ABSTRACT
Over the years, the origin of ovarian Leydig cells has been, and still is, a topic subject to deep debate. Seven years ago, we proposed that this origin resided in intraneural elements that came from a possible reservoir of neural crest cells, a reservoir that may be located in the ganglia of the celiac plexus. We believe we have found the evidence necessary to prove this hypothesis.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We are conducting a prospective study trying to determine, in both sexes, the frequency of appearance of ectopic Leydig cells, their preferred location, their relationship with nerve structures and the possible causes of their appearance. METHODS: We have studied 86 cases that were removed according to different clinical indications for pathological study: uterine leyomiomas (n = 12), ovarian cystadenoma (n = 4), endometrial hyperplasia (n = 8), endometrial carcinoma (n = 12), cervical carcinoma (n = 4), seminoma (n = 4), fallopian tube ligatures (n = 24), vasectomies (n = 8), nonspecific orchiepididymitis (n = 2), and unknown (n = 8). RESULTS: We have observed ectopic Leydig cells in 13/86 cases (15.11%), 9/72 in the female samples (12.50%) and 4/14 in male samples (28.57%). The most frequent location was the mesosalpinx (4 of 13: 30.76%). CONCLUSIONS: These high figures lead us to believe that the ectopia of Leydig cells is not really a pathologic entity, but a finding related to specific functions yet to be determined.
Subject(s)
Leydig Cells/cytology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Testis/cytology , Fallopian Tubes , Female , Humans , Male , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
El ependimoma mixopapilar de partes blandas es una neoplasia extremadamente infrecuente que se encuentra englobada dentro de los tumores ependimarios. Comunicamos el caso de un ependimoma mixopapilar de partes blandas en la región sacrococcígea en un varón de 18 años. El examen macroscópico de la pieza quirúrgica reveló la presencia de una lesión nodular bien delimitada de 8,3 cm de diámetro. Histológicamente se trataba de una proliferación tumoral de hábito epitelioide con papilas centradas por estructuras vasculares en ocasiones hialinizadas. Inmunohistoquímicamente demostró positividad para PGFA, S100, focalmente para vimentina y negatividad para CKAE1/AE3. Presentamos una revisión de la literatura y una discusión del diagnóstico diferencial (AU)
Soft tissue myxopapillary ependymoma is an extremely rare neoplasm classified as an ependymary tumour. We report a case of a soft tissue myxopapillary ependymoma in the sacrococcygeal region of an 18 year-old male. Macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen showed an 8.3 cm well-circumscribed nodular lesion. Histologically, it was seen to be a neoplastic epithelioid-like proliferation with papillae arranged around vascular structures, with occasional hyalinization. Immunohistochemistry revealed S100, GFAP and focal vimentin immunostaining but no CKAE1/AE3 expression. The differential diagnosis is discussed together with a review of the literature (AU)
