Spinal Manifestation of Malignant Primary (PLB) and Secondary Bone Lymphoma (SLB)

Manifestation of malignant lymphoma in the spine is rare; there have only been a few cases reported in the literature. Due to its rarity, there is no gold standard for the management of patients suffering from spinal lymphoma manifestations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data for 37 patients (14 female, 23 male) with malignant lymphoma in the spine receiving intervention in our center from March 2006 until June 2020. Neurological impairment, pain, diagnostics, and/or surgical instability were the criteria for surgery in this patient cohort. Otherwise, only CT-guided biopsies were conducted. Analysis of the patient cohort was based on the Karnofsky performance status scale (KPSS), location of the lesion, spinal levels involved, spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS), surgical treatment, histopathological workup, adjuvant therapy, and overall survival. The following surgical procedures were performed: posterior stabilization and decompression in nine patients; decompression and/or tumor debulking in 18 patients; a two-staged procedure with dorsal stabilization and vertebral body replacement in four patients; decompression and biopsy in one patient; a two-stage procedure with kyphoplasty and posterior stabilization for one patient; posterior stabilization without decompression for one patient; a vertebroplasty and cement-augmented posterior stabilization for one patient; and a CT-guided biopsy alone for two patients. Twenty-one patients (56.78%) had ≥1 lesion in the thoracic spine, 10 patients (27.03%) had lesions in the lumbar spine, two patients had lesions in the cervicothoracic junction, two patients had lesions in the thoracolumbar junction, one patient had a lesion in the lumbosacral junction, and one patient had a lesion in the sacrum. The diagnoses of the histopathological workup were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 23 (62.16%) cases, indolent lymphoma in 11 (29.74%) cases, anaplastic T-cell lymphoma in one case (2.70%), T-cell lymphoma in one case (2.70%), and Burkitt lymphoma in one (2.70%) case. The median overall survival was 7.2 months (range 0.1–266.7 months). Pre- and postoperative KPSS scores were 70% (IQR 60–80%). Manifestation of malignant lymphomas in the spine is rare. Similar to the approach taken for spine metastases, a surgical intervention in cases of neurological impairment or manifest or potential instability is indicated, followed by chemoimmunotherapy and radiotherapy.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair using the Cardioband® system: Histopathological insights in device ingrowth and biocompatibility

Surgical implantation of a complete or incomplete ring to reduce the valve annulus and improve leaflet coaptation is the mainstay of mitral valve surgery. The Cardioband® system (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) was designed to address the pathophysiological mechanism of annular dilatation through a catheter-based approach. We present the histopathological workup of a Cardioband® device, which had been implanted 21 months earlier in a 34-year-old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Device examination demonstrate a well-positioned and securely anchored device. The described tissue reactions may have an impact on choice of device and timing in case of re-do surgery.

Impact of immunohistochemistry on the diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism: An important tool for improved patient follow-up

Background and Aims: Primary aldosteronism is a common cause of secondary hypertension. Primary aldosteronism is caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral hyperplasia that in some cases is asymmetrical with one adrenal dominating aldosterone secretion. Most patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma are biochemically cured by unilateral adrenalectomy, but patients with bilateral hyperplasia have a significant risk of residual or recurrent disease. Here, immunohistochemistry of CYP11B1 and B2 was used to investigate whether these markers could aid in the diagnostic workup of primary aldosteronism patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for a presumed adenoma during 2013–2016 were included. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies identifying the enzymes CYP11B1 and B2 was part of routine histopathological workup in 6 cases; in 33 cases, it was applied retrospectively. The hyperplasia diagnosis was suggested when there was no dominating nodule but immunoreactivity for CYP11B2 was seen in several nodules, which were also seen on routine sections. To distinguish between adenoma and hyperplasia, a ratio between the largest and second largest CYP11B2-positive nodules was calculated. Results: In all, 22 patients had an aldosterone-producing adenoma, while 13 patients were judged to have hyperplasia. In four cases, a final diagnosis could not be established, thus these were judged equivocal. Among the 33 cases investigated retrospectively, the primary histopathological diagnosis was altered from hyperplasia to aldosterone-producing adenoma in 9 cases (27%) after immunohistochemistry, and the immunohistochemically rectified adenoma group displayed improved clinical cure rates compared to the routine H&E-diagnosed cohort. Moreover, the B2 ratio was significantly higher in adenoma than in hyperplasia and equivocal cases. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry detecting CYP11B1 and B2 expression is of great help in establishing a final histopathological diagnosis in patients with primary aldosteronism. This procedure should be part of the histopathological routine in all operated primary aldosteronism patients.

Histopathological spectrum of endometrium in abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) interferes with the quality of life of an otherwise healthy woman. Until the pathology underlying menorrhagia is, accurately diagnosed, proper therapy is hardly possible. The objective of the study was to analyze different histopathological patterns of endometrium in AUB and observe the incidence of various pathologies in different age groups and their relation to parity.Methods: This two-year prospective studywas done in the department of pathology in atertiary care centre, which included 250 cases of clinically diagnosed AUB patients were evaluated. Histopathological examination of endometrial biopsies and hysterectomy specimens were done, followed by clinical correlation.Results: Out of 250 cases of AUB, Premenopausal bleeding was seen in 216 cases (86.4%) and 34 cases (13.6%) had postmenopausal bleeding. The commonest finding observed in the study was proliferative phase endometrium (37.2%), followed by secretory endometrium (34%) and endometrial hyperplasia (16%). Disordered proliferative endometrium was seen in 2.4% of patients. Endometrial carcinoma was seen in 4 (1.6%) cases. Endometrial hyperplasia was seen mostly in the age group 41-50 years (27 cases). Two cases of endometrial carcinomas were presented after age 60 years.Conclusions: Our study revealed the highest incidence of AUB in the perimenopausal age group (41-50 years). Hence a thorough histopathological workup and clinical correlation are mandatory in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Endometrial study by Ultrasonography and its correlation with Histopathology in Abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is defined as any deviation from a normal menstrual pattern. It is one of the common presentation in extremes of ages. However endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma are commoner in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women warranting investigations like ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy.Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to note the endometrial thickness by transabdominal ultrasonography and observe the histopathological pattern in women presenting with abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Material and Methods: Premenopausal women more than 45 years of age and the postmenopausal patients, without any pelvic pathology were included in the study. Endometrial thickness was measured by transabdominal sonography and endometrial biopsy was done. Tissue obtained was sent for histopathological examination.Results: A total of 105 patients were studied. Majority (92%) of patients were premenopausal. Proliferative Endometrium (32%) was the most common finding in premenopausal and atrophic endometrium (37.5%) in postmenopausal group. Malignancy was higher in a postmenopausal group (12.5%) as compared to the premenopausal group (2%). Malignancy was not seen when endometrial thickness was less than 11mm in the premenopausal age group. Endometrial hyperplasia was also more common when the thickness was more than 11mm.In postmenopausal group12.5% of patients, had complex hyperplasia.25% had simple hyperplasia and malignancy was seen in 12.5% of patients. When endometrial thickness was less than 5 mm, hyperplasia and malignancy was not seen.Conclusion: Measurement of Endometrial thickness and histopathological workup in patients above 45 years presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding will be helpful in detecting endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(2) 2018 31-35