Uncommon progression of an extradural spinal meningioma.

Extradural spinal meningiomas are rare. Our understanding of purely extradural spinal meningiomas is still incomplete and they may be easily confused with malignant neoplasms, much more common in this location. We report a rare case of a purely extradural thoracic spine meningioma in a 70-year-old man, with an unusual progression. In addition we discuss the pathogenesis of these tumors and the potential pitfalls in differential diagnosis and review the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome.

Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus-associated primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The development of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) during the course of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare. We report the case of a geriatric woman who was diagnosed with SLE at 69 years of age then with primary biliary cirrhosis one year later. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-years-old woman, who had been diagnosed with SLE at 69 years, was admitted for further examination of liver dysfunction. PBC was confirmed based on elevated serum levels of transaminase, high levels of antimitochondrial antibodies and following a liver biopsy. The oral administration of ursodeoxycholic acid stabilized the liver dysfunction. CONCLUSION: We described an original case report of elderly patient with coexisting PBC and SLE. To date, according to the best of our knowledge, there have been few case reports of SLE/PBC co-occurrence. The aetiology of this complex remains unknown, autoimmune mechanisms, environmental and genetic factors are considered important in the susceptibility to both diseases. Osteopontin might play an important role.

Mycophenolate mofetil-related pancolitis in a kidney transplant recipient.

Gastrointestinal adverse effects are common with mycophenolate mofetil administration, especially diarrhea. We report a case of mycophenolate mofetil-related colitis in a kidney transplant recipient. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerative diffuse colitis. The colonoscopic biopsy specimen showed mild crypt distortion, accompanied by cryptitis and focal graft-versus-host disease like changes. The patient's symptoms improved after we discontinued the mycophenolate mofetil. A repeat colonoscopy 2 months after we discontinued the mycophenolate mofetil showed reparative changes. Mycophenolate mofetil is an important drug in organ transplant immune-suppression regimens; however, with its widespread use, additional adverse effects continue to be recognized.

[Angiomatoid tumor of the thyroid gland: primitive angiosarcoma or variant of anaplastic carcinoma?]. / Tumeur angiomatoïde de la thyroïde: angiosarcome primitif ou variante du carcinome anaplasique?

Thyroid gland angiomatoid tumors are an extremely aggressive neoplasms with varied histological patterns and features of endothelial differentiation. The histogenesis of thyroid angiomatoid tumors has been controversial for many years: these tumors may be either a variant of anaplastic carcinoma, or an angiosarcoma. We report a case of thyroid angiomatoid tumor in a 68-year-old woman. We also discuss, through a review of the literature, the pathologic criteria that could be used to distinguish between angiosarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid.

[Myxoid plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor without multinucleated giant cells]. / Tumeur fibro-histiocytaire plexiforme myxoïde sans cellules géantes multinucléées.

Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumour is a rare soft-tissue tumour of intermediate malignancy. It is more prevalent in children and in young adults. We report a case of this tumour presenting as a nontender swelling on the shoulder of an 8-year-old girl. Clinically, the mass was subcutaneous and measured 2 cm in greatest diameter. The histopathological examination revealed a mesenchymal dermic and subcutaneous tumour composed of confluent nodules. These nodules were made of aggregates of histiocyte-like cells and concentric fascicles of spindle cells. The stroma was myxoïd or collagenous. This case was particular by the lack of giant cells and the focally myxoid background. The epidemiologic, clinicopathologic features and outcome of this lesion are discussed and similar published cases are reviewed.

[Micropapillary bladder carcinoma]. / Carcinome micropapillaire de la vessie.

Micropapillary bladder carcinoma is a recently described, rare variant of urothelial carcinoma reputed for its poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a 59-year-old man with invasive bladder tumour presenting with haematuria. Histological examination of resection chips revealed the typical histological features of high nuclear grade micropapillary carcinoma with invasion of the musculosa and the presence of numerous endolymphatic emboli. The authors discuss the clinicopathological and pathogenic features, treatment and clinical course of this tumour.

[Inverted papilloma of the ureter: a case report]. / Papillome inversé de l'uretère.

Inverted urothelial papilloma is a rare tumour particularly in the ureter. It is difficult to distinguish microscopically from low-grade urothelial carcinoma, inverted type. The authors report a new case of ureteric inverted papilloma in a 64-year-old man and discuss the histological diagnostic criteria, clinical features and prognosis of this tumour.