Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Kutzner

Publications and source records attributed to H Kutzner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Epithelioid blue nevus: a rare variant of blue nevus not always associated with the Carney complex.

Epithelioid blue nevus is a rare variant of blue nevus that has been recently described in patients with Carney complex. Some of the patients with Carney complex have multiple epithelioid blue nevi and a familial history of similar lesions is often recorded. Epithelioid blue nevus consists of an intradermal melanocytic nevus composed of polygonal epithelioid cells laden with melanin. Neoplastic cells show no maturation at the base of the lesion and, in contrast with the usual stromal changes in blue nevi, epithelioid blue nevus exhibits no fibrosis of the dermis. We have studied three cases of epithelioid blue nevus in three patients with no evidence of Carney complex. The lesions were solitary and there was no family history of similar lesions. Therefore, epithelioid blue nevus is a distinctive variant of blue nevus that may also appear as a sporadic lesion and is not always associated with Carney complex.

Adult↗

Allelic deletion at 9p21-22 in primary cutaneous CD30(+) large cell lymphoma.

The genetic alterations responsible for the development of cutaneous lymphoma are largely unknown. Chromosome region 9p21 contains a gene locus encoding an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4, and heterozygous deletions of this tumor suppressor gene (p16) have been shown in a variety of malignant tumors. We studied 11 randomly selected cutaneous CD30-positive large cell lymphomas. Several areas containing 20-50 CD30-positive lymphocytes were microdissected in each case and subjected to single-step DNA extraction. Loss of heterozygosity analysis was performed using polymorphic markers at 9p21 (IFNA, D9S171, D9S169) and 17p13 (TP53). Samples from normal cells apart from CD30-positive lymphocytes, e.g., CD30-negative lymphohistiocytic infiltrates and normal epidermal layer, were also obtained in all cases from the same slide for comparison with the tumor samples. Expression of CD30 and T-lineage antigens (CD3, CD45Ro) was confirmed in all cases. Immunohistochemical staining for p16 and p53 was performed using the monoclonal antibodies sc-1661 and DO-7, respectively. Of the 11 informative cases, seven (64%) exhibited loss of heterozygosity at least for one marker at 9p21 (p16), whereas no allelic deletions were found for the polymorphic marker at 17p13 (p53). On immunohistochemistry loss of the p16 protein was detected in two of 11 cases. Nuclear staining for p53 protein was found in four of 11 cases. Here, we provide the first evidence of the involvement of the tumor suppressor gene p16 in primary cutaneous large cell lymphoma. Whether p16 deletion in these lymphomas is associated with disease progression and whether this method could serve as an early marker to detect lymphomas at an early stage needs to be addressed in future studies. J Invest Dermatol 115:1104-1107 2000

Adult↗

Intradermal spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma: a distinct subset.

Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas are a group of benign lipogenic tumors composed of primitive spindle cells, multinucleated giant cells, and mature adipocytes. These tumors have rarely been reported to arise in the dermis and may be misdiagnosed in this location. Twenty (12.7%) intradermal lesions identified among 157 spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas in the authors' files were studied clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 85 years (median: 42 years); 14 of 20 patients were female (70%). Anatomical sites were the head/neck region (7 cases, 4 of which arose on the face), shoulder/upper back (4 cases), lower limbs (4 cases), trunk (3 cases), and upper limbs (2 cases). Most lesions presented as a soft and slowly enlarging cutaneous nodule, usually measuring less than 2.5 cm. Histologically, these dermal lesions differed from usual spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma, being unencapsulated with poorly defined infiltrative margins, although the cytomorphologic findings, ropy collagen, and mast cells were as seen in usual subcutaneous lesions. Six cases showed features of pleomorphic lipoma. Immunohistochemically, lesional cells stained positively for CD34 and were negative for S-100 protein. One case recurred locally after 21 years. Dermal spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas are distinctive in their apparent female predilection, wider anatomical distribution than subcutaneous lesions, and lack of circumscription. These unusual features can cause problems in differential diagnosis.

Adult↗

Epithelial sheath neuroma: a new entity.

The authors describe four examples of a peculiar cutaneous lesion characterized histopathologically by a proliferation of enlarged nerve fibers ensheathed by squamous epithelium involving the superficial dermis. The perineural epithelial sheaths were composed of uniform squamous epithelium with evidence of cornification in the form of dyskeratotic cells or resulting in orthokeratotic basket-weave corneocytes. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the epithelial and neural nature of the two components of the lesions, with the nerve fibers expressing immunoreactivity for S-100 protein, neurofilaments, CD57, and nerve growth factor receptor, whereas the perineural epithelial sheaths showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratins. The authors propose the term "epithelial sheath neuroma" for this lesion and believe that it is a distinct and a previously undescribed benign neoplasm of both cutaneous nerves and epithelial elements.

Aged↗

Papular-purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome: polymerase chain reaction demonstration of parvovirus B19 DNA in cutaneous lesions and sera.

We report a typical case of papular-purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome (PPGSS) in which primary infection by parvovirus B19 was demonstrated by seroconversion to this virus; parvovirus B19 DNA was also identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods in the sera of the patient and in the cutaneous biopsy specimen, both taken 4 days after the onset of clinical manifestations. To our knowledge, this is the fourth published case in which parvovirus B19 DNA has been recovered from the skin by PCR. Serologic studies and PCR investigations in cutaneous biopsy for other viruses including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpesvirus 6, 7, and 8 were negative. Clinically, our case presented some additional features, which have not been previously described in cases of PPGSS, namely dysuria with vulvar edema and erythema, and unilateral petechial rash on the breast. The histopathologic findings of our case were nonspecific and consisted of an interface dermatitis with slight vacuolar degeneration at the dermoepidermal junction and a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate mostly composed of lymphocytes, with numerous extravasated erythrocytes. We review the cases of PPGSS published in the literature with respect to the different viruses that have been proposed as etiologic agents and conclude that acute infection by parvovirus B19 is the only one that has been adequately proved.

Adult↗

Methotrexate-induced papular eruption in patients with rheumatic diseases: a distinctive adverse cutaneous reaction produced by methotrexate in patients with collagen vascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: In the past few years, low doses of methotrexate have been used for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other collagen vascular diseases, mainly as an immunosuppressive and corticosteroid-sparing drug. Several cutaneous adverse reactions have been described in association with methotrexate therapy. OBJECTIVE: We describe the clinical and the histopathologic features of distinctive cutaneous lesions that appeared in 4 patients with acute bouts of collagen vascular diseases who were receiving methotrexate therapy. METHODS: We clinically and histopathologically evaluated cutaneous lesions caused by methotrexate therapy in 4 patients, 2 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 with rheumatoid arthritis, and 1 with Sharp syndrome. RESULTS: Clinically, lesions consisted of erythematous indurated papules most commonly located on proximal areas of the extremities. Histopathologic examination of these papules showed an inflammatory infiltrate mainly composed of histiocytes interstitially arranged between collagen bundles of the dermis, intermingled with few neutrophils. In some foci of deeper reticular dermis, small rosettes composed of clusters of histiocytes surrounding a thick central collagen bundle were seen. Cutaneous lesions showed a direct chronologic relationship with methotrexate therapy, and they disappeared when the drug was tapered or withdrawn and corticosteroids were increased. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving low doses of methotrexate for acute bouts of collagen vascular diseases may experience characteristic cutaneous lesions with distinctive clinical and histopathologic findings shortly after methotrexate administration. We discuss the differential diagnosis with other dermatoses showing similar histopathologic findings that have been described in patients with collagen vascular diseases.

Adult↗

Cystic sebaceous tumors as marker lesions for the Muir-Torre syndrome: a histopathologic and molecular genetic study.

Cystic sebaceous tumors (CST) are well-circumscribed, large, deeply located dermal sebaceous proliferations with a cystic growth pattern. We identified 12 CST in 8 of 19 patients with Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). We interpret CST as a tumor spectrum with clearly benign cystic sebaceous adenomas at one end and proliferative atypical cystic sebaceous tumors at the other. When examining these proliferative atypical tumors on morphologic criteria alone, the possibility of an evolving cystic sebaceous carcinoma cannot be excluded. We have not observed recurrences or metastases, indicating that these lesions are not highly malignant carcinomas. In 10 of 12 cases of CST, we examined microsatellite instability (MSI). All 10 examined examples of CST from patients with MTS showed MSI characteristic for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), which is caused by autosomal dominant inherited DNA mismatch repair (MMR) defects. Mutational analysis of the MMR genes hMSH2 and hMLH1 had revealed different germline mutations in the hMSH2 gene in three of six examined patients with MTS with CST. We then found four more CST in patients without a history of internal malignancy. All four CST exhibited MSI. By mutational analysis in one of these patients we identified a truncating germline mutation in the MMR gene hMLH1. We conclude that CST is a marker for the mismatch repair-deficient subtype of MTS with a high risk for later internal malignancies. By recognizing CST, the histopathologist can suggest the great likelihood of MTS to the clinician.

Adenoma↗

Hobnail hemangioma ("targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma"): clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 62 cases.

Hobnail hemangioma, also known as "targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma", represents a distinctive, benign vascular tumor, characterized histologically by a biphasic growth pattern of dilated vascular structures in the superficial dermis lined by prominent hobnail endothelial cells, and collagen dissecting, rather narrow neoplastic vessels in deeper parts of the lesion. We analyzed the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features in a series of 62 cases. Patient age range was 6-72 years (median: 32 years); 34 patients were male and 25 female. Clinically, a broad variation of diagnoses ranging from hemangioma to dermal melanocytic nevus and fibrous histiocytoma was suggested. Nineteen tumors arose in the lower and 13 in the upper extremities, 12 on the back, 8 in the buttock and hip region, and one case on the chest wall. Follow-up information on 35 patients (range from 1 to 4 years; mean: 1.5 years) revealed no local recurrence nor systemic metastasis. All neoplasms were located in the dermis and showed a broad morphologic spectrum in dependence of the age of the lesions. In addition to lesions resembling cavernous lymphangioma or lymphangioma circumscriptum, neoplasms were seen with morphologic features reminiscent to retiform hemangioendothelioma, progressive lymphangioma and so-called Dabska's tumor. Immunohistochemistry performed in 28 cases showed positive staining of tumor cells for CD31 in all cases tested, whereas only 3 out of 28 cases stained completely positive for CD34. In addition 4 out of 8 cases stained positively for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3). Neoplastic endothelial cells were surrounded by actin-positive pericytes in only 7 out of 27 cases tested. Hobnail hemangioma occurs more frequently in male patients and arises commonly in the extremities and the trunk. Histologic and immunohistochemcial features suggest a lymphatic line of differentiation for this distinctive vascular neoplasm.

Adolescent↗

Signet-ring cell formation in cutaneous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Signet-ring cells are formed by intracytoplasmic accumulations of various substances that push the nucleus to the cellular border. Signet-ring cells in epithelial neoplasms are often regarded as evidence of adenocarcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The study surveys the rare settings in which signet-ring cells are encountered in dermatopathologic specimens and investigates mechanisms of their formation. METHODS: A total of 23 cutaneous tumors with a significant population of signet-ring cells were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Signet-ring cells were found in a variety of cutaneous neoplasms, including primary cutaneous squamous and basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, as well as in metastatic adenocarcinoma. In all but the metastatic adenocarcinomas the vacuoles were periodic acid Schiff (PAS), PAS-digest, and colloidal iron negative. There was no staining of the vacuoles with antibodies against keratins and vimentin. Electron microscopy showed only empty spaces in all cases. CONCLUSION: The signet-ring like appearance of the cells in most of these conditions is probably the result of coalescence of intracytoplasmic vacuoles and not accumulation of secretory products. Signet-ring formation is not specific for cellular lineage but can occur in a variety of cutaneous neoplasms, analogous to other cellular alterations as rhabdoid, granular, clear, spindle, and balloon cells and oncocytes.

Adolescent↗

Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the face: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of a case resembling rosacea clinically.

An unusual cutaneous angiosarcoma resembling rosacea clinically is described. A 66-year-old man presented with a red discoloration and a diffuse swelling on his nose over a 2-year period that was diagnosed as rosacea. Despite antiinflammatory treatment, the infiltration increased and, after repeated skin biopsies, the diagnosis of a well-differentiated cutaneous angiosarcoma associated with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate was considered. The neoplasm was treated by surgery. The described case emphasizes that diffuse swelling and rosacea-like clinical features should be added to the variably clinical features of cutaneous angiosarcoma.

Aged↗

A new application of BCG antibody for rapid screening of various tissue microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: In routine dermatopathology there is growing demand for a simple, fast, cost-effective, and highly sensitive screening tool for the detection of microorganisms. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether immunostaining with polyclonal anti-Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), which is known for its interspecies cross-reactivity, is a suitable screening method for many common microorganisms in dermatopathologic specimens. METHODS: A total of 254 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin specimens of viral, protozoal, fungal, and bacterial infections were stained with appropriate histochemical stains and with anti-BCG. RESULTS: Anti-BCG labeled bacteria and fungi with high sensitivity and minimal background staining, but did not react with spirochetes, viruses, or protozoa (Leishmania). The quality and sensitivity of anti-BCG staining were superior to conventional histochemical stains. CONCLUSION: Because of its cross-reactivity with many bacteria and fungi as well as its high sensitivity and minimal background staining, the anti-BCG immunostain is a promising screening tool for the detection of the most common bacterial and fungal microorganisms in paraffin-embedded skin specimens.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Cutaneous reactions at sites of herpes zoster scars: an expanded spectrum.

Several types of cutaneous lesions have previously been described at the sites of herpes zoster scars. We describe 16 patients with cutaneous lesions which had developed on herpes zoster scars. Biopsies were taken from these lesions, and a polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect the viral genome in paraffin-embedded specimens. Histopathological findings enabled diagnosis of nonspecific granulomatous dermatitis in five patients, granulomatous vasculitis in two patients, lichen sclerosus in two patients, and pseudolymphoma, keloid, sarcoidal granuloma, granuloma annulare, granulomatous folliculitis, lichen planus and cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease, each in one patient. Varicella-zoster virus DNA was not identified in any of the patients. Granulomatous folliculitis, lichen sclerosus and cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease have not previously been described in herpes zoster scars, but they are three new cutaneous reaction patterns that may have developed within these scars. Our investigations indicate that the cutaneous reactions appearing in herpes zoster scars are not due to the persistence of varicella-zoster virus DNA within the lesions.

Adult↗

Solitary plaque-like telangiectatic glomangioma.

We present a new clinicopathological variant of glomangioma. The lesion consisted of a painful solitary telangiectatic plaque on the right shoulder of a 33-year-old woman. It had been present for 3 years. Histopathology revealed ectatic vascular lumina within the dermis surrounded by glomus cells. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural investigations confirmed the nature of the glomus cells. Acquired solitary plaque-like telangiectatic glomangioma is a new and distinctive variant of cutaneous glomus tumour.

Adult↗

Cellular 'neurothekeoma': an epithelioid variant of dermatofibroma?

AIMS: Cellular neurothekeoma is a rare benign cutaneous neoplasm with conflicting opinions regarding its histogenetic origin (nerve sheath, smooth muscle, myofibroblasts) as well as its relation to myxoid neurothekeoma (nerve sheath myxoma). The present series describes 15 cases whose clinicopathological features indicate a relationship to dermatofibroma. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this retrospective clinicopathological study, the lesions preferentially occurred in adolescents to young adults on the upper half of the body, often clinically diagnosed as some kind of fibrohistiocytic tissue response. Besides characteristic whorled nests to fascicles of palely eosinophilic epithelioid cells, all lesions showed variable clues pointing to dermatofibroma: acanthosis, ill-defined storiform periphery, peripherally accentuated prominent sclerosis and lymphocytic demarcation/infiltration. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive with NK1C3 (CD57), KiM1p and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, seven were positive for neurone specific enolase, five for factor XIIIa, six for smooth muscle specific actin and three for E9, an antimetallothionein marker. These findings are similar to those of conventional dermatofibromas, the variability of the profile being best explained by time cycle and function dependent changes. Ultrastructurally, two cases showed microfilaments, attachment plaques, prominent pinocytosis and focal remnants of basal lamina. A careful study of the data and photomicrographs from the literature reveals that in many cases similar conclusions could be reached. Obvious discrepancies are most likely due to the confusion with myxoid neurothekeoma, a well circumscribed, more spindly and myxoid, S100 positive lesion of Schwannian origin. CONCLUSION: The appearance of dermatofibromas is markedly influenced by architectural, e.g. in deep penetrating dermatofibroma, and/or cellular/stromal criteria, e.g. in epithelioid cell histiocytoma or sclerosing dermatofibroma. Cellular neurothekeoma seems to be a variant of dermatofibromas with both architectural and cellular/stromal peculiarities, i.e. plexiform pattern, epithelioid cytology and stromal sclerosis.

Actins↗

[Perivascular myoma: a new concept for "myofibroblastic" tumors with perivascular myoid differentiation].

The morphological spectrum of cutaneous adult myofibroma (AM) is presented which has been considered to be the adult counterpart of infantile myofibromatosis. 63 cases of AM were evaluated and various subtypes could be discerned: classical biphasic type with hyalinized basophilic spindle cell nodules and adjacent small primitive pericytic cells forming richly vascularized hemangiopericytomatous sheets; glomangiopericytoma with a predominant hemangiopericytomatous pattern and small glomoid-pericytic cells; myopericytoma with angiocentric proliferation of small pericytic cells; rare variants, e.g. solid myopericytoma, and sclerotic myofibroma. There is considerable morphological overlap, and the morphological spectrum certainly is much wider. It is suggested that these presumably myofibroblastic cutaneous tumors are derived from a pluripotent periendothelial cell capable of differentiating along smooth muscle, pericytic, and glomus cell lines. Following a recent proposal by Granter et al. (7) these tumors are re-classified as variants of perivascular myoma, a perivascular tumor with myoid differentiation. The role of the myofibroblast in these tumors is reevaluated. In order to determine whether perivascular myoma is composed of a clonal cell population as opposed to being a polyclonal reactive process, analysis of patterns of X-chromosome inactivation was performed. Clonality of the tissue was determined by analysing the methylation status of two different X-chromosome linked polymorphic markers: the phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK) and the human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA). Both methods are based on the amplification of differing gene loci in heterozygous women after digestion of the DNA with methylation sensitive restriction enzymes. Out of 20 investigated female tumors 10 tumors were non-informative, 7 tumors showed a uniform pattern of X-chromosome inactivation (clonal), 3 tumors remained heterozygous (polyclonal). It remains to be determined whether perivascular myoma is a true tumor or a reactive/hyperplastic process.

Adult↗

Granular cell dermatofibroma.

AIMS: To describe a series of five granular cell dermatofibromas as an unusual and rare manifestation of fibrohistiocytic tissue response. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five granular cell dermatofibromas were collected out of 136 tumours filed as granular cell tumours. Clinically, all lesions occurred on the shoulder or back of middle-aged adults (two women, three men), mostly with the clinical diagnosis of a fibrohistiocytic lesion. Histology revealed well-circumscribed, dermal to subcutaneous lesions dominated by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive, granular cells. Acanthosis above, as well as storiform arrangement of spindle cells, sclerotic collagen and some interspersed lymphohistiocytic infiltrate at the periphery of the lesion, indicated the fibrohistiocytic origin. Lesions showed prominent reactivity with NK1C3 (CD57), as well as for macrophage markers KiM1p and KP1 (CD68). In contrast to classic Schwannian/neurogenic granular cell tumours, granular cell dermatofibromas were S100 protein negative, but showed variable reactivity for factor XIIIa (10-50%) in 4/5, for smooth muscle specific actin (10-50%) in 2/5 and with E9 (10-30%) in 3/5 lesions. Electron microscopy in one case revealed large pools of phago-lysosomes and variably sized glycogen granules in granular cells. CONCLUSION: Our series delineates granular cell dermatofibroma as a distinct clinicopathological variant of fibrohistiocytic tissue response which needs to be distinguished from other tumours with granular cell features.

Adult↗