[Hemangiopericytoma-like tumor (HPCLT) of the nasal cavity: morphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features]. / Tumore simil emangioperitocitoma (HPCLT) della cavità nasale: aspetti morfologici, immunoistochimici ed ultrastrutturali.

A case of hemangiopericytoma-like tumour (HPCLT) of the nasal cavity is described in a 81-year-old woman. The tumour, accompanied by symptoms of nasal obstruction and epistaxis, presented as a polypoid lesion filling the left middle meatus region. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscope studies revealed a uniform sheet-like proliferation of spindle to oval vimentin-positive cells growing around a rich vascular network. The favourable outcome sixteen months after endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy would seem to confirm the diagnosis of HPCLT. The differential diagnosis of this rare lesion is discussed.

Histopathology of chronic viral hepatitis: guidelines for a revised classification.

Over the last few years a need for reassessment of the classification of chronic hepatitis has emerged in both clinicians who diagnose and treat liver patients and histopathologists who evaluate liver biopsies. The introduction of an aetiologic terminology, the evaluation of inflammatory activity and necrosis (grading) as well as of fibrosis as the equivalents of a stage in the disease appear to be major requirements. Due to the present satisfactory knowledge of the natural history of hepatitis B, there is also a discussion on the advisability of a personalized classification of chronic hepatitis B, i.e. a classification based upon consideration of profiles (or phases) rather than rigid morphological categories. This paper is intended as a guideline with a view to a revised classification of chronic hepatitis.

Ki67 immunohistochemical evaluation in colorectal cancer and normal colonic mucosa. Possible clinical applications.

Cell proliferation was evaluated by Ki67 monoclonal antibody in 33 colorectal adenocarcinomas and in the normal colonic mucosa. Immunoreactivity was assessed independently by two observers in two subsequent evaluations with a semiquantitative method, by counting at least 2000 cells in two distinct neoplastic specimens (central and peripheric section). There was an excellent intra-inter observer agreement in Ki67 score for each specimen. The tumor score range from 7 to 70% (median 48.8), without any significant correlation with sex and age of the patient and location, size, staging and grading of the neoplasm. Tumor Ki67 score was almost identical in central (46.96%) and in peripheral section (49.24%), and always higher than in normal mucosa. There was no distinction in Ki67 score in normal mucosa at various distances from the tumor. In our experience, Ki67 provides a reliable and reproducible method for assessment of proliferative activity; its clinical applications need further studies.

[Transplant glomerulopathy. Anatomohistopathologic and ultrastructural aspects]. / La glomerulopatia da trapianto. Aspetti anatomoistopatologici ed ultrastrutturali.

14 cases of transplant glomerulopathy have been observed in 254 specimen taken from 152 renal allografted patients. Lesions have been studied at light, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural level. Following morphological parameters have been evaluated by semiquantitative method: focal mesangial sclerosis, mesangial matrix, mesangial cellularity, glomerular basement membrane thickening, double contours and crescents. Intermediate and advanced stages prevailed with the evidence of capillary aneurysms in 2 out 14 cases. Electron microscopy showed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane with finely lamellar and electron lucent thickening of the lamina rara interna. Transplant glomerulopathy lesions need differential diagnosis with thrombotic microangiopathy and can be considered equivalent of chronic vascular rejection.