[ spindle cell myoepithelioma of parotid gland: a case report]

Background: Myoepthelioma is a rare salivary gland tumor which is usually located in parotid gland and in minor salivary glands

Case report :We report a case of myoepithelioma arising in an accessory paritid gland in a 47-yearold woman who presented with a slowly expanding subcutaneous nodule on the left cheek, that was within the parotid gland at surgical resection . This tumor was composed of spindle cells. Immunophenotypical characterization demonstrated its myoepithelial nature

Conclusion: In the subcutaneous tissue, this unusual neoplasm may be confused with soft tissue tumors showing spindle cell features

[Abrikosoff's tumor: a clinicopathologic study of nine cases]

Abrikossoff's tumour or granular cell tumor or is a benign neurogenic tumour. It is ubiquitous with the most frequently affected site is the head and neck region. To report a series of granular cell tumors and to discuss its clinicopathologic features and histogenesis. We report a series of nine cases diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2006 in the Pathology Department of the University Hospital of Sfax. We have collected the clinical aspects and we have proceeded on a pathological, cytochemical [PAS and PAS diastasis] and immunohistochemical study. Nine cases of TCG are presented: 5 females and 4 males. The median age was 33.9 years [extremes: 7 and 53 years]. All tumours were unique. The most common localization was in the head and neck region [5 cases]. The diagnosis was suspected using standard histologic criteria and confirmed by immunohistochemistry: tumour cells expressed vimentine [90%], S100 protein [100%] and neuron specifique enolase [80%]. In all cases patients were treated by excisional resection and had a benign course with no evidence of recurrence [median follow up: 2 years]. Granular cell tumours are rare neoplasm which must be recognised because they demonstrate a benign behaviour after their surgical excision. Histological features of granular cell tumours are commonly characteristic but some times they can be misdiagnosed as malignant tumours especially when the biopsy is superficial. The staining for neurogen markers and PAS are useful tools

Cerebral gliosarcoma: clinico-pathologic study of 8 cases

Gliosarcomas are biphasic neoplasms composed of a glioblastoma admixed to a sarcomatous component with different lines of differentiation. Histogenesis of these tumors is still discussed. Our objective is to specify clinical and pathological characteristics of this rare noeoplasm and to discuss its histogenesis. Retrospective study of eight cases of gliosarcomas diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2004. Clinical, radiological, therapeutic and follow-up data were reviewed. Histological features and immunohistochemical results were also included in this review. Five patients were male, three women with a median age of 50.7 [range 31-74 years]. Symptoms were dominated by intracranial hypertension and paralysis. The most conmon location was parietal or temporo-parietal [5 cases: 62.5%]. Pathological exam including histochemical and immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of gliosarcoma in all cases. Sarcomatous component had features of fibrosarcoma in 5 cases, osteosarcoma in 2 cases and malignant fibrous histiocytoma in 1 case. All patients were treated by surgical excision [complete in five cases and partial in three cases]. Adjuvant radiotherapy was received in three cases. One patient was lost on follow-up. Two patients died from postoperative complications and the five remaining patients died with a medium follow up of 9 months [extremes: 2-24 months]. Clinical, radiological and follow-up features of gliosarcomas share great similarities with glioblastomas. Histopathological, histochemical and inmmnohistochemical studies are helpful in accuracy diagnosis. Recent cytogenetic and molecular data support a monoclonal origin for these tumors

Aggressive nasal-type natural killer/-T-cell lymphoma associated with Epstein barr virus presenting as testicular tumor

Testicular lymphoma is a lethal disease with a median survival of approximately 12 to 24 months. Nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of the testis is exceptional whether as a primary or secondary tumor. The authors report on the comprehensive histopathologic, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of a case of primary testicular nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma and review the features of previously reported cases. We report a case of primary nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of testis in a 28-year-old male. The histopathological examination of the surgical specimen, showed a large lymphoma cells with angioinvasion expressing CD 3 [cytoplasmic], CD2, CD8, CD43, CD45, CD45Ro, CD56, T-cell intracellular antigen-1, perforine, Mib1 and granxyme. In situ hybridation for Epstein-Barr-virus-encoded mENA was positive. Polymerase chain reaction study of formalin-fixed tissue showed lack of T-cell receptor gene rearrangements. The initial stage was I [EA] of Ann Arbor. This lymphoma was refractory to chemotherapy. The patient developed lymph node metastases in the out iliac and in the subclavicular region two months later. He died of disease after eight months. This study confirms that testicular NK/T-cell lymphoma deserves to be distinguished from the other testicular lymphomas. In fact, this lymphoma tends to occur at young age, to disseminate early, to have an aggressive course, and is strongly associated with EBV

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid with facial nerve invasion]

Adenoid cystic carcinoma comprises approximately 10% of all epithelial salivary neoplasms and most frequently involves the parotid. Perineural invasion is a common feature but intraneural invasion and spread is less common. The authors report a case of parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma with invasion and spread via the facial nerve with an emphasis on radiologic features. We report a case of a 47-year-old man presenting with a right submandibular mass evolving for 4 years. On physical examination, the mass was firm painless, well delineated. There was no facial paralysis. The magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] examination showed a right parotid gland solid mass located in the deep lobe of the parotid gland with mastoid bony involvement.The mass was heterogenously enhanced. High resolution non contrast computed tomographie [CT] scan of the temporal bone showed in the axial and coronal cuts, a widening of the mastoid segment of the facial canal with involvement of the facial nerve. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed histological features of adenoid cystic carcinoma with intra neural invasion of the mastoid segment of the facial nerve. The surgical margins were free. The evolution was favourable 5 years later. This study confirms that multiplanar approach of MRI allows rapid detection of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The influence of intraneural invasion and spread on survival remains controversial

[Ewing sarcoma osseous and extra osseous: a clinicopathological study of 29 cases]

Ewing's sarcoma [ES] is a rare tumour accounting for 10% of primary malignant bone tumours in children and 3% of all childhood malignancies. ES belongs to a group of small round cell tumours. In this review, we will describe the main clinicopathological features of this rare tumour and discuss its prognosis. We report a retrospective study of 29 cases of ES, of which 4 were extraosseous, diagnosed over a period 11 years [January 1989 - December 1999]. Clinicopathological data were described. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical study were reviewed. 12 patients were male and 17 were female [ratio: 0.8] with a median age of 16 years. 62.5% of tumours were located in flat bone and 33.3% in long bone. The medium size of the tumor was 10.6 cm [range:3-25cm]. 27.5% of patients presented with metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Microscopically, tumour tissue was composed of round, small, blue cells with fine granular chromatin. Tumour cells strongly coexpressed CD99 and vimentin [100%]. Systemic treatment consisted of adjuvant chemotherapy [84.2%]. Local control was based on and surgery [57. 9%] or radiation therapy [36.8%]. A good response to chemotherapy was obtained in 37.5%; 13.7% of patients were alive without disease [medium follow up: 169 mois]; 34.5% of patients developed metastases [medium follow up: 23 months] and 10.3% developed recurrences [medium follow up :13 months]. Our study emphasizes two points: the great size of the tumor and the frequent location in flat bone which may explain the poor prognosis of Ewing sarcoma in our series despite the multidisciplinary treatment

[Complications of the Meckel's diverticulum, about 42 cases]

Our aim was to report the main complications of the Meckel's diverticulum. Our retrospective study concerns 42 cases of complicated Meckel's diverticulum, collected during one period of 18 active years from January 1988 to December 2005. The yearly impact is 2, 33 cases / year. We excluded the asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum, of fortuitous discovery during intervention. The middle age of our patients is 25 years, with extremes going from 2 to 74 years. The sex-ratio is 3, 2. The diagnosis before intervention of the complicated Meckel's diverticulum was not evoked in any time. The clinical features were an acute intestinal closure in 22 cases, an appendicitis in 13 cases, an appendicular peritonitis in 6 cases, and an acute intestinal intussusceptions in one case. In any case, it is the surgical exploration that permitted to confirm the diagnosis of a complicated Meckel's diverticulum. The approach way was median in 27 cases, Mac Burney in 13 cases, and laparoscopic in 2 cases. The surgical exploration showed peritonitis in 16 cases, one diverticulitis in 23 cases, an acute intestinal intussusception in one case, a tumour in one case, and haemorrhagic diverticulum's ulcer in one case. The treatment consisted in a segmental resection of ileum with end to end anastomosis [37 cases] and a cuneiform resection [5 cases]. The histological exam showed heterotopy of gastric tissue in 12 cases, of pancreatic tissue in two cases, and a Burkitt's lymphoma on a diverticulum in one case. We noted a precocious death following a septic shock. The Meckel's diverticulum constitutes a most common benign malformation of the digestive tube. The prognosis is related extensively to the gravity of its complications that can benefit, not only of the contribution of the laparoscopic diagnosis, but also therapeutic

[Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma: about two cases]

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma [APBG] is a variant of malignant tumour of minor salivary glands usually arising in the palate. Our aim is to discuss morphology, evolution and differential diagnosis of this rare tumour. The first case interested a 65-year-old-woman admitted for a two-months-history of a right submaxillary swelling. Examination found a tumour of the right side of the palate. A biopsy concluded to a pleomorphic adenoma. Giving that the mass enlarged, a surgical resection carrying off the thyroid with a bilateral neck dissection was performed. Diagnosis was an APBG partially resected with lymph node metastasis. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. Local recurrence appeared 28 months after treatment. The second case interested a 57-year-old-woman who consulted for a 12-year-history of a swelling of the lower lip. Clinical examination showed a painless nodule measuring 2 cm located in the mucosal side of the lower lip. An excisional biopsy was performed. Pathologic examination concluded to an APBG completely resected. The patient had no evidence of disease with a follow-up of 54 months. APBG is characterised by a morphologic diversity and a cytologic uniformity that may cause a diagnostic dilemma especially with adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma. Its aggressiveness is assessed by its local infiltrative growth pattern requiring a wide surgical excision

[Scalp metastasis from small cell carcinoma of the rectum: an unusual case]

Cutaneous metastasis of rectal carcinoma is a rare event. It occurs in 4%of all patients with rectal cancer. Skin metastasis of rectal cancer are usually detected near the initial tumor. especially in the periumbilical region; but they rarely occur in the scalp. To report a new case of scalp metastases from rectal tumor. Our patient was a 63-year old male with a history small cell carcinoma of the rectum who subsequently developed s single nodule of the scalp of 4cm. Histopathological analysis revealed a small cell carcinoma infiltrating the dermis am subcutaneous tissue. The patient underwent palliative chemotherapy but his disease continued to progress. In contrast to the prior cases of scalp metastases reported in the literature, ours is the first documentation of such occurrence from rectal small cell carcinoma. The early diagnosis of skin metastases in these patients is very important because it can alter treatment

[Cytologic study of 8827 PAP smear with cytosistologic confrontation]

Cervical cancer is the second female cancer. Currently, pap smears represent the most effective tool for screening of neoplastic cervical lesions and their precursors. The objective of this study is to deal with epidemiology, cytology and histology of all cervical lesions and to evaluate pap smears reliability in cervical cancer screening. Our study included 8827 pap smears collected during three years [2003-2005]. Results of pap smears were reported according to the 2001 Bethesda system. A comparative cytohistologic study was performed in 342 cases. For statistical analysis, we used Chi 2 test and considered differences as significant for a p value less than 0,05. The mean age of our patients was 41 years. Pap smears were normal in 269 cases [3,1%], inflammatory in 8070 cases [9]4%] and showed epithclial cell defects in 46 cases [0,5%]. A cytohistologic accord was found in 944%of cases. Pap smear was more sensitive in detecting high grade squamous lesions [50 to 100%] than those of low grade [33,3 to 66,6%]. Pap smear is the most useful tool for screening of preneoplastic cervical lesions which tend to be mole and more a pathology of young females. Its sensibility and specificity are better in detecting high grade intraepithelial lesions

[Central neurocytoma: a study of five cases]

Central neurocytoma is a very rare brain tumour recently described. The diagnosis rests on the data provided by anatomopathological examination and immunohistochemestry. We report a retrospective study of five cases of neurocytoma diagnosed in the Pathological laboratories of Anatomy and Cytology of Habib Bourguiba and Fattouma Bourguiba Hospitals over a period of two years [1999/2000]; this study was based on clinical, radiological and anatomopathological data. It was about three women and two men with an average age of 29 years [17 to 49 years] The tumor was located in the side ventricles in three cases. Two differential diagnoses were often discussed: oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. Immunohistochemistry showed an expression of the synaptophysine in every case. The treatment was exclusively surgical and the course was favorable with an average follow up of 48 months; only one case of relapse was noted of 36 months after the diagnosis