Search

Digital technology is rapidly becoming a preferred method for archiving and sharing information in medicine. The use of digital images to document microscopic features of tissue samples is easy and [...], Context.--Digital photography is commonly used to document microscopic features of tissue samples, but it relies on the capture of arbitrarily selected representative areas. Current technologic advances permit the review of an entire sample, some even replicating the use of a microscope. Objective.--To demonstrate the applicability of digital video to the documentation of histologic samples. Design.--A Canon Elura MC40 digital camcorder was mounted on a microscope, glass slide-mounted tissue sections were filmed, and the unedited movies were transferred to a Apple Mac Pro computer. Movies were edited using the software iMovie HD, including placement of a time counter and a voice recording. Results.--The finished movies can be viewed in computers, incorporated onto DVDs, or placed on a Web site after compression with Flash software. The final movies range, on average, between 2 and 8 minutes, depending on the size of the sample, and between 50 MB and 1.6 GB, depending on the intended means of distribution, with DVDs providing the best image quality. Conclusions.--Digital video is a practical methodology for documentation of entire tissue samples. We propose an affordable method that uses easily available hardware and software and does not require significant computer knowledge. Pathology education can be enhanced by the implementation of digital video technology.

Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) are characterized by the excessive and abnormal production of immunoglobulin molecules and very often include production of free light chains. (1,2) They are associated with a [...], * Context.--In plasma cell dyscrasias, involvement of the distal tubules is frequent and well characterized. In contrast, proximal tubules have only rarely been reported to show diagnostic pathology such as intracytoplasmic crystals. Objective.--To look for additional morphologic features that might be helpful in the diagnosis of proximal tubulopathy associated with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. Design.--We examined patients presenting with nonspecific renal symptoms who were found to have light chain restriction limited to proximal tubular epithelium by immunofluorescence. We correlated these results with light microscopy, electron microscopy, and the clinical findings. Results.--By immunofluorescence, 5 patients had light chain restriction in proximal tubular epithelium. By light microscopy, only 1 patient had focal rhomboid crystals in the proximal tubular epithelium; all other biopsies failed to show any discernible pathology within the proximal tubules or elsewhere in the kidney. By electron microscopy, proximal tubules from 2 patients showed crystals with a latticelike structure, whereas the remaining 3 patients had only prominent phagolysosomes. However, by immunoelectron microscopy, the lysosomal content showed light chain restriction (in 2 cases studied). Post-kidney biopsy, all patients were diagnosed with multiple myeloma or plasma cell dyscrasia. One patient developed renal failure and had recurrence of crystals in the allograft. Conclusions.--Light chain proximal tubulopathy may be associated with the presence of crystals or with the presence of phagolysosomes with light chain restriction as the sole abnormality. Both [kappa] and [lambda] light chains may be involved. The prognosis is variable and the pathology may recur in transplants. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131:1368-1372)

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus is a relatively uncommon GI malignancy. When it does occur, it metastasizes in only a small minority of patients. Spread of anal squamous cell carcinoma to the brain is exceedingly rare, and has been previously reported only three times in the medical literature. We report the case of a 67 year old male who was diagnosed on presentation with a poorly differentiated anal squamous cell carcinoma that already had a solitary metastasis to the liver. While the tumors were initially responsive to chemoradiotherapy, the patient's primary and liver lesions recurred. The patient then underwent synchronous abdominoperineal resection for the primary lesion and a liver lobectomy for the metastasis. Soon thereafter, the patient developed focal neurologic symptoms and was found to have an intracranial lesion that on biopsy demonstratedmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma. This case highlights the fact that patients with a previous history of anal squamous cell carcinoma can occasionally develop cerebral metastasis. Furthermore, cerebral metastases from anal squamous cell carcinoma portend a dismal prognosis even in the face of aggressive medical and surgical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]