AA Amyloidosis: A Contemporary View.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is an organ- or life-threatening complication of chronic inflammatory disorders. Here, we review the epidemiology, causes, pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of AA amyloidosis. RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of AA amyloidosis has declined due to better treatment of the underlying diseases. Histopathological examination is the gold standard of diagnosis, but magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect cardiac involvement. There is yet no treatment option for the clearance of amyloid fibril deposits; therefore, the management strategy primarily aims to reduce serum amyloid A protein. Anti-inflammatory biologic agents have drastically expanded our therapeutic armamentarium. Kidney transplantation is preferred in patients with kidney failure, and the recurrence of amyloidosis in the allograft has become rare as transplant recipients have started to benefit from the new agents. The management of AA amyloidosis has been considerably changed over the recent years due to the novel therapeutic options aiming to control inflammatory activity. New agents capable of clearing amyloid deposits from the tissues are still needed.

The role of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in renal cell carcinoma: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the role of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and uptake patterns of primary and metastatic lesions in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Twenty patients with a suspicious lesion considered primary renal malignancy or a history of RCC were included in our study. Two patients were excluded from further analyses due to other confirmed malignancies. Six patients were newly diagnosed, while the indication of 12 patients was restaging. All patients underwent [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT. SUVmax and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of primary (n = 7) and local recurrent lesions (n = 6) and lymph node (n = 26), lung (n = 32), bone (n = 5), and other metastases (n = 14) were compared between the two tracers. RESULTS: We detected 90 lesions in 18 patients with varying FAPI and FDG uptake values on both PET/CT. The median TBR of FAPI-PET/CT of all lesions was higher than TBR of FDG-PET/CT with statistically significance (5.6 vs. 2.1, p < 0.001). In primary and recurrent lesions, the median SUVmax, TBR, and tumor volume on FAPI-PET/CT were higher than FDG-PET/CT. The median SUVmax of lung lesions on FAPI-PET/CT was statistical significantly higher than FDG-SUVmax (3.8 vs. 1.8, p = 0.02). The median of FAPI-SUVmax on primary lesions was lower in the early stage based on TNM compared to the advanced stage. FAPI-SUVmax in 49% of all lesions were SUVmax ≥ 6, and 13% were SUVmax ≥ 10. In patient-based analyses, seven patients (39%) had at least one lesion with FAPI-SUVmax ≥ 10; 12 patients (67%) had at least one lesion with FAPI-SUVmax ≥ 6. CONCLUSION: This study showed the potential utility of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT showing promising results in RCC. We have presumed that FAPI-PET/CT may be performed for complementary imaging modality providing prognosis and possibility of theranostic application in selected patients.

Low-Grade Injury following Testicular Torsion: A Multicenter Study Confirming a Disturbing Possibility.

INTRODUCTION: There is an ongoing debate whether to perform orchiectomy or orchidopexy following testicular torsion (TT) in cases where the testis seems non-viable. The main problem is lack of objective criteria defining testicular viability. The aim of this study was to investigate the grade of injury in orchiectomy specimens obtained from cases of TT and its association with clinical findings. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study involved double-blinded reassessment of the patient files and the pathological specimens using Mikuz classification to analyze the relation between clinical and pathological findings. RESULTS: A total of 289 patient charts from 14 centers were reviewed and 228 were included in this study. Twenty (8.8%) patients had grade 1 injury which refers to reversible injury. The clinical findings of these 20 patients were compared to 208 patients with higher grades of injury. As expected, there was statistically significant difference regarding duration of symptoms (p < 0.001); however, range was wide in both groups (as long as 96 h for grade 1 and as short as 7 h for higher grades). There was no statistically significant difference in any other variable including age (median 14 for both, p = 0.531), symptoms (pain: 19/20 vs. 189/202, p = 0.801; swelling: 13/19 vs. 168/197, p = 0.094), absence of blood flow in Doppler US (15/19 vs. 164/197, p = 0.635), or degree of torsion (median 720° for both, p = 0.172). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed necessity for better criteria to define viability of testis following TT. Histopathological injury appeared to be reversible even in some patients with more severe perioperative findings, late admission, or high degree of twisting. Our findings support the tendency for testicular fixation instead of orchiectomy as none of the clinical or perioperative findings could be attributed to high-grade injury.

Diagnostic yield and safety of percutaneous native kidney biopsy in pregnancy: 20-years of single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kidney biopsy is a fundamental procedure in nephrology. Although pregnancy is not a contraindication, a careful risk-benefit assessment is mandatory in pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate safety and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous kidney biopsy in pregnancy in a single-center retrospective study. METHODS: Percutaneous kidney biopsy was performed in 19 pregnant patients. Demographics, estimated glomerular filtration rates, serum albumin levels, and proteinuria levels at the time of biopsy were evaluated. Biopsy-related complications, diagnoses, and treatments during the follow-up were analyzed. In addition, delivery success, preeclampsia, early delivery, low birth weight rates, and long-term outcomes of the patients were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 27 (range 16-41) years. Median gestational week at kidney biopsy was 20th. All but one biopsies were diagnostic. Median gestational week of delivery was 35 (range 23-39) gestational weeks. Preterm delivery (< 37 gestational weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 mg) occurred in 73.7% and 52.6% of cases, respectively. Median weight at birth was 2500 mg. The incidence of preeclampsia was 57.9%. Overall 89.5% of the children survived. Median post-biopsy follow-up was 64 months. Maternal mortality was not observed during the follow-up period. End stage kidney disease developed in one patient. The results of percutaneous kidney biopsy led to therapeutic decisions in 73.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although percutaneous kidney biopsy is not frequently performed during pregnancy, it is relatively safe and usually diagnostic, and may guide further follow-up.

Spatial Distribution of Macrophage Subtypes Among Rejection Subtypes in Renal Transplant Biopsies by Dual Immunohistochemistry.

We performed dual immunohistochemistry for CD163/CD34 and CD68/CD34 in 108 renal transplant indication biopsies to investigate the presence and distribution of macrophages in various renal compartments. All Banff scores and diagnoses were revised according to the Banff 2019 classification. CD163 and CD68 positive cell counts (CD163pos and CD68pos) were evaluated in the interstitium, glomerular mesangium, and, within glomerular and peritubular capillaries. The diagnosis was antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in 38 (35.2%), T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) in 24 (22.2%), mixed rejection in 30 (27.8%), and no rejection in 16 (14.8%). Banff lesion scores t , i , and ti were correlated with both CD163 and CD68 interstitial inflammation scores ( r > 0.30; P < 0.05). Glomerular total CD163pos was correlated to Banff lesion scores g and cg ( r > 0.30; P < 0.05). Glomerular total, mesangial, and intracapillary CD68pos were correlated with g ( r > 0.30; P < 0.05). Both glomerular total and peritubular capillary CD68pos were correlated with peritubular capillaritis ( r > 0.30; P < 0.05). Glomerular CD163pos were significantly higher in ABMR compared with no rejection, in mixed rejection compared with no rejection and TCMR. CD163pos in peritubular capillaries was significantly higher in mixed rejection compared with no rejection. Glomerular CD68pos was significantly higher in ABMR compared with no rejection. CD68pos per peritubular capillary was higher in mixed rejection, ABMR, and TCMR compared with no rejection. In conclusion, compared with CD68 positive macrophages, localization of CD163 positive macrophages in various renal compartments seems to be different among rejection subtypes and their glomerular infiltration seems to be more specific for the presence of ABMR component.

Heme oxygenase-1 deficiency as an extremely rare cause of AA-type renal amyloidosis: Expanding the clinical features and review of the literature.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1) is an enzyme that regulates heme degradation. Antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective effects of HMOX-1 were also described. It is encoded by the HMOX1 gene, and biallelic mutations cause HMOX-1 deficiency, which is a rare chronic multisystemic inflammatory disorder. This inflammatory status could lead to the development of secondary AA-type amyloidosis theoretically. Here, we report a 30-year-old male with AA-type renal amyloidosis due to a chronic inflammatory condition of unknown origin. Paternal consanguinity and dysmorphic features raised suspicion of a rare genetic disorder. Clinical exome sequencing (CES) confirmed the HMOX-1 deficiency diagnosis related to homozygous missense G139V mutation. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the eleventh HMOX-1 deficiency case in the literature. Also, HMOX-1 deficiency-related systemic AA-type amyloidosis has not been reported before.

BRAF, NRAS, KIT, TERT, GNAQ/GNA11 Mutation Profile and Histomorphological Analysis of Anorectal Melanomas: A Clinicopathologic Study.

OBJECTIVE: Primary anorectal melanomas (AMs) are uncommon neoplasms with aggressive behavior. Molecular profile and clinicopathologic features of AMs are still not well established. In this study, we aimed to investigate BRAF, NRAS, KIT, TERT, and GNAQ/GNA11 mutation status and clinicopathologic features of AMs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All diagnostic slides of 15 AMs were reviewed. Histopathological and follow-up information were documented. Mutations in exon 15 of the BRAF gene; exons 2 and 3 of the NRAS gene; exons 9, 11, 13, 17, and 18 of the KIT gene; and exons 4 and 5 of the GNAQ/GNA11 genes and mutations in the promoter region of the TERT gene (chr.5, 1,295,228C > T and 1,295,250C > T) were analyzed. RESULTS: BRAF(V600E) and KIT(V555I and K642E) mutations were observed in one (7%) and two cases (14%), respectively. NRAS, TERT and GNAQ/GNA11 mutations were not detected. The mean age was 65. Patients presented with rectal mass, rectal bleeding, pain, and weight loss. 73% of the lesions were macroscopically polypoid. The most common tumor cell type was epithelioid. Mean tumor thickness was 10.4 mm. One third of the cases lacked pigmentation. In situ melanoma was present in one third of the cases. Among 14 patients with follow-up data, 12 succumbed to disease. The mean overall survival was 36 months. CONCLUSION: AMs are uncommon tumors with dismal survival, usually occurring in the elderly in various gross and microscopic appearances. In terms of molecular profile, BRAF and KIT mutations are rarely detected. Profiling of larger cohorts is required to elucidate the pathogenesis and to identify potential molecular indicators that may contribute to the development of individualized targeted therapies.

Digital Quantification of Intratumoral CD8+ T-Cells Predicts Relapse and Unfavorable Outcome in Uveal Melanoma.

Although it is a disease that occurs mainly in the Caucasian population, uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Here, we used digital pathology and image analysis for the diagnosis of UM and the prediction of the prognosis. Our retrospective study included a total of 404 histopathological slides from 101 patients. A digital image acquisition and quantitative analysis of tissue immune biomarkers (CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163) were performed. A negative impact of the intratumoral CD8 positive cell density higher than 13.3 cells/mm2 was detected for both RFS (HR 2.08, 95% Cl 1.09 to 3.99, p = 0.027) and OS (HR 3.30, 95% CI 1.58 to 6.88, p = 0.001). Moreover, we confirmed that older age and stage III were independent negative prognostic factors for both RFS and OS. Our results suggest that a specific distribution profile of CD8 in UM might predict the risk of relapse and death, with potential implications for determining which subgroups of UMs are amenable to specific pharmacological treatment regimens.

Secondary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis is not Rare in Bowen's Disease and Bowenoid Papulosis.

Secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis is a histopathological finding seen in the dermis, in various benign, premalignant, and malignant skin conditions, without clinical significance. The real incidence is not known. We aimed to investigate the phenomenon of secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis in Bowen's disease and Bowenoid papulosis. We retrospectively evaluated the data of all cases with histopathological confirmation of Bowen's disease and Bowenoid papulosis between 2006 and 2017 in our Dermatovenereology and/or Pathology departments. Secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis was observed in three patients with Bowen's disease (3/52; 5.8%) and in three patients with Bowenoid papulosis (3/18; 16.7%). Herein, we present the demographic, clinical and histopathological features of these six cases of secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis in detail. Although the occurrence of secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis in epithelial tumors is a well-known phenomenon, its incidence has not been previously reported in Bowen's disease and Bowenoid papulosis. Therefore, our results indicating a high incidence may be particularly important for Bowenoid papulosis, as its association with secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis has only been shown in one case before. Moreover, in three of six cases, we histologically observed areas of regression with a marked prominence of amyloid deposition. Remarkably, two of these patients had a history of topical application of destructive agents which reveals a possible etiologic relationship between secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis and cellular apoptosis/necrosis induced by these external agents.

The role of FOXL2, SOX9, and ß-catenin expression and DICER1 mutation in differentiating sex cord tumor with annular tubules from other sex cord tumors of the ovary.

Sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT) is a highly rare type of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor (SCST), the diagnosis of which remains to be challenging. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the utility of three immunohistochemical markers including Forkhead box protein 2 (FOXL2), SOX9, and ß-catenin and DICER1 mutation status in distinguishing SCTATs from other ovarian SCSTs. Nine cases of SCTAT, 10 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SCLT), 10 adult-type granulosa cell tumor (AGCT), and 8 juvenile-type granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) were included in the study. SCTATs were characterized by diffuse and strong expression of SOX9, focal and weak expression of FOXL2, and the absence of DICER1 mutation. However, AGCTs and JGCTs displayed strong and diffuse expression of FOXL2, focal/no immunoreaction for SOX9. SLCTs generally showed moderate intensity of FOXL2 and SOX9 expression. Nuclear ß-catenin expression was observed in none of SLCT, 1/9 of SCTAT, 6/8 JGCT, and 4/10 AGCT cases, respectively. DICER1 hotspot mutation was detected in only 3 cases of SLCT and 2 cases of JGCT. We conclude that in addition to strong and diffuse SOX9 expression, weak/absent expression of FOXL2 is suggestive for the diagnosis of SCTAT. Hence, we suggest that inclusion of these two markers, SOX-9 and FOXL2, to the immunohistochemical panel helps in differentiation of SCTAT from other SCSTs in addition to morphologic findings. We also conclude that SCTATs of the ovary do not harbor DICER1 hotspot mutation.

Cystic Anastomosing Hemangioma of the Ovary: A Case Report With Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Analysis.

In this article, we present a case of anastomosing hemangioma that shows cystic change. The tumor was a unilocular cystic lesion consisting of 2 distinct layers. The inner layer was composed of a proliferation of capillary-sized blood vessels resembling red pulp of the spleen. The outer layer was composed of stromal cells that resembled Leydig or steroid cell tumor of the ovary. An immunohistochemical examination confirmed endothelial and stromal characteristics of the layers, respectively. An ultrastructural analysis revealed absence of Reinke crystalloids in the stromal cells. We conclude that anastomosing hemangioma may rarely arise from the ovary as a cystic tumor and may be accompanied with luteinization of stromal cells.

Two cases of primary stabbing headache.

Primary stabbing headache is an excruciating and relatively rare type of headache that typically lasts for only a few seconds. Pain is predominantly felt in the distribution of the first division of the trigeminal nerve and can be experienced as single stabs or as a series of stabs, either per day or every few days. Primary stabbing headache has been well-defined for decades and must be kept in mind during diagnosis. Exclusion of other possible causes is necessary in order to establish diagnosis. Indomethacin has classically been considered the first treatment option, but therapeutic failure occurs in up to 35% of cases. Recent studies have suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, gabapentin, nifedipine, paracetamol, and melatonin are also effective treatments.