Macrophages and Natural Killer Cells Characteristics in Variously Colored Endometriotic Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study.

Background: Dysregulation of the immune response contribute to a significant role in endometriosis. This research examined macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells numbers in endometriotic lesions and their association with the different lesion colors: red, black, and white. To investigate the amount of the CD68 and CD56 in eutopic endometrium and different type of the endometriotic lesions. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted. Women suspected endometriosis requiring laparoscopic surgery between July 2016 and January 2017 were recruited. Their lesions were classified as red, black, or white and these lesions were excised by standard laparoscopic surgery. Twenty-four endometriotic lesions from each color group were obtained from 45 women who met the inclusion criteria. One type of lesion was collected from 25 women. Two different lesion types and three-color lesion types were collected from the same women in 13 and 7 subjects, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining with anti-human mouse cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 monoclonal antibody for macrophages and mouse anti-human CD56 monoclonal antibody for NK cells were performed. Results: The number of CD68 macrophages in red lesions was higher than in black and white lesions [median (25th-75th percentile); 10 (5-19.4), 0 (0-6.9), 0 (0-2.5) cells per mm2, respectively, adjusted P=0.001 for red vs. black lesions and red vs. white lesions, and adjusted P=1.000 for black and white lesions]. The number of CD56 NK cells was not significantly different among red, black, and white lesions [median (25th-75th percentile; 5 (2-16.5), 3.8 (0-14.4), 1.3 (0-6.9) respectively, adjusted P=1.000 for red vs. black lesions and black vs. white lesions, and adjusted P=0.617 for red vs. white lesions]. Conclusion: The dynamic changes in the immune cells in ectopic endometrium were specific to the macrophages but not to the NK cells, as demonstrated by the highest number of CD68 macrophages in the red lesion, the earliest established ectopic endometrium. NK cells in endometriosis may have a role in the uterus.

A Comparison of Shear Wave Elastography between Normal Myometrium, Uterine Fibroids, and Adenomyosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis between uterine fibroid and adenomyosis is sometimes difficult; a precise diagnosis is required in women with infertility because of the different choice of treatments. Ultrasound elastography (UE) is a novel technique to evaluate the elasticity or the stiffness of the tissue of interest. The present study aims to compare UE shear wave velocity (SWV) among normal uterine myometrium, uterine fibroid, and adenomyosis, and assess the accuracy of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 25 subjects for each group (control, adenomyosis, and fibroid) from April 2019 to April 2020. Transvaginal UE using an Aplio 500 (Toshiba Medical Systems, Japan) with ultrasound mapping for point of tissue biopsy was performed for all subjects. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology. Masson's trichrome staining for collagen was performed and quantified. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) for SWV was 3.44 ± 0.95 m/seconds (control group), 4.63 ± 1.45 m/ seconds (adenomyosis group), and 4.53 ± 1.07 m/seconds (fibroid group). The mean SWV differed when comparing normal myometrium and adenomyosis after adjustments for age and endometrial pathology (P=0.019). The cut-off point of SWV at 3.465 m/seconds could differentiate adenomyosis from the normal uterus with an 80% sensitivity, 80% specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.93) (P<0.001). No significant difference in SWV between the adenomyosis and fibroid groups was detected. CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography could be an alternative tool to distinguish between normal myometrium and adenomyosis; however, it could not differentiate adenomyosis from uterine fibroid or uterine fibroid from normal myometrium.

A case of acute suppurative thyroiditis caused by Streptococcus suis infection.

INTRODUCTION: Acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition. The majority of AST cases are caused by bacterial infection. Streptococcus suis is a swine pathogen that mostly causes meningitis and septicemia. To date, AST caused by Streptococcus suis has not yet been reported. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old Thai female presented with rapid enlargement of a preexisting large left thyroid nodule without compressive symptoms for one week. She had a fever and purulent discharge spontaneously drained from her fluctuated mass. Her thyroid function workup revealed elevated serum thyroid hormone levels with suppressed thyrotropin levels. Thyroid scan and uptake showed functioning thyroid tissue in the left lobe of the thyroid. Prompt antibiotic therapy and drainage were performed, and this led to significant improvement. However, thyroid cancer was suspected, and the patient underwent lobectomy. Pus cultures grew Streptococcus suis. She had a history of raw pork product consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of correct identification of pathogens for proper antibiotic therapy. AST caused by Streptococcus suis should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in areas with a high prevalence of Streptococcus suis diseases.

Is It Reasonable to Use Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging to Determine the Border of Pedicled TRAM Flap Zone IV?

BACKGROUND: The contralateral lateral section (zone IV) of a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is generally removed intraoperatively. The border of zone IV is usually identified anatomically using the Hartrampf classification. In this study, we used the indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence method to determine the border of zone IV and find the correlation with clinical flap outcome. METHODS: The study recruited breast cancer patients who underwent a pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction. The border of zone IV was identified using the intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging. The medial border of the removed specimen was sent for a pathological examination of vascular density. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients underwent a pedicled TRAM reconstruction. In 16 patients, the border of zone IV identified by ICG fluorescent imaging was identical to the anatomical border. The ICG imaging showed distinct perfusion patterns, which we divided into 4 categories: sequential, simultaneous, low midline scar, and delayed pattern. Overall, there were no patient with total flap loss, 1 patient had a partial flap loss and 4 patients had a fat necrosis. Neither the ICG perfusion time nor the pathological vascular density correlates with the clinical flap outcome. The delayed ICG perfusion pattern (category IV) has the highest fat necrosis rate, although it is not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, more than half of the patients have ICG perfusion corresponding with the Hartrampf zone, which reflected the conventional practice of zone IV pedicled TRAM flap removal. Some ICG perfusion patterns could be helpful, especially in low midline and delayed pattern.

Prevalence of Tissue BRCA Gene Mutation in Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancers: A Multi-Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer patients with BRCA gene mutation have enhanced sensitivity to platinum-based regimens and PARP inhibitors. However, the knowledge regarding BRCA mutation in Thai patients is limited. This study aimed at identifying the prevalence and characteristics of somatic and germline BRCA 1 and 2 mutations in Thai patients with these cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The paraffin blocks of tumors with histology of high grade serous, high grade endometrioid, or clear cell carcinoma obtained between June 2016 and December 2017 were analyzedto evaluate BRCA mutation using next-generation sequencing system. Blood or normal tissue paraffin blocks of positive patients were further tested for germline BRCA mutation. RESULTS: Tissue paraffin blocks of 178 patients were collected but only 139 were analyzed. Positive BRCA mutation was identified in 24 patients (17.3%): BRCA1 in 13 cases, BRCA2 in 10 cases, and BRCA1 and 2 in the rest one. Germline mutation study in blood or normal tissue in 23 positive patients revealed BRCA mutation in 14 cases, BRCA1 in 8 cases and BRCA 2  in 6 cases. Overall, the prevalence of somatic and germline mutation was 6.5% (9 out of 138 patients) and 8.7% (14 out of 138 patients), respectively. The most common histology associated with BRCA mutation was high grade serous cancer (27.3%). No significant difference was found between patients with or without BRCA mutation in terms of stage, outcome, platinum status, and survival outcome. CONCLUSION: BRCA mutation was demonstrated in less than 10% of Thai ovarian cancer patients. Higher rate of mutation was found in high grade serous cancer.
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Duodenal mature teratoma causing partial intestinal obstruction: A first case report in an adult.

BACKGROUND: A teratoma is a germ cell tumor that is composed of tissue derived from two or three germ layers. Duodenal teratomas are extremely rare and have been exclusively reported in neonates and children. This is the third case of a teratoma primarily arising in the duodenum and the first case that occurred in an adult. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old male presented with clinical partial gut obstruction (epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting). The physical examination showed a palpable ill-defined mass on the left side of the abdomen. The computed tomography scan revealed a multiseptated cystic tumor at the retroperitoneal area. First, he underwent gastrojejunostomy to relieve the symptoms and was referred to a tertiary-care hospital. The second operation revealed a 10-cm solid-cystic mass originating from the third part of the duodenum and adhering to the abdominal aorta and pancreas. Segmental duodenectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was a mature cystic teratoma. The patient was asymptomatic at 5 mo after the operation. CONCLUSION: Duodenal teratomas are extremely rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients who present with intestinal obstruction. Radiological imaging is helpful to reach the preoperative diagnosis. Multidisciplinary team planning is essential to avoid injury to the adjacent organ in duodenal operation.

Arcanobacterium pyogenes endocarditis: a case report and literature review.

We report the case of a 64-year-old man with Arcanobacterium pyogenes endocarditis. The patient presented with dyspnea and asymmetrical progressive quadriparesis. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed mobile vegetations on both leaflets of his mitral valve measuring 0.5 x 3 cm, thickening of the mitral valve with severe mitral regurgitation due to dehiscence of the papillary muscle to the posterior mitral leaflet. He also had aortic sclerosis with a vegetation measuring 0.5 x 1 cm causing aortic valve dehiscence and free flow aortic regurgitation. An initial hemoculture grew out pleomorphic, gram-positive, non-motile, anaerobic to microaerophilic bacilli. A diagnosis of infective endocarditis was made using modified Duke criteria. He was treated with intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin. Four days after admission, he developed acute respiratory failure and succumbed to the disease. A pre-mortem hemoculture and post-mortem heart valve culture grew Arcanobacterium pyogenes. Septic thromboemboli involving the brain, kidneys, lungs and spleen were documented. The patient also had ischemic vasculopathy with focal spinal arteriolitis and bilateral demyelination of the cervical corticospinal tracts. There are three published reports of human A. pyogenes endocarditis in the literature. Neurological involvement with ischemic spinal vasculopathy and demyelination has not been reported. We report the first autopsy proven case of A. pyogenes infective endocarditis with ischemic spinal vasculopathy. We review the clinicopathologic features of systemic A. pyogenes infection.

Prenatal diagnosis and pathology of laryngeal atresia in congenital high airway obstruction syndrome.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis is important. The obstruction can be due to laryngeal/tracheal atresia or external compression. While a differential diagnosis with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) type III may be difficult, it is still possible with ultrasonography. In this study, we report a case of bilateral echogenic lungs with hydrops fetalis. After the prenatal diagnosis of laryngeal atresia, the couple opted to have an elective termination of pregnancy performed at 20 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was confirmed by a complete pathological examination.