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S Probst-Cousin

Publications and source records attributed to S Probst-Cousin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Expression of annexin-1 in multiple sclerosis plaques.

This study describes the distribution and identity of annexin-1 positive cells in the central nervous system in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Glucocorticoid-inducible, anti-inflammatory properties have been ascribed to annexin-1, a member of a family of calcium-binding proteins that are referred to collectively as annexins. We have found annexin-1 to be spatially associated with active MS lesions and demonstrated a stage-dependent expression of annexin-1 in MS plaques. All of the most important pathogenetically involved cells of MS lesions showed a strong annexin-1 reactivity. Both correlation analysis and double staining procedures suggested annexin-1 expression in macrophages and perivascular lymphocytes, where a cytoplasmic reactivity was displayed, whereas in activated, gemistocytic astrocytes it was also concentrated close to the plasma membrane. Although the exact roles of annexin-1 in this setting are still to be determined, a possible contribution to anti-inflammatory processes might be suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

C-MYC expression in medulloblastoma and its prognostic value.

To identify prognostic factors in medulloblastoma, a common malignant brain tumor of childhood, expression of the oncogene c-myc was examined at the mRNA level by in situ hybridization. c-myc mRNA expression was observed in 30 of 72 tumors (42%). The c-myc gene copy number was determined by quantitative PCR from genomic DNA of paraffin-embedded tumors. c-myc gene amplification was present in 5 of 62 cases (8.3%). Therefore, c-myc amplification was obviously not the cause of c-myc mRNA expression in most samples. Kaplan-Meier estimation revealed a significant correlation between c-myc mRNA expression and survival (total mean follow-up 4.6 +/- 3.6 years, log-rank p = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including sex, age, histological type, degree of surgical resection and expression of synaptophysin, GFAP and c-myc, was carried out on 54 patients who received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The analysis identified expression of c-myc as an independent predictive factor of death from disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cell death in vasculitic neuropathy.

Vasculitic neuropathy shows cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+ perivascular infiltrates. CD8+ cells kill the target by different ways. Some mechanisms require the release of granzymes and T-cell restricted intracellular antigen (TIA-1) which induce cell death by apoptosis. A nonsecretory ligand-mediated mechanism has been proposed for apoptosis and requires the interaction of Fas and Fas-ligand. We studied apoptosis by immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) in nerve biopsy specimens in 19 cases of vasculitic neuropathy and 8 controls. In vasculitic neuropathy, perivascular mononuclear cells expressed TIA-1, granzyme A, and granzyme B. Regarding the ligand-mediated mechanism, we observed Fas+ and Fas-ligand+ mononuclear cells in an epineurial-perivascular distribution. Cells undergoing apoptosis, as demonstrated by TUNEL, represented mononuclear cells. In vasculitic neuropathy, apoptosis by both a secretory and a nonsecretory mechanism is suspected. However, apoptosis seems to be restricted to inflammatory mononuclear cells, suggesting that it may play a critical role in recovery from vasculitic neuropathy.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2000

[30 years multiple system atrophy concept: retrospect and overview of multiple system atrophy].

Multiple system atrophy represents an enigmatic, clinico-pathologically defined neurodegenerative disease. According to findings of the last three decades, the historically derived, previously used terms olivopontocerebellar atrophy, striatonigral degeneration, and Shy-Drager-syndrome should be avoided in clinical use because of both the clinical and morphological overlap between these syndromes. Complex neurodegenerative syndromes other than multiple system atrophy according to recently developed criteria, should rather be referred to as multiple system degenerations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Muscle hypertrophy due to scarring of the S1 nerve root.

Segmental muscle enlargement occurs in a variety of neurogenic conditions. We present a patient with calf hypertrophy, likely produced by continuous neuromuscular irritability and compensatory type 1 and type 2 muscle fiber hypertrophy. The underlying lesion of the S1 nerve root was caused by scarring, which could be demonstrated by Gadolinum enhanced, fat saturated magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, the application of this technique is recommended in otherwise etiologically unclear cases of neurogenic muscular lesions in order to detect chronic nerve root pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

High amino acid uptake in a low-grade desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma in a 14-year-old patient.

Amino acid uptake is higher in high-grade than in low-grade gliomas; this is the rationale for using radioactively labelled amino acids for the non-invasive grading of brain neoplasms. We present a 14-year-old boy with a low-grade desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) that exhibited marked contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but no signs of infiltration and only minimal surrounding edema. In this benign neoplasm the relative uptake of the radioactively labelled amino acid I-123-alpha-methyl tyrosine (IMT), determined using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), was 3.24; it was considerably higher than that of eleven other pretherapeutic low-grade gliomas where it ranged from 1.06 to 1.94 and also markedly above that average value of 2.37 found in 20 high-grade gliomas. This case report illustrates that results from emission tomography with radioactively labelled amino acids must be interpreted with caution, particularly when rare tumor entities are considered in view of uncommon clinical or radiological findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Melanotic progonoma of the brain: a case report and review.

So far, only 25 melanotic progonomas have been found in the central nervous system (male/female ratio 3.5), mostly located in the cerebellum. The average age is 8 years (range 3.5 months to 69 years) with 85% becoming clinically apparent in the first decade of life; 73.7% of the patients reported succumbed to their disease at a mean age of 2.8 years, with a postoperative survival time of just 9 months. Systemic metastases were reported in 9 cases and had mostly spread via cerebrospinal fluid. In contrast to peripheral melanotic progonomas usually found in the maxilla, cerebral progonomas have a much worse outcome and have to be regarded as malignant. We present the case of a 1-year-old boy suffering from a melanotic progonoma of the pineal gland, who died at the age of 22 months with extensive spinal and abdominal metastases 10 months after partial removal of the tumor.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

A unique case of cerebral spleen.

We present the first case of cerebral splenosis, occurring in a 20-year-old man 15 years after posttraumatic splenectomy. He became symptomatic through seizures and was operated on for suspected meningioma of the right occipital pole. Histologic evaluation of the lesion revealed splenic tissue with matching immunohistochemical results. Because no penetrating head injuries were reported at the time of trauma, a hematogenous spread of splenic tissue has to be assumed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cell death mechanisms in multiple system atrophy.

The presence and distribution of apoptotic cell death in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and morphologically related diseases were investigated by means of a modified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling method, comparing their distribution with that of glial cytoplasmic inclusions, immunohistochemically demonstrated bcl-2 protein, bax protein, CD95, TNFalpha, and p53-protein expression, as well as activated microglia. Apoptosis occurred almost exclusively in oligodendrocytes in multiple system atrophy and its general distribution was comparable to the already known oligodendroglial pathology in this disorder. Additionally, in about a quarter of glial cytoplasmic inclusions, there was upregulation of bcl-2-protein and coexpression with ubiquitin, suggesting a final attempt of involved cells to counteract apoptotic cell death. Bax protein was also demonstrated in oligodendroglial cells. A significant neuronal apoptosis was not observed in MSA; these cells might be destroyed secondarily to oligodendroglial apoptosis by necrosis or other forms of programmed cell death. These results emphasize the central role of oligodendroglial pathology in multiple system atrophy, making this disease unique among neurodegenerative diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Secretory meningioma: clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings in 31 cases.

BACKGROUND: Secretory meningioma is a rare histologic variant characterized by a unique epithelial differentiation of meningothelial cells resulting in the production of hyaline inclusions. Most previous reports have presented single case observations. The authors selected 31 cases for a clinicopathologic study to characterize this type of tumor further. METHODS: Clinical data were compiled and the extent of peritumoral edema was assessed from preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans. Preparations of surgical specimens of all tumors were studied after both conventional histologic and immunohistochemical preparations were made. Immunostaining was performed by either the avidin-biotin complex method or the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method using 22 primary antibodies. RESULTS: In the tumor collection used in this study, secretory meningiomas represented 3% of meningiomas. The female-to-male ratio was 9:1. Most tumors were located at the sphenoid ridge or at the frontal convexity, and recurrences were not observed. Eighty-four percent of tumors presented with slight to marked peritumoral edema. The MIB-1 staining index showed a mean of 3.8%. Inclusions and surrounding cells consistently expressed epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratins, carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9. In decreasing frequency, they also contained alpha1-antitrypsin, immunoglobulin (Ig)A, alpha1-antichymotrypsin, IgM, and IgG. Cells positive for vimentin and S-100 did not contain inclusions. All tumors were positive for progesterone receptors. Macrophages were stained with antibodies to factor XIIIa, human leukocyte antigen-DR, and alpha1-antitrypsin. In 64% of cases, tumor vessels lacked expression of glucose transporter protein 1. CONCLUSIONS: The classification of secretory meningioma as a distinct variant has been justified on clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical grounds. The unique epithelial features call attention to the broad spectrum of differentiation properties found in meningiomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis].

We report on a 69-year old male patient who presented with vague depressive symptoms and loss of weight accompanied by lack of appetite, ageusia and anosmia. The patient died of bronchial pneumonia, and neuropathological examination revealed a so-called limbic encephalitis. The paraneoplastic origin of this case was later confirmed by discovery of a clinically inapparent, indolently growing small cell lung cancer. This case illustrates the difficult clinical diagnosis of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis and the need for a close cooperation of pathologists and neuropathologists in the clarification of such cases.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Paraganglioma of the cauda equina].

We report on a case of paraganglioma of the cauda equina in a 48-year-old man. These slow-growing, mostly benign and encapsulated intradural-extramedullar tumours are clinically characterized by lumbago, paraesthesia and motor deficits as well as occasionally by incontinence. Paragangliomas of the cauda equina show monomorphous (main) cells arranged in a typical cell cluster pattern, demonstrating a lobular architecture and a fine net of connective tissue formed by so-called sustentacular cells; some tumours show focal ganglionic differentiation. Because of their morphological similarity to the more common ependymomas, paragangliomas of the cauda equina are sometimes misdiagnosed so that their incidence is likely to be higher than previously estimated. Immunohistochemistry findings are positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin and other neuronal markers as well as neuropeptides (main cells) and S-100 protein (sustentacular cells) while widely lacking reactivity for GFAP. Paragangliomas of the cauda equina represent a rare entity, of which only 80 cases have been described in the literature. Because they only occur sporadically, they are often not included in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions of the region of the cauda equina.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1997

Primary intracranial neoplasms of infancy and early childhood.

We investigated the age-related location, gender distribution, and histology of 107 brain tumors in children under 4 years of age seen in our department between 1984 and 1997. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4 (62/45 cases) with a prevalence of supratentorial tumors (60/47 = 1.3); the main histological entity was astrocytoma (33.6%), followed by ependymoma (14.0%). In the 1st year of life 22 cerebral neoplasms became clinically apparent. A higher ratio for supratentorial tumors was revealed (17/5 = 3.4), but without gender preference, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) were the most frequent (5/22). In the 2nd year 25 tumors were found. The male-to-female ratio was 1.5 (15/10) and the supratentorial-to-infratentorial ratio, 1.1 (13/12). The two most common entities were astrocytoma and ependymoma (6 cases each). In addition, a survey of previously published investigations into this subject was performed and a compilation of data on 1960, 545 and 1084 tumors in children below the age of 1, 2 and 4 years, respectively, was prepared, which makes it the most extensive review of brain tumors of infancy and early childhood yet undertaken.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Congenital immature teratoma of the fetal brain.

Congenital intracranial tumors are very rare and only account for 0.5-1.5% of all childhood brain tumors. Even rarer are those with prenatal manifestation. The most common of these present at birth are teratomas, which show divergent differentiation with 90% of them containing tissues from all three germ layers. We report a rare case of an intrauterine congenital immature teratoma in a female fetus at 23 weeks of gestation, which was sonographically diagnosed in vivo by detection of the tumor and associated craniomegaly. Because of the poor prognosis, termination of the pregnancy was induced by Rivanol instillation. The cerebral tumor was confirmed at autopsy and was not associated with any other malformations. Histological and immunohistochemical features of this tumor are presented.

Abortion, Eugenic↗
PubMed1997

Factor XIIIa expression in granulomatous lesions due to sarcoidosis or mycobacterial infection.

The a-subunit of the clotting factor XIII (FXIIIa) has previously been shown to be synthesized by cells of monocyte lineage such as macrophages and histiocytes. Thus, besides clot retraction, a possible role of FXIIIa has also been postulated in inflammation. In order to test this hypothesis, FXIIIa-expression in granulomatous lesions due to sarcoidosis and mycobacterial infection was investigated. In the 12 cases (six cases each) examined, FXIIIa-positive macrophages were consistently detected by immunohistochemistry. They were predominantly observed in the periphery of granulomas, whereas the centers were generally devoid of these cells. We did not find any difference in the distribution of FXIIIa-positive cells in both conditions; thus FXIIIa did not improve the differential diagnosis between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. However, FXIIIa-producing macrophages seemed to contribute to the centripetal fibrosis in granuloma. These results further suggest that the basic pathogenetic mechanisms in granuloma formation are very similar, regardless of their origin from sarcoidosis or tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with extensive miliary metastases: a case report.

We report the course of a 19-year-old female who presented with a 13-year history of an occipital dermal tumor. Only five weeks after excision, the patient succumbed to cerebral dysregulation due to extensive miliary cerebral, hepatic, and pulmonary metastasis. The histologic features of the surgical specimen and the autopsy material differed suspiciously: a peculiar malignant progression of the tumor seemed to have occurred within five weeks.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Iodine-123-alpha-methyl tyrosine in gliomas: correlation with cellular density and proliferative activity.

UNLABELLED: Amino acid transport rate in gliomas can be assessed using SPECT and the amino acid L-123I-alpha-methyl tyrosine (IMT). This study attempted to correlate the uptake of IMT by gliomas with the proliferative activity and cellular density of these neoplasms. METHODS: The study used 27 patients with gliomas, including 18 patients with high-grade tumors and nine patients with low-grade neoplasms. Amino acid transport rate was determined using IMT and the triple-headed SPECT camera. Proliferative activity was immunohistochemically assessed as the relative number of cells expressing the Ki-67 nuclear antigen; cellular density was evaluated using light microscopy. RESULTS: Relative IMT uptake correlated significantly with the proliferative fraction of tumor cells (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between IMT uptake and cellular density (r = 0.25, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The uptake of the SPECT radiopharmaceutical IMT is related to proliferative activity rather than to the cellular density of gliomas.

Astrocytoma↗