Two Case Reports of Nodular Fasciitis: A Newly Recognized Placental Lesion.

We describe two occurrences of nontrophoblastic mesenchymal tumors of the placenta. The first placental tumor was found along the placental margin, and the second was identified close to the insertion of the fetal membranes along the placental disc. Microscopically both lesions demonstrated bland fibroblastic cells with intricate vasculature and inflammatory cells. Both lesions were negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), beta-HCG, PLAP, CD34, desmin, h-caldesmin, and smooth muscle actin by immunohistochemistry. Some cells were weakly positive for CD10, a nonspecific finding. The morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of these lesions were most consistent with nodular fasciitis, a tumor most commonly found in the soft tissues. FISH positive for USP6 gene rearrangement in our two patients confirmed the molecular similarity of these lesions to nodular fasciitis of soft tissue. Such lesions can be easily dismissed on gross placental examination as infarcts or thrombi, thus these rare entities are likely underreported.

Congenital Cyst of the Pancreas: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

This is a case of a newborn female with congenital pancreatic cysts discovered incidentally. The 5-week-old infant had multiple abdominal cysts originating from the pancreas. When the radiologist catheter placement failed to alleviate the symptoms, the infant underwent laparoscopic excision. The lesion, however, recurred 11 months after the first excision, leading to a second surgical procedure including excision and marsupialization. A review of the literature revealed that this is a rare condition. Herein, we discuss the characteristics of the case, including medical imaging, drainage catheter placement, surgical treatment, pathological findings, and follow-up. Differential diagnoses, clinical presentations, treatment options, and patient outcomes are also discussed. Although rare, congenital pancreatic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an infant with cystic lesion of the pancreas.

Blood thrombopoietin, IL-6 and IL-11 levels in patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia.

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) is a disease characterized by bone marrow megakaryocyte hyperplasia and clusters of megakaryocytes, in which many of the megakaryocytes are atypical. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of megakaryocytosis, ELISA assays of blood levels of thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) were done in 45 patients with AMM and compared with normal volunteer controls. Higher blood TPO levels were found in AMM than in controls (P < 0.0001), and blood TPO levels were correlated with the degree of marrow fibrosis (P = 0.0078). Blood levels of IL-6 were also significantly higher in AMM, when compared with controls (P < 0.0001). However, no correlation was found between blood IL-6 levels and degree of marrow fibrosis. No correlation was found between either TPO or IL-6 and the number of blood platelet counts, the number of marrow megakaryocytes, WBC counts, or the degree of splenomegaly. Blood IL-11 levels were undetectable in most patients and no significant difference was found in AMM as compared to controls. The present study demonstrated that, while in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or aplastic anemia, blood TPO levels are relatively correlated with the numbers of platelet and/or megakaryocyte mass, blood TPO levels do not correlate with blood platelet counts, or marrow megakaryocyte mass in AMM. Therefore, in AMM, other mechanisms such as the number of TPO receptors on platelets or megakaryocytes, c-MPL receptor abnormalities, abnormal production of TPO mRNA and so on, will have to be studied. Furthermore, TPO may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of marrow fibrosis; IL-6 may be a factor in the development of marrow megakaryocytosis but its elevated blood levels may represent a secondary immune phenomenon; and IL-11 probably does not play a significant role in causing marrow megakaryocytosis in this disease.

[Clinical experience of treatment of urethral stricture].

The records of 53 patients treated for urethral stricture at Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital over a 8-year period were reviewed. Young men those affected and trauma appeared to have been the most frequent etiological cause. Of the 53 patients 12 were treated by filiform dilatation , 33 were treated by metal sound dilatation , and 8 underwent a pull-through technique. Good results were noted in 29 cases (54.7%), fair in 10 (18.9%) and poor results in 14 (26.4%). When the results were analyzed according to the method of treatment, poor results were most common among those who had underwent the pull-through technique and the metal sound dilatation as compared to filiform dilation group.