Giant Cell Glioblastoma: A report of two cases

A rare variant of glioblastoma characterized by giant or monster cells is now well recognized. However, this tumor had been remained in controversy on its pathogenesis, and the tumor had been considered to be a sarcoma until 1968, when the electronemicroscopic study demonstrated the presence of filaments mesuring 80 in diameter in the perikarya in giant cells as well as in smaller, better differentiated cells. The peroxidase antiperoxidase stain of glial fibrillary acid protein shows positive glial fibrillary fibers in their cytoplasm, accordingly the giant cells has been recognized as being of astrocytic origin. This concept has been redocumented by light microscopy since PTAH-positive astrocytic fibers are present in large numbers of neoplastic cells. The two cases reported here were frontal and occipital giant cell glioblastomas in 58 years old male and 44 years old women, respectively. On light microscopy, the tumor showed numberous characteristic giant or monster cells as well as the same features seen in the usual glioblastoma. The electron microscopy and special stains, PTAH and GFAP confirmed that the giant cells were in glial origin.

Immunohistochemical Study on the Blood Group A, B and H in Colonic Adenocarcinomas

Blood group isoantigens (BGS) A, B and H comprise a group of carbohydrate cell surface markers found not only on the erythrocytes but in wide variety of epithelial cells and body fluid on 80% of the human population. There has been increasing interest in the changes in blood group A, B and H antigen expression in various epithelial malignancies. These changes included deletion of A, B determinants, accumulation of precursor substances, increment or neosynthesis of imcomplete blood group antigens and synthesis of sialylated substances bearing blood group carbohydrate chains. Also these changes have been explained as an evidence of immunologic dedifferentiation analogous to the morphologic dedifferenctiation of anaplasia. isoantigens may be altered in epithelial tissues that show repair and regeneration, metaplastic changes and dysplasia. We studied that the changes of blood group isoantigens A, B and H in 30 cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon, 27 cases of adjacent mucosa and 19 cases of metastatic lymph nodes by immunohistochemical study. In ascending, transverse and rectosigmoid colon, the blood group isoantigens A, B and H are positive in 57.1%, 0% and 57.1% of adenocarcinomas and 100%, 50% and 0% in adjacent mucosae, respectively. In ascending colon,the frequency of the metastasis and recurrences in Blood group isoantigen positive and negative cases are 75% and 66.6% and in rectosigmoid colon, those are 50.5% and 90.0%, respectively. In tumors of the ascending colon, there was no significant correlation between antigen content and frequency of metastasis. However, the cancer of the rectosigmoid colon with bloodgroup isoantigen positive were associated with a lower frequency of metastasis than those without blood group isoantigen. (p=0.045). The data suggests that the immunohistochemical studies of blood group isoantigen may be of value in estimating the clinical behavior of certain colon carcinoma.

Study on the Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody and Anti-Nuclear Antibody of Chronic Active Hepatitis, Chronic Persistant Heratitis and Liver Cirrhosis in Korea

In Korea chronic liver diseases are the important medical issues because of their high incidence, poor prognosis and no available therapeutic resume. It is believed that the etiologic agent of most of chronic liver diseases in Korea is hepatitis B virus. To find out the incidence of positivity and to understand the autoantibodies in some of the chronic liver diseases in Korea, anti-smooth muscle antibody and anti-nuclear antibody tests were performed on 43 patient serum with chronic active hepatitis, 13 patient serum with chronic persistant hepatitis and 20 patient serum with liver cirrhosis, who diagnosed by liver biopsies. The results of the study are summarized as follows: 1) The positivity of anti-smooth muscle antibody in chronic active hepatitis was 93.0%, that in chronic persistant hepatitis 60.0% and that in liver cirrhosis 80.0%. 2) The positivity of anti-nuclear antibody in chronic active hepatitis was 18.6%, that in chronic persistant hepatitis 15.4%, that in liver cirrhosis 5.0%. 3) The test efficiency of anti-smooth muscle antibody to differentiate chronic active hepatitis from chronic persistant hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was 48.7%. The above results suggest that the antismooth muscle antibody may be related to the "necrosis of liver cells", and further studies are needed to fine out any relationship between the autoantibody and the disturbance of immune regulatory function if there is, as this study suggested.

Nucleolar Organizer Regions in Normal Tissue and Hyperplastic and Neoplastic Lesions

For the identification of proliferating cells in tissue, the argyrophilic method for the demonstration of nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) have been described. To evaluate the applicability of Ag-NORs in surgical pathology, the authors have done Ag-NORs staining on 144 cases of routinely processed, formalin-fixed paraffin sections of various tissues; 15 normal tissues, 12 reactive and hyperplastic lesions, 30 benign neoplasms, 4 borderline lesions, and 83 malignant tumors. The results were summerized as follows; 1) In normal tissues, the mean numbers of Ag-NORs were highter in labile cells, especially in actively proliferating cells such as germ cells of testis, crypt epithelial cells in gastrointestinal mucosa, and lymphocytes from germinal center of tonsil and lymph node, than those of stable cells. 2) The mean numbers of Ag-NORs in reactive and hyperplastic lesions, benign neoplasms, and borderline lesions were similar to those of normal labile cells. 3) The mean numbers of Ag-NORs in carcinomas and sarcomas, (usually more than 2) significantly exceeded those of normal and non-malignant conditions. However, certain cases of carcinomas such as papillary carcinomas of thyroid, mucinous carcinoma of stomach, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of lung, and adenoid cystic carcinoma of lung, and some of the leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and malignant schwannoma showed relatively lower numbers of Ag-NORs. 4) In non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, the high grade lymphomas showed more Ag-NORs than the low grade ones. From above results, it is suggested that the Ag-NORs technique is helpful in differentiation between malignant and non-malignant lesions. However, further evaluation on the significance of Ag-NORs upon the behavior of the cancer is to be made.

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Gastrointestinal Polyps

Pathologists play an important role in proper evaluation of endoscopically removed polyps of the gastrointestinal tract. This study is purposed to reclassify the polyps and review the clinicopathologic features of each histologic subtypes and their malignant potential. Our material consists of total 345 gastrointestinal polyps obtained from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1987. The results are as follows: 1) A total of 345 gastrointestinal polyps was removed from stomach is 151 cases, from colon in 180 cases, and from small intestine in 14 cases. 2) Hyperplastic polyps were the most common type of polyps I stomach (53.6%) whereas neoplastic polyps were the most common in colon (56.1%). 3) Hyperplastic polyps of the stomach occur in any age after the 3rd decade of life and neoplastic polyps predominantly developed between the 5th and 8th decades. Juvenile retention polyps were frequently noted before the 3rd decade of age. 4) Approximately 267 cases (77.4%) of patients had a single polyp and the remainders had multiple polyps. The gastric polyps were usually located at the antrum and the colonic polyps were at the sigmoid colon and rectum. 5) Epithelial atypia was exclusively noted in the neoplastic polyps of stomach (72.7%) and colon (72.3%). Malignancy in the polyp was observed in the neoplastic polyps only (13 cases). 6) Different types of polyp may occur in the same organ.

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Gastrointestinal Polyps

Pathologists play an important role in proper evaluation of endoscopically removed polyps of the gastrointestinal tract. This study is purposed to reclassify the polyps and review the clinicopathologic features of each histologic subtypes and their malignant potential. Our material consists of total 345 gastrointestinal polyps obtained from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1987. The results are as follows: 1) A total of 345 gastrointestinal polyps was removed from stomach is 151 cases, from colon in 180 cases, and from small intestine in 14 cases. 2) Hyperplastic polyps were the most common type of polyps I stomach (53.6%) whereas neoplastic polyps were the most common in colon (56.1%). 3) Hyperplastic polyps of the stomach occur in any age after the 3rd decade of life and neoplastic polyps predominantly developed between the 5th and 8th decades. Juvenile retention polyps were frequently noted before the 3rd decade of age. 4) Approximately 267 cases (77.4%) of patients had a single polyp and the remainders had multiple polyps. The gastric polyps were usually located at the antrum and the colonic polyps were at the sigmoid colon and rectum. 5) Epithelial atypia was exclusively noted in the neoplastic polyps of stomach (72.7%) and colon (72.3%). Malignancy in the polyp was observed in the neoplastic polyps only (13 cases). 6) Different types of polyp may occur in the same organ.

Nucleolar organizer regions of lymphomas in Korea

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA which occur in the nucleoli of cells and which possess ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs have been thought to be related to cellular activities. To assess the applicability of NORs associated protein (Ag-NORs) in the field of diagnostic histopathology, a silver staining was done in paraffin sections of malignant lymphomas, tonsils and reactive lymph nodes and the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade and those of high-grade lymphomas were compared. A significant difference was found between the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade lymphoma (a mean of 1.3 per nucleus) and those of high-grade lymphomas (a mean of 4.2 to 8.3 per nucleus). The Ag-NORs were often observed in nuclei in areas where nucleoli themselves were not visible in H and E stain. It is suggested that this method would be of great value in the field of tumor histopathology.

Nucleolar organizer regions of lymphomas in Korea

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA which occur in the nucleoli of cells and which possess ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs have been thought to be related to cellular activities. To assess the applicability of NORs associated protein (Ag-NORs) in the field of diagnostic histopathology, a silver staining was done in paraffin sections of malignant lymphomas, tonsils and reactive lymph nodes and the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade and those of high-grade lymphomas were compared. A significant difference was found between the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade lymphoma (a mean of 1.3 per nucleus) and those of high-grade lymphomas (a mean of 4.2 to 8.3 per nucleus). The Ag-NORs were often observed in nuclei in areas where nucleoli themselves were not visible in H and E stain. It is suggested that this method would be of great value in the field of tumor histopathology.

Ectopic Hamartomatous Thymoma: A case report

A 49-year old man was admitted to the Korea university hospital, department of surgery, for evaluation of anterior neck mass which was slowly growing for five years. His past history was unremarkable except for known hypertension for several years. Physical examination revealed high blood pressure, measuring 180 mmHg in systolic phase and 120 mmHg in diastolic phase. A soft nontender mass was palpated at anterior neck just above the sternal notch with smooth surface and its size was about 4 x 5 cm in cross. On laboratory examination, diabetic evidence such as high blood sugar (FBS 170 mg/dl, PP2hr. 234 mg/dl) and glucosuria. The CBC finding suggested polycythemia with high hemoglobin (18.0 g/dl) and hematocrit (54%) levels. The differential count and platelet count were within normal limits.

Clinical Application of EMA, CEA and LCA in Differential Diagnosis of Tumors

To determine the therapeutic plan and to predict the prognosis, it is a pivotal and important task to differentiate the exact nature of the various undifferentiated neoplasms. In order to solve this problem, the electron microscopy has once been considered only method in certain cases. Recently, however, the immunoperoxidase staining method which is less expensive and easier to usethan electron microscopy has been developed and introduced. To evaluate the diagnostic value of epithelial membrane antigen(EMA), carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) and leukocyte common antigen(LCA) immunoperoxidase method, the authors applied these staining in 15 cases of which exact diagnoses were difficult with conventional routine and special stains, using the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The results are as follows: 1) EMA was helpful in confirming the diagnosis or revising to the proper diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma in 4 of 6 cases and in excluding the possibility of hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma in 2 cases, respectively. The negative stainabilities in one case of choriocarcinoma and one case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma was useful to exclude the possibility of squamous cell carcinoma and the positive stainability in one case of giant cell carcinoma to exclude the possibility of sarcoma. 2) The diagnostic value of CEA was similar to that of EMA; CEA was useful to differentiate from malignant lymphoma in one case of epithelial tumor in which CEA was positive and EMA negative. 3) LCA was useful to differentiate one case of malignant lymphoma from undifferentiated carcinoma and to confirm Ewing's sarcoma from malignant lymphoma in one case.

An Application of Immunohistochemical Study of Cytokeratin in Tumor Diagnosis

Cytokeratins are a family of polypeptides of intermediate filaments which in diverse epithelia are expressed in diffeent, yet specific combinations. To evaluate the diagnostic value of keratin, immunohistochemical staining was done in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal and neoplastic tissues by PAP and StreptABC methods. The antiserum for cytokeratin in monoclonal antibody which gives the specificity for 40, 46, 50, 52, 56, 58, and 65-67 Kd keratin classes. The results are as follows: 1) The staining was positive for cytokeratin in all of the squamous epithelium, ductular epithelial cells of various glands, respiratory and urinary tract epithelium, and mesothelial cells. 2) No staining for cytokeratin was ovserved in respiratory alveolar epithelium, acinar cells of various glands, renal glomeruli, hepatocytes, and many mesoderm-derived tissues such as muscle, hematopoieitc and lymphoid tissues, nerve, bone, cartilage, and fibroblasts. 3) Squamous cell carcinomas, transitional cell carcinomas, mesotheliomas, and some of the adenocarcinomas (stomach, colon, uterine cervix, biliary tract and breast) exhibited positive staining for cytokeratin. Epithelial cells of thymoma, adenomatoid tumor, plemorphic adenoma of salivary gland, papillary carcinoma of thyroid, lymphoepithelioma, and craniopharyngioma were also positive. 4) Some of the adenocarcinomas (prostate and pancreas), renal cell carcinoma, ovarian stromal and germ cell tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and mesoderm-derived tumors including malignant lymphoma were uniformly negative for staining. 5) From the above results, the immunohistochemical study in paraffin-embedded tissues using monoclonal antibody for cyto keratin may be useful to differentiate various tumors, especially in differential of hepatocellular carcinoma from bile duct adenocarcinoma, lymphoepithelioma and other undifferentiated carcinomas from lymphoma, thymoma from lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma from melanoma. It will be helpful in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma in which the differentiation from renal cell carcinoma and prostatic adenocarcinoma be difficult.

Granular Cell Tumor of the Esophagus: Three cases of report

Three cases of granular cell tumor in esophagus removed endoscopically are present. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies confirmed that this tumor is originated from schwann cell.

Plexiform Schwannoma

Three case of plexiform schwannoma displayed multinodular masses and microscopically a multicentric pattern of growth featuring Antoni A cellular component, Verocay bodies and presence of Antoni B areas. Clinically von Recklinghausen's disease was not observed in all cases. The first patient was a 17 year old male who had a protruding nodule of walnut size which was located at the dermis of the left flank for 13 years. The second case, a 25 year old male, had an irregular whitish brown multinodular mass in the choana for 5 years. The last case, a 56 year old woman, had an ovoid yellowish brown mass with multiple nodules in the retroperitoneum.

Aggressive Osteoblastoma: A case report

Osteoblastoma is a rare tumor which forms osteoid and bone with highly vascular stroma, account for less than 1 percent of all bone tumors. The lesion had been thought to be controlled with curettage and locat excision. In recent years, cases of locally aggressive but not metastasizing osteoblastomas have been described as aggressive osteoblastoma or malignant osteoblastoma, separated from the innocuous behavior of usual osteoblastoma. It represents the histologic characteristics of the presence of epithelioid osteoblasts, trabecular rather than lace-like osteoid, low mitotic rate with no atypical form with prominent giant cells of osteoclastic type The differential diagnosis between aggressive osteoblastoma and osteogenic sarcoma is extremely difficult, but its peculiar histologic pattern and ist different clinical and radiologic features and better prognosis are helpful. We report here a case of aggressive osteoblastoma of 17 years old female patient with 2 years and 5 months follow-up period and review the literature.

Fabry's Disease: A case report of electronmicroscopy and enzyme studies

Fabry's disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disease caused by alpha-galactosidase deficiency, resulting in abnormal accumulation of galactosyl galactosyl galactosyl ceramide (ceramide trihexoside) in various organs. Articles in English reported approximately one hundred cases but only two cases in Korea. Recently the authors experienced a case of Fabry's disease of a male patient and studied the electronmicroscopy on skin biopsied tissue and enzyme assay of alpha -galactosidase activity in his peripheral blood leukocytes. The male patient was a 21-year-old soldier who suffered from anhidrosis with heat intolerance and generalized telangietatic papules (Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) since childhood. Other clinical findings were ocular change, paroxysmal pain of lower extremities and proteinuria with oval fat bodies on urinalysis. The ultrastructural study of skin demonstrated abnormal lysosomal deposits of finger-prints or "zebra" body configuration in the endothelial cells, pericytes, perineural cells and intercalated ductal epithelium of sweat glands. Enzyme activity of alpha-galactosidase was markedly decreased in the peripheral blood leukocytes comparing to the normal control, which was conclusive to make a diagnosis of Fabry's disease.

Fabry's Disease: A case report of electronmicroscopy and enzyme studies

Fabry's disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disease caused by alpha-galactosidase deficiency, resulting in abnormal accumulation of galactosyl galactosyl galactosyl ceramide (ceramide trihexoside) in various organs. Articles in English reported approximately one hundred cases but only two cases in Korea. Recently the authors experienced a case of Fabry's disease of a male patient and studied the electronmicroscopy on skin biopsied tissue and enzyme assay of alpha -galactosidase activity in his peripheral blood leukocytes. The male patient was a 21-year-old soldier who suffered from anhidrosis with heat intolerance and generalized telangietatic papules (Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) since childhood. Other clinical findings were ocular change, paroxysmal pain of lower extremities and proteinuria with oval fat bodies on urinalysis. The ultrastructural study of skin demonstrated abnormal lysosomal deposits of finger-prints or "zebra" body configuration in the endothelial cells, pericytes, perineural cells and intercalated ductal epithelium of sweat glands. Enzyme activity of alpha-galactosidase was markedly decreased in the peripheral blood leukocytes comparing to the normal control, which was conclusive to make a diagnosis of Fabry's disease.

Malignant Meningioma: Clinical, Radiologic and Pathologic Characteristics

This is a report of the clinico-pathologic findings in six cases of histologically verified malignant meningiomas-three hemangiopericytic and three anaplastic types. They were three males and three females and two of them were reoperated for recurrence. The hemangiopericytic types had similar angiographic and macroscopic features and malignant characteristics such as increased mitoses. The anaplastic types lacked typical arrangement, but had a large number of mitoses, increased cellularity, focal necrosis, pleomorphism, anaplasia, and the adjacent normal parenchymal infiltration. However the metastasis was not yet proven in these cases.

Malignant Meningioma: Clinical, Radiologic and Pathologic Characteristics

This is a report of the clinico-pathologic findings in six cases of histologically verified malignant meningiomas-three hemangiopericytic and three anaplastic types. They were three males and three females and two of them were reoperated for recurrence. The hemangiopericytic types had similar angiographic and macroscopic features and malignant characteristics such as increased mitoses. The anaplastic types lacked typical arrangement, but had a large number of mitoses, increased cellularity, focal necrosis, pleomorphism, anaplasia, and the adjacent normal parenchymal infiltration. However the metastasis was not yet proven in these cases.

Primary Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Endometrium with Small Cell and Trophoblastic Differentiation

This report describes a very rare case of primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium with small cell and trophoblastic differentiation. The patient was 54-year-old woman with complaints of vaginal bleeding and palpable lower abdominal mass. The light microscopic findings revealed predominantly small cells with round nuclei, spindle cells, and large cells with hyperchromatic bizarre nuclei. Foci of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells are scattered, especially in the hemorrhagic areas. Immunohistochemical stainging for neuron specific enolase and beta-hCG showed positive reactions to small cells and syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells, respectively. Argentaffin and argyrophil stains, however, showed negative reactions to small cells. The histogenesis of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium remains unclear; however, it may arise from epithelial precursors instead of neuroendocrine cells, and syncytiotrophoblastic cells may be differentiated or dedifferentiated from the undifferentiated carcinoma cells.

Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A case report

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM) is a rare disease of women of child-bearing age in which there is progressive hyperplasia of atypical smooth mucle along lymphatics in the lung, and/or axial lymphatics in the thorax and abdomen, resulting in honeycombing of lung. Interestingly there has been a speculation that it represents a forme furste or incomplete expression of tuberous sclerosis complex. This is based on the observation that patients with tuberous sclerosis can manifest pulmonary lesions indistinguishable from LAM. We report a case of LAM occuring in a 39-year-old female, who complained of recurrent pneumothorax, chest pain and shortness of breath. Three years ago, the patient had right nephrectomy under the diagnosis of ruptured angiomyolipoma. A X-ray film of the chest showed honeycombing with a diffusely reticulonodular pattern and cyst-like spaces. She had a characteristic facial appearance of adenoma sebaceum, which her father and uncle had. Microscopically, the lung showed a marked smooth muscle proliferation around the slit-like lymphatic spaces and also some respiratory bronchioles.