Cytologic and histologic samples from patients infected by the novel coronavirus 2019 SARS-CoV-2: An Italian institutional experience focusing on biosafety procedures

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, spread around the globe with dramatic and lethal effects. From the initial Chinese epicenter, the European diaspora taxed the resources of several countries and especially those of Italy, which was forced into a complete social and economic shutdown. Infection by droplets contaminating hands and surfaces represents the main vehicle of diffusion of the virus. The common and strong efforts to contain the pandemic have relevant effects on the management of samples from histopathology laboratories. The current commentary reports and focuses on the protocols and guidelines in use at a large tertiary Italian hospital that accordingly are proposed for adoption in Italian laboratories as a potential model for national guidelines for the coronavirus emergency.     

Breast Carcinoma with Metastasis to the Heart

Abstract: The purpose of this section is to present in pictorial form the diverse clinical, radiologic, and pathologic aspects of breast disorders.     

Silicone lymphadenopathy: Presentation of a further case containing asteroid bodies on fine‐needle cytology sample

Silicone lymphadenopathy is a recognized complication of breast augmentation. It is thought to occur when silicone droplets migrate from breast implants to lymph nodes. We report the cytologic findings in axillary and inguinal lymph node aspirate smears from a 35‐year‐old Italian woman, who came to our observation 10 years after bilateral cosmetic breast augmentation. A fine‐needle cytology of the axillary lymph node showed extensive granulomatous inflammation, numerous histiocytes, and multinucleated giant cells containing star‐shaped structures known as “asteroid bodies.” The inguinal lymph node aspirate simply showed an aspecific reactive hyperplasia. No evidence of malignancy was present in any of the smears as well as in the excised axillary lymph node. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:57–59. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular Distinction Between Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Abstract: The increasing use of screening mammography has led to an increased detection of high-risk proliferative breast disease and premalignant breast lesions. This change in the pattern of disease presentation has highlighted the existing limitations in the understanding of the biology of these entities. It has also emphasized the significance of deficiencies involved in the morphologic recognition of the spectrum of changes that occur in precursor lesions. The criteria for morphologic distinction between atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have remained controversial. There are also difficulties in subclassification of DCIS. To resolve some of these issues, attempts have been made to use new and emerging technologies to study these borderline breast lesions and to distinguish between ADH and DCIS. This article discusses the significance of the newly recognized biomarkers and emphasizes the need for further prospective studies.