ABSTRACT
Intrathyroidal ectopic thymic tissue (IETT) is an indulgent, unusual entity and is part of the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules in the pediatric population. Because of the low prevalence of IETT, the diagnosis may be difficult. Awareness of this diagnosis is definitive to avoid surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the echographic characteristics of IETT. We conducted a search of Ovid, PubMed and the virtual health library. A total of 619 patients with a mean age of 6.2 years old were included. IETT was located in the lower portion of both of the thyroidal lobes in 556 children, the echographic shape was reported for 173 patients, with the fusiform shape as the most representative, the appearance of the IETTs was reported for 121 patients, the most common was the hypoechogenic pattern with multiple internal echogenic foci. The average lesion diameter was 5.53â¯mm, and Doppler findings reported a hipovascular pattern in 56% of the lesions. In conclusion, IETT is an infrequent entity; nonetheless, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck nodules in children and should be study and follow with echography to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Subject(s)
Thyroid Nodule , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Prevalence , Thyroid Nodule/diagnostic imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: No previous studies have been conducted to determine the normal number of nail matrix melanocytes in Latin American individuals. The objective of this work was to determine the number of melanocytes per linear millimetre present in the nail matrix and the nail bed in samples obtained from Colombian individuals. METHODS: Twenty-six unilateral biopsies were taken from 19 cadavers subjected to clinical and medico-legal autopsies. These biopsy samples were processed with conventional histotechnology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with anti-HMB-45 and anti-MiTF. Three sets of photographs (HE, HMB-45 and MiTF) were taken of each biopsy sample and independently assessed by three pathologists. Each observer counted the number of melanocytes present in 1 linear mm of the nail matrix or bed. RESULTS: We found an average of 4.6 melanocytes x linear mm with H & E staining, 9.8 with HMB-45 and 12.4 with MiTF. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IHC significantly increases and facilitates the identification of melanocytes in unilateral biopsies. Our IHC counts exceed the averages found in the literature. This finding warrants new studies to verify whether the Colombian population presents higher numbers of melanocytes in the nail matrix than other populations or whether the observed increase is a result of the use of MiTF.
Subject(s)
Melanocytes/cytology , Nails/cytology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cadaver , Cell Count , Child , Child, Preschool , Colombia/ethnology , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Infant , Male , Melanocytes/metabolism , Melanoma-Specific Antigens/metabolism , Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/metabolism , Middle Aged , Young Adult , gp100 Melanoma AntigenABSTRACT
Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma is an extremely rare congenital lesion, and very few cases have been reported even though its macroscopic and microscopic features make diagnosis easy. An 18-year-old woman consulted with a pedunculated mass in the medial region of her neck. The mass was surgically removed, and rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma was diagnosed. The clinical, macroscopic, histologic, and immunochemical characteristics that allow diagnosis of this entity are discussed. Although association with congenital abnormalities is uncommon, this possibility should be assessed by the clinician.
