Asteroid bodies and other cytoplasmic inclusions in necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia

Background: Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) with paraproteinemia is a distinctive palisading granuloma of the skin. Extracutaneous lesions are rarely present. Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm the presence and significance of giant cell asteroid bodies and other cytoplasmic inclusions in NXG with paraproteinemia. Methods: Skin biopsy specimens from 24 patients with NXG with paraproteinemia were reviewed; autopsy and lung biopsy specimens from two patients were stained for iron, calcium, and polysaccharide. Results: Giant cell asteroid bodies were observed in skin biopsy specimens of 8 (33%) of the 24 patients. In addition, large acidophilic polygonal cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in myocardial tissue of one of the autopsy cases. Iron and calcium were not found. Conclusion: Asteroid bodies and other inclusions can be present in the giant cells of NXG with paraproteinemia. They are as frequent as, or more frequent than, in other granulomatous diseases and should be considered in the diagnosis of NXG with paraproteinemia.(J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:967-70.)     

Steroid-induced acanthosis nigricans in dermatomyositis.

Acanthosis nigricans of the groin, axillae, and neck developed in a patient on long-term steroid therapy for dermatomyositis after eight years. The dermatosis resolved spontaneously ten years after the steroid use had been discontinued. Review of three personal cases and the literature suggests that acanthosis nigricans may have a hormonal basis.     

Pro-inflammatory activation changes intracellular transport of bevacizumab in the retinal pigment epithelium in vitro

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - Bevacizumab is taken up and transported through the retinal pigment epithelium. Inflammatory signaling may influence this...     

Die Laparotomie durch Querschnitt in der hinteren Rektusscheide

Ohne Zusammenfassung Nach einem in der Vereinigung niederrheinisch-westf?l. Chirurgen am 13. Februar 1909 gehaltenen Vortrage.     

Long-term outcome of endoscopic therapy in patients with bile duct injury after cholecystectomy

Background and Aim:  Bile duct lesions, including leaks and strictures, are immanent complications of open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Endoscopic procedures have gained increasing potential as the treatment of choice in the management of postoperative bile duct injuries.
Methods:  Between January 1996 and December 2006, 44 patients with biliary leakages and 12 patients with biliary strictures after cholecystectomy were identified by analyzing the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography database, clinical records, and cholangiograms. The long-term follow up of endoscopic treatment in biliary lesions after cholecystectomy was evaluated by this retrospective study.
Results:  In 34 of 35 patients (97%) with peripheral bile duct leakages, endoscopic therapy was successful. Transpapillary endoprothesis and/or nasobiliary drainage were removed after 31 (5–399) days. After stent removal, the median follow-up period was 81 (11–137) months. In patients with central bile duct leakages, the success rate after median 90 (4–145) days of endoscopic therapy was 66.7% (6/9 patients). The median follow up after stent removal in six successfully treated patients was 70 (48–92) months. Eleven of 12 patients (91.6%) with bile duct strictures had successfully completed stent therapy. The follow-up period of this patient group was 99 (53–140) months.
Conclusions:  Endoscopic treatment of bile duct lesions after cholecystectomy is effective, particularly in patients with peripheral bile duct leakages and bile duct strictures. Therefore, it should be the first-line therapy used in these patients. Although endoscopic management is less successful in patients with central bile duct leakages, an attempt is warranted.     

Nicotinate white response of monkey sexual skin--a model for atopic reactivity

Ian Whimster was a noted pathologist, dermatopathologist, comparative pathologist, anatomist, and creative thinker. He drew analogies between animal variability and human disease with regard to pigmentation, epithelial and vascular changes. Iknow that he would have seen the intriguing fact and probable jest in the equivalent reactivity of the monkey sexual skin and the human atopic skin responses.     

Wilhelm von Waldeyer-Hartz (1836-1921): an anatomist who left his mark

Wilhelm Waldeyer was anatomist, physiologist, and pathologist during the German Empire (the so-called Second Reich). His scientific career left many traces still noticeable today. Not only is he commemorated in "his" pharyngeal lymphoid ring and other eponyms, but he also coined an impressive range of successful medical terms, including "chromosome" and "neuron." Moreover, Waldeyer left truly physical traces by donating parts of his body to his own Institute of Anatomy in Berlin. His scientific production does, however, also include "pseudoscientific" works, notably his questionable research on African brains.