Laparotomy site implantation metastasis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater.

Introduction Carcinomas of the papilla of Vater make up a heterogeneous group of tumours arising from different types of epithelium. Regional lymph nodes, liver and lungs are the primary sites of metastatic progression of these tumours. Case presentation We present a patient with an abdominal incision site metastasis of low-grade (mixed type) adenocarcinoma of the papilla of Vater one year after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Implantation metastasis of low-grade ampullary carcinoma in the laparotomy wound after open Whipple's procedure is unusual. Conclusion Adjuvant chemoradiation might be considered for patients with low-grade localised disease as a potentially preventative measure vs. metastatic progression.

Focal neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic gland carcinoma with basaloid pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic gland basal cell proliferations exhibit morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to basal cell carcinoma. In the following report, we described clinical features, morphological spectrum, neuroendocrine differentiation and histogenesis of prostatic gland basal cell carcinoma in our patient. CASE REPORT: Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Alcian blu-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) at pH 2.5 stained sections and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC), were performed on prostate gland paraffin-embedded tissue. Monoclonal antibodies directed against cytokeratin (34betaE12) which selectively stains basal cells, prostate specific antigen (PSA), chromogranine A, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and CD56, were used. Basal cell proliferations exhibited a morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to prostatic gland carcinoma. In these prostatic lesions, positive reactivity was demonstrated for 34betaE12 and CD56. These findings indicate that the basaloid cells of basal cell hyperplasia, florid basal cell hyperplasia, atypical basal cell hyperplasia and basal cell carcinoma are derived from basal cells of the normal prostate gland suggesting a continuum in the progression of hyperplasia to benign and then malignant neoplasia. The presence of CD56 protein in the discovered lesions may be related to their neuroendocrine differentiation. CONCLUSION: The fact, that our patient was well six years after the radical prostatectomy supports the belief of some authors that basal cell carcinoma represents a low grade carcinoma with an excellent prognosis.

[Diagnostics of dry eye].

INTRODUCTION: Dry eye is a multi-factorial disease of tears and ocular surface resulting in symptoms of discomforts, vision disabilities, unstable tear film and possible damage to the ocular surface. The final diagnosis of dry eye results from collecting various data obtained in the course of several diagnostic procedures. DRY EYE - DIAGNOSTIC METHODS: Diagnosis of dry eye involves performing a series of clinical methods and laboratory tests. This paper presents some of the procedures used in the diagnosis of dry eye. Biomicroscopy of the eye with objective tests to check the tear film (Schirmer I, rose bengal, time break up precorneal tear film), verification of corneal sensitivity and impression cytology of the conjunctiva, are the optimum dry eye diagnostic routine procedures. CONCLUSION: The combination of clinical and histopathological methods of examination of the anterior ocular surface is the basis for a quality and precise diagnosis of dry eye.

Primary gallbladder melanoma in dysplastic nevus syndrome: report of case and literature review.

A case of gallbladder malignant melanoma in a 62-year-old woman is reported. The gallbladder, resected for tumor mass seen on ultrasound examination, revealed neoplastic epithelioid cells with dark granules in the cytoplasm. These cells with pigment were positive immunohistochemically for S-100, HMB45 and vimentin. The patient, affected by dysplastic nevus syndrome, had a history of a melanoma in situ in her left upper arm that was excised 11 years ago. This is only the second case reported to date of primary malignant melanoma in dysplastic nevus syndrome.

Expression of CD34 in cirrhotic liver--reliance to dedifferentiation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The vascular supply of dysplastic nodules (DN) is altered compared with surrounding cirrhotic nodules. Dysplastic nodules contain unpaired arteries which are isolated arteries unaccompained by bille ducts. In adition, capillarization or neovascularization is evident on CD34 and CD31 staining. The investigation of angiogenic profile of regenerative, dysplastic and nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma aimed at assessing whether vascular profile is in reliance to the process of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes during the course of cirrhosis. METHODS: Thirty four liver nodules from surgical biopsies of 12 patients previously undiagnosed to have cirrhosis, were classified as regenerative, dysplastic and small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The investigation included 8 large regenerative nodules (LRN), 11 low grade dysplastic nodules (LGDN), 12 high grade dysplastic nodules (HGDN) and 3 early HCC. Serial sections of the nodules and surrounding cirrhotic liver tissue were immunostained against CD34. The vascular counting method was performed. The results were analysed using SPSS computer statistical program. RESULTS: The number of capillary unites showed significant differences among nodular types, with the largest number of capillaries in hepatocellular carcinoma as well as strong reliance to dedifferentiation. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation of sinusoidal capillarization to dediferentiation of the liver tissue during the course of cirrhosis. From diagnostic view, capillary counting may be helpful to distinguish dysplastic from nondysplastic nodules. The appearance of dysplastic nodules in nonselected surgical biopsies is frequent enough to challenge caution during the follow-up of cirrhotic patients.

[Evaluation of morphological changes of the liver caused by heroin abuse in forensic practice].

BACKGROUND/AIM: A study of morphological lesions in the liver of heroin addicts enables a precise overview of the type and degree of the liver damages caused by intravenous (i.v.) heroin abuse, additive effects of viral infections and alcohol consumption, as well as whether the expressiveness of these lesions depends on the duration of the time period of heroin application. The aim of the study was to investigate histopathological, ultrastructural and morphometric features of the liver of heroin addicts in forensic samples of the liver. METHODS: The study involved the autopsy conducted on 40 bodies of i.v. heroin addicts and 10 control autopsies. The investigated group consisted of liver samples of 36 male subjects and 4 female subjects aged 35-40 years and the control group of 8 male and 2 female cadaveric bodies aged 15-35 years. The liver tissue samples were prepared for light microscopy. Sections of the tissue paraffin blocks 5 micro thick were stained using classical Hematoxylin and Eosin method (H&E), as well as PAS Van Gieson, Gomori, and Congo Red techniques. For investigation purposes of ultrastructural changes, liver tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde and molded with epon. The analysis was performed using the method of transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric investigation of the liver sinusoidal macrophages was performed by using the M42 test system. RESULTS: In the investigated group of i.v. heroin addicts, the liver autopsy samples showed degenerative vesicular and fat changes, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, sedimentation of pathologic protein amyloidosis, dysplastic changes, reduction in the amount of glycogen in hepatocytes, as well as the change in the number of Kupfer and endothelial cells. The established changes correlated with the duration of i.v. heroin abuse, whereas sinusoidal macrophages were activated in cases with active hepatitis, and no significant change in their number was found in hepatocytes with alcohol-related fatty changes. CONCLUSION. The study showed that the most present change in the hepatocytes of drug addicts was vesicular degeneration, and it is the only direct consequence of the effect of heroin. Other morphological changes were present due to viral infections and they correlated with the duration of narcotic abuse. The finding of dysplastic changes in this susceptible population of young people is particularly significant. The forensic significance of the established changes in the liver tissue is in the possibility of their practical application for determination of the immediate cause of death of i.v. heroin addicts, as well as the differential diagnosis of not only heroin, but also alcohol, sedative and other substances abuse, and all that on the basis of morphological damages of the liver.

[Lynch syndrome I: a case report].

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndromes I and II, accounts for about 5-8% of colorectal cancers. Lynch syndrome I is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by early onset of colorectal cancer, predominance of proximal and multiple tumors, and microsatellite instability. In order to identify HNPCC, the international "Amsterdam criteria" have been used. CASE REPORT: The proband was a 40-year-old male who was admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of advanced rectal cancer. Left colectomy was carried out. A histopathologic diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of clinical stage Dukes C was made. The family talking was done and it was revealed that the proband had five family members (one of first degree relative) with colorectal cancer, and two successive generations affected. All malignancy were diagnosed before 45 years of age. In one family member, metachronous transverse cancer was revealed 12 years after surgery for cecal adenocarcinoma. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The main molecular cause for HNPCC is constitutional mutation in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes that regulate the excision of errors occurring during DNA replication. The most often are mutations of MLH1 and MSH2 genes, and microsatellite instability is present in about 90-95% HNPCC. In this report, we present a case of an HNPCC patient who met the Amsterdam criteria for Lynch syndrome I. Family members that fulfil the Amsterdam criteria should be investigated for mutation in MMR genes. The genetic tests are not routinely available, so colonoscopic screening of all asymptomatic family members older than 25 has been recommended.

Computer-assisted quantitative analysis of Ki-67 antigen in dysplasia--associated lesions or masses in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to apply computer-assisted methodology in assessment of Ki-67 positivity in "adenoma-like" dysplasia associated lesions or masses (DALMs), and carcinoma in ulcerative colitis (UC), and to determine a new approach to grading of Ki-67 staining intensity. METHODS: Immunohistochemical slides were quantitatively analyzed for estimation of proportion and intensity of Ki-67 positive-stained cells in a total of 50 "adenoma-like" DALMs (27 with low-grade dysplasia and 23 with high-grade dysplasia), and 17 adenocarcinomas associated with UC. The four grades of immunohistochemical staining intensity were established by an automated classification of nuclear optical densities. RESULTS: The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) in low-grade dysplasia was significantly lower than in high-grade dysplasia, and carcinoma (p < 0.001). The Ki-67 LI of carcinomas was not significantly different from the value obtained in high-grade dysplasia (p > 0.05), however having the difference in percentage values of the moderate stained nuclei (p < 0.05). The overall average values of chromogene nuclear optical density, showed statistically significant differences between DALMs and carcinoma (p < 0.05), although not between normal mucosa and low-grade dysplasia (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The obtained results imply, according to the overall percentage of labeled nuclei, that high-grade dysplasia is very close to carcinoma, while there is the difference in the percentage of moderately stained nuclei. We showed that Ki-67 positivity have a different internal distribution which could be useful in analysing these lesions. These findings also, indicate the important biological differences between low-grade dysplasia and carcinoma in UC, and a low proliferative potential of the former. Automated image analysis permits an objective [corrected] estimation of Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining in UC-associated dysplasia and carcinoma.

[Preoperative and postoperative histopathological findings in patients with endometrial hyperplasia].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the histopathological findings in curettage and hysterectomy specimens, to evaluate the accuracy of histopathological diagnosis in curettage specimens, and to determine the frequency of coexisting endometrial carcinoma in patients with histopathological diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Curettage and hysterectomy specimens of 135 female patients with initially diagnosed endometrial hyperplasia were retrospectively analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Simple hyperplasia was found in 49 patients (36.3%), complex hyperplasia in 14 (10.4%), simple atypical hyperplasia in 24 (17.8%), and complex atypical hyperplasia in 48 (35.5%) patients. After hysterectomy, 59 (43.7%) patients were found to have simple hyperplasia, 12 (8.9%) complex hyperplasia, 15 (11.1%) simple atypical hyperplasia, 18 (20.7%) complex atypical hyperplasia, and 21 (15.5%) endometrial carcinoma. The accuracy of histopathological diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia in curettage specimens was 82.2-89.6% and dependent on the types of hyperplasia. The frequency of coexisting endometrial carcinoma was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with atypical hyperplasia than in patients with hyperplasia without cytological atypia. After hysterectomy, coexisting endometrial carcinoma was found in 27.8% of patients with histopathological diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia in curettage specimens. In contrast to simple atypical hyperplasia, the frequency of coexisting endometrial carcinoma was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in complex atypical hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: The frequency of coexisting endometrial carcinoma in hysterectomy specimens in patients with histopathological diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia in curettage specimens was relatively high and it should be taken into account when planning therapy.