John V. Groth

Mechanistic Insights and Characterization of Sickle Cell Disease Associated Cardiomyopathy

Background—Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to characterize sickle cell cardiomyopathy using multimodality noninvasive cardiovascular testing and identify potential causative mechanisms. Methods and Results—Stable adults with SCD (n=38) and healthy controls (n=13) prospectively underwent same day multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (cine, T2* iron, vasodilator first pass myocardial perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement imaging), transthoracic echocardiography, and applanation tonometry. Compared with controls, patients with SCD had severe dilation of the left ventricle (124±27 vs 79±12 mL/m2), right ventricle (127±28 vs 83±14 mL/m2), left atrium (65±16 vs 41±9 mL/m2), and right atrium (78±17 vs 56±17 mL/m2; P<0.01 for all). Patients with SCD also had a 21% lower myocardial perfusion reserve index than control subjects (1.47±0.34 vs 1.87±0.37; P=0.034). A significant subset of patients with SCD (25%) had evidence of late gadolinium enhancement, whereas only 1 patient had evidence of myocardial iron overload. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 26% of patients with SCD compared with 8% in controls. Estimated filling pressures (E/e′, 9.3±2.7 vs 7.3±2.0; P=0.0288) were higher in patients with SCD. Left ventricular dilation and the presence of late gadolinium enhancement were inversely correlated to hepatic T2* times (ie, hepatic iron overload because of frequent blood transfusions; P<0.05 for both), whereas diastolic dysfunction and increased filling pressures were correlated to aortic stiffness (augmentation pressure and index, P<0.05 for all). Conclusions—Sickle cell cardiomyopathy is characterized by 4-chamber dilation and in some patients myocardial fibrosis, abnormal perfusion reserve, diastolic dysfunction, and only rarely myocardial iron overload. Left ventricular dilation and myocardial fibrosis are associated with increased blood transfusion requirements, whereas left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is predominantly correlated with increased aortic stiffness. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01044901.

The effectiveness of annotated (vs. non‐annotated) digital pathology slides as a teaching tool during dermatology and pathology residencies

With todays technology, paraffin‐embedded, hematoxylin & eosin‐stained pathology slides can be scanned to generate high quality virtual slides. Using proprietary software, digital images can also be annotated with arrows, circles and boxes to highlight certain diagnostic features. Previous studies assessing digital microscopy as a teaching tool did not involve the annotation of digital images. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of annotated digital pathology slides versus non‐annotated digital pathology slides as a teaching tool during dermatology and pathology residencies.

Cerebral Aspergillosis in a Diabetic Patient Leading to Cerebral Artery Occlusion and Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cerebral aspergillosis is a rare and highly fatal hematogenous infection most commonly found in immune compromised patients. From the onset of neurologic symptoms, the median reported rate of survival is between 5 and 9 days. Compounded with increased hemorrhagic risks and the lack of specificity in both clinical presentation and traditional imaging, a fast and noninvasive method of definitive diagnosis is necessary if there is to be any hope for positive outcomes. We describe the case of a 50-year-old female diabetic with a history of otitis media, an uncharacterized inflammatory nasopharyngeal process, and prior ischemic strokes who presented with a new cerebral infarction in the setting of an angioinvasive fungal infection of the large cerebral arteries. We also present a literature review of aspergillosis detection and treatment in hopes that future cases will be diagnosed in a timely manner and more patients may be saved.

Osseous Rosai–Dorfman Disease Presenting as a Solitary Lesion of the Distal Radius

Rosai-Dorfman disease, also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare entity in which bone involvement occurs in less than 5% to 10% of patients and skeletal cases are usually multifocal. Extranodal solitary lesions of bone without nodal involvement or additional clinical manifestations are exceedingly rare. We present the clinical course and management of a 34-year-old African American woman who presented with the disease as a solitary lesion of the distal radius.

Myxoid-round cell liposarcoma: MRI appearance after radiation therapy and relationship to response

Liposarcomas are classified into 4 different subtypes, with the myxoid-round cell variant demonstrating increased morbidity and metastatic potential dependent on cell composition. Unique to sarcomas, the myxoid-round cell liposarcoma is remarkably sensitive to radiation therapy in the pretreatment setting, owing to the tumor morphology and vascular distribution. Herein we report a case of myxoid-round cell liposarcoma within the deep soft tissues of the thigh of an 81-year-old male with excellent neoadjuvant response to radiation. We briefly review treatment options.

A Rare Case of Epstein-barr Virus Negative Inflammatory Pseudotumor-like Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma Presenting as a Solitary Colonic Mass in a 53-year-old Woman; Case Report and Review of Literature

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare neoplasm that occurs predominantly in lymph nodes. One third of FDC sarcomas happens in extranodal sites. There are 2 morphologic variants of this tumor: conventional and inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT)-like. IPT-like FDC sarcomas are reported mostly in females and usually involve the spleen and liver. In all cases of IPT-like FDC sarcoma the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was positive by in situ hybridization except one instance. We report a case of 53-year-old woman who presented with abdominal discomfort. Colonoscopy identified a sessile polypoid mass. Microscopically, there was a prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Interspersed among the reactive lymphoid cells were large, pleomorphic stromal cells with marked atypia, irregular and multilobed nuclei, and hyperchromatic smudged chromatin. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the atypical stromal cells to be strongly positive for CD10 and D2-40, but negative for CD21, CD23, Clusterin, and epidermal growth factor receptor. EBV-encoded mRNA was negative. A diagnosis of IPT-like FDC sarcoma was rendered. To our knowledge, this is the second case of EBV-negative IPT-like FDC sarcoma reported so far in the literature.

Ductal Spread Versus High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia A Diagnostic Pitfall

Ductal spread (DS) of acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate can lead to an incomplete replacement of the benign epithelium by cancer cells, resulting in a lesion that can be indistinguishable from high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN). Kovi and colleagues demonstrated 30 years ago that there is a significant association between the presence of DS and local extent of invasive adenocarcinoma, making the distinction between DS and HGPIN clinically relevant. However, despite the existence of certain morphologic features that are suggestive of DS, a definitive differentiation between the aforementioned lesions cannot always be attained.

Palpitations in a 64-year-old man

A 64-year-old man presented with several weeks of intermittent irregular palpitations. He had no prior history of cardiac disease, hypertension or syncope. A 12-lead ECG revealed sinus rhythm with premature atrial and ventricular contractions and high QRS voltages consistent with LV-hypertrophy. Cardiac MR revealed asymmetrical septal hypertrophy and marked mid-myocardial hyperenhancement of the interventricular septum.