Comparative yield of blood culture for fungi and mycobacteria, liver biopsy, and bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of undetermined origin in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

The diagnostic yield of mycobacterial blood cultures, bone marrow biopsy, and liver biopsy for determining the cause of unexplained fever was compared prospectively in eight men and four women with serologic evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and fever of undetermined origin. Mycobacterial infection was found in 8 of the 12 patients (Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 3 and Mycobacterium avium in 5). Mycobacteria were isolated from the blood of 6 of these 8 patients. The mean interval from blood culture inoculation to growth was 28 days. Acid-fast organisms or granulomas were seen in four bone marrow and six liver specimens. Liver biopsy revealed acid-fast bacilli in a higher percentage of cases (75%) than did bone marrow biopsy (25%). Mycobacterial blood culture is a relatively slow method that occasionally fails to diagnose mycobacterial infection. In febrile patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, liver biopsy is the most rapid method of diagnosing mycobacterial infection.

Verrucous carcinoma of the leg positive for human papillomavirus DNA 11 and 18: a case report.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and/or 11 have been associated with benign lesions, while types 16, 18, 31, and 33 are prevalent in malignant lesions. This case report describes the findings in a verrucous carcinoma of the leg, which was examined for HPV types 11, 16, and 18 by in situ DNA hybridization. The lesion gave positive results for HPV subtypes 11 and 18, a combination that, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported in this neoplasm.

Angiodysplasia of colon revisited: pathologic demonstration without the use of intravascular injection technique.

The recognition of angiodysplasia either at the time of surgery or at the time of routine gross and microscopic examination has often been difficult. Until now the primary methodology used in defining the lesion has been the intravascular injection of radiopaque dyes and other compounds. This technique, however, is prohibitively time consuming and expensive, and does not encourage routine use in surgical pathology practice. We report two cases of angiodysplasia, both occurring in unlikely areas, in which the pathologic lesion was demonstrated without the use of an intravascular injection technique. One case involved 35 cm of proximal transverse colon and the other involved 23 cm of colon distal to the ileocecal valve. A simple method of demonstrating angiodysplasia by intraluminal formalin fixation (37% concentrated, unbuffered), with tying of both resected ends for 3 hours, followed by dissection of the mucosa from the muscle wall, is described. Areas of ectatic, pericryptal, thin-walled blood vessels with adjacent dilated, engorged submucosal veins are readily seen on gross direct inspection highlighted by transillumination. Histologic sections taken from these areas show early lesions of angiodysplasia characterized by ectatic, engorged submucosal veins and some dilated venules and capillaries in the mucosal lamina propria.

Immunocytochemical localization of estrogen and progesterone receptors in human thyroid.

The presence of steroid hormone receptors has previously been suggested in thyroid tissue by biochemical means. Our studies were designed to confirm these results and to localize the specific receptor-containing cell type using a novel immunocytochemical method. Monoclonal antibodies specific to estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) were used to localize these steroid hormone receptors in the human thyroid gland. Frozen tissue sections from surgical specimens excised from 22 patients of both sexes with benign thyroid disease were studied. The sections were incubated with rat antiestrophilin and antiprogesterone receptor antibodies and were then exposed to rabbit anti-rat IgG and to rat peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. The reaction product was visualized with diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride and hydrogen peroxide. Four specimens were positive for both ER and PgR, 16 were ER-positive and PgR-negative, and two were negative for both ER and PgR. Positive reactivity was limited to the follicular lining cell nuclei and varied from focal to diffuse. The immunohistochemical findings confirmed the presence of ER and PgR in the thyroid tissue and demonstrated for the first time that these receptors are present only in the nuclei of the lining cells of the thyroid follicle. The role of steroid hormone receptors in the thyroid in health and disease remains to be explained.

Kaposi sarcoma presenting as a vulvar mass.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma has become a common manifestation in people with AIDS, especially men. A few reports of Kaposi sarcoma in women with AIDS have involved nongenital areas. However, of the few patients with genital Kaposi sarcoma reported in the United States, none was believed to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive. Genital Kaposi sarcoma associated with HIV has been reported in other parts of the world. CASE: A 29-year-old black woman presented with severe vulvar pain, vaginal discharge, and a vulvar mass. She had been diagnosed with AIDS 25 months earlier. Biopsy of the vulvar mass revealed Kaposi sarcoma; viral analysis of the tumor was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction product verified the presence of human papillomavirus 26. CONCLUSION: We report an HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma presenting as a vulvar mass. This report should alert health care providers to include Kaposi sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of vulvar lesions.

Multimodal therapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

Thirty-one women with stage III breast cancer were prospectively treated with two cycles of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), fluorouracil, and tamoxifen citrate followed by a simple mastectomy with level I axillary dissection. Postoperatively, four additional cycles of the combination chemotherapy alternating with three cycles of 1500 rad (15 Gy) to the chest wall and lymphatics were given. Seventy-seven percent of patients had a greater than 50% reduction in tumor size after the initial chemotherapy. No tumor size progressed during therapy, and a single patient remained inoperable. Pathologic findings revealed nine patients with only microscopic residual tumor. Nuclear vacuolization was present in 42.8% of tumor cells after chemotherapy vs 14.2% of cells before chemotherapy. The mean follow-up for the groups is 24.3 months. To date, nine patients have had recurrence with only one isolated local recurrence. This therapy is effective in reducing primary tumor size and allows a limited mastectomy to be done with minimal morbidity.

Renal failure secondary to angiomyolipoma. Case of Forme-Fruste tuberous sclerosis.

A fifty-four-year-old woman without the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis underwent nephrectomy at age thirty-three years for angiomyolipoma, and twenty-one years later severe renal failure developed. At necropsy the remaining kidney had extensive angiomyolipomatous involvement; not until the brain was examined was the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis made. To date, this would appear to be the third case without clinical tuberous sclerosis in which renal involvement was the sole clinical expression of tuberous sclerosis, and the seventh reported instance of renal failure due to renal angiomyolipomatous hamartomatous transformation.

Renal venography in diagnosis of infiltrating transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis.

Urologic evaluation of a ninety-two-year-old man with hematuria suggested lower segmental renal infarction on selective renal angiogram. Nonvisualization of the lower segmental venous tributaries and capillaries on renal venogram was consistent with the operative findings of microscopic infiltrating transitional cell carcinoma. The use of renal venography in these tumors is suggested.

Cytology of transitional cell carcinoma in situ of urinary bladder with extensive prostatic involvement.

Cytologic differences in the urine of 6 patients with transitional cell carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder with and without prostatic duct involvement are described. In the former group, there was an admixture of CIS cells along with many bizarre malignant cells which increased with time and showed malignant criteria indicative of changes more than CIS alone.

Is parotid lymphadenopathy a new disease or part of AIDS?

This report describes a series of 15 patients who presented with masses in the tail of the parotid gland which proved at biopsy to be benign hyperplastic lymphadenopathy similar to lymphoepithelial hyperplasia. There were 11 male and 4 female patients. All had a history of intravenous drug use. Ten patients complained of pain. Six patients had smaller masses on the contralateral side of the gland, whereas seven patients had minor axillary adenopathy. Needle aspiration was performed in 12 patients; although not conclusively diagnostic, it ruled out primary salivary tumors. Thick purulent material was aspirated in five patients. All 15 patients underwent parotid exploration. It was apparent after raising the flap that the disease was related to intraparotid and periparotid lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy in the jugular region, which was not appreciated preoperatively, was also noted in all patients. Each patient underwent exposure of the main trunk of the facial nerve and limited superficial parotidectomy. The postoperative course in each patient was uneventful and no patient had a facial nerve deficit. Cerebral toxoplasmosis developed in one patient who died 3 months after surgery; AIDS developed in one other patient. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) titers were not performed routinely because none of the patients came for regular follow-up. None of these patients demonstrated lymphoma at the time of this procedure. Parotid lymphadenopathy, which occurs primarily in intravenous drug users, appears to be an early manifestation of pre-AIDS or AIDS-related complex. If patients have no other sizable lymphadenopathy for biopsy, we advocate exploration of the parotid region and excision of periparotid and intraparotid lymph nodes.

Benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid.

Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy has been well described in patients with seropositivity to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Moreover, isolated enlargement of the parotid gland and parotid lymphadenopathy have been noted much more frequently over the past few years. Histologically, these lesions demonstrate follicular hyperplasia, cystic dilatation of the ducts lined by pseudo-stratified squamous epithelium, and lymphocytic infiltrates. They are generally considered to be benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid or hyperplastic periparotid lymph nodes. The relationship of this entity to the AIDS-related complex (ARC) and the subsequent development of AIDS is not clear. Over the past 7 years, we have seen 50 patients with parotid enlargement in whom the diagnosis of benign lymphoepithelial lesion was made. Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 32 patients. Although not conclusively diagnostic, needle aspirates ruled out primary salivary glandular pathology. Most patients gave a history of intravenous drug abuse. HIV tests have been performed on a routine basis only in the last 2 years, and these were positive in the majority of the patients. Thirty-five patients underwent surgical excision. In the initial 20 patients, we routinely performed parotid exploration, identification of the facial nerve, and superficial parotidectomy. In the last 15 patients, we changed our surgical approach to parotid exploration and excision of the mass in the tail of the parotid. The exposure of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, with identification and removal of the deep jugular node, has become routine. In each case, we found an enlarged lymph node in the deep jugular region, which was not clinically palpable preoperatively. The rate of surgical complications was minimal, and, after resection of the mass, patients improved symptomatically. If the patient shows obvious signs of AIDS, a nonsurgical approach with repeated aspirations should be considered, and treatment with zidovudine offered.

Radiation-treated carcinoma of prostate. Comparison of survival of black and white patients by Gleason's grading system.

The survival of 117 black and white patients treated by radiation for carcinoma of the prostate at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn (SUNY/HSCB) and Kings County Hospital Center (KCHC) was analyzed according to Gleason's grading system. The effect of total pattern score and its relationship to stage and survival and to race were intercompared. In both black and white racial groups, there was strong correlation between high pattern score and high stage p = less than 001. The percentage of black patients presenting with high pattern score (7-10) was significantly greater, 43 versus 27%; this adversely affected stage and survival. The median survival for white and black patients was 4.8 and 3.2 years, respectively; p = 0.007. Stage for stage and grade for grade, survival was similar in both racial groups.

Diminished survival of young blacks with adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The survival rates of 117 black and white patients treated by primary radiation for carcinoma of the prostate at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital Center were analyzed according to age and race. In addition, stage, grade, and delay time in seeking medical attention were analyzed. Survival was similar in both young (less than 60 years) and old (greater than or equal to 60 years) patients, with 45% and 41% 5-year-survival rates, respectively. Survival was better in white patients, 48% 5-year survival, than in blacks, 35% 5-year survival. Black patients presented with higher stage disease than whites (p less than 0.01). This trend was even greater in young black males, who had higher grade (64% versus 11%; p less than 0.04) and higher stage tumors (p less than 0.05). In addition, young blacks delayed seeking medical attention greater than 3 months 72% of the time, as compared to 0% in white young males (p less than 0.005). A survival difference was also seen in young blacks as compared with young whites: 3.9-year median survival versus 6.0-year median survival, respectively.

Neuroblastoma presenting as a paravertebral mass and painful scoliosis in a 21-year-old woman.

Idiopathic scoliosis is a disease of unknown etiology. It presents in growing children, progresses slowly with time, and is painless. Any variation from the usual presentation warrants investigation. Extra dural pressure, tethering of the cord, tumors, and progressive neurologic lesions must be excluded as causative factors.

Alleged resection of the vas deferens: medicolegal implications.

New York state law requires that significant complications be reported by telephone within 24 hours, followed by a full written report within five days with the names of the alleged involved physicians. This case illustrates the potential medicolegal consequences following the mandated immediate nonsubstantiated report of an alleged bilateral vas deferens injury during a bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy in a 7-month-old male. Review of the surgical pathologic specimen showed that both hernial sacs did indeed contain segments of vas deferens structures, which based on the findings at reexploration, were consistent with duplication or embryonic remnants of the vas deferens. The vas deferens was found to be normal and uninjured bilaterally. The legal ramifications remain unclear. Since there is no clear cut method to retract the allegation, the physician's profile may be permanently damaged.

Spontaneous renal hemorrhage associated with renal tumors.

Spontaneous ruptures of the kidney sometimes require emergency surgery, at which time the etiology for the rupture becomes evident. Because the patient with previously existing renal pathology is asymptomatic, when these ruptures do occur one should be suspect of underlying disease. We present a case and discuss the relevant aspects of such entities.

Granulocytic sarcoma of the orbit. Report of a case.

A 14-year-old youth had a 2 month history of proptosis of the left eye when he developed pain in the left thigh. Physical examination revealed a mass involving the left orbit and a neurologic deficit suggestive of involvement of the left lumbosacral plexus. The mass, a left frontal epidural tumor, was removed surgically. Subsequently, he developed marked anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute granulocytic leukemia. He was treated with various anticancer agents but he did not respond well and he expired two months later. Postmortem examination revealed anaplatic granulocytic cells infiltrating numerous tissues including the conjunctiva, choroid, and leptomeninges. Marked degenerative changes of the left retina and bilateral papilledema were evident.