Pinpoint papular variant of polymorphous light eruption: clinical and pathological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is the most common chronic idiopathic photodermatosis usually manifesting as a papular eruption along with several other morphological variants including a pinpoint papular variant. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1998 and August 2003, 10 PMLE patients presented to the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital with complaints of a pruritic pinpoint papular eruption associated with sun exposure. In six patients skin biopsies were performed along with a detailed history and complete skin examination. We correlated the histology with the clinical course of disease corresponding to acute and subacute disease presentation. We also performed immunohistochemistry on three cases to study the immunophenotype in PMLE. RESULTS: The clinical, histologic and immunostain findings are summarized. Acute: Clinically pinpoint papules and vesicles, some with erythematous base, were seen. Histology showed focal vesicle formation, spongiosis, oedema, red blood cells extravasation, and superficial and deep perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with occasional eosinophils. Subacute: Clinically pinpoint papules with or without erythema were seen. Histology of the pinpoint lesion showed a nodular collection of lymphocytes and histiocytes with claw-like extension of epidermal rete ridges at the lateral boundaries of the lesion. Overlying epidermal atrophy with adjacent spongiosis, exocytosis, oedema and a superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate and parakeratosis was also observed. The histologic differential diagnosis included lichen nitidus. Immunohistochemical stains revealed the following results: CD8, CD68 positive, CD4 variable (strongly positive to negative) and S-100 negative. CONCLUSION: (i) Pinpoint papular variant of PMLE is a distinct entity, which shows characteristic histology corresponding to the clinical course of the disease (acute and subacute). (ii) The histologic and immunophenotypic differential diagnosis of this variant during the subacute phase includes lichen nitidus.

Human defensin 5 expression in intestinal metaplasia of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal tract intestinal metaplasia (IM) is termed Barrett's oesophagus (BO) or gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM), depending on its location. BO and GIM are associated with chemical exposure resulting from gastro-oesophageal reflux and chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, respectively. Paneth cells (PCs), characterised by cytoplasmic eosinophilic granules, are found in a subset of IM at these sites, but histology may not accurately detect them. AIM: To determine human defensin 5 (HD5; an antimicrobial peptide produced by PCs) expression in BO and GIM, and to investigate its association with H pylori infection. METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies from 33 patients with BO and 51 with GIM, and control tissues, were examined by routine histology and for H pylori infection and HD5 mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS: In normal tissues, HD5 expression was specific for PCs in the small intestine. Five patients with BE and 42 with GIM expressed HD5, but few HD5 expressing cells in IM had the characteristic histological features of PCs. Most HD5 positive specimens were H pylori infected and most HD5 negative specimens were not infected. CONCLUSIONS: HD5 immunohistochemistry was often positive in IM when PCs were absent by conventional histology. Thus, HD5 immunohistochemistry may be superior to histology for identifying metaplastic PCs and distinguishing GIM from BO. The higher frequency of HD5 expression in GIM than in BO is associated with a higher frequency of H pylori infection, suggesting that in IM PCs may form part of the mucosal antibacterial response.

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: a comparative study of histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features using high throughput tissue microarray.

AIMS: In some cases distinction between chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC), oncocytoma and clear cell (conventional) renal cell carcinoma (eosinophilic variant) using routine light microscopy remains problematic. The present study investigates the level of agreement in the diagnosis of CRCC, as well as the histological features most frequently used for this diagnosis by two pathologists with a special interest in renal neoplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers in cases with overlapping histological features in the diagnosis of CRCC were also studied. Electron microscopy was performed, as a diagnostic gold standard, on all of the cases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two renal tumours with predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two pathologists. The diagnosis and morphological features used to render each diagnosis were tabulated. Validation of the utility of keratin 7 and 20, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, CD10, parvalbumin, RCC antigen, antimitochondrial antibody and Hale's colloidal iron was performed by the construction of a tissue microarray (TMA) master block. Based on histological criteria alone, overall agreement on the diagnosis of these tumours was reached in 69% of the cases, while there was total disagreement in 12%. In 59% of the cases, total agreement was reached in classifying the case as a CRCC based on histology alone. Kappa statistics for interobserver variability were calculated as only slight agreement (kappa = 0.3). The histological features most frequently associated with a diagnosis of CRCC were accentuated cell borders (87%) and a combination of hyperchromatic wrinkled nuclei (79%) and perinuclear halos (74%). The most sensitive and specific marker for CRCC was parvalbumin (sensitivity 0.91; specificity 1.0). The immunohistochemical profile of EMA+/ vimentin- was useful but had low specificity (sensitivity 0.75; specificity 0.4). CD10 had the highest sensitivity (1.0) but worst specificity (0.25) for CRCC. Keratin 7 had high sensitivity (0.83) but fairly low specificity (0.37) for CRCC. Hale's colloidal iron and the RCC antigen marker were not contributory. Finally, the antimitochondrial antibody was found to be fairly sensitive (0.83) for excluding CRCC. CONCLUSIONS: A small but significant proportion of renal tumours with cells having eosinophilic cytoplasm cannot be classified, even by experienced pathologists, based on histology alone. In these cases it is imperative to use markers with known sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CRCC.

p16INK4a expression in actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease.

BACKGROUND: Progression of cutaneous squamous neoplasms from actinic keratosis (AK) to Bowen's disease (BD; squamous cell carcinoma in situ) has important implications for clinical management and treatment, thus requiring accurate diagnosis. p16INK4a is a cell cycle regulatory tumour suppressor protein that negatively regulates D-type cyclins in the G1 cell cycle phase via intimate interplay with the retinoblastoma gene. Expression of a paraffin-reactive p16INK4a marker has recently been shown to increase in cervical squamous neoplasms as lesions progress from low-grade dysplasia to squamous cell carcinoma in situ. p16INK4a expression in the progression of squamous cutaneous neoplasia, however, has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate p16INK4a expression in the progression of squamous cutaneous neoplasia. METHODS: Biopsies of 203 squamous cutaneous neoplasms with unequivocal features of AK (n = 87) and BD (n = 116) as well as a benign squamous control group (verruca vulgaris: n = 10; seborrhoeic keratosis: n = 11; scar tissue: n = 8) obtained between January and December 2001 at Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.) were immunostained for p16INK4a (Dako; clone E6H4; dilution 1 : 50) using large core (1.5 mm) tissue microarray analysis. Nuclear/cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in > 10% of neoplastic cells was considered positive. RESULTS: Of 203 cases, 166 (81.8%) were interpretable (AK 59; BD 107). Mean patient age was 71.0 years (range 33-93); 57% were male. Sites of involvement were: head and extremities 75.9%, trunk/buttocks 21.7%, genital region 2.4%. p16INK4a immunostaining was positive in 90 of 107 (84.1%) BD cases, four of 59 (6.8%) AK cases and none of 29 benign squamous controls. The sensitivity and specificity of p16INK4a for a diagnosis of BD (vs. benign squamous controls/AK) was 84.1% and 95.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test, two-sided). CONCLUSIONS: p16INK4a is a sensitive and specific marker for distinguishing BD from AK/benign squamous cutaneous lesions and may be helpful as an adjunct to histomorphology in the diagnosis and appropriate clinical management of these lesions.

Observer variation in the diagnosis of superficial oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: When to perform oesophagectomy for neoplastic progression in Barrett's oesophagus is controversial. Some resect for high grade dysplasia whereas others defer treatment until intramucosal adenocarcinoma is diagnosed. Interobserver agreement for a diagnosis of high grade dysplasia or intramucosal adenocarcinoma remains unknown and may have therapeutic implications. METHODS: Histological slides from 75 oesophagectomy specimens with high grade dysplasia or T(1) adenocarcinoma were blindly reviewed by two gastrointestinal pathologists and one general surgical pathologist, and classified as high grade dysplasia, intramucosal adenocarcinoma, or submucosal adenocarcinoma. A subsequent re-review of all 75 cases by the same observers following establishment of uniform histological criteria was undertaken. Interobserver agreement was determined by kappa statistics. Coefficients <0.21, 0.21-0.40, 0.41-0.60, 0.61-0.80, and >0.80 were considered poor, fair, moderate, good, and very good agreement, respectively. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement among all pathologists and between gastrointestinal pathologists when comparing high grade dysplasia with intramucosal adenocarcinoma was only fair (k=0.42; 0.56, respectively) and did not substantially improve on subsequent re-evaluation following establishment of uniform histological criteria (K=0.50; 0.61, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When evaluating resection specimens and after implementation of uniform histological criteria, even experienced gastrointestinal pathologists frequently disagree on a diagnosis of high grade dysplasia versus intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Treatment strategies based on the histological distinction of high grade dysplasia from intramucosal adenocarcinoma using limited biopsy specimens should be re-evaluated.

Validation of cytokeratin 5/6 as an effective substitute for keratin 903 in the differentiation of benign from malignant glands in prostate needle biopsies.

AIMS: Keratin 903 (also known as anti-cytokeratin antibody 34betaE12) is widely used to differentiate benign glands from malignant glands in prostate needle biopsies. However, it is subject to considerable staining heterogeneity. We sought to evaluate the use of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) as an effective alternative to K903 in the evaluation of prostate needle biopsies in clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty Hollandes-fixed prostate needle biopsies were randomly selected over a period of 2 months from the surgical specimens accessioned over that period of time. Twelve cases had diagnosed prostatic adenocarcinoma (Gleason scores 3 + 3, 3 + 4 and 4 + 4) and the remaining cases (n = 18) were negative for carcinoma. Four sequential sections were stained with H&E (x2), K903, and CK5/6. Care was taken to preserve tissue so that matching glands were evaluated on all four sections. All cases were run routinely over a period of 3 weeks on a daily basis with matching positive controls. All slides were evaluated in a blinded fashion independently by two pathologists using a semiquantitative analysis of staining: <25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, >75% and >95% of benign glands (verified on H&E). Cases that showed no staining were repeated to ensure no false negatives. Both observers agreed with respect to percentage of staining in 96% of the cases. Twenty-nine of 30 cases (97%) showed staining in >95% of benign glands with CK5/6. In contrast, K903 staining was seen in <50% of benign glands in five of 30 (17%), 50-75% in nine of 30 (30%), and >75% in 10 of 30 (33%), with only two cases (7%) showing >95% staining for K903. In four cases (13%) the K903 failed to stain any tissue even after repeat staining. K903 was conspicuously negative in atrophic glands in three of 30 cases (10%). Neither K903 nor CK5/6 stained malignant glands. Using a cut-off of >75% staining in benign glands the sensitivity of CK5/6 and K903 was 97% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CK5/6 has superior sensitivity and reliability compared with that of K903 when evaluating routine prostate needle biopsies, including improved staining of atrophic prostatic glands. While K903 is traditionally used to differentiate benign glands from malignant glands, these results support the use of CK5/6 as an effective and reliable substitute for K903 in routine clinical practice.

Superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: Experience with treatment and outcome of superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical management and identify predictors of survival. METHODS: Between September 1985 and December 1999, 122 patients underwent resection. Eighty-nine percent were men (mean age 63 +/- 10 years; range 35-83 years). Sixty (49%) patients were in endoscopic surveillance programs and 48 (39%) had the preoperative diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second was less than 2 L in 12 (12%). Seventy-five (61%) patients underwent transhiatal esophagectomy. Pathologic stage was N1 in 8 (7%). Pulmonary complications necessitating reintubation (respiratory failure) occurred in 10 (8%) patients. Time-related survival models were developed for decision-making (preoperative), prognosis (operative), and hospital care (postoperative). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2.5%. Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 89%, 77%, and 68%. Preoperative decision-making factors associated with ideal outcome were 1-second forced expiratory volume of more than 2 L, surveillance, preoperative diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia, and planned transhiatal esophagectomy. Prognosis was decreased in younger patients and in those with N1 disease. Postoperative respiratory failure increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is the treatment of choice for superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The ideal patient has a preoperative diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia found at surveillance, good pulmonary function, and undergoes a transhiatal esophagectomy. Discovery of N1 disease or development of postoperative respiratory failure reduces the benefits of surgery.

A randomized clinical trial of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole to treat acute pouchitis.

Metronidazole is effective for the treatment of acute pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, but it has not been directly compared with other antibiotics. This randomized clinical trial was designed to compare the effectiveness and side effects of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole for treating acute pouchitis. Acute pouchitis was defined as a score of 7 or higher on the 18-point Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) and symptom duration of 4 weeks or less. Sixteen patients were randomized to a 2-week course of ciprofloxacin 1,000 mg/d (n = 7) or metronidazole 20 mg/kg/d (n = 9). Clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and histologic features were assessed before and after therapy. Both ciprofloxacin and metronidazole produced a significant reduction in the total PDAI score as well as in the symptom, endoscopy, and histology subscores. Ciprofloxacin lowered the PDAI score from 10.1+/-2.3 to 3.3+/-1.7 (p = 0.0001), whereas metronidazole reduced the PDAI score from 9.7+/-2.3 to 5.8+/-1.7 (p = 0.0002). There was a significantly greater reduction in the ciprofloxacin group than in the metronidazole group in terms of the total PDAI (6.9+/-1.2 versus 3.8+/-1.7; p = 0.002), symptom score (2.4+/-0.9 versus 1.3+/-0.9; p = 0.03), and endoscopic score (3.6+/-1.3 versus 1.9+/-1.5; p = 0.03). None of patients in the ciprofloxacin group experienced adverse effects, whereas three patients in the metronidazole group (33%) developed vomiting, dysgeusia, or transient peripheral neuropathy. Both ciprofloxacin and metronidazole are effective in treating acute pouchitis with significant reduction of the PDAI scores. Ciprofloxacin produces a greater reduction in the PDAI and a greater improvement in symptom and endoscopy scores, and is better tolerated than metronidazole. Ciprofloxacin should be considered as one of the first-line therapies for acute pouchitis.

Squamous mucosal alterations in esophagectomy specimens from patients with end-stage achalasia.

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder in which the primary morphologic changes are found in the myenteric plexus. However, a number of secondary alterations are characteristically found in esophagectomy specimens, including the mucosa. In addition, these patients are at increased risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. We studied the squamous mucosal alterations in 35 esophagectomy specimens from patients with end-stage achalasia and compared them with those found in the squamous mucosa near the esophagogastric junction from pediatric autopsies (

Evaluation of a new paraffin-reactive CD7 T-cell deletion marker and a polymerase chain reaction-based T-cell receptor gene rearrangement assay: implications for diagnosis of mycosis fungoides in community clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: T-cell deletion and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies are helpful in the early diagnosis and subsequent management of mycosis fungoides (MF). However, this often requires fresh-frozen tissue that can be difficult to obtain and evaluate in community clinical practice. A new CD7 antibody, the most sensitive and specific T-cell deletion marker, and a new TCR-gamma gene rearrangement polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (TCR-gamma PCR) are now available on routine paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the utility of CD7 deletion and TCR-gamma PCR in the diagnosis of MF using routine paraffin-embedded biopsy material. METHODS: Cases of MF (n = 17) with matching frozen tissue immunohistochemistry and benign reactive dermatoses (lichen planus; n = 27) were assessed for CD7 (Clone: CD7-272) deletion and TCR-gamma PCR using paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Excellent concordance comparing frozen and paraffin embedded CD7 immunostaining (88%) was observed. CD7 deletion and TCR-gamma PCR was sensitive (94%) and specific (96%) for a diagnosis of MF using paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. CONCLUSION: In the diagnosis of MF, detection of CD7 deletion and monoclonal TCR rearrangements can be successfully performed in a cost-effective, timely fashion using routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens.

Endoscopic and histologic evaluation together with symptom assessment are required to diagnose pouchitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pouchitis often is diagnosed based on symptoms alone. In this study, we evaluate whether symptoms correlate with endoscopic and histologic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis and an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: Symptoms, endoscopy, and histology were assessed in 46 patients using Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). Patients were classified as either having pouchitis (PDAI score > or =7; N = 22) or as not having pouchitis (PDAI score <7; N = 24). RESULTS: Patients with pouchitis had significantly higher mean total PDAI scores, symptom scores, endoscopy scores, and histology scores. There was a similar magnitude of contribution of each component score to the total PDAI for the pouchitis group. Of note, 25% of patients with symptoms suggestive of pouchitis did not meet the PDAI diagnostic criteria for pouchitis. In both groups, the correlation coefficients between symptom, endoscopy, and histology scores were near zero (range, -0.26 to 0.20; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The symptom, endoscopy, and histology scores each contribute to the PDAI and appear to be independent of each other. Symptoms alone do not reliably diagnose pouchitis.

The utility of cytokeratin subsets in distinguishing Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma from gastric adenocarcinoma.

AIMS: Accurate tumour classification is critical for meaningful epidemiological studies in the assessment of cancer incidence rates and trends. Differentiating primary gastric carcinoma from oesophageal carcinoma can be difficult, especially when tumours are large and involve both the oesophagus and stomach. Furthermore, adenocarcinomas of both organs typically are of intestinal histological type and arise in a background of intestinal metaplasia. Consequently, histological markers that reliably distinguish Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma from gastric adenocarcinoma would be useful. Cytokeratins (CK)7 and 20 are cytoplasmic structural proteins with restricted expression that help to determine the origin of many epithelial tumours including those of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of co-ordinate CK7 and 20 expression in the distinction of Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma from gastric adenocarcinoma arising in a background of intestinal metaplasia. METHODS AND RESULTS: CK7 and 20 immunostaining was performed on randomly selected surgical resection specimens from patients with Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 30) and intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 14) arising in a background of intestinal metaplasia. A CK7+ CK20- immunophenotype was demonstrated in 27 of 30 (90%) patients with Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma and only three of 14 (21%) gastric adenocarcinomas. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of a CK7+/20- immunophenotype for a diagnosis of Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma was 90%, 79%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A CK7+/20- tumour immunophenotype is associated with Barrett's-related oesophageal adenocarcinoma and may be useful in accurate tumour classification, thus facilitating improving epidemiological evaluation of tumours at the oesophagogastric junction.

Aneusomy of chromosomes 7, 8, and 17 and amplification of HER-2/neu and epidermal growth factor receptor in Gleason score 7 prostate carcinoma: a differential fluorescent in situ hybridization study of Gleason pattern 3 and 4 using tissue microarray.

Recent evidence shows that the proportion of poorly differentiated prostate carcinoma (Gleason pattern [GP] 4/5) is a surrogate factor for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP). However, little is known about specific molecular and cytogenetic changes in this aggressive component of localized prostate cancer. We constructed a tissue microarray containing areas of GP 3 and 4 from formalin-fixed radical prostatectomy specimens of 39 patients with Gleason score 7 carcinoma (>or=50% GP 4), known pathologic staging parameters (stage < T3b), and biochemical failure data (mean follow-up, 30 months; range, 5 to 74 months). Interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on 5-microm microarray sections using pericentromeric probes to chromosomes 7, 8, and 17 and probes for the HER-2/neu and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes. Low-level amplification of HER-2/neu was found in 26% of cases (3 to 5 signals per nucleus, corrected for chromosome 17 aneusomy). Aneusomy of chromosomes 7, 8, and 17 was identified in 21%, 15%, and 5% of cases, respectively. All aberrations occurred almost exclusively in GP 4 carcinoma (8 of 8 aneusomies 7, 2 of 2 trisomies 17, 9 of 10 HER-2/neu amplifications, and 5 of 6 aneusomies 8; P < .001). The presence of HER-2/neu amplification was associated with high tumor volume (>2.0 cm(3), P = 0.004). Among patients with negative surgical margins, gain of chromosome 7 was associated with biochemical failure after RP (P =.004, log-rank). Amplification of the EGFR gene occurred in only 1 case (3%). Significant differences in HER-2/neu amplification and gain of chromosomes 7, 8, and 17 were detected between GP 4 prostate carcinoma and GP 3. The frequency of aberrations increased with tumor volume. Chromosome 7 abnormalities may play an important role in cancer progression in margin-negative patients. EGFR amplification was rare, suggesting that this oncogene is not altered at the gene copy number level.

Immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of acinar and endocrine pancreatic neoplasms.

Histologic differential diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), mixed acinar-endocrine cell carcinoma (MAEC), and pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET) can be difficult but is important because of differences in their clinical behavior. This study investigates the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in this differential diagnosis using immunohistochemical stains that are available in most laboratories. IHC was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue in ACC (n = 6), MAEC (n = 2), and PET (n = 13), using synaptophysin (SYN), chromogranin (CHR), chymotrypsin (CHY), and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT). Electron microscopy (EM) was performed in all cases to confirm the diagnosis. Long-term follow-up and death of disease (DOD) was known in all patients. The ACCs stained as follows: CHY (4/6), AAT (3/6), SYN (4/6); CHR was negative in all cases. Both cases of MAEC stained with CHY, AAT, and SYN (2/2); CHR was negative. PET stained as follows: SYN (13/13), CHR (8/13), CHY (4/13), AAT (5/13). In the ACC/ MAEC group, six of eight patients were DOD at mean follow-up of 11 months. Among the PET, two of 16 patients were DOD at mean follow-up of 37 months. Considerable immunophenotypic overlap exists between ACC, MAEC, and PET. Consequently, one can neither confirm nor rule out a diagnosis of ACC or MAEC using generally available immunohistochemical stains alone. These findings support a role for EM in the evaluation of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic neoplasms.

Cytokeratin immunoreactivity patterns in the diagnosis of short-segment Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The origin of intestinal metaplasia in short segments of columnar mucosa at the esophagogastric junction has clinical importance but can be difficult to determine at endoscopy. Cytokeratin (CK) 7 and 20 patterns are specific for long-segment Barrett's esophagus; however, their utility in short-segment Barrett's esophagus has not been assessed. METHODS: Endoscopic biopsy specimens from patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus (n = 49), suspected short-segment Barrett's esophagus (n = 43), and gastric intestinal metaplasia (n = 26) were immunostained for CK7 and CK20. Comprehensive clinical data were obtained, including age, gender, and hiatal hernia and Helicobacter pylori status. RESULTS: A Barrett's CK7/20 pattern was present in 48 (98%) of 49 patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus, 35 (82%) of 43 with suspected short-segment Barrett's esophagus, and 0 (0%) of 26 patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia. Patients with suspected short-segment Barrett's esophagus with a Barrett's CK7/20 pattern were clinically similar to those with long-segment Barrett's esophagus. In contrast, patients with suspected short-segment Barrett's esophagus with no Barrett's CK7/20 pattern were clinically similar to those with gastric intestinal metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: A Barrett's CK7/20 pattern identifies a subset of patients with suspected short-segment Barrett's esophagus who have a patient profile similar to that seen in long-segment Barrett's esophagus. A Barrett's CK7/20 pattern is an objective marker of Barrett's mucosa that in conjunction with appropriate clinical and endoscopic data can be used by clinicians to better define patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus.

The location and frequency of intestinal metaplasia at the esophagogastric junction in 223 consecutive autopsies: implications for patient treatment and preventive strategies in Barrett's esophagus.

The frequency of intestinal metaplasia at the esophagogastric junction is as high as 36% in endoscopy studies; the majority of cases (approximately 67%) occur in short segments of esophageal columnar mucosa. The validity of these studies has been questioned, however, because of heterogenous underlying diseases prompting endoscopy. To determine the frequency and origin of intestinal metaplasia at the esophagogastric junction, we histologically evaluated the entire esophagogastric junction for the presence of intestinal metaplasia using Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff mucin stains in 223 consecutive autopsies. Precise localization of the Z line in relation to the esophagogastric junction and tongues of esophageal columnar-appearing mucosa were noted in each case. Mean patient age was 47 years; 69% of patients were male, and 63% were white. Twenty five of 223 cases (11%) had intestinal metaplasia at the esophagogastric junction. Only 2 of 25 cases (8%) had intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus; the remaining 23 cases (92%) had intestinal metaplasia in the gastric cardia. Male gender, advanced age, white ethnic origin, and short tongues of esophageal columnar mucosa were not associated with gastric cardia intestinal metaplasia. An association of distal gastric intestinal metaplasia (P < .01) and chronic gastritis (P < .01) with gastric cardia intestinal metaplasia suggests a role for Helicobacter pylori infection in this process. The frequency of intestinal metaplasia at the esophagogastric junction in an unselected autopsy population is low (11%) even after exhaustive histologic evaluation using Alcian blue mucin stains. Furthermore, intestinal metaplasia is confined to the gastric cardia in more than 90% of cases with no association to male gender, white ethnic origin, advanced age, or the presence of short segments of esophageal columnar-appearing mucosa at endoscopy. These results demonstrate that caution is warranted when applying the findings of endoscopy studies to the development of preventive and screening strategies aimed at identifying Barrett's esophagus in an asymptomatic general population.

The gastric cardia: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVE: It is unclear whether the gastric cardia is present from birth or is metaplastic and develops as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To this end, we evaluated the histology of the entire esophagogastric junction in consecutive pediatric autopsies to determine the presence and extent of cardiac mucosa. METHODS: The entire esophagogastric junction of 33 consecutive pediatric (< or =18 yr) autopsies was examined. The precise location of the squamocolumnar junction and its relationship to the esophagogastric junction was noted in all cases. Slides were evaluated by two pathologists in a blinded fashion to look for cardiac mucosa, characterized by unequivocal periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive mucous glands in a lobular configuration. Sections from the antrum and esophagogastric junction were examined for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. RESULTS: Three cases were excluded due to autolysis. The mean age of the 30 remaining patients was 6.3 yr (range: 16 days-18 yr). A regular-appearing squamocolumnar junction was identified at the esophagogastric junction in all 30 cases. Cardiac mucosa was present in all specimens (mean length: 1.8 mm; range: 1.0-4.0 mm), always on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction. There was no significant association between patient age or gender and length of cardiac mucosa. None of the patients had a known history of gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett's esophagus, and none were taking acid-suppressing medications before death. All were negative for Helicobacter pylori by Giemsa stain. CONCLUSIONS: In an unselected pediatric patient population with little or no propensity for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a short segment of cardiac mucosa was consistently present on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction, independent of gender or age. These results support the concept that the gastric cardia is present from birth as a normal structure.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the penis: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare, slowly growing soft tissue tumor that uncommonly involves the penis, with only 11 previously reported cases. We present a case of penile epithelioid sarcoma in a 39-year-old man that mimicked Peyronie's disease, which was diagnosed 13 years following initial presentation. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple peripherally enhancing low signal intensity nodules involving the corpora cavernosa bilaterally. Following penectomy, histologic examination showed the typical features of epithelioid sarcoma, with a prominent pseudogranulomatous pattern. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells demonstrated strong and diffuse staining for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3 and CAM 5.2), vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen, and CD34. Stains for S-100 protein, desmin, smooth muscle actin, and CD31 were negative. Electron microscopy demonstrated abundant intracytoplasmic intermediate filaments, scattered tonofilaments, and interdigitating filopodia. The present study is the first to describe magnetic resonance imaging and comprehensive immunohistochemical findings in penile epithelioid sarcoma. The majority of cases reported in the literature have demonstrated features similar to those typically found in epithelioid sarcoma involving the distal extremities. Consideration of epithelioid sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of a penile nodule or obstructive urinary symptoms may lead to early diagnosis and treatment.