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Carla R Penner

Publications and source records attributed to Carla R Penner.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Head and neck amyloidosis: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases.

Amyloidosis refers to the idiopathic, extracellular deposition of fibrillar proteins, termed amyloid, in tissues. Although amyloidosis is a rare disease, the head and neck region has been reported as a frequent site of amyloid deposits, accounting for approximately 19% of reported amyloid cases in one review. Fifteen cases of head and neck amyloid, excluding the brain, with clinical follow-up were identified in the Surgical Pathology files from 1985 to 2005 at Emory University Hospital. The histopathology, histochemistry, and patient follow-up were reviewed. Nine men and six women with an age range of 18-76 years (mean 55.7 years) were identified. The initial clinical presentation was dependent on the site of amyloid deposits. The clinical types of amyloidosis included localized amyloid deposits in the larynx and tongue, plasma cell dyscrasia associated AL amyloidosis, and hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis. Secondary amyloidosis developed in one patient with carcinoid tumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Nasal glial heterotopia: a clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic analysis of 10 cases with a review of the literature.

Nasal glial heterotopia (also known as "nasal glioma"), is a rare developmental abnormality seen in a wide age group but typically presenting at birth or in early childhood. Failure to recognize the entity is the principle difficulty in diagnosis. Ten cases of nasal glial heterotopic diagnosed between 1970 and 2000 were identified. Histologic and immunohistochemical features were evaluated and patient follow-up was obtained. The patients included five females and five males with a mean age at presentation of 8.6 years (range, birth to 44 years). Most patients presented clinically with a polypoid mass in the nasal cavity, although two patients had a mass on the nasal bridge. Symptoms were present for an average of 2 to 3 months. A connection to the central nervous system was identified in one case. Masses ranged in size from 1 to 7 cm in greatest dimension (mean, 2.4 cm). Histologically, the masses were composed of astrocytes (including gemistocytic type) and neuroglial fibers intermixed with a fibrovascular connective tissue stroma. Neurons and ependymal cells were noted in two cases. Focal calcifications and inflammatory cells were identified occasionally. Masson trichrome stains the collagen intensely blue, while the neural population stains magenta. Immunohistochemical reactivity with glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein will help to confirm the histologic diagnosis, while collagen type IV and laminin can highlight the reactive fibrosis. All cases were managed by surgery. All patients were alive without complications at last follow-up (mean, 26.8 years), except for the single fetus included in the study. Nasal glial heterotopia typically involves the nasal cavity and usually presents perinatally, although three patients presented in adulthood. The subtle glial component on routine microscopy can be accentuated with a trichrome stain or by immunoreactivity with glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein. Imaging studies must be performed before surgery to exclude an encephalocele, which requires different surgery. Complete surgical excision of nasal glial heterotopias is curative.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

C-kit expression distinguishes salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma from polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is characterized by persistent, relentless growth and a high rate of eventual metastasis. In contrast, polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) has a much lower risk of recurrence and rarely metastasizes. The histologic patterns of these two neoplasms can be similar. Expression of c-kit, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, has recently been reported to be expressed in ACC but not PLGA. Expression of galectin-3, a nonintegrin beta-galactosidase-binding lectin, has been reported to be significant in PLGA and decreased in ACC.Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from 9 ACC and 14 PLGA were immunostained for c-kit and galectin-3. Cases were scored as 1+ (5-25% positive), 2+ (26-50% positive), or 3+ (>50% positive). C-kit was expressed by 100% of ACC (3+: 7 cases; 2+: 1 case; 1+: 1 case) and by 57% of PLGA (2+: 2 cases; 1+: 6 cases). In all but one ACC, c-kit expression was confined to the inner cell layer. C-kit expression was also noted in the intercalated duct epithelium of the salivary glands and the acinar cells of the lacrimal gland. Galectin-3 was expressed in 8 of 9 cases of ACC and 14 of 14 cases of PLGA. The results of this, the first study to compare c-kit and galectin-3 expression in ACC and PLGA, suggest that c-kit expression characterizes ACC, but not PLGA. Galectin-3 immunohistochemistry does not have a role in the differentiation of ACC and PLGA. C-kit immunostaining may be a valuable adjunctive tool for this differential diagnosis, particularly in the setting of a limited biopsy. Our finding of different patterns of c-kit expression in tubular and solid variants of ACC supports the concept of solid variant ACC as a high-grade tumor, with progression toward an entirely "inner cell" phenotype.

Adenocarcinoma↗