Anti-Müllerian hormone is associated with extrauterine involvement and stage of disease in patients with endometrial cancer.

Our aim was to evaluate serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and also immunohistochemical (IHC) staining properties of AMH receptor type II (AMHRII) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and a control group. Preoperatively, serum levels of AMH were assessed and AMHRII expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a benign and malignant group. AMH serum levels of the control group and EC patients were comparable. For EC patients, there was no difference with respect to the AMH levels and tumour stage; grade; histological type; deep myometrial invasion; lymphovascular space invasion or lymph node involvement. However, AMH levels in patients with extrauterine involvement were higher than patients with disease confined to the uterus. EC samples were more likely to be stained positive for AMHRII than benign lesions. Also, as the stage of the lesion worsens, the rate of IHC staining of AMHRII decreases. In conclusion, AMHRII is expressed in normal endometrial cells as well as endometrial cancer cells. AMH levels increase in EC, with extrauterine involvement at least in locally advanced disease. Also AMH expression decreases as the disease is staged-up.

Histopathological effects on epidural tissue of bolus or continuous infusions through an epidural catheter in ewes.

This study was performed to evaluate the histopathological effects of epidural drug injection given either by intermittent bolus or continuous infusion through a catheter on epidural tissue. Fourteen ewes received intermittent bolus injections of morphine with bupivacaine, or a bolus of the same drugs followed by continuous infusion for 5 days. After 5 days, histopathological examination of the epidural space revealed mild to moderate inflammatory changes, and focal fibrosis surrounding the catheter in all ewes. The similarity of the inflammatory reaction in the control and drug treated groups seems to indicate that neither intermittent bolus or continuous infusion after a bolus dose caused histopathological changes in the epidural space beyond that caused by the catheter itself.

Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis. A case report with MRI and review of the literature.

Alveolar echinococcosis is an important zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus multilocularis. It is endemic to North America, Central Europa, Russia, China and Turkey. The liver and the lung are the organs most commonly involved. Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis is rare accounting for only 1% of cases. We present a 55-year-old patient with a right frontal mass. T2-weighted MRI series revealed a grape like multilobular, heterogeneous mass with low density. A diagnosis of glial tumor was made. The mass was totally removed. The histopathological examination showed a diffuse growth composed of compartments that are filled with a gelatinous matrix and many brood capsules and protoscolices filled with necrotic tissue. Histopathological findings were consistent with the diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis. No postoperative complications were observed. There were no lesions in the liver and lungs. The patient was started on albendazole (ABZ) at a daily dosage of 800 mg for 3 months. The patient has remained free of any mass lesion for 5 years. Hypointense grape-like mass with calcification and surrounding white matter edema in T2-weighted MRI should suggest cerebral alveolar echinococcosis. Radical surgery and an adjuvant therapy with ABZ provides useful prolongation of life.