Clinicopathological features of superficial CD34-positive fibroblastic tumor.

BACKGROUND: Superficial CD34-positive fibroblastoma (SCPFT) is a newly discovered mesenchymal tumor characterized by high polymorphism, low mitotic rate, and diffuse CD34-positive reactions. AIM: To further determine the clinicopathological features of SCPFT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data, immunohistochemistry results, and differential diagnoses of four patients with SCPFT and performed a literature review. Relevant fusion genes were also detected. RESULTS: The tumors were all located in the lower extremities and presented as slow-growing painless masses located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of spindle-shaped to epithelioid cells with scattered abnormal and pleomorphic nuclei on a fibrous or fibromyxoid background. Necrosis was not found in the tumor tissues, and mitotic figures were rare. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin and CD34, and CKpan showed focal positivity in two tumors. All four patients were followed (13-57 mo, mean 35 mo), and one patient experienced local recurrence. CONCLUSION: SCPFT is a newly discovered borderline mesenchymal tumor that can locally recur or even metastasize. Familiarity with its clinicopathological features will help avoid confusion with skin mesenchymal tumors with similar features.

Novel foetal echocardiographic image processing software (5D Heart) improves the display of key diagnostic elements in foetal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical value of foetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (5D Heart) for the display of key diagnostic elements in basic sections. METHODS: 3D volume datasets of 182 normal singleton foetuses were acquired with a four chamber view by using a volume probe. After processing the datasets by using 5D Heart, eight cardiac diagnostic planes were demonstrated, and the image qualities of the key diagnostic elements were graded by 3 doctors with different experiences in performing foetal echocardiography. RESULTS: A total of 231 volume datasets acquired from the 182 normal foetuses were used for 5D Heart analysis and display. The success rate of 8 standard diagnostic views was 88.2%, and the success rate of each diagnostic view was 55.8-99.2% and 70.7-99.0% for the random four chamber view as the initial section and for the apical four chamber view as the initial section, respectively. The success rate of each diagnostic element in the 8 diagnostic sections obtained by 5D Heart was 58.9%~ 100%. Excellent agreement was found between experienced sonographers and less-experienced sonographers (kappa> 0.769). Inter- and intra-observer agreement were substantial to near-perfect, kappa values ranging from 0.612 to 1.000 (Cohen's kappa). CONCLUSIONS: 5D Heart can significantly improve the image quality of key diagnostic elements in foetal echocardiography with low operator dependency and good reproducibility.

[Evaluation of cardiac function after neonatal asphyxia by Doppler tissue imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) in evaluation the changes of cardiac function after neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: Sixty-two full-term neonates suffering from asphyxia at birth were divided into 2 groups according to Apgar scores: severe asphyxia group with the Apgar scores < or = 3 (n = 31) and mild asphyxia group with the Apgar scores > 3 and < or = 7 (n = 31). Thirty normal neonates were used as control group. DTI was conducted 24, 48, and 72 hours after birth to measure the values of systolic peak myocardial motion velocity (DTIs), early diastolic peak myocardial motion velocity (TDIe), late diastolic peak myocardial motion velocity (DTIa) and DTI e/a of anterior leaflet of mitral valve, and the values were compared with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by M-mode ultrasound and the values of E, A, and E/A of mitral valve shown in pulsed Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The LVEF of the severe asphyxia group measured 24 h after birth was (62 +/- 4)cm/s, significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), while the values of DTIs 24, 48, and 72 hours of the severe asphyxia group were all significantly lower than those of the control group (all P < 0.05). In the severe asphyxia group the DTIs value 24 hours [(3.9 +/- 0.4) cm/s] after the birth was significantly lower than those 48 and 72 hours after birth [(5.3 +/- 0. 8)cm/s, (5.0 +/- 0.9)cm/s,both P < 0.01]. The values of E and E/A of the severe asphyxia group (55 +/- 12, 0.94 +/- 0.25) 72 h after birth of the mild asphyxia group (51 +/- 10, 0.89 +/-0.20) were both significantly lower than those of the control group (both P < 0.01), the value of A 72 h after birth of the mild asphyxia group (60 +/- 7) was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The values of DTIe and DTIe/a 24, 48, and 72 h after birth of the mild asphyxia group were all significantly lower than those of the control group, and the values of DTIa 24, 48, and 72 h after birth of the mild asphyxia group were all significantly higher than those of the control group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: After neonatal asphyxia, both the systolic function and the diastolic function of the left ventricle decrease; and the DTI indexes can reflect the cardiac function changes more sensitively than M-mode ultrasound indexes.