Comparison of histopathological turnaround times for mandibulectomies, glossectomies, and incisional biopsies of the tongue.

Diagnostic histopathology plays a key role in the management of oral cancer and timely reports are essential. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the time interval between receipt of the specimen and issue of the histopathology report (the 'turnaround time', TT) of two types of oral cancer resections (mandibulectomies and glossectomies) and incisional biopsies from the tongue (n = 100 of each). The information documented included the number of days from receipt of the specimen until the sample was ready for reporting, and the number of subsequent days until the report was authorised by the pathologist. The number of days mandibulectomies required decalcification, the number of blocks processed per sample, and pathological TNM stage were also recorded. Results showed that mandibulectomies had statistically significantly longer TT than glossectomies. Incisional biopsies had the shortest TT with 87% reported in seven days and 95% in ten. There were also statistically significantly longer TT for pT3/pT4 than for pT1/pT2 glossectomies, and between the number of blocks processed for the three main groups. Decalcification and the interval whilst the slides awaited the pathologists' attention were identified as 'bottlenecks'. Dentate mandibulectomies had the longest TT of all; extraction of teeth at operation and detachment of the lower border of the mandible at macroscopic sampling are thus potential means by which the decalcification delay might be reduced. Expectations of the multidisciplinary team managing the patient should be realistic when scheduling postoperative discussion.

Perineural and lymphovascular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) may be adverse prognostic indicators in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. METHODS: The percentages of histological PNI and LVI were determined in 335 patients with tongue SCC. Sixty tumours originally reported as negative for these features were tested to determine how many more were positive with "immunohistochemical enhancement." RESULTS: PNI was found in 141 (42.1%) and LVI in 51 (15.2%) patients. 79.4% of the 141 patients who had PNI and 72.6% of the 51 with LVI had a T3 or T4 tumour. Lymph node metastasis was identified in 145 (51.2%) of the 280 patients who had undergone neck dissection; 58.2% of the 141 patients with PNI and 80.4% of the 51 patients with LVI had lymph node metastasis. There was a highly statistically significant correlation between PNI with increasing pT (P < .00001) and pN (P < .0001) stage, and a statistically significant correlation between LVI and pT stage (P < .001), the association of LVI with pN status could not be reliably tested statistically. Immunohistochemistry for S100 identified five further cases of PNI, but review of the original H&E showed the feature was present in four and had been missed at original reporting. CD31 identified three further possible cases of LVI and D2-40 none. The endothelium of some vascular channels was positive for both CD31 and D2-40 and cross-reactivity with other cells compromised interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: Histological identification of PNI and LVI per se remains of uncertain prognostic significance. "Immunohistochemical enhancement" offered little benefit.

Cystic Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Jaws: Twelve Cases Highlighting Histopathological Pitfalls.

Cystic squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the jaws, including carcinoma cuniculatum, are rare, slow growing, and relentlessly invasive. The aim of this article is to present 12 cases, 4 of which were designated as carcinoma cuniculatum on the basis of deeply endophytic, anastomosing channels of cystic stratified squamous epithelium and keratin microabscesses. The other 8 were also cystic, but more heterogeneous morphologically and were diagnosed as well differentiated SCCs. Six patients were female, 6 were male (mean age = 74.0 years, range = 50-94 years). Six tumors affected the mandible, 6 the maxillary alveolus with or without extension into the hard palate. All patients underwent primary resection with neck dissection and were staged as T4a N0 M0. In 4 patients, diagnosis was delayed as a result of superficial biopsies and/or confusing histopathology. Cystic SCCs of the jaws can be difficult to diagnose and clinicoradiological correlation is essential. Long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Dentigerous Cyst and Ameloblastoma of the Jaws.

AIM: To determine how many ameloblastomas were misdiagnosed as dentigerous cysts (DCs) by correlating the radiological and histopathological features of a series of both entities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Histopathology reports and radiological imaging of 135 DCs and 43 ameloblastomas were reviewed. Any clinical or radiological feature that suggested that the diagnosis of DC was wrong-for example, absence of an unerupted tooth-prompted review of the original histology. A total of 34 cases coded as DC at diagnosis were excluded; in the remaining 101 patients, the clinicoradiological and histopathological features were consistent with DC in 96 (95.0%). Review of the histology revealed that 4 patients had actually had odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and one a luminal/simple unicystic ameloblastoma (UA). One other OKC and 3 other ameloblastomas (1 luminal UA, 2 solid/multicystic) had originally been diagnosed as DC; these had been identified prior to the study. Of the 9 misdiagnosed patients, 6 were ≤20 years old. Clinically, DC had been the only, or one of the differential, diagnoses in 7 patients; in the other 2, the clinical diagnosis was radicular cyst. In none of the 4 misdiagnosed ameloblastomas was the radiology compatible with a diagnosis of DC. Incorrect terminology had been used on the histopathology request form in 5 of the 34 excluded cases where the clinical diagnosis was DC, despite the cyst being periapical to an erupted carious or root-filled tooth. CONCLUSIONS: The entire clinical team must ensure that a histopathological diagnosis of DC is consistent with the clinicoradiological scenario, particularly in younger patients.

Synchronous metastatic adenoid cystic and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervical lymph nodes 31 years after ablation of the primary palatal tumour.

The coexistence of different types of malignancy in cervical lymph nodes has been reported previously. We report the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of concurrent metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in cervical lymph nodes. A primary SCC developed three decades after treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate, and the synchronous metastases became clinically apparent the following year. The aetiology of the SCC may have been related to radiotherapy or smoking. Whether the adenoid cystic carcinoma would have remained dormant, or was reactivated after perturbation of host defence mechanisms, is not known.

Marsupialization for lacrimal ductular cysts (dacryops): a case series.

PURPOSE: To present the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of lacrimal ductular cysts managed with marsupialization. METHODS: Retrospective case review of 13 patients presenting with lacrimal ductular cysts. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were identified, of which 7 patients with full clinical data were included in the study, 4 female, 3 male, mean age 50 years. Their main presenting symptoms were superolateral orbital swelling, feeling of pressure on the eye, and lateral ptosis. Two patients had bilateral cysts, and the remaining 5 had unilateral cysts. Six patients required surgical marsupialization, and one patient was treated conservatively because of preexisting dry eye. At surgery, one patient had multiple dacryoliths within the cyst. Histopathological analysis of the cyst lining in 5 out of 7 patients showed bilayered cuboidal epithelium with fibrous tissue. None of the patients had dry eye symptoms or signs after surgery. Follow-up ranged from 10 months to 2 years, mean 20 months CONCLUSION: Marsupialization is a safe and effective treatment for lacrimal ductular cysts.

Recurrent cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst.

Reported here is the first case of a recurrent cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst (CMSC). The CMSC is a recently described lesion that is histologically characterized by a cystic cavity lined by cells resembling metaplastic synovium overlying villous connective tissue cores. The lesion clinically appears as a tender subcutaneous nodule and may often be misdiagnosed as a suture granuloma. Although the actual cause is unclear, a history of trauma usually precedes its onset. Here we present a case of CMSC in a 34-year-old white male, which recurred at the same site following excision of an epidermoid cyst. CMSCs are unique lesions that should be included in the differential diagnosis of tender subcutaneous swellings following surgical trauma.

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the eyelid mimicking keratoacanthoma.

We report a case of benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) of the medial canthus that mimicked keratoacanthoma in clinical appearance and growth. Excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of the cellular subtype of benign fibrous histiocytoma. These types of BFH are typically more aggressive in growth, with a high recurrence rate and a tendency to undergo autonomous growth at other sites. The diagnosis of BFH should also be considered among those that appear typical of keratoacanthoma. Similar to other rapidly enlarging eyelid tumors, prompt excisional biopsy is recommended.