Fever in pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Fever is an infrequently reported finding in patients with pheochromocytoma. Fever in patients with pheochromocytoma may be caused by the tumor, an infection or other factors, each of which will dictate different treatment strategies. METHODS: To determine the incidence, cause, and significance of fever in patients with pheochromocytoma, we reviewed the medical records of 50 hospitalizations of 48 patients. Patients were categorized by the presence or absence of fever. Body temperature elevation, duration of hospitalization in the period prior to surgery or death, age, sex, race, other conditions that could have been responsible for the febrile episode (comorbid events), location, gross and microscopic features of the tumors, and plasma and urine hormone levels were tabulated. The results were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Fever was present in 14 (28%) of 50 hospitalizations, seven patients (50%) of whom had pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis. Patients with fever and pheochromocytoma were significantly more likely to have a comorbid event, larger tumor, necrosis within the tumor, higher urinary metanephrine levels, longer duration of hospitalization prior to surgery, and to be non-white. Comorbid events included both infectious and noninfectious potential causes of fever. CONCLUSIONS: Fever is common in patients with pheochromocytoma. The causes may be multifactorial and often include an associated illness. A thorough search for coexisting disease is indicated. While fever may prolong hospitalization, it does not portend a disastrous outcome.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate.

We describe a patient with adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate. His history suggests a common histogenesis of the glandular and squamous elements of the tumor. A 60-year-old white man had adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed by biopsy and then underwent radical prostatectomy, which showed adenosquamous carcinoma. Immunoperoxidase in the glandular component was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and low molecular weight keratin CAM 5.2 but was negative for high molecular weight keratin AE-3. The squamous component was negative for PSA, PAP, and CAM 5.2 but positive for AE-3. Previously reported patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate share a history of radiation or hormonal therapy followed much later by prostatectomy, suggesting that adenosquamous carcinoma consists of residual primary adenocarcinoma and metaplastic squamous epithelium caused by radiation or hormonal treatment. However, the present case lacks this history, suggesting that the two types of epithelia may have developed concurrently.

Tyrosine crystals in benign parotid gland cysts: report of two cases diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy with ultrastructural and histochemical evaluation.

Two cases were encountered in which tyrosine crystals were identified by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in nonneoplastic, retention cysts of the parotid. Tyrosine crystals occasionally have been described in parotid neoplasms, but have not been reported in benign retention cysts. To study the frequency and significance of tyrosine crystals in parotid gland cysts, the authors reviewed parotid cytology specimens collected at Loyola University Medical Center from 1985-1993. Among 97 patients, 8.2% (n = 8) had benign retention cysts. No other patients had tyrosine crystals. The presence of tyrosine crystals in benign retention cysts is largely enigmatic. However, because tyrosine crystals previously have been associated with parotid gland neoplasms, awareness of the fact that these unusual structures may be found in benign retention cysts is useful to avoid the erroneous interpretation of tyrosine crystals as an indication of neoplasia, particularly in aspirated material.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of adrenal masses in patients with extraadrenal malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Reports evaluating the efficacy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the adrenal gland have suggested a possible correlation between size of an adrenal mass and the presence of a primary or metastatic malignancy. These studies have focused on FNAs of all adrenal gland masses regardless of clinical history. This study investigates this relationship in a subpopulation of patients with a known history of primary extraadrenal malignancy. METHODS: All patients who have undergone computed tomographic-guided FNA biopsy of an adrenal mass at Loyola University Medical Center and Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, from 1985 to 1991, were reviewed. RESULTS: If size was assumed to be an independent predictor for presence of metastases, the highest efficiency was obtained with a cutoff value of 3 cm. This value divided the group into 15 (42%) "low-risk" (< or = 3 cm) and 21 (58%) "high-risk" (> 3 cm) subjects. In the "low-risk" group, 87% of the masses (13 of 15) were benign and 13% (2 of 15) were malignant. Within the "high-risk" group, more than 95% of the masses (20 of 21) were malignant, with a single (5%) benign case (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant correlation between the size of an adrenal nodule and the presence of metastases in patients with a known primary extraadrenal malignancy. Nodules greater than 3 cm have a very high probability of involvement by metastatic tumor. Nodules 3 cm or smaller are usually benign, but metastatic tumor can still be found in up to 13%. FNA biopsy is useful in evaluating adrenal masses in this setting.

Pulmonary plasma cell granuloma (inflammatory pseudotumor) with invasion of thoracic vertebra.

Plasma cell granulomas (inflammatory pseudotumors) frequently appear as localized benign tumors of the lung in patients under 30 years of age. We describe the case of a 54-year-old woman with a plasma cell granuloma originating in the left lower lobe of lung and extending into the posterior mediastinum with destruction of the T8 vertebral body and pedicle. Distinctive histologic features included granulomatous aggregation of mature plasma cells around small blood vessels and direct invasion of the posterior mediastinum with subsequent dense fibrosis and bony destruction. Immunohistochemical studies revealed polyclonal kappa- and lambda-light chains in the proliferation of plasma cells.

Synchronous adenocarcinomas of jejunum and cecum following transverse colon carcinoma. A case study.

A case of synchronous primary adenocarcinomas of the small and large bowel in a patient previously treated by transverse colectomy for cancerous polyps is presented. These new primaries were incidental findings during surgery for suspected recurrence of colonic carcinoma. Primary tumors of the small bowel are rare, and the diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of small bowel in the presence of primary adenocarcinoma of large bowel requires a high degree of suspicion and may well modify the prognostic outcome if detected early.

Fibrosing peritonitis in a drug abuser.

We report a case of fatal fibrosing peritonitis in a 28-year-old drug abuser. The extensive fibrosis, which was limited to the abdominal cavity, contained birefringent material. Silica was identified by spectrophotometric analysis. Silica is a component of talc (magnesium silicate) used as a drug filler. Relatively small amounts are known to induce fibrosis. The manner of introduction of this material into the peritoneal cavity is hypothetical and includes accidental direct peritoneal contamination during subcutaneous injections, a method used by drug abusers.

Ileal perforation due to arteriovenous malformation in a premature infant.

Gastrointestinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in children are most commonly associated with bleeding. Although not previously reported, we present a case of an AVM associated with intestinal perforation in a premature infant.

Incidence of neoplasia in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a fine-needle aspiration study.

There is a recognized association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and thyroid neoplasms. We reviewed fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) from 90 patients with HT to assess the contribution of this procedure. For seven patients, FNA showed HT and follicular neoplasm (n = 6) or HT and papillary carcinoma (n = 1). Eighteen patients underwent thyroid resection. Three patients had follicular adenomas which were not detected by FNA, one patient had papillary carcinoma confirmed, and six patients with follicular neoplasm by FNA were negative for tumor. Thus, 4% of our patients had confirmed neoplasms, an incidence lower than usually reported. One reason for the lower rate of neoplasia in our series was misinterpretation of follicular neoplasia in the background of HT. The cytologic changes in the hyperplastic follicular and metaplastic oncocytic epithelium are similar to those seen in follicular neoplasm. Our study suggests that these processes may be indistinguishable, and thus, in the presence of HT, the diagnosis of follicular neoplasm probably should not be rendered.

Metastatic papillary oncocytic carcinoma of the pancreas to the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration.

A 37-year-old white male with a large pancreatic mass was referred to our institution with a hypodense liver lesion detected on CT scan. A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed on the liver lesion. Diff-Quik smears demonstrated scattered papillary structures and single neoplastic cells with abundant well-defined dense granular cytoplasm. Eccentrically located nuclei were noted with single prominent nucleoli. Cell block preparations showed papillary structures lined by cells with abundant pink granular cytoplasm, hyperchromatic nuclei, and prominent single nucleoli. Electron microscopic examination displayed numerous but poorly preserved mitochondria. The diagnosis of papillary carcinoma with oncocytic features was made. Only two previous cases of pancreatic oncocytic tumors diagnosed by FNA have been reported in the literature. We present an additional case, notable in that the diagnosis was made in a metastatic liver nodule.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of vertebral body lesions: cytologic, pathologic, and clinical correlations of 57 cases.

We reviewed 57 cases of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens of vertebral body lesions at our institutions and sought correlations between clinical histories, aspirates, and tissue specimens. Patients' ages ranged from 10-86 yr (mean 62 yr). Previous clinical histories included malignancy (n = 33), osteomyelitis or systemic infection (n = 18), and nonspecific (n = 6). FNAB diagnoses were rendered in 81% of cases (n = 46) and were correlated with previous clinical history (P < 0.004). Tissue diagnoses were also correlated with previous clinical history (P < 0.02). In 19% of cases (n = 11), FNAB was unsatisfactory; of these, tissue specimens were diagnostic for five cases. In 19% of cases (n = 11), both aspirates and tissue specimens were available, and the diagnoses coincided in all cases; tissue specimens did not enhance the results of aspirates which produced positive results. Aspirates which showed normal bone marrow elements appeared to effectively rule-out metastatic malignancy based on clinical follow-up (mean 3.7 yr).

Fine-needle aspiration of supraclavicular lymph nodes.

Malignancies from many primary sites may metastasize to supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN). We reviewed 100 fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) of SCLNs. There were three major types of malignancy detected by this method: adenocarcinoma (n = 40), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 14), and other malignancies (n = 29). Adenocarcinomas and other malignancies from all sites tended to metastasize to the left SCLN. Squamous cell carcinomas from all sites, however, tended to appear on the right side. For 61 patients, a previous diagnosis of malignancy had been made within 1 yr of the clinical appearance of the abnormal SCLN. For 20 patients, the primary diagnosis antedated SCLN metastasis by more than 1 yr, particularly patients with adenocarcinoma of the breast, prostate, or thyroid papillary carcinoma.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders: a fine-needle aspiration biopsy study.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been used with high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, studies of FNAB of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are rare. The clinical course of 593 allograft recipients (cardiac, 288; renal, 250; lung, 50; and heart/lung, 5) was reviewed. Twenty-six patients developed PTLD with an overall incidence of 4.4%. Of these patients, 12 underwent FNAB. Their age ranged from 33-67 yr (mean, 55 yr). The interval between transplantation and FNAB ranged between 2-14 mo (average, 8.4 mo). The lungs were the most common site aspirated (7 cases), followed by lymph nodes (3 cases) and other extranodal sites (2 cases, liver and paraspinal mass). The cytologic features of these aspirates could be classified into two categories: a polymorphous smear composed of a spectrum of mature and immature lymphocytes with scattered plasma cells and histiocytes; and a monotonous population of large lymphoid cells consistent with malignant lymphoma, large-cell type. Surgical biopsies were available in 10 (83.3%) cases and confirmed the FNAB diagnosis. In summary, FNAB appears to be a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool in patients with PTLD.

Cutaneous and subcutaneous masses of the chest wall: a fine-needle aspiration study.

Primary cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms of the chest wall are uncommon. However, metastatic tumors involving this region may be seen in local recurrence, widespread metastases, or as the first manifestation of an occult malignant neoplasm. We report a series of 81 fine-needle aspirations (FNA) of cutaneous and subcutaneous masses involving the chest wall of 45 males and 36 females (age range 32-89 yr, mean 63 yr). Sixty-nine patients (85%) have a previous history of malignancy. The most common sites of the primary malignancy are breast (n = 32, 46%), lung (n = 19, 26%), head and neck (n = 6, 9%). Of these 69 aspirates, 65 (94%) are malignant and consistent with patients' primaries; two (3%) are benign aspirates, and two (3%) are unsatisfactory for cytologic evaluation. The remaining 12 (15%) aspirates from patients with no previous history of malignancy reveal 10 (84%) occult malignancies, and two (16%) benign entities. The malignant cases consist of nine (90%) metastatic epithelial neoplasms of unknown primary origin, and one (10%) primary soft-tissue sarcoma. In summary, this study demonstrates that the majority of cutaneous and subcutaneous masses of the chest wall subjected to FNA are neoplastic. FNA is an effective technique for primary assessment of these lesions.

Peritoneal implantation of meningeal melanosis via ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a case report and review of the literature.

Systemic spread of primary intracranial neoplasms is rare and may be due to ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). The most common tumors to metastasize via VPS are germinoma of the pineal gland and medulloblastoma. We report a case of 16-yr-old girl with central nervous system malignant melanosis who developed subsequent peritoneal implants via VPS. To the best of our knowledge, this patient represents the third reported case of meningeal melanosis or melanoma which metastasized to the peritoneal cavity via VPS. The VPS should be considered as possible mode of systemic spread in patients with primary cranial malignancy.

Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of metastatic anaplastic sacrococcygeal ependymoma to the lungs.

Ectopic ependymomas are uncommon neoplasms, and most of them occur in the sacrococcygeal area. They usually present as subcutaneous sacral masses. The most common histological subtype is the myxopapillary. We describe a case of anaplastic sacrococcygeal ependymoma metastatic to the lungs diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Role of fine-needle aspiration in clinical management of transplant patients.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of superficial and deep seated lesions has been used with high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic entities. However, studies of FNA in post-transplant patients are virtually absent. Six hundred and seventy-four allograft recipients (cardiac 288, renal 250, lung 131 and heart-lung 5) were reviewed. A total of 30 (25 heart, 4 lungs and 1 renal transplant) patients underwent an FNA procedure. There were 26 males and 4 females. Ages ranged from 18-63 yr (mean 48 yr). The most common entity aspirated was post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in 12 cases, followed by inflammatory lesions in 10 cases, malignant epithelial neoplasms in 3 cases, and 1 case each of malignant mesenchymal tumor, pulmonary infarction, hamartoma of liver, fatty changes of liver, and a benign vascular lesion. Surgical or autopsy tissue was available in 19 cases (63.3%). There was an agreement between tissue diagnosis and FNA material in 18 cases (94.7%). One (5.2%) false negative case was recorded. This was a liver aspirate showing benign liver elements, which a surgical biopsy proved to be a bile duct hamartoma. No false positive cases were recorded. FNA is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool in the management of post-transplant patients.

Unsatisfactory aspirates from fine-needle aspiration biopsies: a review.

While there is much evidence that fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is sensitive and specific, there is little information comparing the proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates obtained by clinicians or pathologists. We reviewed 2,199 FNAB reports of superficial lesions. Cases were grouped by organ/site and according to who performed the biopsy. The proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates were computed for clinicians and pathologists. Both groups performed approximately equal numbers of procedures. Overall, 9% of aspirates obtained were unsatisfactory (n = 191). Pathologists had lower proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates in all sites. Of aspirates obtained by clinicians, 14% were unsatisfactory, compared to 3% of those obtained by pathologists (P < .00001). The proportion of unsatisfactory aspirates appears to decrease as physician experience increases, and pathologists may have more experience with FNAB than do clinicians. Other advantages pathologists may have include technique and working with tissue regularly. Both clinicians and pathologists can expect to decrease their proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates by performing FNABs frequently.

Utilization of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of metastatic tumors to the pancreas.

There is relatively little information concerning the use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to diagnose a mass in the pancreas that is secondary to metastatic tumor. This study reviews the incidence and types of neoplasms which metastasize to the pancreas and assesses the contribution FNAB can make in their diagnosis. Of 117 radiologically guided FNABs of the pancreas, 11% (n = 13) showed metastatic malignancy. Nine patients had a previous history of malignancy while four patients presented with a pancreatic mass and were subsequently found to have wide-spread malignant disease. The majority of metastatic lesions were epithelial (77%, n = 10). Patient outcomes were generally poor (mean survival 2.8 mo). Metastases to the pancreas occur from a variety of primary sites and should be considered in patients with a pancreatic mass and a history of prior malignancy. FNAB is useful in diagnosing these metastases and this is clinically important because of their poor prognosis.

Primary cardiac lymphoma initially diagnosed by routine cytology. Case report and literature review.

A case of primary cardiac lymphoma initially diagnosed by routine cytologic examination of pericardial fluid is presented. In a 64-year-old woman woman who originally presented with chest pain and heart block, the initial clinical impression was ischemic heart disease. However, coronary angiography failed to reveal significant disease. An echocardiogram demonstrated pericardial fluid, which was drained. A small amount was sent for cytologic examination, and the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, large cell type, was made. Subsequent radiologic examinations revealed an intracardiac mass involving the atrioventricular canal; surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a large cell lymphoma. While primary malignant lymphoma of the heart is rare, this case highlights the efficacy of routine cytologic examination of an effusion fluid (often drained therapeutically) in establishing the correct diagnosis.