[Evaluation of the follow-up of women aged 50-74 years after cervical cytological Ascus abnormalities in cancer screening: adherence to clinical practice guidelines in Isere, France; 1991-2000]. / Evaluation de la prise en charge des femmes de 50 à 74 ans après frottis du col de l'utérus répondu Ascus dans un dépistage organisé en Isère 1991-2000 : application de la conduite à tenir de l'Agence nationale d'accréditation et d'évaluation en santé.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare to the guideline (1998 and 2001) the follow-up of Ascus cytological abnormalities among women aged 50-74 years who have participated at the combined breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening programme from 1991 to 2000 in Isère, France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The follow-up of 1154 women with Ascus smear was analysed. A woman was defined according follow-up if she have made a colposcopy or biopsy less than four months after one positive smear or if she has repeated three smears: 3-7 months and 10-14 months after the positive smear and 1 year after the last negative smear. RESULTS: The follow-up was according to guidelines for 28.4% of the 1154 women (150 women are unknowns), 58.6% had a follow-up with too long delay and 17.2% had an uncompleted follow-up. The follow-up did not differ before 1998. It did not differ from women age. Women who were treated by gynaecologist (548) had a better follow-up (according: 35.4%) than the women who were treated by a general practitioner (595). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The follow-up of Ascus cytological abnormalities is not according to guideline. The follow-up in the screening program will be intensified.

Quantification of cellular adhesion molecules on malignant B cells from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The expression of five cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs), CD54, CD58, CD11a, CD29 and CD49d, was studied in 113 B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and in normal B cells from 12 control lymph nodes. Rather than reporting the percentage of positive cells, which does not discriminate between NHL subtypes, we quantified the intensity of CAM expression using flow cytometry. Apart from CD49d the expression of all these CAMs was statistically different among the NHL subtypes as defined by the REAL classification. Low grade NHL-small lymphocytic, follicular and mantle cell lymphoma--which are derived from quiescent cells and show an indolent disease course, expressed low levels of CAMs. Conversely, high grade NHL-diffuse large cell lymphoma--which are derived from proliferating cells and are clinically aggressive, expressed high levels of CAMs. These results indicate that in malignant NHL B cell tumour growth and clinical aggressiveness may be related to the adhesive capacities of the tumour cells.

Thymolipoma in association with myasthenia gravis.

A 52-year-old male presented with an anterior mediastinal tumor associated with a 2-year history of myasthenia gravis. The patient underwent thymectomy and a 185-g, 10 X 8 X 3.5 cm, well-delineated tumor was resected. On histologic examination the tumor proved to be a thymolipoma composed of mature adipose elements containing cords and nests of thymic tissue. The latter consisted mainly of cortical areas, the thymocytes of which displayed an immunohistochemical profile of cortical cells, i.e., CD 1+, CD 4+, CD 8+, and frequently Ki 67+. Ultrastructural study confirmed the predominant cortical differentiation of the thymic component. No germinal centers, dendritic reticulum cells, or myoid cells were detected by histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies. The association of thymolipoma with myasthenia gravis is rare; this case is the 10th reported. Our findings lead us to believe that (a) the cortical differentiation of the thymic component and the active thymocyte proliferation could represent a factor leading to myasthenia gravis; and (b) thymolipoma could be a peculiar form of thymoma rather than a mixed tumor of mesenchymal and entodermal origin, a lipoma, or a hamartoma of the thymic gland. The reported association of thymolipomas with other immune disturbances or with neoplastic conditions usually associated with true thymomas support these findings.

Schwannoma of the bulbar conjunctiva.

We describe a conjunctival tumor that occurred in the limbic region of the left eye in a 37-year-old man. The mass was located beneath the conjunctival epithelium. It consisted of a well-demarcated proliferation of fusiform cells arranged in bundles in a fibrous stroma. Tumor cells strongly expressed S-100 protein. On ultrastructural analysis, the tumor was composed of Schwann cells surrounded by a continuous basal lamina. These data led to the rare diagnosis of conjunctival schwannoma.

Carcinoid tumour complicating inflammatory bowel disease. A study of two cases with review of the literature.

Two cases of carcinoid tumour complicating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are presented. Both tumours were located in the appendiceal tip. The first case occurred in a man with Crohn's disease (CD), and the second one in a woman suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). Histochemical and immunohistochemical studies were not allowed on case 1 because the tumour was not still present on serial sections of the appendix. On case 2, tumour cells were not reactive with Grimelius and Masson-Fontana stainings, but were strongly stained with anti-keratin and anti-chromogranin monoclonal antibodies (MAb), and faintly expressed neuron specific enolase (NSE), and Leu-7. Both cases occurred in inflammatory or damaged mucosa which exhibited Paneth cell metaplasia and hyperplasia and areas indefinite for dysplasia. Along with these lesions, hyperplasia of enteroendocrine cells was pointed out in the neighbouring appendiceal and colonic mucosa by means of anti-chromogranin MAb. These data suggest that the association of carcinoid tumour with IBD, albeit rare, is not coincidental and is the result of hyperplastic and dysplastic troubles that may involve enteroendocrine cells as well as such other derivatives of digestive stem cells as columnar cells, goblet cells and Paneth cells.

Coexistence of plasma cell granulomas of lung and central nervous system.

A rare case of concurrent plasma cell granulomas (PCG) of the lung and the central nervous system (CNS) is reported. A 30-year-old man was presented with recurrent left headaches lasting for two years. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head disclosed a process extending from the lateral aspect of the left cavernous sinus to the tentorium cerebelli and the infratemporal fossa through the foramen ovale. At the same time, chest-X ray and CT scan showed three symptomless masses of the pulmonary right lower lobe. Histological examination of cerebral samples and of one of the pulmonary nodules revealed the presence of a fibrous tissue containing numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells as well as remnants of vascular and respiratory structures. Immunohistochemical study proved these cells to be polyclonal. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the presence of lymphoid cells and failed to disclose any argument for meningioma or histiocytosis X. The differential diagnostic problems of PCG are discussed as well as considerations about clinicopathological features, histogenesis and pathogenesis of inflammatory pseudotumours (IPT).

Intracranial plasma cell granuloma: a report of four cases.

Inflammatory pseudotumors (IPT) are rare lesions composed of inflammatory cells admixed with collagen tissue. Although IPT are ubiquitous, intracranial locations are rare. In this study, four intracranial IPT of the plasma-cell-granuloma (PCG) type are reported. Four patients presented with lesions located, respectively, in the right cavernous sinus, the left cavernous sinus with extension to the tentorium cerebelli, the vermis cerebelli, and the pituitary stalk. All patients were operated on, but complete resection could not be achieved in cases 1 and 2. Follow-up was favorable in all cases, although case 1 still complained of headaches 2 years after operation. All cases were studied on histologic and immunohistochemical bases, and ultrastructural analysis was performed on two cases. In cases 1, 2, and 4, IPT were made up of plasma cells admixed with lymphocytes and rare histiocytes in a fibrous tissue-the density of which varied from case to case. In case 3, the mass was composed of plasma cells associated with numerous foamy histiocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. No light chain restriction could be demonstrated when immunohistochemistry was performed, and ultrastructural study did not disclose features reminiscent of meningioma or histiocytosis X. Intracranial IPT should not be confused with other diseases such as meningioma, lymphoproliferative disorders, or histiocytosis X. Although intracranial locations are much rarer than pulmonary ones, histology is identical in both sites and shows different patterns in its evolution. This is in agreement with the inflammatory origin of this lesion.

[Campylobacter pylori: diagnostic value of the urease test during endoscopy]. / Le Campylobacter pylori: valeur diagnostique de l'uréase test pratiqué en salle d'endoscopie.

The aims of this prospective study were a) to evaluate the diagnostic value of the urease test for the detection of C. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens, b) to specify the prevalence of C. pylori in a sample of 74 patients from the Grenoble area undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, c) to analyze the density of bacteria according to the biopsy site (antrum, body, edges of ulcer), d) to demonstrate any possible correlation between the histologic state of the antral and body mucosa and the presence of C. pylori. An antral biopsy was taken for the urease test during endoscopy. Biopsies were also taken from the body, the antrum and the edges of gastric or duodenal ulcers for bacterial and histologic studies, and urease test in the bacterial laboratory. The sensitivity and the specificity of the urease test during endoscopy varied according to the delay in observation of the color change. They were 0.81 and 0.84, respectively, at 2 h 30. The sensitivity and specificity of the urease test in the bacterial laboratory were 0.67 and 0.95, respectively, for the same delay. The global prevalence of C. pylori was 51 p. 100: it was 42 p. 100 in the absence of ulcer, 67 p. 100 in the presence of gastric ulcer, and 71 p. 100 in the presence of duodenal ulcer (p less than 0.05 compared to the group without ulcer).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Association of thymus carcinoma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and polymyositis. Anatomoclinical case with autopsy findings]. / Association d'un carcinome thymique, d'une thyroïdite de Hashimoto et d'une polymyosite. Une observation anatomoclinique avec données autopsiques.

A 67-year-old woman presenting with a 9-month history of polymyositis, suddenly worsened her clinical state and died. An autopsy was performed, finding a tumor measuring 8 x 6 x 1 cm, located in the left pulmonary hilum. The thyroid gland, of normal volume, was firm. The histological analysis of the tumor, the thyroid gland and several skeletal muscles led to the following diagnoses: thymic carcinoma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and polymyositis. The aim of the discussion is this thymic carcinoma, the originality of which are firstly its ectopic location, secondly its association with immune diseases usually described during the course of thymomas rather than thymic carcinomas.

[Spinal leptomeningeal tumor spread disclosing a pineocytoma]. / Essaimage tumour leptomeninge spinal révélateur d'un pineocytome.

A 39-year-old female was admitted to the hospital because of a sudden meningeal syndrome followed by diplopia, cervical, dorsal and sciatic nerve pains, and right peripheral facial palsy. Cerebrospinal fluid obtained by lumbar puncture showed a protein level at 23 g/l. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were in favor of a lumbar arachnoiditis. A meningeal biopsy revealed a tumour infiltration with foci of cells that were stained with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody. Cerebral MRI was performed to search for a central nervous system (CNS) primary tumour, and disclosed a pineal mass. Five months after the onset of the disease, the patient worsened her clinical state and died. Necropsy confirmed the presence of a pineocytoma with astrocytic differentiation and diffuse leptomeningeal spread. This exceptional occurrence leads us to discuss about primary tumours of the CNS with leptomeningeal spread.

[Diagnostic difficulties in infiltrating lobular breast cancer: value of ultrasonography. 33 cases]. / Difficultés du diagnostic du carcinome lobulaire infiltrant du sein: apport de l'échographie. A propos de 33 observations.

Thirty three invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) were submitted to mammography, ultrasonography and finally surgery. The type of tumor proliferation and the absence of microcalcifications within the invasive tissue led to 15% of false negative responses in the mammographic analysis. Ultrasonography disclosed only 12% of false negatives. Sonographic appearance, especially fine needle aspirations or microbiopsy under ultrasonographic control, allows modification of mammographic and clinical diagnosis errors. Thus, this method appears of importance in diagnosis of ILC.

[Contribution of ultrasonography-guided microbiopsy in breast diseases]. / Apport de la micro-biopsie échoguidée dans la pathologie mammaire.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of core biopsy under ultrasonography (CBUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 165 US guided breast lesions biopsies were reviewed. Forty-eight underwent surgery and the 117 remaining cases were followed up for at least one year. Forty-four lesions were malignant and 89 were no palpable. Lesion size ranged from 3 to 35 mm (mean 14.8 mm). Core biopsy was performed with an automatic device with a 18 Gauge needle using a long-throw (2.2 cm excursion). Needle length was 10 cm. At least two passes were performed. RESULTS: Five false negatives were obtained which were all explained. All the infiltrative carcinomas without microcalcifications as mammographic sign were correctly diagnosed. A resolutive hematoma was the only complication to occur. None of the lesions with follow up showed any evolution. With CBUS, sensitivity for malignancy was 91% and specificity 100%. This is in agreement with previous studies. CONCLUSION: Methodology and indications of such core biopsies are peculiar. Actually, the lesion must be seen with ultrasonography and should not be superficial, be correlated with microcalcifications, or be a cyst even with a thick content. This method is safe and comfortable. It is not expensive when compared with surgery or stereotaxy. It should avoid useless surgical open biopsies as it allows histologic diagnosis with Scarff and Bloom grading and hormonal receptor status. So, US guided core-biopsy should contribute to increase the predictive positive value of surgical biopsy in senologic screening.