Ovgu Aydin

Non-pustular palmoplantar psoriasis: is histologic differentiation from eczematous dermatitis possible?

Abstract:  The differential diagnosis of psoriasis affecting palmoplantar skin might be troublesome because of the anatomic properties of this region. Both palmoplantar psoriasis and eczematous dermatitis of this skin area share similar histologic features. The punch biopsies from 17 patients with psoriasis and 25 with eczematous dermatitis were evaluated, blind to the clinical diagnosis. Vertically situated multiple foci of parakeratosis, alternating with orthokeratosis, were the only statistically significant feature in the differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis [76.5% (13/17), p = 0.005]. In contrast, multiple foci of parakeratosis [70.6% (12/17)], loss of granular layer at least in focal areas [41.2% (7/17)], presence of neutrophils at the summits of parakeratosis [4% (1/17)], presence of neutrophils and/or plasma in the parakeratotoic foci [94.1% (16/17) and 11.8% (2/17)], psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia [88.2% (15/17)], spongiosis restricted to the lower parts of the epidermis [47.1% (8/17)], dyskeratotic cells [82.4% (14/17)], thinning of suprapapillary plate [58.8% (10/17)], edema of the papillary dermis [29.4% (5/17)], presence of tortous and dilated capillaries in the papillary dermis [52.9% (9/17) and 76.5% (13/17)] and extravasated erythrocytes [29.4% (5/17)] were found to be more common in palmoplantar psoriasis compared with eczematous dermatitis; but none of them was statistically significant. Interestingly, spongiotic vesicles were seen in most of the patients with psoriasis [76.5% (13/17)]. In conclusion, according to our findings, many features of palmoplantar psoriasis overlapped with those of eczematous dermatitis. However, detection of multiple parakeratotic foci, placed vertically, alternating with orthohyperkeratosis, could be considered in favor of palmoplantar psoriasis.

Malignant transformation arising from mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: A report of six cases

Aim:  Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is an uncommon complication. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of the lack of specific symptoms and signs indicating malignancy. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients and the role of surgery in their management.

Effects of Ankaferd on Anastomotic Healing of Colon

ABSTRACT Background: Ankaferd (Ankaferd blood stopper®, ABS) is a recently developed topical hemostatic agent. ABS is a standardized mixture of the plants Thymus vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpinia officinarum, and Urtica dioica. Through its effects on the endothelium, blood cells, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, vascular dynamics, and cell mediators; Ankaferd plays a part in inflammation and hemostasis processes. The aim of this experimental study is to assess the effects of ABS on the left colonic anastomoses under normal, septic, and ischemic conditions. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar Albino male rats were divided into six weight-matched equal groups: A, anastomosis in normal condition (n = 8); AA, anastomosis with ABS in normal condition (n = 8); AS, anastomosis in septic condition (n = 8); AAS, anastomosis with ABS in septic condition (n = 8); AI, anastomosis in ischemic condition (n = 8); and AAI, anastomosis with ABS in ischemic condition (n = 8). Blood and tissue samples were taken for the histopathological and biochemical studies after the anastomotic bursting pressures were measured. Results: Higher hydroxyproline levels (p = .048) and angiogenesis (p = .038) were observed in the sepsis-induced rats compared to the control group. The inflammatory activity, fibrosis, and granulation were comparable in all experimental groups. Ankaferd improved the angiogenesis under septic conditions (AAS) when compared to the control group (AI; p = .038). Conclusions: ABS may support anastomotic healing in septic conditions. Topical ABS application controlling the mucosal bleeding at the cut ends of the colon may also improve the anastomotic wound healing by means of increasing mechanical strength and positively affecting angiogenesis. Further studies shall focus on the clinical importance of those findings.

Receptor Expression Discrepancy between Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer Lesions

SummaryBackground: Recent studies have shown that the expression status of hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast cancer may change during disease progression. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 expression status in primary breast cancer and metastatic lesions. Methods: 58 patients with registered biopsy reports or available samples of the primary tumor and distant metastases were included in the final analysis. Biopsy samples were re-stained using immunohistochemical methods to determine receptor status (if not already recorded in previous reports) and re-examined by 2 independent pathologists. Results: Discordance rates for receptor expression status of the primary tumor and distant metastases for ER, PR, and HER2 were 17.4, 45.4, and 13.3%, respectively. No statistically significant difference in overall survival due to receptor expression discordance between the primary tumor and metastatic sites (p > 0.05) was found, although a tendency toward worse survival time was observed in patients with HER2 expression discrepancies. Conclusion: This study showed receptor discordance rates between primary and metastatic breast cancer sites for ER, PR, and HER2 of 17.8, 45.4, and 13.3%, respectively. Re-biopsy and IHC evaluation of metastatic sites for receptor status may change treatment decisions in patients with relapsed/progressed BC.

Low-grade osteosarcoma, review of 15 cases in a series of 156 osteosarcoma cases.

OBJECTIVE Osteosarcoma of the bone accounts for approximately 20% of all primary malignant bone tumors. Most cases (75-85%) are high-grade osteosarcomas. We aimed to introduce low-grade osteosarcomas that we found by retrospectively scanning our archives because of the diagnostic difficulties, rarity and different therapeutic approach required. MATERIAL AND METHOD We found 156 osteosarcoma cases in the archives of the Department of Pathology of Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine covering the period 2000 to 2010. These cases included 141 high-grade and 15 low-grade osteosarcomas. RESULTS Low-grade osteosarcomas made up 10.4% of all osteosarcomas. Age and sex distribution were 19 to 54 (median 33.6) with 9 females and 6 males. Most cases were located in the distal femur while others were in the proximal tibia, the left wrist, the distal tibia and the right knee. The tumors were generally made up of relatively well-formed trabeculae of woven bone surrounded by a moderately cellular spindle cell proliferation entangled in collagen fibers. Thirteen cases were reported as parosteal osteosarcoma, one as intramedullary well-differentiated osteosarcoma, and one as low-grade osteosarcoma metastasis in the lung. CONCLUSION Low-grade osteosarcomas account for approximately 3-5% of all osteosarcomas. They are more commonly seen in women and 9 cases out of 6 were female in our series. The average age was 33.6 (19-54). The distal femur was the most common localization as is typical in osteosarcomas. In contrast to high-grade lesions, surgery will be sufficient in low-grade osteosarcomas. The survival rate ranges from 90% to 100%. Differentiating low-grade osteosarcomas from high-grade osteosarcomas and benign lesions and using a multidisiplinary approach for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up periods are of vital importance.

Brenner tumor in pregnancy: Clinical approach and pathological findings

The Brenner tumor is an uncommon ovarian tumor in pregnancy with only three previous cases in the English published reports. A 35‐year‐old woman delivered abdominally because of distress symptoms and a Brenner tumor was resected incidentally. Histological examination revealed a tumor composed of epithelial nests and areas of stromal luteinization. The patient was treated conservatively. Brenner tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses during pregnancy. These tumors are mainly benign and show typical luteinization associated with the hormonal milieu in pregnancy.

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervix: A case report and review of the literature.

Highlights • To date, only 18 cases with primary signet cell carcinoma of the cervix has been reported.• Differentiation of primary tumour from metastatic signet cell carcinoma carries significant important while treatment and prognosis differ significantly.

A case of CD8+ small/medium‐sized pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoma: clinical and histopathological differential diagnosis

Conflicts of interest: R.M. and M.P.S. have received payments for conduction of clinical trials, as invited speaker or advisor, or for travel grants from the following companies: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Biogen IDEC GmbH, Essex Pharma GmbH, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma GmbH, Merck Serono GmbH, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Pfizer GmbH and Wyeth Pharma GmbH. M.P.S. has received research grants from Abbott and BiogenIdec, and has received consulting fees from Abbott, BiogenIdec, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Novartis Pharma and Pfizer.

Concomitant endometriosis in malignant and borderline ovarian tumours

Abstract The aim of the study was to reveal the prevalence of concomitant endometriosis in malignant and borderline ovarian tumours. A retrospective analysis was performed of 530 patients with malignant ovarian tumours and 131 with borderline ovarian tumours, who underwent surgery in our hospital between 1995 and 2011. Forty-eight (7.3%) of 661 patients with malignant and borderline ovarian tumours were associated with endometriosis. Of the 48 endometriosis cases, 73% of those were atypical. Infertility was noted in 38% of patients with endometriosis-associated ovarian tumours. The most frequently endometriosis-associated subtypes were endometrioid (33%) and clear cell (18%) histologies. Of endometriosis-associated endometrioid and clear cell ovarian tumours, 70% were early stage and 60% were premenopausal. The prevalence of concomitant endometriosis in borderline tumours (12%) was found to be significantly higher than that found in the malignant ones (6%; p = .02). Of 32 endometriosis-associated malignant ovarian tumours, 69% were FIGO stages I and II. In conclusion, ovarian endometriosis is seen with both malignant and borderline ovarian tumours, the association being significant with borderline tumours. Fortunately, the endometriosis-associated malignant ovarian tumours are mostly early stage. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Epidemiologic data suggest that endometriosis has malignant potential. However, a subgroup of women with endometriosis at a high risk for ovarian cancer is yet to be clarified. Currently, endometriosis and ovarian cancer association does not seem to have a clinical implication. What do the results of this study add? The findings of this study revealed that nearly 75% of endometriosis-associated ovarian tumours were of atypical endometriosis. Half of endometriosis-associated ovarian tumour cases were of endometrioid/clear cell histology and 70% were early-stage. Endometriosis was significantly associated with borderline ovarian tumours and the endometriosis-associated malignant ovarian tumours were mostly early stage. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Additional studies need to be conducted to develop screening approaches for malignant transformation or an association in women with endometriosis. Till that time, a change of current clinical practices cannot be justified. However, counselling and treating women with endometriosis who are at high risk for cancer coexistence or conversion is encouraged.