Xanthomatous meningioma, a rare histological variant: Case report

Xanthomatous meningioma is a WHO grade I metaplastic meningioma where neoplastic cells contain lipid-filled vacuolated cytoplasm. The origin of xanthomatous meningiomas is believed to be from meningothelial cells but diagnosis remains difficult because of their close resemblance with the histiocytes. Peculiar radiographic features may aid in diagnosis, however, definitive diagnosis requires immunohistochemical staining. We report a case of 43-year-old male with sphenoid wing meningioma revealing xanthomatous changes and received treatment as grade 1 meningioma. Though the exact pathophysiology remains unknown, we believe focal or gross metaplastic changes lead to transformation of tumor cells into the xanthomatous subtype. Authors discuss this interesting a rare histologic variant with discussion of the relevant literature.

Canine Mammary Carcinoma With Vacuolated Cytoplasm: Glycogen-Rich Carcinoma, a Histological Type Distinct From Lipid-Rich Carcinoma

Lipid-rich carcinoma is a rare histotype of canine mammary tumors with cytoplasmic vacuolation. In humans, glycogen-rich carcinoma, secretory carcinoma, and myoepithelial neoplasms are included in the differential diagnosis for lipid-rich carcinoma. The aim of the study was to investigate the existence of histotypes other than lipid-rich in canine mammary carcinomas with vacuolated cytoplasm using a diagnostic algorithm based on histopathology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructure and to evaluate the molecular phenotype of these neoplasms. Ten mammary carcinomas were collected, histologically reviewed, and subjected to histochemistry (PAS, PAS with diastase, Alcian blue, Sudan III [1 case], and Congo red [1 case]); immunohistochemistry for CK19, CK5/6, CK14, p63, calponin, vimentin, ER, PR, and HER2; and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytokeratin immunolabeling demonstrated the epithelial origin of all tumors. Sudan III and TEM confirmed the diagnosis of lipid-rich carcinoma in 8 tumors (one amyloid-producing). One tumor was reclassified as a glycogen-rich carcinoma based on PAS reactivity that was diastase-labile, and a second tumor was reclassified as a carcinoma-and-malignant myoepithelioma based on the differentiation markers. Lipid-rich carcinomas were basal-like (5/8), null-type (2/8), and luminal A phenotype (1/8). The glycogen-rich carcinoma was basal-like, while the carcinoma-and-malignant myoepithelioma was luminal A. Vacuolated morphology of neoplastic cells in canine mammary carcinoma can indicate either a neoplasm of luminal epithelial origin with cytoplasmic lipid or glycogen, or vacuolated neoplastic suprabasal myoepithelial cells. Glycogen-rich carcinoma is a novel histological type that should be considered in the differential diagnosis for canine mammary carcinomas with vacuolated cytoplasm.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervical oesophagus in a dog

ABSTRACT: A 9-year-old male Shih Tzu dog presented with a mass on the ventral region of the neck and developed ptyalism. Radiographs revealed a radiodense nodule located in the mid-third of the oesophagus compressing the trachea. Preoperative cytology showed large neoplastic cells with abundant vacuolated cytoplasm arranged in clusters. The nodule was removed by oesophagectomy and submitted for histopathology. Microscopically, the oesophageal mass was multilobulated and unencapsulated. It had a mixed cellular growth pattern with areas showing squamous and glandular differentiation. The squamous component of the tumor was formed by solid strands of neoplastic epithelial cells; many neoplastic cells had undergone central keratinization and sometimes formed keratin pearls. The deeper adenocarcinomatous portion of the tumor consisted of tubules filled with slightly basophilic mucinous material. Histological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus. This is the first report of primary ASC of the cervical oesophagus in a dog.

Metastatic Carcinoma to Breast from Renal Cell Carcinoma- A Rare Case Report with Unusual Cytology

Metastatic carcinoma to breast is an uncommon entity compared to the primary breast malignancies. Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) metastasising to breast is very rare as it commonly metastasises to lung, liver or bone. An accurate diagnosis of Secondary Tumour is must, since the prognosis and treatment differs between primary and secondary tumours. Here, the authors present the case of a 55-year-old female patient who presented with lump in right breast measuring 5×4 cm. Mammographic findings showed relatively well-defined round irregular marginated heterogenous radioopaque mass in outer lower quadrant, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS- IV B). Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) showed atypical cells arranged in cohesive clusters with focal papillary architecture, entangled in eosinophilic stroma and cellular stromal fragments. The cells were small with ill-defined cell borders, granular to focal vacuolated cytoplasm, mild anisocytosis and indistinct nucleoli. Stain for mucin was negative. The differential diagnosis offered were primary breast carcinoma with possibility of metaplastic carcinoma and metastatic carcinoma. A trucut biopsy showed fibrocellular stroma, islands of cells with clear cytoplasm separated by thin fibrous septa. Immunohistochemical (IHC) for pancytokeratin (panCK), CD10 and vimentin were positive and Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptors (PR), Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) were negative and the diagnosis of metastatic RCC was made. The cytology case reports in the literature have shown characteristic cytomorphological features composed of cells with abundant, finely vacuolated cytoplasm, moderate pleomorphism and prominent nucleoli. This case is unusual as it was predominated by small cells with granular cytoplasm. Therefore, it was concluded that trucut biopsy is mandatory for breast lump in patient with RCC since the cytological features on FNAC might not always be characteristic.

CYTOTOXIC AND GENOTOXIC EFFECT OF OXYTETRACYCLINE ON FISH CYPRINUS CARPIO AFTER ACUTE EXPOSURE

Objective: Cytotoxicity in blood cells and genotoxic alteration in gill, liver, and kidney of Cyprinus carpio acutely (96 h) exposed to 80 mg/L oxytetracycline (OTC) including a control (non-exposed group) were evaluated in the present study. Genotoxic endpoints reflecting different types of genetic damage in cells of the liver, gill, and kidney were also determined by analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities. Methods: C. carpio was divided into two groups, one control and others treated with 80 mg/L OTC. After 96 h, sampling was done and slides were prepared for different tissues as well as for measuring polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) frequency in blood. Slides were scored for micronucleus, nuclear abnormalities, swollen cells, and vacuolated cytoplasm. Results: The hereby data obtained showed a higher and significant increase in the genotoxic effect in all the tissues tested. Furthermore, gill cells showed the highest genotoxic effect followed by liver and kidney, while PCE frequency increases up to 72 h of exposure, on the other hand, a significant decrease in the value was observed at 96 h of exposure. Conclusion: The present study revealed that OTC has cytotoxic and genotoxic effect on different organs and blood cells of C. carpio at this concentration and suggests gill as sensitive tissue for genotoxic assessment.

Microcystic Stromal Tumor of the Ovary: A Case Report With Unique Histologic Features

Objectives Microcystic stromal tumor (MST) of the ovary is an extremely rare subtype of sex cord-stromal ovarian tumor with characteristic microcystic features and stromal tumor immunophenotype. First described as a distinct ovarian neoplasm in 2009, fewer than 30 cases of MST have been reported worldwide. Methods We present a 65-year-old patient who underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometrial carcinoma and an enlarged right ovary detected by an abdominal CT scan. Results Grossly, the 3.6-cm ovarian mass had a smooth, firm external surface and clear demarcation from the adjacent ovarian parenchyma. Sectioning of the mass revealed solid, tan-white cut surfaces. The gross appearance of the contralateral ovary was unremarkable. Microscopic examination of the hysterectomy specimen confirmed FIGO grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometrioid type. Stromal hyperthecosis was present in both ovaries. Unique to our case, the ovarian mass was composed of a prominent hyalinized fibrous stroma with occasional scattered nodules of small to medium cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, bland chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and sparse mitotic activity. Characteristic microcystic spaces were present. The cells within these microcystic nodules were positive for β-catenin (nuclear), CD10 (membranous), and cyclin D1 (nuclear). Immunohistochemical stains for calretinin, CD56, CD99, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, EMA, inhibin, and WT-1 were negative. Conclusion The combined histologic and immunohistochemical properties of this tumor are most consistent with MST of the ovary. While the clinical behavior of this new entity appears to be benign, reported cases are limited and further investigation is needed. This report highlights a histologically unique case of MST of the ovary.

Hepatic Myoepithelial Carcinoma in a Dog: Immunohistochemical Comparison With Other Canine Hepatic Carcinomas

An 11-year-old female miniature Dachshund dog presented with a solid, soft, gray mass on the hepatic lateral left lobe. Histologically, the mass consisted of neoplastic proliferation of cells with round nuclei and eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm arranged in alveolar, trabecular, and solid patterns. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for pancytokeratin (CK AE1/AE3), CK5, CK14, vimentin, Sox9, and myoepithelial markers (α–smooth muscle actin, p63, and calponin). The morphological and immunohistochemical findings indicated a diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma. We conducted immunohistochemical studies on other representative canine hepatic tumors. Although the myoepithelial phenotype was not observed in the hepatocellular carcinoma, some tumor cells in cholangiocarcinoma showed immunohistochemical features of myoepithelium, suggesting that some neoplastic cells in cholangiocarcinoma may have the potential to differentiate into myoepithelial cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report in veterinary medicine of a hepatic carcinoma with a myoepithelial phenotype.

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in calves associated with excess sulfur intake

ABSTRACT: Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is the morphological characterization for softening of brain gray matter, and excess sulfur intake is one of its main causes. This study describes an outbreak of this disease in 1-to-3-month-old calves in a farm located in Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The herd consisted of 27 Jersey male calves whose diet was composed of initial feed, ground whole corn, and mineral salt. From this herd, 10 animals became ill, showing signs of apathy, anorexia and blindness, evolving to generalized weakness and death. Necropsy was performed in three of these animals, which showed flattening of the cerebral convolutions in addition to softened, yellowish areas in the cerebral cortex. Histopathological examination revealed deep laminar necrosis associated with perineuronal and perivascular edema, as well as neurons with wrinkled, eosinophilic, or vacuolated cytoplasm. The following sulfur doses were observed: 8,010mg/kg in corn, 6,385mg/kg in initial feed, 1,060mg/kg in mineral salt and 2.3mg/L in water, reaching dose values far above the accepted, totaling a daily intake of approximately 6,533.5mg sulfur/animal/day. As differential diagnosis, lead was dosed in the kidneys and liver of the three calves, with negative results. Also, the calf that sickened last was treated with 20mg/kg thiamin and 0.2mg/kg dexamethasone (IM; QID) for three days and eventually recovered. According to anatomopathological findings, excess sulfur intake and therapeutic diagnosis, sulfur poisoning was suggested as the cause of PEM in these 1-to-3-month-old calves. Occurrence of PEM is rare in calves at such a young age.

Coccygeal chordoma in a degu: case report and review of the literature

An 8-y-old, intact female degu ( Octodon degus) was presented with a slow-growing mass on the tail tip. The mass was completely removed by partial caudectomy. Histologically, the last coccygeal vertebra was replaced by a lobulated neoplasm composed of large clear polygonal cells embedded in a myxoid alcian blue–positive matrix with highly vacuolated cytoplasm (physaliferous cells) and intracytoplasmic periodic acid-Schiff–positive granules. The neoplasm exhibited the morphologic features of a “classic” chordoma of humans, which is 1 of 3 distinct chordoma subtypes. Immunohistochemistry revealed dual expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin, consistent with a diagnosis of chordoma. Chordomas are uncommon slow-growing neoplasms in humans and animals, arising from notochordal remnants. Depending on their subtype and location, they can have a high local recurrence rate and metastatic risk. Chordoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a soft tissue mass on the tail of a degu, similar to the clinical situation in ferrets.