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C Hedinger

Publications and source records attributed to C Hedinger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The significance of giant cells in human testicular seminomas. A clinico-pathological study.

In order to study the nature and significance of various giant cells encountered in seminomatous tumors of the testis, we reviewed the morphology of 243 consecutive pure seminomas and 107 combined (mixed) tumors, as well as the long term clinical follow-up in 26 patients. Giant cells were grouped into histiocytic or neoplastic ones and the latter subtyped according to morphologic and immunocytochemical characteristics. Neoplastic giant cells were found in 34.6% of all pure seminomas and in 11.2% of all combined tumors, i.e. twice as often as histiocytic giant cells in either tumor group. The various types of neoplastic giant cells were found alone or in combinations with other types. Giant cells capable of elaborating B-HCG were seen in 19.3% of all pure seminomas and in 9.3% of seminomatous components of combined tumors. These incidences argue strongly against a trophoblastic element infiltrating a seminoma from a concomitant occult choriocarcinomatous focus. Large mononuclear giant cells, seen in spermatocytic seminomas, were observed in 15.6% of all pure seminomas, particularly in combination with B-HCG producing giant cells. Another type, characterized by marginated nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm were invariably part of a mononuclear cell population of similar features and encountered focally in 9.1% of all pure seminomas. Clinical follow-up, particularly in cases with B-HCG positive giant cells, revealed that treatment as for conventional seminomas at an early stage at least is followed by an excellent course.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1985

Primary intracranial germ-cell tumors. A clinicopathological study of 14 cases.

Fourteen cases of primary intracranial germ-cell tumors are presented. Histologically, there were eight germinomas, three teratomas, and three germ-cell tumors of more than one histological type. Immunohistochemical studies revealed alpha-fetoprotein in yolk-sac tumor components in two cases and beta human choriogonadotropin in syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells in one case. One teratoma contained an unusual pleomorphic sarcomatous portion with features of early myoblastic differentiation. Comparison of intracranial with gonadal germ-cell tumors shows that the same subtypes are found in both locations with comparable incidence and similar biological behavior. The detailed World Health Organization classification of testicular germ-cell tumors should be applied to the histopathological classification of intracranial germ-cell tumors. Despite the critical location of intracranial germ-cell tumors, a good outcome can be achieved by optimal surgical excision. A primary microsurgical approach provides a histopathological diagnosis, which is indispensable for the proper choice of postoperative management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Relationship between solid cell nests and focal lymphocytic thyroiditis].

Considering the fact that there is often a combined occurrence of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis (FLT) and so-called Solid Cell Nests (SCN) in the same human thyroid gland, we examined thyroid tissue of 500 routine autopsies. SCN were found in 56 (11.2%) and FLT in 59 (11.8%) patients. The combination of these two lesions was encountered in 18 (3.6%) cases. This incidence (3.6%) is four to five times higher than would be expected from chance alone. In 12 of the 18 patients mentioned, SCN were in close association with lymphocytic infiltration, but this was not statistically significant. Two hypotheses are discussed concerning the combination of SCN and FLT. According to Klinck and Menk (1951), the SCN, derived like the epithelial part of the thymus from the embryologic pharyngeal pouch, forms a favorable micro-environment for inflammatory cells. Based on the second hypothesis, the SCN, probably a remnant of the ultimobranchial body, mark an incompletely developed thyroid. These thyroids would be predisposed to auto-immune thyroid disease such as FLT.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Morphometric and histologic studies of testicular biopsies in obstructive azoospermia].

271 testicular biopsies from patients with obstructive azoospermia and near normal germinal epithelium were investigated morphologically and/or histologically in a search for lesions due to obstruction. 529 testicular biopsies from patients with oligozoospermia and 50 testicles examined post mortem served as histological control. The morphometric data of the seminiferous tubules in cases of obstructive azoospermia were within the standard range determined histologically in normal controls. In 13.3% of cases with obstructive azoospermia and in 6.8% of patients with oligozoospermia, however, testicular biopsies revealed a remarkably constant lesion, i.e. groups of seminiferous tubules with ectasia and atrophy, densely packed and usually surrounded by some fibrotic tubules. The etiology of this lesion remains unclear, but it may represent acute focal atrophy of germinal epithelium due to obstruction by the adjacent fibrotic tubules.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Atypical germ cells of the testis. Comparative ultrastructural and immunohistochemical investigations.

It is uncertain whether the so called intratubular atypical germ cells (carcinoma in situ cells) demonstrable in the testicular tissue around different germ cell tumors and in testicular biopsies of patients with impaired fertility are identical with regard to their morphology and further development. Thus atypical germ cells of 18 patients with testicular germ cell tumors and of 3 patients with atypical germ cells in testicular biopsies without tumor were studied by electron microscopy and/or by immunohistochemistry. The atypical germ cells show characteristic alterations distinguishing them from normal germ cells, especially spermatogonia. However, there are no differences between atypical germ cells in the above mentioned groups. Immunohistochemical reactions are negative with anti-alpha-fetoprotein and anti-beta-human-chorionic-gonadotropin, but 6 of the 15 cases are positive with antiferritin. However, this positive reaction occurs in cases in different diagnostic groups. Atypical germ cells of the different groups cannot be distinguished by electron microscopy or immunohistochemical methods, but further investigations, including cell cultures, may provide more information.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Distribution of C cells in the human thyroid gland].

The distribution of C-cells was reviewed in a series of human thyroid glands from 84 autopsies. The C-cells were demonstrated by the Grimelius method modified by De Grandi [10] and immunohistochemically using anticalcitonin by the method of Sternberger et al. [43]. The immunohistochemical method proved to be considerably more useful than the silver reaction. In half the cases C-cells were found symmetrically in both lateral lobes, concentrated around an axis running in a cranial-lateral-dorsal to caudal-medial-ventral direction. In about a quarter of the cases the C-cells were only approximately symmetrical in distribution, and rarely was no symmetry visible in their distribution. A completely homogeneous distribution of C-cells throughout the thyroid was never demonstrated. C-cells are normally concentrated in the upper and the middle thirds of the thyroid, but in cases with hyperplasia they were found predominantly in the middle and lower thirds of the lateral lobes. Exceptionally, some C-cells were present in the isthmic region or no C-cells were found in the entire thyroid at all. Thyroid nodules are generally free of C-cells. The number of C-cells seems to be more or less constant when the thyroid is of normal weight. In large goiters, however, the number of C-cells increases. Since the distribution of C-cells was rather irregular all the cases considered, thyroid biopsies are of little help in generally evaluating their reactive state. This does not apply to C-cell tumors, i.e. medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, where cytologic examination has been proven to be a valuable diagnostic method.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paraganglioma. 2. Combination with typical associated diseases. Familial occurrence].

Of 48 patients with chromaffin tumors observed at the Institute of Pathology of the University of Zurich between 1971 and 1982, 10 (20.9%) had a typical associated disease: 6 patients (12.5%) had Sipple's syndrome, 2 von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis, and 2 others von Hippel-Lindau's disease. The origin common to all these disorders involves the neuroectoderm. In the presence of one of these diseases the possibility of an occult chromaffin tumor must be considered. Familial occurrence of chromaffin tumors was observed in 5 patients (10.5%): 3 (of two families) had Sipple's syndrome, while the other 2 (of one family) had neoplasms without associated diseases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

[Pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paragangliomas].

Between 1971 and 1982, pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas from 48 patients were examined at the Institute of Pathology of the University of Zurich. Thirty-four specimens had been resected surgically while 14 were discovered at autopsy, i.e. in 0.072% of the 19610 autopsies performed during that period. There were 42 cases (87.5%) of pheochromocytoma, of which 14.6% were bilateral, and 6 cases (12.5%) of sympathetic paragangliomas. The average age of our patients was 37.8% years, but the first clinical signs of the sympathetic paragangliomas preceded those of the pheochromocytomas by 20 years. Of all chromaffin tumors, 12.5% were obviously malignant and were metastasizing. In the assessment of biologic behavior it is noted that a histologically malignant tumor need not follow a malignant course and that, conversely, a tumor of benign appearance may develop metastases. Hence, long-term clinical follow-up is indicated as well as careful histologic diagnosis. The second part of this study will deal with associated diseases such as Sipple's disease and various neurocutaneous syndromes, which were present in 20.9% of our cases, and also with familial chromaffin tumors without associated diseases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

[Morphology of the adrenal gland in primary hyperaldosteronism].

Between 1964 and 1980 25 patients (16 women and 9 men) underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism at the Zurich University Hospital Department of Urology. In 17 cases (68%) review of the histological slides revealed adenoma, in 3 cases (12%) so-called idiopathic hyperplasia, and in one patient (4%) adrenal carcinoma. The histological features of these 21 cases were in keeping with the postoperative changes in blood pressure. However, in 4 patients (16%) the alterations of adrenal tissue could not be either correlated with the subsequent clinical course or satisfactorily classified without electron-microscopic and biochemical examination.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid and factor VIII-related antigen.

Thirty-six malignant hemangioendotheliomas of the thyroid were examined immunohistochemically using antibody probes to factor VIII-related antigen in order to reevaluate the histogenesis of this neoplasia. The 36 cases were reclassified according to their light microscopic features without prior knowledge of the immunohistochemical results. Three different tumor types were discerned: Group I: classical hemangioendotheliomas (20 cases); Group II: borderline cases between malignant hemangioendotheliomas and anaplastic carcinomas (14 cases) and Group III: anaplastic carcinomas with hemangio-endotheliomatous features (2 cases). Factor VIII-related antigen could be demonstrated in 12 (60%) tumors of group I, 3 (21%) tumors of group II and in neither tumor of group III. Five control cases with the typical histological picture of anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid were negative for factor VIII-related antigen. The results of our study suggest that at least part of the tumors termed as malignant hemangioendotheliomas are in fact derived from endothelial cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

The frequency and morphology of "giant spermatogonia" in the human testis.

Giant spermatogonia (GS) characteristically appear singly between their normal counterparts. Their cytoplasm is clear by light microscopy and their ovoid nuclei, measuring at least 13 micron in diameter, contain homogeneously distributed chromatin. These cells were described originally in the last century and were interpreted as isolated physiological giant cells of the sexual epithelium (Stieve 1930). In our own study we found GS in the normal testis at an average frequency of 0.65/50 tubules. GS occur at the same frequency in testicular tissue surrounding germ cell tumors and in biopsy specimens from men with impaired fertility, except in the so-called mixed atrophy of the testis where increased numbers of GS per tubule are found. Ultrastructurally, GS are distinguishable from normal spermatogonia, from atypical germ cells and from seminoma cells. In addition, we found several distinct ultrastructural differences between GS and cells of pre-spermatogenesis as reviewed in the literature.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1982

[Focal lymphocytic thyroiditis and iodized salt prophylaxis. Comparative studies on goiter specimens at the Institute of Pathology of Zurich University].

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is rare in endemic goiter areas. Recent investigators, however, claim an overall increase in its occurrence even in goiter areas. According to some reports the rising incidence of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis may be correlated to iodine prophylaxis. Consequently, 675 thyroid specimens were examined for the presence of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis. They had been collected at our Institute of Pathology over two 1-year periods 25 years apart (1954 and 1979), when iodine content in table salt differed considerably. Cursory examination seemed to confirm the original claim, since non-nodular tissue exhibited focal thyroiditis in 20.7% and 31.2% of cases in 1954 and 1979 respectively. Morphometric analysis, however, produced equal results for both years as far as depth of infiltration was concerned. Focal thyroiditis particularly affects non-nodular parenchyma, which was found to take up 1.5 times more area in 1979 than in 1954. Thus, infiltrates located between nodules appear more frequently as routine sections pass through larger areas of non-nodular parenchyma. However, changes in the absolute frequency or extent of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis in goiters under increasing iodine prophylaxis could not be demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Lympho-plasmacellular thyroiditis and diabetes mellitus].

In a retrospective study of their autopsy cases the authors investigate the presence of lymphocytic infiltrations in the thyroids of 44 diabetics up to age 55 and compare these thyroids with 72 post-mortem controls. Size and number of the infiltrations were determined by a semiquantitative method on the histological slide. The non-diabetic controls and the non-insulin-dependent diabetics included 5 out of 72 (6.9%) and 3 out of 31 (9.7%) cases respectively with more than 10 infiltrations per 100 mm2 thyroid tissue. The insulin-dependent diabetics, however, showed significantly more, i.e. 5 out of 13 (38.5%) patients with more than 10 infiltrations per 100 mm2 tissue. All were asymptomatic with the exception of one young diabetic with clinical signs of hypothyroidism.

Adult↗