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Biomedical subjects

E Calonje

Publications and source records attributed to E Calonje.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Localized reactive angioendotheliomatosis.

We present a unique case of a woman with multiple painful dermal lesions localized to the left upper quadrant of the body. Histological investigation revealed microvascular thrombosis with capillary-wall proliferation. Further investigation revealed a very high anticardiolipin IgG titre and a left subclavian stenosis, presumably providing the reduced blood flow and relative hypoxia to allow microthromboses to occur in the presence of a thrombophilic tendency. Similar clinical and histological features have been reported in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome and cases of reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE). This case represents a unique variant of RAE.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗

Histiocytoid eccrine sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid: report of a case.

This report describes the 12th documented case of histiocytoid, diffuse or signet-ring cell eccrine sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid, a rare neoplasm that characteristically affects older men and mimics distant metastasis. Clinically, the patient was thought to have a colonic metastasis. Histologically, the neoplasm comprised sheets and cords of polygonal, eosinophilic cells, with dispersed larger, rounded single cells resembling histiocytes, and cells with cytoplasmic lumina or a signet-ring appearance. Occasional duct formation was also seen. The features were reminiscent of both the histiocytoid and lobular variants of breast carcinoma. Ultrastructurally, the presence of nonintestinal type microvilli with a length : width ratio in excess of 16 were consistent with an eccrine origin, but also raised the possibility of metastatic mesothelioma. However, a metastatic lesion was excluded by clinical and imaging investigations. There has been no recurrence 3 years after primary excision.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Genital lichen sclerosus in a case of male-to-female gender reassignment.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic cutaneous disorder of uncertain aetiology seen predominantly in females. It is characterized by white atrophic macules and plaques with a predilection for involvement of the genitalia and perianal skin. Gender-identity disorder (transsexualism) is a descriptive term for individuals having the genetic, somatic and hormonal basis of one sex but who identify sexually with the opposite sex. Surgical gender reassignment is a fundamental step in the management of these complex patients and is driven by the individual's belief of being the opposite sex 'trapped' in the wrong body. We report a case of genital lichen sclerosus in hair-bearing skin originally from the scrotum, in an individual who had undergone male-to-female gender reassignment. To our knowledge, no similar cases have been reported to date.

Adult↗

Sarcomatoid basal cell carcinoma--predilection for osteosarcomatous differentiation: a series of 11 cases.

Primary cutaneous carcinomas rarely show heterologous malignant mesenchymal differentiation. We report 11 cases of sarcomatoid basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with osteosarcomatous differentiation. The patients (7 men and 4 women) ranged in age from 61 to 92 years (median 75 y). The tumors presented as exophytic nodules (0.3 to 7 cm) on the head (n=6), upper limb (n=3), and lower limb (n=2). All lesions were completely excised. Seven patients were alive without evidence of disease (follow-up interval 5 to 24 mo) and 1 patient died of unrelated causes at 7 months without evidence of disease. On histology, the tumors were dermal in location with 2 cases showing focal subcutaneous involvement. Ten tumors were well-circumscribed and 1 tumor showed focally infiltrative edges. Ten tumors revealed conventional BCC associated with varying proportions of osteosarcomatous and undifferentiated sarcomatous stroma. Transition from neoplastic epithelial to mesenchymal cells was seen in 8 cases. One case showed a purely osteoclastic giant cell rich malignant mesenchyme, interpreted as representing early stages of osteosarcomatous transformation. Previously unreported in sarcomatoid BCC, the mesenchymal component of another two cases displayed predominant malignant giant cell tumor like areas and 1 further case disclosed areas reminiscent of telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Pancytokeratins (AE1/3 and MNF116) and smooth muscle actin stained occasional undifferentiated sarcomatous cells in 2 and 3 tumors, respectively. MNF116 and EMA were focally positive in osteosarcomatous tumor cells of 1 case. Although the follow-up interval is short, our data suggest an excellent prognosis for polypoid and exophytic sarcomatoid BCC after complete surgical resection.

Aged↗

Molecular staging of lymph nodes from 60 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: correlation with histopathology and outcome suggests prognostic relevance in mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Histological evidence of lymph node involvement is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether T-cell receptor (TCR) gene analysis is of prognostic relevance in CTCL. METHODS: TCR gene analysis was performed on lymph node specimens from 60 patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) using a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and results were correlated with skin, overall clinical and histological lymph node stages. RESULTS: The frequency with which a T-cell clone was detected in lymph node samples from patients with MF increased with skin stage, overall clinical stage and with the degree of histological involvement: six of 19 patients with uninvolved lymph nodes or limited histological involvement (LN0-2) and 13 of 14 patients with advanced histological involvement (LN3-4) had a detectable T-cell clone. In SS, 22 of 27 patients had a detectable lymph node T-cell clone. The clonal patients had a poorer prognosis than nonclonal patients (median survival from biopsy of > 72 months vs. 16 months for MF and 41.5 vs. 16.5 months for SS). Regression analysis confirmed that TCR gene analysis identifies a group of MF patients with a worse prognosis (P = 0.013). However, the molecular lymph node stage did not provide independent prognostic information in this cohort of patients in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular staging in MF and SS using a PCR-based method for TCR gene analysis provides additional information to histological examination. Specifically, this study identified a group of MF patients with early lymph node involvement with a poorer prognosis. However, a larger prospective study of patients with MF and early histological lymph node involvement is required to confirm whether molecular staging of lymph nodes provides independent prognostic information in a multivariate model.

Adolescent↗

Systemic sarcoidosis presenting in a tattooed man undergoing treatment for hepatitis C.

A heavily tattooed man presented with nodular, ulcerated sarcoidal lesions distributed throughout all the colours of his tattoos. The lesions developed within the confines of his tattoos 4 months into therapy with ribavirin and interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C. This appears to be the first case of sarcoidosis in association with numerous pigment colours as well as dual therapy for hepatitis C.

Antiviral Agents↗

Persistent nodules at injection sites (aluminium granuloma) -- clinicopathological study of 14 cases with a diverse range of histological reaction patterns.

AIMS: To assess and document the spectrum of histological appearances of persistent swellings which occur at injection sites following vaccination or allergen desensitization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen cases were studied. Four overlapping histological reaction patterns were evident. Ten cases showed at least focal fibrosis, fat necrosis and a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate mainly in the subcutis, giving rise to the features of a non-specific septal and lobular panniculitis. The appearance of three cases, in addition to the non-specific panniculitis pattern, also included prominent lymphoid follicles with germinal centres and a prominent perifollicular infiltrate resembling a lymphoma (pseudolymphoma pattern). A single case mimicked lupus profundus, with a perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate in the dermis and hyaline fat necrosis. Three cases showed a predominantly palisaded histiocytic infiltrate surrounding eosinophilic necrobiosis, in a pattern closely resembling deep granuloma annulare or rheumatoid nodule. The remaining case partly showed this appearance, but in combination with panniculitis, thus demonstrating an overlap of patterns. A common feature in all 14 cases was the focal presence of histiocytes with abundant violaceous granular cytoplasm. These were shown to contain aluminium on energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. CONCLUSION: Persistent swellings at injections sites show a variety of overlapping patterns, which mimic other conditions. Identification of characteristic histiocytes with violaceous granular cytoplasm is the key distinctive feature allowing the correct diagnosis to be reached.

Adolescent↗

Pigment synthesizing melanoma (so-called animal type melanoma): a clinicopathological study of 14 cases of a poorly known distinctive variant of melanoma.

AIMS: Pigment synthesizing melanoma (so-called animal type melanoma) (PSM) is a rare histopathological variant of melanoma so termed because of prominent melanin production and its similarity to a variant of melanoma seen in grey horses. The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathological characteristics of 14 cases of animal type melanoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six patients were female and eight were male with ages ranging from 5 to 52 years (mean 31 years, median 39 years). The head and neck represented the most common site. The clinical diagnosis was of melanoma in seven cases, blue naevus in three cases, benign naevus in three cases and a pigmented basal cell carcinoma in one case. The histological diagnosis of PSM was predicated on the basis of an asymmetrical, predominantly intradermal tumour formed of deeply pigmented, round or short, spindle-shaped dendritic melanocytes with some degree of hyperchromatism and a single nucleolus. Cytological atypia was always present but was not pronounced. A prominent population of macrophages was invariably present. Four tumours were compound and 10 tumours were predominantly intradermal. The mitotic count was usually low, ranging from 1 to 5 per 10 high-power fields (mean 2). Perineural and lymphovascular invasion was not seen. The Breslow thickness ranged from 1.1 to 7.5 mm (mean 3.3 mm). Follow-up was available in 13 patients. The median follow-up period was 5 years. Six patients had no recurrence, three had local recurrence in the form of satellite nodules adjacent to the scar, four had spread to the regional lymph nodes and one patient had distant metastases to the liver. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that PSM is a distinctive, possible low-grade variant of melanoma usually lacking the histological features predictive of aggressive behaviour seen in ordinary melanoma. It should be managed in the same way as other melanomas with wide local excision.

Adolescent↗

Epithelioid haemangioma in association with a deep arteriovenous malformation.

Epithelioid haemangiomas are benign, vascular tumours characterized by the proliferation of epithelioid endothelial cells with abundant eosinophilic hyaline cytoplasm. We report a case of epithelioid haemangioma in association with a deep arteriovenous malformation of the subclavian artery. The association of reactive vascular proliferations with arteriovenous malformations is uncommonly reported.

Adult↗

Dermal non-neural granular cell tumour (so-called primitive polypoid granular cell tumour): a distinctive entity further delineated in a clinicopathological study of 11 cases.

AIMS: Cutaneous and soft tissue granular cell tumour is a well-characterized benign neoplasm of neural origin. However, there remains a subcategory of granular cell tumour, first described by Le Boit as 'primitive polypoid granular cell tumour', that shows no obvious line of differentiation. The aim of this study is to further the characterization of this lesion by undertaking a clinicopathological review. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eleven cases of dermal non-neural granular cell tumour were retrieved from one of the authors referral archives (E.C.) and both the histology and immunohistochemistry reviewed. Clinical data with follow-up were obtained from the referring pathologists. The lesions most commonly occurred in young to middle-aged adults (nine cases, median = 33 years, age range 6-56 years), with a slight female predominance. They presented as painless nodules, mainly on the extremities or face. Local excision was the treatment of choice and up to date follow-up reveals no sign of recurrence. Histologically, eight cases were polypoid, while three cases were endophytic. The tumours were composed of elongated spindle-shaped to polygonal or round cells with prominent granular cell change, and tumour nuclei showing mild focal atypia to rare moderate atypia. Mitotic activity ranged from one to nine mitoses per 10 high-power fields (median = 2, mean = 3.8). Immunohistochemical labelling of the tumour cells demonstrated expression for NKI-C3 (n = 11), focal, weak positivity for CD68 (n = 10) and FXIIIa (n = 2). There was negative staining for S100 protein, smooth muscle actin, Melan-A, CD34, desmin and cytokeratin. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of 11 cases contributes to the characterization of this recently described entity, which despite some atypical histological features and no obvious line of differentiation, behaves in a completely indolent fashion.

Adolescent↗

Non-melanocytic lesions mimicking melanocytic lesions.

Distinction between benign and malignant melanocytic lesions commonly represents a big challenge for the pathologist. Equally difficult is separating tumours with melanocytic lineage from those displaying other lines of differentiation. This is because benign and malignant melanocytic lesions are able to display a wide range of histological appearances that frequently closely mimic reactive and neoplastic lesions (benign and malignant). This applies to processes with almost any line of differentiation. Difficulties in differential diagnosis are mainly found in melanocytic lesions restricted to the dermis or those in which the junctional component is minimal. Although purely junctional melanocytic lesions less commonly pose a problem in differential diagnosis, they may be very problematic, especially in small biopsies. Immunohistochemistry is usually a very important aid in the differential diagnosis of mimics of melanocytic lesions but pitfalls often occur. This is particularly true when small samples are analysed and when close clinicopathological correlation is lacking. This review discusses the histological differential diagnosis of mimics of melanocytic lesions. These mimics are separated into those primarily presenting in the epidermis and those presenting in the dermis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the eyebrow.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of the largest reported microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the eyebrow in an 89-year-old woman and to review the literature regarding the periorbital occurrence of this tumor. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: This case was treated with primary excision and radiotherapy, with no clinical signs of recurrence in the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is a rare tumor; however, because of its aggressive local infiltration, ophthalmologists should consider this diagnosis and complete surgical excision. Long-term data are needed to establish outcomes from the different treatment options.

Aged↗

Syringotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: an immunophenotypic and genotypic study of five cases.

There is uncertainty about the exact nosological relationship between mycosis fungoides, follicular mucinosis, syringolymphoid hyperplasia with alopecia (SLHA) and syringotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). We report the clinical, histological, immunophenotypic and genotypic characteristics of a series of five patients (three men and two women) with syringotropic CTCL. We also review the 15 cases of SLHA previously reported in the literature. We conclude that syringotropic CTCL is a distinct clinicopathological variant of mycosis fungoides which may present on its own with characteristic punctate erythema or more commonly in association with folliculotropic lesions. Syringotropic CTCL is characterized histologically by infiltration of sweat glands by atypical lymphocytes in association with syringolymphoid hyperplasia. Cases of SLHA represent a syringotropic form of CTCL in association with follicular involvement, and such cases need to be investigated using T-cell receptor gene analysis of both skin and blood. Only limited conclusions on prognosis can be derived from our preliminary data. However, a review of the literature suggests that the prognosis does not differ significantly from other types of mycosis fungoides of equivalent stage.

Adult↗

Psoriasis associated with vulval scarring.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder which is generally not associated with scarring. We report two patients with long-standing severe anogenital psoriasis, that was associated with loss of the labia minora, thus clinically mimicking the scarring associated with lichen sclerosus. Histopathological finding were however, consistent with psoriasis with no evidence of lichen sclerosus. Elastic fibres were present and there was no evidence of abnormal collagen or fibrous tissue. The association of vulval psoriasis with scarring has not been reported previously.

Aged↗