Hamartoma of the parotid gland: A case report with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

Summary A case of a solid parotid tumour in a 16-year-old boy is presented. Histologically, the tumour demonstrated some peculiar findings. An acinar pattern was predominant although every component seen in the normal salivary gland was present, namely, serous and mucous gland acini, ducts, myoepithelial cells, adipose and lymphoid tissue. Large eosinophilic granules were abundant in the large acinar cell cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumour demonstrated the proteins which are present in the normal parotid gland, for example, amylase, lactoferrin and lysozyme. Electron microscopic features were quite similar to those of normal parotid tissue except for accumulation of a large number of cytoplasmic granules in the acinar cells. There has been no previous report of a tumour with the same features as seen in this case. Our pathological diagnosis is hamartoma, although the possibility of hyperplasia or neoplasia can not be excluded.     

The afferent innervation of the thymus gland in the rat

The afferent nervous supply to the thymus gland has been investigated by means of the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. It has been shown that the thymus receives an afferent supply from the nodose ganglia of the vagus and from the dorsal root ganglia C₁–C₇. The afferent innervation of the right and left thymic lobes is bilaterally organized; the fibers of a small celled population of nodose ganglion neurons cross outside the thymus and those of a larger celled population cross within the thymus gland. The functional implications of these findings are discussed in the context of central nervous system-immune system interactions.     

垂体高度的断层解剖及MRI测量

目的：通过尸体断层标本和MRI对照测量垂体的高度，为垂体的影像学诊断提供诊断标准、材料和方法：利用35例成人尸体断层标本，在各个断面上测量垂体的高度；在103例成人冠状头颅MRI上测量垂体的高度，并按年龄和性别分为十二组。将断层标本和MRI的测量数据进行比较。结果：在断层标本上测量垂体的平均高度为5．3±0．6（4．0－7．6）mm；MRI上的平均高度为5．4±1．3（4.0－8．3）mm。两组数据比较，无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。男性垂体的平均高度为5．3±1.2（4．0－7．2）mm，女性垂体的平均高度为5．5±1．4（4．0－8.3）mm。女性垂体的平均高度大于男性。各年龄组比较显示，20岁以后，随年龄增长，垂体高度逐渐下降。结论：在MRI诊断中，垂体高度女性≥9mm，男性≥8mm可考虑垂体异常。垂体高度女性大于男性；20岁以后，随年龄增长，垂体高度有逐渐下降的趋势。     

腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术75例报告

目的探讨腹腔镜下肾上腺肿瘤切除的方法和临床应用价值.方法1999年1月～2004年6月75例患者行腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术,其中采用经腹腔途径51例和经腹膜后途径24例.结果手术时间平均为(170.16±33.81)min,术中的出血量平均为(70.82±37.15)ml.术后平均住院时间为(5.87±1.01)d.中转开放手术2例(2.67%).发生并发症4例(5.33%),分别为膈肌损伤、胰腺损伤、肠道损伤、皮下血肿各1例.结论腹腔镜下行肾上腺肿瘤切除术具有创伤小,术中出血少,术后恢复快等优点,已经成为现代治疗肾上腺肿瘤的金标准.     

Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of human pineal gland,and pineal parenchymal tumors

We have studied 20 pineal parenchymal tumors (PPT) and 4 normal or cystic pineal glands both by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry with antibodies against glial markers [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and protein S-100] or neural/neuroendocrine markers [neurofilaments (NF), synaptophysin and chromogranin A]. Light microscopy revealed the cellular organization of pinealocytes in the normal gland and in different morphological types of pineal tumors (typical pineocytomas, PPT with intermediate differentiation, mixed PPT exhibiting elements of both pineocytoma and pineoblastoma and pineoblastomas). Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of GFAP and protein S-100 in interstitial cells in nonneoplastic pineal gland. Cell processes were labeled with anti-synaptophysin and anti-NF antibodies. No immunoreactivity was found for chromogranin A in non-neoplastic pineal gland. In pineocytomas, GFAP and protein S-100 were observed in interstitial cells. Synaptophysin and NF were present in the large rosettes of pineocytomas. Synaptophysin, NF and chromogranin A were present in pineocytomas with a lobular arrangement of cells. Anti-chromogranin A immuno-reactivity was also seen in lobular areas of some PPT with intermediate differentiation. Analysis of normal human pineal gland by electron microscopy showed the presence of vesicle-crowned rodlets (VCR or synaptic ribbons), fibrous filaments (F), paired twisted filaments but few dense-core vesicles (DCV) in normal pinealocytes. Tumoral pineal cells appeared to differentiate either towards a neurosensory pathway characterized by the presence of sensory cells elements (VCR and F), or towards a neuroendocrine pathway, with the occurrence of many DCV. Immunogold labeling demonstrated the presence of chromogranin A in neurosecretory granules.Supported by grants from the Région Rhône Alpes and from INSERM (CJF 90-10)     

Gingival salivary gland choristoma

A unique example of a gingival salivary gland choristoma together with a gingival cyst is described in a human autopsy specimen of periodontal tissues. A choristoma is a tumor-like growth which is derived from primordial cells which have been displaced from their original tissue or organ. Only 6 other examples of the gingival salivary gland choristoma have been described in the world literature.     

Sialolipoma of the hard palate

Sialolipoma is a new variant of salivary gland lipoma, which was first proposed by Nagao et al. (Histopathology 2001; 38: 30) in 2001. We report this rare case of sialolipoma in the hard palate. A 60-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department complaining of a painless swelling on the right side of the hard palate. Intra-oral examination revealed a soft, elastic, dome-shaped mass with 1 cm in diameter located in the posterior part of the hard palate. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed high intensity on T(1)-weighted image and isointensity on T(2)-weighted image. Incisional biopsy revealed that the tumor was encapsulated by fibrous tissue, consisted of adipose tissue, and also contained normal salivary gland tissue peripherally. First diagnosed as an ordinary lipoma of the hard palate, the tumor was excised. According to the recent criteria of histologic findings of sialolipoma, we rediagnosed the tumor as sialolipoma of the hard palate.     

Quantification of naturally occurring benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk

The possible occurrence of benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk was investigated in 35 healthy, newly delivered women who were known not to be taking benzodiazepines. Maternal blood samples and a sample of breast milk were obtained on the fifth post partum day. A radioreceptor technique (lower limit of detection 1.5 ng/ml; difference between duplicates at various concentrations <7%) was used for measuring benzodiazepine-like substances in blood and breast milk (with and without prior extraction). No benzodiazepine-like substances could be demonstrated in any of the blood samples taken from the 35 women. Measurable concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances were demonstrated in all but 1 of the 35 breast milk samples. The mean concentration of benzodiazepine-like substances for all 35 women was 4.3±2.3 ng/ml (range 0–9.3 ng/ml) expressed as lorazepam. The corresponding value for extracted breast milk was 2.6±1.5 ng/ml (range 0–7.0 ng/ml). There was no association between concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances in breast milk and maternal age, weight, height and body mass or parity, or the sex of the infant and infant birth weight. We suggest that non-detectable amounts of benzodiazepine-like substances in serum are concentrated in the mammillary glands and excreted in a higher concentration in breast milk. It is less likely that the relevant benzodiazepines are produced in the mammillary glands.     

166例涎腺腺样囊性癌的临床病理分析

目的 分析涎腺腺样囊性癌的临床病理特点。方法 对166例涎腺腺样囊性癌行临床资料总结和HE组织学观察。结果 本组腺样囊性癌占涎腺上皮性肿瘤的11．5％，占涎腺癌的27．0％；男性略多于女性；中年以上好发；发生于小涎腺者多于大涎腺，以腭部为最常见；腺样型103例，管状型42例，实性型2l例；Ⅰ级17例，Ⅱ级128例，Ⅲ级2l例。结论 需与基底细胞腺癌、涎腺导管癌、多形性低度恶性腺癌、上皮-肌上皮癌鉴别诊断；浸润性极强是其显著特点，手术治疗以局部大块切除为主要原则。