Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis mimicking an intracranial neoplasm: clinicopathologic features and review of the literature.

We present a unique case of biopsy-proven necrotizing sarcoidosis involving the central nervous system (CNS) in a 52-year-old woman. The patient presented with a 3-month history of left-sided headache and sharp, shooting pains on the left side of her face. She also has a previous history of sarcoidosis, histopathologically confirmed on parotid gland biopsy 24 years before. Imaging studies of the present lesion revealed a 1.8 x 1.4-cm mass in the left temporal lobe with signal intensity suggestive of meningioma or low-grade glial neoplasm. Surgical resection was initiated, and intraoperative consultation with frozen sections revealed granulomata. The lesion was biopsied, and surgical intervention was terminated. Permanent sections failed to reveal bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, or foreign bodies. A diagnosis of necrotizing neurosarcoidosis was rendered. The patient was administered steroid therapy and clinically responded favorably. At the most recent follow-up almost 2 years later, there was no evidence of recurrence or progression. Necrotizing sarcoidosis has been reported most commonly in the lungs and rarely in other organ systems. We report the first histologically proven case involving the CNS as well as a rare example of sarcoidosis and necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis in the same patient. Sarcoidosis and its necrotizing variant should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a granulomatous mass lesion involving the CNS, particularly in the context of a history of systemic disease.     

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: Clinical features,evolution of the phenotype,and review of the literature

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) (MIM 265100) is a rare, autosomal recessive pneumopathy characterized by intra‐alveolar formation and accumulation of tiny, roundish corpuscles called “microliths”. The name “alveolar microlithiasis” was first used by Puhr in 1933; since then, several reports have appeared, and over 300 individuals with this condition have been reported. We have reviewed the PAM cases in the literature in light of personal experience, focusing on medical implications, disease diagnosis and progression over time, familial predisposition, and geographical and sex distribution. This study confirms autosomal recessive inheritance and does not support the role of other, non‐genetic, factors in the pathogenesis of PAM. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Blau syndrome of granulomatous arthritis,iritis, and skin rash: A new family and review of the literature

Blau syndrome (MK186580) comprises granulomatous arthritis, iritis, and skin rash, and is an autosomal-dominant trait with variable expressivity. So far it was described in 5 families. We report on a sixth family with severe progression of eye involvement and discuss the nosology with similar diseases, such as early-infantile sarcoidosis. Am. J. Med. Genet. 76:217–221, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fibrosing vasculitis in Wegener's granulomatosis: ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis of the vascular lesions

This study of two cases of pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) focuses on the ultrastructural aspects of the vascular wall injury and on the immunohistochemical characterization of the perivascular connective matrix. The iterative waves of endothelial cell necrosis and regeneration are demonstrated by the multiplamellar appearance of the basal lamina. Neutrophils infiltrate the vessel wall and myofibroblasts are recruited to injured vessels. The perivascular connective matrix associates basement-membrane like and fibrillar material with fibrin deposits. The initiation of the fibrosing process was assessed by the visualization of matrix molecules involved in targeting (p-fibronectin), organizing (cellular fibronectin and tenascin) and stabilizing (lysyl-oxidase) the fibrogenic activity. These elementary lesions affect different levels of the vascular tree, and capillaritis is involved in the extension of the pathological process. Lysyl-oxidase labelling reveals the fibrosing front which is located on the border of dense fibrosis. The markers of fibrosing activity disappear in the areas of fibrosis following vasculitis and/or ischaemic necrosis and/or granulomatosis. Vasculitis plays a major role in both the genesis and progression of the fibrosis observed in the late stage of WG.Work supported by a grant of the Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC 2057)     

Interstitial deletion of 10q: Clinical features and literature review

We report on a patient with interstitial deletion of 10q and compare her to 8 previously described patients, 2 of whom have chromosomal breakpoints similar to our patient. Minor anomalies including broad forehead, hypertelorism, strabismus, prominent philtrum, and “dysplastic” pinnae are present in our patient. Psychomotor retardation and hypotonia are universal findings in 10q interstitial deletion. Growth retardation, not present in our patient, is seen in some. These clinical findings are sufficiently distinct to suggest early chromosome studies. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

肉芽肿性松弛皮肤病--一种罕见皮肤T细胞淋巴瘤类型

目的：报道肉芽肿性松弛皮肤病临床病理学特征。方法：对其临床、组织病理学、免疫组化及分子生物学行为进行研究。结果；临床表现为腋窝及腹股沟巨大垂吊皮肤肿块伴四肢腹部红色斑丘疹。组织学呈弥漫性淋巴细胞、多核巨细胞及组织细胞浸润真皮及皮下组织、弹性纤维消失。免疫组化小淋巴细胞呈CD3＋、CD4＋、CD45RO＋、CD8－、CD15－、CD20－、CD30－、CD56－、TIA－1－和GranzymeB-；多核巨细胞及单核细胞呈lysozyme 、CD68 和Mac387-;S－100蛋白阳性细胞散在分布。 分子生物学检查示T细胞受体γ链基因重排。EBWER1／2原位杂交呈 阴性反应。结论：肉芽肿性松弛皮肤病是CD4＋辅助性T细胞淋巴瘤的罕见类型。     

Invasive Rasamsonia argillacea infection in chronic granulomatous disease: Report of a new case and literature review

Invasive Rasamsonia spp. infections are rare and usually associated with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). We present a case of pulmonary and possible cerebral infection due to Rasamsonia argillacea in a girl with CGD receiving no primary antifungal prophylaxis. There was a fatal outcome despite the combination of antifungal therapy and surgical interventions. We also conducted a literature review on reported invasive Rasamsonia spp. infections in the setting of CGD.     

Clinical features of patients with Yin Yang 1 deficiency causing Gabriele-de Vries syndrome: A new case and review of the literature

Background : Gabriele-de Vries syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by de novo pathogenic variants in YY1. In this study, we report a 10-year-old boy with a de novo novel pathogenic variant in YY1, the first Iranian patient with Gabriele-de Vries Syndrome. Methods : The novel de novo pathogenic variant detected in this study (NM_003403:c.690delA, p.Glu231Ilefs*25) was identified by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results : The proband presented with delayed motor and speech development, ataxia, abnormal gait, autistic behavior, brain atrophy, and severe learning disability. Finally, we provide a case-based review of the clinical features associated with Gabriele-de Vries Syndrome. Thus far, merely 13 Gabriele-de Vries Syndrome patients have been reported in the literature. Conclusion : The investigations for a suspected case of Gabriele-de Vries Syndrome must involve molecular diagnosis of the disease and its underlying genetic defect because the clinical investigations are generally variable and nonspecific.     

Lung cancer in scleroderma: Results from an Italian rheumatologic center and review of the literature

The association between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and cancer was widely described, particularly with breast and lung carcinoma; while, data regarding possible associations between cancer and SSc features are still scarce. We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of lung cancer in our SSc patient cohort (318 SSc patients, 31 M and 287 F, age 51.5 ± 14.5SD years, disease duration 10.3 ± 6.5SD years) and clinico-serological factors potentially associated to the development of this malignancy. A review of the world literature about this topic was also done. We found that lung cancer complicated 16/318 (5%) SSc patients; namely 11/287 females (4%) and 5/31 males (16.1%). Median age of SSc patients with lung cancer was 54 (range 38–72) years for female patients, and 63 (range 40–73) for males; 13/16 patients died because of the neoplasia. Considering the incidence of lung carcinoma in sex/age-matched general population of the same geographical area, the percentages of lung cancer in our SSc series are about 2.5 and > 5 times higher for male and female patients, respectively. The presence of lung cancer significantly correlated with male sex (p = 0.011), presence of anti-Scl70 antibodies (p = 0.0007), cyclophosphamide therapy (p = 0.0001), forced vital capacity (FVC) < 75% (p = 0.0001), and lung fibrosis (p = 0.0127); moreover patients with cancer have a significantly lower age at the diagnosis of SSc (p = 0.009) and longer disease duration (p = 0.0175). The logistic regression analysis confirmed a significant association with the anti-Scl70 antibodies (OR 6.4, 95%IC 1.7–24.1; p = 0.006) and the reduction of FVC (OR 6.7, 95%IC 2.2–20.7; p = 0.001) only. Overall, the prevalence of lung cancer in the subset of SSc patients with anti-Scl70 antibodies was 12/105 (11.4%), 9/40 (22.5%) in patients with FVC% reduction, and 7/22 (31.8%) in patients with both. In literature, the median prevalence of lung cancer in SSc series was 2.4% (range 0–4.2%); even if sporadic, associations with lung involvement or antiScl70 autoantibodies were raised, according to our findings.Our study confirmed the higher frequency of lung cancer among SSc patients compared to general population, particularly within patients' subset with serum anti-Scl70 antibodies and lung involvement.     

Clinical immunology review series: an approach to the patient with recurrent infections in childhood

Recurrent or persistent infection is the major manifestation of primary immunodeficiency, which also results in atypical infection with opportunistic organisms. Young children are also vulnerable to infection and recurrent infection is common. While most children with recurrent infection have a normal immunity, it is important to recognize the child with an underlying primary immunodeficiency and investigate and treat appropriately and yet not over investigate normal children. Prompt, accurate diagnosis directs the most appropriate treatment, and early and judicious use of prophylactic antibiotics and replacement immunoglobulin can prevent significant end organ damage and improve long-term outlook and quality of life. This paper describes important presenting features of primary immunodeficiency and indicates when further investigation is warranted.     

Cervical tuberculosis detection in Papanicolaou‐stained smear: Case report with review of literature

Genital tract tuberculosis is usually secondary to an extragenital tubercular focus. Cervical tuberculosis, however, is rare accounting for up to 3% of all genital tract diseases. The diagnosis of tuberculosis is usually established on multiple cervical biopsies followed by bacteriological confirmation. There are only a handful of reports on the diagnosis of tubercular cervicitis in cervical smears. We hereby report a case of cervical tuberculosis which was diagnosed on cervical smear. We also carried out a brief literature review of the cases diagnosed previously on cervical smear. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Clinical features, long-term follow-up and outcome of a large cohort of patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease: an Italian multicenter study

A retrospective clinical and immunological survey was conducted in 60 patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease. A prospective controlled non-randomized study of the efficacy of long-term IFNgamma treatment was carried out. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 4.4 years; mean duration of follow-up was 10.4 years. Lung and skin infections were the most frequent manifestations both prior to diagnosis and during follow-up. Aspergillus species was the first cause of infection and of death in our cohort. The mortality rate was 13%. Long term prophylaxis with IFNgamma did not significantly change the rate of total infection per patient-year compared to controls (p=0.07). Our data provide clear evidence that protocols of continuing intensive surveillance and monitoring of compliance with anti-infective regimens may significantly improve the quality of life and long-term survival in patients with CGD. No evidence justifying long-term prophylaxis with IFNgamma was obtained.     

Arthritis in lymphomatoid granulomatosis: report of a case and review of literature

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) is a rare systemic vasculitis caused by Epstein Barr virus induced transformation of the B-cells in a T-cell rich environment. The predominant clinical presentations are confined to the pulmonary system however; extra-pulmonary manifestations can sometimes be the main feature of the disease. Here in we describe a 52-year-old female who presented with symmetric polyarthritis and generalized stiffness for 7 months and papular lesions over extremities for 3 months duration. She in addition had generalized lymphadenopathy. Histopathological examination of the cutaneous lesions confirmed LG. Patient died despite therapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. This is the first report of LG mimicking rheumatoid arthritis from India.     

Fat embolism syndrome: Clinical and imaging considerations: Case report and review of literature

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a serious clinical disorder occurring after trauma, orthopedic procedures and rarely in non-traumatic patients. Fat emboli develop in nearly all patients with bone fractures, but they are usually asymptomatic. Small number of patients develop signs and symptoms of various organ system dysfunction due to either mechanical obstruction of capillaries by fat emboli or due to hydrolysis of fat to fatty acids. A triad of lung, brain and skin involvement develop after an asymptomatic period of 24 to 72 hours. This symptom complex is called FES. The incidence reported is up to 30%, but many mild cases may recover unnoticed. Diagnosis of fat embolism is clinical with nonspecific, insensitive diagnostic test results. Treatment of fat embolism syndrome remains supportive and in most cases can be prevented by early fixation of large bone factures. Here we report two cases of traumatic fat embolism, which were diagnosed initially by Gurd''s criteria and subsequently confirmed by typical appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in these patients. These patients were successfully treated with supportive management. In conclusion, diagnosis of FES needs high index of suspicion, exclusion of other conditions and use of clinical criteria in combination with imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is of great importance in diagnosis and management of these patients.     

Revisiting the systemic vasculitis in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss): A study of 157 patients by the Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines Pulmonaires and the European Respiratory Society Taskforce on eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)

Objective

To guide nosology and classification of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) based on phenotype and presence or absence of ANCA.

淋巴瘤样肉芽肿型大B细胞淋巴瘤

目的 探讨淋巴瘤样肉芽肿型大B细胞淋巴瘤(原名淋巴瘤样肉芽肿病，lymphomatoid granulomatosis，LYG)的病理形态特征、病变性质及鉴别诊断要点。方法 对l例LYG的组织形态学、免疫组织化学、EBV原位分子杂交(EBER)结合临床特征进行了分析。结果 l例63岁男性患者，临床上表现为多系统多器官性病变，主要累及肺，表现为双肺内境界清楚的圆形结节，呈孤立性或弥漫性分布，并出现多发性皮下结节，发热、体重减轻、全身无力等症状。皮下结节活检示多个肉芽肿样结构，细胞形态多样，见组织样细胞、非典型淋巴样细胞、小淋巴细胞、浆细胞及散在多核巨细胞，可见一血管壁有淋巴样细胞浸润，未见明显中心粒细胞，可见核分裂象。肺部穿刺组织示弥漫淋巴样细胞浸润，并见灶性坏死，免疫表型示瘤细胞呈CD20 ，CD79α ，CD43 ,CD3-,GraB-，EBV散在 ，CK-，Syn-，原位杂交示EBER 。结论 本例LYG是一种罕见的淋巴瘤样肉芽肿型大B细胞性淋巴瘤，与EBV相关。临床与影像学上与Wegener肉芽肿相似。肺部出现结节状病灶时，临床上易与结核、肉芽肿病、肺癌及炎性假瘤等相混淆，病理上须与结核、非特异性肉芽肿病、结外的外周T细胞淋巴瘤等相鉴别，形态学、免疫表型结合临床特征可明确诊断。