Signet ring cells in carcinomatous lymphangitis due to gastric adenocarcinoma

Abstract Cutaneous metastases are rare. They usually present as nodules or tumors. Diagnosis is based on histopathological examination and prognosis is unfavorable. This report describes the case of a female patient, 72 years old, with surgically treated gastric antrum adenocarcinoma. Pathology showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells. It evolved with bone involvement, lymph node enlargement in the inguinal region, and skin infiltration in the lower limbs, abdomen, and root of the upper limbs. Skin biopsy demonstrated signet ring carcinoma embolizing the dermal and hypodermic vessels and invasion of adipose tissue, confirming carcinomatous lymphangitis. Carcinomatous lymphangitis is the cutaneous and subcutaneous lymphatic invasion by tumor cells. Cutaneous metastasis is relatively uncommon and presents mainly as cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules, and more rarely as inflammatory lesions. The present case reports carcinomatous lymphangitis associated with gastric cancer.

Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Carcinomatous Lymphangitis in End-stage Malignant Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Case Report

Background: In the end stage of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors with lung metastasis, it is often necessary to relieve symptoms of dyspnea due to tumor enlargement and carcinomatous lymphangitis. We report a case in which nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal CPAP) was effective as a palliative treatment. Case: A 66-year-old male underwent wide resection with a diagnosis soft tissue sarcoma of right femur. Four years after surgery, he was hospitalized for hilar lymph node metastasis, multiple bone metastases, and carcinomatous lymphangitis. He was treated with nasal CPAP for dyspnea, and communication was possible until the day before his death. Discussion: For end-stage respiratory symptoms, medication therapy such as morphine or steroids is often used for palliation, but often symptoms are not sufficiently improved. Nasal CPAP might be a useful treatment for palliation for rapidly progressing respiratory failure.

Algunos indicadores de la inmunidad celular y humoral en pacientes con linfangitis / Some indicators of cellular and humoral immunity in patients with lymphangitis

Introducción: La linfangitis es la inflamación de los vasos linfáticos producida por gérmenes patógenos, caracterizada por su recurrencia y el compromiso de su sistema inmune. Es frecuente en Cuba. Objetivo: Evaluar algunos indicadores de la inmunidad celular y humoral en pacientes con linfangitis. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y analítico en 75 pacientes divididos en tres grupos: sin linfangitis (referencia), con linfangitis en un primer episodio y con linfangitis recidivante; todos atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, color de la piel y algunos parámetros de la inmunidad celular y humoral. Se utilizaron las pruebas no paramétricas chi cuadrado y t de Student para comparar los grupos entre sí. Resultados: Se observó un predominio de sexo femenino (n= 47, 62,7 por ciento); de edades superiores a los de 40 años (n= 61, 81,3 por ciento) y del color de piel blanca (n= 37, 49,3 por ciento). La obesidad, la insuficiencia venosa crónica y la Diabetes Mellitus fueron los factores de riego más frecuentes. El grupo con linfangitis recidivante, con respecto a los otros grupos, presentó alteraciones en la inmunidad humoral con concentraciones incrementadas (p = 0,007) de todas las inmunoglobulinas. No hubo variaciones significativas en la inmunidad celular. Conclusiones: Las alteraciones encontradas en la inmunidad celular y humoral de los pacientes con linfangitis, tanto en la primera crisis como en la recidiva, no son suficientes para sugerir que pudieran influir en los procesos sépticos asociados a esta afección(AU)

Introduction: Lymphangitis is the inflammation of the lymphatic vessels produced by pathogenic germs and characterized by its recurrence and the compromise of the immune system. It is frequent in Cuba. Objective: To evaluate some indicators of cellular and humoral immunity in patients with lymphangitis. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and analytical study was carried out in 75 patients divided into three groups: without lymphangitis (reference), with lymphangitis in a first episode, and with recurrent lymphangitis; all attended at the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery. The variables studied were: age, sex, color of the skin and some parameters of cellular and humoral immunity. The non-parametric chi square and Student's t tests were used to compare the groups among each other. Results: A predominance of females was observed (n= 47, 62.7 percent); ages over 40 years (n= 61, 81.3 percent) and white skin color (n= 37, 49.3 percent). Obesity, chronic venous insufficiency and diabetes mellitus were the most frequent risk factors. The group with recurrent lymphangitis, with respect to the other groups, presented alterations in humoral immunity with increased concentrations (p= 0.007) of all immunoglobulins. There were no significant variations in cellular immunity. Conclusions: The alterations in the cellular and humoral immunity of the patients with lymphangitis, both in the first crisis as in the recidive, are not enough to suggest that they may impact in the septic processes associated with this pathology(AU)

El sistema inmune en los linfedemas y linfangitis de los miembros inferiores / The immune system in lymphedema and lymphangitis of the lower limbs

El sistema inmune es el mecanismo de resistencia del organismo ante las infecciones. El sistema linfático juega un importante papel en el control fisiológico del fluido tisular y en la iniciación de la respuesta inmune. Nos proponemos describir la función de los componentes celulares del sistema inmune en las linfopatías de miembros inferiores no asociadas a cánceres tales como el linfedema y la linfangitis.Se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, MedLine, SciELO, Clinical Key, Liliacs, Ebsco y artículos científicos publicados en revistas cubanas entre 2000-2015. Los estudios recientes muestran que el crecimiento de nuevos vasos linfáticos es una característica distintiva de las reacciones inflamatorias agudas y crónicas que caracterizan a las linfopatías, mediado por un incremento en el drenaje del fluido fuera del vaso y de células inflamatorias, así como de la modulación de las respuestas inmunes. Es apremiante continuar investigando, específicamente en lo concerniente al comportamiento de la inmunidad humoral y celular en los pacientes que padecen de linfedema o linfangitis, pues no se encontraron trabajos que aborden de manera específica la posible relación entre ambos. Se sugiere que las subpoblaciones de células T son un componente crítico en la respuesta celular inflamatoria crónica y subaguda en las linfopatías. La comprensión de la función reguladora del fluido linfático en la respuesta inflamatoria puede dar un importante paso en el desarrollo de tratamientos que puedan bloquear el inicio o la progresión de las consecuencias anómalas de las lesiones linfáticas(AU)

The immune system is the body´s mechanism of resistance to infections. The lymph system plays an important role in the physiological control of the tissue fluid and in the onset of the immune response. We intended to describe the function of the cell components of the immune system in the cancer-unrelated lymphopathies of the lower limbs such as lymphedema and lymphangitis. To this end, Pubmed, Medline, Scielo, Clinical Key, Liliacs, Ebsco and scientific articles published in Cuban medical journals from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed. The recent studies show that the growth of new lymphatic vessels is a distinctive characteristic of the acute and chronic inflammatory reactions of lymphopathies, mediated by increase of the fluid drainage outside the vessel and of inflammatory cells as well as the immune response modulations. It is urgent to continue studying this topic, mainly the behavior of the humoral and cell immunity in patients suffering from lymphedema or lymphangitis, since no research papers dealing with the possible relation between both aspects were found. It is suggested that the T-cell subpopulations are a key component of the chronic and sub-acute inflammatory response in lymphopaties. Hence, understanding of the regulating function of the lymph fluid in the inflammatory response may represent an important step in the development of therapies that might block the onset or progression of the anomalous consequences of lymphatic injures(AU)

Prevalence and Epidemiological Factors Involved in Cellulitis in Korean Patients With Lymphedema

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors involved in cellulitis with lymphangitis among a group of Korean patients who were being treated for lymphedema. We present our epidemiologic research and we also report a systematic review of these types of cases. METHODS: This was a retrospective medical record study among 1,246 patients diagnosed with lymphedema. The study was carried out between January 2006 and December 2012 at the Kosin University Gospel Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Cases were examined for onset time, affected site, seasonal trend, and recurrence pattern of lymphedema, lymphangitis, and cellulitis. We also evaluated the history of blood-cell culture and antibiotic use. RESULTS: Ninety-nine lymphedema patients experienced complications such as cellulitis with accompanying lymphangitis. Forty-nine patients had more than two recurrences of cellulitis with lymphangitis. The incidence and recurrence of cellulitis with lymphangitis were significantly higher in the patients with lower-extremity lymphedema. There was a significant trend toward higher cellulitis prevalence in the lower-extremity lymphedema group according to the time of lymphedema onset. Among the cellulitis with lymphangitis cases, 62 cases were diagnosed through blood-cell culture; 8 of these 62 cultures were positive for β-hemolytic streptococci. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of cellulitis with lymphangitis in patients with lymphedema was 7.95%, and the prevalence of recurrent episodes was 3.93%. Especially, there was high risk of cellulitis with lymphangitis after occurrence of lower-extremity lymphedema with passage of time. Lymphedema patients should be fully briefed about the associated risks of cellulitis before treatment, and physicians should be prepared to provide appropriate preventive education.

Infecção por Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis em equinos: aspectos microbiológicos, clínicos e preventivos / Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses: clinical, microbiological and prevention aspects

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis é o agente causador da linfadenite caseosa em caprinos e ovinos, sendo responsável por significativas perdas econômicas na ovinocaprinocultura mundialmente. Esta bactéria Gram-positiva também infecta equinos, causando desde quadros assintomáticos até infecções sistêmicas, podendo levar o animal a óbito. Especificamente no Brasil, não foram relatados casos de infecção em equinos, mas acredita-se que, devido à convivência de pequenos ruminantes infectados com equinos em diversas propriedades rurais, seja natural que ocorra a infecção desses animais. A presente revisão tem como objetivo fornecer informações sobre a bactéria C. pseudotuberculosis, sobre os aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos da infecção em equídeos, bem como sobre técnicas de manejo para sua prevenção...

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats, an infectious disease that is responsible for significant economic losses in small ruminants breeding units worldwide. This Gram-positive bacterium can infect horses, causing symptomatic disease to systemic infections, which can lead to animals' death. Specifically in Brazil, there are no scientific records of equine infections, but it is believed that, due to the maintenance of infected small ruminants in close association to horses in many properties, the infection of horses may be a reality. The present work had the objective to present information on the bacteria C. pseudotuberculosis, on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the infection in horses, as well as information about breeding procedures that can be adopted in order to prevent the infection...

Acute lymphangitis in a preschool child: A case report

A 3-year old preschool boy presented with a pruritic red streak at the dorsum of his right foot traveling upward from the affected site which was red and swollen. Insect sting was the more likely trigger which had caused the cellulitis and subsequently the acute lymphangitis.

Linfangite granulomatosa de genitália infantil: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Granulomatous lymphangitis of children's genitalia: report of a case and review of the literature

Linfangite granulomatosa de genitália não-infecciosa é causa rara de linfedema genital autolimitado e idiopático em crianças(4, 6, 9). A maioria dos casos de linfedema com granuloma não-infeccioso de genitália em pacientes jovens ocorre em associação à doença de Crohn subseqüente ou concomitante(1, 3, 4, 9). O caso relatado é de um menino de 14 anos que apresentava história de linfedema genital principalmente em região dorsal do corpo do pênis, poupando prepúcio, parte distal do pênis e saco escrotal. Estudos laboratoriais não revelavam doenças sistêmicas. O exame anatomopatológico da peça revelou tratar-se de linfangite granulomatosa não-infecciosa.

Non-infectious granulomatous lymphangitis of genitalia is a rare cause of self-limited and idiopathic genital lymphoedema in children(4, 6, 9). Most cases of lymphoedema with non-infectious genital granulomas in young patients occur subsequent to or concomitant with Crohn's disease(1, 3, 4, 9). The case described is of a 14-year-old boy with history of genital lymphoedema mainly on the dorsal region of the body of the penis, sparing the prepuce, the distal part of the penis and the scrotum. Laboratory studies did not reveal systemic diseases. The histopathological analysis showed it was non-infectious granulomatous lymphangitis.

Linfangite carcinomatosa: impacto da terapêutica paliativa na qualidade de vida e prognóstico / Neoplastic pulmonary lymphangitis (NPL) is the intrapulmonary spread of metastatic neoplasm via lymphatic tissue, and accounts for 6-8% of lung metastasis: symptom distress has great impact on quality of life

A linfangite pulmonar neoplásica (LPN) é a disseminação intrapulmonar de células neoplásicas metastáticas via vasos linfáticos, englobando 6 a 8% das metástases pulmonares. Seu desconforto sintomático tem grande impacto na qualidade de vida (QdV) e seu prognóstico é muito reservado. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os aspectos clínicos, o tratamento, a QdV e a sobrevida em LPN, em um estudo prospectivo. O seguimento mediano foi de 32 dias; 79% dos pacientes foram seguidos por menos de 6 meses, devido a evolução desfavorável e óbito. A idade mediana dos pacientes foi de 60,5 anos; 65% eram mulheres. A maioria dos sítios primários de neoplasia foram pulmão e mama (88%). A QdV estava comprometida, mas podiam ter algum benefício terapêutico, especialmente com corticosteróides, e a quimioterapia melhorou a sobrevida. Algumas variáveis foram estatisticamente significantes para predizer o status de sobrevida em um mês: Karnofsky performance scale (KPS)>=60%, hemoglobina(Hb)>=10 g/dL, LPN unilateral, PO2>=60 mmHg, tratamento oncológico sistêmico e sem necessidade de ventilação assistida não-invasiva. Preditores significantes de maior sobrevida mediana foram: KPS>=60%, SpO2>=90%, Hb>=10 g/dL, sem hipoxemia (PO2>=60 mmHg), sem necessidade de oxigenioterapia, tratamento com opióide fraco, tratamento oncológico sistêmico e ausência de ventilação assistida. O tratamento sintomático deve ser ativo, oferecendo melhor QdV aos pacientes e familiares e o tratamento etiológico é importante. As avaliações de QdV facilitam a relação médico-paciente, além da informação prognostica ser crucial para ajudar na definição e planejamento terapêuticos, uma vez que análises de parâmetros de custo-benefício e metas realistas são essenciais para cuidados oncológicos paliativos de boa qualidade, especialmente em síndromes com prognóstico reservado, tal como a LPN.

Our objective was to evaluate clinical aspects, treatment, QoL, and survival, in NPL in a prospective study. Median follow-up was of 32 days; 79% percent of patients were followed for less than 6 months, due to bad outcome. Median age was 60.5 years; 65% were female. Most primary tumor sites were lung and breast cancers (88%). QoL was compromised, but could have treatment benefit, especially with corticosteroids, and chemotherapy improved survival. Some variables were statistically significant for predicting survival status in one month, such as: Karnofsky performance scale (KPS)>=60%, hemoglobin>=10 g/dL, unilateral NPL, PO2>=60 mmHg, oncological systemic treatment, and no need for noninvasive assisted ventilation. Significant predictors of longer median survival were: KPS>=60%, SpO2>=90%, hemoglobin>=10 g/dL, without hypoxemia (PO2>=60 mmHg), no need for oxygen therapy, weak opioid treatment, systemic oncological treatment, and absence of assisted ventilation. Symptomatic treatment must be active, offering better QoL to patients and their families, and etiological treatment is important. QoL evaluation facilitates patient-physician relationship, and prognostic information is crucial to help in defining treatment plan, since cost-benefit parameter analysis and realistic goals are essential in good-quality palliative cancer care, especially for syndromes with poor prognosis, such as NPL.

Linfangite carcinomatosa pulmonar como manifestação inicial de adenocarcinoma de ovário / Carcinomatous lymphangitis as the initial manifestation of ovarian adenocarcinoma

A linfangite carcinomatosa corresponde a cerca de 8 por cento das neoplasias pulmonares metastáticas. Os sítios primários mais comuns são mama, pulmão, estômago, próstata e pâncreas. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 42 anos na qual a primeira manifestação de um adenocarcinoma de ovário foi a linfangite carcinomatosa, uma forma incomum de apresentação da doença.

Carcinomatous lymphangitis accounts for approximately 8 percent of all cases of metastatic pulmonary tumors. The most common primary sites are breast, lung, stomach, prostate and pancreas. We describe herein the case of a 42-year-old woman in whom the first manifestation of an ovarian adenocarcinoma was carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung, an unusual presentation of the disease.

Three Cases of Sclerosing Lymphangitis of the Penis / 대한남성과학회지

Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare condition involving the distal lymphatics that is characterized by cord-like lesions on the shaft or coronal sulcus. Although the etiology is unknown, its association with mechanical trauma, anatomic variants, or infection has been shown. Clinically, the patient notices a painless, firm, cord-like lesion just proximal to the sulcus. Histologic study reveals hypertrophy and sclerosis of lymphatic vessel walls and, in some cases, thrombus formation within the dilated vessels. Most cases are self-limited, and conservative management is indicated, but surgical excision is warranted for persistently symptomatic lesions. We report three cases of sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis that required treatment by surgical excision.

Thoracic X-ray Signs of Pulmonary Lymphangitis Carcinomatosa / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To study the X-ray signs of pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa (PLC).Methods X-ray and HRCT signs of PLC proved by bronchoscopic or pleural or open-lung biopsy in 37 cases were retrospectively analyzed in order to find out some X-ray signs that suggested the PLC.Results The major X-ray features of PLC included:(1)Multiple thickened bronchovascular bundles in the bilateral lung in 37 cases;(2)Irregular thickened kerley A distributed over the bilateral lung in 28 cases;(3)The reticular and inosculating shadows(kerley C) extensively distributed over the bilateral lung in 19 cases;(4)The multiple irregular thickened kerley B distributed over the bilateral lung in 15 cases ;(5)Pulmonary hilar lymph adenopathy in 18 cases ;(6)Pleurae irregularly thickened in 16 cases;(7)Hydrothoraxes in 9 cases.Conclusion HRCT is the most satisfactory method in diagnosing PLC,but the super-quality thoracic plane film can supply some useful signs of PLC.

Linfangitis aguda. Resultados del tratamiento homeopático / Acute lymphangitis. Results of the homeopathic treatment

La linfangitis es el cuadro resultante de la propagación centrípeta de una infección linfógena. Su cuadro clásico de aparición brusca con fiebre, cefalea sequedad de mucosa oral, malestar general, dolor, eritema, edema y aumento de temperatura local a la cual puede asociarse la aparición de flictemas, planteó a los autores la posibilidad de una estrategia flexible de tratamiento homeopático que incluyó: Belladona, Apis mellifica, Nux vómica, Rhus tox. Los autores muestran resultados alentadores durante 30 meses en un grupo de pacientes tratados durante la fase aguda.

Lymphangitis is the resulting product of the propagation of a lymphatic infection. The classical symptoms are fever, headache, dry oral mucosa, general discomfort, pain, erythema, edema and a rise in the temperature of the affected area, all these gave the authors the possibility of a flexible homeopathic treatment that included Belladona, Apis Mellifica, Nux Vomica, and Rhus tox. Authors showed improved results during 30 months in a group of patients treated in the acute phase.

Linfangitis. Profilaxis de recidiva con tratamiento homeopático / Lymphangitis. Prophylaxis of recurrence with homeopathic treatment

Las crisis de recurrencias de linfangitis conllevan a pérdidas laborales, económicas e incapacidad por incremento del edema linfático que distorsiona la anatomía y provoca limitación funcional del miembro afectado, provocando incapacidad en estos pacientes. Los autores exponen los resultados obtenidos a mediano plazo en una serie de pacientes tratados en su última crisis aguda y posteriormente de forma profiláctica, con medicamentos homeopáticos. Los remedios homeopáticos empleados fueron: Calcárea carbónica, Lychopodium y Pulsatilla.

Recurrent crises.of lymphangitis are the cause of economic looses due to patients' impossibility to go to work as well as physical impairment because of the lymphatic edema that changes the limbs'anatomy causing functional limitations in these patients.The authors state the results obtained in a medial-term research in a series of patients treated in their last acute crisis, finally in a prophylactic way with homeopathic medications. Homeopathic remedies used were Calcarea carbonica, Lychopodium and Pulsatilla.

A Case of Nonvenereal Sclerosing Lymphangitis of the Penis

The patient was a 41-year-old healthy man, who developed a tender, cord-like serpiginous mass just proximal to the coronal sulcus for two weeks. He was a sexually active, non-promiscuous, married man. We had taken a biopsy, and noticed the subsiding of the lesion without further treatment. Nonvenereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare self-limiting peculiar disorder involving the lymphatics of the penile sulcus. Clinically, it presents as a cord-like nodular penile lesion with characteristic cartilaginous firmness. Histologically, it is described as hypertrophy and sclerosis of the lymphatic vessel walls with mild inflammatory cellular infiltration, and occasional obstruction of the lymphatic vessel. But, because such features including sclerosis varies according to the time when the biopsy was taken, they are not attributable to all cases. Our case shows the same clinical and pathological features of ‘benign transient lymphangiectasis’. Except for the painful cases, no specific treatments are usually warranted.

Two cases of sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare disorder characterized by painless. firm. cord-like lesion in the coronary sulcus of the penis. Although sexual trauma may be causative factor the etiology is unknown. Histologic findings reveal hypertrophy and sclerosis of lymphatic vessel wells, and some cases show thrombus formation within dilated vessels. Most cases are self-limited and conservative management is indicated. We report two cases of sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis in a 37-year-old man and a 28-year-old man.

Two Cases of Non - venereal Sclerosing Lymphantitis of the Penis / 대한피부과학회지

We report two cases of nonvenereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis in a 34-year old man and a 28-year-old man. This disorder is an uncommon condition characterized by asymptomatie, firm, cord-like lesion of unknown etiology. Histopathologic findings reveal hypertrophy and sclerosis of lymphatic vessel walls, and some cases show thrombus formation within dilated vessels. Both cases had typical clinical and histopathologic features. In case I, the lesion resolved spontaneously on several occasions for 10 years. Therefore we argue that some individual may be predisposed to develop the condition, perhaps because of anatomical variation.