Molecular and ultrastructural analysis of a multiphasic oral malignant melanoma.

Melanomas of the oral cavity are extremely rare. Their rarity and their independence on exposure to UV radiation make them particularly interesting. The authors analyzed an oral multiphasic melanoma composed by a nodular nonpigmented ulcerated central region, a nodular ulcerated pigmented area, a pigmented nonulcerated region, and an area similar to a dysplastic nevus. They determined the expression of some genes involved in the differentiation and cellular transformation in morphologically different regions of melanoma. All these areas were also analyzed by electron microscopy. The various regions composing the melanoma expressed genes involved in melanogenesis and melanoma progression in a different manner. Electron microscopy observation of ultrathin sections of each region evidenced ultrastructural differences, being the cellular architecture more compromised in the most aggressive parts of the neoplasm. This pilot study identified morphological, molecular, and ultrastructural differences that characterize each region of the multiphasic melanoma.

Undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma in a blind eye with a silicone prosthesis implant: a clinico-pathologic study.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of an orbital undifferentiated sarcoma arising in an eviscerated eye socket with a silicone implant. METHODS: The clinical and histopathological findings of the case are reviewed and presented. RESULTS: A patient who had undergone post-traumatic evisceration of the right eye and a silicone prosthesis implant 8 years earlier, presented to our observation with a painful eye, on which a brownish, bleeding mass, measuring 1 cm in diameter, was evident. After removal of the silicone prosthesis, the mass was found to arise from the scleral socket. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a malignant tumor composed of markedly pleomorphic cells with a high mitotic rate. An undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed. Complete right orbital exenteration was performed and the patient underwent radiotherapy CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of an undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma arising from a scleral socket with a silicone implant.

A rare case of primitive epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the conjunctiva.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of conjunctival leiomyosarcoma initially diagnosed as a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical, light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings are reported. RESULTS: A 56-year-old Caucasian woman was referred with a history of a progressive, rapidly growing mass in her left eye. Biopsy of the mass and histology yielded a first diagnosis of a poorly differentiated conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. Orbital exenteration was performed 2 weeks later. Macroscopically, the exenteration specimen showed a soft mass completely involving the conjunctiva and extending to the eyelids and orbital structures. Histological examination revealed a malignant tumour composed of atypical, predominantly epithelioid large cells. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies combined with the light microscopic findings contributed to clarify the diagnosis of epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. The patient was started on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but died a few months later from widespread metastases. CONCLUSIONS: primary involvement of the orbit by a leiomyosarcoma is rare, but this eventuality should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rapidly growing orbital and conjunctival masses.

Unusual case report of thrombotic microangiopathy of the small bowel following liver transplantation, a possible immunosuppressant-induced disease with histological and ultrastructural findings.

Cyclosporin-A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK-506) are immunomodulating agents used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation. They are both associated with several side effects, including nephrotoxicity and severe hypertension due to vascular injury, which often appears as a microvascular occlusive disorder (thrombotic microangiopathy, TMA). We report the first case of a microvascular occlusive disorder with the features of TMA in the small bowel of an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patient after immunosuppressive therapy with CsA and FK506. The patient presented with severe recurrent abdominal colics and distal subocclusion, requiring aggressive surgical treatment. Histological and ultrastructural analysis of the resected specimen disclosed intestinal TMA. Although rare, such a complication should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal colics in patients undergoing immunosuppressant therapy after OLT.

Transmission electron microscopy helpfulness in Whipple's disease masked by immunosuppressant therapy for arthritis.

A 61-year-old woman received a diagnosis of undifferentiated non-erosive arthritis in 2010 and assumed methotrexate and steroids in 2014. After 1 year, she experienced watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, and severe hypoalbuminemia, thus being admitted into our Unit. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed duodenal lymphangiectasia and duodenal biopsy samples several foamy PAS-positive macrophages and villous subtotal atrophy. Transmission electron microscope demonstrated several extracellular and intracellular rod-shaped bacteria (Tropheryma whipplei). Therefore, we diagnosed Whipple's disease. Our patient assumed doxycycline/hydroxychloroquine with prompt remission of gastrointestinal symptoms. At 1 year of follow-up, she was symptom-free, histological reassessment showed almost complete mucosal healing and transmission electron microscope demonstrated bacteria breaking/disappearance. The present report demonstrates that: (i) rheumatological manifestations are common onset symptoms of Whipple's disease; (ii) immunosuppressive therapy may delay the diagnosis and worsen clinical presentation; (iii) transmission electron microscopy for specific bacteria detection/disappearance is an helpful diagnostic tool, when available.

Management of placental site trophoblastic tumor: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is a very rare malignant tumor, belonging to a family of pregnancy-related illnesses, called gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD). Less than 300 cases of PSTT have been reported in literature, with an incidence of ≈ 1/50,000-100,000 pregnancies representing only 0.23% to 3.00% of all GTDs. PATIENT CONCERNS: Our report describes 2 additional cases of PSTT outlining their main diagnostic features and the subsequent management. The first case presented contemporary to a persistent hydatidiform mole in a 37-year-old woman, para 2042; whereas the second one originated 5 years after a miscarriage in 43-year-old woman, para 1031 with a previous diagnosis of breast cancer, and shared some features with placental site nodule (PSN), a benign condition. DIAGNOSIS: The first case had a difficult diagnosis because there was an amenorrhea of 11th week with high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) and an initial ultrasound image of vesicular mole. After the Dilatation and Curettage, histology confirmed the previous hypothesis. However, the final histology of PSTT was obtained after major surgery. On the contrary, the diagnosis of the second case was less challenging but surprising, thanks to a routine trans-vaginal ultrasound showing a suspicious endometrial thickness positive for PSTT at a subsequent hysteroscopic guided biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: The treatment consisted of hysterectomy and subsequent follow up. Lymphadenectomy or lymph node sampling were not performed due to the initial stage of the disease. OUTCOMES: In the first case, there were high values of serum beta-HCG that plummeted after the surgery, whereas in the second one they had been always negative. Hereafter, both went through a follow up with periodic serum oncological markers, imaging studies and clinical evaluation, which have showed negative result for 3 years and 15 months, respectively. LESSONS: A detailed gynecological ultrasound examination could be extremely helpful to understand the next diagnostic step of echo-guided D&C or hysteroscopic biopsy and for a pre-operative staging assessment. On the contrary, determining the serum beta-HCG's curve is crucial just in case of an initial positive value to pursue clinical evaluation and follow-up. In case of good prognostic factors, the main therapy remains hysterectomy.

Clinical management of a unique case of PNET of the uterus during pregnancy, and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: PNETs (primitive neuroectodermal tumors) are a family of highly malignant neoplasms characterized by small round cells of neuroepithelial origin. They usually involve bone and soft tissues, and have a higher incidence in childhood. PATIENT CONCERNS: In this case report, we describe the obstetric and oncological outcome of a huge mass diagnosed as a leiomyoma in a 39-year-old pregnant woman who complained of low back pain, dysuria, and urinary frequency at 22 weeks of gestation. DIAGNOSES: During the 25th week of pregnancy, the patient was referred to our hospital at night with severe anemia and suspected hemoperitoneum. She underwent an emergency caesarean section, delivering a female fetus weighing 400 g, with an Apgar score of 7 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. INTERVENTION: During surgery, we found a huge uterine sarcoma-like metastatic tumor, invading the pelvic peritoneum and parametria bilaterally; the adnexae seemed disease-free. We performed a type B radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic peritonectomy, omentectomy, appendectomy, and excision of a bulky lymph node. Seven days after delivery, staging computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large lombo-aortic lymph node compressing the left renal vein and we completed debulking with a second surgery, including diaphragmatic peritonectomy and excision of a huge lymph node by lombo-aortic lymphadenectomy, requiring partial reconstruction of an infiltrated renal vein. OUTCOME: Ten days after the second surgery, echo-color Doppler showed a regular microcirculation in the left kidney. The patient was discharged after 10 days, and the baby after 1 month, both in good health.Histological examination revealed a uterine body cPNET (central primitive neuroectodermal tumor) orienting the clinical management toward chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. LESSONS: PNETs are aggressive neoplasms, usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Due to their low incidence, universally accepted guidelines are still unavailable. Radical surgery leaving no macroscopic residual disease is mandatory in advanced stages. A good fertility-sparing procedure can be performed only in young women at early stages of disease, when the wish for childbearing is not yet fulfilled.

Deregulation of autophagy under hyperglycemic conditions is dependent on increased lysine 63 ubiquitination: a candidate mechanism in the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy patients (DN) are characterized by increased lysine63 ubiquitination (Lys63-Ub) at the tubular level. Autophagy is deregulated under diabetic conditions, even though the molecular mechanisms and the consequences of this alteration need to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between Lys63-Ub and autophagy in DN and the involvement of these two processes in tubular cell fate. Immunohistochemistry of beclin-1, LC3, and p62 on kidney biopsies highlighted increased protein expression of all these autophagic factors at the tubular level in DN compared to other nephritis. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of diffuse vacuolization and autophago(lyso)somal structures in proximal tubular cells in DN. Accumulation of Lys63-Ub proteins in DN increased in accordance with the tubular damage and was associated to increased LC3 expression both in vivo and in vitro. Hyperglycemia (HG) induced LC3 and p62 protein expression in HK2 cells together with Lys63-ubiquitinated proteins, and the inhibition of HG-induced Lys63-Ub by NSC697923 inhibitor, significantly reduced both LC3 and p62 expression. Moreover, in DN, those tubules expressing LC3 showed increased caspase-3 expression, supporting the hypothesis that deregulated autophagy induces apoptosis of tubular cells. In vitro, we confirmed a tight association between impaired autophagy, Lys63-Ub, and apoptosis since Lys63-Ub inhibition by NSC697923 abrogated HG-induced cell death and LC3 silencing also blocked hyperglycemia-induced caspase-3 activation. Our data suggested that prolonged hyperglycemia in diabetic patients can impair autophagy as a consequence of Lys63-Ub protein accumulation, thus promoting intracellular autophagic vesicles increase, finally leading to tubular cell death in DN. KEY MESSAGES: In vivo autophagy is deregulated in diabetic patients with renal disease (DN). Accumulation of Lys63 ubiquitinated proteins is associated to autophagy deregulation. Accumulation of Lys63 ubiquitinated proteins correlated with apoptosis activation. Lys63 ubiquitination inhibition abrogated hyperglycemia-induced autophagy and apoptosis.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the external auditory meatus with intracranial extension: histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic evaluation.

We present a case of squamous spindle cell carcinoma of the external auditory meatus in a 38-year-old man. The tumour was extended to the inner ear, the temporal bone, the middle cranial fossa and the meningo-cerebral tissue. The surgical intervention of temporo-occipital craniotomy removed most of the neoplasia. At pathologic examination, the tumour showed an undifferentiated spindle cell pattern. Immunohistochemistry with a large antibody panel found a weak positivity only to EMA. The diagnosis was made when the electron microscopy showed rare junctional structures and tonofilaments.

May the assessment of baseline mucosal molecular pattern predict the development of gluten related disorders among microscopic enteritis?

AIM: To evaluate mucosal baseline mRNA expression of tissue transglutaminase 2 (tTG2), interferon gamma (IFNγ), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and Myeloid Differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in patients with microscopic enteritis (ME). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 89 patients with ME of different etiology, which was defined within a 2-year mean period of follow-up. Baseline histological examination was performed on Hematoxylin-Eosin stained sections and CD3 lymphocyte immunohistochemistry was used for intraepithelial lymphocyte count (IELs). ME was defined according to the criteria of Bucharest Consensus Conference. For each patient, formalin embedded biopsy samples of the duodenum referred to the period of ME diagnosis were retrieved. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the amount of mRNA coding for tTG2, IFNγ, TLR2 and MyD88, and the quantity was expressed as fold change compared to controls. Control group was represented by duodenal normal specimens from 15 healthy subjects undergoing endoscopy for functional symptoms. Comparisons among continuous variables were performed by One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni's test. The χ(2) test was used for categorical variables. Pearson's test was used to evaluate correlations. Receiver operating curves were drawn for all four markers to estimate sensitivity and specificity in discriminating the development of CD and GS. RESULTS: After a period of follow up of 21.7 ± 11.7 mo, the following diagnoses were achieved: gluten related disorders in 48 subjects (31 CD; 17 GS) and non-gluten related ones in 41 (29 Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS; 12 Others). CD patients had the highest tTG2 levels (8.3 ± 4.5). The ANOVA plus Bonferroni analysis showed that CD > Other ME > GS = IBS > negative controls. A cut off value of 2.258 was able to discriminate between CD and GS with a sensitivity of 52.94% and a specificity of 87.1%. Additionally, CD patients had the highest IFNγ levels (8.5 ± 4.1). ANOVA plus Bonferroni demonstrated CD > Other ME > GS = IBS > negative controls. A cut off of 1.853 was able to differentiate CD and GS with a sensitivity of 47.06% and a specificity of 96.77%. Patients with non gluten-related causes of ME exhibited the highest TLR2 levels (6.1 ± 1.9) as follows: Other ME > CD = GS = IBS > negative controls. TLR2 was unable to discriminate CD from GS. Patients with CD overexpressed MyD88 levels similarly to non gluten-related causes of DL (7.8 ± 4.9 and 6.7 ± 2.9), thus CD = Other ME > GS = IBS > negative controls. A cut off of 3.722 was able to differentiate CD from GS with a sensitivity of 52.94% and a specificity of 74.19%. IELs count (15-25 and more than 25/100 enterocytes) strongly correlated with mRNA levels of all tested molecules (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that a single marker is unable to predict a discrimination among ME underlying conditions as well as between CD and GS. Mucosal high levels of tTG and IFNγ mRNA may predict the development of CD more than GS with high specificity, despite an expected low sensitivity. TLR2 does not discriminate the development of CD from GS. MyD88 levels indicate that intestinal permeability is more increased when a severe intestinal damage underlies ME in both gluten related and unrelated conditions. Therefore, the results of the present paper do not seem to show a clear translational value.

Extra-genital endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Even if endometriosis is usually an exclusively gynecological issue, atypical locations fall within the interest of general surgery. The aim of our retrospective study focuses on the need for surgeons to face this rare condition, in order to avoid unnecessary or inadequate treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical presentations, previous endometriosis diagnosis and surgical acts on a group of 60 patients, whose mean age was 38.2 years old, with extra-genital endometriosis. RESULTS: Among the 60 cases of extra-genital endometriosis collected, bowel foci, 37 cases - 61,7% - were the most frequent; then we collected 13 (21.7%) skin, 7 (11.7%) urinary tract and 3 (5%) whole pelvis localizations. It's important to underline the finding of 2 aggressive malignant transformations. CONCLUSIONS: Extra-genital endometriosis should be considered as a cause of otherwise inexplicable abdominal pain in young women. Since imaging techniques lack in specificity, we propose explorative laparoscopy as a powerful diagnostic means. Moreover laparoscopy can be turned into a therapeutic act, also limiting the adherences issue, which is associated with this illness and would worsen with open surgery. Extra-genital endometriosis should be treated also to avoid rare, but possible, risk of cancerization.

Reversal of IgM deficiency following a gluten-free diet in seronegative celiac disease.

Selective IgM deficiency (sIGMD) is very rare; it may be associated with celiac disease (CD). We present the case of an 18-year-old man with sIGMD masking seronegative CD. Symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Laboratory tests showed reduced IgM, DQ2-HLA and negative anti-transglutaminase. Villous atrophy and diffuse immature lymphocytes were observed at histology. Tissue transglutaminase mRNA mucosal levels showed a 6-fold increase. The patient was treated with a gluten-free diet (GFD) and six months later the symptoms had disappeared, the villous architecture was restored and mucosal tissue transglutaminase mRNA was comparable to that of healthy subjects. After 1 year of GFD, a complete restoration of normal IgM values was observed and duodenal biopsy showed a reduction of immature lymphocytes and normal appearance of mature immune cells.

Altered molecular pattern of mucosal healing in Crohn's disease fibrotic stenosis.

AIM: To investigate tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), syndecan 1 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) balance in Crohn's disease (CD) strictures. METHODS: Our study was performed on 24 surgical specimens of CD fibrotic stenosis. Ten histological normal surgical samples were retrieved for both the large and small bowel from patients with benign conditions and healthy tissue represented control collection. Sex and age in controls did not differ from CD group. Three endoscopic biopsy specimens taken after informed consent in subjects with normal colon were also used as negative controls. TNF-α, syndecan 1 and bFGF were detected by both reverse transcriptase reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction after mRNA extraction (results expressed as fold-change) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TNF-α did not show any significant difference between CD and control specimens (1.54 ± 1.19; P > 0.05). Very high levels of bFGF were observed in CD (11.76 ± 4.65; P < 0.001) unlike syndecan 1 which showed a moderate increase (5.53 ± 2.18; P < 0.005). analysis of variance (ANOVA) plus Student-Neumann-Keuls showed: bFGF > syndecan 1 > TNF-α = control. Immunoreactivity for bFGF was observed in epithelial, stromal, endothelial cells and even in the muscular layer, whilst in normal tissue it was almost unexpressed. Syndecan 1 and TNF-α staining was confined to mucosal epithelial and stromal cells, while in controls syndecan 1 was found in its normal site, i.e., basolateral area of the crypts and TNF-α very poorly expressed. CONCLUSION: Fibrotic stenosis of CD may be the final result of an irreversible transformation of different cells into fibrogenic phenotype no longer inhibited by post-transcriptional regulation.

Amelanotic cellular blue nevus: an unusual iris localization.

The authors describe the first case of eye amelanotic cellular blue nevus reported in literature and discuss the main differential diagnosis.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of pelvic benign multicystic mesothelioma associated with high CA19.9 serum concentration.

We report a case of benign multicystic mesothelioma in a 20-year-old woman referred because of amenorrhea. She underwent pelvic transabdominal ultrasound, which disclosed a micropolycystic appearance of the ovaries and a fluid collection in the pouch of Douglas. Tumor serum markers revealed an increase in CA19.9. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scans confirmed the presence of ascites. Laparoscopy disclosed small, thin-walled, translucent cysts in the Douglas cavity. The cysts were free-floating in a yellowish, sticky, gelatinous material. Microscopically, cystic lesions showed mesothelium-lined cystic spaces surrounded by a delicate thin fibrovascular wall. With immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were strongly positive for cytokeratin and calretinin. These aspects were suggestive of benign multicystic mesothelioma. Electron microscopy confirmed the mesothelial nature of this tumor. Serial evaluation of the CA19.9 concentration showed a progressive decrease in the serum marker in the normal range. The patient is now well and symptom-free with no recurrence 24 months after surgery. The association between benign multicystic mesothelioma and increased CA19.9 serum concentration has been described only once, in a man. To our knowledge, this is the second case of benign multicystic mesothelioma associated with increased CA19.9 serum concentration and the first diagnosed in a woman. In the present case, a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach enabled not only histologic diagnosis of benign multicystic mesothelioma but also its surgical treatment. Although benign multicystic mesothelioma is a rare pathologic entity, it is important that sonologists include it in the differential diagnosis of diseases that manifest with ascites. Furthermore, all surgeons should be aware of the macroscopic and laparoscopic appearance of the lesion, and its generally benign course.

Abdominal lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a man with Klinefelter syndrome: the first reported case.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is an uncommon progressive disease characterized by a hamartomatous tumor-like proliferation of smooth muscle cells that occurs most often in women. This disease commonly involves the lymph nodes, lungs, and mediastinum, and rarely the abdominal sites. We report a case of mesenteric LAM occurring in a 37-year-old man affected by Klinefelter syndrome with a 17-year history of androgen replacement therapy. Histology revealed a hamartomatous proliferation of spindle cells surrounding multiple ectatic lymphatic spaces intermixed with lymphatic follicles. When subjected to immunohistochemical studies, the tumor cells stained positive for muscular markers and negative for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors. The occurrence of LAM in association with Klinefelter syndrome has never been reported in the literature and could represent a further clue in the still unclear pathogenesis of this disease.

Incidental metastases of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in lymph nodes of patients with squamous cell head and neck cancer: eight cases with a review of the literature.

The examination of a large series of cervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck cancer revealed the presence of incidental metastases of occult thyroid carcinoma in eight patients, of which six cases were squamous cell carcinoma of glottic and supraglottic sites of the larynx and two cases were pyriform sinus and tongue carcinomas. Three patients had two lymph nodes and the remaining patients had one lymph node each involved. The nodal chains affected were the jugular (n=5; level IV), Kuttner (level II), supraomohyoid (level III) and supraclavicular (level VI). In four cases, a subtotal thyroidectomy or unilateral lobectomy was performed during laryngectomy (for surgical reasons) or after histologic nodal examination; a minimal focus of thyroid papillary carcinoma was detected in one patient. Three of eight patients died from recurrence of the squamous cell carcinoma; no case presented clinical evidence of thyroid malignancy. The differential diagnosis from benign thyroid heterotopia was based on the presence of minimal nuclear atypia. The choice of treatment of patients with a coexisting neoplasm characterized by poor prognosis is difficult, and contrasting opinions exist regarding the use of radical thyroidectomy and the subsequent management. As reported in the literature (66 cases), the more aggressive squamous cell carcinoma will determine the prognosis of these patients; in fact, only one of the referred cases died of cerebellar metastases of the thyroid cancer. Our results emphasize the importance of an accurate re-evaluation and follow-up of patients with incidental occult metastases for detection of a primary thyroid tumor. In the general population, this incidental nodal involvement may be related to a minimal occult thyroid carcinoma.