Giuseppe Soda

Immunolocalization of Sperm Protein 17 in Human Testis and Ejaculated Spermatozoa

Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a highly conserved mammalian protein whose primary function is still poorly understood. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the human testis reveals the presence of Sp17 in some spermatocytes and abundantly in spermatids. All spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells appear to be immunonegative for Sp17, whereas some interstitial cells are immunopositive. IHC recognized two distinct populations (immunopositive or not for Sp17) in the ejaculated spermatozoa. Although it will be necessary to clarify why some ejaculated spermatozoa do not contain Sp17, its distribution suggests that this protein may be associated with some phases of germinal cell differentiation.

Oral focal mucinosis of the Tongue

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is an uncommon clinicopathological entity which is considered to be the oral counterpart of cutaneous focal mucinosis and cutaneous myxoid cyst. It is comprised of a clinically elevated mass with a histological feature of localised areas of myxomatous connective tissue. The present study adds a rare case of OFM of the tongue to the literature, and we present a review of the most characteristic oral myxomatous lesions.

Expression of human sperm protein 17 in melanophages of cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

tumour nests (Fig. 2D). Four smaller subcutaneous nodules (Fig. 1D) appeared on the buttocks and were removed in June 1999. The patient died in September 1999, 1 year after the initial diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with brain metastasis. Clinically, WDFA typically presents with solitary peripheral or mid-lung masses, usually < 5 cm. Microscopically, the tumour is composed of numerous complex, branching tubules lined by pseudostratified, nonciliated columnar cells with subnuclear and supranuclear cytoplasmic vacuoles, imparting an endometrioid appearance. Morules are found at the bases of glands in about 86–100% of cases. Histochemically and ultrastructurally, WDFA is characterized by the presence of plentiful glycogen and neuroendocrine-type granules in the cytoplasm. Immunostaining reveals the presence of chromogranin and neurone-specific enolase in a few glandular epithelial cells and more abundantly in morules. CEA is positive in 70% of cases. Our patient manifested typical clinical and pathological findings of WDFA, except for the occurrence of skin metastases. The original diagnosis from the transbronchial biopsy specimen was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, but the finding of morules in the skin tumours provided the clue to the final diagnosis of WDFA. These metastatic skin tumours had a vascular tumour-like appearance. Thus, WDFA needs to be differentiated clinically from benign angiomatous tumours, vascular malformation, angiosarcoma, lymphoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. These tumours, however, can be readily excluded on pathology. Histologically, WDFA should be differentiated from other clear-cell adenocarcinomas and endometrial adenocarcinomas; the differentiation may be achieved by the findings of nuclear uniformity, endometrioid appearance of the neoplastic glands, presence of morules, and chromogranin reactivity. In summary, this is probably the first documented case of cutaneous metastasis of WDFA. The skin metastases preceded the symptoms of the lung tumour and brain metastasis by more than 1 year. Thus, skin metastasis was the presenting sign of the WDFA in the present case, a rare occurrence in this rare type of lung cancer.

Tenascin Expression in Elastotic Cuffs of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

We studied immunohistochemically one thousand one hundred and thirty-seven cases of primary invasive breast cancers (NST) and adjacent normal mammary glands for tenascin expression, and compared their elastic content to verify if a relationship exists between tenascin expression and elastosis. Periductal, perivascular and stromal elastosis were graded on a scale from 0 to 3 (absent to massive). All carcinomas showed tenascin expression and elastosis with various histological appearances. In the adjacent breast, teanscon was distributed around the normal ducts or with extasia and uctal hyperplasia without atypia. Digestion of the sections with elastase prior to staining resulted in a loss of the specific staining reactions in all areas where elastosis was present. Tenascin staining was observed in the mesenchyme closely surrounding the neoplastic ducts and the cancer cell nests. Stromal tenascin staining appeared stronger in those carcinomas that exhibited marked desmoplastic reactions. The highly differentiated tumours contained more elastosis in their tumour tissue than the poorly differentiated ones, whereas tenascin expression was stronger in poorly differentiated tumours than well differentiated tumours. A strong staining for tenascin was observed in the elastotic cuff. Tenascin staining did not disappear afterwards with elastase. We did not find a statistically significant correlation between tenascin expression, elastosis and prognostic factors such as size of the tumour, lymph node metastasis, tumour necrosis and age. In our study tenascin proved to be an additional element in elastotic areas even though the significance of an association between elastosis and tenascin is still unknown, as is that of elastosis itself.

Superficial Leiomyosarcoma of the Glans: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Primary leiomyosarcomas of the penis are rare. Clinically and pathologically, these tumors fall into two groups: superficial and deep. Superficial lesions usually are low grade and show a limited tendency toward distant metastasis. In contrast, deep-seated tumors usually show a more aggressive behavior associated with a poor prognosis. A 62-year-old man with a superficial leiomyosarcoma of the glans penis is reported.Level of Evidence VThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

What could hemoptysis hide in an otherwise healthy child

We describe a previously healthy 12‐year‐old boy who attended our Department after a sudden episode of hemoptysis and recurrent consolidation. CT‐scan revealed a mediastinal tumor. The biopsy specimens taken from the mass showed a mature teratoma. Hemoptysis is an unusual presenting symptom in an otherwise healthy child with a well capsulated, unruptured mature mediastinal teratoma. In this report, hemoptysis prompted us to undertake the diagnostic work‐up that eventually disclosed the tumor. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1146–1148.

Short-Scar Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Glomus Tumor of the Digit

Background: A glomus tumor is a biologically benign neoplasm. The traditional surgical approach to treat this tumor boasts the lowest recurrence rates but may cause nail deformities. Objective: A short-scar surgical approach was applied, with the aim of preserving the aesthetics of the nail. Methods: Between January 1999 and January 2009, 25 patients who underwent surgery for a glomus tumor were included in the study. All patients underwent radical resection with three different surgical approaches based on the location of the tumor. Results: All patients who were operated on had complete regression of pain immediately after surgery and at postsurgery follow-ups. Conclusion: The treatment of glomus tumors consists of surgical excision, which is successful if properly executed. Excision of sensitive afferent nervous fibers is a prerequisite to achieve regression of pain. A short-scar surgical approach ensures complete eradication of the tumor and preservation of nail aesthetics.