Search

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of pancreas is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with a low metastatic potential. Up to 10% of patients with localized disease at presentation will develop systemic metastases, usually in the peritoneum or the liver. Due to the rarity of SPNs and the overall excellent prognosis, reliable prognostic factors to predict malignant biological behavior remain undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to define clinical, histological, and microRNA patterns that are associated with metastatic disease. We conducted a retrospective single center study on all patients operated for SPN of pancreas between 1995 and 2018. Clinical and pathological data were collected, and expression patterns of 2,578 human microRNAs were analyzed using microRNA array (Affimetrix 4.1) in normal pancreases (NPs), localized tumors (LTs), and metastatic tumors (MTs). The diagnosis of SPN was confirmed in 35 patients who included 28 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 33.8 ± 13.9 years. The only clinical factor associated with metastases was tumor size (mean tumor size 5.20 ± 3.78 in LT vs. 8.13± 1.03 in MT, p < 0.012). Microscopic features of malignancy were not associated with metastases, nor were immunohistochemical stains, including the proliferative index KI67. Higher expressions of miR-184, miR-10a, and miR-887, and lower expressions of miR-375, miR-217, and miR-200c were observed in metastatic tissues on microarray, and validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hierarchal clustering demonstrated that the microRNA expression pattern of MTs was significantly different from that of LTs. The only clinical factor associated with metastases of SPN of pancreas was tumor size. Histological features and immunohistological staining were not predictive of metastases. A panel of six microRNAs was differentially expressed in MTs, and these findings could potentially be used to predict tumor behavior. Validation of these results is needed in larger series.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) tends to be associated with elderly male, non-significant head trauma and anticoagulation therapy. The origin of the hematoma is believed to be a tear in a bridging vein. A CSDH rarely develops acute symptoms, but is rather characterized by progressive neuro-cognitive impairment and/or focal neurological deficits. Head trauma can be identified as the cause of a CSDH in about 60% of cases.We describe an unusual case of a spontaneous non-traumatic of CSDH in a middle aged female patient. This CSDH demonstrated a more therapy resistant behavior and more extensive surgical evacuation was necessary. The final pathology report revealed extramedullary hematopoietic tissue. Keywords: Extra medullary hematopoiesis, Chronic sub-dural hematoma, Spontaneous, Craniectomy

Brain infestation caused by the metacestode of Taenia multiceps is a rare phenomenon in humans, but is fairly common among sheep in Mediterranean countries. No more than 150 human cases have been reported. In this present study, we report an unusual case of a huge intra-parenchymal cyst in a four-year-old girl caused by T. multiceps. No cross-reactivity between Echinococcus granulosus and T. multiceps antigens was demonstrated. After surgical removal of the cyst, followed by chemotherapeutic treatment with albendazole combined with praziquantel, the child recovered completely.

Malignant melanoma, a malignant neoplasm of epidermal melanocytes is the third most common skin cancer. In many cases, melanoma develops from nevus, which is considered as the nonmalignant stage. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR-MSP), which is based on characteristic molecular vibrational spectra of cells, was used to investigate spectral differences between melanoma, nevus, and the corresponding normal epidermis. In the present work, FTIR-MSP was performed on formalin-fixed biopsies of melanoma and nevi along with the adjoining histologically normal epidermis to understand the biochemical variations from the epidermis and identify suitable parameters for differentiation of nevi from melanoma. The comparative analysis of various parameters calculated from the spectral data of the normal epidermis and the abnormal regions showed that the changes in the nucleic acids was a significant indicator of the abnormal nature of the tissues. The RNA/DNA ratio was decreased in case of both melanoma and nevus compared to the epidermis. The amide II/amide I ratio was greater for nevus and melanoma compared to the epidermis. In contrast to other organs, the analysis of carbohydrates was not found as a suitable indicator in case of malignant melanoma. Shifts in band wave number were found to be a major distinguishing feature between the melanoma and compound nevi. The present study helps in the identification of spectral features suitable for distinction of melanoma from nevus that appear similar even in FTIR spectral features and thus can pave the way for development of in vivo screening systems based on these diagnostic markers.