Concurrent sarcoidal granulomas and melanoma micrometastasis in a sentinel node - a case report.

Incidental findings of non-caseating granulomas and metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes are rare but cause clinical challenges. We report a case of coinciding unexpected asymptomatic lymphoid sarcoidosis and a micrometastasis in a sentinel node of a patient, who was newly diagnosed with 2.0 mm thick melanoma on the left calf.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy for staging malignant melanoma of the esophagus. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma (MM) rarely involves the esophagus. The outlook is dismal unless lesional tissue is limited to the esophageal wall. Hence, staging prior to extensive surgical intervention is desirable. CASE: A 54-year-old male presented with fatigue and melena. A diagnosis of MM primary in the esophagus was rendered on a biopsy of an esophageal polyp. The stage, determined by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy, was advanced. On the basis of this information, it was decided to spare the patient mutilating surgery. CONCLUSION: This report confirms the utility of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in documenting the extent of lesions at sites difficult to access. Thus, management can be improved.

Low incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a Danish liver unit.

INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of histological lesions ranging from steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Simple steatosis is generally benign, while NASH can progress to severe liver disease. The aim of the present study was to quantify the number of patients with NASH and assess the prognosis associated with the condition in a large Danish referral centre for liver disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through the pathology archives at Hvidovre Hospital, 348 patients with steatohepatitis diagnosed during the 1976-1987-period were identified. Data were systematically collected by review of available medical records. These data were supplemented by data from the Danish National Hospital Registry and the Registry of Causes of Death. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients referred from other hospitals were excluded as their records were missing and 236 patients were excluded, mainly due to a history of alcohol abuse; this left 14 patients to constitute the study population. At the end of the follow-up period which had a median duration of 16.7 years, ten of the patients had died: four of cardiovascular disease, four of extra-hepatic neoplasm and two of unknown causes. There were no liver-related deaths and only one patient developed cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: In a specialised referral centre, only few patients were diagnosed with NASH 25-30 years ago and those who were identified had a low risk of progression to cirrhosis and premature death. FUNDING: The local research council and the foundation for the study of liver diseases at Hvidovre Hospital provided funding for this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Filiform serrated adenomatous polyposis arising in a diverted rectum of an inflammatory bowel disease patient.

A 54-year-old man, previously colectomized for inflammatory bowel disease, developed carcinoma in the inflamed rectum stump. The malignant growth was surrounded by a filiform polyposis, grossly considered as pseudopolyps. The histology disclosed, however, a morphology corresponding to the recently described filiform subset of serrated adenoma (FSA). The clustering of the FSA amounted to a filiform serrated adenomatous polyposis, a hitherto unreported observation. It is speculated that neoplastic transformation of pre-existing pseudopolyps and prolaps-related events lead to this peculiar morphology. Minor zones with a villous structure were admixed as were small areas of traditional serrated adenoma and patches of flat dysplasia. Although a combined gastric and intestinal (positivity for MUC5AC, MUC2, MUC6, CDX2) immunoprofile characterized the adenomatous component, a downregulation of the gastric mucin along with a loss of the serrated attribute accompanied the malignant transformation. An added dynamic shift during the adenoma carcinoma sequence included the acquisition of CK7 expression in the malignant portion. Gastric mucin may play a role in the initial step of the neoplastic evolution and CK7 may denote neoplastic progression. This case confirms the notion of a widely variegated morphology of precursor lesions of colorectal carcinoma arising in a chronically inflamed bowel as opposed to the generally more monotonous appearance of adenomas in a sporadic context.

[Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with intraabdominal hemorrhage and periappendicular inflammation]. / Meckels divertikel-perforation med intraabdominal blødning og periappendikulaer inflammation.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a rare and serious complication. The authors report a case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with acute abdominal pain and anaemia. Haemoperitoneum, perforated MD and peri-appendicular inflammation were found during laparotomy. The patient was treated with resection of a segment of ileum bearing the diverticulum and appendectomy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Pathological examination showed a perforated peptic ulcer with acute peritonitis and periappendicitis.

Biopsies of colorectal clinical polyps--emergence of diagnostic information on deeper levels.

Although the occasional appearance of a normal histology of biopsies from endoscopic colorectal (CR) polyps is generally held knowledge, its prevalence has rarely been focused on, and the yield of additional sections in such cases has been previously addressed in merely four communications. Hitherto, this issue has not been discussed in the context of the clinical setting. The prime aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of step sectioning CR biopsies, considered non-diagnostic (non-diagnostic biopsies (NDB)) on routine sections. The results are correlated with the indications for endoscopy. Additionally, an appropriate, cost-effective approach for handling NDB was sought. Biopsies from 480 clinical polyps were prospectively evaluated by one of three gastrointestinal pathologists and classified as (a) diagnostic biopsies (DB), comprising neoplastic polyps, hyperplastic polyps (HP), sessile-serrated polyp, other diverse causes of polyp formation and (b) NDB comprising normal histology (group 1), suspicious of either adenoma (group 2) or HP (group 3). Material grouped 1-3 was subsequently step-sectioned (three sections prepared from each of nine additional levels). The biopsy specimens were obtained from 245 endoscopies and stratified in the following categories according to the clinical indications: relevant symptoms (symptomatic, n=127), previously documented sporadic large bowel neoplasia (follow-up, n=99), and documented or presumed hereditary condition that confer an increased risk of CRC (hereditary, n=19, including 15 hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) cases). Sixty-five (13.5%) of the 480 samples were classified as NDB (normal morphology n=49, suspicious of adenoma n=5, suspicious of HP n=11), constituting roughly 10% of all biopsies from the symptomatic and the follow-up categories, 32.1% of samples from the hereditary cases, the difference between the hereditary and the non-hereditary cases being statistically significant (p<0.0001). Upon leveling the 65 NDB, a DB emerged in 24 (36.9%) cases, with no significant difference in the yield in relation to the delineated indication categories. Thereby, diagnostic information was obtained with three additional levels in 15 cases, the remaining 9 cases requiring additional sections, ranging from 4 to 8 levels. The present step sectioning approach implied an extra expense of about 112 US$ for each NDB converted to a DB. The higher prevalence of NDB in relation to genetic disorders probably reflects sampling of particularly diminutive lesions. Given the high yield of step sectioning NDB coupled with an acceptable price, our strategy delineated here is recommended in routine practice with the modification of an initial preparation of sections from merely three levels, and if still non-diagnostic, supplementation with additional five levels.

[Lymph node identification in colorectal cancer specimens cases]. / Fund af lymfeknuder ved kolorektal cancer.

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most prevalent malignancies in Western countries. Lymph node status is a significant prognosticator. The chance of identifying node-positivity is positively correlated with the number of lymph nodes (LN) identified. The present paper discusses various variables that may influence the detection of LNs, including patient- as well as surgeon- and pathologist-related issues. The pathologist-related variable most probably shapes the yield the most. Introduction of guidelines focusing on the most appropriate technique may secure better and more consistent results, and the pathologist's commitment is crucial in this respect.

[Resection time and number of detected colorectal lymph nodes in resection specimens with carcinoma]. / Udskaeringstid og antal påviste lymfeknuder ved kolorektal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The number of identified lymph nodes (LNs) is an essential element in the pathologist's rapport on colorectal resection specimens with carcinoma (CRSC). A considerable number of papers discuss the acceptable minimum number of identified LNs to secure a correct LN status (LNS). Details as to the most appropriate grossing technique for LN detection are, however, largely lacking. In this paper the influence of the time invested by the pathologist in the pursuit of LN is investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material comprised 150 CRSCs. The usual gross examination was extended by 15 minutes in an effort to identify additional LNs. Provided this careful analysis failed to produce 12 LNs and all detected LNs were benign (pNx), the specimen was re-sampled for an additional 15-minute period. Data were correlated with a baseline material comprising 100 CRSCs. RESULTS: The intensified search for LNs increased the average number of LNs pr. specimen from 9.1 to 14.9. The number of cases with pNx was reduced from 54% to 18%. Re-sampling performed on 25 specimens resulted in the detection of another 61 LNs in 21 cases, ranging from 1 to 8 LN pr. specimen (median 2), whereby pNx was converted to pN0 in eight cases. In another four cases, additional LNs were not detected. Re-sampling did not uncover metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: This intensified effort in the Department of Pathology resulted in a more reliable LNS.

[Tumour-cell dissociation as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer]. / Tumorcelledissociering som prognostisk markør ved kolorektal cancer.

The invasive front of the colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in some cases displays budding, characterized by groups of up to five tumour cells. In 2006, budding was introduced in the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group's (DCCG) and the Danish Society of Pathology and Cytology's (DSPAC) CRC register form. Based on a literature survey, molecular mechanisms that may contribute to budding are reviewed, as is the mode by which this process is registered and its putative clinical significance. Despite diverse modes of budding registration, its significance as a prognostic marker has consistently been substantiated. Additionally, data on budding may prove of value in patient management.

[Inflammatory cloacogenic polyp]. / Inflammatorisk kloakogen polyp.

We present a case of inflammatory cloacogenic polyp in a 28-year-old man who had suffered from intermittent rectal bleeding for four years. A colonoscopy showed anal polyps. The patient had no previous medical history and had no known family history of polyps. Histopathology showed changes in the colonic mucous membrane consistent with the diagnosis inflammatory cloacogenic polyp, no dysplasia. Dysplasia has been described in ICP, but is rare. Nonetheless, histological examination of all perianal lesions, even in young adults, is important.

[Primary eosinophilic esophagitis]. / Primaer eosinofil øsofagitis.

Primary eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a rare disease with symptoms similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, EE is caused by severe eosinophilic invasion of the esophageal epithelium, typically followed by dysphagia. A man 28 years of age presented persistent symptoms of GERD despite traditional antireflux therapy. Histologic evaluation showed eosinophilia (85 eosinophils/high-power field (x 400)). Treatment by bouginage resulted in mucosal lacerations and transitory clinical improvement. Local steroid therapy for four weeks eliminated the symptoms.

Idiopathic extensive peliosis hepatis treated with liver transplantation.

A 50-year-old Danish man, who neither had wasting disease nor was taking steroid-containing drugs, complained of abdominal distension, due to a markedly enlarged liver. Percutaneous needle biopsies were taken from the liver, and the findings gave suspicion of a neoplastic tumor. Because of reduced liver function and treatment-resistant ascites, he underwent liver transplantation without a definite preoperative diagnosis. The resected liver weighed 2900 g, and almost all of the parenchyma was destroyed and replaced by multicystic blood-filled spaces, diagnosed as extensive peliosis hepatis complicating liver cirrhosis. Extensive peliosis with liver cirrhosis is a rare condition. Only two cases, caused by contraceptives and treated by liver transplantation, are reported in the English-language literature. We could find no cause other than alcohol abuse lasting several years in this patient, and classified the present case as idiopathic extensive peliosis hepatis. Although scarce subjective findings and misleading liver biopsies made an exact diagnosis difficult, an orthotopic liver transplantation was the only treatment for such complicated peliosis hepatis.