Search

A 16-year-old woman presented with a painless, progressive, hard swelling in the left inferolateral orbital wall for the past 1 year. There was no diminution of vision or limitation of ocular motility. Imaging revealed an intraosseous, well-defined, expansile, soft tissue lesion in the inferolateral wall of the left orbit. A left anterior orbitotomy with complete surgical excision was performed. Histopathological evaluation of the specimen revealed fascicular pattern of spindle cells with a rich network of slit-like, branching blood vessels. Tumour cells exhibited smooth muscle actin and vimentin positivity but were negative for CD-34 and STAT-6. In absence of any systemic manifestation, a diagnosis of intraosseous solitary orbital myofibroma was made. The case highlights the importance of integrating clinical, radiological and histopathological features in overcoming the diagnostic challenge of differentiating myofibroma from other mesenchymal neoplasms. It also brings forth the importance of complete resection and curettage to prevent recurrence.

Klasik schwannomalar periferik sinir kılıfından köken alan iyi sınırlı benign tümörlerdir. Tüm schwannomaların yaklaşık %5 kadarını sellüler schwannomlar (SS) oluşturur. Fasiküler patern, yüksek sellülarite ve mitotik aktivite varlığı bazı vakalarda yanlış değerlendirme sonucu malign olarak tanı alabilir. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi ve Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Patoloji Laboratuarı arşivlerindeki 16 SS olgusu yeniden değerlendirildi. En sık görülen yerleşim yeri paravertebral/paraspinöz bölge olup bunu mediasten, ekstremiteler, gövde, adrenal bez ve dil takip ediyordu. İmmünohistokimyasal boyama uygulanan 15 vakanın tamamında S100 ile kuvvetli pozitivite görüldü. Ki 67 ile boyanma düşük-orta seviyelerde olup sellüler alanlarda %25’e varan ki 67 proliferasyon indeksi mevcuttu. SS tanısı bazen zorlayıcı olabilir ve histopatolojik özelliklerinin bilinmesi olası yanlış tanı ve gereksiz tedavileri önlemek açısından önemlidir. Bu çalışmada iki merkezin arşivlerindeki SS olgularının klinikopatolojik özelliklerinin incelenmesi ve literatür ile karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır.

To assess the feasibility of using ultrasound (US) image features related to the median nerve echogenicity and shape for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) diagnosis.In 31 participants (21 healthy participants and 10 patients with CTS), US images were collected with a 30-MHz transducer from median nerves at the wrist crease in 2 configurations: a neutral position and with wrist extension. Various morphologic features, including the cross-sectional area (CSA), were calculated to assess the nerve shape. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly results in loss of visualization of the nerve fascicular pattern on US images. To assess this phenomenon, we developed a nerve-tissue contrast index (NTI) method. The NTI is a ratio of average brightness levels of surrounding tissue and the median nerve, both calculated on the basis of a US image. The area under the curve (AUC) from a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and t test were used to assess the usefulness of the features for differentiation of patients with CTS from control participants.We obtained significant differences in the CSA and NTI parameters between the patients with CTS and control participants (P .01), with the corresponding highest AUC values equal to 0.885 and 0.938, respectively. For the remaining investigated morphologic features, the AUC values were less than 0.685, and the differences in means between the patients and control participants were not statistically significant (P .10). The wrist configuration had no impact on differences in average parameter values (P .09).Patients with CTS can be differentiated from healthy individuals on the basis of the median nerve CSA and echogenicity. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not manifested in a change of the median nerve shape that could be related to circularity or contour variability.

Neurothekeoma (NTK) is a specific benign soft tissue tumor, typically involving the skin of the head and neck area as well as the upper part of the body in young age with female predominance. It has a typical lobular pattern of growth but often displays atypical features such as myxoid stroma or fascicular pattern, which makes the diagnosis more difficult and may necessitate the use of immunohistochemical staining to differentiate NTK from nerve sheath tumor. Ocular NTK in general is very rare with only 11 cases previously reported. We are presenting a case of recurrent mixed cellular/myxoid NTK involving the lateral canthal area of a 16-year-old-boy and we demonstrate the diagnostic challenge in such cases to attract the attention of ophthalmologists and pathologist to the rare occurrence of NTK in the ocular region.

Objective To assess the accuracy of MR neurography (MRN) for the diagnosis for brachial plexopathy. Materials and methods Forty-three 43 consecutive cases or MRN with electrodiagnostic study correlation were reviewed independently by 2 readers. Established diagnostic criteria were employed: increased signal intensity, enlargement, loss of fascicular pattern, perineural edema and enhancement after administration of gadolinium contrast. An additional 37 cases without electrodiagnostic correlation were included in a second portion of the study, which evaluated interobserver variability. Results The sensitivity of MRN ranged from 41.2% to 70.6%. Specificity was 97.7% to 100%. There was good interobserver agreement, with kappa value of 0.658. Odds ratio for agreement between observers at 3 T vs. 1.5 T was 1.30. Conclusions MRN of the brachial plexus showed only moderate sensitivity to brachial neuritis. Interobserver agreement was slightly higher at 3 T than at 1.5 T. MRN can be helpful in confirming an abnormal brachial plexus, but a normal MRN appearance of the plexus should not negate a clinical diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography refers to a set of techniques that enable the structure of the peripheral nerves and nerve plexuses to be evaluated optimally. New two-dimensional and three-dimensional neurographic sequences, in particular in 3T scanners, achieve excellent contrast between the nerve and perineural structures. MR neurography makes it possible to distinguish between the normal fascicular pattern of the nerve and anomalies like inflammation, trauma, and tumor that can affect nerves. In this article, we describe the structure of the sciatic nerve, its characteristics on MR neurography, and the most common diseases that affect it.

Peripheral nerves in different body locations display different echotextures on ultrasound imaging, and knowledge of peripheral nerve echotexture is helpful for locating target nerves. However, the degree of echogenicity is often difficult to characterize. We aimed to define objectively the degree of echogenicity of peripheral nerves using grayscale measurements and compare nerve echotexture with matched histologic samples.Ultrasound images of peripheral nerves in 12 body locations were obtained in 20 healthy subjects using linear 8- to 12-MHz and curved 3- to 5-MHZ transducers. Corresponding nerve segments from 2 cadavers were imaged in vitro before they were sectioned for histologic examination. Nerve echogenicity was assessed by an objective grayscale (G) and a subjective echogenicity index (SEI) determined by experienced evaluators. The results of G and SEI in selected peripheral nerves were compared and correlated with histologic morphometry.There is a close correlation between SEI and G (P0.05). Mixed echogenicity was seen in 30% of the peripheral nerves; 25.4% were predominantly hypoechogenic, and 44.5% hyperechogenic. Nerves in the neck and upper arm are more frequently hypoechoic, whereas those in the leg are more frequently hyperechoic. Histologically, differences in echogenicity are dependent on fascicle diameter and on nerve fascicular pattern, that is, differing ratios of fascicle number to total nerve area.This study suggests that grayscales can be used to objectively determine echogenicity and shows that grayscale measurements match well with subjective visual grading. Histologic analysis showed that both ratio of total fascicular area to whole nerve area and fascicular pattern are important determinants of echogenicity.

Benign dermatofibroma is very common skin tumor and can very rarely metastasize. We report a case of metastasizing dermatofibroma on a 36-year-old woman who presented multiple bilateral lung nodules. She underwent incisional biopsy for cellular dermatofibroma of the right shoulder 7 years ago. Chest computed tomographic scanning shows multiple nodules in both lung fields. Segmental and wedge resections were done. Grossly, the masses were hemorrhagic cysts. Microscopically, there were dilated cystic airspaces. The airspaces were lined by respiratory and metaplastic squamous epithelium with underlying layers of fibrohistiocytic spindle cells with storiform and fascicular pattern. The tumor cells stained for CD68 and CD10. The lung mass shows same histologic features with skin lesion.

Pure neuritic leprosy has always been an enigma due to its clinical and management ambiguities. Although only the Indian Association of Leprologist's classification recognizes 'pure neuritic leprosy' as a distinct sub group of leprosy, cases nonetheless are reported from various countries of Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, indicating its global relevance. It is important to maintain pure neuritic leprosy as a subgroup as it constitutes a good percentage of leprosy cases reported from India, which contributes to more than half of global leprosy numbers. Unfortunately, a high proportion of these patients present with Grade 2 disability at the time of initial reporting itself due to the early nerve involvement. Although skin lesions are absent by definition, when skin biopsies were performed from the skin along the distribution of the affected nerve, a proportion of patients demonstrated leprosy pathology, revealing sub-clinical skin involvement. In addition on follow-up, skin lesions are noted to develop in up to 20% of pure neuritic leprosy cases, indicating its progression to manifest cutaneous disease. Over the decades, the confirmation of diagnosis of pure neuritic leprosy has been subjective, however, with the arrival and use of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) for nerve imaging, we have a tool not only to objectively measure and record the nerve thickening but also to assess the morphological alterations in the nerve including echo texture, fascicular pattern and vascularity. Management of pure neuritic leprosy requires multidrug therapy along with appropriate dose of systemic corticosteroids, for both acute and silent neuritis. Measures for pain relief, self-care of limbs and physiotherapy are important to prevent as well as manage disabilities in this group of patients.

We report a case of iatrogenic common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury during a straight-leg raising test. Significant swelling in the CPN was observed on ultrasound, most likely due to the loss of the normal fascicular pattern. A postoperative pathological diagnosis indicated a sheath ganglion and high degree of mucinous degeneration of the CPN. A follow-up 3 months after the operation showed marked improvement in the patient's symptoms, corroborated by an electromyogram.

Schwannoma is a well-defined tumor arising from the nerve sheath. It may present as a solitary mass in any part of the body, but is more commonly seen in the head, neck and extremities. We describe a 32-year-old female patient with a small dermal nodule on the forehead, which was 2 cm in diameter, round and of a cystic nature. Microscopic examination revealed that it consisted of compact spindle cells arranged partly in short bundles or a fascicular pattern with outstanding cystic degeneration manifested as a large, unilocular cavity in the center of the tumor tissue. The tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein and negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), while the tumor capsule was positive for EMA. There was no S-100-positive membrane-like structure lining the cyst wall.

Background. 10% of ovarian fibromatous tumours typically exhibit increased cellularity, mitotic activity, and less frequently nuclear atypia. Therefore, the classification within the group of fibromatous tumours may represent some difficulties, thus, one or several of these features should appear. Case. We introduce the clinical and pathologic features based on one case of recurrence of a mitotically active cellular ovarian fibroma (MACF) in the pararectal fossa. This recurrence took place six years after primary surgery. Macroscopically, the tumour was firm, fibrous, well delimited, yellow-white without gross necrosis. On microscopic examination, it was composed of a densely cellular proliferation of fibrolastic-like cells with bland nuclear features and arranged in a fascicular pattern. There was no sign of significant atypia or necrosis. Conclusion. Recently, this case is the first report of a recurrence of MACF, following primary surgery with no tumoral rupture or surgical difficulty. The clinical outcome of ovarian cellular fibromas (CFs) and MACFs is typically uneventful. This case, however, strongly suggests maintaining a long-term clinical follow-up even though the principal tumour was surgically treated without tumour rupture or in the absence of adherence or any surgical difficulty., Journal Article, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Sciatic nerve is the largest peripheral nerve of the human body. It gives motor and sensitive innervation for the most of lower limb. The aim of the present investigation was revealing his fascicular pattern in relation to microanatomic morphometric characteristics of its connective tissue sheaths. The material consisted of sciatic nerve slices, excised from 17 cadavers of humans aging 8–93 years. After routine histologic processing and light microscopic examination of the preparations, morphometric analysis was performed at magnifications of 40 and 630×. Sciatic nerve showed to be polyfascicular nerve type, with the group pattern of nerve fascicless distribution. The number of fascicless ranged from 27 to 70, whereas the number of fascicless per square millimeter was 1–4. Morphometric and correlation analysis confirmed the significant increase of whole sciatic nerve cross section area, which was associated with the significant increase of its epi- and perineural connective tissue sheaths. Interfascicular sciatic nerve domains of elderly persons contained more adipose tissue. Moreover, already detected loss and degeneration of the large myelinated nerve fibers within fascicles was accompanied by the significant increase of endoneural connective tissue. In conclusion, our study revealed comparative connective tissue enlargement of human sciatic nerve in the course of aging. These phenomena might influence on result of injured nerve’s surgical reparations. We interpret this finding as non-specific compensatory phenomenon elicited by loss of thickest myelinated nerve fibers, higher vulnerability of remaining ones, and age-dependent decrease of connective tissue elasticity.

Combined tumors showing histologic features of both ependymoma and subependymoma have been described. In this report we present a case of combined tanycytic ependymoma with foci of subependymoma (WHO grade II), occurring in a 40 year-old male, which arose in the wall of the lateral ventricle. The tanycytic ependymoma component showed elongated fibrillary cells with a fascicular pattern of growth, while the subependymoma component showed clustered cell bodies surrounded by a fibrillary stroma with a microcystic appearance.We consider the present case to be an unusual example of tanycytic ependymoma; which to the best of our knowledge has not been associated with a subependymoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magic angle effects are well recognized in MR imaging of tendons and ligaments, but have received virtually no attention in MR neurography. We investigated the hypothesis that signal intensity from peripheral nerves is increased when the nerve’s orientation to the constant magnetic induction field (B0) approaches 55° (the magic angle). METHODS: Ten volunteers were examined with their peripheral nerves at different orientations to B0 to detect any changes in signal intensity and provide data to estimate T2. Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis also had their median nerves examined at 0° and 55°. RESULTS: When examined with a short TI inversion-recovery sequence with different TEs, the median nerve showed a 46 –175% increase in signal intensity between 0° and 55° and an increase in mean T2 from 47.2 to 65.8 msec. When examined in 5° to 10° increments from 0° to 90°, the median nerve signal intensity changed in a manner consistent with the magic angle effect. No significant change was observed in skeletal muscle. Ulnar and sciatic nerves also showed changes in signal intensity depending on their orientation to B0. Components of the brachial plexus were orientated at about 55° to B0 and showed a higher signal intensity than that of nerves in the upper arm that were nearly parallel to B0. A reduction in the change in signal intensity in the median nerve with orientation was observed in the two patients with rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Signal intensity of peripheral nerves changes with orientation to B0. This is probably the result of the magic angle effect from the highly ordered, linearly orientated collagen within them. Differences in signal intensity with orientation may simulate disease and be a source of diagnostic confusion. Neurography is an expanding application of MR imaging (1, 2). The technique typically involves the use of surface coils and a high-spatial-resolution fat-suppressed T2-weighted or short TI inversion-recovery (STIR) fast spin-echo pulse sequence. Nerves are identified in transverse section by their fascicular pattern. Abnormalities are recognized by differences in shape, size, and contour of the nerves, as well as by the changes in signal intensity. Common applications include the brachial plexus (3–9), the median nerve in

A 79-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic mass which had been growing slowly for the last five years. Physical examination showed a soft, mobile, spheroid, 1.2×1.2×1.2 cm sized subcutaneous nodule covered with normal skin in the left infraorbital area. The lesion was completely excised under a clinical suspicion of an epidermal cyst and there has been no recurrence since. Histologically, the mass was completely lying within an expanded vessel (figure 1). In the periphery of the lesion, there were small foci of diversely-branching vascular channels with the spindle cells in a fascicular pattern (figure 2). There was also proliferation of short oval-to-spindle cells with eosinophilic …

Histologically it is often difficult to differentiate malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) from leiomyosarcoma. Sixty-three cases formerly diagnosed as pleomorphic soft tissue sarcomas were examined by immunohistochemistry. We identified three different types according to its positivity for the myogenic markers: A) positive cells with a fascicular pattern, 13 cases (26%); B) a small number of scattered positive cells, 29 cases (57%); C) negative for markers, 9 cases (17%). We reassessed 51 MFHs as follows: A type as pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma, B+C types as MFH. Pleomorphic leiomyosarcomas were also positive for collagen type IV around the compactly arranged individual tumor cells. An imunohistochemical analysis and detection of fascicular structures are thus considered to be necessary in order to distinguish between leiomyosarcoma and MFH.

2, Gyeonggi, Korea Purpose: To report a case of orbital leiomyoma presenting with proptosis. Case summary: A 69‐year‐old woman presented with a 3‐month history of proptosis in her left eye. Intraocular pressure was 17 mmHg in her right eye and 23 mmHg in her left eye. There was a left hypotropia on upgaze. A fundus examination showed retinal folds in the superotemporal area in her left eye. Computed tomography revealed a 2.6 cm‐sized well‐defined enhancing solid mass in the superotemporal extraconal space of the left orbit, pushing her left eye forward. Lateral orbitotomy, tumor removal, and biopsy were performed. Pathological findings showed a fascicular pattern of benign spindle cells with mild cellular pleomorphism and hyaline degeneration, without mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical stain was positive with smooth muscle actin (SMA), which was compatible with orbital leiomyoma.

Purpose: To present a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) in the orbit. Case summary: A 66-year-old man was evaluated for swelling of the left upper eyelid without pain that developed 2 months earlier. ACT scan and MRI of the orbit showed a large superior orbital mass with adjacent bony erosion, which had a central necrotic area. Incisional biopsy of the orbital mass was performed through a sub-brow incision. Histopathologic examination revealed a hypercellular tumor composed of spindle-shaped pleomorphic cells arranged in a fascicular pattern with necrotic foci. High-power magnification showed mitotic figures and nuclear pleomorphism. Subsequently, a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor was diagnosed. Conclusions: The possibility of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an orbital mass which grows rapidly and shows bone invasion. Salvage surgery should be performed promptly to increase the likelihood of long-term survival.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rarely noted in association with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1, von Recklinghausen disease) as an individual gastrointestinal manifestation. We report here a case of multiple GISTs with an abundant skeinoid fiber in the jejunum of a 43-year-old woman diagnosed as NF-1. Histologically, the tumors were composed of uniform spindle-shaped cells with a fascicular pattern, almost indistinguishable from the histology characteristic of usual GISTs. However, multiple synchronous tumor occurrence, abundant skeinoid fiber, and presence of microscopic miniatures of stromal tumors are additional characteristic features of this case.

Carcinosarcoma of the adrenal gland is an extremely rare variant of adrenocortical carcinoma, characterized by a biphasic pattern of carcinoma and sarcoma-like components. We report a case of adrenal carcinosarcoma occurring in a 61-year-old Korean man who presented with right flank pain of one month duration radiating to the back and right iliac crest. The tumor measured 12 x 12 x 7 cm and adhered to the liver and right upper pole of the kidney. The carcinomatous component of the tumor showed polygonal cells in a broad anastomosing trabecular pattern with delicate slit-like vascular channels; the sarcomatous component showed uniform spindled cells in a fascicular pattern. Both the carcinomatous and sarcomatous portions of the tumor were positive for pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin stained only the sarcomatous areas.

Antibodies to adult-type myosin and myoglobin from chicken gizzard were used to study the expression of these proteins during chicken embryogenesis. Using the indirect immunofluorescent technique, myosin was detected as discrete fluorescent foci in the central part of the presumptive chicken gizzard as early as day 5 of development. During the following days, immunoreactive myosin extends both craniocaudally as well as laterally and reaches the serosal and luminal borders by day 13/14. On day 16, the adult fascicular pattern is achieved. As judged by enzymelinked immunoassay and spectroscopic methods, myoglobin did not appear until day 18.

This study investigated nerve regeneration through a pseudosynovial sheath in a primate. After resecting a 3-cm segment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, the two ends of the divided nerve were placed at either end of the pseudosynovial tube, positioning the nerve ends such that they were separated by a 3-cm gap. Histologic evaluation at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months demonstrated evidence of nerve regeneration across this gap. Nerve fiber diameter and density assessment demonstrated a maturation of the fiber pattern with time. The overall morphologic pattern of the regenerating nerve within the pseudosheath was that of multiple small fascicles, each within its own perineurial compartment. This pattern resembled neither the proximal nor distal nerve fascicular pattern.

The lateral antebrachial cutaneous and digital nerves were compared by a histomorphometric method in each patient from a series of patients in whom a digital nerve was grafted with the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve as donor. Statistical analysis by the paired Student's t test of paired data sets from all patients showed that there was no significant difference between the two nerves in regard to the following parameters: fascicular area, area of the entire nerve bundle, and percent of the nerve bundle occupied by the actual nerve fascicles. These data, together with other observations reported here, strongly support the hypothesis that the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve closely resembles the original fascicular pattern of the digital nerve and is, therefore, a highly suitable donor for the digital nerve.

• A 30-year-old woman had a nontender subcutaneous mass over the left temple that histologically demonstrated a mixed pattern of mature lipocytes and spindle cells, many in a palisading and fascicular pattern, separated by fibrous trabeculations. No cellular atypia or increased mitotic activity was seen, and a predominance of mast cells was noted. This case illustrates the spindle cell lipoma, a benign variant of lipoma that has been confused in the past with both malignant spindle cell and lipocytic tumors. Our case, although atypical in sex, age, and location, serves to identify this entity in the dermatologic literature. ( Arch Dermatol 114:1065-1066, 1978)