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Biomedical subjects

Maria Luisa C Policarpio-Nicolas

Publications and source records attributed to Maria Luisa C Policarpio-Nicolas.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Mass-forming extramedullary hematopoiesis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is usually a microscopic finding. However, it may present as a mass-forming lesion making it amenable to fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). When mass-forming EMH occurs, it can simulate a neoplasm clinically and radiologically. Additionally, the megakaryocytes can mimic malignant neoplastic cells, particularly if EMH is not a considered diagnosis. We report six cases of mass-forming EMH diagnosed by FNAB and evaluate the utility of FNAB in diagnosing EMH. Four patients had prior diagnoses of hematologic disorders, one patient had malignant mastocytosis who presented with lymphadenopathy and one patient had a history of carcinoma. The patients' ages ranged from 46 to 78 yr with an equal sex distribution. Aspirate smears showed trilineage hematopoiesis. The cytomorphologic differential diagnosis included metastatic carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloid sarcoma. No special stains were necessary due to the classic cytologic findings and prior hematologic history.

Aged↗

Postradiation angiosarcoma of the small intestine: a case report and review of literature.

Postradiation angiosarcoma is typically a high-grade sarcoma that presents mainly in the skin and superficial tissues. Postradiation angiosarcoma arising in the small intestine is rare with only 11 cases documented in the English-language literature. Herein, we report a postradiation angiosarcoma of the small intestine 9 years after radiotherapy for uterine cervical adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. At exploratory laparotomy, tumor nodules involved the small bowel. Microscopically, the neoplasm was composed of spindled and epithelioid cells arranged in solid aggregates and focally forming vascular channels. The diagnosis of angiosarcoma was confirmed immunohistochemically by tumor cell expression of CD31, CD34, and factor VIII-related antigen. The patient died 10 months after laparotomy. The diagnosis of PRA should be entertained for any poorly differentiated neoplasm arising in a previously irradiated site. The correct diagnosis of PRA depends upon histomorphologic identification of vascular differentiation, coupled with immunohistochemical expression of endothelial-related markers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Urorectal septum malformation sequence.

The urorectal septum malformation sequence consists of absent perineal and anal openings in association with ambiguous genitalia and urogenital, colonic, and lumbosacral anomalies. The full sequence is highly lethal, and the partial sequence, characterized by a single perineal opening draining a common cloaca, is compatible with life. Defects in mesodermal proliferation early in embryogenesis result in this rare condition. Timely urologic and surgical evaluations and reconstructions are imperative and necessary for survival. Urologists should be familiar with the mechanisms and presentations of this condition, as they may be involved in the diagnosis and management of such patients.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Synovial sarcoma of the heart: Report of a case with diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Primary synovial sarcomas of the heart are aggressive and extremely rare tumors. At least 17 cases have been reported in the literature. In all the published cases the diagnosis was based on histologic sections. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary synovial sarcoma of the heart diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA). CASE: A 36-year-old male with an unremarkable past medical history presented with a 4.4-cm mass arising from the left ventricular wall of the heart. Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the mass revealed a high grade tumor showing an intimate admixture of spindle and epithelial cells. A diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma, favor synovial sarcoma, was rendered. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of a SYT-SSX fusion transcript. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy followed by resection of the residual tumor. The histology of the viable tumor showed histologic findings typical of biphasic synovial sarcoma. CONCLUSION: Synovial sarcoma rarely presents as a primary tumor of the heart. Sampling by FNA allows demonstration of the cytomorphologic appearance typical of the tumor and other ancillary studies. The specific genetic abnormality of these tumors allows confirmation by cytogenetic and molecular studies.

Adult↗