ABSTRACT
Leydig cell nodular hyperplasia (LCNH) is a lesion that is less characterized than the familiar Leydig cell tumors. The paracrine effects of these lesions on adjacent gonadal stroma have not been widely documented. We present two cases of precocious puberty in pre-pubertal boys found to have a single LCNH with adjacent focal maturation of the seminiferous tubules. Blood tests showed elevated serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS). Ultrasound revealed unilateral testicular enlargement with irregular echogenicity. Radical orchiectomy was performed. Histologically Leydig cell nodular proliferation without destruction of surrounding tubules was seen. Mature seminiferous tubules undergoing spermatogenesis were noted adjacent to the lesion, while away from the lesion seminiferous tubules were as expected in pre-pubescent boys. These cases emphasize the potential presence of both paracrine and endocrine effects in Leydig cell nodular hyperplasia. However, instances of the endocrine effects of hyperplastic Leydig cell lesions are more widely reported than the paracrine effects.
Subject(s)
Hyperplasia/pathology , Leydig Cells/cytology , Paracrine Communication , Spermatogenesis/physiology , Biomarkers/analysis , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hyperplasia/diagnosis , Male , Orchiectomy/methods , Puberty, Precocious/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Each institution sets specific parameters obtained by automated hematology analyzers to trigger manual counts. We designed a process to decrease the number of manual differential cell counts without impacting patient care. METHODS: We selected new criteria that prompt manual counts and studied the impact these changes had in 2 days of work and in samples of patients with newly diagnosed leukemia, sickle cell disease, and presence of left shift. RESULTS: By using fewer parameters and expanding our ranges we decreased the number of manual counts by 20%. The parameters that prompted manual counts most frequently were the presence of blast flags and nucleated red blood cells, 2 parameters that were not changed. The parameters that accounted for a decrease in the number of manual counts were the white blood cell count and large unstained cells. Eight of 32 patients with newly diagnosed leukemia did not show blast flags; however, other parameters triggered manual counts. In 47 patients with sickle cell disease, nucleated red cells and red cell variability prompted manual review. Bands were observed in 18% of the specimens and 4% would not have been counted manually with the new criteria, for the latter the mean band count was 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The process we followed to evaluate hematological parameters that reflex to manual differential cell counts increased efficiency without compromising patient care in our hospital system.
