Well differentiated liposarcoma of spermatic cord: report of 3 rare cases.

Spermatic cord liposarcomas are very rare tumors. Patients usually present with painless growing scrotal swellings which are clinically misdiagnosed as hernia. The correct diagnosis is not common and usually they present as operative or histological surprises. To our knowledge, there are about 186 similar cases reported in the literature. Herein we report three cases of spermatic cord liposarcoma with clinical presentation of scrotal bulging, mimicking inguinal hernia in one case and resembling a testicular tumor in the other two cases. The patients were operated and all of them underwent radical orchiectomy and tumor resection.

A rare case of maxillary osteoblastoma in a 10-month-old infant.

Osteoblastoma (OSB) is an uncommon (3% of benign and 1% of all) primary bone neoplasm with extremely rare occurrence in head and neck, especially the maxillary bone region. OSB of the jaw mainly involves the mandible bone. We report a 10-month-old male who was admitted to the hospital because of a mass in the right maxillary jaw region. Clinicoradiopathologic features of the patient have been described. The histological examinations revealed OSB of the maxillary bone. Total surgical resection of the tumor was performed with 10 months of follow-up and there is no evidence of recurrence. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report of maxillary OSB in an infant.

Early Diagnosis of Giant Solitary Synovial Chondromatosis of the Hip Using Ultrasound-guided Synovial Biopsy: A Case Report.

The diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis (SCM) is usually delayed, as the arthroscopic-guided synovial biopsy is postponed owing to its invasive nature. We report the timely diagnosis of a giant solitary synovial chondromatosis of the hip in a 32-year-old woman using ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy. This technique revealed to be safe and successful in the diagnosis of SCM, when the imaging studies were obscure. Moreover, it avoided the potential arthroscopy-associated complications. We recommend ultrasound-guided synovium biopsy as a less invasive and less complicated technique for the early diagnosis of SCM in future workouts.

Clinical Significance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers CD133 and CXCR4 in Osteosarcomas.

OBJECTIVE: Osteosarcomas (OS) is one the most common primary bone malignancy in humans with the lungs metastasis in most cases. Metastasis and recurrence of OS is attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of CD133 and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) as the frequently applied markers for CSCs in OS patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, a total of 50 tissue samples from the patients with primary OS were immunohistochemically examined to detect the expression of CD133 and CXCR4. The associations of the relative expression and clinical significance of each marker were also evaluated. RESULTS: High level expression of CD133 was detected in 26% of OS patient tissues. Of the 12 patients who showed lung metastasis, 5 cases showed high expression of CD133 with marginal trend correlation (P=0.06). No significant correlation was observed between CD133 expression and clinicopathological factors. Only 36% of cases showed CXCR4 expression which was not significantly correlated with gender, age, tumor size, necrosis, stage and metastasis (P>0.05). Clinically, patients with concomitant CD133/CXCR4 expression had significant association with lung metastasis (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that concomitant expression of CSC markers CD133/CXCR4 might had a synergistic effect on the OS poor prognosis. These markers could be considered as potential therapeutic candidates of OS targeted therapy.
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An unusual case of posttransplant osteoid osteoma.

Posttransplant tumors are one of the important long-term complications of renal transplant. However, aside from noninvasive Kaposi sarcomas, increased production of benign tumors has not been observed after renal transplantation, and to our knowledge, no cases of posttransplant osteoid osteoma have been reported so far. Osteoid osteoma is a common, benign, bone neoplasm that occurs typically in the long bones and presents with severe, intractable pain. Here, we present a 49-year-old man, who presented with increasing bone pain in the right upper arm, 7 months after a renal transplant. Despite an initial normal right humerus radiograph, a raised subperiosteal tumor was diagnosed in the medial border of the right humerus a few months later. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the pathologic report was an osteoid osteoma. The patient's pain, which had been resistant to most analgesics, completely disappeared after surgery, and he is currently devoid of any lesions, 9 months after excision of the tumor.

Secondary Malignant Transformation of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Is It a Fate?

The malignant transformation of conventional giant cell tumor of bone (GCTOB) is rare and usually occurs with irradiation. Here we report two neglected cases of conventional GCTOB with spontaneous malignant transformation at 11 and 16 years after initial diagnosis. In the former case, the patient refused to receive any treatment following the incisional biopsy, and in the latter, the first recurrence that occurred 5 years after initial treatment, was neglected. Although rare, the occurrence of sarcomatous changes in these cases indicates that secondary malignant transformation may be part of the natural course of this tumor. In addition, in both cases, immunohistochemistry showed diffuse and strong p53 expression in the malignant tumor but not in the primary lesion. It suggests that p53 overexpression may play a key role in the malignant transformation of GCTOB and that investigating for p53 expression in recurred lesions may help in predicting cases of giant cell tumor, prone to malignant transformation.

Primary cardiac osteosarcoma: A rare cause of chest pain in a young man.

Although primary cardiac osteosarcoma is uncommon, cardiac neoplasms should be in the differential diagnosis of cardiac complaints. We present a case of a 35 year old man with recurrent episodes of exertional chest pain and who was diagnosed with primary cardiac osteosarcoma. Cardiac osteosarcomas are rare but must be suspected.

Effects of Zoledronic Acid and Vitamin E on Surgical- Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Femoral head osteonecrosis is a progressive disease with disabling outcomes in hip joint if not treated. This study was designed to compare the effects of zoledronic acid plus vitamin E versus zoledronic acid alone in surgical induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rabbits. METHODS: 26 Japanese white adult normal male rabbits at 28-32 weeks old were undertaken surgical femoral dislocation to devastate the femoral neck vessels; the femoral neck vessels were ligated and the hip was relocated. Next, the first 10 rabbits received zoledronic acid injections at 1st and the 4th weeks; the second group (10 rabbits) received zoledronic acid injections at 1st and the 4th week along with daily oral vitamin E for 12 weeks; and the third group was considered as non-treated control group. Radiographic and postmortem pathological assessments including the Ficat classification, epiphyseal quotient (EQ), new bone formation, and residual necrotic bone (RNB) were performed and compared after week 12. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the combination therapy group and the control group in Ficat classification at 12th weeks (P=0.048), but, the difference between monotherapy and combination therapy groups at 12th weeks was nonsignificant (P=0.37). Also, both treated groups had significant difference with the control group for RNB (P=0.015). There were no significant differences between the three groups for Ficat classification at the 6th week (P=0.65); EQ at 6th (P=0.59) and 12th week (P=0.64); and NBF (P=0.55). CONCLUSION: Although zoledronic acid therapy along with vitamin E could improve some radiologic and pathological indices related to femoral head osteonecrosis, vitamin E showed a relative impact. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Chondrosarcoma in Metachondromatosis: A Rare Case Report.

Metachondromatosis which was first described in 1971 by Maroteaux is a rare genetic disease consisting of osteochondromas and enchondromas, caused by loss of function of the PTPN11 gene. It is distinct from other cartilaginous tumors such as multiple osteochondromas and hereditary multiple exostosis by the distribution and orientation of lesions, and pattern of inheritance. In Metachondromatosis osteochondromas typically occur in hands, feet, femur, and tibia while enchondromas commonly affect the pelvic bones and femurs. Both tumors are generally reported to regress in adulthood. To the best of our knowledge only one case of Chondrosarcoma has been reported, and our case is the second reported case of Chondrosarcoma in metachondromatosis.

P63 expression as a biomarker discriminating giant cell tumor of bone from other giant cell-rich bone lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTOB) is a locally aggressive neoplasm that accounts for 5% of all primary bone tumors. This tumor overlaps in histopathologic and radiographic presentations with different malignant, benign, and metabolic giant cell-rich lesions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate p63 expression status in giant cell tumor of bone in comparison with other giant cell-rich lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we examined immunohistochemical expression of p63 in a series of 100 giant cell-rich bone lesions, including 31 giant cell tumors of bone, 14 osteosarcomas (including 3 giant cell-rich variants), 18 aneurysmal bone cysts (including one solid variant), 8 non-ossifying fibromas, 17 chondroblastomas, 8 tenosynovial giant cell tumors, and 4 brown tumors. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed p63 nuclear expression in 96.8% of giant cell tumors of bone, 14.3% of osteosarcomas, 50% of non-ossifiying fibromas, 22.2% of aneurysmal bone cysts, 68.7% of chondroblastomas, 75.0% of brown tumors and none of the tenosynovial giant cell tumors. Taking into account the intensity of staining, we identified strong staining in 48.4% of giant cell tumors of bone, 35.3% of chondroblastomas and 7.1% of osteosarcomas (in 2 cases which were both giant cell-rich variants). Considering extent of staining, extensive staining was only observed in 58.0% of giant cell tumors of bone, 23.5% of chondroblastomas and 14.3% of osteosarcomas. CONCLUSION: A large number of giant cell tumors of bone (96.8%) are positive for p63, which is considerably more than any other giant cell-rich lesion. However, positive staining for p63 is not specific for GCTOB and may be seen in other lesions such as chondroblastoma, non-ossifying fibroma, brown tumor, and giant cell-rich osteosarcoma. P63 is a sensitive (96.8%) and relatively specific marker for discriminating GCTOB from other types of giant cell-rich lesions. We suggest a combined scoring method for p63 IHC staining interpretation in GC-rich lesions, considering both intensity and extent of reaction, with a 2+ cut off as a more accurate marker for the diagnosis of GCTOB within the appropriate clinical context.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: An Analysis of 38 Cases and Report of Four Unusual Surface Ones.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign expansile bone tumor, most commonly involving the medulla of long bones. ABC rarely arises within the cortex or in the subperiosteal region, radiographically mimicking other conditions, in particular surface osteosarcomathat is low-grade in nature and may go secondary ABC changes, and telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Both of these are sometimes mistaken microscopically for primary ABC. We review the characteristics of ABC cases in our center and report four unusualsurface ABCs arising in the subperiosteal or cortical region of long bones, identified among 38 histologically proven ABCs during a four-year period in our center. The surface ABCs occurred at an older agewith a predilection for diaphysis of femur, tibia, and humerus.

Relation between pretransplant serum levels of soluble CD30 and acute rejection during the first 6 months after a kidney transplant.

OBJECTIVES: The immunologic status of kidney allograft recipients affects transplant outcome. High levels of pretransplant serum soluble CD30 correlate with an increased risk of acute rejection. Studies show conflicting results. We evaluated the relation between pretransplant serum sCD30 levels with the risk of posttransplant acute kidney rejection in renal transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed between March 2010 and March 2011 on 77 kidney transplant recipients (53 men [68.8%], 24 women [31.2%]; mean age, 41 ± 14 y). Serum samples were collected 24 hours before transplant and analyzed for soluble CD30 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were followed for 6 months after transplant. Acute biopsy-proven rejection episodes were recorded, serum creatinine levels were measured, and glomerular filtration rates were calculated at the first and sixth months after transplant. Preoperative serum soluble CD30 levels were compared in patients with and without rejection. RESULTS: The mean pretransplant serum soluble CD30 level was 92.1 ± 47.3 ng/mL. At 6 months' follow-up, 10 patients experienced acute rejection. Mean pretransplant soluble CD30 levels were 128.5 ± 84 ng/mL versus 86.7 ± 37 ng/mL in patients with and without acute rejection episodes (P = .008). At 100 ng/mL, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of pretransplant serum soluble CD30 level to predict acute rejection were 70%, 73.6%, 29.1%, and 94.3%. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a significant relation between pretransplant serum soluble CD30 levels and acute allograft rejection. High pretransplant levels of serum soluble CD30 can be a risk factor for kidney transplant rejection, and its high negative predictive value at various cutoffs make it useful to find candidates with a low risk of acute rejection after transplant.

A 22-year-old woman with hypertension and hypokalemia due to a juxtaglomerular cell tumor.

Secondary hypertension is responsible for less than 10% of cases of hypertension. If associated with hypokalemia, it may be due to primary or secondary hyperaldostronism, the latter being rarely caused by renin-secreting tumors. We present a 22-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and repeated hypokalemia, who was finally diagnosed with a small renin-secreting tumor after extensive paraclinical workup and imaging studies.

Proinflammatory cytokines and thrombomodulin in patients with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, infected with Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUNDS: Helicobacter pylori infect more than half of the global population. It is suggested to be related with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and gastric cancer. AIMS: The aim of this present study was to evaluate proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1, 6, 8, 10, and thrombomodulin in H. pylori-infected patients with PUD and gastric cancer. PATIENTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Taleghani Hospital on 111 patients with H. pylori infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups of PUD, cancer, and control (normal on endoscopy), according to the results of endoscopy. The serum levels of interleukins 1, 6, 8, and 10 and thrombomodulin was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histological examination of the endoscopic biopsy. RESULTS: One hundred eleven patients were included in the study; 30 as PUD group, 30 as gastric cancer group, and 51 as controls. There was no significant difference between the means of IL-1 and IL-10 levels among the three groups (P = 0.744 and 0.383, respectively). IL-6, IL-8, and thrombomodulin levels were found to be statically different among the three groups (P < 0.05). The level of IL-6, IL-8, and thrombomodulin in cancer group was significantly higher than PUD and control groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a significant association between H. pylori infection and serum IL-6, IL-8, and thrombomodulin but such relation is not present between H. pylori and IL-1 and IL-10. Immunity response (IL-6, IL-8 and thrombomodulin) is more severe in cancer patient than PUD.