ABSTRACT
We report on a fetal autopsy case in which a congenital cervical immature teratoma was diagnosed. A 24-year-old Japanese woman had carried a male fetus that was aborted because of a cervical tumor at 20 weeks 5 days of gestation. The cervical tumor weighed 93 g and measured 7.5x5.5x5 cm. The soft tumor was encapsulated by a fibrous layer, was solid with small cysts on the cut surface, and showed a brain-like appearance. The tumor was composed of neoplastic cells derived from the three germ cell layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The cells showed both immature and mature features. Small areas of thyroid tissue were detected in the cervical tumor. The left lobe of the thyroid gland was not observed, but the right lobe of the thyroid gland was present laterally between the trachea and the esophagus. Therefore, we concluded that the cervical tumor had arisen in the left lobe of the thyroid gland rather than from the soft tissue of the neck.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Teratoma/secondary , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/secondary , Abortion, Eugenic , Adult , Female , Fetal Diseases/pathology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnosis , Head and Neck Neoplasms/embryology , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Teratoma/diagnosis , Teratoma/embryology , Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Thyroid Neoplasms/embryologyABSTRACT
Mammalian cells express a transport system known as system x(c)-, which is an exchange agency specific for anionic forms of cystine and glutamate. System x(c)- activity is important to maintain both intracellular glutathione levels and the redox balance between cystine and cysteine in the extracellular milieu. We have shown that the cloned cDNAs encoding the transporter for system x(c)- consist of two components, xCT and the heavy chain of 4F2 antigen. In the present study, we have investigated the mRNA distribution for these components in the mouse brain by in situ hybridization. The xCT mRNA was expressed in the area postrema, subfornical organ, habenular nucleus, hypothalamic area, and ependymal cells of the lateral wall of the third ventricle in the adult mouse brain. A strong signal was also detected in the meninges in both adult and fetal mouse brains. The mRNA expression of the heavy chain of 4F2 antigen was detected in a more broad area, including all of the regions in which xCT mRNA was detected. These data are compatible with our biochemical evidence that xCT functions in combination with the heavy chain of 4F2 antigen to elicit system x(c)- activity. The expression of system x(c)- in meninges and some circumventricular organs may suggest that this transporter contributes to the maintenance of the redox state (i.e., cysteine/cystine ratio) in the CSF.
Subject(s)
Amino Acid Transport System y+ , Brain/metabolism , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain/metabolism , Animals , Brain/cytology , Brain/embryology , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Cerebral Ventricles/cytology , Cerebral Ventricles/metabolism , Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain/genetics , In Situ Hybridization , Meninges/cytology , Meninges/metabolism , Mice , Oxidation-Reduction , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Few reports of fetal cystic lymphangioma have described assessment in utero by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated a fetus with cystic lymphangioma by this method. Complementing the characteristic features of cystic lymphangioma in ultrasonographic images, prenatal MRI provided a detailed view of anatomic relationships of cysts to surrounding tissues in this case. This anatomic evaluation facilitated planning of perinatal management and choice of manner of delivery. We found MRI very helpful in antepartum assessment of fetal cystic lymphangioma.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lymphangioma, Cystic/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Prenatal Diagnosis/methods , Adult , Female , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Japan , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal trisomy is associated with altered levels of second-trimester maternal pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and inhibin A. METHODS: Maternal serum PAPP-A and inhibin A concentrations were measured at 15-17 weeks of gestation in 14 singleton pregnancies with fetal trisomy and in 56 matched pregnant controls. RESULTS: PAPP-A levels in the trisomy group were significantly lower than in controls. The inhibin A level with fetal trisomy 21 was slightly higher than the control group, but levels were not different between trisomies 18 and 13 and controls. CONCLUSION: Fetal trisomies 21, 18, and 13 are associated with a reduction in second-trimester maternal PAPP-A levels; trisomies 18 and 13 are not associated with increased inhibin A levels, unlike trisomy 21.
