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Biomedical subjects

K A Metz

Publications and source records attributed to K A Metz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Two cystic retroperitoneal lesions mimicking adrenal cysts].

Adrenal cysts are uncommon lesions and most of them are found incidentally during abdominal imaging. We report on two benign extraadrenal lesions mimicking adrenal tumors in abdominal imaging. The histopathological investigation of the lesions revealed a foregut duplication cyst of the lesser gastric curvature and an epithelial inclusion cyst (epidermoid cyst) in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen respectively.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion in a secretory carcinoma of the breast of a male-to-female transsexual.

Secretory carcinomas of the breast were first described as "juvenile carcinoma" by McDivitt and Stewart in a cohort of children. This term has been replaced by the term "secretory breast carcinoma", because the entity can occur at any time of life. Carcinoma of the male breast is uncommon and accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers in men. Recently, it has been reported that human secretory breast carcinoma expresses the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion that was previously cloned in pediatric mesenchymal cancers. We present the case of a 46-year-old male-to-female transsexual in whom a secretory breast carcinoma was an incidental finding. As confirmation of the histopathological diagnosis we detected the novel ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion in this tumor.

Breast Neoplasms, Male↗

Dynamics of bone marrow changes in patients with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Scant knowledge exists about the dynamics of fibro-osteosclerotic bone marrow (BM) lesions and regeneration of hematopoiesis following allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation (SCT) in chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. Therefore, an immunohistochemical and morphometric study was performed on BM biopsies in 20 patients before and at standardized intervals (days 30 through 384) following SCT. In responding patients, a total regression of the pretransplant increased fibrosis was completed in the posttransplant period after about six months, while the extent of osteosclerosis did not change significantly during observation time. The quantity of CD61+ megakaryocytes including precursors was strikingly variable after SCT and, by using planimetric methods, atypical microforms exhibiting a dysplastic aspect could be demonstrated. These anomalies may be responsible for posttransplant thrombocytopenia. CD34+ progenitor cells were increased before transplantation, however, their number declined rapidly to normal values in responding patients. Nucleated erythroid precursors revealed a decreased amount before and after SCT accounting for anemia. Large clusters of this cell lineage indicated an initial hematopoietic reconstitution comparable with the expansion of the neutrophil granulopoiesis. Proliferative activity and apoptosis showed an increase until one year after SCT that implied a still regenerating hematopoiesis in keeping with an enhanced cell turnover.

Adolescent↗

[Squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear. A carcinoma of old age which requires individualized therapy planning].

METHODS: Data for all patients with ear malignancies being operated in our department between August 1988 and March 2001 were retrospectively analyzed for tumor localisation, stage, biometric data, anesthesiological risk factors, therapy and recurrence of the disease. RESULTS: Thirty of 79 patients (29 male, one female; average age 77.2 years, range 54-99 years) with cutaneous malignancies of the external ear were diagnosed as SCC ( n=32 SCC). A total of 17 SCC were smaller than 2 cm, 12 were between 2-5 cm, and three were larger than 5 cm. Only two patients had regional nodal disease, none had distant metastases. The anesthesiological risk was estimated according to the recommendations of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA); 16/30 patients were classified as group 3 or 4, having severe general disease with a decrease in vitality or even vital risks. A total of 24 SSC were primarily operated under local anesthesia. Depending on histology, localisation and size of the SCC local excision, partial or total removal of the auricle was performed. In the remaining 8/32 cases, the primary intervention was performed under general anesthesia, mostly in combination with an ipsilateral neck dissection and a superficial parotidectomy. In 8/32 cases, the SCC had to be re-operated after primary R1 resection. Altogether, eight patients received radiotherapy. In 5/32 cases there was a recurrence of the disease. The average follow-up period of the 13 patients who are still alive is 50 months (17-113). One patient died as a result of the metastasized SCC and 16 patients died due to other diseases. DISCUSSION: Considering the high age and the age-associated general diseases of the patients with SCC of the auricle, differentiation between a radical concept of therapy and its risks and possible therapy-related damage is important. Therefore, individual concepts such as partial removal of the pinna without neck dissection and parotidectomy for the N(0) stage are justified if relevant anesthesiological risk factors have to be taken into account.

Age Distribution↗

[Lymphadenopathy in the groin. Unusual etiology in a 65-year-old patient].

A 65 year old female patient was admitted to our hospital with unspecific symptoms and a lump in the right groin which raised suspicion of a malignant lymphoma. Histologically a follicular dendritic reticular cell tumor was found. Because there are aggressive forms of this tumor and no established standard therapy, we decided to treat her with surgery followed by a combined radio- and chemotherapy. Despite this treatment 16 months after the first diagnosis a relapse occurred with a metastasis of the follicular dendritic cell tumor in the lung. The metastasis was resected surgically. The optimal management of this kind of tumor is not known.

Aged↗

Regeneration of heart muscle tissue: quantification of chimeric cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells following transplantation.

Persuasive evidence has been recently provided that adult bone marrow (BM) cells exert greater plasticity than previously assumed. This review is focused on the quantification of mixed chimerism (mCh) in the hearts (cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells) of patients after orthotopic heart to heart transplantation (HHT) in comparison to full (unmanipulated) allogeneic BM and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplants. Following a sex-mismatched transplantation constellation heart muscle tissue obtained at autopsy was examined. Evaluation of mCh was most often performed by immunophenotyping combined with fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) applying x- and y-chromosome-specific DNA probes. When comparing our data with the results of former studies that were regularly based on the detection of the y-chromosome alone, the quantity of chimeric cardiomyocytes after HHT ranged from 0% to 9%. On the other hand, after full BM transplantats (chimeric) cardiomyocytes of donor-type origin appeared at an incidence between 0.23% to 6.4%. These disturbing inconsistencies were assumed to be related to methodology: the restriction to the y-chromosome, disregard of the plane of section (detection sensitivity ranging between 35% and 67%) and state of tissue preservation (cadaver hearts). Therefore, when strictly applying dual color FISH and limiting the recognition of chimeric cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells to the presence of two distinctive signals detection sensitivity was significantly enhanced. Contrasting a total congruence with the genotyping in control specimens of normal cadaver hearts, a striking disparity in the extent of mCh was found depending on the different modes of transplantation. After allografting with PBSC a considerably low incidence (1.6%) of chimeric cardiomyocytes was determined contrasting with 5.3% of donor-derived cells after full BM transplants. Following HHT host-type endothelial cells (16.2%) of the intramural and subepicardial vessel walls were more often encountered than following BM and PBSC allografting. These findings are in keeping with the assumption of a sprouting and migration of vascular structures into the donor heart from the site of surgical aligment and injury between retained host and donor atrial walls. When considering the other methods of transplantation (BM, PBSC) the data on chimeric endothelial cells support the hypothesis of a common hemangioblast. Concerning the cardiomyocytes it seems most reasonable to assume that primitive mesenchymal stem cells of the BM play a pivotal role in the development of mCh. This phenomenon is more extensively expressed than previously expected and may be related to an enforced repair of the damaged myocardium during the post-transplant period as the sequel of myeloablative (cardiotoxic) conditioning.

Animals↗

[A bone-destroying tumor of the maxilla. Reparative giant cell granuloma or brown tumor?].

Brown tumors are focal bone lesions caused by an increased osteoclastic activity and fibroblastic proliferation within a primary or more rarely secondary hyperparathyroidism. They are named after their typical brown hemorrhagic stroma with its also typical giant cell formations. We report the case of a 31-year-old pregnant patient with a rapidly growing tumor of her left maxilla whose first symptoms during pregnancy mimicked chronic sinusitis. After swelling of the cheek, diplopia, and recurrent epistaxis appeared, she was referred to our Department for further diagnostics. After CT scan, biopsy was performed under the presumption of a malignant process with the surprising histological result of a reparative giant cell granuloma. At the same time, hyperthyroidism and nodular goiter were diagnosed and further endocrinological examinations were planned. Not until a parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed after urgent operation of the maxillary process (loose molar teeth and displacement of the left bulbus) could the tumor be interpreted and detected within this context of primary hyperparathyroidism as a brown tumor. The brown tumor should be taken into consideration as a rare differential diagnosis of a bone-destroying process of the facial bones. We discuss the clinical signs, diagnostics, and therapy for this case as well as the relevant literature. The reparative giant cell granuloma represents an important differential diagnosis and cannot be distinguished from a brown tumor by histological examination or radiological findings without complete information about the clinical signs and the endocrinological status of the patient.

Adenoma↗

Increased expression of metallothionein in inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: Metallothioneins (MT) are cytoprotective against the damaging effects of oxygen-derived free radicals. Therefore MT may be involved in defence mechanisms to counter Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIALS: 107 routinely processed tissue samples from 22 patients with CD and 48 patients with UC were tested with the monoclonal anti-MT antibody E9. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess MT staining in a semiquantitative manner. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: MT overexpression was found in the fibroblasts of all ulcerative and/or fissural lesions in UC and CD. MT overexpression in intestinal epithelial cells of 40% of UC and CD lesions correlated significantly with the grade of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: MT-immunoreactivity in fibroblasts supports a protective role for MT in inflammatory bowel disease. It remains unclear whether MT overexpression in epithelial cells is also important in this protection.

Humans↗

Haemangiopericytoma of the nasal cavity.

Haemangiopericytomas (HPC) are rare vascular tumours originating from a pericytes, a term coined by Zimmermann to refer to the main location of this cell line in the pericapillary connective tissue. HPC may arise in any part of the body. We report a 29-year-old man with a histologically proven nasal haemangiopericytoma-like tumour. The lesion was embolised through the ophthalmic artery before it was removed surgically. The main symptoms of nasal HPC are epistaxis and obstruction of the nose. Malignant and benign clinical courses have been described. Local recurrence and metastases may be observed years after initial diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Endoscopic excision of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas)].

We describe the successful endoscopic removal of six extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas in three patients. One neoplasia was located retrocavally, two between the aorta and vena cava, two by the para-aortal, and one by the parailiacal. The tumors were removed by the posterior retroperitoneoscopic or by the anterior laparoscopic approach, respectively. The intraoperative and postoperative courses were uneventful.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the nasal septum].

An inflammatory pseudotumor occurs unifocally and is a benign tumor that was initially described in the lung. In the present case report a 24-year-old woman experienced progressive nasal obstruction because of an abnormality of the nasal septum. A cauliflower-like tumor of the anterior region of the septum cartilage was seen macroscopically and was completely resected. This was diagnosed histologically as an inflammatory pseudotumor. The literature is reviewed and differential diagnoses discussed. Various therapeutic procedures are noted, but the treatment of choice is complete resection of tumor.

Adult↗

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin for carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is a nonspecific immunomodulator, demonstrated to be clinically effective in superficial bladder cancer. The present study investigated the clinical efficacy of intravesical KLH in patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Thirteen patients with CIS grade III were treated with intravesical instillations of KLH, 20 mg for 6 weeks, then monthly for 1 year and bimonthly for 2 subsequent years. Patients not responding to 2 courses of KLH were treated with bacillus Calmete-Guérin (BCG, 81 mg Connaught strain). RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 84 months. Two patients were free of tumor after KLH instillations with a follow-up of 66 and 82 months, respectively. All patients who did not respond to the primary KLH course, but to the 'rescue' instillation of BCG, experienced recurrences after 42, 48, 56 and 60 months after the first KLH instillation treatment. Three patients with recurrent CIS and who were not cystectomized had recurrences after prolonged remission (4-5 years). Patients progressing despite KLH and BCG instillations underwent cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: KLH demonstrates efficacy and induces long- term remissions against CIS in a limited number of cases. In the present study, most patients with CIS progressed over time whatever the substance instilled, whether KLH or BCG. CIS remains a very aggressive neoplasm requiring a lifelong follow-up. Further studies are necessary to define the precise role of KLH in patients with CIS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Descriptive epidemiology of small intestinal malignancies: the German Cancer Registry experience.

In the first population-based analysis of certain epidemiologic features of primary malignancies of the small intestine in Germany, we used data from the Saarland Cancer Registry (1982-1993) and from the former National Cancer Registry of the German Democratic Republic (1976-1989). The age-standardized incidence rates for ages 0-74 years is 3.3-6.2 per million per year. The average incidence rates of the federal state Saarland are for men about 1.3 times and for women about 1.4 times the rate of the former German Democratic Republic. After the age of 30 years, the incidence rates increased with increasing age. Incidence rates for carcinoids levelled off after the age of 54 years. Rates for men were 35-40% higher than for women after adjusting for age. The risk for carcinomas, malignant carcinoids and malignant lymphoma were higher for men than for women.

Adolescent↗

Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: histological and immunohistochemical features with special respect to differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC) not infrequently involve the periorbital region and the eyelids. Clinically, they are relatively characteristic but often unsuspected. Histologically, MCC are often misdiagnosed as lymphoma, melanoma, or metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). METHODS: We present clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical data on six eyelid cases (all females; age 63-102 years; one with concomitant CLL) from our files of 77 MCC with special respect to differential diagnosis. For comparison, 22 SCCL were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was done with antibodies against pan-cytokeratin (pan-CK), cytokeratin-20 (CK-20), neurofilament protein (NF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin (CHR), and S100 protein (S100). RESULTS: Morphologically, five of six MCC were prototypic, one was of the small cell variant. Immunohistochemically, dot-like positivities for pan-CK and CK-20 were seen in all six MCC, and for NF in five tumors. None of the 22 SCCL stained positively for CK-20 or NF but 21/22 cases were positive for pan-CK. Only 1/21 SCCL showed dot-like patterns for pan-CK; 20/21 reacted diffusely. All MCC and 13/22 SCCL displayed CHR-positive cells. All MCC and all SCCL were positive for NSE and negative for S100. CONCLUSIONS: Dot-like positivities for CK-20 or NF are important to prove MCC and to exclude SCCL in clinically and morphologically doubtful cases. Dot-like positivities for pan-CK favor MCC, but do not always exclude SCCL. NSE and CHR are of no value for the differential diagnosis of MCC and SCCL. Melanoma and lymphoma are ruled out by negativity for S100 and pan-CK, respectively.

Aged↗

Cytokeratin and neurofilament protein staining in Merkel cell carcinoma of the small cell type and small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has a small cell variant, indistinguishable in hematoxylin-eosin sections from metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). To investigate whether intermediate filament expression is helpful in this distinction, 17 MCCs of the small cell type were examined for cytokeratin, as well as neurofilament protein immunostaining, and compared with 59 intermediate-type MCCs and 22 SCCL. With a pan-cytokeratin cocktail (cytokeratin 1-8, 10, 13-16, 19), most (39 of 55) intermediate-type tumors and, more important, 11 of 16 cases of the small cell variant exhibited focal paranuclear staining with dot-like positivity, crescentic positivity, or both. A combined focal (dot-like/crescentic) and diffuse cytoplasmic pan-cytokeratin staining was seen in additional 8 of 55 intermediate and 4 of 16 small cell MCCs. Cytokeratin 20 also evoked focal cytoplasmic staining and occasionally focal and diffuse positivity in the MCCs, irrespective of the subtype. Exclusively diffuse cytokeratin 20 patterns did not occur. Conversely, most SCCL showed a diffuse expression of pancytokeratin, and all cases remained cytokeratin 20 negative. When neurofilament protein was applied, approximately half of the MCCs (25 of 40), including 7 of 11 of the small cell variant, were positive, whereas all SCCL were negative. In conclusion, the cytokeratin and neurofilament protein patterns of small cell MCCs are identical to the pattern of intermediate MCCs but differ from the profile of SCCL, which may help in the differential diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Detection of endometriosis during cesarean section for HELLP syndrome in the 32nd week of pregnancy].

The rare case of a decidualized endometriosis of the appendix vermiformis is reported in a woman who developed HELLP syndrome during the 32nd week of a twin pregnancy. Cesarean section and simultaneous appendectomy were performed. An inspection of the appendix should always be carried out if an endometriosis-associated anamnesis is known. No pathophysiological correlations between the HELLP syndrome and the endometriosis of the appendix vermiformis could be found.

Adult↗

[Differential diagnosis of cystic adnexa processes. A comparison of the value of sonography, puncture cytology and color and biochemical biopsy analysis with histology].

The histological diagnoses of 109 cystic adnexal masses were compared with the results of ultrasound examination, color, cytology and biochemical analyses of cystic fluid. In cases with suspicious results by ultrasound examination most of the malignant tumors but only a small number of benign cystic masses were found. Macroscopic and cytologic examinations gave no further informations. By biochemical analyses functional cysts could be detected with 86% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity by a combination of estradiol, progesterone and Ca 12-5. Endometrioma and malignant tumors could be separated from other adnexal masses (specificity 95%, sensitivity 100%) with a combination of Tag 72-4 and CASA.

Adenofibroma↗