Chondrosarcoma of the bone with nodal metastasis: The first case report with review of literature.

Primary bone sarcomas are rarely known to metastasize to lymph nodes. This is attributed to paucity of lymphatic channels in the bone. Even though some bone sarcomas like osteosarcoma are known to have nodal metastasis, such affections have not been reported with primary osseous chondrosarcoma. We describe a case of primary chondrosarcoma of proximal humerus with axillary nodal metastasis. The patient underwent a forequarter amputation with axillary nodal clearance. The histopathological examination revealed metastasis of chondrosarcoma in lymph nodes. We also have reviewed the related literature and discussed the possible mechanism of this nodal metastasis.

Calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in renal allografts: Morphologic clues from protocol biopsies.

Background: Calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine and tacrolimus) are important constituents of post renal transplant immunosuppression. However, renal toxicity limits their utility. Histological features of calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNIT) have been the subject of few studies using protocol biopsy samples, and consensus on diagnostic criteria is still evolving. Aims: To analyze the spectrum of histological changes in protocol renal allograft biopsies with evidence of CNIT and identify additional features that are likely to help the pathologist in arriving at a diagnosis. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty protocol allograft biopsies performed at 1, 6 and 12 months post renal transplant were studied. The defining features of CNIT included: isometric vacuolization of proximal tubular cells, arteriolar hyalinosis with medial/peripheral nodules and striped pattern of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. Other features such as global glomerulosclerosis, vacuolization of smooth muscle cells of arterioles, tubular microcalcinosis, ischemic shrinkage of glomeruli and hyperplasia of juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) were also analyzed and graded semiquantitatively. Results: CNIT was seen in 17/140 protocol biopsies (12.1%). In addition to the diagnostic criteria, arteriolar hyalinosis, smooth muscle cell vacuolization of arterioles and hyperplasia of JGA were found to be useful indicators of CNIT. Conclusions: There is a relatively high incidence of CNIT in protocol allograft biopsies. A critical analysis of renal biopsy in adequate number of serial step sections to identify these features is mandatory, as many of these features are subtle and are likely to be missed if not specifically sought.