Extraskeletal osteosarcomas: a clinicopathologic study of 25 cases.

A follow-up investigation of 25 cases of extraskeletal osteosarcomas diagnosed at the Center for Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, in the period from 1970-1995 was undertaken. The immunohistochemical profile of these tumors was evaluated using a panel of 10 antibodies, and the value of alkaline phosphatase staining in differential diagnostic situations also was considered. The study revealed that this tumor is high-grade malignant and affects adults (median age, 67 years; range, 35-82 years) at diagnosis. The thigh (52%) was the most common tumor location. Seven tumors were superficial, whereas the remaining 18 were intramuscular. Two patients with superficial tumors previously received radiation to the area. Local recurrences developed in 9 (36%) patients and distant metastases developed in the lungs in 15 (60%) patients as the most common site. Median survival time was 24 months, and the cause-specific survival rate at 5 years was less than 25%. Thirteen (52%) intramuscularly located extraskeletal osteosarcomas were of the fibroblastic subtype, often with sparse amounts of osteoid. They could be separated from malignant fibrous histiocytoma on the basis of a strongly positive alkaline phosphatase reaction. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal characteristic features because positivity for vimentin, occasional positivity for desmin, actin, S-100, epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, and p-53 may be observed in many other pleomorphic sarcomas. Various histopathologic factors, such as tumor size, tumor depth, histopathologic subtype, malignancy grade (IIIA versus IIIB), MIB-1, and p53 reactivity were analyzed in relation to clinical course. Only MIB proliferation was correlated to prognosis, with significantly longer survival in patients with tumors with MIB-1 values less than 24%. Our study has shown extraskeletal osteosarcoma to behave in a highly aggressive fashion. Alkaline phosphatase staining compared with immunohistochemistry proved to be superior in the differentiation from other pleomorphic sarcomas.

Lymphocyte redistribution in connection with physical activity in the rat.

Previous studies have demonstrated numerous immunobiological changes in connection with exercise. A decrease in peripheral blood mononuclear white cells (PBMC) 2 h after intense exercise has been shown. This lymphocytopenia in humans after exercise is thought to be of great importance regarding the morbidity to viral infection. We constructed an animal experimental set-up, previously published, to investigate the exercise-induced lymphocyte redistribution. The experimental set-up allowed us to draw blood from catheters implanted in the right carotid artery in rats. PBMC were isolated and labelled with In111 and reinfused before the exercise run on a treadmill to exhaustion. The runner and control rats were killed and dissection performed 1 h after the exercise. Tissue samples were weighed and measured in a gamma counter. Furthermore, blind microscopic examinations of selected tissues were performed to study a hypothesized accumulation of blood mononuclear cells in relation to muscle fibre lesions. We found that the total number of PBMC in the running rats was decreased (P = 0.018) and granulocytes increased, 1 h after the exercise (P = 0.028). Similar findings in humans in connection with physical activity have been observed. The percentage of total injected counts per minute per gram tissue (% c.p.m. g-1) showed significantly lower values in the liver and kidney from runners than from controls (P = 0.032 and P = 0.028). These findings might be the result of a visceral hypoflow in connection with exercise. Furthermore, a tendency to decreased % c.p.m. g-1 in the lungs were seen in the exercised rats (P = 0.083) indicating a possible redistribution from the lungs during the run. Light microscopy demonstrated an accumulation of PBMC around muscle fibre lesions, but there was no significant difference between runners and controls. Furthermore, no significant difference in % c.p.m. g-1 was found between working muscle groups in runner and control rats. In conclusion, the demonstration of the redistribution of PBMC from the liver and kidney in the exercised rats and the absence of any significant accumulation of PBMC in working muscles or other organs, do not explain the lymphocytopenia demonstrated here.

Fetal akinesia-hypokinesia deformation sequence (FADS) in 2 siblings with congenital myotonic dystrophy.

Two premature siblings described herein had clinical features comparable to the fetal akinesia-hypokinesia deformation sequence (Pena-Shokeir syndrome) with polyhydramnios, intrauterine growth retardation, pulmonary hypoplasia, short umbilical cord and lethality. Autopsy revealed no thoracal or abdominal viscera anomalies and examination of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves did not disclose any pathological changes. Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy of skeletal muscles demonstrated immature muscles with some fibril disorganisation and abnormal immunoreactivity for actin and desmin. Subsequent molecular genetic analysis revealed a maternal diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy. The retarded growth and maturation of skeletal muscle observed in the presented cases correspond with previous findings in neonatal myotonic dystrophy. A well-defined myopathy can thus result in the fetal akinesia-hypokinesia deformation sequence.

Immunocytochemical staining of serous effusions: an additional method in the routine cytology practice?

In a consecutive and prospective cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical study we have examined 100 serous fluids with a panel of antibodies. Three different immunocytochemical patterns of staining were recognized: (i) a benign profile showing no Ber-EP4 or CEA-positive cells; (ii) a malignant profile with Ber-EP4 and strongly EMA-positive epithelial cells; and (iii) a malignant profile in which mesothelial cells were strongly positive for EMA. By applying these profiles the number of malignant cases recognized increased from 19 to 38. All cytomorphologic malignant fluids showed a malignant profile, but in two cases a malignant epithelial profile was found in patients without otherwise proven malignant disease (false positive staining). Immunocytochemistry with anti-Ber-EP4 and anti-EMA can be recommended as a routine procedure, but the marker result should always be correlated with cytomorphology, eventual histologic data and clinical records.

Acinic cell carcinoma with primary presentation in an intraparotid lymph node.

A rare case of a poorly-differentiated acinic cell carcinoma with primary presentation in a hyperplastic intraparotid lymph node, is reported. As the tumour mainly consisted of ductular and undifferentiated cells growing in solid cords, diagnosis was rendered difficult. Typical acinic cells were only rarely observed. In the multiple sections reviewed a single tumour nodulus occurred in salivary gland tissue outside the lymph node capsule. The possibility of a microscopic clinically occult primary acinic cell carcinoma that metastasized and presented primarily in an intraparotid lymph node, is mentioned. A multifocal origin in salivary tissue within and outside the intraglandular lymph node is another assumption, which is discussed. Differential diagnoses are mentioned and results of immuno- and histochemical studies are reported.

Intramuscular (subfascial) vascular spindle cell lipoma. A case report.

Spindle cell lipoma is a distinct type of lipoma characterized by replacement of mature fat by collagen forming spindle cells. It is a benign lesion occurring chiefly in males older than 45 years and affects the subcutaneous tissues in the regions of the shoulder and posterior neck. Deep-seated (intramuscular) spindle cell lipomas are probably uncommon tumors and to date only two cases have been reported in the literature. A new case of a vascular variant of spindle cell lipoma in an intramuscular (subfascial) location is presented and the differential diagnosis is discussed.

Multifocal adenomatous oncocytic hyperplasia in parotid glands with metastatic deposits or primary malignant transformation?

Rare tumorous lesions involving both parotid glands were found in a 90-year-old man at autopsy. The clinical course held together with the histopathological features of the parotid alterations, make it likely that they present a multifocal adenomatous oncocytic hyperplasia. Areas of clear cells and occurrence of papillary malignant foci lead to various differential diagnostic considerations. Series of therapeutic irradiation to both parotid regions with a latency period of 15-35 years perhaps induced multifocal malignant transformation in the oncocytic hyperplastic parotid tissue.