Histological changes mimicking papillary carcinoma following fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland.

A puzzling artifact caused by previous fine needle aspiration of the thyroid in a 26 year-old woman is reported. The lesion, which mimicked a papillary microcarcinoma, was seen into a follicular adenoma with focal oncocytic changes. The literature concerning histological changes following aspiration cytology in the thyroid and other organs is reviewed. These morphologic changes (notably in the thyroid gland), can be varied and should always be kept in mind in order to avoid misdiagnoses.

Small intestinal stromal tumour with skeinoid fibers. Immunohistochemical study of two cases with CD 34 expression.

The presence of the so-called "skeinoid fibers" in stromal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare event. The exact origin of this puzzling group of neoplasms still remains controversial. Despite all, the recognition of this histologic feature in routine practice is important for its presence seems to carry histogenetic implications. The authors report the histopathologic findings of two of such cases both occurring in the jejunum of a male aged 48 and a woman, 64. Their positivity with CD 34 antigen is enhanced, for this peculiar immunophenotype help to distinguish them from other stromal tumors in the small bowel. Additionally, the literature is reviewed and commented.

A case of Whipple's disease presenting as supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. A case report.

A case of Whipple's disease occurring in a 63-year-old woman is reported. Cervical lymphadenopathy and vague constitutional symptoms were soon followed by diarrhea and weight loss. Supraclavicular lymph node exeresis suggested the initial diagnosis, which was confirmed by intestinal biopsy. The concurrence of cystic spaces, PAS-positive foamy histiocytes and epithelioid granulomas is considered by the authors to provide a useful histological clue in the diagnosis of lymph node involvement in Whipple's disease. Pathologists must be aware of such an un-conventional presentation of this rare entity and therefore include it within the differential diagnosis of cervical and/or axillary lymphadenopathies.

Pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Bednar tumour).

A case of pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a 37-year-old man is reported. The tumour presented as a nodular lesion located in the left scapular area. Surgical resection with wide margins was performed. No recurrences have appeared to date. The presumptive origin of this entity is briefly discussed.