Impact of multidisciplinary radiologic-pathologic correlation conference for benign image-guided breast biopsies on discordance rates and patient outcomes in a community teaching hospital.

As the assessment for radiologic-pathologic concordance, particularly for benign image-guided breast biopsies, is crucial in the management of patients with imaging abnormalities, many health institutions now conduct multidisciplinary conferences to assess the imaging and pathology findings in patients who had image-guided needle biopsy. We aimed to identify the radiologic-pathologic discordance rates and changes in patient outcomes resulting from the implementation of radiologic-pathologic correlation conferences in a community teaching hospital. Twenty-two (5.6%) out of 393 cases presented were deemed discordant given that the imaging characteristics of the lesions were far too suspicious radiologically to correlate with the benign pathology. Six cases were recommended for further imaging (four had stable lesion on follow- up, one was lost to follow-up and one case eventually had surgical excision which showed atypia); 14 cases for repeat core needle/excisional biopsy (seven had surgical excision with benign histology, five did not have surgery but showed stable lesion on imaging, two were lost to follow-up); one case for close imaging follow-up (lesion ultimately disappeared); the remaining case for second opinion (no follow-up data). The rad-path correlation conference led to a higher level of patient care with significant change in practice across our hospital network.

The Gallbladder and Vermiform Appendix as Quality Assurance Indicators in Autopsy Pathology.

OBJECTIVES: We investigate the number of autopsy reports that did or did not document the presence or absence of the gallbladder or appendix or document abdominal scars in patients following cholecystectomy or appendectomy. We also report gallbladder and appendix pathology at autopsy. METHODS: Autopsy reports from patients 18 years or older autopsied at a community teaching hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2018 were reviewed. Nonabdominal autopsies were excluded. Histopathologic examination of the gallbladder and appendix was only performed if gross pathology was seen. RESULTS: Of the 385 autopsies studied, 48 (12.5%) had cholecystectomies, of which 6 (12.5%) did not document abdominal scars. Sixty-two (16.1%) had appendectomies, of which 12 (19.4%) did not document abdominal scars. The presence or absence of the gallbladder and appendix was not documented in 6 (1.6%) and 16 (4.2%) of reports, respectively. Pathology was seen in 87 (25.8%) gallbladders and 4 (1.2%) appendixes. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of the gallbladder or appendix is a relatively common autopsy finding. Auditing autopsy reports for documentation of their presence or absence, along with associated abdominal scars, are potential quality assurance indicators of autopsy reports. Documentation of these elements could be improved by changing the autopsy template or using synoptic reporting.

Pulmonary Symptoms as the First Manifestation of Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease is a granulomatous systemic illness with extra-intestinal manifestations. Of these extra-intestinal manifestations, lung involvement (0.4%) is the rare manifestation. Bronchopulmonary signs and symptoms are underrecognized, so suspicion should be high when granulomas are seen in lung biopsies. We report the case of a 27-year-old female who presented with bilateral pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray showed left lung masses measuring up to 3.3 cm in the greatest dimension with right mid lung nodular opacity. Given the possibility of metastatic disease, positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) scan was done, which showed activity in multiple liver lesions and multiple bilateral lung nodules. Both liver and lung biopsies were done, which showed multiple necrotizing and non-necrotizing granulomas. The patient was discharged home on antibiotics and antifungals. Few months later, she presented with loose stools and abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed diffuse colonic wall thickening concerning for colitis. Colonoscopy showed ulcerated mucosa involving multiple parts of the colon. Biopsy of the colon showed mild to moderate acute colitis with submucosal non-necrotizing epithelioid granulomas, consistent with Crohn's disease.

Metachronous vulvar ectopic breast cancer, a case report and literature review.

•When two or more primary tumors arise at the same time, they are considered synchronous.•A metachronous tumor in a new primary that develops after an initial cancer diagnosis.•The diagnosis of vulvar breast cancer is primarily histopathologic, based on morphology and immunostaining.•Identifying a cancer as a metastasis versus as synchronous/metachronous significantly impacts staging and treatment.

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: A clinicopathologic study of a distinct entity with supporting evidence of a role for Corynebacterium-targeted therapy.

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) is a distinct histopathologic entity characterized by neutrophilic and granulomatous inflammation surrounding clear cystic spaces. Rare gram-positive bacilli are sometimes identified within these cystic spaces. Studies in the literature have identified these gram-positive bacilli to be Corynebacterium species. We describe the clinicopathologic features of 7 cases of CNGM, including a case with evidence of Corynebacterium amycolatum. Patients were young to middle aged parous women ranging in age from 28 to 53 years (median age: 41 years). Gram-positive bacilli were identified in 4 cases, all within cystic spaces. Microbial culture from a 41-year old Hispanic woman grew Corynebacterium species on multiple occasions and Corynebacterium amycolatum was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) on two separate occasions. Antibiotic susceptibility testing performed both times showed resistance to multiple antibiotics and susceptibility to vancomycin. Follow-up of all patients (range 3-12 months, median 6 months) showed a widely variable clinical course and varying response to a variety of treatment modalities. Five of the seven CNGM patients were parous, reproductive-aged Hispanic women who were born outside of the United States. Our findings further support the association of CNGM with corynebacteria and gram-positive bacilli. Furthermore, this study shows that Corynebacterium amycolatum, a nonlipophilic and multidrug-resistant corynebacterium can be associated with CNGM, hence the need for targeted antibiotic therapy. We propose identifying corynebacteria to the species level and performing antibiotic susceptibility testing in patients with CNGM because of the varied susceptibility testing profile that has been reported among different species of corynebacteria.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection Mimicking Recurrent Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Paracoccidioides infection is a rare entity in the USA. This dimorphic fungus is found in Central and South America and is thought to be acquired by inhalation through the soil. We report a case of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection presenting as a clavicular bone lesion, peripancreatic mass, and various skin lesions. A 35-year-old man with a history significant for Hodgkin lymphoma presented with a left clavicular mass that was suspected clinically and radiologically as recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma. He was not experiencing any associated symptoms and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for his known Hodgkin disease. On CT imaging, the mass was seen as a lytic bone lesion with an overlying soft tissue mass. This was biopsied and histologically diagnosed as a Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection with associated necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Also found on the CT scan was an enlarging peripancreatic mass which on endoscopic biopsy had similar histologic findings. In conclusion, this report presents a rare case of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection mimicking recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma.

Does Initial Imaging Modality Affect Breast Biopsy Upgrade Rates? A Single Institution Review.

INTRODUCTION: Image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) is the standard for diagnostic breast biopsy. However, the upgrade rate to a higher order lesion defined as identification of malignancy on final pathology from surgical excision remains problematic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all core needle biopsies from 2008 to 2012 was performed. We identified lesions demonstrating atypia without associated malignancy on core needle biopsy and recorded multiple factors to evaluate predictors of upgrade. RESULTS: Of 151 independent core needle biopsies recorded, 26.5% were upgraded to a higher order lesion. Concurrent mammogram and ultrasound (US) were associated with higher sampling error than any individual imaging modality (P = .021). MRI had a trend toward lower rate of upgrade rate but did not reach statistical significance. DISCUSSION: Although MRI had a lower rate of upgrade rate due to sampling error, this did not reach significance possibly because of our small sample size.

Colonic-type adenocarcinoma of the base of the tongue: a case report of a rare neoplasm.

Lingual adenocarcinomas (ADC), either primary or metastatic to the tongue are extraordinarily rare neoplasms. Primary lingual adenocarcinomas are primarily of minor salivary gland origin. Two cases of primary colonic-type adenocarcinomas of the base of the tongue were recently reported for the first time in the English literature. We present an additional case of lingual intestinal-type adenocarcinoma with mucinous features that occurred in association with cervical node metastasis and discuss the clinicopathologic features and histogenetic aspects of this rare entity.

Cell block alone as an ideal preparatory method for hemorrhagic thyroid nodule aspirates procured without onsite cytologists.

OBJECTIVE: To study diagnostic efficacy of direct smears (DS) vs. cell block (CB) alone in hemorrhagic thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed without a cytotechnologist or cytopathologist. STUDY DESIGN: Ultrasound-guided thyroid FNAs from an offsite location were retrospectively searched during a 53-month period. Aspirates in the initial 13 months were submitted as air-dried DSs. Subsequent specimens were submitted as CBs. Each case was classified into 1 of 4 categories: (1) nondiagnostic, (2) nonneoplastic, (3) follicular lesions and (4) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). RESULTS: There were 77 aspirates: DS = 20 (26%) and CB = 57 (74%). Two cases had both DSs and CBs. Diagnoses of DS: nondiagnostic = 12 (60%); nonneoplastic = 7 (35%); follicular lesion = 1 (5%). Diagnoses of CB cases: nondiagnostic = 4 (7.0%); nonneoplastic = 43 (75.4%); follicular lesion, including 1 Hürthle cell neoplasm = 7 (12.3%), PTC = 3 (5.3%). Repeat FNAs on 4 nondiagnostic cases (3 DSs, 1 CB) utilizing the CB-only technique were diagnostic and included nodular goiter, follicular neoplasm, PTC, and reactive lymph node. CONCLUSION: Without onsite assessment, CB alone is superior to DSs for hemorrhagic thyroid FNAs. It shows increased diagnostic efficacy and slide reduction and obviates repeat FNAs.