Hydropic degeneration of leiomyoma in nongravid uterus: The "split fiber" sign on magnetic resonance imaging.

Extensive hydropic degeneration in uterine leiomyoma is a rare occurrence and is commonly reported in association with pregnancy. It is a close mimicker of malignancy due to rapid growth and atypical imaging appearances. Awareness of the imaging features helps in diagnosis, avoids unnecessary patient anxiety, and hence reassurance especially when encountered in pregnancy. We report two cases of extensive hydropic degeneration of leiomyoma in nonpregnant females with imaging and histopathology correlation. We also propose the "split fiber" sign as a useful magnetic resonance imaging feature for diagnosing this condition.

Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Pleural Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Primary pleural neoplasms are rare entities compared with the pleural involvement by metastatic carcinoma.The current study aimed at investigating the complete spectrum of pleural neoplasms and differentiating between them with the aid of immunohistochemistry (IHC). METHODS: Consecutive pleural biopsy specimens positive for a neoplasm, both primary and metastatic, were included in the study. Diagnosis or a differential diagnosis was suggested on histopathology confirmed by a panel of IHC markers such ascytokeratin(AE1/AE3), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA),vimentin, calretinin, CD34, CD99, SMA,bcl2, S100, CK7,CK20,TTF1,GCDFP, HMB45, LCA, synapto-physin, chromogranin, and naspsin. RESULTS: A total of 35 cases of pleural neoplasms included 15 (42.9%) primary pleural neoplasms and 20 (57.1%) metastatic carcinoma. Synovial sarcoma, malignant mesothelioma (MM), and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) accounted for 14.2%,11.4%, and 8.5% of metastatic cases, respectively. Epithelioid sarcoma(ES), neuroendocrine carcinoma, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor were less common, each contributing to 2.9% of pleural neoplasms. Among the 20 cases of metastatic carcinoma, 13 were from the lung and 7 from the breast. Lung neoplasms metastasizing to the pleura were adenocarcinoma (n=12) and atypical carcinoid (n=1). CONCLUSION: Analysis of histopathological pattern along with a panel of appropriate IHC markers distinguished the rare entities of pleural neoplasms essential to determine the prognosis and treatment modality.