Gestational age acceleration is associated with epigenetic biomarkers of prenatal physiologic stress exposure

BACKGROUND

Physiological maternal stress response, such as imbalance in the glucocorticoid pathway and immune system seems to be mediated by DNA methylation (DNAm) and might translate intrauterine stress exposures into phenotypic changes in a sex-specific manner. DNAm in specific sites can also predict newborn gestational age and gestational age acceleration (GAA). GAA occurs when the predicted biological age is higher than the chronological age. In adults, poor health outcomes related to this deviance are well documented and raise questions for the interpretation and prediction in early stages of life. Boys seem to be more vulnerable to intrauterine stress exposure than girls; however, the mechanisms of adaptive sex-specific responses are still unclear. We hypothesize that intrauterine stress exposure is associated with GAA and could be different in boys and girls if inflammatory or glucocorticoid pathways exposure is considered.

RESULTS

Using the Western Region Birth Cohort (ROC-São Paulo, Brazil) (n = 83), we calculated DNAm age and GAA from cord blood samples. Two epigenetic risk scores were calculated as an indirect proxy for low-grade inflammation (i-ePGS) and for glucocorticoid exposure (GES). Multivariate linear regression models were applied to investigate associations of GAA with prenatal exposures. The i-ePGS and GES were included in different models with the same co-variates considering sex interactions. The first multivariate model investigating inflammatory exposure (adj. R² = 0.31, p =  < 0.001) showed that GAA was positively associated with i-ePGS (CI, 0.26-113.87, p = 0.049) and negative pregnancy-related feelings (CI, 0.04-0.48 p = 0.019). No sex interaction was observed. The second model investigating glucocorticoid exposure (adj. R² = 0.32, p =  < 0.001) showed that the higher was the GAA was associated with a lower the lower was the GES in girls (CI, 0.04-2.55, p = 0.044). In both models, maternal self-reported mental disorder was negatively associated with GAA.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal epigenetic score of exposure to low-grade inflammatory was a predictor of GAA for both sexes. Glucocorticoid epigenetic score seems to be more important to GAA in girls. This study supports the evidence of sex-specificity in stress response, suggesting the glucocorticoid as a possible pathway adopted by girls to accelerate the maturation in an adverse condition.

Sex differences in DNA methylation of the cord blood are related to sex-bias psychiatric diseases

Sex differences in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders are well documented, with exposure to stress during gestation differentially impacting females and males. We explored sex-specific DNA methylation in the cord blood of 39 females and 32 males born at term and with appropriate weight at birth regarding their potential connection to psychiatric outcomes. Mothers were interviewed to gather information about environmental factors (gestational exposure) that could interfere with the methylation profiles in the newborns. Bisulphite converted DNA was hybridized to Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Excluding XYS probes, there were 2,332 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMSs) between sexes, which were enriched within brain modules of co-methylated CpGs during brain development and also differentially methylated in the brains of boys and girls. Genes associated with the DMSs were enriched for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly for CpG sites found differentially methylated in brain tissue between patients with schizophrenia and controls. Moreover, the DMS had an overlap of 890 (38%) CpG sites with a cohort submitted to toxic exposition during gestation. This study supports the evidences that sex differences in DNA methylation of autosomes act as a primary driver of sex differences that are found in psychiatric outcomes.

Fatal hemoperitoneum due to segmental arterial mediolysis

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to vascular injury is a life-threatening condition mostly associated with aortic or splanchnic arterial disease, which stems from atherosclerotic, inflammatory, or infectious origin. However, in 1976, Slavin and Gonzales described a nonatherosclerotic arterial disease that may render aneurysmal formation predominantly in the splanchnic arterial bed. The clinical presentation is diverse, but abdominal pain and shock prevail. We report the case of a middle-aged man who presented a hemoperitoneum due to a middle colic artery aneurysm rupture and died after undergoing a surgical treatment attempt. The preoperative imaging study revealed the presence of a huge hematoma in the epiplon retrocavity, and abdominal free liquid as well as extensive arterial disease with multiple aneurysms. The autopsy findings included hemoperitoneum, hematoma in the upper left abdominal quadrant, the surgical ligature of the middle colic artery, and histologic features consistent with segmental arterial mediolysis. The authors call attention to this rare entity and highlight the autopsy as a fundamental examination to accurately reach this diagnosis.

Gonococcal endocarditis: an ever-present threat

The incidence of severe complications of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection has presented variations over recent decades since the advent of penicillin. Gonococcal endocarditis (GE) still remains an ever-present threat afflicting the society’s poor and sexually active young population. This entity frequently requires surgical intervention and usually exhibits a poor outcome. The interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis does not usually exceed 4 weeks. One of the characteristics of GE is a proclivity for aortic valve involvement with large vegetation and valve ring abscess formation. The authors report the case of a young man with a 2-week history of fever, malaise, weakness, and progressive heart failure symptoms, who had no previous history of genital complaints or cardiopathy. The physical examination was consistent with acute aortic insufficiency, which was most probably of an infectious origin. The echocardiogram showed thickened aortic cusps and valve insufficiency. After hospital admission, the patient’s clinical status worsened rapidly and he died on the second day. The autopsy findings disclosed aortic valve destruction with vegetation and a ring abscess besides signs of septic shock, such as diffuse alveolar damage, acute tubular necrosis, and zone 3 hepatocellular necrosis. The blood culture isolated N. gonorrhoeae resistant to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. The authors call attention to the pathogen of this particular infectious endocarditis, and the need for early diagnosis and evaluation by a cardiac surgery team.

Bacterial sinusitis and its frightening complications: subdural empyema and Lemierre syndrome

The symptoms of a previously healthy 14-year-old female with an initial history of tooth pain and swelling of the left maxillary evolved to a progressive headache and altered neurological findings characterized by auditory hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and aggressiveness. She was brought to the emergency department after 21 days of the initial symptoms. An initial computed tomography (CT) scan showed frontal subdural empyema with bone erosion. The symptoms continued to evolve to brain herniation 24 hours after admission. A second CT scan showed a left internal jugular vein thrombosis. The outcome was unfavorable and the patient died on the second day after admission. The autopsy findings depicted rarefaction of the cranial bone at the left side of the frontal sinus, and overt meningitis. The severe infection was further complicated by thrombophlebitis of the left internal jugular vein up to the superior vena cava with septic embolization to the lungs, pneumonia, and sepsis. This case report highlights the degree of severity that a trivial infection can reach. The unusual presentation of the sinusitis may have wrongly guided the approach of this unfortunate case.

Subserous lymphangioma of the sigmoid colon: an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in pediatric patients

Lymphangioma is a rare, benign lesion derived from a malformation of the lymphatic system, which is more frequently found in the head, neck, and axilla. However, it may be present anywhere in the body, and the diagnosis involves adults as children with some distinct clinical features among them. In pediatric patients, abdominal cystic lymphangioma occurs mostly in the mesentery presenting abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or, more rarely, hemorrhage. The authors report the case of a child with a short-course history of fever, abdominal pain, and constipation. The physical examination disclosed the presence of an abdominal mass and signs of peritoneal irritation. Imaging was consistent with a cystic lesion compressing the sigmoid colon and laterally displacing the remaining loops. Exploratory laparotomy was undertaken, and a sigmoidectomy, followed by Hartman’s colostomy, was performed. Histological examination revealed the nature of the lesion as a cystic lymphangioma. The authors highlight the clinical features of this entity and call attention to this disease in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen or abdominal pain, mainly in pediatric patients.

Community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa-pneumonia in a previously healthy man occupationally exposed to metalworking fluids

Although the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is well known and frequently found in hospitals and nursing care facilities, many cases are also reported outside these boundaries. In general, this pathogen infects debilitated patients either by comorbidities or by any form of immunodeficiency. In cases of respiratory infection, tobacco abuse seems to play an important role as a risk factor. In previously healthy patients, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with P. aeruginosa as the etiological agent is extremely rare, and unlike the cases involving immunocompromised or hospitalized patients, the outcome is severe, and is fatal in up to 61.1% of cases. Aerosolized contaminated water or solutions are closely linked to the development of respiratory tract infection. In this setting, metalworking fluids used in factories may be implicated in CAP involving previously healthy people. The authors report the case of a middle-aged man who worked in a metalworking factory and presented a right upper lobar pneumonia with a rapid fatal outcome. P. aeruginosa was cultured from blood and tracheal aspirates. The autopsy findings confirmed a hemorrhagic necrotizing pneumonia with bacteria-invading vasculitis and thrombosis. A culture of the metalworking fluid of the factory was also positive for P. aeruginosa. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that both strains (blood culture and metalworking fluid) were genetically indistinguishable. The authors highlight the occupational risk for the development of this P.aeruginosa-infection in healthy people.

Early stage primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a young HIV-positive patient

HIV infection is known to be associated with the development of a wide range of neoplasia. About 25 to 40% of HIV-positive patients will present some kind of malignancy in the course of the disease; among them 10% are non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and 20% of these are represented by the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. HIV-positive patients have a relative risk of 110 times higher to develop neoplasia, than the non-infected population. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most frequent extranodal site of involvement. However, the primary GI lymphoma is rare. The authors present a case of a 31-year-old male patient with a 16-year history of HIV infection, who deliberately withdrew the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) regimen and was hospitalized because of a respiratory infection. Because of a long-term complaint of dyspepsia, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed disclosing a large elevated and ulcerated gastric lesion, which biopsy revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Clinical, imaging and laboratory tests showed an early stage diagnosis: Lugano stage I. Although not frequent, the authors alert to considering this neoplasia in all HIV-positive patients with dyspeptic symptoms.

Bone marrow necrosis and fat embolism: an autopsy report of a severe complication of hemoglobin SC disease

Sickle Cell Disease encompasses a group of disorders related with the hemoglobin S and other hemoglobin genotypes. The clinical manifestation and the severity of symptoms are dependent on the specific genotype. In this setting, homozygous genotype (HbSS) presents an early onset of symptoms and a low expectancy of lifetime. However, the SC genotype (HbSC), which apparently shows a less severe clinical course, may exhibit the same complications of HbSS. These complications are usually manifested late in the course of life, when compared with the HbSS patients. It is noteworthy that HbSC may present a normal hematocrit, and therefore stays unknown until the first complication, that may be disastrous. The authors report a case of an African-Descendant woman, aging 65 years, with no previous diagnosis of anemia who sought medical attention because of a thoracic back pain followed by fever and altered mental status. The clinical picture deteriorated very fast with multiple organ failure and death. The autopsy findings concluded by generalized vaso-occlusive crisis, bone marrow necrosis and bone marrow and fat embolism, mainly to the lungs and kidney. The authors call attention for the knowledge of this severe life threatening complication, mainly in a country with a high Afro-Descendant population.

Ovarian adenosarcoma simulating a simple cyst in a young patient

Müllerian adenosarcoma is a rare, mixed tumor that can occur throughout the female genital tract, but is most commonly found in the uterus. Ovarian adenosarcoma is rarer and has a poorer prognosis than uterine adenosarcoma. Data on the clinicopathological features of ovarian adenosarcoma are limited, and, due to its rarity, the management is controversial. The authors report a case of a 25-year-old patient who presented with recurrent abdominal pain. Sonography and laparotomy showed an ovarian cyst, and pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of cystic low-grade adenosarcoma. The patient remains free of recurrence 6 months after diagnosis. The authors call attention to the differential diagnosis of ovarian masses, especially in young patients, and to the lack of evidence on the management of this neoplasm in the literature.

Nodal Epstein-Barr virus-positive T-cell/NK-cell lymphoma associated with immunodeficiency: a rare condition looking for recognition

The authors describe a peculiar form of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T-cell lymphoma in an HIV-positive patient presenting an aggressive clinical course. Unlike most other EBV-positive T-cell/natural-killer (NK)-cell lymphomas, the disease was characterized by predominant nodal involvement at presentation. T-cell lineage was confirmed by T-cell receptor-rearrangement, and neoplastic cells exhibited strong and diffuse CD56 expression. A marked intravascular component was detected in the skin, the liver, and the lung parenchyma. This entity was not predicted in the WHO 2008 classification, but has been recently identified in immunocompromised patients. This case report refers to a middle-aged man with AIDS, who presented a 4-month history of weight loss, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, peripheral and deep-chain lymphadenopathy. A blood smear showed lymphocytosis with a marked presence of atypia. The outcome was unfavorable and the patient could not be treated. The autopsy revealed multivisceral involvement, including lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, liver, lungs, skin, and kidneys.

Academic autopsies in Brazil - a national survey

Objective: To investigate the number and rate of academic autopsies, general organization, educational and research in Brazilian academic services. Methods: Standardized questionnaires were sent to Brazilian medical schools (n=177) and active pathology residency programs (n=53) from March to June 2009. Data were collected for years 2003 to 2008. Results: Thirty-two academic services in 11 Brazilian states answered the survey. Twenty-one (65.6%) perform less than a hundred autopsies for natural causes and less than fifty pediatric or fetal autopsies/year. Twenty-four (75%) perform less than a hundred adult autopsies/year. Many institutions (46.9%) reported a drop in the number of autopsies in a six-year period. The total autopsy count and autopsy rate in 2008 ranged 1-632 (median = 80), and 0-66% (mean = 10.6%), respectively. A steady decrease in the total count of autopsies in a pool of 19 institutions was observed (p<0.01). Median autopsy rates have fallen from 19.3%, in 2003, to 10.6%, in 2008 (p=0.07). Significant discrepancies at autopsies led to changes in institutional healthcare practice in 37.5% of the services. The low number of autopsies was a limiting factor in undergraduate education for 25% of respondents. A minimum number of autopsies is required to complete the pathology residency program in 34.6% of the services. Conclusion: The total number and the rate of academic autopsies have decreased in Brazil between 2003 and 2008. The number of autopsies and the general organization of academic services must be enhanced to improve medical education, research, and the quality control of patient care.

Pyloric Brunner's gland hamartoma with atypical hyperplasia

Brunner's gland hamartoma (BGH) is an extremely rare benign digestive tumor, generally located in the duodenal bulb. We report the case of a 51-year-old asymptomatic man with a large pedunculated BGH arising from the pylorus. It was successfully removed en bloc by endoscopic resection.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or lymphomatoid granulomatosis grade 3: a still-puzzling diagnosis in autopsy

Primary lung lymphoma is a rare entity accounting for approximately 0.3% of all primary neoplasia of the lung and includes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) and lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG). Considering that clinical features may be similar, whereas epidemiology, morphology, and radiological features are different, the authors report a case of a middle-aged man who presented multiple pulmonary nodules in the lower lobes and ground-glass opacities scattered bilaterally on computed tomography. Clinically, he presented a consumptive syndrome with respiratory failure and pleurisy, which progressed until death. The autopsy findings were consistent with lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) grade 3/ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL). The authors call attention to the difficulty of establishing an accurate diagnosis, mainly when the demonstration of EBV-infected atypical B-cells fails.

Renal small B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation presenting with monoclonal gammopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome

Primary renal lymphomas are very rare. However, the kidney may be a site of metastasis, usually from a disseminated aggressive lymphoma. A 58-year-old woman was brought to the medical facility due to acute mental confusion, severe hypotension, septic shock, and signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Laboratory tests showed severe leukopenia, renal failure, altered liver function, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. Protein electrophoresis revealed hypergammaglobulinemia with a monoclonal peak of IgG lambda. The clinical outcome was fulminant and the patient died less than 24 hours after admission. Autopsy revealed an indolent B-cell lymphoma with extensive plasmacytic differentiation infiltrating the right renal sinus and involving the submandibular and sublingual glands, cervical and peri-aortic lymph nodes, multiple microscopic foci in pituitary and adrenal glands, lung, breast, liver, thyroid, and bone marrow. Numerous IgG4-positive plasma cells were detected by immunohistochemistry although other histological features of IgG4-related disease were missing. There was also extensive hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands and purulent cystitis, which was probably responsible for the septic shock. The authors concluded that the kidney was most likely the primary site of the indolent lymphoma, as that was the site with the largest tumor mass. Infiltration of other organs was considered as dissemination of the disease. The differential diagnosis with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is discussed.

Unusual presentation of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the Urinary bladder with small-cell and large-cell features

High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder comprehends small-cell and large-cell variants. It is a rare and aggressive neoplasm, mostly diagnosed in advanced stages. It is more frequently encountered among Caucasian men in the sixth decade of life. Urinary symptoms are the most common clinical presentation. Diagnosis is generally not troublesome once the lesions are easily detectable by imaging exams and cystoscopy. This neoplasia is associated with tobacco smoking, and is frequently associated with other carcinomatous components such as urothelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and sarcomatoid carcinoma. The authors report a case of an apparently healthy female patient who presented cervical lymph node enlargement not accompanied by systemic symptoms. The supraclavicular lymph node biopsy revealed metastatic small cell carcinoma. The computed tomography scan showed a bladder wall nodular thickening, enlarged lymph nodes along the iliac, periaortic, mediastinal, cervical and supraclavicular chains, as well as an insufflating lytic bone lesion in the right iliac wing. The positron emission tomography-fluorodeoxyglucose (PET-FDG) added to these findings, the presence of a paraesophageal lymph node, lymphadenomegaly in the gluteal region and a vertebral lytic lesion in T10. Resected specimen of the bladder tumor revealed a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma with small-cell and large-cell features.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma ALK-negative clinically mimicking alcoholic hepatitis - a review

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), described less than 30 years ago by Karl Lennert and Herald Stein in Kiel, West Germany, is a T-cell or null non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with distinctive morphology (hallmark cells, prominent sinus and/or perivascular growth pattern), characteristic immunophenotype (CD30+, cytotoxic granules protein+, CD3-/+) and specific genetic features as translocations involving the receptor tyrosine kinase called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) on 2p23 and variable partners genes, which results in the expression of ALK fusion protein. The absence of ALK expression is also observed and is associated with poorer prognosis that seen with ALK expression. ALK-negative ALCL is more frequent in adults, with both nodal and extra nodal clinical presentation and includes several differential diagnoses with other CD30+ lymphomas. Liver involvement by ALCL is rare and is generally seen as mass formation; the diffuse pattern of infiltration is even more unusual. The authors present a case of a 72-year-old man who presented clinical symptoms of acute hepatic failure. The patient had a long history of alcohol abuse and the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis was highly considered, although the serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) value was highly elevated. The clinical course was fulminant leading to death on the fourth day of hospitalization. Autopsy demonstrated diffuse neoplastic hepatic infiltration as well as splenic, pulmonary, bone marrow, and minor abdominal lymph nodes involvement by the tumor. Based on morphological, immunophenotypical, and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of ALK- negative ALCL was concluded. When there is marked elevation of LDH the possibility of lymphoma, ALCL and other types, should be the principal diagnosis to be considered.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss) syndrome and pulmonary thromboembolism: an overlooked concomitance

The Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formerly Churg- Strauss Syndrome) (EGPA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of rhinitis, asthma, peripheral eosinophilia, and vasculitis-the latter being characteristic of the late stage of the disease. After several years from the onset of the disease, small- and medium-sized vessel vasculitis ensues, undertaking various organs and systems. Upper and lower airways, skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and kidneys are the most commonly involved organs. It is believed that tissue injury is the result of processes mediated by antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), or toxic mediators released by eosinophils. Although it is classified as ANCA-associated vasculitis, these autoantibodies are present in only 40% of cases. The authors report the case of a patient with EGPA, who had a history of asthma, peripheral and central neuropathy, palpable purpura, gastrointestinal micro perforation, peripheral eosinophilia, and the presence of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. Inflammatory parameters improved after the initiation of treatment, but 1 month after hospital discharge the patient developed symptoms compatible with pulmonary embolism and died. Thrombophilia that occurs in EGPA is due to the interaction between the inflammatory response and eosinophilia with the clotting system resulting in a pro-thrombotic state. Although not yet well-determined, the authors call attention to the possibility of the impact of thromboembolic events on the prognosis of patients with EGPA. In addition to the adequate immunosuppressive treatment, prophylaxis and treatment for thrombosis should never be overlooked.

Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as metachronous colonic polyps

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease characterized by proliferation of Langerhans-type cells that express CD1a, Langerin (CD207) and S100 protein. Birbeck granules are a hallmark by ultrastructural examination. LCH presents with a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from solitary lesions of a single site (usually bone or skin) to multiple or disseminated multisystemic lesions, which can lead to severe organ dysfunction. Most cases occur in children. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is rare and has been associated with systemic illness and poor prognosis especially in children under the age of 2 years. Adult gastrointestinal LCH is very rare. We report a case of a previously healthy, nonsmoking 48-year-old male who was referred for routine screening colonoscopy. Two sessile, smooth, firm and yellowish LCH polyps measuring 0.2 cm and 0.3 cm were detected in the sigmoid colon. Fifteen months later a second colonoscopy found two histologically confirmed hyperplastic polyps at the sigmoid colon. No other LCH lesions were seen. A third colonoscopy after 28 months of follow-up found a submucosal 0.5 cm infiltrated and ulcerated LCH polyp in the cecum, close to the ostium of the appendix. The patient had been asymptomatic for all this period. Imaging investigation for systemic or multiorgan disease did not find any sign of extracolonic involvement. On histology all lesions showed typical LCH features and immunohistochemical analysis showed strong and diffuse staining for CD1a and CD207. This case illustrates two distinct clinicopathologic features not previously reported in this particular clinical setting: metachronous colonic involvement and positivity for CD207.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung

Lung adenocarcinomas with a mixture of tubular or papillary pattern, sheet-like or trabecular architecture, eosinophilic cytoplasm with centrally located nuclei and alpha-fetoprotein-producing cells have been described as hepatoid adenocarcinomas. Hepatoid adenocarcinomas are mainly found in the stomach but rare cases in other organs have been described. Immunostaining for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hepatocyte paraffin 1 (HepPar-1) and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) helps in the diagnostic workup. Tumor behavior is still not entirely known but it seems to be associated with early metastases. We report on a 66-year-old, heavy-smoker male patient who had a 10-month history of respiratory complaints and weight loss. At the time he was hospitalized, respiratory failure was already established. The computed tomography corresponded to a collapsed right lung due to a poorly defined expanding mass. The bronchoscopy revealed narrowing of the inferior and medium lobar bronchi. The patient developed irreversible shock and died. At the right lung inferior lobe was extensively replaced by a grayish diffuse neoplasia in a “pneumonia-like” gross pattern. Metastatic disease was found in the right adrenal gland and thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes. Microscopic dissemination through lymphatics, pleura, and airways was detected. Histological examination revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with hepatoid features. Immunohistochemmistry stains were positive for keratin 7, polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in a diffuse pattern, AFP and HepPar-1 antibody. TTF-1 showed a diffuse granular cytoplasmic staining of the neoplastic cells, and only focal nuclear positivity. Multiple bilateral emboli originated from deep venous thrombosis were present in large and medium branches of the pulmonary artery and contributed to the cause of death.

Testicular Regression Syndrome: a case report

Testicular Regression Syndrome (TRS) is defined as the absence or an incomplete development of the testis of varying degrees in 46XY patients with normal external genitalia. The prevalence ranges from 3-20% of cases previously diagnosed as cryptorchidism. We report the case of a 7-year-old boy who underwent surgical exploration with an initial diagnosis of cryptorchidism. Testicular structure was not identified and presumed testicular remnants were sent for histological analysis. The histological sections showed a fibrovascular nodule, structures of the spermatic cord and calcification, supporting the diagnosis of TRS.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: a dreaded but still missed diagnosis

Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis), an intestinal nematode, is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, being less prevalent in temperate climates. The number of infected persons worldwide ranges between 10 million and 100 million people. In Brazil the reported prevalence is 13%. Chronic infection may be asymptomatic or accompanied by gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. Under immunosuppressive conditions, the infection assumes serious proportions frequently accompanied by septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and respiratory distress syndrome. The authors report a case of a 50-year-old female patient who was a chronic user of glucocorticoids and had been seeking medical attention for two months because of continuous gastrointestinal symptoms. She was admitted to the emergency room with clinical signs of septic shock and died after four days despite an adequate antibiotic regimen, vasopressor drugs, and ventilatory support. The autopsy revealed the unsuspected finding of S. stercoralis hyperinfection and septicemia.

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (type II): a Brazilian case report

Enteropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL) is a rare form of aggressive T-cell lymphoma. It is more prevalent in men over 60 years and the prognosis is very poor. EATL is classified into two groups based on morphology, immunohistochemistry, and genetic profile. EATL type I is highly associated with celiac disease and is more common in Western countries. EATL type II predominates over type I in Asia, where celiac disease is uncommon. We report a case of a 78-year-old previously healthy white male who presented with a 2-month history of diarrhea, weight loss and edema. The abdomen was distended and painful, and a tumor mass was palpable in the hypogastrium. Laboratory tests showed hypoalbuminemia. Serological tests for HIV, viral hepatitis and HTLV-1 were negative. The chest radiography showed pneumoperitoneum, and an exploratory laparotomy revealed perforation of the small bowel. An advanced stage (Ann Arbor IV B/Lugano IIE2B) EATL type II was diagnosed. Four cycles of chemotherapy were interspersed with several complications (anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, chemotherapy-induced neutropenic fever and severe sepsis). Performance status progressively worsened and he died 6 months after the diagnosis. This is an illustrative report of a rare and aggressive primary intestinal lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of EATL type II in Brazil.

Subcutaneous bronchogenic cyst in a child: case report

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital anomalies originating from the primitive tracheobronchial tree in the fetal period. Although the middle mediastinum is the site most commonly affected (second only to the lungs), there have been reports of bronchogenic cysts at unusual sites, such as the retroperitoneum. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy with a cystic mass in the left scapular area since birth. The cyst grew progressively and was accompanied by recurrent episodes of local infection requiring drainage. It was then surgically removed. The histological findings were decisive for the diagnosis: a subcutaneous cyst lined by ciliated columnar epithelium and surrounded by a fibrous wall with smooth muscle tissue, cartilage, and bronchial glands. We also found chronic inflammatory infiltrate, which is consistent with previous episodes of infection. Bronchogenic cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic tumors of the chest wall and neck, particularly in children. Surgery is the treatment of choice because of the risk of infection, as in this case, and of malignant degeneration.

"Nutrothorax" complicating a misplaced nasogastric feeding tube in a severely ill patient

Introduction of nasogastric feeding tubes is usually blindly performed and is generally considered a safe procedure. However, the rate of complications of a blind insertion technique varies from 0.3 to 15%, and is usually related to inadvertent insertion of nasogastric tubes into the trachea and distal airways. The main predisposing factors related to tube malpositioning and complications are altered mental status with decreased cough or gag reflex, a preexisting endotracheal tube and severe illness. Complications include severe aspiration pneumonia, hydrothorax, hemothorax, empyema and pneumothorax. The mortality related to misplacement of a nasogastric tube is around 0.1-0.3% of the procedures. This 61-year old female had a history of poor appetite, weight loss, dyspnea and fever. A chest axial computerized tomography showed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Laboratory showed hypercalcemia with normal PTH and hypokalemia. As the patient remained anorectic, a nasogastric feeding tube was placed, through which the administration of enteral diet, by continuous infusion pump, was started. After 12 -en.jpg-en.jpghours the patient developed dyspnea, hypoxemia and hypotension. During orotracheal intubation, it was disclosed the presence of the nasogastric tube in the trachea as well as the infused diet within the respiratory tract. Autopsy revealed an unusual complication of a nasogastric tube misplacement, which led to a massive collection of enteral nutrition fluid into the pleural space – a “nutrothorax”. Additionally, an underlying stage IV anaplastic large cell lymphoma with interstitial lung and bronchial mucosa involvement was diagnosed.

Nodular lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin lymphoma of the parotid gland: a case report

The parotid is the most frequent site of primary salivary gland tumors. Lymphomas represent 0.2 to 0.8% of all malignant parotid tumors. Primary Hodgkin lymphoma of the parotid gland is rare with few cases reported in literature. The nodular lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is considered a particular clinical and histopathological subtype of HL. It has never been reported in the parotid gland since its incorporation in the 2001 World Health Organization Classification. The authors describe a case of a 32-year-old male who sought medical attention because of a one-year history of right cheek enlargement. A parotid nodule was submitted to a fine needle aspiration biopsy which disclosed a suspected lymphoproliferative disorder. A surgical dissection of the parotid gland was performed and an enlarged intraparotid lymph node measuring 4cm in its longest axis was excised, preserving the parotid gland integrity as well as the facial nerve. The pathological examination disclosed the diagnosis of nodular lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin lymphoma in this lymph node within the parotid gland. The treatment was completed with local radiotherapy and the 5-year follow up was uneventful.

Pyopericarditis and tropical pyomyositis: unusual concomitance

The authors report a case of a 19-year-old male who presented to the emergency room complaining of chest pain. His physical examination was unremarkable, but the EKG showed PR deviation and ST segment elevation. The patient was diagnosed as probable viral pericarditis and was prescribed oral anti-inflammatories. After 3 days he returned, complaining of chest pain worsening, generalized muscle pain and fever. Laboratory examinations showed creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) = 89.5 ng.mL^–1 and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) = 391 mg.L^–1. Echocardiogram showed pericardial thickening but no pericardial effusion was present. During admission the patient evolved with cardiac tamponade. Empirical ceftriaxone and oxacillin were started and the patient underwent pericardial surgical drainage. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the pericardial effusion. After 7 days the patient started complaining of leg pain, and fever recurred. Computed tomography of the lower limbs identified large muscle commitment compatible with the presence abscesses. These findings were suggestive of staphylococcal tropical myositis. The patient was treated with abscesses drainage and oxacillin. He was discharged after 18 days to complete oral antibiotic therapy.

Placental polyp: a rare cause of iron deficiency anemia

Placental polyps are defined as pedunculated or polypoid fragments of placenta or ovular membranes retained for an indefinite period of time into the uterus after abortion or child birth. An important cause of retention is placental accretism, an abnormal adherence of the placenta into the uterine wall. Chronic cases are rarely reported in the literature. In these cases, the placental retention in the immediate postpartum is not followed by heavy bleeding what makes the diagnosis challenging. We report a rare case of iron-deficiency anemia in a multiparous 29-year-old female patient two years after the last delivery. She sought medical care with clinical symptoms of anemia and recent menses alterations. There was no history of abortion. On gynecological examination, there was a twofold enlarged uterus, and the pelvic ultrasound revealed an image compatible with an endometrial polyp. She underwent open hysterectomy because of uncontrollable bleeding followed by hypotension after curettage. The histolopathologic examination revealed a partially hyalinized and necrotic placental polyp.

Duodenal pseudomelanosis (pseudomelanosis duodeni): a rare endoscopic finding

Duodenal pseudomelanosis (or pseudomelanosis duodeni) is a rare benign condition characterized by black-brown speckled pigmentation of the duodenal mucosa. Collections of pigment-laden macrophages are found in the tips of duodenal villi. The pigment is thought to be mostly composed of ferrous sulfide. Histochemichal stains for iron (Perl's prussian blue) or melanin (Masson-Fontana) may be positive, but are usually negative or unpredictable. Duodenal pseudomelanosis occurs predominantly in middle-aged to old adults and more commonly in females. It is associated with chronic renal failure, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal bleeding. Medications such as ferrous sulfate, hydralazine, propranolol, hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide are thought to play a role as well. We report a case of a 86-year-old female who presented with a history of watery diarrhea and melena. The patient had a history of high blood pressure and ischemic stroke episodes. She was on multiple medication including hidralazine, captopril, hydrochlorthiazide and aspirin. She was dehydrated, her blood pressure was 96 × 60 mmHg and neurologic examination showed complete left hemiplegia with central VII nerve palsy. Laboratory tests showed normal serum electrolytes and renal function. Hemoglobin level was 10.7 g%. An upper endoscopy showed multiple diminutive black spots throughout the distal duodenal bulb and second portion. Histology showed multiple foci of a brown-black granular pigment inside macrophages within the tips of the villi (pseudomelanosis). Stains for iron and melanin were negative. She was treated with omeprazol, parenteral fluid replacement with saline and partial fasting. After complete recovery she was discharged for ambulatory follow up.