Search

Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease that is characterized by non-caseating epithelioid-cell granulomas upon histology. However, similar histological findings may also be seen with certain infections. Thus, differentiation from infection is pivotal to ensure appropriate treatment. Here, we present a case of a disseminated infection with Mycobacterium genavense owing to an interleukin 12 receptor subunit beta 1 (IL-12Rβ1) associated immunodeficiency in a previously healthy female who was initially misdiagnosed with sarcoidosis. M. genavense is a nontuberculous mycobacterium which can cause lymphadenopathy, gastrointestinal and bone marrow infiltration in immunocompromised patients. With this case report we aim to highlight that an infection with M. genavense on the ground of a genetic defect of mycobacterial immune control may represent a rare differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis.Case Presentation: A 31-year-old female was referred to our hospital with progressive lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and systemic inflammation. She had previously been evaluated for generalized lymphadenopathy in another hospital. At that time, lymph node biopsies had revealed sarcoid-like lesions and a systemic corticosteroid treatment was initiated based on a putative diagnosis of sarcoidosis. When her condition worsened, she was transferred to our university clinic, where the diagnosis of disseminated M. genavense infection owing to an inborn interferonopathy was made. Her family history revealed that her brother had also suffered from IL-12Rβ1 deficiency and had died from a systemic infection with M. genavense at the age of 21. The patient received antimycobacterial treatment combined with subcutaneous type I interferon, which eventually led to a gradual improvement over the next months.Conclusions: Differentiating between sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like lesions secondary to infections may be challenging, especially when pathogens are difficult to detect or not expected in an apparently immunocompetent patient. Patients with IL-12Rβ1-associated immunodeficiency may be asymptomatic until adulthood, and disseminated M. genavense infection on the grounds of an IL-12Rβ1-associated immunodeficiency may represent a rare differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sarcoid-like reaction is often seen in various types of carcinoma, not only in the primary tumor, but also in regional lymph nodes, and can occur at any time, not only at the time of diagnosis, but also after treatment. However, few cases of hepatopancreatobiliary carcinoma, and no cases of gallbladder cancer with sarcoid-like reaction involving the lymph nodes have been described. This report is the first report of a sarcoid-like reaction involving the lymph nodes in a case of gallbladder cancer. Case presentation We encountered a rare case of gall bladder cancer with sarcoid-like reaction in the lymph nodes. Since regional lymph node swelling that was difficult to differentiate from metastasis was found preoperatively, swollen nodes were examined histologically using frozen sections. Based on this histology, the swollen nodes were diagnosed as showing sarcoid reaction and therefore extended lymphadenectomy was avoided. The patient did not receive any adjuvant chemotherapy and has shown no recurrence of disease as of 4 years after surgery. Conclusion Distinguishing between metastasis and sarcoid-like reaction in lymph nodes by preoperative imaging is still difficult. The present case shows that it is important to histologically examine swollen nodes by biopsy or by sampling before deciding on the treatment strategy for gall bladder cancer with swollen lymph nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Melanotic Xp11 translocation renal cancer is a rare tumor belonging to the family of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF)/transcription factor E (TFE) neoplasms. This tumor family also includes alveolar soft part sarcoma, perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms, Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. To date, six confirmed melanotic Xp11 translocation cancers (five renal, one ovarian) have been reported in the literature. Case report: Here, we report the clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of a unique melanotic Xp11 translocation renal cancer arising in a 34-year old African-American female. Histologically, the tumor was composed of epithelioid tumor cells arranged in a nested pattern. The cells had clear to eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, vesicular nuclear chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. Multifocal intracytoplasmic deposits of granular brown melanin pigment were identified and confirmed by Fontana-Masson stain. An unusual histologic feature, not previously reported in melanotic Xp11 translocation renal cancer, was a sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction consisting of tight epithelioid granulomas with lymphocytic cuffing, numerous giant cells, and calcifications. Nuclear transcription factor E3 expression was identified by immunohistochemistry and TFE3 rearrangement was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Additional immunohistochemical findings included immunoreactivity for HMB45, cathepsin K, and progesterone receptor; negative staining was seen with actin, desmin, cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, CD10, vimentin, and PAX-8. The patient is currently free of disease, two years following initial clinicoradiologic presentation and twenty-two months following partial nephrectomy without additional therapy. Conclusion: This report further expands the spectrum of morphologic and clinical findings previously described in melanotic Xp11 translocation renal cancer, a distinctive tumor showing overlapping features between Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms. Virtual slides: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/7225796341180634 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]