Angiolipoma of the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging and microsurgical management

Radiologic diagnosis of intramedullary lipomas has been unreliable for a long time and many of these tumors have not been recognized. The introduction of computed tomography, and lately of magnetic resonance imaging, has led to great progress in the accurate identification of spinal cord tumors as well as in the recognition of type specificity of these lesions. An evaluation of the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging and microsurgical technique for the optimal therapeutic outcome is discussed.     

Histoplasmosis of the larynx.

Histoplasmosis commonly infects the lower respiratory tract, causing either a sub-clinical or a nonspecific pulmonary illness. It may also affect the larynx from wide-spread dissemination or in a localized form that mimics carcinoma. Hoarseness, dysphagia, and pain on swallowing are symptoms common to many diseases of the laryngopharynx, including histoplasmosis. It is therefore important to consider this fungus in the differential diagnosis. Since culture techniques alone may not establish the diagnosis, special stains of tissue preparations and serologic tests for histoplasmosis are important adjuncts. We have recently seen and treated two cases of laryngeal histoplasmosis. Amphotericin B remains the preferred drug.     

Mammographic and Sonographic Features of Angiolipoma of the Breast

Abstract: The mammographic and sonographic appearance of angiolipomas of the breast is presented. This rare benign variant of lipoma usually presents as a painless breast mass. The imaging characteristics of angiolipomas of the breast are variable, overlapping with both other benign breast neoplasms and with malignancies. The most common mammographic appearance of angiolipomas of the breast in this series was an oval or round, isodense, circumscribed mass. The most common sonographic features were oval shape, circumscribed borders, and iso- to slight hyperechogenicity. These imaging features are nonspecific and biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis.     

Neuroendocrine tumors of the larynx.

A review of the international literature has revealed 68 paragangliomas, 42 large cell, and 74 small cell tumors of the larynx. Paragangliomas are usually benign, although malignant cases have been reported. Large cell tumors are malignancies associated with a high incidence of early cervical metastasis. Small cell tumors are aggressive cancers characterized by early, diffuse metastatic disease. All three neoplasms demonstrate a propensity for the supraglottic larynx. While surgery remains the treatment of choice for paragangliomas and large cell cancers, small cell cancers are best treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The determinate 5-year survival for patients with paragangliomas, large cell, and small cell cancers is 60%, 34%, and 14%, respectively. While representing distinct clinical entities, these neoplasms demonstrate similar ultrastructural and histochemical features and should be classified as neuroendocrine tumors of the larynx (NETL). A comprehensive analysis of these laryngeal tumors is presented herein. Their clinical behavior and management options are reviewed and a scheme for their nomenclature and classification is proposed.     

Carcinoma of the glottic larynx.

During the years 1955 through 1964, 535 patients with histologically proved squamous cell cancer of the glottic larynx were recorded in the Tumor Registry of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Of these 521 were treated and form the basis of this report. All were retrospectively staged. Possible etiologic factors were tabulated associated diseases recorded, and results of treatment evaluated. In this almost wholly surgically treated series, the determinate five and ten year survival rates for previously untreated patients were 81.5 and 80 per cent, respectively. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastases increased and the prognosis worsened with increasing stage of disease. The previously treated patients had a much worse prognosis than did the primary patientsmcancer of the glottic larynx is eminently curable if detected early and treated adequately.