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Biomedical subjects

E E Mooney

Publications and source records attributed to E E Mooney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of placental cytogenetic cultures in intrauterine and neonatal deaths.

Knowledge of chromosomal status is useful in helping to explain fetal and neonatal deaths, but maceration has been felt to compromise the success rate. As well as skin fibroblast culture, the placenta can be sampled and this may be useful where permission for autopsy is refused. We examined placental cytogenetic results from 250 cases over a 5-year period. There was a success rate of 84.4%, with neither weight (< or > 500 g) nor maceration status showing a significant impact. Placentas sampled within 1 day were significantly more likely to give a positive culture. The results suggested that placental cytogenetic cultures should be attempted in all perinatal deaths where such information is desired.

Cells, Cultured↗

Retiform Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours: clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical findings.

AIMS: To determine the morphological and immunohistochemical profile of retiform Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours and to compare the observed profile with that of adult rete ovarii. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen retiform Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours were studied, eight by immunohistochemistry, and five examples of rete ovarii from adult females were also evaluated immunohistochemically. The patients ranged in age from 3 to 74 years with a mean age of 31 years. Four patients were virilized and had an abdominal mass; two were virilized with amenorrhoea and two had amenorrhoea alone. Eight presented with an abdominal mass and one patient was pregnant. Two tumours were incidental findings. Information on stage was available in 16 patients: 14 tumours were stage 1, one was stage 2, and one was stage 3. Fifteen tumours were of intermediate differentiation and four were poorly differentiated. Papillary structures were evident grossly in four cases. Microscopically, all cases had a retiform pattern in addition to varying quantities of sex cord, gonadal stromal and heterologous elements. Heterologous elements were present in 13 cases and consisted of hepatocytes (n = 7), mucinous epithelium (n = 7) and skeletal muscle (n = 2). Immunohistochemical evaluation of eight tumours showed a more intense positivity for keratin in the retiform areas, whereas the gonadal stromal component had a more intense expression of inhibin. Inhibin stains Leydig cells strongly and hepatocytes moderately. Rete ovarii epithelium was positive for keratin and vimentin in the five cases studied, and for inhibin in one case. Follow-up was available on 13 patients. Three tumours behaved in a malignant fashion: one each was stage 1, 2, and 3 at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemistry is useful in distinguishing retiform Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours from other tumours that they may resemble. Inclusion of inhibin is essential in a panel of antibodies to evaluate these tumours. The clinical behaviour of these neoplasms cannot always be predicted from their morphology or clinical stage.

Adolescent↗

C-erbB-2/ HER-2 upregulates fascin, an actin-bundling protein associated with cell motility, in human breast cancer cell lines.

The over-expression of c-erbB-2/ HER-2, a receptor tyrosine kinase, correlates with poor prognosis in patients with breast and ovarian cancer. In the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-435, c-erbB-2 over-expression results in increased chemoinvasion and higher metastatic properties in nude mice. However, the mechanisms by which c-erbB-2 increases the malignant potential of cells remains unclear. We have determined that over-expression of c-erbB-2 in MDA-MB-435 cells, and in some additional breast cancer cell lines, is associated with graphic increases in mRNA and protein levels of the actin bundling protein fascin. Heightened fascin expression has been observed in other systems to result in greatly increased cell motility, and indeed, our work employing semi-automated time-lapse microscopy demonstrates that MDA-MB-435 cells over-expressing c-erbB-2 exhibit significantly heightened cellular dynamics and locomotion, while visualization of bundled microfilaments within fixed cells revealed enhanced formation of dendritic-like processes, microspikes and other dynamic actin based structures. To address the means by which c-erbB-2 over-expression might result in elevated fascin levels, we identified multiple perfect match TCF and NF-kappaB consensus sites in fascin's promoter and first intron, which appeared consistent with the greater endogenous transcriptional activities of TCF and NF-kappaB in c-erbB-2 over-expressing MDA-MB-435 cells. While such transcriptional modulation may occur in the context of the intact gene/chromatin, subsequent tests using reporter constructs did not support involvement of these signaling pathways. In conclusion, highly increased fascin levels were observed in MDA-MB-435 over-expressing c-erbB-2, likely contributing to these cells' altered actin dynamics, and increased cell motility and malignancy. Studies in progress aim to discern the means by which c-erbB-2 over-expression leads to transcriptional activation of the fascin gene.

Actins↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology: a survey of current utilization in relationship to hospital size, surgical pathology volume, and institution type.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology has become an accepted technique for the preoperative diagnosis of palpable and radiographically detected lesions at a wide variety of body sites. Little information exists regarding the degree of utilization of the technique in the general medical community. The present study investigated the number of fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) performed in relationship to hospital size, surgical pathology caseload, and type of hospital. Six hospitals from each state were selected at random (total of 300), and a survey was sent which requested the following information: hospital size, surgical pathology caseload, FNA volume, most common sites aspirated, change in FNA utilization over the last 5 years, and who was performing the needle aspirates. Usable responses were received from 133 institutions. The survey revealed that in 63% of institutions, FNAs were performed predominantly or exclusively by clinicians. An increase in number of FNAs performed was reported in 73% of institutions, while 11% reported a net decrease in FNA volume. The breast was the most common organ undergoing needle aspiration, followed by the thyroid and lung. For all hospitals, irrespective of size and type, FNA volume represented about 2.5% of the total surgical pathology volume. For nonacademic tertiary-care institutions, FNA represented approximately 1.2% of the surgical pathology caseload, and for academic tertiary-care institutions, FNA volume was approximately 3.6% of cases. The survey indicated that utilization of FNA continues to increase, is predominantly performed by clinicians, and represents a greater percentage of tissue examinations in academic tertiary-care institutions than in either community general hospitals or nonacademic tertiary-care institutions.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Ossifying well-differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary.

A unique case of an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor occurring in a pregnant 20-year-old is described. The tumor showed central ossification on macroscopic examination. Microscopically, cords and nests of Sertoli cells were identified, mostly away from the abundant central hyalinization, calcification, and ossification. A small number of Leydig cells were present, with isolated Reinke crystals. The presence of these cells could reflect luteinized stromal cells secondary to pregnancy. The Sertoli cells were dominant and the calcified/ossified areas were at the center of a dominant Sertoli nodule. This degree of ossification has never been reported in either ovarian Sertoli tumors or well-differentiated Sertoli-Leydig tumors. Calcifying Sertoli cells neoplasms have been described in the testis, but this case appears to be the first description of a case with similar features in the ovary.

Adult↗

Evidence that Leydig cells in Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors have a reactive rather than a neoplastic profile.

BACKGROUND: Leydig cells are a variable and an inconstant feature of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCT). Controversy exists regarding their neoplastic versus reactive nature, and their molecular biologic profile is unknown. METHODS: Six SLCT and one pure Leydig cell tumor were studied. Mitotic counts and immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 were performed in all cases. Leydig cells, neoplastic tissues, and normal nonneoplastic tissues were microdissected. DNA extracts of these samples were assessed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) by polymerase chain reaction amplification with ten polymorphic DNA markers that have shown high rates of LOH in a variety of human tumors. Three SLCT and the Leydig cell tumor were assessed for clonality by examining the DNA methylation pattern at a polymorphic site on the androgen receptor gene. RESULTS: Leydig cells in SLCT had a low mitotic count (0-1/50 high-power fields [HPF]) compared with the neoplastic stroma (median, 40/50 HPF). Ki-67 was positive in < 2% of Leydig cells in all SLCT, compared with a median of 7% in the neoplastic stroma. Clonality analysis confirmed the monoclonality of the neoplastic cells in the Leydig cell tumor. However, the Leydig cells from three SLCT were polyclonal, whereas the monoclonal nature of the neoplastic Sertoli tubules was confirmed in one of these cases and that of mucinous heterologous elements in another case. The Leydig cell tumor showed LOH at four of the eight loci evaluated. Leydig cells from five SLCT were evaluated: one showed LOH at one locus, two showed LOH at two loci, and the remaining two showed no LOH. CONCLUSIONS: The demonstration that Leydig cells from SLCT are polyclonal strongly suggests that they are nonneoplastic in nature. This is supported by a low proliferation fraction and a lower fraction of LOH compared with the truly neoplastic Leydig cells.

Adult↗

Fine-needle aspiration of neural lesions.

The cytomorphologic features of 13 neural lesions sampled by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) are reviewed. The frequencies at which various architectural features including Verocay bodies, filamentous background, and vascular arcades were present was recorded, along with the frequencies of cytologic findings including the presence of spindle cells, wavy nuclei, intranuclear inclusions, fishhook nuclei, nuclear pleomorphism, filamentous cytoplasm, and mitotic figures. Verocay bodies were a rare finding, present in only 1 of 11 cases. Vascular arcades were similarly infrequent (1/11 cases). Spindle-shaped cells along with wavy nuclei were the most frequent findings, with fishhook-shaped nuclei and a filamentous background of high frequency (9/11 cases). Our study indicates that some of the characteristic features recorded in the literature are rarely seen in needle aspiration smears, but features such as spindle-shaped cells, wavy and fishhook-shaped nuclei, and a filamentous background are relatively frequent findings.

Actins↗

Middle ear carcinoid: an indolent tumor with metastatic potential.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck region may present problems in diagnosis. Middle ear carcinoid is a rare, recently recognized tumor, which to date has not been reported to metastasize. METHODS: We report the case of a 64-year-old man with a 9-year history of recurrent middle ear neoplasm and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. A microscopic parathyroid tumor was also identified. The approach to the diagnosis of this unusual combination is presented. RESULTS: The patient had a neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to multiple unilateral cervical lymph nodes, which was morphologically identical to his recurrent middle ear neoplasm. The neoplasm had the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of a carcinoid tumor. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that middle ear carcinoids may metastasize. We suggest that immunohistochemical studies be performed on all biopsy specimens from neoplasms of the middle ear, as distinction from the more common paraganglioma may be difficult on morphologic grounds alone.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

Hepatocytic differentiation in retiform Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors: distinguishing a heterologous element from Leydig cells.

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCT) of the ovary are rare sex cord-stromal neoplasms. A minority of SLCT are characterized by a pattern resembling that of the rete ovarii and frequently have a range of homologous and heterologous tissues. Approximately 20 cases of SLCT have been reported to have elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, or tissue immunoreactivity for AFP, a protein usually associated with germ cell neoplasms, especially yolk sac tumor. We identified hepatocytic differentiation in five cases of retiform SLCT (RSLCT), and confirmed immunohistochemically that these cells are hepatocytes rather than Leydig cells. Hepatocytes are positive for keratins (AE1/3 and Cam 5.2), AFP, and ferritin, negative for vimentin, and show weak to moderate staining for inhibin. Leydig cells are negative for keratins, positive for vimentin, and intensely positive for inhibin. Immunohistochemistry is needed to distinguish hepatocytic differentiation from Leydig cells with certainty. Including the cases in this report, hepatocytic differentiation has been associated with a retiform pattern in SLCT in 14 of 25 cases (56%). The association of these two patterns appears to be characteristic of a relatively primitive sex cord-stromal neoplasm.

Adolescent↗

Guided versus blind liver biopsy for chronic hepatitis C: clinical benefits and costs.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our objectives were: (1) to assess the clinical benefits and costs of performing ultrasound-guided liver biopsy with an automated needle compared to blind biopsy with a conventional Trucut needle in patients with chronic hepatitis C; (2) to compare the histological yield of automated needles with Trucut needles. METHODS: We prospectively studied 166 patients with hepatitis C virus who underwent either ultrasound-guided biopsy using automated ASAP needles or blind biopsy using conventional Trucut needles. Both groups were matched for age, sex, cirrhosis, needle gauge and operator experience. Patient tolerance, complications and histological adequacy were assessed. In a separate in vitro study, we assessed the histological adequacy of liver biopsy specimens obtained using automated and Trucut needles from 10 fresh autopsy cases. RESULTS: Ultrasound-guided biopsy caused significantly less biopsy pain (36.4% vs. 47.3%; p < 0.0001) and significantly less pain-related morbidity (1.8% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.05). Although, there was no significant difference in diagnostic yield between guided and blind biopsy (98% vs. 94%, p = 0.15), 3 blind biopsies (3.3%), including 2 which yielded extra-hepatic tissue, had to be repeated. The additional expense of performing guided liver biopsy with automated needles was 42 Irish Pounds per patient. In vitro, automated ASAP 15G needles provided liver specimens comparable to Trucut 15G needles and had the highest histopathologic score among the automated needles assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the absence of major complications, ultrasound-guided liver biopsy with an automated needle in HCV patients is safer, more comfortable and only marginally more expensive than blind Trucut biopsy.

Adult↗

Spherulosis of the breast. A spectrum of municous and collagenous lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Collagenous spherulosis of the breast is an uncommon localized pattern of basement membrane material deposition that may be mistaken for atypical proliferations or carcinoma. This report describes 9 cases in which the predominant or exclusive appearance of the spherules was basophilic instead of eosinophilic. DESIGN: The files of all cases of collagenous spherulosis diagnosed at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology were reviewed to ascertain the frequency of diagnosis. RESULTS: Spherulosis with a predominantly basophilic pattern had a histochemical and immunohistochemical profile similar to collagenous spherulosis and was associated with more collagenous-appearing forms in 7 of 9 cases. Review of 81 cases showed that collagenous spherulosis was correctly diagnosed in 15% of referrals and was mistaken for intraductal or invasive carcinoma in 11% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Mucinous and collagenous patterns appear to be related forms of spherulosis. They are underrecognized by pathologists and maybe mistaken for atypia or malignancy.

Breast↗

Papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the breast: a report of five cases with distinction from eccrine acrospiroma.

Papillary carcinomas of the female breast exhibit a spectrum of morphologic appearances and might be mistaken for benign intraductal papillary lesions or papillary adnexal neoplasms. We report herein five cases of papillary carcinoma in which the epithelium closely resembled transitional cells of the urinary bladder. Grossly, the tumors had a nodular or papillary appearance, white, tan, or red in color. The microscopic features were those of an intraductal papillary proliferation of solid layers of epithelial cells overlying fibrovascular cores. The proliferating cells assumed a whorled or streaming growth pattern, with flattening of superficial cells. One case showed microinvasion. Comparison with a similar number of cases of the solid variant of papillary carcinoma of the breast showed a greater range of nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic counts, and a more varied immunohistochemical profile in the papillary carcinomas with transitional cell features. Eight cases of eccrine acrospiroma occurring in the female breast also displayed a solid or solid papillary pattern, with flattened superficial cells. These occurred in a younger age group, were located in the dermis or subcutis, and usually had zones of clear cells visible at low magnification. No evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease was found in the four patients for whom follow-up was available; the length of follow-up ranged from 18 months to 11 years. The stimulus for the development of this unusual phenotype is unclear, but the transitional-like variant seems to behave in a fashion similar to that of other types of papillary carcinoma of the breast. Distinction of this malignant lesion from various benign lesions that occur in the same region is mandatory.

Acrospiroma↗

Not by blood alone: diagnosis of hemangiomas by fine-needle aspiration.

Hemangiomas are common vascular neoplasms which are being radiographically detected and biopsied with increasing frequency during the workup of patients with malignant disease. The increasing confidence of radiologists in biopsying these lesions is in contrast to the reluctance of pathologists to make a specific diagnosis of hemangioma. Eleven cases of hemangioma, from both hepatic and superficial sites, were reviewed and the fine-needle aspirate findings discussed and illustrated. Three-dimensional arcades composed of bland elongated spindle cells or compact dense coils of spindle cells associated with scattered spindle-shaped cells were identified in 10 of 11 cases. In conclusion, recognition of the cellular pattern of hemangiomas combined with the radiologic information can enable a positive diagnosis of hemangioma to be made.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Reporting fine-needle aspirates of breast: a survey of preferences among surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The optimal format for reporting results of breast fine-needle aspiration cytology is controversial, with some experts favoring a five-category system and others recommending a four-category format. METHODS: A survey of 200 surgeons was performed to determine their preference for a four- or five-category report format. They were also questioned concerning the number of patients per year in whom they diagnosed breast cancer, if they used fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) regularly, and why they favored one category over the other. RESULTS: Eighty-five complete responses were received. Fifty-eight percent of these surgeons (49) routinely used FNAC for the diagnosis of breast nodules. There was no strong preference for either report format. Twenty-four of 49 routine users of FNAC favored a four-category format, and another four had no preference. CONCLUSION: Surgeons who routinely used FNAC in the diagnosis of breast disease do not have a preference for the five-category probabilistic system.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Placental pathology in patients using cocaine: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Although retroplacental hemorrhage is a major cause of fetal death, its etiology often remains obscure. In some reports, cocaine use by pregnant women has been associated with retroplacental hemorrhage and clinical abruptio placentae. This study was designed to assess the occurrence of chorionic villus hemorrhage, an entity shown recently to be associated with retroplacental hemorrhage, in the placentas of cocaine users. METHODS: Twenty-nine placentas from cocaine users and 15 placentas from drug-free controls, as determined by questionnaire and urine toxicology screen, were examined prospectively, and pathological findings documented. The prevalence of retroplacental hemorrhage, chorionic villus hemorrhage, edema, chorioamnionitis, funisitis, infarction, fetal vessel thrombosis, and intervillus hemorrhage was examined in the two groups. RESULTS: Chorioamnionitis was the most frequent finding in both groups (58% of cocaine users, 66% of controls). Edema of moderate severity or greater was found only in the cocaine-using group (17%). The prevalence of chorionic villus hemorrhage among women using cocaine also was 17%. CONCLUSION: Cocaine use during pregnancy may be associated with chorionic villus hemorrhage and villus edema, even in the absence of clinical abruptio placentae. The relationship between abnormal placental morphology and adverse perinatal outcomes remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Fine-needle aspiration of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a group of neoplasms encompassing leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, and an epithelioid variant of leiomyosarcoma, as well as lesions expressing neural differentiation. These neoplasms are rare and account for 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. With increasing frequency, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has been used to diagnose intra-abdominal neoplasms before institution of definitive treatment. We encountered four patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors diagnosed by FNA who ultimately underwent surgical excision of their tumors. The age of the patients ranged from 57 to 88 years. Smears from the aspirates were cellular and consisted of numerous small spindle cells distributed as cohesive fragments and individual cells. The dispersed cell population appeared largely as stripped nuclei. Several nuclei had perinuclear or paranuclear vacuoles, similar to the "halos" seen in sections. Cytologic evidence of malignancy (pleomorphism, nuclear irregularity, mitoses) were not identified in smears. Corresponding histologic sections demonstrated varying degrees of malignancy ranging from benign or low grade to frankly sarcomatous gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We conclude that the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors can be made with a certain degree of confidence by using FNA findings. However, predictions about potential aggressiveness are best reserved for gross and histologic examination of the resected specimen.

Aged↗