NONINVASIVE ENCAPSULATED ANAPLASTIC THYROID CARCINOMA PROMISING AN EXCELLENT CLINICAL COURSE: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

CONTEXT: Noninvasive encapsulated anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (NE-ATCs) have been described in few case reports, and consistently associated with favorable outcome compared to the classical ATCs. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to remark a rare histological finding in ATCs, encapsulation, which has been associated with a favorable outcome. DESIGN: We have documented a rare case of an NE-ATC with its clinical, pathological, and molecular features. We also provided a thorough discussion of all the encapsulated ATCs reported in the literature. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 50-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history, who presented with a thyroid nodule, and diagnosed as "follicular lesion of undetermined significance" by fine needle aspiration biopsy. The patient was lost to follow-up for six years and revisited upon her neck disturbances and underwent total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Sections of the right lobe revealed a grossly encapsulated nodular lesion, measuring 75x55x55 mm. Histologically, the tumor consisted of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components supported by immunohistochemical stains. Necrosis and atypical mitotic figures were evident. Capsular and/or vascular invasion was not identified. There were no BRAF codon 600, KRAS, NRAS mutations and RET/PTC rearrangement. During three-month follow-up, the patient was free of disease without adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: Encapsulated ATCs tend to follow a favorable clinical course and may deserve conservative treatment approaches.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Rhabdoid Glioblastomas.

PURPOSE: Rhabdoid glioblastoma (rGB) is a recently described, highly aggressive brain tumor, in which glioblastoma (GB) is associated with a rhabdoid component. So far only 21 cases have been reported and its imaging findings have not been studied in detail. In this paper, we present 11 additional cases and aim to depict detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of this tumor in comparison with the previous cases of rGBs and our cohort of typical GBs. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of the glass slides of 249 GB patients disclosed 14 cases with rhabdoid morphology. Eleven of these cases with available MRI were included in the study. Immunohistochemistry was also performed. MRI and clinicopathologic findings were compared with those of previous rGBs and typical GBs. RESULTS: (1) rGB is usually a large, well-delineated solid tumor with extensive necrosis, heterogeneous contrast enhancement, occasional hemorrhage, and cysts, (2) rGB may present at an older age than previously reported, but still in younger individuals compared with typical GB patients, (3) tumor dissemination in the form of leptomeningeal seeding and more rarely extracranial metastases is a feature of rGBs, although leptomeningeal seeding may not be as high as previously reported, (4) prognosis is poor in rGBs. CONCLUSIONS: rGB is a new entity which has not yet appeared in the WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Understanding its clinical and imaging features may help to distinguish it from other tumors of CNS.

Multinational study of oestrogen and progesterone receptor immunocytochemistry on breast carcinoma fine needle aspirates.

OBJECTIVES: To collect data on the variability of immunocytochemical (ICC) procedures used to detect oestrogen/progesterone receptors (ER/PR) on cytological material; to test the reproducibility of results; and to identify the crucial points in the ICC procedures that affect the result. METHODS: Ten laboratories from eight countries participated in a two-part study. In the first part, one of the participants (the coordinator) prepared and distributed cytospins from a fine needle aspirate of a primary breast carcinoma. Laboratories performed ICC staining for ER/PR according to their own methods on the test slides and in-house positive controls. Slides were returned to the coordinator together with information on the preparation of positive control slides and the ICC methodology used. In the second part, obligatory methods of fixation and antigen retrieval were specified. Evaluation of results included grading the number of positive cells, staining intensity, background staining, cytoplasmic staining, sample condition and cellularity. Participants evaluated their own results, which were subsequently evaluated by the coordinator. RESULTS: There was great variability in the preparation of slides for in-house controls and ICC methodology. The outcome of ICC staining of in-house control slides was excellent in two laboratories, adequate in three, sub-optimal in four and inadequate in one. Only six obtained a positive reaction on the test slides and not all were of a high quality. Results of the second run were greatly improved in terms of cellularity of in-house positive control slides, and scores for the percentage of stained cells and staining intensity of control and test slides. Cytospins and monolayer (ThinPrep(®)) preparations were superior to direct smears; methods of fixation and antigen retrieval were the key points in the staining process. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience points to the need for guidelines for hormonal receptor determination and external quality control on cytological material, in order for cytological methods to be used in routine clinical practice with a suitable degree of confidence.

The efficacy and neurotoxicity of dexmedetomidine administered via the epidural route.

BACKGROUND: alpha(2)-Adrenoceptor agonists administered into the intrathecal and epidural space have been found to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain. Moreover, it was shown that they increase the analgesic effects of local anaesthetics and provide sedation, anxiolysis and haemodynamic stability. Dexmedetomidine, a potent and highly selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, is in current clinical use, particularly in the intensive care unit. Our aim was to investigate whether dexmedetomidine produced motor and sensory blockade and neurotoxic effects when administrated via the epidural catheter in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were included in the study. Animals were randomized into three groups. In Group L: lidocaine (2%), in Group LD: lidocaine (2%) + dexmedetomidine (5 microg) and in Group D: dexmedetomidine (10 microg) were administered by epidural catheter. Motor and sensory blockade were evaluated. After the evaluation of block, the animals were euthanized and their spinal cords removed for neuropathological evaluations. RESULTS: Motor and sensory blockade were lower in Group D than in Group L and Group LD (P < 0.01). Although there were no differences between the groups for ischaemia of the medulla spinalis, evidence of demyelinization of the oligodendrocytes in the white matter in Group D was significantly higher than in Group L (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that dexmedetomidine does not have motor and sensory effects, but it may have a harmful effect on the myelin sheath when administered via the epidural route.

Islets of meningioma in an acoustic schwannoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis-2: pathology and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Mixed tumors of the cerebellopontine angle, composed of meningioma and schwannoma components, are extremely rare; so far, only 12 cases have been reported in the literature. They are thought to be exclusively associated with neurofibromatosis-2. We present a mixed tumor of schwannoma and meningioma in a patient with neurofibromatosis-2 and discuss the pathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in relation to the literature. Review of the literature shows that a typical MRI pattern has not been established for mixed tumors and it seems unlikely that a meningioma component can be differentiated within a schwannoma preoperatively.

Giant cavernous angioma of the temporal lobe: a case report and review of the literature.

Cavernous angiomas of the central nervous system are angiographically occult vascular lesions and are easily diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Giant cavernous angiomas (GCA) are rare, with only 11 cases reported in the literature. Imaging appearance of GCAs has not been reviewed previously. We report a GCA of the temporal lobe, and discuss its computed tomography and MRI findings in the view of the literature. Imaging appearance of GCAs is variable. Some GCAs have features that are similar to those of typical cavernous angiomas, whereas some lesions may be purely cystic; and some present with significant contrast enhancement and mass effect, mimicking neoplasms. While the presence of hemosiderin, blood degradation products, and calcification may be helpful in the diagnosis of some cases, the correct diagnosis is not apparent until histopathological evaluation of the specimen is made in many instances.

Lymph node revealing solution: is it effective on detecting minute lymph nodes?

AIMS: The aim of this prospective study is to detect the efficiency of a previously described lymph node revealing solution (LNRS) in comparing with conventional lymph node dissection and re-dissection in colon, breast and urinary bladder carcinomas. METHODS: Total 30 cases in which less than 10 lymph nodes were found by conventional method, were immersed for 6-8 hours in LNRS, dissected and processed. Control group, 12 cases, was first dissected then a second conventional dissection was performed. At the end, specimens were again immersed in LNRS for 6-8 hours and last dissections were done. MAIN RESULTS: In the first group, a total of 150 lymph nodes, 46 of them with metastasis were detected. After using LNRS, 26 additional lymph nodes among which 10 were positive were detected. When compared with the results of conventional dissection, the increase in number of total and metastatic lymph nodes with LNRS was significant (p<0.01). The mean size of the lymph nodes detected by the conventional and LNRS methods was 6.8 and 4.2 mm, respectively. The pathologic lymph node stage was changed in three bladder carcinoma cases, and one breast carcinoma. In the control group, 75 lymph nodes (11 with metastases), 19 lymph nodes (3 with metastases), 14 lymph nodes (one with metastases) were detected after first and second conventional dissection and LNRS methods, respectively. CONCLUSION: LNRS enhanced the number of total and metastatic lymph nodes and is effective in detecting small lymph nodes. This method is useful for accurate staging where the number of detected lymph nodes is too small by the conventional method.