Füruzan Kacar

Abscess of the spleen

Abscess of the spleen is a very rare lesion. In this study, 4 cases of splenic abscess are presented and discussed along with the literature. The cases were between 16 and 55 years-old and two of them had hematologic malignancy. All of them had been operated on because of acute abdomen, and in two cases splenic rupture was present. Only in one of the cases was salmonellosis detected by microbiological methods. By histological examination, expansion and congestion in splenic sinusoids, and foci of abscess including wide areas of necrosis and inflammatory infiltration by neutrophils were seen in all cases. The most frequent cause of splenic abscess is septic embolism arising from bacterial endocarditis. There are also a few splenic abscess cases seen with malignancies. While splenic abscess is seen rarely, it has a high rate of mortality when it is diagnosed late.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the mediastinum

A mediastinal mass was found in a 37 year old male who presented with fever, weight loss and fatigue. The chest CT revealed a 9×6×4 cm well circumscribed mass located paratracheally in the upper mid-mediastinum. The mass was removed by right thoracotomy. Macroscopically the tumor weighed 195 g and measured 9×6×4 cm. Microscopically the tumor consisted of small blue cells in solid and trabeculer patern. Immunohistochemical studies performed for differential diagnosis of small blue cell tumors. The tumor was diagnosed as primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the mediastinum. This case is presented for its rare recurrence in that particular location.

The reliability of long‐term storage of direct immunofluorescent staining slides at room temperature

Background:  Long‐term preservation of immunofluorescence is important for re‐examinations. We investigated whether the storage of direct immunofluorescent (DIF)‐positive slides at room temperature was reliable in daily practice.

Pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis evolving to large cell lymphoma in the skin.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is an angiodestructive, angioinvasive lymphoproliferative disorder. It involves most frequently lungs, central nervous system and skin. Recent studies indicate that lymphomatoid granulomatosis is an Epstein-Barr virus associated B cell disorder with a background of reactive T lymphocytes. In a 49 year old woman presenting with fever, malaise and pulmonary masses the diagnosis of lymphomatoid granulomatosis was established histologically by open lung biopsy. Following the initial diagnosis the patient was found to have gastric and skin involvement. The skin lesion was diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.