Granular cell tumors (myoblastomas) of the tracheobronchial tree

Abstract BackgroundPrimary tracheobronchial granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare. The characteristics of these tumors are unclear, and they are easily misdiagnosed. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and immunophenotype profile of these tumors of the tracheobronchial tree.MethodsFour patients were treated for GCTs of the tracheobronchial tree at our institution during 2009–2020. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings were performed in all cases. In addition, seven typical GCTs involving the subcutaneous tissues (4/7) and esophagus (3/7) were also selected as control groups to evaluate the differences in IHC characteristics in different locations. Fisher’s exact test was adopted in analysis of categorical data.ResultsThere were four patients, two females and two males, aged 15, 22, 45 and 52. Three tracheobronchial tumors were solitary with a range from 2.0 to 3.1 cm (mean, 2.6 cm) in its large axis, while one sample was multiple. Chest computed tomography (CT) often suggested lung infectious lesions. On histopathology, three samples were typical GCTs, and the other sample was atypical with a fusiform or spindled morphology. All tumor cells stained positive for S100 protein, CD68, and Nestin and negative for Inhibin-α and thyroid transcription factor-1（TTF-1）. The Ki-67 index was less than 5%. Tracheobronchial GCTs exhibited occasional focal and weakly positive transcription factor E3 (TFE3) staining and had a lower ratio than those in other sites, while calretinin showed predominant subcutaneous expression. Two patients treated with tumor resection and the others only performed an endoscopic biopsy. Follow-up period ranged from 24 to 68 months with a mean of 42 months.ConclusionsPrimary tracheobronchial GCTs are rare and are often mimics pneumonia, which have a good prognosis even without surgical resections. Tracheobronchial GCTs had an unusual immunophenotype of TFE3 expression compared with other sites. This result may reflect a site-specific phenomenon distinguishing GCTs of the tracheobronchial tree.

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Granular Cell Tumors of the Tracheobronchial Tree

Journal of Bronchology ◽

10.1097/00128594-199701000-00009 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 39-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John F. Conforti ◽

Digvijay Singh ◽

Carlos Ramirez ◽

Kevin L. Kovitz

Keyword(s):

Granular Cell ◽

Tracheobronchial Tree

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Pediatric granular cell tumor of the tracheobronchial tree

Journal of Pediatric Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2007.11.024 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 568-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Christine Finck ◽

Matthew Moront ◽

Christopher Newton ◽

Shaheen Timmapuri ◽

Jane Lyons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Granular Cell Tumor ◽

Granular Cell ◽

Tracheobronchial Tree ◽

Cell Tumor

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Silver Staining of Pancreatic Islets as Revealed by Electron Microscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100060234 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 44-45

Author(s):

Kazuaki Misugi ◽

Nobuko Misugi ◽

Hiroshi Yamada

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Islet ◽

Silver Staining ◽

Islet Cells ◽

Severe Hypoglycemia ◽

Granular Cell ◽

Electron Microscopic Level ◽

Staining Reaction ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Pancreatic Islet Cell ◽

D Cell

The authors had described the fine structure of a type of pancreatic islet cell, which appeared different from typical alpha and beta cells, and tentatively considered that this third type of granular cell probably represents the D cell (Figure 1).Since silver staining has been widely used to differentiate different types of pancreatic islet cells by light microscopy, an attempt to examine this staining reaction at the electron microscopic level was made.Material and Method: Surgically removed specimens from three infants who suffered from severe hypoglycemia were used. The specimens were fixed and preserved in 20% neutral formalin. Frozen sections, 30 to 40 micron thick, were prepared and they were stained by Bielschowsky's method as modified by Suzuki (2). The stained sections were examined under a microscope and islet tissues were isolated. They were fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in phosphate buffer for one hour and embedded in Epon 812 following dehydration through a series of alcohols and propylene oxide.

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Effect of verapamil on cytoplasmic distribution of granules and microfilaments in amphibian urinary bladder

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100103681 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 324-325

Author(s):

A.J. Mia ◽

L.X. Oakford ◽

T. Yorio

Keyword(s):

Urinary Bladder ◽

Water Flow ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Granular Cell ◽

Cytosolic Calcium ◽

Calcium Storage ◽

Amphibian Urinary Bladder ◽

Vesicular Membrane ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Cytoskeletal System

The amphibian urinary bladder has been used as a ‘model’ system for studies of the mechanism of action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in stimulating transepithelial water flow. The increase in water permeability is accompanied by morphological changes that include the stimulation of apical microvilli, mobilization of microtubules and microfilaments and vesicular membrane fusion events . It has been shown that alterations in the cytosolic calcium concentrations can inhibit ADH transmembrane water flow and induce alterations in the epithelial cell cytomorphology, including the cytoskeletal system . Recently, the subapical granules of the granular cell in the amphibian urinary bladder have been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium, and it was suggested that these cytoplasmic constituents may act as calcium storage sites for intracellular calcium homeostasis. The present study utilizes the calcium antagonist, verapamil, to examine the effect of calcium deprivation on the cytomorphological features of epithelial cells from amphibian urinary bladder, with particular emphasis on subapical granule and microfilament distribution.

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