[Massive ovarian edema: a case report]. / L'oedème massif de l'ovaire: à propos d'un cas.

Massive ovarian oedema (MOO) is a rare pseudotumour. It is often mistaken for a malignant tumour leading to radical treatment in young patients with the risk of compromising their fertility and hormonal function. Our article describes a case of MOO in a 29-year-old nulligravid patient, who presented with an acute abdomen evocative of an ovarian torsion. Ultrasonography revealed an enlargement of he left ovary measuring 75 mmx51 mm; partial resection of the ovary was performed by laparoscopy and MOO was diagnosed on histological examination. Torsion of the pedicle was not observed. In the event of ovarian hypertrophy, in a young woman with a symptomatic previous history, an exploratory laparoscopy should be undertaken to obtain biopsies for extemporaneous examination and detorsion of the ovary with suspension. Histology is the only means of obtaining a definitive diagnosis, thus preventing unnecessary oophorectomy.

Multilobulated "flower" cells in a subcutaneous mass aspirate from a cat.

An 8-year-old intact male cat was presented with a subcutaneous mass in the region of the right jugular vein. Cytologic and histopathologic examinations revealed cells with multilobulated nuclei (flower cells). Immunochemistry using a panel of markers showed vimentin-positivity on cytologic specimens, and postive staining for CD79a and BLA36 on histologic specimens. The final diagnosis was lymphoma of B-cell origin. We have observed similar multilobulated cells in ascites fluid, thoracic fluid, and peripheral blood from dogs and cats with a variety of lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms. Cells with multilobulated nuclei that resemble flower petals also have been described in humans. These cells are infrequently observed in canine and feline cytology specimens and require immunochemistry to determine their cell of origin.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma of maternal origin involving the placenta: case report and literature survey.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) occasionally involves the placenta, and information of such occurrence should be useful for management of the mother and fetus. We report the first case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) disseminated to the placenta. The diagnosis was made via excisional biopsy of cervical lymphadenopathy in a 20-year-old woman at 27 weeks' gestation. Involvement of the placenta was noted on gross examination after cesarean section delivery of a girl at 30 weeks' gestation. The ALCL was microscopically confined to intervillous spaces in a manner similar to previous reports of other NHLs. The immunophenotype was characteristic (CD30+, EMA+, BNH9+), and the now frequently associated t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation with this lymphoma was detected by the recently produced monoclonal antibody ALK1 against the nucleophosmin/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM/ALK) chimeric protein. Complete remission was induced in the mother after delivery. Both mother and child are healthy at 10 years' follow-up. The case is reported in light of the sparse literature on lymphomatous involvement of the placenta.

[IgG kappa myeloma with Fanconi's syndrome and crystalline inclusions. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study]. / Myélome IgG kappa avec syndrome de Fanconi et inclusions cristallines. Etude immuno-histochimique et ultrastructurale.

An IgG kappa light-chain myeloma, remarkable for the presence of inclusions in plasmocytes and proximal renal tubular cells, was discovered during investigations for renal failure associated with partial Fanconi's syndrome. An immunohistochemical study showed that the crystalline inclusions were positive for IgG and kappa light-chain in plasmocytes and exclusively for kappa light-chain in the renal tubular cells. An ultrastructural study showed that the inclusions were localized in lysosomes and had a 55 A periodicity. This case is similar to the forty odd myelomas or light-chain diseases reported in the literature and revealed by Fanconi's syndrome. Their prognosis is good, with a slow progression towards late renal failure. In our patient the preference of lesions for proximal tubular cells, the site of protein catabolism, was particular since in myelomas they are usually located in the distal tubular cells.

[Association of autoimmune thrombopenic purpura and leiomyoma. Recovery after excision of the tumor]. / Association d'un purpura thrombopénique auto-immun et d'un léiomyome. Guérison après exérèse de la tumeur.

A case of auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura in a woman with benign cystic leiomyoma in Retzius' space is reported. The platelet Coombs' test was positive on platelets; the indirect Coombs' test was negative on serum but strongly positive on cyst fluid. Following excision of the leiomyoma thrombocytopenia rapidly subsided and the serological findings became negative, which strongly suggests that the antibody was produced by the tumour.

[Extramembranous glomerulonephritis of acquired syphilis in a patient recently infected by the hepatitis B virus. Demonstration of the treponemal antigen in the kidney by indirect immunofluorescence]. / Glomérulonéphrite extra-membraneuse de la syphilis acquise chez un malade récemment infecté par le virus de l'hépatite B. Mise en évidence au niveau du rein de l'antigène tréponémique par immunofluorescence indirecte.

A 38 years old male homosexual with active secondary syphilis presented with pure nephrotic syndrome while HBs and HBe tests were positive without clinical hepatitis. He had circulating immune complexes, IgG--IgM cryoglobulinemia and high IgA, IgM and IgE levels; the C3 and C4 complement constituents were normal. Examination of renal biopsy sections under light, fluorescent and electronic microscopy showed stage I membranous glomerulonephritis the syphilitic origin of which was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence and by rapid cure under penicillin treatment. This case calls for the following comments: (1) glomerular deposits are extramembranous rather than subendothelial in syphilitic nephrosis, a disease now classified among circulating immune complexes diseases; (2) in the kidney, the treponema antigen can be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and the anti-treponema antibody, by elution; (3) the outcome of the nephrotic syndrome is always favourable, either spontaneously or after penicillin treatment; (4) syphilis and HBs antigens are frequently associated, particularly in homosexual patients; one should be looked for when the other is discovered.

[Neonatal cutaneous hematopoiesis disclosing congenital rubella]. / Hématopoïèse cutanée néonatale révélant une rubéole congénitale.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital rubella, which should disappear with widespread vaccination and mandatory obstetrical care, can occur as a purpuric eruption in the newborn. We report a case of blueberry muffin baby. CASE REPORT: An infant delivered after an "uneventful" pregnancy presented a generalized "purpuric" eruption and had axial hypotonia. Histology of a biopsy showed evidence of cutaneous erythropoiesis. The complete workup led to the diagnosis of congenital rubella. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous erythropoiesis is a well defined clinical and histological entity. There are several causes including infection and hematology disorders. Metastasis of a neuroblastoma, which must be eliminated by early biopsy, is the main differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Blueberry muffin rash is never idiopathic. The prognosis depends on the cause. Physicians should remember that congenital rubella has not yet been completely eradicated in France.

[Eyelid edema revealing Kikuchi's disease]. / OEdème palpébral révélant une maladie de Kikuchi.

INTRODUCTION: In 30 p. 100 of Kikuchi's disease (or necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis), polymorphous and non specific cutaneous manifestations are present. We report herein an original case of Kikuchi's disease in which eyelid edema was the first sign. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old girl was referred to our department for fever, arthralgia, cervical lymphadenitis and an important eyelid edema which had begun 4 days before. The rest of physical examination was normal. Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia, elevated sedimentation rate, increased transaminases and normal muscular and thyroid tests. Various serologic studies were also negative. Thoracic CT scan, abdominal ultrasound and bone marrow biopsy showed no sign of lymphoma. Cervical lymph node biopsy revealed necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis, without neutrophils, suggesting the diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease. Eyelid edema due to lacrimal gland inflammation was resolved after local injections of cortisone. Our patient recovered without therapy within 3 weeks. No recurrence was observed after 4 months. DISCUSSION: Kikuchi's disease is rare and benign. It is clinically manifested by cervical or generalized lymphadenopathy, with fever. Diagnosis is made by lymph node biopsy showing necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis. The etiology is not yet well known, although a viral cause is often suspected. The main differential diagnoses of Kikuchi's disease are lupus erythematosus and lymphoma. Skin lesions are not well described. To our knowledge, we report herein the first case of eyelid edema revealing Kikuchi's disease. Therefore, Kikuchi's disease should now be considered as a new cause of eyelid edema.

[Malignant blue nevus: clinicopathologic study with AgNOR measurement. Seven cases]. / Naevus bleu malin: étude anatomo-clinique avec quantification des organisateurs nucléolaires argyrophiles (AgNOR): à propos de 7 cas.

BACKGROUND: Malignant blue nevus is a very rare tumor. Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been reported to be both a diagnostic and prognostic clue in various tumors, especially if standardized using an image analysis systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven cases of malignant blue nevus were retrospectively recorded between 1974 and 1999, and their clinical and pathological features described. Using an image analysis system, AgNOR measurements were studied in all cases. These results were compared with those obtained in 10 cases of commun blue nevus, 10 cases of cellular blue nevus and 10 cases of malignant melanoma. RESULTS: The most frequent location of malignant blue nevus was the scalp. Clinically, the tumor generally consisted of a blue nodule, 2.5 cm in diameter. There was no single histopathological criterion for the diagnosis of malignant blue nevus. AgNOR measurement was significantly higher in malignant blue nevus in comparison with commun blue nevus (p<0.0004) or cellular blue nevus (p<0.012), whereas there was no difference between malignant blue naevus and malignant melanoma (p > 0.50). DISCUSSION: Our results confirm the severe prognosis of malignant blue nevus and highlight the necessity of removing all blue tumours located on the scalp. AgNOR measurement using an image analysis system appears to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of malignant blue nevus, but further studies remain necessary.

[Krukenberg's tumor. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]. / Tumeur de Krukenberg. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

A case is reported of krükenberg's tumor, this rare lesion characterized by the constant presence of typical signet ring cells being an ovarian metastasis from a general digestive cancer. The primary neoplasm is often overlooked while the ovarian tumor is already large and bilateral. In a pregnant patient with this lesion virilization of mother and child may occur, this endocrine activity being poorly documented and the subject of a literature review. The pathogenicity of this tumor is still unknown. Endocrine investigations should be enlarged in the fairly rare cases when diagnosis is suspected prior to ovarian excision. Treatment is currently surgical but survival is little improved. Other therapy is only poorly effective.

Wireless powered electronic sensors for biological applications.

Radio frequency identification technology is used to power a novel platform of sensor devices. The employed energy harvesting system of the individual sensors enables a blanking of the radio frequency field for a defined period, while supplying the sensor electronics with a highly stable voltage. This guarantees interference free operation of the electronic circuitry during measurements. The implementation of this principle is demonstrated for a sensor system which is based on insets for state-of-the-art micro-titer-plates. Each inset is carrying electronic circuitry and an interdigitated electrode system which is acting as sensor for recording alterations of the cell metabolism. The presented sensor devices work without batteries and are designed for impedance measurements on microbiological cell cultures under physiological relevant conditions.