Synovial Lipomatosis: Histopathologic Features in a Series of Five Cases.

Synovial lipomatosis is a controversial entity of uncommon intraarticular joint lesions. Most studies focused on radiological findings and surgical resection modalities. Pathologic findings were limited to case reports. Detailed descriptions of the histopathologic features are lacking. We aim to highlight the salient histopathologic features of synovial lipomatosis. We performed a retrospective review study over 15 years retrieving cases of synovial lipomatosis. We found 5 patients (age range: 8-78, average age: 50 years, male to female ratio: 4:1) demonstrating unilateral synovial lipomatosis out of 241 (2.0%) patients with knee joint lesions. Four patients had osteoarthritis. One patient was obese. The resected specimens showed synovial hyperplasia, surface fibrin, hemosiderin pigment, microcalcifications, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, lymphoid aggregates, stromal fibrotic, degenerative, and metaplastic alterations shared by other synovitis related changes. Consistent features included abundant adipocytic components, surface adipocytes, prominent large vessel vasculatures, plasma cells, and dense perivascular lymphocytic cuff-like infiltrates. One patient demonstrated superimposed sarcoid-type epithelioid granulomas. A distinct fibrous band separated the lesional tissue from the underlying normal fatty tissue. Synovial lipomatosis predominates in older males with degenerative joint conditions with a second peak in children and adolescents. Obesity is not a risk factor. Some histopathologic features help distinguish synovial lipomatosis from look-alike joint lesions. The findings may suggest an angiolipomatous hamartomatous growth or an exaggerated synovial reaction inducing florid subsynovial stromal proliferative, metaplastic, and degenerative changes. Regardless of its etiopathogenesis, pathologists have a role in confirming the diagnosis and ensuring a complete arthroscopic synovectomy by assessing the presence of the fibrous septa.

Benign fibrous histiocytoma presenting as anal canal polyp: first case report.

Nonepithelial and nonmelanocytic anal neoplasms are uncommon. The majority are mesenchymal tumors, most of which are malignant sarcomas, particularly leiomyosarcomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Benign mesenchymal anal neoplasms are even rarer. The most common reported cases were anal leiomyomas, granular cell tumors, fibroadenomas, and xanthogranulomas. Benign fibrous histiocytomas (BFHs) or dermatofibromas are common mesenchymal cutaneous tumors that occur in different sites and at any age. Review of the literature did not show previous reports of BFH arising in the anal canal region. We report the first case of a solitary BFH, an unexpected occurrence of a common tumor type presenting as a polyp in an unusual site such as the anus. This rare occurrence can present diagnostic challenges for the surgeons and pathologists. Clinically, it can be confused with the usual anal tags, fibroepithelial polyps, or hemorrhoids. Benign fibrous histiocytoma is a neoplasm with a potential of local recurrence and, therefore, carries certain clinical implications for the patients' management and follow-up when compared with the common nonneoplastic causes of anal polyps such as the anal tags of anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or fibroepithelial papilla. Histologically, it should be differentiated from other histiocytic lesions. This can be resolved by the application of certain histologic features with the appropriate immunohistochemical markers taken within the correct clinical context.

The significance of intramammary lymph nodes in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intramammary lymph nodes (IntraMLNs) are frequent mostly benign incidental findings. However, they are clinically important because they can be the primary sites of metastasis and sentinel lymph nodes. Literature data regarding the clinical significance of IntraMLNs metastasis, however, remains controversial. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to better define the prognostic value of positive IntraMLNs in patients with breast cancer. A systematic review of the literature without date restrictions was conducted. Five electronic medical databases were searched, and a hand-search of the reference lists of the collected articles was also performed. Studies with sufficient and relevant pathologic and clinical survival data were included. Other studies with insufficient data or normal findings were excluded. This study found 18 studies eligible for systematic review, 3 of which were eligible for outcome meta-analysis. IntraMLNs metastases were strongly correlated with axillary lymph nodes involvement. Positive IntraMLNs are reliable predictors of axillary lymph node involvement and therefore a guide for further surgical management of the axillary nodes. Even though it could be concluded that IntraMLNs metastasis is an independent predictor of outcome, this meta-analysis was limited because of the scarcity of data and the inconsistencies and heterogeneity of the outcome studies.

A novel locus for restless legs syndrome maps to chromosome 19p in an Irish pedigree.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common, sleep-related movement disorder. The symptoms follow a circadian pattern, worsening in the evening or night, leading to sleep disruption and daytime somnolence. Familial forms of RLS have been described and usually display an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. To date, linkage analysis has identified nine RLS loci, but no specific causative gene has been reported. Association mapping has highlighted a further four genomic areas of interest. We have conducted a genome-wide linkage analysis in an Irish autosomal dominant RLS pedigree with 11 affected members. Significant linkage was found on chromosome 19p for a series of microsatellite markers, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.59 at θ = 0.0 for marker D19S878. Recombination events, identified by haplotype analysis, define a genetic region of 6.57 cM on chromosome 19p13.3, corresponding to an interval of 2.5 Mb. This study provides evidence of a novel RLS locus and provides further evidence that RLS is a genetically heterogenous disorder.

Perianal dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a case report.

A 67-year-old man presented with a perianal lump that had increased in size. On examination he had a 3-cm irregular, mobile, elevated, red, polypoid lump at the edge of the anus at the 8-o'clock position. Biopsy results unexpectedly revealed a spindle cell lesion extending deep into the subcutaneous tissue with occasional mitoses. The lesion was positive for CD34 and negative for epithelial markers, consistent with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed the mass extending deep into the ischiorectal space with no involvement of the external or internal anal sphincter. He underwent excision of the lesion with circumferential margins of 1 cm and formation of a skin rotation flap to achieve primary closure. Histology confirmed DFSP. Both the deep and lateral resection margins were involved. He proceeded to have a wider excision of margins, which was free of any remaining tumor. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare lesion. It most commonly occurs on the trunk; the perianal presentation in this case is unique. Surgical excision and preservation of functionality with cosmesis was an issue in this case, as DFSP is a locally aggressive tumor with a high recurrence rate.