Appendix muscle bands, a forgotten entity.

INTRODUCTION: Appendix muscle bands (AMB) develop from the appendix muscle layer into the mesoappendix. There are few recent publications on this forgotten entity. The objectives of this study were to assess the morphological features of AMB as detected at microscopy examination of appendectomy specimens. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of AMB as detected on appendectomy specimens were assessed for microscopy features on routine hematoxilin and eosin stained tissue slides. The morphological features were analyzed with regard to the main clinico-pathological parameters. RESULTS: AMBs were multiple in 35 cases. Most AMBs were located between the tip and cecal limit, 7 at the tip, and 1 at the cecal limit of the appendectomy specimen. Associated appendix lesions were: acute appendicitis, neuroma, mesoappendix cyst, muscle hiatus, and diverticulae (60,6,2,45, and 1, respectively). In 24 appendices, the AMB developed from the perihiatus muscle. Two microscopy types of AMBs were detected: muscle-AMB and mesoappendix-AMB. CONCLUSION: AMB may be detected incidentally at microscopy of appendectomy specimens. Acute appendicitis was associated in most cases, independently on the microscopy type of AMB. Appendix abnormalities as neuroma, mesoappendix cyst, muscle hiatus, and diverticulae can be associated to AMBs.

Syndecan-1 in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Syndecan-1 along with the other three syndecan proteins is present in the varied components of the tumor microenvironment: fibroblasts, inflammatory tumor immunity-associated cells, vessels, and extracellular matrix. Epithelial and non-epithelial tumors may show stromal syndecans. The main relevance of stromal syndecans as tumor biomarker resides in the relationships to tumor features such as type and differentiation as well as to prognosis.

Cytokeratin 5/6 and P63 immunophenotype of thyroid lymphoepithelial complexes.

Thyroid lymphoepithelial complexes (LECos) are rare, being reported in lymphoma, Graves-Basedow disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, pericarcinomatous thyroid or in the context of branchial cleft-like cysts. Here we report immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 5/6, P63 and TTF1 in 6 cases of thyroid LECos. Two cases had carbimazole treatment for hyperthyroidia and Graves disease. Anti-thyroglobulin, -thyroperoxidase or -TSH antibodies were detected in 4 cases. NSAID or poviodone iodine allergy were present in 2 cases. The treatment consisted in total thyroidectomy or lobectomy. Microscopy showed nodular goiter and focal lymphocytic thyroiditis. Basaloid LECos were seen in all thyroids while squamoid LECos in 2. Associated lesions were papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (2 cases), solid cell nest, thyroglosal duct remnant, lymphoepithelial cyst and thymus-parathyroid unit (one case each). Cytokeratin 5/6 was expressed in both squamoid and basaloid LECos along with P63. TTF1 expression was faint or absent. In conclusion LECos may occur in the context of autoimmune thyroiditis or of a specific immune susceptibility background. The expression of CK5/6 and of P63 suggests a squamous differentiation including in the basaloid LECos. The etiologic relevance of these immunostainings remains limited although rather suggestive of a metaplastic process than of migration-abnormalities.

Nasopalpebral Schwannomas and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a schwannoma of nasopalpebral location, occurring in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 55-year-old man presented with a nasopalpebral painless tumefaction, pneumopathy and HIV-related immunodepression after stopping combination antiretroviral therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed subcutaneous masses, with contrast enhancement of the left nose pyramid, internal cantus and inferior palpebral area, suspicious of Kaposi sarcoma. The resected specimen showed schwannoma histology, with tumor cells expressing S100 protein and WT1. CONCLUSION: The features of a rare case of facial schwannoma of nasopalpebral location in an HIV-positive patient are reported. The diagnosis may be difficult before microscopic examination, with imaging features suggesting a Kaposi sarcoma.

Blood group type antigens in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on blood group (BG) types and types of pancreatic cancers. The aims of this study were to study BG types and BG-antigens in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). METHODS: BG type and tumor BG-antigen (glycoprotein) expression (studied by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays) were analyzed with regard to characteristics of 101 surgically resected pancreatic IPMNs. RESULTS: Non-O BG type predicted invasive carcinoma independently from high serum CA19-9 and male gender. BG type A was observed more frequently in women than in men. Chronic pancreatitis was more frequently seen in patients with BG type B or AB. Aberrant tumor expression (with regard to BG type) of loss of A antigen expression type occurred in 15.0% of IPMNs and of loss of B antigen expression type in 62.5% of IPMNs. Intraneoplasm BG-antigen expression was not related to dysplasia grade or invasion. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that in pancreatic IPMN, non-O BG type predicted invasive carcinoma, whereas for intratumor BG-antigen expression no specific patterns were detected with regard to the progression of glandular epithelial dysplasia or invasion.

A and B blood group antigens in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological significance of blood group expression patterns in patients with surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas from 459 patients were analyzed for immunohistochemical expression of A and B blood group antigens on tissue microarrays. Correlations were established by Fisher's test, χ(2) test, and logistic regression models, and relationships to postsurgical overall survival were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: Tumors expressing blood group A antigen predicted fewer lymph node metastases (<3) and had longer postoperative survival by univariate and multivariate analysis. Loss of A antigen tumor expression in A blood group type patients correlated to vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: In patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, blood group A antigen expression predicted fewer lymph node metastases and was associated with improved outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Diagnostic challenges of composite colorectal tumors of adenoma-mantle cell lymphoma type.

Composite intestinal tumors of adenoma-lymphoma type are rare. To our knowledge 1 tumor showing this association has been previously reported, the histologic diagnosis being made retrospectively. We report the case of an 80-year old male patient complaining for epigastric pain, rectorrhagia, diarrhea, and weight loss. At endoscopy, a rectal lesion (3 cm) of villous low-grade dysplasia adenoma type was detected. Due to persistence of symptoms, new gastro- and coloscopies were performed, the biopsies showing low-grade dysplasia adenomas (right colon, and rectum) and an abundant lymphoid infiltrate (gastroduodenal anastomosis, small intestine, sigmoid, right and left colon, transverse colon, and rectum) of mantle cell lymphoma type, the rectal polyp being composed of both tumor types. The muscularis mucosa was focally infiltrated by the lymphoma, the bulk of the lymphoma being submucosal. After the treatment of 8 mini-cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone cures, lymphoma persisted. On endoscopic ultrasound examination, after the 6 cures of bendamustine following the cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone treatment, the signal of the rectal villous lesion disappeared in the peripheral layers, including of the muscular layer, suggestive of an invasive lesion or persistence of lymphoma. Biopsies confirmed the persistence of the rectal adenoma with low and high-grade adenoma, without lymphoma. In conclusion, the biopsic diagnosis of composite intestinal tumors of adenoma-mantle cell lymphoma type may be challenging, the bulk of the lymphoma being submucosal as in the present case. Although the malignant tumor treatment is the priority in such cases, the effects of chemotherapy on the evolution of benign tumors such as adenomas should be carefully assessed.

P38 expression in colorectal adenomas: relationships to cell proliferation, stem phenotype and AKT pathway proteins.

BACKGROUND: The P38-protein is known to be expressed in colorectal adenomas (CRA). Expression in low- and high-grade tubular adenomas is decreased when compared to adenocarcinomas and increased with regard to normal mucosa. We aimed to study P38 expression in human CRAs and the relationships to cell proliferation Ki67-protein, stem-phenotype CD133-protein and, to mTOR-protein (AKT pathway). METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of P38 was evaluated in CRAs on tissue microarrays. Data were analyzed with the Kendall-rank-correlation test. RESULTS: Nuclear P38 correlated to low-grade dysplasia (Kendall P<0.01/tau=-0.254) and to decreased adenoma size (P<0.01/tau=-0.267). Nuclear P38 also correlated to cytoplasmic or membrane mTOR (P<0.01/tau=-0.223 and P<0.01/tau=-0.340) and to cytoplasmic CD133 (P<0.01/0.293). An inverse relationship was observed to Ki67 (P<0.00/ tau=-0.110). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an interference of P38 with initial steps of colorectal adenomagenesis. The correlation to mTOR suggests a biological crosstalk between the MAPK- and AKT-signaling-pathways in colorectal adenomagenesis at P38 level.

Luschka Ducts of the Gallbladder in Adults: Case Series Report and Review of the Medical Literature.

Luschka ducts (LD) of the gallbladder (GB) are rare congenital lesions. They are defined as bile ducts that connect directly the hepatic bile duct system to the GB. We aimed to present the characteristics of 55 cases of GB LDs as diagnosed on cholecystectomy specimens. Surgically resected GBs (55) were analyzed for LD morphological features (length, morphological pattern, and epithelial lesions) as well as for immunohistochemical features. The age varied between 24 and 88 years. The gender ratio was 30:25 (female-male). The diagnosis was acute and subacute/chronic cholecystitis (21 and 34 cases, respectively). GB abnormalities of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus, adenomyoma, septate, and subserosal-liver types were present in 36, 6, 22, and 12 GBs, respectively, while adenocarcinoma was present in 2 GBs. A history of renal cyst, pancreatitis, and colon diverticulosis was observed in 8, 11, and 4 cases, respectively. The LDs were detected at subserosal, resection, or both sites (25, 4, and 26 cases, respectively). The length varied between <1 and 36 mm. Duct-type LDs were observed in 17 cases, complex-type LDs in 5 cases, and mixed-type LDs in 33 cases. Mucosecretion was seen in 12 LDs and cystic dilatation in 8 cases. Epithelial atypia was observed in 2 cases and meganucleoli in 15 cases. Presence of LD-angulation correlated with chronic cholecystitis, while LD-nuclear atypia correlated with acute cholecystitis. In conclusion, LDs may harbor varied aspects, from duct-like or cystic, to nodular, biliary adenoma-like complexes. GB abnormalities of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus, septa, or subserosal-liver types and extra-GB lesions such as renal cysts, pancreatitis, and colon diverticulosis were associated.