HMB-45 expression in the epidermis overlying juvenile xanthogranulomas

Aim HMB-45 staining of melanocytes has been described in vascular proliferations and surgical scars. We studied this staining on inflammatory tumours. Methods Histiocytic tumors were stained with HMB-45 monoclonal antibody. Results Only juvenile xanthogranulomas stained with HMB-45. Conclusion HMB-45 expression may be induced by cytokines synthesized by inflammatory cells.     

Levodopa-responsive parkinsonism in a patient with corticobasal degeneration and bilateral choroid plexus xanthogranulomas

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) has substantial overlap of clinical features with other neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its clinical diagnostic accuracy is the lowest among the common neurodegenerative diseases, and its antemortem diagnosis is more challenging when CBD is comorbid with another brain disease. We report an elderly male patient with multiple medical conditions and a family history of essential tremor. He presented with progressive tremor that was initially thought to be essential tremor and later diagnosed as PD despite head computerized tomography showing bilateral intraventricular masses and other minor changes. The clinical diagnosis of PD was supported by his responsiveness to low-dose levodopa. However, postmortem neuropathological examination revealed CBD and bilateral choroid plexus xanthogranulomas with mild ventricular enlargement and multifocal ependymal lining injury presumably due to mild hydrocephalus. CBD is typically levodopa-unresponsive, but hydrocephalus-associated parkinsonism is commonly levodopa-responsive. We raise awareness of the present comorbidity and atypical parkinsonism due to the choroid plexus xanthogranuloma-induced hydrocephalus for the clinical diagnosis and management of parkinsonism.     

Xanthogranulomas of choroid plexus

Summary Computed tomographic features of xanthogranulomas of the choroid plexus are presented. The characteristic location of bilateral intense homogeneously enhanced masses with central lucencies is thought to be diagnostic of xanthogranuloma of the choroid plexus.