[Merkel cell tumor (neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin) in an unusual location. Immunohistochemical and lectin histochemical findings]. / Ungewöhnlich lokalisierter Merkelzelltumor (Neuroendokrines Karzinom der Haut). Immunohistochemische und lektinhistochemische Befunde.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin usually occurs in elderly individuals. Head and neck are the most common primary sites followed by the extremities and trunk. As this tumor represents a remarkable rarity in younger people, we report the case of a 33-year-old woman with a neuroendocrine carcinoma in an unusual localization. Diagnosis was based on the results of the examination of a metastasis in the inguinal lymph nodes. The lesion at the Labium minus pudendi which is to be considered the primary tumor was detected several months later. Diagnosis of Merkel cell tumor until recently had depended on ultrastructural demonstration of dense-core membrane-bound granules. Today, diagnosis can be secured also by optical light microscopy, on the basis of a certain constellation of immunohistochemical and lectin histochemical findings.

[The early diagnosis of teratogenic malformations (author's transl)]. / Zum Problem der Früherkennung teratogener Missbildungen.

A case of anencephaly is reported which was diagnosed at 32 weeks gestation by ultra-sound despite a family history: AFP, HPL and estriol were normal and the case was referred late. It is suggested that all pregnancies require an ultra-sound scan between 16 and 20 weeks to rule out major fetal anomalies.