Cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with lung and anal carcinomas

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by a benign proliferation of mature plasma cells that appears as multiple dark-brown to purplish skin lesions, often associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. We present the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian man who suffered from a cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with two different carcinomas. Cutaneous plasmacytosis seems to be a reactive process because most cases reported are not associated with any apparent underlying disease. Nevertheless, because few reported cases were associated with malignancies, screening of additional neoplasms would be justified.     

Arachidonic acid metabolites in CSF in hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy of newborn infants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebral synthesis of eicosanoids in the asphyctic newborn and to investigate the relation between the prostanoid profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the appearance and severity of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Levels of 6-keto-PGF _1-α, TXB₂, PGE₂ and PGF_2-α in CSF were measured in 40 full term newborns during the first day of life. Thirty of these newborns had birth asphyxia and were divided into three groups: 10 without HIE, 12 with mild HIE and 8 with moderate-severe HIE. They were compared to a control group of 10 non-hypoxic newborns. Determinations of the metabolites in CSF were performed by RIA and expressed as pg/ml (mean ± SD). The CSF TXB₂ (thromboxane A₂ metabolite) in asphyxiated newborns was always higher than in the control group (28.12 ± 10.6), and related to the severity of HIE ( p = 0:005): without HIE (50.84 ± 16.4; p = 0:02), mild HIE (80.65 ± 12.64; p ± 0:01) and moderate-severe HIE (178.14 ± 20.5; p < 0:01). The CSF 6-keto-PGF _1-α (prostacyclin metabolite) in asphyxiated newborns was always higher than in the control group (80.55 ± 12.56), but indirectly related to the severity of HIE: without HIE (240.95 ± 28.12; p < 0:01), mild HIE (183.65 ± 30.1; p < 0:01) and moderate-severe HIE (140.55 ± 25.12; p < 0:01). In the moderate-severe HIE group, the increase in TXB₂ was higher than the rise in 6-keto-PGF _1-α.     

Occurrence of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is considered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALCL has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed analysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2;5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymphomas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adults with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not specific for CD30+ ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphologies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation for relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older patients requires further study.     

Total anorectal reconstruction with a double dynamic graciloplasty after abdominoperineal reconstruction for low rectal cancer

PURPOSE: Total anorectal reconstruction with a double dynamic graciloplasty was performed after abdominoperineal reconstruction (APR) for low rectal cancer. In four patients an additional pouch was constructed to improve neorectal motility and capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results in the first 20 patients and to report on the preliminary results of patients with an additional pouch. METHODS: Twenty patients with a mean age of 52 (range, 25–71) years and a rectal tumor at a mean of 3 (range, 0–5) cm from the anal verge were treated. In 14 patients the Miles resection, colon pull-through, and construction of a neosphincter were performed in one session. Six patients had the double graciloplasty at an average of 4.1 (range, 1.1–8.8) years after APR. In four patients a pouch was constructed with an isolated segment of distal ileum. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 24 (range, 1–60) months after APR, none of the patients developed local recurrence, whereas four patients developed distant metastasis. Fifteen of 20 patients were available for evaluation, and 5 patients were still in training. Of these 15 patients, 8 patients were continent (53 percent), 2 patients were incontinent, and in 5 patients the perineal stoma was converted to an abdominal stoma. Failures were attributable to necrosis of the colon stump (n=2) and incontinence (n=3). At 26 weeks mean resting pressure was 44 (standard deviation (SD), 28) mmHg, and mean pressure during stimulation was 90 (SD, 46) mmHg at a mean of 35 (SD, 1.2) volts at 52 weeks. Mean defecation frequency was three times per day (range, 1–5). Of the eight patients who were continent, six used daily enemas. Mean time to postpone defecation was 11 (range, 0–30) minutes. CONCLUSION: In experienced hands, the double dynamic graciloplasty is an oncologically safe procedure that can have an acceptable functional outcome in a well-selected group of patients. However, to improve the outcome, further modifications will be necessary. So far, the addition of a pouch has not resulted in improved outcome. Supported by the Profileringsfonds of the Maastricht University Hospital, The Netherlands, and by the Stichting Fondsenwervingsactie Volksgezondheid, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Read in part at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Seattle, Washington, June 9 to 14, 1995.