Perinatal autopsy evaluation of 2150 autopsies in the Çukurova region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to document the reasons of perinatal deaths in a large autopsy series performed in our institute, which is a reference center in the Çukurova region of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 2150 autopsies performed between January 2000 and December 2012 at our institute. Diagnoses were categorized according to the detected pathologies; congenital malformations were detailed based on systems. RESULTS: A pathology was detected in 1619 of 2150 (73.3%) autopsies. Congenital malformations were the most common diagnosis with 68.2%. Neural tube defects and central nervous system malformations were the most frequent system malformation in 28.8% of cases, followed by the urogenital system (11.4%) and musculoskeletal system (8.3%), respectively. Malformation syndromes including multisystem anomalies were defined in 109 cases (9.3%). CONCLUSION: Congenital malformations are the most common reason for perinatal deaths, with autopsy having an additive role to prenatal and genetic evaluations and providing foresight for planning a subsequent pregnancy.

Testicular adrenal rest hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency: a case report.

Bilateral testicular tumors are a rare complication of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It can be extremely difficult to distinguish histologically between Leydig cell tumors and adrenocortical rest hyperplasia, which may lead in some cases to unnecessary orchidectomy. A 7-yr-old boy was admitted because of precocious puberty and enlargement of testicles. Hormonal studies established the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Testicular biopsy revealed interlacing strands, cords, and rests of cells resembling interstitial (Leydig) cells but with no Reinke crystalloids. Here we report a case of testicular adrenal rest hyperplasia in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and discuss the pathological and clinical features and origin of this rare lesion by using immunohistochemical evaluation.

Cardiac mucormycosis in a child with severe aplastic anemia: a case report.

Mucormycosis is an uncommon, severe, life-threatening fungal infection in the immunocompromised host. Mucormycosis with aplastic anemia is seen rarely. Only a few cases of cardiac mucormycosis with aplastic anemia have been reported in the literature. The authors present a case with severe aplastic anemia that did not respond to classic and immunosuppressive treatment for disease and developing invasive cardiac mucormycosis despite empiric treatment for febrile neutropenia.

Testicular mixed germ cell tumor with polyembryoma component in brothers.

We report the case of a 17-year-old male with a testicular tumor and high serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein. The patient was treated with surgery followed by combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. Histologic examination showed features of a mixed germ cell tumor composed of mature teratoma, immature teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, and polyembryoma. He is currently well, and his serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein have been normal more than 5 months after treatment. His brother, aged 17 years at the time, had a similar tumor removed from the right testicle 5 years previously.

Hairy polyp of the tongue: a case report.

Hairy polyps or dermoids of the oro- and nasopharynx are benign lesions containing elements of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. Because of its rarity, we report a case of hairy polyp arising from the tongue in a 40-day-old infant. The lesion was covered by squamous epithelium and a central core of fibroadipose tissue, minor salivary glands, and cartilage. We discuss the clinicopathological features, terminology, etiology, and differential diagnosis of this condition.

Comparative genomic hybridization in ganglioneuroblastomas.

The ganglioneuroblastoma are rare lesions with widespread neuronal differentiation that have been classified as intermediate stages between neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma. To identify overall chromosome aberrations in ganglioneuroblastoma, we performed comparative genomic hybridization. All of the five tumor samples were found to exhibit multiple gains involving different chromosomal regions. Chromosomal gains displayed by chromosomes and chromosome loci were 2p25 approximately pter (60%), 5p15.1 approximately p15.3 (60%), 7 (60%), 13q22 approximately q31 (60%), and 22 (60%), which were detected as minimal common regions in all five tumor samples. Chromosome 22 gain, which had not been reported in neuronal tumors before, and novel site 13q22 approximately q31 may be considered to play an important role in progression and differentiation of ganglioneuroblastoma.

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis: report of two cases.

We present two adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis (AHRT) cases. One of them was a 67-year old patient with prostatic adenocarcinoma and the other was a 38-year old patient with undescended testis. AHRT is a rarely seen lesion and usually detected as incidental microscopic finding. It may be confused with malignancy and related to testicular atrophy and hormonal imbalance. The treatment of choice is complete excision.