroscopic examination of the specimen showed an encapsulated mass containing two nodules. One tumor was composed of large polygonal neoplastic cells with round vesicular nuclei and granular cytoplasm forming the characteristic Zellballen pattern consistent with pheochromocytoma, while the other was composed of spindle cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and prominent nucleoli, thus resembling a sarcoma. The patient was discharged on the fourth post-operative day without any complications. Even though for both tumors surgical resection is the main treatment modality, our case report aims to shed light on and discuss the etiology and management of a rarely presented composite pheochromocytoma and spindle cell sarcoma.

Investigation of the Presence of Arachnoid Granulation in Fetuses and Early Infancy

The aim of our study is to investigate the importance of arachnoid granulation in cerebrospinal fluid physiology in fetuses and early infancy. Using the random sampling method, postmortem fetuses more than 26 weeks of gestation age and the children under the age of 1 year were chosen from the autopsy materials. Two male and two female intrauterine dead fetus; three male and three female, totally six children under the age of 1 year and one 3-year-old male were included in this study. In cases of intrauterine fetuses more than 26 weeks of gestation and children under the age of 1 year, complete invagination of arachnoid villi into the superior sagittal sinus was examined histologically. In the intrauterine period and in the first 6 months of life, arachnoid villi structures were not found in histologic preparations although in preparations taken after the 6 months of life samples showed similarities to arachnoid granulations. These structures were considered as arachnoid villi drafts after immunohistochemical analysis. In the control case who were 3 years old, maturation of arachnoid villi was complete and the arachnoid villi were invaginated into the superior sagittal sinus as fingerlike extensions. In our study, we think that the failure after E3V intervention in the treatment of hydrocephalus in cases under the age of 1 years may be related to the completion of arachnoid granulation development after the 18th month of life and the immature resorption capacity in this period.

Two challenging cases of pituicytoma

INTRODUCTION

Pituicytoma is a rare tumor of the pituitary gland derived from neurohypophyseal pituicytes. CASE 1: A 58-year-old female presented with decreased vision; she was admitted to the neurosurgery department of Ege University after the detection of a pituitary macroadenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 28 * 18 * 17-mm suprasellar mass, and laboratory tests revealed hypopituitarism. Hydrocortisone and L-thyroxine treatment were initiated, and the patient underwent resection through the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). The histopathological examination revealed a pituicytoma. The recurrence of tumor was detected during the 1-year follow-up, and the patient is awaiting surgery. CASE 2: A 70-year-old woman presented with visual changes; she had a past medical history of hypophyseal macroadenoma and pituicytoma resected through an EEA in 2012 and 2017, respectively. During follow-up, 2 years after the second surgery, MRI showed progression of the pituicytoma then measuring 38 × 23 × 22 mm; it had invaded the cavernous sinus and was causing hydrocephaly and panhypopituitarism. The patient underwent the third resection through the transcranial approach in order to minimize bleeding. After this surgery, the patient developed diabetes insipidus and underwent treatment with desmopressin. Histopathological examination revealed a pituicytoma. At 6-month follow-up, imaging showed a sellar suprasellar mass 37 × 22 × 24 mm invading the cavernous sinus, indicative of recurrence. In the postoperative period, the patient applied to the department of radiation oncology to have fractionated radiotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Pituicytomas are known to be low-grade tumors; because of their rarity, they are a real challenge. These patients should be followed up closely.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children: A 25-case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the gold standard and is widely performed in adults, but its use in children is relatively new. We aim to present our experience in twenty-five children with diverse adrenal pathologies and to discuss an extensive review of pediatric LA in English literature.

METHODS

Medical records of children with adrenal tumors admitted to a tertiary center and treated with LA were reviewed. Characteristics and outcome of patients were compared with results of a systematic Pubmed/Medline literature review.

RESULTS

Transperitoneal LAs were performed for 12 malignant and 14 benign adrenal masses (size range: 2-8cm) in 25 children (median age:63months). Fourteen lesions were on the right side, and there was one bilateral case. There were no conversion and no complication within 36months of follow-up. A literature review revealed 437 pediatric LAs with left side predomination (51.4%). The indication was a malignant lesion in 60.2% of the cases (sizes range: 1-10cm). The transperitoneal route was preferred in 94.2% of the procedures. Conversion and complication rates were 7.5% and 3.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LA should be preferred in selected children with adrenal pathologies. The transperitoneal route seems to be the standard approach for pediatric surgeons. Preoperative planning and surgical expertise are the keys to success.

TYPE OF THE STUDY

Case series with systematic literature review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Oncocytic Adreno Cortical Tumors: Pathological Features of 16 Cases and Review of the Literature

Oncocytic neoplasms of the adrenal gland are extremely rare tumors. These tumors differ from their nononcocytic counterparts in some respects. The aim of this study was to review and discuss the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of as well as the prognosis for these rare tumors. In total, 16 cases diagnosed as adrenocortical oncocytic neoplasms between January 2011 and December 2016 were included in the study. The demographic data, gross characteristics, histological data, and immunohistochemical data (Chromogranin-A, Synaptophysin, α-Inhibin, Melan-A, Ki67, PHH3) were reevaluated. The follow-up data for these patients were added in January 2017. Of the 16 cases, 12 were adrenocortical adenoma, 1 was borderline adrenocortical tumor, and 3 were adrenocortical carcinoma. The tumors equally affected both genders. The tumors were not generally large. Tumor cells had pleomorphic nuclei in ten cases, but it was more obvious in one case. The mitotic figure count was low in most tumors. Atypical mitosis and necrosis were observed in three and four tumors, respectively. None of cases included sinusoidal invasion, vascular invasion, or capsular invasion. We detected the expression of at least one specific marker (e.g., Melan-A, Inhibin-α) of the adrenal cortex in all tumors. None of the tumors were immunoreactive for Chromogranin-A. Ki-67 proliferation index was lower than 5% in all cases except three oncocytic carcinomas. In two cases, PHH3 positivity was not seen, while it was lower than 3 of 10 high-powered fields in ten cases and higher in 4 cases. All patients were alive and disease free except for two patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. In conclusion, determining the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of these extremely rare tumors can provide important information for early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of these cases.

Management of Calvarial Tumors: A Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

AIM

Tumors of various organs that metastasize to bone do not neglect calvarium as a target. The aim of this study was to characterize the calvarial tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 45 consecutive patients operated for calvarial masses from January 2002 till May 2012 at our hospital. Skull base tumors and patients ≤18 years were excluded.

RESULTS

Three groups of lesions were found - calvarial metastases (15/45), primary tumors (5/45) and tumor-like lesions (25/45). Malignant lesions were equitable by gender distribution, higher age of onset (median age of primary =55; secondary = 60 years) and benign lesions by younger age (median = 35) and female bias (18/25). Calvarial metastases mostly presented with local swelling (10/15), local pain (6/15) and rarely neurologic deficit. There was associated dural sinus thrombosis (4/20 of malignant; 1/25 of benign lesions) and osteolysis (3/5 primary malignant, 13/15 secondary and 18/25 of benign lesions). Complete surgical excision was possible with minimal morbidity in all except one patient and nil mortality.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half (20/45) of the calvarial lesions tend to be malignant with most of them presenting as silent painless masses. Surgical excision should be considered only after suitable investigation and appropriate neurosurgical set-up.

Efficacy of simvastatin in reducing postoperative adhesions after thyroidectomy: an experimental study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate whether simvastatin had any impact on the prevention of adhesion formation after thyroidectomy in a rat model.

METHODS

This study was performed in 66 Wistar albino rats randomized into three experimental groups. A right hemithyroidectomy was carried out in all the rats. Simvastatin was administered locally at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg. Control rats received a saline solution only. Changes during the 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month were evaluated. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed by using a scoring system.

RESULTS

The severity of adhesions in low-dose simvastatin group was significantly less than the control and high-dose groups during the 1st and 3rd month (p < .05). In addition, adhesions were less in the high dose group during the 3rd month, when compared to the control group (p < .05). Moreover, fibrosis and fibroblast scores, which represent adhesions, were significantly lower in low-dose and high-dose groups at 3rd month, compared to controls (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

We investigated the influence of simvastatin application on post-thyroidectomy adhesion formation in rats. Whether adhesions, causing technical difficulties during neck redo surgery, can be reduced by the use of simvastatin in human, needs to be studied.

Primary thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinoma of the nasal septum: a case report

Primary thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinomas are extremely rare neoplasms that generally originate in the nasopharynx. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinoma that originated in the nasal septum. The tumor was surgically removed, and the patient showed no evidence of local recurrence during 4 years of follow-up.

Variable sonographic spectrum of parathyroid adenoma with a novel ultrasound finding: dual concentric echo sign

AIMS

To review the detailed gray-scale and Doppler ultrasonography features of histologically proven parathyroid adenomas (PAs) evaluated with high-end ultrasonography devices and to present a novel ultrasonography finding called the dual concentric echo sign in PA with histopathologic correlation which was encountered during detailed analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-six PAs with histopathological result were enrolled. The longest dimension, shape, distance to skin surface, internal echo and Doppler US features obtained with high-end US devices were evaluated.

RESULTS

PAs had variable range of shape including oval, irregular, fusiform, lobulated, crescent-shaped, and nodular configuration. In nine patients the lesions were shown to have cystic components and calcifications were seen in four cases. Dual concentric echo sign was detected in 18% PAs. Histological reevaluation of this subgroup demonstrated significantly increased edema (p<0.01), and ectatic vessels (p=0.02) in the central part of the lesion compared to the rest of the PAs.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study led to the conclusion that PAs have variable gray-scale and Doppler findings. Typical sonographic features like ovoid shape, homogeneously hypoechoic pattern may not be present in all PAs. Dual concentric echo sign which is a novel sonographic pattern may be suggestive of a PA.

Primary glioblastoma of the medulla spinalis: a report of three cases and review of the literature

Primary spinal glioblastoma multiforme (spinal GBM) is not a very common entity. This paper presents an outline of this rare neoplasm, its clinical presentation, course, management and outcome and reports a 3-case series of spinal GBM. In this 3-case series with spinal GBM, one of the patients was operated for hydrocephalous 10 months later following the tumor surgery and another patient had cerebral metastasis after the surgery. In the postoperative period, two of the cases received radiotherapy and one received combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with steroid therapy together following the tumor surgery. The review of the pertinent literature has revealed that due to the scarcity of the reported cases of primary spinal GBMs, this issue requires a closer look. GBM behaves more aggressive in medulla spinalis than it behaves when it originates from cerebrum. It may disseminate to the cerebrum during its course and it may cause hydrocephalus due to this dissemination (metastasis).

A novel disease-causing CD40L mutation reduces expression of CD40 ligand, but preserves CD40 binding capacity

Mutations in CD40 ligand (CD40L) that permit residual CD40L expression typically impair binding of CD40. We report a male patient who presented with recurrent bacterial respiratory tract infections, normal IgM, decreased IgG, absent IgA levels, and CD40L expression at ~50% of the level observed in the normal control. He subsequently developed autoimmunity, inflammatory bowel disease, severe opportunistic infections suggestive of a combined immunodeficiency, and a cervical spine schwannoma. Whole exome sequencing of the patient's genomic DNA revealed a novel missense mutation (p.H47Y) in CD40L. Although this mutation was predicted to be benign in silico, flow cytometry at 13 years of age demonstrated markedly decreased CD40L expression (~32% of normal control) that retained the capacity to bind soluble CD40-Ig, suggesting that the mutation impairs CD40L surface expression without affecting its affinity for CD40. This case highlights the variability in the clinical evolution and phenotype of CD40L deficiency.

Rapid transformation of atypical myeloproliferative disorder with consistent t(8;13) to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report

8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS; also known as the stem cell leukemia syndrome-SCLL) is a rare atypical myeloproliferative disorder associated with chromosomal abnormalities involving the 8p11 chromosomal band. Translocations associated with this syndrome result in the fusion of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR 1) gene with various partners, resulting in ligand independent FGFR activity. The most commonly observed translocation of this syndrome is t(8;13), which results in the expression of a chimeric ZNF198-FGFR1 tyrosine kinase. Disease phenotype associated with this translocation has some typical features such as poor prognosis, and transformation to mainly acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; commonly with a T-cell phenotype in which obtaining and maintenance of remission is difficult by conventional chemotherapy. We hereby present a case diagnosed as atypical chronic myeloproliferative disease with consistent t(8;13)(p12;q12) and transformed rapidly to pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia which is a rare clinical presentation.

Multiple spinal metastases of cranial gliosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Gliosarcoma is a rare brain tumor that consists of both glial and mesenchymal components. We report the case of a 68-year-old female with cranial gliosarcoma metastatic to the spinal cord. Initially, the patient was diagnosed with cranial gliosarcoma and treated with surgical resection followed by radiotherapy. Four months after she completed treatment, she presented with a sudden onset of hemiplegia. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan demonstrated two masses at the thoracic spinal cord. Immediate surgery was performed and the lesions were resected. No further therapy was recommended due to the poor condition of the patient. The patient subsequently died 3 months after diagnosis of the spinal cord metastases. There are about 20 reported cases of metastatic gliosarcoma and most focus on systemic metastases of gliosarcoma. Spinal cord metastases are, however, very rare and here we report such a case. Available literature on metastatic gliosarcoma was also reviewed.

The prevalence of RET/PTC mutations in papillary thyroid cancers in Turkish population and its relation between tumor histopathology and prognostic factors

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, thyroid cancer has been at the forefront of molecular pathology as a result of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the recognition of the role of RET/PTC rearrangements in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Correlation of RET/PTC expression with clinical outcome is controversial. This study aims to identify the prevalence of RET/PTC oncogene expression in Turkey, and to investigate the correlation between RET/PTC oncogene expression and the known prognostic factors of PTC in 101 patients.

METHODS

The RET rearrangements were examined by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, with primers flanking the chimeric region. Statistical evaluation was performed by using Independent samples t-test, One-sample Chi-square test and Pearson Chi-square or Fisher's Exact Test.

RESULTS

RET/PTC was determined positive in 67(66.3%) of totally 101 patients (p<0.001). RET/PTC1 in 32(31.7%), RET/PTC3 in 21(20.8%), RET/PTC1+RET/PTC3 both in 10(9.9%) patients were found to be positive. There was RET/PTC2 positiveness in two patients, RET/PTC2,3 positiveness in one patient, and RET/PTC1,2,3 positiveness in one patient. No statistical difference was found between RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3. None of genetico-clinical analyses showed any significant association between RET/PTC expression and the clinical and pathological features of the cancers.

CONCLUSION

While this prevalence of the RET/PTC is less than RET/PTC frequency seen after Chernobyl in Belarus, its prevalence in our region is also high (66.3%). As a result, no significant correlation was found in between prognosis and RET/PTC frequency.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: report of three cases

We report three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid, which is an unusual malignant tumor that needs to be distinguished from other thyroid pathologies due to its aggressive behaviour. Three men, with an average of 63 years old, presented with progressive enlargement in the neck, hoarse voice or weight loss. Physical and radiological examinations revealed clues where malignancy was suspected and surgical resections were performed. Histopathological examination of the specimens was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Proper workup excluded the possibility of any primary site of SCC other than the thyroid. All patients died within 5 months. Adjuvant therapy evaluation is still inconclusive. Complete surgical resection still remains the primary choice for cure. We believe that radical resection with clear surgical margins followed by adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy is a curative strategy for achieving any chance of long-term survival.

Hodgkin's lymphoma following treatment with etanercept in ankylosing spondylitis

It has been well known that anti-TNF drugs might increase lymphoma risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where the rate of lymphoma has already been increased. However, unlike RA, an increased rate of lymphoma has not been reported in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Hereby, we present a case with AS developing Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) following 6 months of etanercept treatment. Pathological analysis revealed mixed cellular type of HL. Although we report a single case, it should be kept in mind that anti-TNF drugs might cause lymphoma development not only in RA, but also in AS.

The ongoing debate in thyroid surgery: should frozen section analysis be omitted?

Controversies concerning the role of frozen section (FS) have been a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to identify the role of FS analysis in intraoperative decision making and analyze the effect of the cost in detecting thyroid malignancies in Turkey. Out of 214 consecutive patients who had been operated on for thyroid cancer between January 1996 and August 2004, 178 patients were evaluated retrospectively. All 178 patients were subjected to FS. Intraoperative FS correctly identified the pathology as malignant in 58.4% of patients. A true-positive FS result changed the surgical strategy in 30 (27.6%) cases False negative FS lesions were defined histologically as papillary microcarcinoma in 54%, follicular variant of papillary cancer in 18% and follicular cancer in 8% of cases. The sensitivities of FNAB and intraoperative FS in thyroid cancer patients were 22.5% and 58.4%, respectively. False negative FS results increased the cost for each informative FS from euro25 to euro42.7. Despite limitations, results of this study reject the idea that the role of FS is becoming limited. We recommend routine frozen section in the operative assessment of thyroid nodules. Omitting FS may be suggested only in cases with a FNAB revealing malignancy.

Systemic mastocytosis presenting with a prominent B lymphocyte proliferation in the bone marrow and extensive fibrosis of the spleen

Systemic mastocytosis is a disease characterized by multifocal mast cell proliferation in the bone marrow or other extracutaneous organs. Because of loosely scattered and hypo-/agranular mast cells, the diagnosis is sometimes very difficult. In the bone marrow, mast cell infiltration may be associated with prominent lymphoid infiltration leading to a misdiagnosis of a low grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

A 49-year-old woman presented with right arm and leg pain, psychiatric symptoms, and diarrhea for four years. Physical examination and laboratory investigation revealed hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, mild thrombocytosis, mild leucocytosis and lymphocytosis. In the bone marrow biopsy, there was a prominent B lymphocyte proliferation reminiscent of a low grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma/leukemia and there were some spindle cells aggregates in paratrabecular location. The consecutive bone marrow biopsies were similar to the first. The subsequent splenectomy specimen exhibited striking fibrosis. In the lymph node sections, there was marginal zone hyperplasia.

Multifocal accumulations of mast cells were strongly positive with mast cell tryptase and CD117 on immunohistochemical staining, though no metachromasia was identified in Giemsa and Toluidine Blue stained aspirates and tissue sections, probably due to hypo-/agranulation of mast cells.

The case was presented to emphasize the importance of the antibody to mast cell tryptase in the diagnosis of mastocytosis and to discuss problems of differential diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis.

Fas/Fas ligand gene polymorphism in patients with papillary thyroid cancer in the Turkish population

OBJECTIVE

Fas ligand (FasL) is an apoptotic agent and a member of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. FasL exists in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, and it is increased in tumor cell membrane. On the contrary, CTL and NK are bound to Fas on the surfaces of cell membrane; this triggers apoptosis in cytotoxic cells and leads to their death. This system plays an important role in eliminating viral infections and cancer cells. Malfunction of this system results in the development and spread of the malignancy. This study aims at evaluating the influence of Fas and FasL gene polymorphism in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in the Turkish population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Forty-five patients with PTC and 100 healthy controls were included in this study. The diagnosis of PTC was confirmed by histopathologic examination after surgery. The evaluation of genotype for Fas 670 A/G and FasL 843 C/T gene polymorphism was performed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.

RESULTS

The evaluation of Fas/FasL genotype and gene allele frequency did not show statistically significant differences between the patient and control group (p>0.05). In addition, the univariate analysis did not reveal a statistically significant relationship between the size of the nodule and the Fas/FasL gene polymorphism in patients with PTC.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other types of malignancy, genetic factors in the pathogenesis of PTC may also show changes in different populations. Fas/FasL gene polymorphysms are possible that different mechanisms function in apoptosis balance in PTC development.

A rare case of granulomatous prostatitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We report a rare case of infective granulomatous prostatitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that may be mistaken for prostatic carcinoma, both on clinical examination and transrectal sonography (TRUS). A large hypoechoic mass was detected in the prostate of a 46-year-old man during TRUS and histopathologic examination after TRUS-guided biopsies reported the diagnosis of tuberculous prostatitis. We herein describe the clinical and TRUS findings of this case.

Primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in a liver transplant patient with hepatitis B cirrhosis

We describe the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of primary hepatic low grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in a liver transplant recipient with hepatitis B cirrhosis. MALT lymphomas arise in organs normally devoid of lymphoid tissue, which accumulates as a consequence of chronic antigenic stimulation associated with chronic infection or autoimmune disease. Primary hepatic MALT lymphoma is extremely rare; 13 cases have been reported worldwide to date. Our patient is the first case of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma associated with hepatitis B cirrhosis who was treated with orthotopic liver transplantation.

Dural plasmacytoma mimicking meningioma in a patient with multiple myeloma

Apart from calvarial infiltration, intracranial involvement in multiple myeloma is uncommon. Diffuse leptomeningeal invasion with or without parenchymal involvement is most common. Dural infiltration without involvement of the parenchyma, leptomeninges or skull is rare. The differential diagnosis of a dural plasmacytoma includes meningioma, which has a similar MRI appearance, metastasis, lymphoma and sarcoma of the dura mater. We present a patient with multiple myeloma presenting with an intracerebral mass mimicking a meningioma on MRI. Multiple myeloma had been diagnosed seven years previously. The patient presented with headache and speech disturbance 12 months after autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation for recurrence of multiple myeloma. MRI revealed a left temporal extra-axial mass with a dural tail mimicking meningioma. Histopathological examination of the mass after excision showed multiple myeloma immunopositive for IgG, kappa light chain and CD38. There was no recurrence after postoperative radiotherapy. Plasmacytoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a solitary dural mass, particularly in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Benign Osteoma With Gardner Syndrome: Review of the Literature and Report of a Case

Gardner syndrome, a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by gastrointestinal polyps that develop in the colon as well as in the stomach and upper intestine (duodenum), multiple osteomas, and skin and soft tissue tumors. Cutaneous findings include epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumors, and other benign tumors. Polyps have a 100% risk of undergoing malignant transformation; consequently, early identification and therapy of the disease are critical. Osteoma is a benign neoplasm of bone tissue that is characterized by slow continuous growth and is the most common accompanying bone lesion seen in Gardner syndrome. The authors report a case of Gardner syndrome that was operated on because of the mandibular osteoma.

A Rare Location of Benign Osteoblastoma: Review of the Literature and Report of a Case

Benign osteoblastoma is a rare primary bone tumor that constitutes approximately 1% of all primary bone tumors. Its occurrence in the craniomaxillofacial region as also rare and represents only 15% of all osteoblastomas. The tumor shows a predilection for the male gender and constitutes less than 1% of all tumors of the maxillofacial region. In the maxillofacial region, the mandible is affected more frequently than the maxilla, and the coronoid process of the mandible is the area most rarely affected by osteoblastoma. Before this report, 53 cases have been reported in the literature. In this report, a rare location of osteoblastoma, namely, the coronoid process of the mandible, is described.

The Differential Diagnosis of Lymphocyte-rich Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma Using the R.E.A.L. Criteria. An Immunohistochemical Study on 45 Cases

In the present study, the two types, lymphocyte-rich classical HL (LRCHL) and nodular lymphocytepredominant type (NLPHL), which were grouped together before the R.E.A.L. classification, were questioned on the basis of differential criteria and 45 cases were retrieved from last ten years' archival material. On histopathological examination, nodular pattern, the cytological features and intensity of Reed- Sternberg (RS) cells, the pattern and intensity of histiocytes, the presence of germinal centers with progressive transformation were analysed. An immunohistochemical study was performed using antibodies against CD20, CD45RO, CD3, CD30, CD15 antigens and streptavidin-biotin procedure. The cases were classified into three groups according to the histologic pattern and immunophenotypical features ofthe RS cells: I) diffuse, LRCHL (CD20-, CD30+/-, CD15+/-): n= 28; II) NLPHL (CD20+, CD30-, CD15-): n= 11; III) cases which could not be evaluated in former groups: n= 6. Four cases in the latter group showed a nodular pattern with RS cells negative for all markers, except for one case, which expressed both CD20 and CD15. The remaining two cases exhibited a diffuse pattern and the RS cells were CD20+, coexpressing CD30 in one. These findings suggest that, differential diagnosis according to the R.E.A.L. criteria is not distinctive between the two categories of HL in about 13% of cases, and further criteria need to be established to define the grey zone between the two entities which might lead to further therapeutic trials.