Histologic Characteristics (histologic + characteristic)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2004
David Goldenberg MD
Abstract Background. Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma (OGCC), a malignant counterpart of the calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), is exceedingly rare. Previous descriptions of this tumor were based on identification of malignant histologic characteristics such as infiltration, cellular pleomorphism, numerous mitoses, and necrosis concurrent with classical benign COC or its solid benign variant, the odontogenic ghost cell tumor. Methods. We present a case of a young Asian man who underwent multiple local excisions of a recurring maxillary COC. After one such excision, a rapid onset of painful swelling ensued, and the patient was referred to our institution for definitive surgery. Results. The patient underwent a right subtotal maxillectomy. Intraoperatively, a 5-cm tumor was found to be extending into the right maxillary sinus and nasal cavity. The excised tumor was diagnosed as an OGCC. The tumor was excised with clear margins, and no adjunctive radiotherapy was given. The patient was free of residual or recurrent disease 18 months after surgery. Conclusions. On the basis of this case and prior cases found in the literature, OGCCs show a spectrum of growth from slow growing locally invasive tumors to highly aggressive, rapidly growing, infiltrative tumors. Wide local excision with histologically clean margins is the recommended mode of treatment. We recommend close long-term surveillance of recurrent or long-standing benign COCs and OGCC. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 378,381, 2004 [source]


Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a case series of nine patients and review of the literature

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Camille E. Introcaso MD
Background, Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NFD/NSF) is a fibrosing cutaneous disorder recently recognized to have systemic manifestations. The disease is characterized clinically by an acute onset of hardening and thickening of the skin of the extremities and trunk, often resulting in flexion contractures, and histologically by an increase in spindle-shaped cells, collagen, and sometimes mucin deposition in the dermis. The only common exposure amongst patients is acute or chronic renal failure. The pathophysiology of the disease remains to be elucidated, and there is currently no consistently effective treatment for this unremitting disease. Methods, We report a case series of nine patients seen at the University of Pennsylvania between 1998 and mid-2004. The clinical, laboratory, and pathologic data of these patients are reviewed. Results, All patients had renal disease, received peritoneal or hemodialysis, and five had received at least one renal transplant. All patients had characteristic fibrotic cutaneous lesions involving the trunk, extremities, or both, and eight of the nine patients had scleral plaques. There were no other common findings amongst the histories, medications, or laboratory results of the patients. Conclusion, Our report confirms the clinical and histologic characteristics of NFD that have been described previously, and raises new issues regarding the possible subtypes. A review of the current literature stresses that further basic science and translational studies are necessary to understand the disease mechanism and to propose effective therapy, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the systemic effects of NFD. [source]


Primary cutaneous myxoid spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study and review of the literature

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Aparche Yang
Mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may rarely exhibit intracellular mucin production. Extracellular mucin production is an even rarer finding in SCC that is not well documented in the literature. Here, we report six cases of primary cutaneous and mucocutaneous SCC with prominent extracellular stromal mucin deposition and an epithelial spindle cell component. We propose the term ,yxoid spindle cell SCC' (MSC SCC) to describe the histologic characteristics of these six cases. We also propose a set of histologic and immunohistochemical findings for distinguishing MSC SCC from primary cutaneous and metastatic spindle cell neoplasms including other sarcomatoid carcinomas, myxoid sarcomas and the spindle cell variant of atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX). The criteria can also help discern MSC SCC from spindle cell melanomas, which may rarely show a prominent myxoid stroma. Given the small numbers of cases reported to date, the presence of prominent myxoid stroma in primary cutaneous spindle cell SCC has unknown prognostic significance at this time. Yang A, Hanley A, Velazquez EF, Cassarino DS. Primary cutaneous myxoid spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study and review of the literature. [source]


Scarring alopecia and the dermatopathologist

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2001
Leonard C. Sperling
Background: The evaluation of patients with cicatricial alopecia is particularly challenging, and dermatopathologists receive little training in the interpretation of scalp biopsy specimens. Accurate interpretation of specimens from patients with hair disease requires both qualitative (morphology of follicles, inflammation, fibrosis, etc.) and quantitative (size, number, follicular phase) information. Much of this data can only be obtained from transverse sections. In most cases, good clinical/pathologic correlation is required, and so clinicians should be expected to provide demographic information as well as a brief description of the pattern of hair loss and a clinical differential diagnosis. Results: The criteria used to classify the various forms of cicatricial alopecia are relatively imprecise, and so classification is controversial and in a state of evolution. There are five fairly distinctive forms of cicatricial alopecia: 1) chronic, cutaneous lupus erythematosus (discoid LE); 2) lichen planopilaris; 3) dissecting cellulitis (perifolliculitis abscedens et suffodiens); 4) acne keloidalis; and 5) central, centrifugal scarring alopecia (follicular degeneration syndrome, folliculitis decalvans, pseudopelade). Not all patients with cicatricial alopecia can be confidently assigned to one of these five entities, and "cicatricial alopecia, unclassified" would be an appropriate label for such cases. Conclusion: The histologic features of five forms of cicatricial alopecia are reviewed. Dermatopathologists can utilize a "checklist" to catalog the diagnostic features of scalp biopsy specimens. In many, but not all, cases the information thus acquired will "match" the clinical and histologic characteristics of a form of cicatricial alopecia. However, because of histologic and clinical overlap between the forms of cicatricial alopecia, a definitive diagnosis cannot always be rendered. [source]


Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors does not affect the frequency, growth, or histologic characteristics of colon adenomas

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2007
M. SINGH
Summary Background, The clinical significance of the trophic effects of long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPI)-related hypergastrinemia on colon polyps remains unknown. Aim, To study the frequency, growth, and histology of colon polyps in patients on chronic PPI therapy (cases), compared to those not receiving acid suppression (controls). Methods, Medical records of 2868 consecutive patients who underwent two or more colonoscopies, performed 3 or more months apart were reviewed. Cases (116) that used PPIs between the two colonoscopies were then compared to controls (194). Results, Demographics and risk factors for colon cancer were comparable between the two groups. At baseline the mean frequency and size of adenomatous polyps were similar in cases and controls (P > 0.05) and at follow-up, these were 0.89 and 1.18 (P > 0.05; 95% CI of ,0.08 to 0.66) and 4.09 mm and 4.00 mm (P > 0.05; 95% CI ,2.29 to 2.11), respectively with no significant change. However, control group had a higher mean frequency and size of hyperplastic polyps at baseline as well as at follow-up colonoscopy (P < 0.05). Conclusions, The long-term use of PPI does not influence the frequency, growth, or histology of adenomatous polyps, but is associated with a reduction in both baseline and interval development of hyperplastic polyps. [source]


Utility of liver allograft biopsy obtained at procurement

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2008
Irene J. Lo
Extended-donor criteria (EDC) liver allografts potentiate the role of procurement biopsy in organ utilization. To expedite allocation, histologic evaluation is routinely performed upon frozen-section (FS) specimens by local pathologists. This descriptive study compares FS reports by local pathologists with permanent-section (PS) evaluation by dedicated hepatopathologists, identifies histologic characteristics underrepresented by FS evaluation, and evaluates the efficacy of a biopsy decision analysis based on organ visualization. Fifty-two liver transplants using EDC allografts evaluated by FS with PS were studied. Pathologic worksheets created by an organ procurement organization were applied in 34 FS. PS analysis included 7 staining procedures for 8 histologic criteria. PS from 56 additional allografts determined not to require donor biopsy were also analyzed. A high correlation was observed between FS and PS. Underestimation of steatosis by FS was associated with allograft dysfunction. Surgical assessment of cholestasis, congestion, and steatosis was accurate whereas inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were underestimated in allografts suffering parenchymal injury. In conclusion, the correlation between FS and PS is high, and significant discrepancies are rare. Biopsy is not a prerequisite for EDC utilization but is suggested in hepatitis C, hypernatremia, donation after cardiac death, or multiple EDC indications. Implementation of a universal FS worksheet could standardize histologic reporting and facilitate data collection, allocation, and research. Liver Transpl 2008. © 2008 AASLD. [source]