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Biomedical subjects

J B Taxy

Publications and source records attributed to J B Taxy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Primary small cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses.

An unusual case of small cell carcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses is reported in which electron microscopy confirmed the presence of dense-core granules. The relationship to Pearse's "neuroendocrine programmed" cells is cited. With increasing numbers of different extrapulmonary primary sites for this tumor now being identified, it is believed that these sites must be investigated in any case of suspected small cell carcinoma that cannot be readily attributed to the lung.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Early morphologic diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis: advantages of electron microscopy and immunoperoxidase staining.

The authors compared three morphologic techniques that can be used in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis. The pathologic material was derived from brain biopsy, autopsy, or both in ten culture-proven cases. On conventional light microscopic examination, typical intranuclear Cowdry type A inclusions were recorded as absent (one case), rare (six cases), or numerous (three cases). Electron microscopic evaluation, performed in nine cases, revealed intranuclear viral particles in five biopsy and two autopsy cases, including four cases in which inclusions were rare or absent on light microscopy. In one biopsy specimen, unequivocal virus particles could not be identified ultrastructurally, although they were present in subsequent autopsy material. Immunoperoxidase staining using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method and type-specific anti-herpes simplex type 1 antiserum, performed on paraffin-embedded tissue, demonstrated strongly positive specific immunoreactivity in all ten cases. The potential for rapid specimen preparation, the relative sensitivity of electron microscopy, and the extreme sensitivity and specificity of the PAP-immunoperoxidase method offer obvious advantages in the early morphologic diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

Brain↗
PubMed1983

Oncofetal antigens in sacrococcygeal teratomas.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is an uncommon tumor that primarily occurs in female infants. Histologic assessments of these neoplasms for immature neuro-epithelial elements and malignant germ cell components correlate with recurrence and metastases, respectively. In this report of 15 SCTs, in addition to routine histologic evaluation the tumors were studied for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) by the immunoperoxidase method. Both CEA and AFP were commonly (82% and 53%) present in benign epithelium of these teratomas. In three cases, a germ cell component was identified in which two were focally positive for both CEA and AFP. Although presence of these antigens did not correlate with tumor grade, immunoperoxidase for oncofetal antigens may be useful in predicting which serum marker to measure in patients with suspected recurrent teratoma.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1983

Multilocular renal cysts in adults. Possible relationship to renal adenocarcinoma.

Three grossly typical multilocular renal cysts are described. In one case, results from cytologic examination of a cyst aspirate were suggestive of malignancy. In this and the second case, histologic examination revealed cysts lined by attenuated to pump epithelium, with mild cytologic atypia and clear cytoplasm. The third case, arising in the clinical setting of chronic renal insufficiency, had the above histologic features as well as papillary proliferations and septal invasion by clear cells, interpreted as a renal adenocarcinoma. Although the preoperative evaluations in each case were suggestive of a multilocular cyst, a cystic or partially necrotic adenocarcinoma could not be ruled out. The concept of renal adenocarcinoma arising in a multilocular cyst is controversial. Because the natural evolution of multilocular cysts is indolent, these papillary and clear cell changes may represent a malignant neoplasm or a peculiar atypical hyperplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Renal adenocarcinoma presenting as a solitary metastasis: contribution of electron microscopy to diagnosis.

Two patients, presenting with single mass lesions involving the posterior fossa and temporal bone, respectively, are reported. Clinically, both were thought to have primary tumors in those locations, hemangioblastoma in one and glomus jugulare paraganglioma in the other. Morphologic evaluation was compatible with adenocarcinoma of renal origin and large renal tumors were subsequently found in both patients. Electron microscopy was useful in eliminating the possibility of a primary tumor in those respective locations by demonstrating focal, but conspicuous dense arrays of microvilli at intercellular areas or along the free surfaces of plasma membranes. Microvilli do not, by themselves, signify any specific primary organ site. However, taken in the clinical and histologic contexts of a given case, ultrastructural observations can assist in establishing a definitive diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Electron microscopy in the diagnosis of malignant schwannoma.

Fifteen malignant schwannomas were examined by light and electron microscopy. Five tumors arose in patients with neurofibromatosis and five were contiguous with a peripheral nerve (Group I). Five tumors met neither of these generally accepted diagnostic criteria but were light microscopically seen as compatible with malignant schwannoma when examined under light microscope (Group II). In the better differentiated areas of Group I lesions, long, overlapping, tightly packed cytoplasmic processes were parallel to homogeneous flocculent material, occasionally assuming a linear appearance suggesting basal lamina. In Group II, similar cytoplasmic processes were present but the extracellular material was less extensive and had a less obvious relationship to the plasma membrane. In neither group were fine intracytoplasmic filaments prominent. Malignant schwann cells are seldom as ultrastructurally differentiated as their benign counterparts. Nevertheless, within the context of well-studied light microscopy and the sampling error inherent in ultrastructural examination, electron microscopy can support the diagnosis of malignant schwannoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

"Carcinoid" tumor of the breast. A variant of conventional breast cancer?

A breast tumor with the morphologic features of a carcinoid tumor and containing large amounts of estrogen receptor protein was associated with areas of typical in situ and infiltrating lobular carcinoma. The carcinoid areas were argyrophilic and ultrastructurally contained electron dense granules on which silver grains were localized. Of 21 other examples of ordinary breast cancer, five showed histologic similarities to carcinoid tumors. Focal argyrophilia was observed in 11 invasive tumors. The presence of argyrophilic granules could not be correlated with the presence of "neurosecretory" granules, although groups of such granules were found in one case of in situ lobular carcinoma. Argyrophilic and "neurosecretory" granules imply the presence of hormonal substances, although in breast tumors these granules have not yet been chemically or immunochemically characterized. Until such evidence becomes available it would appear that most cases reported as primary carcinoid tumors of the breast have much more in common with conventional breast cancer than with the usual carcinoid tumor. Within this context it can be acknowledged that some breast cancers may focally exhibit a carcinoid-like differentiation.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Vasectomy: subclinical pathologic changes.

The nature of the local histopathologic changes secondary to vasectomy is described in tissue excised at vasovasostomy in 37 secondarily infertile patients. Segments of surgically removed vasa were also studied in four patients with primary infertility who underwent scrotal explorations and subsequent vasoepididymostomy. Except for infertility, all patients were asymptomatic. Three, often concurrent, inflammatory or proliferative changes were found in 50 of 76 segments of vasa deferentia. These included suture granuloma, sperm granuloma, and vasitis nodosa, the last being a ductular proliferation originating from the central vas lumen and extending into the perivasal soft tissues. Vasitis nodosa occurred in 66% of the patients, and although it was often found with a sperm granuloma, it did occur by itself and is a lesion which should be recognized.

Granuloma↗
PubMed1980

Primary small cell carcinoma of the skin.

A case of primary small cell carcinoma of the skin is reported. The patient manifested intermittent, rapidly recurrent local disease which responded to irradiation and chemotherapy. There was no evidence of widespread dissemination during the course of the patient's illness, which terminated in a probable episode of sepsis due to leukopenia. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated rare clusters of dense-core ("neurosecretory") granules in cytoplasmic processes. Electron microscopic study is necessary in order to distinguish this tumor from other small cell neoplasms. However, detailed clinical investigation is necessary to rule out a possible primary source elsewhere, e.g., lung.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Spindle cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

Spindle cell carcinoma, a variant of squamous cell carcinoma, has long been recognized in numerous tissues (including the skin, the upper respiratory tract, the oral cavity, and the esophagus). Two cases of spindle cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva are reported here. Histopathologic examination of these cases shows the characteristic spindle-shaped cells in continuity with the overlying epithelium. Electron microscopy of one case showed desmosomes and cytoplasmic tonofibril-like material. Our direct experience with one of these two cases has shown the malignant neoplasm to be aggressive.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Carcinoid tumors of the rectum. Silver reactions, fluorescence, and serotonin content of the cytoplasmic granules.

The argyrophil and argentaffin staining reactions of the intracytoplasmic granules of 23 carcinoid tumors of the rectum were studied. The granules were evaluated for the presence of amines by means of formalin-induced fluorescence and an immunoperoxidase method for serotonin. The results indicate that most rectal carcinoids are argyrophil when the more sensitive Grimelius method is employed. Only occasionally are rectal carcinoids argentaffin, a feature that correlates with positive fluorescent reactions and suggests amine content. Of three argentaffin tumors, one stained positively for serotonin, and a second contained clusters of pleomorphic electron-dense granules of the type more typically seen in known amine-containing carcinoid tumors. For practical purposes, the Grimelius argyrophil stain is most useful in confirming a light-microscopic diagnosis of a rectal carcinoid.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Electron microscopy in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.

I review the accumulated knowledge regarding the electron microscopy of neuroblastic tumors using a retrospective study of 13 primarily small cell neoplasms for which the diagnosis of a neuroblastic tumor (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma) was either considered or eventually established. A fine fibrillary background, even if focally distributed by light microscopy and seemingly not recovered in the thick sections, correlated with the presence ultrastructurally of neuritic processes bearing dense core ("neurosecretory") granules and lucent vesicles. In three cases without any fibrillary background by light microscopy, granule-bearing processes were not found by electron microscopy, and different diagnoses were subsequently established for two of those cases. From the standpoint of diagnosis, the sampling error normally introduced in ultrastructural examinations has not been reported to be a significant problem, nor was it in the present cases. Therefore, in supporting a light microscopic diagnosis of neuroblastoma, neuritic processes containing dense granules with or without lucent vesicles should be documented. Neuroblastic tumors with evidence of maturity, ie, ganglion cell differentiation, had the best developed morphologic features by both forms of microscopy. Schwann cells were observed in four cases, including one neuroblastoma. The presence of these cells by electron microscopy, although absent by light microscopy, may reflect an early phase of tumor maturation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Cellular angiomas of infancy: an ultrastructural study of two cases.

Vascular tumors in infants may be clinically disfiguring, requiring surgical intervention. Some of these lesions are histopathologically worrisome, due to increased cellularity and mitotic activity. The interpretation of these lesions is hampered by a surfeit of terminology, although, regardless of the diagnostic name, they are clinically benign. Two such cellular angiomas are reported, one typical and one unusual case. Electron microscopy of both cases demonstrated a heterogeneous cellular composition, primarily endothelial cells and pericytes. In those light microscopic areas of diffuse growth, primitive vascular structures were resolved. Electron microscopy may be diagnostically useful in supporting the light microscopic impression of a vascular tumor.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1978

Peliosis: a morphologic curiosity becomes an iatrogenic problem.

Peliosis is a morphologic entity describing a condition of blood filled spaces, most frequently occurring in the liver. In recent years it has evolved from an anatomic curiosity seen at autopsy to a potential clinical problem in view of its association with the administration of anabolic steroid hormones. The pathogenesis and predilection of peliosis for the liver remain unexplained. This article reports five patients with peliosis, four with splenic involvement, all but one of whom received an anabolic steroid preparation. One patient died as a result of rupture of the splenic peliotic spaces. The diagnosis in three cases was established on the basis of surgical material, i.e., liver biopsy or splenectomy. An increased awareness of peliosis in patients at risk, as well as an appreciation for the histopathologic changes in less advanced cases, may become an important issue for the surgical pathologist.

Adult↗