Multinucleated stromal giant cells in the gastroesophageal junctional and gastric mucosa: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Atypical multinucleated stromal giant cells (MSGCs) are occasionally encountered in the esophagogastric mucosa. This study aims to investigate the origin and clinical association of MSGCs in the upper gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-one contiguous biopsies and 1 resection specimen from the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) were identified from archives for morphologic and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: MSGCs were identified in 22 cases (6%: 7 gastric, 15 GEJ). Patients' average age was 53 years. There was no sex predilection. 77% cases had only 1 or 2 MSGCs per 10 high power fields. MSGCs were located in the lamina propria of the gastric or GEJ mucosa, with an accentuation in the subepithelial zone. The median number of nuclei in a MSGC was 5 (ranging from 3 to 16). The nuclei were touching/overlapping, often arranged into "wreath", "caterpillar", or "morula" configurations. MSGCs expressed smooth muscle actin, desmin, while negative for cytokeratin AE1/3, CD68, S100, chromogranin, and CD117. The most common clinical history was epigastric pain, gastroesophageal reflux, and Barrett esophagus. The most common associated pathologic diagnoses included reactive (chemical) gastropathy (71% gastric biopsies) and gastroesophageal reflux (73% GEJ specimens). CONCLUSIONS: MSGCs in the esophagogastric mucosa show smooth muscle/myofibroblast differentiation by immunohistochemistry and likely represent a reactive/reparative stromal reaction associated with gastroesophageal reflux and reactive (chemical) gastropathy.

Novel t(1;2)(p36.1;q23) and t(7;19)(q32;q13.3) chromosomal translocations in ischemic fasciitis: expanding the spectrum of pseudosarcomatous lesions with clonal pathogenetic link.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic fasciitis is a distinctive pseudosarcomatous entity with a marked predilection for elderly and physically debilitated or immobilized patients. The etiology of these lesions is unknown but felt to be related to ischemic vascular events. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report for the first time, two cytogenetic translocations, t(1;2)(p36.1;q23) and t(7;19)(q32;q13.3) in a 75 year-old ambulating female with a history of left total hip arthroplasty 20 years ago. CONCLUSION: These translocations suggest a possible clonal pathogenetic link though their significance remains to be established.

An obesity paradox: an inverse correlation between body mass index and atherosclerosis of the aorta.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Morbid obesity generally has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality for a variety of diseases. However, a number of exceptions to this have been reported and referred to as the "obesity paradox." The purpose of the present study was to obtain objective data on aortic atherosclerosis and its relationship to body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), based on autopsy findings in a large cohort of overweight and obese decedents. METHODS: Decedents were ≥18 years who had autopsies between 2003 and 2014, a subset of whom were morbidly obese (BMI≥40). Autopsy findings were reviewed and compared to a control group (BMI<40) who had consecutive autopsies performed between January 2013 and June 2014. Atherosclerosis was assessed by gross pathologic examination using a semiquantitative grading scale (from 0 to 3), and for statistical analysis, the scores were stratified into two groups: nonsevere (<2) or severe (≥2). RESULTS: There were 304 decedents in the study: 66 were morbidly obese (BMI≥40), 94 were either Class I or II obese (BMI 30-40), 127 were either overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) or normal weight (BMI 20-24.9), and 17 were underweight (BMI<20). Decedents with mild atherosclerosis were significantly younger than those with severe disease (55.2 vs. 67.3, P<.0001). Decedents were further stratified by age and BMI. Univariate analysis revealed that decedents >60 years were more likely to have severe atherosclerosis than those ≤60 years (61% vs. 30%, P<.0001). There was a highly significant (P=.008) inverse relationship between severe aortic atherosclerosis and BMI. Twenty of 66 decedents (30%) with a BMI≥40 had severe atherosclerosis vs. 122 of 238 decedents (51%) with BMIs<40 (P=.001). As BMI increased, the probability of developing severe disease decreased. Hypertension increased the probability of having severe atherosclerosis (54% vs. 33%, P=.007). After adjusting for other covariates, multivariable analysis revealed that age and hypertension were still positively correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis (P=.014 and 0.028, respectively), and the inverse relationship between BMI and atherosclerosis remained (adjusted relative risk of BMI≥40 vs. <40=0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.4-1; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our data extend the previously described obesity paradox to another disease entity, atherosclerosis of the aorta. Morbid obesity appeared to have a protective effect for developing severe aortic atherosclerosis, for the reasons for which are yet to be determined. However, the mean age at death of decedents with BMIs≥40 was younger than those with BMIs in the 20-30 range (55.9 vs. 63.2 years, P=.001), confirming that morbid obesity was not associated with increased longevity.

Morphometric data on severely and morbidly obese deceased, established on forensic and non-forensic autopsies.

With the widespread increase in the incidence of obesity, autopsies on severely and morbidly obese deceased have become common in the USA. Standard reference tables for organ weights provide little or no information on individuals with a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m(2). Although several recent reports have provided organ weights for small numbers of morbidly obese persons who died naturally from a variety of causes, these data may have been affected by comorbidities. Furthermore, they did not provide information relative to differences in organ weight based on gender, age, and race. The aim of the present study was to fill this void by developing reference tables for organ weights of severely and morbidly obese individuals. Our study was based on data from 802 forensic and medical autopsies, including 435 cases of death of natural and 367 of non-natural causes. Organ weights were compared between these groups, and reference ranges were generated. Significant variability was found in organ weights especially among deceased older than 40 years who died naturally, suggesting that comorbidities affect organ weight. Reference tables were compiled for organ weights and morphometric data based on gender, age, and race. Since obesity is a pathological condition affecting organ weight, these reference tables do not reflect normal organ weights but only weight as seen in severely and morbidly obese individuals. They should be useful to pathologists who perform forensic and non-forensic autopsies.

Neutropenic Enterocolitis: New Insights Into a Deadly Entity.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) is a deadly ileocecal-based disease seen in patients with a recent history of chemotherapy. As histology is not included in the current diagnostic criteria, the pathologic features of NE are poorly understood. We undertook a multi-institutional study of NE, and report helpful clinical clues, such as immunosuppression (n=20/20), recent chemotherapy (n=17/18), neutropenia (n=16/18) gastrointestinal symptoms (n=19/19), abnormal imaging studies of the cecum/right colon (n=11/14), and positive microbiological studies (n=13/15). Fever (n=9/15) and sepsis (n=8/16) were also common. Pathologically, the cecum/right colon was always involved (n=17/17), but findings were identified in other bowel segments as well. NE lesions consisted of patchy necrosis (n=18/20), infiltrating organisms (n=17/20), hemorrhage (n=15/20), ulcer (n=15/19), edema (n=15/20), and depletion of inflammatory cells (n=15/20). Seventy-nine percent (n=15/19) of patients with histologically confirmed NE died: 47% (n=7/15) of these deaths were attributed to NE and the remainder to the patients' underlying conditions. Importantly, we observed a clinical diagnostic discordancy rate of 35% (n=9/26): 15% (n=3/20) of histologically confirmed NE were clinically unsuspected, and 26% (n=6/23) of clinically suspected NE represented a different disease process. Alternative diagnoses included unspecified colitis, infection, graft-versus-host disease, relapsed malignancy, mycophenolate injury, appendicitis, and ischemia. The causes of death in patients with NE mimics included unrecognized appendicitis and unrecognized graft-versus-host disease. To improve diagnostic accuracy, we propose that histology be required for a diagnosis of "definitive NE," with other clinically suspicious cases reported as "suspicious for NE" until all other possible diagnoses have been reasonably excluded.

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patient With Triple Negative Breast Cancer After Paclitaxel Infusion: A Case Report.

A 47-year-old woman with breast cancer suffered progressive chest pain and flushing within 5 minutes of her second exposure to paclitaxel. Her symptoms progressed and she became pulseless. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) was initiated, and after a series of chest compressions the cardiac monitor revealed ventricular fibrillation. With ongoing ACLS she was transferred to the emergency department where she regained a pulse. Review of electrocardiogram revealed prominent ST elevation in leads V1, V2 and V3 with reciprocal ST depression. She was transferred urgently to the catheterization laboratory. Angiography revealed a high-grade stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), and drug-eluting stents were placed without complications. She was then transferred to the floor and shortly thereafter suffered pulseless electrical activity and died despite prolonged attempts at resuscitation. Herein, we describe the development of acute myocardial infarction after paclitaxel administration, discuss potential etiologies and review evidence for an allergic component.