Breast cholesterol granuloma: a report of two cases with discussion on potential pathogenesis.

Breast cholesterol granuloma is a very rare lesion that can clinically and radiologically mimic breast carcinoma. Herein, we report two cases of breast cholesterol granulomas along with clinical, radiological, cytological and histological findings. We also discuss the potential pathogenesis of this rare breast nodular lesion, suggesting its relation not only to mammary duct ectasia but also to the rupture of a breast macrocyst.

Synchronous bilateral infiltrating syringomatous adenoma of the breast.

Infiltrating syringomatous breast adenoma is an uncommon mammary neoplasm composed of angulated glandular structures with a variable amount of epidermoid differentiation which proliferate in a background of dense collagenous stroma. The patient presented with bilateral hardness and oedema of the nipples. Ultrasound and mammography revealed microcalcifications in retromammilary regions of both nipples. Histological examination of the resected specimens showed angulated glands and solid cords, lined by an inner layer of epithelial cells and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells, immersed in desmoplastic stroma. Within the solid cords reminiscent of squamous cells, occasionally aggregated in keratinizing cysts were found. To the best of our knowledge this is the first described case of bilateral infiltrating syringomatous breast adenoma with synchronous presentation. Infiltrating syringomatous adenoma is a rare lesion. A finding of infiltrating syringomatous adenoma in one breast should prompt careful examination of the opposite breast with adequate follow-up.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on experimental burn wound healing in rats: a randomized controlled study.

A body of data supports the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in the treatment of thermal burns, but the role of HBO2 in the treatment of burn injury remains a subject of controversy. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible positive effects of HBO2 on the experimental burn wound healing. Deep second degree burns were produced on the depilated backs of 70 male Wistar rats using a validated burn protocol. The animals were assigned randomly to one of two groups: 35 to the control group, which was treated with silver sulphadiazine and placebo gas, and 35 to the experimental group, which was treated with silver sulphadiazine and HBO2. The main outcome measure was wound healing, characterized by formation of post-burn edema, neoangiogenesis, number of regeneratory active follicles, necrosis staging, margination of leukocytes, and time of epithelization. A significant reduction of the post-burn edema after treatment with HBO2 (p = 0.009) was found. HBO2 had a beneficial effect on neoangiogenesis (p = 0.009). The number of preserved regeneratory active follicles was significantly higher (p = 0.009) and epithelial regeneration was more rapid in the experimental group (p = 0.048). There were no significant differences for margination of leukocytes (p = 0.55) or necrosis staging (p = 1.00). These data further support earlier conclusions that HBO2 is beneficial in the healing of burn wounds.

Sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma. A report of two cases.

Sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma is a rare, histologically well-defined member of adult fibrosarcoma group of soft tissue tumors. Its main histological features are nests and cords of rounded tumor cells surrounded by hyalinized collagenous stroma. Epitheloid appearance with marked sclerosis and infiltrating growth pattern, along with occasional immunohistochemical positivity for epithelial markers may be highly suggestive of infiltrating carcinoma. Despite of bland cytological features clinical course is often protracted with a high local recurrence rate and late metastases. In this report, we present histopathological characteristics of two cases of sclerosing epitheloid fibrosarcoma, together with their clinical presentation, follow-up information and differential diagnosis.

Collagenous spherulosis of the breast in association with in situ carcinoma.

Collagenous spherulosis of the breast is distinctive breast histological finding characterised by the accumulation of basement membrane material in form of eosinophilic or rarely basophilic spherules that exhibit concentric and radiating fibrillar patterns. It is usually an incidental microscopic uni- or multifocal finding that occurs adjacent to benign proliferative lesions, but it can be also coexistent with malignant breast processes. Its occurrence within a malignant process is exceptional. We present a case of collagenous spherulosis of the breast associated with poorly differentiated carcinoma in situ in a 54-year-old woman. This rare change can be misinterpreted as adenoid cystic carcinoma.