OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of computerized interactive morphometry in the preoperative prediction of malignancy in fine needle aspirates of Hürthle cell neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN: Alcohol-fixed, Papanicolaou-stained fine needle aspiration smears of histologically proven Hürthle cell adenomas (HCA) (n = 10) and Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCC) (n = 9) were studied by interactive computerized morphometry. The measured features included the areas, perimeters and shape factors of individual cells, nuclei and nucleoli; the nucleocytoplasmic and nucleolonuclear ratios; and the eccentricities of nuclei and nucleoli. RESULTS: Only nucleolar features showed statistically significant differences between HCA and HCC. These features were the nucleolar area and its standard deviation, the nucleolar form factor and circularity, and the nucleolonuclear ratio. The most effective, albeit imperfect, discrimination was achieved by the nucleolar form factor. CONCLUSION: Nucleolar features, such as size, variation in size and roundness, may be more effective than cellular or nuclear features in differentiating between HCA and HCC in fine needle aspiration smears.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CT patterns in histopathologically complex cavernous hemangiomas.

Computed tomographic (CT) studies were correlated with microscopic findings in 10 histologically verified cavernous hemangiomas in nine patients. In four of the 10 lesions, two or more distinct types of cerebrovascular malformations were identified histopathologically. These included arteriovenous malformations, venous malformations, and telangiectasis. Such coexistence of various types of cerebrovascular malformations has been reported rarely. In each of the four combined lesions, there was evidence of recent or old hemorrhage. The CT findings were nonspecific and were similar to those seen in a variety of intracranial pathologic conditions.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A national treasure goes online: the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

With the advent of the 21st century, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is delivering online medical consultation to the global health care community. By incorporating widely available open system technology into the paradigm of telepathology, the AFIP is providing world class expertise in pathology and access to a wealth of information for physicians and the general public. The national treasure known as the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has more than a glorious history; it has a pretty bright future, too.

Computer Communication Networks↗