Chorangioma with trophoblastic proliferation

Only two examples of the entity of chorangiocarcinoma, in which there is a proliferation of both the vascular and epithelial components of the placental villi, have been reported in the literature. To test the hypothesis that chorangiocarcinomas are actually more common than implied by the literature, histological sections of chorangiomas were reviewed. Syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast proliferation, with nuclear atypia, similar to that found in trophoblastic neoplasia, were seen in 15 of 23 cases. Thus, 65% of chorangiomas fulfilled the diagnostic criteria to warrant re-assignment as "chorangiocarcinoma". The proliferation index of the cytotrophoblast in the tumor as measured by MIB-1 (Ki-67) immunostaining was significantly higher in "chorangiocarcinoma" than chorangioma (35.4% vs 15.7%, P<0.02). The following factors had no relationship to the presence or absence of trophoblastic proliferation: vascularity, cellularity, infarction, size or location of the chorangioma, or age of the patient. Five of the 15 chorangiomas with trophoblastic proliferation were of the chorangiomatosis variety. No formal follow-up was performed, as this was a retrospective study, but there is no recorded case of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease in this cohort, although one woman with "chorangiocarcinoma" had a history of previous hydatidiform molar pregnancies. An apparently benign clinical course is seen. These lesions, best described as chorangiomas with trophoblastic proliferation, are more common than suggested by the rarity of reported cases.     

Characteristics of histopathological and ultrastructural features of placental villi in pregnant Nepalese women

The placenta is an important functional unit for gas transfer between mother and fetus. The placental membrane, consisting of trophoblast layer interposed between maternal and fetal blood, plays an active role for intensity of respiration, but no morphological evidence has been documented. Until now, it has been reported that fetal growth retardation and increased fetal mortality rate usually could be seen at high altitude. In an attempt to find the cause of high perinatal mortality rate in Nepal, this study was undertaken to examine pathologically about 1000 Himalayan placentas obtained in Nepal and Tibet since 1977, and the results were compared with those of 5500 Japanese placentas at Saitama Medical School since 1990. In this study, characteristics of ultrastructural features of the Nepalese placental villi investigated in recent years are reported. (1) The gross characteristics of placental pathology in the Himalayan group were represented by marked subchorionic fibrin deposits and increased chorionic cysts in contrast to low incidence of intervillous thrombosis compared with those of the Japanese group. (2) As characteristics of histological findings of the placental villi between Himalayan and Japanese groups, the incidence of chorangiosis and chorangioma in the Himalayan group was significantly higher than that in the Japanese group. (3) Accompanying an increase of vasculosyncytial membrane (VSM) in the villi, thickness and separation of basement membrane of the syncytium in addition to increased apoptosis of syncytial cell nuclei were recognized. (4) As characteristic ultrastructural features of chorionic villi of Nepalese placentas, an increase of mitochondria and cystic formation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), in addition to appearance of lamellar bodies similar to alveolar epithelial type II cell in organellae of the syncytium, were observed. These ultrastructural changes of the placental villous capillaries may be ascribed to hypevascularization caused by the chronic hypoxic state. It is, therefore, presumed that trophoblast cells may play an important role for gas transfer mecha-nism under such a hypoxic state at high altitude.     

Villous capillary lesions of the placenta: distinctions between chorangioma, chorangiomatosis, and chorangiosis

Chorangioma (CA), chorangiosis (CH), and chorangiomatosis (CM) are incompletely understood and overlapping villous capillary (VC) lesions believed by some to be related to hypoxia. In this study, we reviewed all cases of CA (n = 36, 0.51%) and CM (n = 39, 0.55%) diagnosed in 7,062 placentas examined at our institution between 1990 and 1999. CH was evaluated in a subsample of 689 cases (n = 46, 6.67%). Controls were derived from cases in the subsample (n = 639) without any VC lesions. Most CA were incidental findings measuring less than 0.5 cm. Nodular and multinodular morphologic variants were otherwise similar. CA were most frequently located under the chorionic plate and at the placental margins and occasionally showed nonspecific trophoblast hyperplasia (Ki-67-positive) similar to that seen in partial moles. CA and CM shared associations with preeclampia, multiple gestation, and premature delivery at 32 to 26 weeks and had a significant co-occurrence rate. Cases of CM were separated into focal, segmental, and diffuse multifocal subgroups. Diffuse multifocal CM (n = 16) showed associations with extreme prematurity (<32 weeks), congenital malformations, IUGR, delayed villous maturation, avascular villi, and placentomegaly, which were not seen in the other 2 localized subgroups. CH lacked the associations noted for CA and CM, was not increased in placentas with CA or CM, and was most frequent at greater than 37 weeks. CH was positively associated with maternal diabetes, placentomegaly, delayed villous maturation, and chronic villitis. Finally, CH lacked the continuous perivascular layer of muscle-specific actin (MSA)-positive pericytes and the multifibrillar lattice-like reticulin pattern seen in both CA and CM. In conclusion, CA and localized CM are clinically and morphologically similar lesions distinct from CH. Diffuse multifocal CM is morphologically similar to CA and localized CM, but has a distinct clinicopathologic profile.     

Chorangiosis: the potential role of smoking and air pollution

Chorangiosis is considered to be strongly associated with various fetal, maternal, and placental disorders, including pre-eclampsia, diabetes, hypertension, and major congenital anomalies, and has been found to correlate with increased fetal morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the pathologic effects of maternal smoking and air pollution on the pathogenesis of chorangiosis. We investigated 92 placentas macroscopically and microscopically over a 3-month period (March 2006-May 2006) at Denizli State Hospital to identify the frequency of chorangiosis and the potential role of maternal smoking and air pollution. Placental changes were examined by light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical evaluation of CD 34 and CD 68; muscle-specific actin was used to confirm the diagnosis. Among the 92 mothers included in the study, 33 were smokers (group I), 31 were thought to have been exposed to air pollution (group II), and 28 were living in rural areas free of air pollution and maternal smoking (group III). Chorangiosis was found in 14% (13/92) of all placentas: 7 (53.8%) cases were assigned to group I, 5 (38.5%) to group II, and 1 (7.7%) to group III. Vascular changes were found mainly in the smoking and air pollution groups. There appeared to be no correlation of these vascular changes with placental weight, parity, gestational age, major congenital anomalies, and maternal factors, including diabetes and pre-eclampsia. We presume that smoking and air pollution may contribute to the development of chorangiosis. We suggest that chorangiosis may be an adaptive response to maternal hypoxia, and studies addressing the role of smoking and air pollution in chorangiosis may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of this condition.     

Atypical cellular chorangioma.

We describe an unusual, large atypical cellular chorangioma with abundant mitoses and focal necrosis. Other than premature birth, the prenatal and postpartum clinical course was unremarkable for both the mother and baby. Our case and a few similar cases reported in literature suggest that atypical cellular chorangioma is a benign tumor, despite its worrisome histopathologic features.     

Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma of AILD (Angioimmunoblastic Lymphadenopathy with Dysproteinemia) Type Involving Gastrointestinal Tract

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) which showed widespread involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is reported. A lymph node biopsy specimen showed the characteristic histological features of AILD. During the progression of the illness, lymphomatous lesions developed in the gastrointestinal tract, complicated by cytomegalovirus infection. A double immunoenzymatic study using a combination of Ki 67 antibody and antibodies against surface antigens demonstrated that CD3⁺, CD4., and/or T cell receptor (TCR) beta⁺ cells were predominant (67–68%) among the population of proliferating Ki 67⁺ cells, rather than CD8⁺ or CD22⁺ cells. Clonal rearrangement of the TCR beta chain gene was also detected. These findings provide further evidence for the neoplastic nature of lesions of this type, and the diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma.     

Angiogenesis in villous chorangiosis observed by ultrastructural studies

Chorangiosis is microscopically designated as more than ten terminal capillaries within the villous stroma of the placenta and is mostly related to chronic fetal hypoxia. However, the histogenetic relationship between increased number of terminal villous capillaries and chronic hypoxia has not yet been clarified. Of 665 placentas histologically examined at Saitama Medical University from 2003 to 2010, chorangiosis was found in 58 cases (8.7 %), which were mostly more than 35 gestational weeks. In addition, low birth weight (less than 2,500 g) infants (74.1 %) and those who suffered from cardiac anomalies, chromosome anomalies, and single umbilical artery comprised 32.7 % of cases. Placental lesions were associated with chorangiosis involved in infarct (46.6 %), intervillous thrombosis (20.7 %), and marginal hemorrhages (22.4 %). Scanning electron microscopic studies showed narrowing of vessel ostium and disorders of endothelium in the umbilical cord vessel complicated by chorangiosis. Furthermore, in transmission electron microscopic observation, not only the chorionic villi had multiple enlarged vessels within the villous stroma, but we also found that new capillaries were formed by angiogenesis with endothelial cells derived from fibroblasts under the chronic hypoxic state.     

IgG4-related disease of the ureter: report of two cases and review of the literature

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized multi-organ fibro-inflammatory lesion characterized by elevated IgG4 serum levels and mass-forming lesions. This condition shows similar histological features independently of the site of origin including storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with a conspicuous IgG4-positive plasma cell component. Since this disease has only recently been categorized as a single specific nosologic entity, lesions with these typical morphological features have previously been named in different ways, creating some confusion and making it difficult to identify cases published in the literature. Lesions with features suggesting IgG4-RDs have very rarely been reported in the ureter, and they have been named using the terms “inflammatory pseudotumor” and “idiopathic segmental ureteritis.” Herein, we describe the clinicopathological features of ureteral IgG4-RD found in two different patients. An 82-year-old female and a 77-year-old male underwent ureteral resection due to severe ureteral wall thickness and lumen stenosis suggestive of urothelial carcinoma. However, histological examinations showed transmural fibro-inflammatory lesions, with abundant IgG4 plasma cells intermixed with histiocytes, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and scattered eosinophils. We have also accurately reviewed the literature in order to identify, among lesions diagnosed with different names, examples of ureteral IgG4-related lesions to give the reader a comprehensive overview of this relatively rare inflammatory disease. We suggest using the name “ureteral IgG4-RD” for those lesions showing the same morphological features as IgG4-RDs located elsewhere.     

Analysis of histological features in needle core biopsy of breast useful in preoperative distinction between fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumour

Morgan J M, Douglas‐Jones A G & Gupta S K
(2010) Histopathology 56 , 489–500 Analysis of histological features in needle core biopsy of breast useful in preoperative distinction between fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumour Aims: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) has been replaced by Needle core biopsy (NCB) as the pathological investigation of choice in pre‐operative diagnosis of breast lesions. Despite the greater yield of material with spatial information, the distinction between fibroepithelial lesions of the breast, fibroadenoma (FA) and benign phyllodes tumour (PT), remains problematic. The aim of this study was to confirm a set of histological features which may assist in the pre‐operative distinction between FA and PT on NCB and to explore novel strategies to refine the analysis of the data. Methods: Previously defined histological criteria were applied to 112 NCBs of fibroepithelial lesions of the breast. Contingency tables for frequency analysis, logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and linear discriminant analysis were used. Results: Frequency analysis identifying significant differences agreed with published data. Correct categorisation was possible in 95% of cases using logistic regression analysis (age and mitotic index) and in 94% using discriminant analysis (age, mitoses and %stroma). ROC analysis identified cut off values (between FA and PT) for age (50–55 years), %stroma (85–90) and mitoses (≥1/2.2 mm²). Conclusion: The results confirm previously published observations and provide novel putative predictive tools, to be tested prospectively.     

Fibrous histiocytoma: a histological and statistical analysis of 155 cases.

Various salient histological features were rated from + to +++ in a semiquantitative evaluation of a series of 155 cases of fibrous histiocytoma. Relations between individual histological features, as well as between histological findings, localisation and size of lesions, and age or sex of the patient were tested statistically. Most impressive was an inverse proportional relationship between cellular and fibrillar densities: highly cellular fibrous histiocytomas chiefly showed little fiber formation. Accordingly, cases with marked fiber formation were distinguished by low cellularity. Based on this statistically significant relation, 3 subtypes could be classified on a scale of increasing fiber formation and decreasing cellular density. The majority of cases showed medium cellularity and fibrillar density, with distinct storiform (spokewheel or "whirlygig") pattern which is compatible with typical storiform histocytoma, including clincally progressive, recurrant FH and/or "dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans". The typical patient was more frequently female than male, 40 years of age with a 0.5 to 1.0 cm size tumor node in the lower extremities located in the corium, often with beginning infiltration of the subcutaneous fat tissue.     

Hybrid central giant cell granuloma and central odontogenic fibroma-like lesions of the jaws

Ten lesions from eight cases are presented of a rare intra-osseous jaw lesion with the combined histological features of giant cell granuloma and central odontogenic fibroma. Lesions arose over a wide age range and presented as monolocular or multilocular radiolucencies with cortical expansion and, in one case, perforation. Two lesions recurred after curettage, one being eradicated by a second curettage and one by conservative excision. Histologically, zones of typical giant cell granuloma lay in a fibrous stroma containing islands, strands and clusters of epithelial cells. Islands often contained duct-like spaces or hyaline basement membrane globules. Trabeculae of osteoid were present in five lesions. Recurrent lesions showed features identical to the initial lesion, including recurrence of the prominent epithelial component. These features cannot be conclusively ascribed to a variant of either giant cell granuloma, central odontogenic fibroma or aneurysmal bone cyst, but the clinical features are slightly more suggestive of giant cell granuloma. Attention is drawn to the characteristic and potentially confusing histological appearances. The presence of giant cell granuloma-like areas in central odontogenic fibroma-like lesions is associated with an increased risk of recurrence following curettage.     

Spitz naevus: diagnostic problems and their management implications

Spitz naevus is an uncommon, benign melanocytic neoplasm that shares many clinical and histological features with melanoma. While Spitz naevi typically occur in children and melanomas typically occur in adults, either tumour can occur in a patient of any age. In cases displaying all or most of the classical histological features, particularly when occurring in a young patient, it is possible to make a confident diagnosis of Spitz naevus. However, for those lesions with atypical features it may be difficult to predict the biological behaviour with certainty from the histopathological appearance. Hence, such tumours have been referred to by a variety of names including atypical Spitz naevus, atypical Spitz tumour and spitzoid tumours of uncertain malignant potential. However, even acknowledged experts in dermatopathology have a low concordance in distinguishing Spitz naevus with atypical features from melanoma. In this article, we highlight the histopathological features of Spitz naevi and those that may be useful in distinguishing Spitz naevi from melanomas. A suggested practical guide to clinical management of such lesions is provided.     

Non-melanocytic mimics of melanoma: part I: intraepidermal mimics

Melanoma comprises a wide range of cytological and architectural features histopathologically and hence can mimic many benign and malignant lesions of epithelial, mesenchymal and hematopoietic cell lines of differentiation. Therefore, analysis and close clinical, histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical correlation is vital in distinguishing challenging melanoma cases from their mimics. In this review, the different features of the benign, pre-malignant and malignant intraepidermal non-melanocytic tumours and tumour-like lesions that can closely mimic intraepidermal melanoma (melanoma in situ) are emphasised.     

Pregnancy with concomitant chorangioma and placental vascular malformation with mesenchymal hyperplasia

We present two pregnancies associated with normal live births and the unusual concomitance of chorangioma and placental vascular malformation with mesenchymal hyperplasia. The enlarged placenta had the characteristic findings of chorangioma, dilated and varicose chorionic vessels and multiple vesicle-like villi containing hyaluronic acid. The vesicle-like villi showed diploid cellular DNA contents. Molecular genetic analysis using the polymerase chain reaction amplification of polymorphic microsatellite markers confirmed genetic identity among the chorangioma, the vesicle-like villi and the fetus. Both pregnancies were complicated by polyhydramnios, pre-term labour and prematurity. One neonate suffered from anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Another neonate suffered from haemangiomatosis. Our cases demonstrate that concomitant chorangioma and placental mesenchymal hyperplasia are genetically identical to the fetus and can coexist with a normal viable fetus. Since haemangiomas, chorangiomas, chorionic vessels and villi mesenchymal cells are all derived from the mesoderm, a combination of fetal haemangiomas, placental vascular malformation, chorangiomas and placental mesenchymal hyperplasia may represent a mixed form of congenital malformation of the mesoderm.      

儿童四肢长骨骨纤维性结构不良影像学与病理学表现对照分析

目的 探讨儿童四肢长骨骨纤维性结构不良(FDB)影像学表现特点,并与组织病理学表现进行对照分析,提高临床对该病的认识。方法 回顾性分析2011年1月—2016年12月南京医科大学附属儿童医院经手术病理证实的32例四肢长骨FDB患儿的临床资料。32例患儿中,男19例,女13例;年龄2~14(9.2±3.1)岁。其中32例行X线检查,30例行CT平扫及3D重建,14例行MRI平扫。在X线、CT及MR图像上观察FDB病灶的形状、位置、边界,有无合并病理性骨折等,并将影像学表现与病理描述进行对照分析。结果 32例患儿共35个病灶,其中单骨型27例,病灶累及股骨15例,胫骨7例,腓骨1例,肱骨2例,尺骨2例;多骨型4例中,病灶累及同侧股骨和胫腓骨2例、左股骨和枕骨1例、尺骨和桡骨1例;McCune-Albright综合征1例,病灶累及右股骨、髂骨、耻骨。11例合并病理性骨折,骨折部位:股骨近段7例、中段1例,胫骨2例,肱骨中段1例。术后病理学显示正常的骨髓组织被异常增生的纤维组织替代。影像学呈磨砂玻璃样改变时,病理表现以成熟坚韧的纤维组织为主;影像学呈囊状膨胀透亮改变时,病理表现以生长活跃的纤维组织为主,伴间质黏液样变性、囊性改变;影像学呈丝瓜瓤样改变时,其病理表现多为增生的纤维组织及新生骨小梁分布混杂。结论 儿童四肢长骨FDB,好发于股骨及胫骨,影像学表现以囊状膨胀性改变和磨玻璃样改变为主要特征,病理特征为正常的骨髓组织被大量的纤维组织替代。不同特征的影像学改变有其相对应的病理学特点。     

Growth factors and apoptosis rate in an unusual chorangioma

We describe an unusual type of cellular chorangioma with a high rate of proliferating cells and mitosis and high expression of the growth factor BFGF. The tumor was observed in the placenta of a 26-year-old gravida 1 with help syndrome. The pregnancy was terminated at 35+5 weeks by elective caesarean section. Chorangiomas are hamartoma malformations of the placenta which in some cases may be large enough to influence the course of pregnancy and associated complications are hydramnion, gestosis or hemorrhage. Complications for the fetus are due to hemodynamic alterations caused by the formation of an arteriovenous shunt. Because the histogenesis of the tumor is still unknown, we examined the expression of the growth factors VEGF and BFGF. The number of cells with an expression of VEGF in placental tissue and in the chorangioma was uniform, but the number of cells with an expression of BFGF was much higher in the chorangioma than in the placenta. We conclude that BFGF may have an influence on the growth of chorangiomas. There was no difference between the chorangioma and the placenta in the rate of apoptosis-inhibited cells.     

Serrated polyps of the large intestine

Serrated polyps of the large intestine comprise a family of lesions bearing some histological similarities, including an overall serrated configuration caused at least in part by inhibition of apoptosis by mutations in one of two genes. Over the past decade, it has become apparent that these lesions can be subdivided by histological criteria into lesions with differing degrees of relationship to the development of carcinoma, including sporadic microsatellite instable (MSI) carcinomas and probably carcinomas demonstrating the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), which includes both MSI and microsatellite stable tumors. These differing histological subtypes can in part predict some of the molecular features of these lesions, and the combination of histological and molecular features is beginning to give us better insight into the potential natural history and therefore management of these lesions. This review will present the histological classification of these lesions, relate that histological classification to molecular aspects of the lesions, and present recommendations for management.     

Melanocytic nevi in children

Melanocytic nevi in children can be acquired or congenital. The vast majority are benign but diagnosis can be difficult. Nevi in newborns and nodular proliferations in giant congenital nevi can display histological features that lend to their misdiagnosis as melanoma. Acquired melanocytic nevi in children are often Spitz nevi or related nevi. These lesions are too often misdiagnosed as melanoma. On the other hand, clinicians and pathologists must be aware that melanoma does occur in childhood, albeit very rarely. It is exceptionally rare in prepubescent individuals. It can be associated with the following risk factors: giant congenital nevus, family history of melanoma, xeroderma pigmentosum, and immunosuppression. Melanoma in children younger than 10 years of age is extremely rare and has different clinical and histopathological features than those that arise in postpubescents, often being confused with a Spitz's nevus. Consequently, the diagnosis is often made too late. It should be emphasized that thickness is the main prognostic parameter in childhood melanoma and that early diagnosis is also crucial in this age group. The lesion must therefore be examined in a complete excision and not in a partial biopsy, and if atypical features are present it must be reviewed by an expert. On the other hand extreme caution should be exercised when diagnosing melanoma in children, as some benign lesions exhibit similar histologic features.     

Histopathological characteristics of small diameter melanocytic naevi

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The clinical definition of an atypical naevus ("dysplastic naevus" or "naevus with architectural disorder and cytological atypia of melanocytes") stresses size larger than 5 mm in diameter as a major diagnostic criterion. Because malignant melanomas and their precursors may arise in smaller lesions, a histological study of melanocytic lesions smaller than 4 mm in diameter was conducted to evaluate their histological appearance. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty one naevi smaller than 4 mm in diameter were collected and characterised by histological examination into benign naevi without architectural disorder and naevi with architectural disorder and mild, moderate, and severe atypical melanocytes according to criteria used on larger lesions. RESULTS: Small melanocytic naevi covered the same complex histological spectrum from benign naevi to severely atypical naevi when compared with larger lesions. A high proportion of small naevi (72%) exhibited features diagnostic for naevi with architectural disorder and cytological atypia. CONCLUSION: There is a discrepancy between histological and clinically defined atypical naevi. The same generally accepted criteria for the histological diagnosis of atypical naevi should be used for small melanocytic naevi in addition to large ones. Thus, small naevi exhibiting atypical features on histological examination should be categorised as atypical naevi, regardless of their small diameter.