Comparative Outcomes for Mature T and NK/T-cell Lymphomas in People with and without HIV and to AIDS-Defining Lymphomas

There are no studies comparing the prognosis for mature T-cell lymphoma (TCL) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) to people without HIV (PWoH) and to AIDS-defining B-cell lymphomas (A-BCL) in the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. NA-ACCORD and COMPLETE are cohorts that enroll patients diagnosed with HIV and TCL, respectively. In our study 52, 64, 101, 500 and 246 PWH with histological confirmation of TCL, primary CNS, Burkitt's, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) respectively and 450 TCL without HIV were eligible for analysis. At the time of TCL diagnosis, Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) was the most common TCL subtype within PWH. While PWH with TCL diagnosed between 1996-2009, experienced a low 5-year survival probability at 0.23 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.41), we observed a marked improvement in their survival when diagnosed between 2010-2016 (0.69; 95% CI: 0.48, 1; p=0.04) in contrast to TCL among PWoH (0.45; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.51; p=0.53). Similarly, PWH with ALCL diagnosed between 1996-2009 were associated with a conspicuously inferior 5-year survival probability (0.17; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.42) and consistently lagged behind A-BCL subtypes such as Burkitt's (0.43; 95% CI:0.33, 0.57; p=0.09) and DLBCL (0.17; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.46; p=0.11) and behind HL (0.57; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.65; p <0.0001). Despite a small number, those diagnosed between 2010-2016, experienced a remarkable improvement in survival (0.67; 95% CI: 0.3, 1) in comparison to PWoH (0.76; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.87; p=0.58). Thus, our analysis confirms improved overall survival for aggressive B and T-cell malignancies among PWH in the last decade.

Diagnostic Accuracy of CT Texture Analysis in Adrenal Masses: A Systematic Review

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are incidentally discovered adrenal neoplasms. Overt endocrine secretion (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and catecholamines) and malignancy (primary or metastatic disease) are assessed at baseline evaluation. Size, lipid content, and washout characterise benign AIs (respectively, <4 cm, <10 Hounsfield unit, and rapid release); nonetheless, 30% of adrenal lesions are not correctly indicated. Recently, image-based texture analysis from computed tomography (CT) may be useful to assess the behaviour of indeterminate adrenal lesions. We performed a systematic review to provide the state-of-the-art of texture analysis in patients with AI. We considered 9 papers (from 70 selected), with a median of 125 patients (range 20–356). Histological confirmation was the most used criteria to differentiate benign from the malignant adrenal mass. Unenhanced or contrast-enhanced data were available in all papers; TexRAD and PyRadiomics were the most used software. Four papers analysed the whole volume, and five considered a region of interest. Different texture features were reported, considering first- and second-order statistics. The pooled median area under the ROC curve in all studies was 0.85, depicting a high diagnostic accuracy, up to 93% in differentiating adrenal adenoma from adrenocortical carcinomas. Despite heterogeneous methodology, texture analysis is a promising diagnostic tool in the first assessment of patients with adrenal lesions.

Anatomy of the conduction tissues 100 years on: what have we learned?

Knowledge of the anatomy of the ‘conduction tissues’ of the heart is a 20th century phenomenon. Although controversies still continue on the topic, most could have been avoided had greater attention been paid to the original descriptions. All cardiomyocytes, of course, have the capacity to conduct the cardiac impulse. The tissues specifically described as ‘conducting’ first generate the cardiac impulse, and then deliver it in such a fashion that the ventricles contract in orderly fashion. The tissues cannot readily be distinguished by gross inspection. Robust definitions for their recognition had been provided by the end of the first decade of the 20th century. These definitions retain their currency. The sinus node lies as a cigar-shaped structure subepicardially within the terminal groove. There is evidence that it is associated with a paranodal area that may have functional significance. Suggestions of dual nodes, however, are without histological confirmation. The atrioventricular node is located within the triangle of Koch, with significant inferior extensions occupying the atrial vestibules and with septal connections. The conduction axis penetrates the insulating plane of the atrioventricular junctions to continue as the ventricular pathways. Remnants of a ring of cardiomyocytes observed during development are also to be found within the atrial vestibules, particularly a prominent retroaortic remnant, although that their role has still to be determined. Application of the initial criteria for nodes and tracts shows that there are no special ‘conducting tissues’ in the pulmonary venous sleeves that might underscore the abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation.

Vulvar Diseases that Required a Biopsy: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: The vulvar area may be affected by many noninfectious conditions with similar clinical appearance, requiring a cutaneous biopsy. Our goal was to characterize the noninfectious vulvar diseases that required a biopsy in a southwestern Europe Central Hospital during a 10-year period. Methods: A retrospective study of all the noninfectious vulvar diseases with histological confirmation diagnosed in our institution was conducted between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017. Results: The sample included a total of 323 biopsies from 317 patients, aged between 11 and 98 years (mean age of 54.2 years). A total of 36 vulvar diseases was identified. Neoplastic conditions were the most frequently found, particularly melanotic macules (22.3%). The most frequent malignant tumor was vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (6.2%) and squamous cell carcinoma (5.6%). The most common dermatosis was lichen sclerosus (12.7%). Conclusion: Neoplasms were the most frequently diagnosed conditions affecting the vulvar area that required a biopsy. Ruling out malignancy was also the main reason to perform a biopsy. This study highlights the variety of noninfectious diseases that may affect the vulva and require a biopsy. Since vulvar diseases may be serious and carry high levels of patient distress a correct understanding of these conditions is crucial.

Experimental models for controlled burn injuries in rats: a systematic analysis of original methods and burn devices

AIM Despite a wide variety of models found in literature, choosing the right one can be difficult as many of them are lacking precise methodology. This study aims to analyze and compare original burn models in terms of burn device and technique, parameters, and wound depth assessment. METHODS A systematic search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines on studies describing original experimental burn models in rats. The adapted PICO formula and ARRIVE checklist were followed for inclusion and assessment of quality of studies. Characteristics of animals, burn technique, burn parameters and method of histological confirmation of burn depth were recorded. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies were included in the final analysis. Most studies used direct contact with skin for burn infliction (n=20). The rat’s dorsum was the most common site (n=18). Ten studies used manually controlled burn devices, while ten designed automatic burn devices with control over temperature (n=10), exposure time (n=5), and pressure (n=5). Most studies (n=7) used a single biopsy taken from the center of the wound to confirm burn depth immediately after burn infliction. CONCLUSION From the wide variety of burn models in current literature, our study provides an overview of the most relevant experimental burn models in rats aiding researchers to understand what needs to be addressed when designing their burn protocol. Models cannot be compared as burn parameters variate significantly. Assessment of burn depth should be done in a standardized, sequential fashion in future burn studies to increase reproducibility.

P-OGC67 Gastric GISTs: Can presentation, Location and Radiological Features predict behaviour? – Experience in a UK cohort

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) most commonly arise in the stomach, vary significantly in behaviour and can be difficult to risk stratify accurately pre-operatively. They are increasingly being identified incidentally during endoscopies or cross-sectional imaging. They have malignant potential and but vary from very low to high-risk. Pre-operatively, histological diagnosis can be achieved by performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine-needle aspirate or biopsy, but samples often contain insufficient material. This study aims to assess other features help identify aggressiveness of GISTs pre-operatively to help guide management decisions. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study analysing patients treated surgically for GIST from 2011-2020 at a UK tertiary centre. Exclusion criteria were non-gastric GISTs and patients who received a different diagnosis post-operatively. Hospital electronic patient record and e-noting systems were used to collect data. Risk groups were stratified according to the NCCN risk classification for GIST. ‘Very low risk’ and ‘low risk’ groups were combined in the analysis to form the ‘lower risk’ group; ‘moderate risk’ and ‘high risk’ categories combined to form the ‘higher risk’ group. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 15. Results 171 patients were included in total. OGD diagnosed gist on histology if ulcerated in 14.7% of cases. EUS biopsy was performed in 39% of cases pre-operatively – 84.6% of these were diagnostic. There was a higher proportion of higher risk GISTs in the GOJ/cardia region than lower risk GISTs (16.2% versus 6.7%), though this did not reach statistically significance (p = 0.32). A greater proportion of higher risk tumours were irregular in outline (p=.26), heterogenous (p = 0.003) and necrotic (p = 0.001) than lower risk tumours. In addition, higher risk tumours were significantly more likely to be exophytic than lower risk tumours, which were significantly more endophytic (p = 0.05). A ROC curve including all the variables had an AUC of 0.8971. Conclusions This is the largest analysis of gastric GISTs in a UK population. This study found that a higher proportion of higher risk tumours were irregular, heterogenous and necrotic than lower risk tumours. In this study, a greater proportion of higher risk tumours arose in the GOJ/cardia. In keeping with muscularis origin, endoscopic biopsy was found to be a poor diagnostic tool unless ulcerated. EUS and FNA biopsies had a much higher rate of histological confirmation. This knowledge might help facilitate a more individualised approach with non-operative surveillance in lower risk tumours or expedited surgery in higher risk lesions.

Chronic Macular Oedema as a Late MIRAgel-Related Complication

Background: MIRAgel® (MIRA, Waltham, MA, USA) is a hydrogel scleral buckle introduced in 1979 to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Its use was discontinued because late complications that require surgical removal were reported. Methods: Case report. Results: We report a case of left eye MIRAgel® buckle surgery 28 years ago presenting with a tender palpable erythematous swelling at the lower lid, with marked conjunctival chemosis and progressive ophthalmoplegia. Imaging revealed a large, well-defined, horseshoe-shaped lesion in the extraconal space of the left orbit with globe distortion, with histological confirmation of an expanded hydrogel buckle. He recovered well following removal of the explant but developed chronic macular oedema a year later, which persisted despite sub-Tenon’s triamcinolone injections. Repeat imaging demonstrated remaining hydrogel explant. Macular oedema settled well upon successful surgical removal with no recurrence to date. Conclusion: Our case is the first to describe macular oedema as a late MIRAgel-related complication, with complete removal of the explant being the definitive treatment. Macular oedema indicates postoperative inflammation secondary to the remaining explant fragments. Given the friability of hydrolysed MIRAgel®, we recommend ophthalmologists to warn patients regarding the possibility of further inflammation in the globe or the orbit in case of incomplete removal.

Duodenal Pseudomelanosis: A Literature Review

Duodenal pseudomelanosis (also known as pseudomelanosis duodeni) is a rare endoscopic incidental finding defined by a pigmentation limited to the apex of the intestinal villi, which requires histological confirmation. While its exact pathogenesis is still poorly understood, it appears free from clinical consequences. This condition is believed to be associated with oral iron intake, antihypertensive drugs containing a sulfur moiety (i.e., hydralazine, furosemide), and several chronic diseases (i.e., hypertension, end-stage renal disease, diabetes). However, the exact prevalence of these treatments and comorbidities among patients with duodenal pseudomelanosis is not clearly defined. Several case reports and case series about duodenal pseudomelanosis have been published in recent years. In this review, we aimed to clearly define its endoscopic and microscopic presentation; its epidemiology, associated comorbidities, and drugs; the most useful special histochemical techniques used to classify the nature of the pigmentation; and the most relevant differential diagnoses. In addition, by considering our findings, we also formulated a number of hypotheses about its pathogenesis.

POROCARCINOMA OVER SCALP: A RARE ENTITY

Porocarcinomas are aggressive adnexal tumors with a rare incidence. They are usually seen as a nodular or infiltrating growth over the lower extremities, infrequently over the scalp. They are thought to be arising from a pre-existing lesion and with a long clinical history. Treatment of choice is surgical resection with histopathologically confirmed negative margins. There are chances of local recurrence; hence a regular follow-up is must in these cases. Hereby we present a case of 42 year old male with 2 year history of growth over the right temporo-parietal region of the scalp. Histological confirmation of the diagnosis was done after wide local excision of the tumor. Porocarcinomas are mostly likely to be misdiagnosed clinically; therefore a histopathological correlation is necessary for the confirmation of diagnosis and further management of the patient.

Primary Renal Lymphoma – A Challenging Diagnosis

Primary renal lymphoma is rare challenging diagnostic dilemma. Many cases have been found in literature, but a cleardiagnostic criterion is still evolving. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, however due to its rarity; it is oftenmisdiagnosed, which leads to nephrectomies resulting in unnecessary morbidity. A case of a 60 years old male found tohave a renal mass, being treated as renal cell carcinoma. Exploration for radical nephrectomy resulted in an open biopsyinstead due to a fixed, hard, inoperable renal mass. Diagnosis of lymphoma was made by histological confirmation of the disease and patient was treated with chemotherapy.