ABSTRACT
The 95th anniversary of the anatomist Friedrich Berthold Reinke's death is 19 May 2014. This an excellent moment to remember his anatomical research. Two structures which he discovered and first described continue to be associated with his name: Reinke crystals of testicular Leydig cells and Reinke's space in the larynx. Reinke's crystals are crystalline protein aggregates within interstitial Leydig cells which are probably associated with testosterone production. They are pathognomonic for Leydig cell tumours.
Subject(s)
Anatomy/history , Larynx/anatomy & histology , Leydig Cell Tumor/history , Leydig Cells/cytology , Pulmonary Medicine/history , Urology/history , Germany , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Among the many contributions to gynecological pathology of Dr. Robert Meyer were his observations on Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and the formulation of a classification of them that is the basis of the one used today. Selected variants in this category of tumors are reviewed here. Sertoli cell tumors are of interest clinically because, in contrast to other tumors in this category, they tend to be estrogenic rather than androgenic. They are important for the pathologist to be aware of, because other neoplasms of diverse types may mimic them. Heterologous Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are noteworthy; since they may feature mucinous epithelium, carcinoid, skeletal muscle, and/or cartilage, they may present a confusing histologic picture that could result in a misdiagnosis. Similarly, the recently recognized retiform variant of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor is apt to be misdiagnosed because its pattern of slit-like glandular spaces and papillae is often confused with tumors in the common epithelial category. These retiform lesions are also less often androgenic than are other Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. Finally, neoplasms with bizarre nuclei and tumors that occur in pregnancy, which often have prominent intercellular edema, are briefly discussed.