Giant Cell Tumor-like Proliferation Associated with Renal Staghorn Calculi: A Case Report

A 62-year-old man with left flank pain and hematuria was shown to have a staghorn stone in left renal pelvis. Grossly, renal pelvis and calyces were markedly dilated with cystic and hemorrhagic degeneration and renal parenchyma was atrophied. A tumor-like mass was located in a hemorrhagic cyst of the renal upper pole. This mass consisted of giant cells and stromal cells mimicking a giant cell tumor of bone. This giant cell tumor-like proliferation may represent a response to hemorrhage into a cystic cavity. Recognition of this finding is important to avoid the over-diagnosis of neoplastic lesions.

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.

The Expression of Galectin-3 and Galectin-7 in Epithelial Dysplasia and Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 and galectin-7 may play roles in human carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of galectin-3 and galectin-7 in gastric dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We examined the expressions of galectin-3, galectin-7, and P53 in nonneoplastic gastric mucosa, gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED), and adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry. Twenty cases of nonneoplastic gastric mucosa, 20 cases of low grade GED, 20 cases of high grade GED, 40 cases of early gastric cancer (EGC), and 60 cases of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) are included for study. RESULTS: In the nonneoplastic tissue, only galectin-3 was expressed in the intestinal metaplasia. Galectin-7 was not stained in the nonneoplastic gastric mucosa. Galectin-3 was expressed in 3 cases of low grade GED (15%), 13 cases of high grade GED (65%), 2 cases of EGC (5%), and 5 cases of AGC (8%), respectively. Galectin-7 was expressed in 2 cases of low grade GED (10%), 3 cases of high grade GED (15%), and 4 cases of EGC (10%), respectively. However, it was not expressed in AGC. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the expressions of galectin-3 and galectin-7 may contribute to the development of gastric epithelial dysplasia and early gastric cancer, rather than contributing to the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma.

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.

Florid Cystic Endosalpingiosis of the Uterus: A Case Report

A 54-year-old woman presented with vaginal bleeding. On gynecologic and radiologic examinations, bilateral cystic ovarian tumors were suspected. A laparoscopic examination revealed multiple cysts involving both the uterine horns and the posterior surface of the uterus. These were removed by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Microscopically, multiple cysts were identified in the subserosal layer of the uterus, and they were lined with benign tubal type epithelium surrounded by a smooth muscle wall. These features were consistent with "florid cystic endosalpingiosis". Considering the location of the lesion, the lesion has to be distinguished from other benign cystic lesions of the uterus and adnexa, including multicystic mesothelioma, serous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenoma. Awareness of this lesion will facilitate a correct diagnosis by both the clinician and pathologist.

Pancreatic Pseudocyst with Splenic Involvement: A Case Report

There have been a few reported cases of pancreatic pseudocyst with involvement of adjacent structures including the stomach, duodenum, and even the mediastinum. An intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis. We report a case of pancreatic pseudocyst with splenic involvement in a 69-year-old man with a review of literatures. Abdominal CT revealed a 4 cm sized cyst at the pancreatic tail which was extending into the splenic hilum and splenic parenchyma. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed. Pathologic findings demonstrated a pseudocyst of pancreatic tail which communicated with the infacted splenic parenchyma. Also vasculitis, endothelial hyperplasia and medial calcification of the splenic artery were observed.

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.

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.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Periductal Mastitis (Subareolar Abscess) and its Clinical Significance of Cytological Diagnosis / 대한세포병리학회지

Periductal mastitis is a specific clinicopathologic entity, and is referred to by several names: recurrent subareolar abscess, squamous metaplasia of the lactiferous duct, and Zuska's disease. Clinically, the differentiation of periductal mastitis from other benign lesions and carcinomas around the nipple frequently proves a difficult proposition. We reviewed the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of 14 cases of periductal mastitis, which had been diagnosed either radiologically, histologically, or clinically. The patient group included 13 female patients, and one male. The majority of the patients in this group had presented with subareolar masses. All cases evidenced characteristic anucleated squamous cell clusters within a mixed inflammatory background. A diagnosis of periductal mastitis can be rendered fairly readily on excisional biopsy. However, FNAC is considered to be superior to excisional biopsy as an initial diagnostic procedure for any palpable mass in subareolar lesions of the breast. FNAC can also be a useful diagnostic technique in cases of periductal mastitis, even in the early phases of the disease. A definitive diagnosis of subareolar abscess via FNAC will enable the clinician to select the most appropriate medical or surgical treatment.

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.

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.