Bilateral Frontal Polymicrogyria: An Autopsy Case Report

Bilateral frontal polymicrogyria is a recently recognized syndrome characterized by symmetric polymicrogyria of both frontal lobes that presents with delayed motor and language development, spastic quadriparesis, and variable mental retardation. However, the postmortem findings of this syndrome are not fully elaborated. Here we describe an autopsy case of bilateral frontal polymicrogyria in a male fetus delivered at 22 weeks gestation due to extensive chorioamnionitis. The microscopic findings included a thinned cortical plate with fair neuronal maturation. There were no signs of neuronal damage and the white matter was unremarkable.

Gnathostoma hispidum Infection in a Korean Man Returning from China

Human Gnathostoma hispidum infection is extremely rare in the world literature and has never been reported in the Republic of Korea. A 74-year-old Korean man who returned from China complained of an erythematous papule on his back and admitted to our hospital. Surgical extraction of the lesion and histopathological examination revealed sections of a nematode larva in the deep dermis. The sectioned larva had 1 nucleus in each intestinal cell and was identified as G. hispidum. The patient recalled having eaten freshwater fish when he lived in China. We designated our patient as an imported G. hispidum case from China.

Absence of the Septum Pellucidum Associated with a Midline Fornical Nodule and Ventriculomegaly: A Report of Two Cases

We report two autopsy cases that revealed the partial absence of the septum pellucidum with ventriculomegaly. In each case, the brain showed mild dilatation of both frontal horns of the lateral ventricles, normal third and fourth ventricles and no aqueductal stenosis. The posterior portion of the septum pellucidum was absent and the fornices were fused in a single midline nodule, abnormally displaced to a caudal position and lodged in the foramina of Monro. The brain base showed no apparent abnormalities; the optic nerves were well developed. We conclude that the caudally displaced fornix in the absence of the septum pellucidum may have intermittently obstructed the foramina of Monro and induced mild ventriculomegaly.

A Role for Surgical Pathologists in 'Cytophenomics' and 'Histophenomics'

No abstract available.

A Case Report of Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis, which results from inhaling the spores of Coccidioides species, is endemic in the southwestern United States. The primary infection site is the lung, and dissemination of the disease can occur. We report a case of cutaneous coccidioidomycosis in a 79-year-old Korean woman who presented with purpura on both lower extremities, but no pulmonary symptoms and no history of visiting an endemic area. Microscopically, skin biopsy showed multiple aggregates of granulomas in the dermis. Numerous multinucleated giant cells were associated with the granulomas. Mature and immature fungal spherules, which were 20 to 30 micrometer in diameter, were present inside and outside the multinucleated giant cells.

Fibrovascular Polyp of the Hypopharynx: A Case Report

We report here on a case of fibrovascular polyp arising in the hypopharynx of a 62-year-old man. Laryngomicroscopic surgery with laser ablation was performed to excise the mass. Histopathologically, the surface of the polyp was covered with mature squamous epithelium. The polyp showed a characteristic lobular proliferation of mature adipose tissue that was separated by myxoid or collagenous connective tissue. Some scattered skeletal muscle bundles were seen in the central portions of the polyp and these bundles were surrounded by a concentric proliferation of the spindle cells; this was reminiscent of Pacinian corpuscles. Regarding their location and the intermingled pattern of proliferating tissues, it is more plausible that the skeletal muscle is a hamartomatous component rather than entrapped, preexisting tissue.

A Diagnostically Challenging Case of an Infarcted Adenomatoid Tumor of the Epididymis

We describe a case of an infarcted adenomatoid tumor of the epididymis that was challenging to diagnose. A 20-year-old man presented with acute left scrotal pain. He was found to have a 2x1.5x1 cm tumor that was relatively well circumscribed on gross examination. There was a central necrotic area that exhibited gaping spaces and ghost outlines of epithelial cells. The periphery of the necrotic lesion showed focally viable adenomatoid tumor. The majority of the tissue adjacent to the necrosis consisted of granulation tissue, fibroblastic and myofibroblastic proliferation, and neutrophils. The fibroblasts and myofibroblasts showed plump nuclei, often with small nucleoli. No mitotic activity was present. The differential diagnosis for an infarcted adenomatoid tumor includes malignant mesothelioma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and inflammatory conditions. The key to diagnosing an infarcted adenomatoid tumor is to consider it in the differential diagnosis of any spindle cell tumor with necrosis occurring in the genital tract.

Combined Xanthogranulomatous Urachitis and Bullous Cystitis: A Case Report

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the urachus is a very rare benign chronic inflammatory disease of an unknown etiology. Herein we report a case of a 31-year-old woman who complained of lower abdominal pain and dysuria. Cystoscopy revealed a bullous change at the dome of the urinary bladder. MRI revealed a cystic mass above the bladder dome that extended to the umbilicus. A partial cystectomy with urachal resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed xanthogranulomatous urachitis combined with bullous cystitis.

Florid von Brunn Nests of the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

Among benign proliferations of the urinary bladder, von Brunn nests and cystitis cystica et glandularis are common. Sometimes florid proliferation of von Brunn nests makes an intravesical mass, which mimics tumorous lesions. We report here on a case of florid von Brunn nests, occurred in the 34-year-old man with hematuria. Radiological and cystoscopic examinations reveal a polypoid-papillary lesion and transurethral resection was then performed. Pathologically, prominent proliferations of urothelial cell nests were found deep in the lamina propria. Neither significant cytologic atypia nor muscle invasion was noted. Florid von Brunn nests should be considered both clinically and pathologically in the differential diagnosis of a intravesical mass.

Synchronous Development of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Arteriovenous Malformation in the Jejunum: A Case Report

Vascular malformations associated with neoplasms are extremely rare. Herein we report an extraordinary coincidence of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the jejunum. A 44-year-old woman presented with melena and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a highly vascularized, strong early arterial enhancing soft tissue mass in the jejunum, which was confirmed by angiography to be an AVM supplied by the distal jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. An emergency operation was performed due to active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The resected jejunum showed a protruding, mostly solid subserosal mass. The mass was confirmed to be a spindle cell type GIST and was intermingled with the AVM located in the overlying submucosa and muscularis propria. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an AVM associated with a GIST. This case masqueraded radiologically as an AVM alone and presented clinically with GI bleeding.

Causes of Hydrops Fetalis: Analysis of 149 Autopsy Cases

BACKGROUND: Hydrops fetalis is defined as abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in two or more fetal compartments, and this malady is known to be associated with various pathologic conditions. METHODS: We collected 149 cases of hydrops fetalis out of 2,312 autopsies, and we tried to elaborate the underlying causes of hydrops fetalis. The diagnosis was based on the material from either antenatal termination or intrauterine death. RESULTS: The relative incidence of hydrops fetalis was 6.44% of all the pediatric autopsies we performed. The gestational age was evenly distributed from 18 to 33 weeks, except for 30 to 31 weeks. There was no sex difference in the incidence of hydrops fetalis. The main causes were cardiovascular diseases (30.9%), cystic hygroma (13.4%), chromosomal anomaly (8.05%), thoracic conditions (7.38%), followed by urinary tract malformation (4.03%), infection (4.03%) and anemia (3.36%). The most common chromosomal anomaly was Turner syndrome and the second one was Down syndrome. CONCLUSION: Since various conditions can be the cause of hydrops fetalis, pathologists should pay attention to elaborate the underlying causes in every single autopsy.

Helicobacter heilmannii-associated Gastritis: Clinicopathologic Findings and Comparison with Helicobacter pylori-associated Gastritis

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of Helicobacter heilmannii-associated gastritis and to compare H. heilmannii-associated gastritis with H. pylori-associated gastritis. We reviewed 5,985 consecutive gastric biopsy specimens. All cases of chronic gastritis with Helicobacter infection were evaluated with the Updated Sydney System, and the grades of all gastritis variables were compared between H. heilmannii-associated gastritis and H. pylori-associated gastritis groups. There were 10 cases of H. heilmannii-associated gastritis (0.17%) and 3,285 cases of H. pylori-associated gastritis (54.9%). The organisms were superficially located within the mucous layer without adhesion to epithelial cells. Interestingly, in one case many intracytoplasmic H. heilmannii organisms were observed in parietal cells with cell damage. A case of low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma concomitant with H. heilmannii infection was detected. Compared to H. pylori-associated gastritis, H. heilmannii-associated gastritis showed less severe neutrophilic activity (p<0.0001), mononuclear cell infiltration (p=0.0029), and endoscopic findings of chronic gastritis devoid of erosion or ulcer (p=0.0309). In conclusion, we present the detailed clinicopathologic findings of H. heilmanniiassociated gastritis compared to H. pylori-associated gastritis. H. heilmannii-associated gastritis is uncommon and milder than H. pylori-associated gastritis, however it may be noteworthy with respect to the development of MALT lymphoma.

Lipomatous Hypertrophy of the Interatrial Septum: A Case Report

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is a benign cardiac mass that is characterized by excessive deposition of fat in the interatrial septum. It typically occurs in elderly, obese patients and may cause arrhythmia. We report a case of lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum. A 45-year-old man was admitted for evaluation of chest discomfort. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a cardiac mass, which was suspected as a myxoma. A resection of the tumor was performed. Grossly, the mass was 1.3x1.2x0.8 cm, and showed yellow soft consistency and good demarcation. Microscopically, the mass consisted of mature adipose tissue, intermixed cardiac muscle fibers, entrapped nerve fibers and ganglion cells. Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum should be differentiated pathologically from tumorous cardiac mass such as lipoma and myxoma.

Propylthiouracil-induced Hepatic Injury: A Case Report

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of the hyperthyroidism. However the liver damage is a rare adverse effect, which can be fatal. We present a case of PTU-induced hepatitis. A 13-year-old girl was diagnosed as having Graves' disease, for which PTU was administered. Three months after commencing PTU, she developed jaundice accompanied with elevated serum transaminases and total bilirubin levels. The viral markers were all negative. The pathologic findings of the liver biopsy included necrosis of hepatocytes predominantly around the central veins (i.e., zone 3 necrosis) and moderate to severe infiltration of lymphocytes in portal areas. After withdrawal of the PTU, clinical symptoms and liver function test results were improved gradually.

Hydrops Fetalis Due to Parvovirus B19 Infection: Report of Two Autopsy Cases

Hydrops fetalis (HF) is a disease characterized by generalized subcutaneous edema and cavity effusion in the fetal stage. We report here on two autopsy cases of HF that were caused by parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection. The human PVB19 is an erythrovirus that cause diverse clinical manifestations ranging from an asymptomatic or mild presentation to more severe effects such as hydrops fetalis, and this is the only known human pathogenic parvovirus. The gestational ages of the two fetuses were 21 weeks and 23 weeks, respectively. Both fetuses were hydropic and anemic. Hepatic tissues of both fetuses demonstrated erythroblasts with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, the so called "lantern cells". PVB19 was confirmed by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. For the diagnosis of this disease, recognition of parvovirus infection as a cause of hydrops fetalis and careful examination of red blood cells with a high-power view are required.

A case of histologically diagnosed tick infestation on the scalp of a Korean child

A scalp mass surgically excised from a 4-year-old Korean boy was identified as a tick through histological observations. In sections of the mass, characteristic features of a tick, including its gross contour, cuticular structures, well developed musculature and salivary glands, and the capitulum, were discovered. In particular, the capitulum is anteriorly protruded, which strongly suggests that the specimen be a hard tick of family Ixodidae. However, the present histological features were not enough to determine the genus and species of the tick, because information on sectional morphologies of different tick species is unavailable. This is a rare case of tick infestation on the scalp diagnosed in histological sections.

Why and How to Use Surgical Pathology Terminology in Korean?

The great majority of the terms that are used in describing the pathological findings are in English. These English terms became very familiar to most surgical pathologists in non-English speaking countries including Korea. Considering the situation of global importance of diagnostic pathology for the better international communication. It is acceptable to our Korean pathologists to be competent in English and English terminology. However, it is equally important to be competent and fluent in Korean terminology as well. Therefore, instead of mixing or combining two languages in describing pathological changes, it should be encouraged to be competent in both Korea and English. The author proposes a list of Korean terms that could best fit for the corresponding English terms that are frequently used in describing gross and microscopic findings in routine surgical pathology. It is hoped that these proposed terms could be standardized through the process of feedback from the members of our Society, and be used routinely in everyday practice.

Expressions of HSP70 and HSP27 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are ubiquitous molecules induced in cells exposed to various stress conditions, including carcinogenesis. The HSP70 and HSP27 among HSPs are of special relevance in human cancer inhibiting apoptosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the expressions of HSP70 and HSP27 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in association to tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. We examined the expressions of HSP70 and HSP27 by immunohistochemical staining in 71 cases of HCC, and then related their expressions to clinicopathologic parameters and expressions of p53, Ki-67 and Apotag. HSP70 and HSP27 were frequently stained in the cytoplasm and nuclei of tumor cells, but not in the non-neoplastic hepatocytes. Immunoreactivities of HSP70 and HSP27 were observed in 56.3% and 61.9% of HCCs, respectively. HSP70 immunoreactivity correlated with high Ki-67 labeling indices (LIs) (p=0.0159), large tumor size (p=0.0129), presence of portal vein invasion (p=0.0231), and high tumor stage (p=0.0392). HSP27 immunoreactivity significantly related with the subgroup of HBV-associated HCCs (p=0.0003), but not with the others. Both HSP70 and HSP27 immunoreactivities showed no relation to Apotag LIs or p53 immunoreactivity. In conclusion, expressions of HSP70 and HSP27 may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis, and especially HSP70 showed a close relationship to the pathological parameters associated with tumor progression and high Ki-67 LIs. Our results could be additional evidence that HSP70 expressions can contribute to not only hepatocarcinogenesis but also tumor progression by promoting tumor cell proliferation.

Urachal Adenocarcinoma with a Concomitant Urachal Remnant: A Case Report

Urachal adenocarcinoma is a rare tumor, and it has similarities with nonurachal adenocarcinoma; therefore, it is sometimes difficult to make a diagnosis. We present a typical case of urachal adenocarcinoma that had all the diagnostic criteria including the presence of an urachal remnant. A 65-year-old woman presented with complaints of a painless gross hematuria. Pelvic CT and cystoscopy showed an intraluminal protruding mass centered in the bladder wall. When diagnosed as adenocarcinoma with a signet ring cell component being noted by frozen biopsy, partial cystectomy with resection of the median umbilical ligament and peritoneum was carried out for a suspected urachal adenocarcinoma. The tumor morphology showed as typical mucinous adenocarcinoma. Characteristic tubular structures showing the typical histology of an urachal remnant was found in the perivesical fat. On immunohistochemical staining, the urachal adenocarcinoma showed a pattern similar to colonic adenocarcinoma, while the urachal remnant showed strong positivity for CK7 and Chromogranin A.

Multiple Small Intestinal Stromal Tumors Associated with Neurofibromatosis-1

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rarely noted in association with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1, von Recklinghausen disease) as an individual gastrointestinal manifestation. We report here a case of multiple GISTs with an abundant skeinoid fiber in the jejunum of a 43-year-old woman diagnosed as NF-1. Histologically, the tumors were composed of uniform spindle-shaped cells with a fascicular pattern, almost indistinguishable from the histology characteristic of usual GISTs. However, multiple synchronous tumor occurrence, abundant skeinoid fiber, and presence of microscopic miniatures of stromal tumors are additional characteristic features of this case.