Morphological subtypes of colorectal low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia: diagnostic reproducibility, frequency and clinical impact.

AIMS: Special histomorphological subtypes of colorectal low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) with variable prognostic impact were recently described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referred to as non-conventional dysplasia. However, they can also be found in patients without IBD. We aimed to analyse the reproducibility, frequency and prognostic impact of non-conventional colorectal LGIN in patients with and without IBD. METHODS: Six pathologists evaluated 500 specimens of five different LGIN-cohorts from patients with and without IBD. Non-conventional LGIN included hypermucinous, goblet cell-deficient, Paneth cell-rich and crypt cell dysplasia. A goblet cell-rich type and non-conventional LGIN, not otherwise specified were added. Results were compared with the original expert-consented diagnosis from archived pathology records. RESULTS: Four or more pathologists agreed in 86.0% of all cases. Non-conventional LGIN was seen in 44.4%, more frequently in patients with IBD (52%; non-IBD: 39.3%, p=0.005). In patients with IBD non-conventional LGIN associated with more frequent and earlier LGIN relapse (p=0.006, p=0.025), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (p=0.003), larger lesion size (p=0.001), non-polypoid lesions (p=0.019) and additional risk factors (p=0.034). Results were highly comparable with expert-consented diagnoses. In patients without IBD, non-conventional LGIN may indicate a higher risk for concurrent or subsequent colorectal carcinoma (CRC, p=0.056 and p=0.061, respectively). Frequencies and association with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or CRC varied between the different LGIN subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Non-conventional histomorphology in colorectal LGIN is frequent and highly reproducible. Our results indicate an increased risk for CRC in patients with non-conventional LGIN, probably independent of IBD. We recommend reporting non-conventional LGIN in routine pathology reports.

Successful treatment of SAPHO syndrome (chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis and acne) with anakinra and denosumab. Case report and review of therapy.

SAPHO is an acronym derived from capital letters of Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis (SAPHO). SAPHO syndrome is an umbrella term covering a constellation of bone lesions and skin manifestations. A 40-year-old male complained about his jaw and back pain, swelling of multiple joints and weight loss accompanied by physical deterioration and acne type skin lesions. Laboratory tests revealed abnormal elevation of inflammatory markers. Imaging studies illustrated multiple osteolytic bone lesions and paraosseal infiltrates. According to the set of criteria diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome was stated. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but only high dose dexamethasone and prednisone were effective. Daily subcutaneous administration of anakinra at the dose of 100 mg was initiated due to limited response to more classical therapies. Because of planned mandibular osteosynthesis initiation of denosumab was preferred before bisphosphonates. Therapeutic response was confirmed by FDG-PET/MR after 5 months of anakinra and denosumab therapy, showing decreased accumulation of FDG in periosteal and paraosseal infiltrates. Inflammatory markers significantly decreased, bone pain deferred but skin manifestation receded only partially. Therefore the response was evaluated as partial remission.

Soft tissue sarcoma with ZC3H7B::BCOR fusion in a male mimicking low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma - A case report.

Diagnosis of soft tissue tumors is often challenging, given the large number of entities, often with non-specific or overlapping morphology. Although morphology still plays an important part in diagnostic process, additional studies including immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics are often needed to arrive at correct diagnosis. We report a case of 61-year-old male with subcutaneous tumor in right hip area, that was surgically removed. The tumor was composed of uniform bland spindle cells in mild to moderately cellular myxoid nodules, with limited areas of collagenization and the diagnosis of low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma was made. The tumor recurred 3 years after the initial diagnosis and the new sample showed a high-grade round cell sarcoma with limited residual low-grade areas and non-specific immunoprofile after extended immunohistochemical work-up. Molecular analysis demonstrated ZC3H7B::BCOR fusion. Sarcomas with ZC3H7B::BCOR fusion occurring outside of uterus are exceedingly rare. A comprehensive review of previously published cases and a short discussion about classification of the entity is provided, together with data about morphology and immunoprofile of the lesions. The case also underscores the necessity of extended work up of soft tissue tumors with unusual immunohistochemical or morphological features in order to accurately assess their biological potential.

The Number of Colon Crypts in Digital Mucosal Samples: A New Independent Parameter for Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis.

Background/Aim: It has been demonstrated that most routine biopsies from the colon and rectum display cross-cut crypts (CCC). The aim was to assess the number of CCC in microscopic isometric digital samples (0.500 mm2) from routine colon biopsies. Patients and Methods: Colon biopsies from 224 patients were investigated: 99 in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 31 UC in remission (UCR), 28 infectious colitis (IC), 7 resolved IC (RIC), 19 diverticular sigmoiditis (DS), and 40 normal colon mucosa (NCM). Results: A total of 8,024 CCC were registered: 2,860 (35.6%) in UC, 1,319 UCR (16.4%), 849 (10.6%) in IC, 340 (4.2%) in RIC, 795 (9.9%) in DS, and 1,861 (23.2%) in NCM. The CCC frequencies in UC and IC were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those in UCR, RIC, DS, and NCM. Conclusion: By the simple algorithm of counting CCC in standardized isometric microscopic digital circles measuring 0.500 mm2, it was possible to differentiate between UC (long-lasting inflammation) and IC (short-lasting inflammation) on the one hand, and UCR, RIC, DS (persistent inflammation), and NCM, on the other. The counting of CCC in the algorithm by five pathologists working in three disparate European Countries, was found to be reproducible.

Pulmonary damage in a patient with hairy cell leukemia - infectious involvement or hematological disease activity? Case report.

BACKGROUND: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare indolent lymphoproliferative disease with an accumulation of mature B lymphocytes with fine reticular chromatin and cytoplasm with typical hairy-like cytoplasmic projections. Rarely, hairy cell leukemia manifests as a lung infiltration. The differential diagnosis between infection and malignant involvement with hairy cell leukemia is often challenging in such situations. METHODS AND RESULTS: We present a 53-year-old female with an uncommon pulmonary involvement with hairy cell leukemia. In addition, we discuss the complicated differential diagnosis of pulmonary disease in patients with hairy cell leukemia and the treatment approach to these patients. CONCLUSION: This case report describes the successful therapy management of a patient with pulmonary involvement by hairy cell leukemia. Therapy with interferon-alfa and cladribine resulted in long-term remission of the underlying disease.

Histological evaluation of PAXgene tissue fixation in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma diagnostics.

The dysplasia grading of Barrett's esophagus (BE), based on the histomorphological assessment of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, suffers from high interobserver variability leading to an unsatisfactory prediction of cancer risk. Thus, pre-analytic preservation of biological molecules, which could improve risk prediction in BE enabling molecular and genetic analysis, is needed. We aimed to evaluate such a molecular pre-analytic fixation tool, PAXgene-fixed paraffin-embedded (PFPE) biopsies, and their suitability for histomorphological BE diagnostics in comparison to FFPE. In a ring trial, 9 GI pathologists evaluated 116 digital BE slides of non-dysplastic BE (NDBE), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) using virtual microscopy. Overall quality, cytological and histomorphological parameters, dysplasia criteria, and diagnosis were analyzed. PFPE showed better preservation of nuclear details as chromatin and nucleoli, whereas overall quality and histomorphologic parameters as visibility of basal lamina, goblet cells, and presence of artifacts were scored as equal to FFPE. The interobserver reproducibility with regard to the diagnosis was best for NDBE and EAC (κF = 0.72-0.75) and poor for LGD and HGD (κF = 0.13-0.3) in both. In conclusion, our data suggest that PFPE allows equally confident histomorphological diagnosis of BE and EAC, introducing a novel tool for molecular analysis and parallel histomorphological evaluation.

Histopathological diagnosis of colitis: differential diagnosis and interpretation.

Non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions of a large bowel mucosa are commonly encountered in bioptic practice. Their interpretation yields many challenges especially due to their limited and often non-specific and overlapping morphological spectrum. However, an accurate assessment of colonic biopsy still represents an important part of multidisciplinary diagnostic process and identification and subsequent interpretation of proper morphological pattern should be in a competence of any routine pathologist. This article provides systematic approach to histopathological assessment of inflammatory diseases of colonic mucosa, focusing mainly on diagnoses other than inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Morphology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) represent a group of chronic systemic inflammatory conditions with predilection to gastrointestinal tract and include Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. If the IBD cannot be further specified, a term unclassified IBD is used. Histopathological diagnosis of IBD relies on identifying a chronic inflammatory pattern in proper topographic distribution, showing structural abnormalities of the intestinal mucosa and characteristic cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate. The intestinal involvement in Crohns disease is typically segmental, with predilection for terminal ileum and presence of epithelioid granulomas in histology. Ulcerative colitis shows a diffuse pattern of the inflammation and usually affects a rectum, with variable extension towards a terminal ileum. However, there is an expanding knowledge about etiopathogenesis, morphology and clinical presentation of IBD, which led to detailed phenotypic subclassification and defined many atypical variants. As a result, diagnosis of IBD became complex multidisciplinary process. The aim of this work is to present an overview of IBD morphology and to provide a base for histopathological diagnosis of IBD on both bioptic samples and surgical resections.

Non-conventional types of dysplastic changes in gastrointestinal tract mucosa - review of morphological features of individual subtypes.

Evaluation of the dysplastic changes evolving in mucosa of various segments of gastrointestinal tract is a part of routine practice. Morphologically different or non-conventional types of dysplastic changes are described in the mucosa of gastrointestinal tract besides the most common conventional type of dysplasia. Non-conventional dysplasias can arise de-novo or they can be found in association with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as Barretts esophagus, chronic atrophic gastritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Non-conventional types of dysplasia include serrated, crypt base of foveolar dysplasia and lesions as pyloric or oxyntic gland adenoma. Non-conventional types of dysplasia arising in inflammatory bowel disease represent specific category with broad morphological spectrum of changes. The aim of this work is to present a comprehensive review of morphological characteristics of individual subtypes of non-conventional dysplastic changes with focus on differences and specificity in particular parts of gastrointestinal tract and provide a functional handout for daily diagnostic practice.

Validation of the 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Distribution, Chronicity, Activity [IBD-DCA] Score' for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn´s Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Histological scoring plays a key role in the assessment of disease activity in ulcerative colitis [UC] and is also important in Crohn´s disease [CD]. Currently, there is no common scoring available for UC and CD. We aimed to validate the Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD]-Distribution [D], Chronicity [C], Activity [A] score [IBD-DCA score] for histological disease activity assessment in IBD. METHODS: Inter- and intra-rater reliability were assessed by 16 observers on biopsy specimens from 59 patients with UC and 25 patients with CD. Construct validity and responsiveness to treatment were retrospectively evaluated in a second cohort of 30 patients. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability was moderate to good for the UC cohort (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] = 0.645, 0.623, 0.767 for D, C, and A, respectively) and at best moderate for the CD cohort [ICC = 0.690, 0.303, 0.733 for D, C, and A, respectively]. Intra-rater agreement ranged from good to excellent in both cohorts. Correlation with the Nancy Histological Index [NHI] was moderate and strong with the Simplified Geboes Score [SGS] and a Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], respectively. Large effect sizes were obtained for all three parameters. External responsiveness analysis revealed correlated changes between IBD-DCA score and NHI, SGS and VAS. CONCLUSIONS: The IBD-DCA score is a simple histological activity score for UC and CD, agreed and validated by a large group of IBD specialists. It provides reliable information on treatment response. Therefore, it has potential value for use in routine diagnostics as well as clinical studies.

Non-conventional mucosal lesions (serrated epithelial change, villous hypermucinous change) are frequent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease-results of molecular and immunohistochemical single institutional study.

Chronically inflamed mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Besides IBD-associated dysplasia, there are non-conventional mucosal changes that may act as potential precursors. The aim of the study was to retrospectively review samples from IBD patients focusing on detection of such lesions with evaluation of their immunohistochemical and molecular properties. Surgical specimens and/or endoscopical biopsy samples of IBD patients examined during a 10-year period were reviewed. Detected mucosal lesions were divided into three groups-group 1 (non-conventional or putative precursor lesions - PPLs) with serrated or villous hypermucinous morphology, group 2 (true serrated polyps fulfilling valid criteria), and group 3 (IBD-associated neoplasia). Lesions from all groups were analyzed with antibodies against MLH1, p53, and MGMT and by molecular testing of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutation. Samples from 309 IBD patients were reviewed. A total of 88 mucosal lesions were found in 51 patients. Most common were lesions from group 1 with superficial serrated epithelial change seen in 41 samples (46.6%) and villous hypermucinous change in 6 (6.8%). Group 2 consisted of 15 true serrated polyps. Six conventional IBD-dysplasia cases and 11 carcinomas were seen in group 3. Six lesions from group 1 were associated with invasive carcinoma whereas two shared the same mutation in KRAS or BRAF. Lesions from group 1 were characterized by loss of MGMT expression in 44.6%, aberrant p53 expression, and by mutations in KRAS gene in 42.9% of cases. This study proves the existence of mucosal changes other than conventional IBD-dysplasia and extends the knowledge about their immunohistochemical and molecular properties and relation to carcinoma further supporting their potential role in IBD-related carcinogenesis.

Hepatic arterial infusion in liver tumors of unknown, uncertain or unusual primary: single-center experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze a single-center experience with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) in patients with unknown or uncertain primary or tumors not usually treated with HAI. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 14 patients treated between 1996 and 2003 for liver tumors of unknown, uncertain or unusual primary was performed. RESULTS: All patients were treated with HAI combination regimens based on 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. The response was not evaluable in most patients, predominantly because of only a single course of therapy could be administered and no cases of partial or complete response were noted. The median survival of all patients was 6.6 months (5-year survival 14%). CONCLUSION: The present data demonstrate limited efficacy of HAI in patients with liver tumors of unknown, uncertain or unusual primary. HAI should not be offered to these patients.

Morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of inflammatory bowel disease associated colorectal carcinoma and associated mucosal lesions - Single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) have an elevated risk of developing colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Major risk factor in IBD patients is the continuous chronic inflammation leading to development of dysplasia and carcinoma. Nevertheless, other types of non-conventional but suspicious mucosal changes serrated change/dysplasia, NOS and villous hypermucinous change, have also been reported in IBD patients. Preneoplastic potential of these lesions is still not well elucidated. AIMS: The aim of this study was identification of IBD-associated CRCs focusing on finding related precursor lesions in the surgical specimen or in archival biopsy samples followed by a detailed morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular evaluation. For the purpose of the study the mucosal lesions were divided into conventional IBD-associated dysplasia and non-conventional lesions that were merged under a provisory term of putative preneoplastic lesions (PPL). METHODS: A total of 309 consecutive IBD colectomy specimens diagnosed during a 10-year period were reviewed. Detailed morphological evaluation, immunohistochemical analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, p53 and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression and molecular analysis for KRAS, NRAS and BRAF gene mutation were performed in the retrieved CRC cases as well as in the detected dysplasia and PPLs of these patients. RESULTS: We identified 11 cases of morphologically heterogenous IBD-associated CRCs, occurring in 5 males and 6 females, aged 26-79 years (mean 44 years). A total of 22 mucosal lesions were revealed in 8 CRC patients comprising conventional IBD-associated dysplasia (4 lesions), PPLs as serrated change/dysplasia NOS (11 lesions), villous hypermucinous change (5 lesions), and two true serrated lesions (one sessile serrated adenoma and one traditional serrated adenoma). More than one type of lesion was found in 6 patients. Seven CRC cases harbored mutation of KRAS/NRAS and one case of BRAF. Two patients with KRAS-mutated CRC showed the same mutation in PPL in the same specimen (one serrated change NOS and one TSA with high-grade dysplasia). Similarly, one BRAF-mutated carcinoma case presented the same mutation in serrated change/dysplasia, NOS in the same specimen. Of the CRCs, two showed deficient MMR system profile, six presented with loss of MGMT expression, and six showed aberrant p53 expression. PPLs showed deficient MGMT expression (14 cases) and aberrant p53 (10 cases) as well. CONCLUSION: IBD-associated CRCs are very heterogeneous entities. Besides conventional IBD-related dysplasia, other types of mucosal lesions may be associated with long lasting IBD and CRC e.g. villous hypermucinous change and serrated change/dysplasia, NOS. Since these lesions share certain genetic or immunohistochemical changes with the related CRC, a suspicion is raised that these lesions may also have preneoplastic potential. Awareness of these changes is necessary to prevent their missing and under-reporting, and further studies of these lesions should be carried out.

Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Thoracic Aneurysm Due to Periaortic Lymphoma.

An aggressive periaortic lymphoma could very rarely invade the aortic wall. We present a unique case of a patient with symptomatic thoracic aneurysm and imminent rupture due to the periaortic lymphoma, in which endovascular treatment using stent graft was applied. After stabilization of the aorta and histological confirmation of aggressive B-cell lymphoma by computed tomography-guided biopsy, the antilymphoma therapy was initiated. Despite the full treatment, the patient died 12 months later.

Anal verrucous carcinoma is not related to infection with human papillomaviruses and should be distinguished from giant condyloma (Buschke-Löwenstein tumour).

AIMS: Verrucous carcinoma (VC) is a variant of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and in the anal region is regarded as synonymous with giant condyloma (Buschke-Löwenstein tumour) (BLT). Aetiology, diagnostic criteria and clinical behaviour of both lesions are controversial. Recent studies suggest that VC at other sites is not associated with human papillomaviruses (HPV). We hypothesized that anal VC is also not related to HPV, while BLT is a HPV-induced lesion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten cases of VC and four cases of BLT were included. Several techniques were used for HPV detection: in-situ hybridization for HPV6, 11, 16 and 18, six different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols for detection of at least 89 HPV types from alpha-, beta-, gamma- and mu-PV genera and in-situ hybridization for high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA; p16 immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis were also performed. Alpha-, gamma- and mu-PVs were not found in any case of VC, while HPV6 was detected in all cases of BLT. p16 overexpression was not present in any of the lesions. Among microscopic features, only the absence of koilocytosis and enlarged spinous cells seem to be useful to distinguish VC from BLT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that anal VC, similarly to VC at other sites, is not associated with HPV infection, and must be distinguished from BLT, which is associated with low-risk HPV. Only with well-set diagnostic criteria will it be possible to ascertain clinical behaviour and optimal treatment for both lesions.

Plasma cell granuloma of the oral cavity: a mucosal manifestation of immunoglobulin G4-related disease or a mimic?

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that oral plasma cell granuloma may represent a mucosal manifestation of immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in the oral cavity. The study sample comprised two males and four females, aged 54-79 years (median 62 years). The lesions were localized on gingival/alveolar mucosa (four cases), hard palate, and floor of the mouth, measuring 17-40 mm (median 31 mm). The duration of the lesions ranged from 3 months to several years. Information on IgG4 serum levels was available for two patients, and these were increased to 1.85 and 1.65 g/L, respectively. The follow-up period ranged 11-30 months (median 13 months). None of the lesions recurred, and none of the patients developed any manifestation of IgG4-RD. Microscopically, all cases presented as nodular lesions composed of numerous polyclonal plasma cells admixed with lymphocytes, histiocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils, set within collagenized stroma in variable proportions. Obliterative phlebitis was observed in two cases. The number of IgG4-positive plasma cells ranged between 51 and 142 per HPF (median 114), while the IgG4/IgG ratio values ranged between 0.16 and 0.72 (median 0.44) and were above 0.40 in three cases. Based on international criteria, two cases were diagnosed as definite and one as probable IgG4-RD. Oral plasma cell granuloma is a heterogeneous group of lesions, and a subset may represent a mucosal manifestation of IgG4-RD in the oral cavity.

Hepatic arterial infusion in hepatocellular carcinoma: a single center experience.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate a single center experience with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 20 patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma between 1994 and 2007. RESULTS: Most patients were treated with an HAI of doxorubicin and cisplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. The response was not evaluable in the majority of patients, predominantly because of associated surgical procedure or because only one cycle of HAI was administered. The median progression-free survival was 7.7 months. The median survival of all patients was 12.2 months (5-year survival 5%). Serious adverse events were observed in 5 patients, and one patient died of liver failure in association with the administration of HAI. CONCLUSION: The data show the limited efficacy of HAI in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Expression of the active caspase-3 in children and adolescents with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression of active caspase-3 in neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells correlates with the treatment response and provides prognostic information on treatment outcome. In this retrospective study, we included 56 patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated at the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology between January 2000 and June 2005. Active caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry in primary biopsy specimens. Seventeen patients (29.3%) were evaluated as caspase-3 positive and remained alive in the first complete remission. This stood in contrast to patients with less than 5% caspase-3 positive cells, five of whom experienced relapse and three patients died. Adequate treatment response was achieved in 11 patients (19.6%). Comparison of event-free survival with regard to the percentage of caspase-3 positive tumour cells showed a tendency for a better clinical outcome in patients with 5% or more active caspase-3 positive cells. KEYWORDS: classical Hodgkin lymphoma - apoptosis - active caspase-3 - therapy response - clinical outcome.