Intraosseous Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Mandible Detected as an Asymptomatic Swelling.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (IMEC) is a rare neoplasm of the jawbones. Although hypotheses focused on the malignant transformation of the epithelial mucosa of odontogenic cysts or ectopic salivary gland tissue have been suggested, the etiology of the disease is still unclear. It is more frequent in middle-aged individuals, has a slight female predilection, and is more common in the mandible than in the maxilla. Cortical enlargement is the most common symptom, while some lesions are detected by coincidence on radiography. This paper reports an IMEC of the mandible of a 35-year-old female, possibly arising from the remains of an odontogenic cyst associated with an unerupted mandibular molar, which was operated in an external center 5 years ago before IMEC diagnosis.

A rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA) of the lacrimal gland is a rare malignant tumor that arises from a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. Lacrimal gland CEPA with mucoepidermoid histological subtype is exceedingly rare. Diagnosis can be aided by radiographic findings, though the gold standard is histopathological analysis following excisional biopsy. Management options include complete surgical excision with or without adjuvant radiation therapy based on tumor grade and invasiveness. We present a 76-year-old woman with 6 months of diplopia and unilateral proptosis. Her initial exam was remarkable for hypoglobus, proptosis, and limited elevation of the right eye. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a superior, well-circumscribed, extraconal orbital mass. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathological findings were consistent with mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with positive margins in the tumor capsule. The patient received radiation therapy and remains markedly improved with no disease recurrence at 5 months post-operatively.

[Surgical Case of Bronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Safely Diagnosed by Enucleation Under the Bronchoscopy After Bronchial Arterial Embolization].

A 28-year-old male presented to our hospital with hemoptysis and his chest computerized tomography (CT) showed the right middle and lower lobe atelectasis due to the tumor of right intermediate bronchial trunk. To reduce the blood flow to the tumor, bronchial arterial embolization was performed and the tumor was resected using Cryoprobe with a flexible endobronchial scope. Thus, we could observe the tumor localization and diagnose before the surgical procedure. We performed the right sleeve middle lobectomy and the right lower lobe was safely preserved.

Response to Miles Kiernan Re: a rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland.

Our goal is to contribute to the medical literature with our case of CEPA and hope to better help fellow clinicians diagnose and treat these rare tumors.

[Imaging and Clinical Characteristics of Primary Pulmonary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma].

Objective To improve the understanding and diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma(PMEC) by analyzing the imaging and clinical characteristics.Methods The clinical and CT data of 27 cases of PMEC confirmed by histopathology in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed,including the location,size,margin,density,enhancement characteristics,accompanying signs,and pathological grade.Results The 27 cases included 6(6/27,22.2%) of large airway type,14(14/27,51.9%) of hilar type,and 7(7/27,26.9%) of peripheral type.The CT manifestations of 20 cases of large airway and hilar PMEC were soft-tissue nodules or mass with clear boundary in the lumen of the trachea and main bronchi,including 6 cases of mild enhancement,4 cases of moderate enhancement,5 cases of marked enhancement,and 5 cases of uneven enhancement.Three of the 20 cases showed calcification.The 7 cases of peripheral PMEC showed soft-tissue nodules or masses in the lungs,including 3 cases of mild enhancement,1 case of moderate enhancement,and 3 cases of marked enhancement. Obstructive pneumonia or atelectasis and bronchiectasis with mucus plug formation occurred in 16(16/27,59.3%) cases,lymph node metastasis in 9(9/27,33.3%) cases,and multiple organ metastasis in 8(8/27,29.6%) cases.Age(t=-3.132,P=0.005),enlarged lymph node (χ2=9.281,P=0.003),and distant metastasis(χ2=7.816,P=0.008) were statistically significant in the low-grade group and high-grade group. Conclusion PMEC have some unique imaging features,and recognizing these signs is conducive to the differential diagnosis and the improvement of the diagnostic accuracy.

[Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Suspectedly Developed from a Bronchogenic Cyst in the Posterior Mediastinum].

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma developing from a bronchogenic cyst is extremely rare. We present a case of a 74-year-old man with a cystic mass in the posterior mediastinum detected by chest computed tomography( CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. A bronchogenic cyst or neurogenic tumor was suspected. He did not accept surgical treatment and was followed up at outpatient. Since the enlargement of the mass was shown by chest CT after seven years, the resection of the mass was performed by thoracoscopic surgery, however the cyst wall remained due to the severe adhesion and the residual mucosa was cauterized. The mass was diagnosed as a mucoepidermoid carcinoma by pathology which was likely to develop from a bronchogenic cyst. After postoperative radiotherapy, the patient is well without recurrence 10 months after surgery.

An eight-year-old girl with tracheal mass treated as a difficult asthma case.

INTRODUCTION: Endobronchial masses such as mucoepidermoid carcinomas or carcinoid tumors are extremely rare in children and they usually originate from large bronchi. These lesions may cause wheezing and dyspnea with poor response to bronchodilators and mimic the airway obstruction caused by asthma. CASE STUDY: We present the case of an 8-year-old girl with tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma who was treated as a difficult asthma case with high dose of inhaled corticosteroids. RESULTS: The characteristic stridor, the lack of response to bronchodilators and to inhaled corticosteroid treatment, combined with the characteristic flow loop in spirometry and the hyperinflation seen on the chest radiograph, all raised the clinical suspicion of a tracheal lesion and indicated the need for flexible bronchoscopy. The bronchoscopy revealed a large lesion obstructing totally the trachea lumen. The latter finding was confirmed by chest high resolution CT. The mass was completely excised via sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass, and the pathologic examination showed a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the trachea. One month after the surgery she was free of symptoms and her spirometry was normal. CONCLUSION: Tracheal lesions mimic the symptoms of airway obstruction caused by asthma and should be always be part of the differential diagnosis in young patients with no response to asthma treatment.

MRI-based texture analysis to differentiate the most common parotid tumours.

AIM: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and signal characteristics of parotid masses and investigate the added role of texture analysis (TA) in the differentiation of parotid tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients (42 women, 53 men; mean age 51.67±14.15) were included in this study. The study group consisted of 40 pleomorphic adenoma, 45 Warthin's tumour, and 10 mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Two reviewers assessed the MRI sequences retrospectively. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted axial images were used for TA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the ability to make a diagnosis. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the independent risk factors among the MRI features and to analyse the added value of TA to the qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the tumour border (p<0.001), infiltration of the surrounding tissue (p=0.003), contrast-enhancement grading (p<0.001), perineural spread (p=0.013), and pathological lymph nodes (p<0.001) between the malignant and benign tumours. Kurtosis on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, and skewness and kurtosis on T2-weighted images were significantly different between the three groups (p=0.020, <0.001, 0.003; respectively). A kurtosis value on T2-weighted images <2.815 along with an ill-defined border had the highest specificity (98.8%) and positive predictive value (83.3%) in the differentiation of malignant tumours. CONCLUSION: The addition of TA parameters to the MRI findings may contribute to distinguish benign from malignant parotid tumours.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bronchus: a rare early diagnosis.

Salivary gland tumours of the tracheobronchial tree are rare and early diagnosis in T1 stage is further rare. We report a case of a young 21-year-old male medical student diagnosed and treated for the same prompted by a detailed respiratory examination.

Initial Experience with Hybrid Argon Plasma Coagulation as a Novel Local Treatment Method for Tracheobronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.

Tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a type of salivary gland tumor. Surgical resection is the main treatment for MEC, but it is associated with risks. Hybrid argon plasma coagulation (HybridAPC®) is an innovative technique combining APC with a water cushion function which can be used for the treatment of MEC. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC for MEC in 2 patients diagnosed with MEC based on histological examination of biopsies. Full preoperative assessments were done by white-light bronchoscopy, autofluorescence imaging, narrow-band imaging, and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound. HybridAPC was administered after these evaluations. Both patients were followed up for more than 3 months. HybridAPC ablation was completed successfully, with no complications. HybridAPC thus appears to be a safe and efficient treatment for MEC.

[(18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography manifestation and clinical characteristics of primary salivary gland-type lung cancer].

Objective: To explore the imaging manifestation and clinical characteristics of primary salivary gland-type lung cancer using (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT). Methods: From March 2009 to January 2017, 12 patients with pathologically confirmed primary salivary gland-type lung cancer were enrolled in First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Their images and clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Six out of 12 patients had mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), and the other six patients had adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Five MEC were located in the main bronchus, and the other one was in segmental bronchus. Intrabronchial nodule or mass with smooth or lobulated margin and calcification(n=3) was the main (18)F-FDG PET-CT features of MEC. Two ACC involved trachea, two involved the main bronchi, and the other two involved lobular bronchi. The main (18)F-FDG PET-CT features of ACC were diffuse or circumferential irregular thickness of the bronchial wall, distorted lumen, and the longitudinal extent of the tumor was greater than its transverse axis. The (18)F-FDG uptake of all lesions was increased in varying degree. The median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) value of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were 5.1(3.1, 8.1), 5.7(1.2, 21.4)cm(3) and 18.6(0.6, 93.7), respectively. All of them were related to pathological grading and nodal tumor involvement( all P<0.05), but not associated with tumor location or pathological type( all P>0.05). MTV and TLG were also related to clinical stage( all P<0.05). Tumor size was correlated with MTV, TLG of primary lesions(r=0.607, P=0.036; r=0.579, P=0.049), but not with SUVmax(r=0.568, P=0.054). Conclusions: Primary salivary gland-type lung cancer mainly occurs in segmental bronchus. The MTV and TLG of the tumor calculated by (18)F-FDG PET-CT are correlated with clinicopathological characteristics, and are helpful for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[Report of a mucoepidermoid breast carcinoma: Presentation of a rare entity]. / À propos d'un cas de carcinome muco-épidermoïde du sein : présentation d'une entité rare.

Salivary gland-like tumours are described in the breast but remain very rare and difficult to diagnose in this location. Only 37 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma have been described in the literature. We report the challenging diagnosis of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma sampled by core biopsy in a 51-year-old woman.

Proximal Left Main Bronchus Resection-Reconstruction through Left Thoracotomy with Tracheal Traction.

Surgical approach for resection-reconstruction of the proximal left main bronchus has been a matter of discussion. Through standard left thoracotomy, the proximal main bronchus close to the carina is not easily exposed. Accordingly, median sternotomy or right thoracotomy may be commonly employed, but the exposure and management of the distal left main bronchus may be difficult through the approach. Here, we present a left thoracotomy approach with traction of the trachea, which may easily allow excellent exposure of the proximal end of the left main bronchus and the carina.

Clinicopathological and multisection CT features of primary pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

AIM: To delineate the multisection computed tomography (MSCT) features and the clinical characteristics of primary pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PMEC). Prognostic factors were also analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the medical records and MSCT performance of histopathologically confirmed PMECs from 2007 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 83.3% of patients with high-grade PMECs were aged >40 years, whereas there were 1.5-times more women than men with low-grade PMECs. Cough (n=29) and haemoptysis (n=12) were the most common symptoms. Upon MSCT, 30 cases showed a round or lobulate mass, and few demonstrated bronchial-wall thickening or cavities. Distal obstruction (n=14) and "air crescent sign" (n=5) could be detected. Tumours showed mild (n=19), moderate (n=5), and marked enhancement (n=5). Moreover, 18 cases showed foci of low density in lesions. Mean survival for patients with low-grade PMECs was 59.2 months, whereas that for high-grade PMECs was 20.4 months; 3-year survival rates were 55% and 14%, respectively. Tumour staging was a significant independent predictor of survival according to the Cox proportional hazards model. CONCLUSION: High-grade PMECs occurred more frequently in patients aged >40 years and were more predominant in men. Young females were predisposed to having low-grade PMECs. MSCT revealed an oval or lobulate mass with mild enhancement, as manifested by calcification and visible mucus lakes, which may be suggestive of PMECs. Furthermore, a central nodule or mass may suggest low-grade PMECs; high-grade PMECs tend to be peripheral and associated with lymph-node metastasis. Pathological grade, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage correlate with the survival of patients with PMEC.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the transverse colon: A rare tumor entity with literature review.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare entity. Here, we report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the transverse colon in a 77-year-old woman who presented with a 2-month history of epigastrium pain, diarrhea and melena. A giant tumor with apparently invading gallbladder was found by enhanced CT scan, then the extended resection of transverse colon was performed for the patient 2 weeks later. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of solid nests of epidermoid and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive mucin-producing cells with desmoplastic stroma. The epidermoid component of the tumor contained intercellular bridges and individual cell keratinization. Thus, the case was diagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the transverse colon. Unfortunately, despite chemotherapy, the patient developed systemic failure and died 7 months postoperatively.

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography findings in a pediatric mucoepidermoid carcinoma and differential diagnosis.

An 11 years old boy was referred to our hospital. He complained for the last three months for intermittent cough and shortness of breath after exercise which worsened recently. Airways computed tomography (CT) showed an abnormal endobronchial tumor, obstructing the right main bronchus and also atelectasis in the upper lobe of the right lung. Bronchoscopy showed a wet on its surface mass obstructing the right main bronchus. Biopsy showed a mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). The fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan showed in the same area a mass with slightly increased 18F-FDG uptake (maximum standardized uptake value, SUVmax: 3.8), without mediastinal lymph nodes involvement. The boy had thoracoscopic resection of the right upper lobe, right main bronchus and right inferior lobe bronchial sleeve anastomosis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a low to intermediate grade malignant MEC without lymph nodes metastases. The patient has been well and free from recurrence for 2 years postoperatively.

[Pulmonary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma with Hilar Lymph Node Metastasis Complicated by Myelodysplastic Syndrome].

A 65-year-old woman was found to have a mass shadow on chest computed tomography. The patient had been diagnosed as having myelodysplastic syndrome 3 years before admission. She was transferred to our hospital for further examination of the mass in the lower lobe of left lung. The mass was positron emission tomography-positive (SUVmax of 8.6)suggesting a malignant neoplasm. Serum concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen was elevated to 8.7 ng/ml. Preoperative laboratory studies showed anemia (hemoglobin 6.9 g/dl). Transfusion of red blood cells was performed prior to surgery. Under the video-assited thoracoscopic surgery, left lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection were perfomed. The histopathological diagnosis was mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and the hilar lymph node metastasis positive. There were no postoperative complications, such as infection or bleeding. Chemotherapy with tegafur/uracil was performed after the operation. The patient is currently alive without any recurrence 2 years after the operation.

Spreading patterns, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma and salivary gland-type carcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aim to analyse the different spreading patterns, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma (NPAC) and salivary gland-type carcinomas (NPCs). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANT: The current study report on a retrospective analysis of oncologic outcome of 76 pathologically confirmed consecutive cases of nasopharyngeal adenocarcinomas (NAC), including 31 NPAC, 33 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 12 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Overall survival rates (OS) and disease-free survival rates (DFS). RESULTS: In 12 patients with cranial nerve (CN) palsy, there were ACC (n = 9), NPAC (n = 2) and MEC (n = 1) (P = 0.016). CT-/MRI-detected CN involvements were found in 22 patients. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25.8% of NPAC (n = 8), 12.1% of ACC (n = 4) and 8.3% of MEC (n = 1). Significant differences were observed in 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates between patients with and without CT-/MRI-detected CN involvement (P = 0.002 and P = 0.002, respectively), and similar results were found between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018, respectively). In 37 patients with early-stage disease (stages I-II), significant differences were observed in 5-year OS and DFS rates between the surgical and non-surgical treated groups (P = 0.031 and P = 0.012, respectively). In 39 patients with advanced-stage disease (stages III-IV), significant or marginally differences were observed in DFS and OS between the chemoradiotherapy and non-chemoradiotherapy groups (P = 0.007 and P = 0.062, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ACC has a higher CN invasion than NPAC and MEC, and NPAC has the highest rate of lymphatic metastases. CT-/MRI-detected CN involvements and lymph node metastasis indicate a negative impact on the prognosis. The outcome of surgical patients in our series is encouraging in early-stage NPAC and NPCs, and chemoradiotherapy may be the optimal treatment for the advanced-stage patients.