Spinal Myeloid Sarcoma "Chloroma" Presenting as Cervical Radiculopathy: Case Report.

Study Design Case report. Objective Myeloid sarcoma (also known as chloroma) is a rare, extramedullary tumor composed of immature granulocytic cells. It may occur early in the course of acute or chronic leukemia or myeloproliferative disorders. Spinal cord invasion by myeloid sarcoma is rare. The authors report a rare case of spinal myeloid sarcoma presenting as cervical radiculopathy. Methods A previously healthy 43-year-old man presented with progressive neck, right shoulder, and arm pain. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a very large enhancing extradural soft tissue mass extending from C7 through T1, with severe narrowing of the thecal sac at the T1 level. The patient underwent posterior cervical open biopsy, laminectomy, and decompression. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. Postoperatively, a bone marrow biopsy was done, which showed myeloproliferative neoplasm with eosinophilia. The patient then received systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results At the 10-month follow-up, the patient reported complete relief of arm pain and neck pain. X-rays showed that the overall cervical alignment was intact and there was no evidence of a recurrent lesion. MRI showed no evidence of compressive or remnant lesion. Conclusions Spinal myeloid sarcoma presenting as cervical radiculopathy is rare, and it may be easily misdiagnosed. Knowledge of its clinical presentation, imaging, and histologic characterization can lead to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of core needle biopsy in the evaluation of suspected lymphoma: a study of 101 cases.

CONTEXT: Lymphomas have traditionally been diagnosed on excisional biopsies of lymph nodes in order to evaluate tissue architecture and cytomorphology. Recent lymphoma classification schemes emphasize immunophenotypic, genetic, and molecular aspects in addition to morphology as diagnostic features. Core needle biopsies are increasingly being used to obtain tissue for diagnosis in patients with lymphadenopathy and a clinical suspicion of lymphoma. These procedures are rapid, minimally invasive, well tolerated, and may provide some architectural framework (unlike fine-needle aspirations), as well as material for ancillary studies. OBJECTIVE: To explore the accuracy, utility, and cost-effectiveness of this technique. DESIGN: Core needle biopsies of 101 consecutive patients from 2 large community hospitals who were suspected of having primary or recurrent lymphomas were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections of needle cores. Specimens morphologically suspicious for lymphoma were subjected to ancillary studies, including immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and/or molecular studies. Core needle biopsy diagnoses were correlated with subsequent excisional biopsies, if performed. RESULTS: Core needle biopsies established a definitive pathologic diagnosis for the vast majority of cases. A diagnosis was considered sufficient to begin treatment for primary and recurrent lymphomas in most cases. Compared with an open biopsy, there is a cost savings of greater than 75%. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of this technique, along with the cost savings and decreased morbidity, suggest that this method may be used safely and reliably as a first-line diagnostic technique.

HIV-related Hodgkin's disease with central nervous system involvement and association with Epstein-Barr virus.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare occurrence in the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related Hodgkin's disease (HD). We report the clinical course of a patient with HIV infection who developed systemic HD, mixed cellularity subtype, later complicated by leptomeningeal involvement. The patient died from his illness, and autopsy was performed. Examining the brain lesion, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) presence was demonstrated in Reed-Sternberg cells by immunohistochemistry using an EBER probe for EBV RNA. This is the second case report in the English literature of HD involving the CNS in an HIV-positive individual, and the first demonstrating EBV presence. Extranodal presence of Hodgkin's disease in patients with HIV infection is probably related to immunosuppression, and physicians treating this illness should be alert to the potential of unusual sites of involvement.

Gross deciduosis peritonei obstructing labor: a case report and review of the literature.

Gross deciduosis peritonei is a rare lesion characterized by the presence of grossly visible peritoneal decidual tissue in pregnant women; we present the clinicopathologic features of one such case. A 24-year-old, G4P1A2, Hispanic female underwent cesarean section at 39 weeks' gestation for dystocia related to pelvic masses. Multiple, light tan peritoneal masses involved the cul-de-sac, both ovaries, pelvic wall, omentum, and the large and small bowel. The intraoperative appearance suggested peritoneal carcinomatosis. A right ovarian mass was excised and biopsies were obtained from other sites. Microscopic examination showed the typical features of decidua in all of the lesions. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient was admitted with nausea and vomiting suggestive of a small bowel obstruction, which resolved after 2 days of medical treatment. After a postpartum visit at 5 weeks, the patient was lost to follow-up.

Regression of a plasmablastic lymphoma in a patient with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We describe an HIV-infected 44-year-old man who presented 1 month after discontinuation of HAART therapy with a large mass extending from the mediastinum, enclosing the heart and extending through the diaphragm to the epigastric region. Biopsies subsequently revealed a highly aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) producing sheets of cells with an organoid distribution. The cells had abundant basophilic cytoplasm and a plasmacytic appearance. Although immunohistochemistry failed to show either B- or T-cell markers, antigens consistent with plasma cells were found. An immunoglobulin heavy chain clonal rearrangement was identified by PCR analysis. These studies were supportive of a diagnosis of a plasmablastic lymphoma. While awaiting the results of these tests, the patient was reinitiated on his HAART regimen. He was found on follow-up a month later to have complete resolution of his bulky mediastinal mass. He remained free of disease for 3 months with subsequent rectal and abdominal recurrence. Treatment with CHOP chemotherapy with filgrastim support was begun which resulted in another remission. Plasmablastic lymphoma is now reported in some studies to account for 2.6% of all HIV-related NHL. Originally described in 1997 in a series of 16 patients, this entity is highly associated with HIV infection in its later stages. Often, patients present with oral or jaw lesions with a rapidly progressive course. The tumors have the morphologic appearance of a plasmacytoid tumor with high proliferative index. Markers are positive mainly for LCA, CD79a, VS38C, and CD138. Co-infection with HHV-8 and EBV has not been consistently reported. Therapy with standard regimens has variable response. One case has been reported with a 3.5 year disease free survival. The regression of disease after resumption of HAART therapy alone in this patient suggests that HAART has an important role in the treatment of lymphoma in the HIV infected patient.