Focal Myositis in paediatric age.

BACKGROUND: Focal Myositis is a rare pseudotumor of unknown aetiology that is often difficult to diagnose and treat. Typically afflicting people in adulthood, it has occasionally been reported also among children. PURPOSE: the aim of this study is to review the literature of Focal Myositis in paediatric age in order to compare the clinical manifestation and the various treatment suggested by different authors. METHODS: this article describes a 6-year-old boy with focal myositis in gracilis muscle successfully treated by conservative methods, including nocturnal leg traction, intensive physiokinesi therapy and articulated knee orthosis guided to progressive extension. Furthermore a systematic review of literature concerning focal myositis in paediatric age is reported. CONCLUSION: our case and the review of literature suggests that conservative methods should be the first-choice treatment for FM in paediatric age and that surgery should be strictly reserved for selected cases where non-invasive methods have previously faile

Congenital pancreatoblastoma: a case report

The literature describes 15 cases of congenital pancreatoblastoma (PB): 5 had prenatal diagnosis, none had metastases at diagnosis, 7 were associated with BeckwitheWiedemann syndrome (BWS). In 13 cases resection was radical, while in 2 there were macroscopic residues. Only one patient underwent chemotherapy after distant recurrence. All children are alive except one who died because of problems related to BWS. Our goal is to describe the approach adopted in an infant with congenital PB treated in our center. After a prenatal third semester diagnosis of abdominal anechoic lesion, the radiological investigations (ultrasound, MRI) performed at birth described a cystic lesion of unclear nature. We proceeded to laparoscopic exploration, transformed into open approach after the detection of a lesion located in the body of the pancreas; this lesion was resected, preserving the head and tail of pancreas. The histological diagnosis showed a completely excised PB. After excluding metastatic lesions, we decided to perform only careful follow-up without chemotherapy. The follow-up at 12 months is negative. Although PB is a malignant tumor that requires a multidisciplinary treatment, the congenital cases seem to have a less aggressive biological behavior. The treatment, therefore, in case of complete resection, could be only surgical, followed by a careful follow-up. These forms are often associated with congenital BWS, but in our case the patient did not have the typical characteristics of the syndrome

Spleen histology in children with sickle cell disease and hereditary spherocytosis: Hints on the disease pathophysiology

open2Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are associated with splenomegaly and spleen dysfunction in pediatric patients. Scant data exist on possible correlations between spleen morphology and function in HS and SCD. This study aimed to assess the histological and morphometric features of HS and SCD spleens, in order to get possible correlations with disease pathophysiology. In a large series of spleens from SCD, HS and control patients the following parameters were considered: (i) macroscopic features; (ii) lymphoid follicle (LF) density; (iii) presence of peri-follicular marginal zones (MZs); (iv) presence of Gamna-Gandy bodies; (v) density of CD8-positive sinusoids; (vi) density of CD34-positive microvessels; (vii) presence/distribution of fibrosis and SMA-positive myoid cells; (viii) density of CD68-positive macrophages. SCD and HS spleens have similar macroscopic features. SCD spleens had lower LF density and fewer MZs than HS spleens and controls. SCD also showed lower CD8-positive sinusoid density, increased CD34-positive microvessel density and SMA-positive myoid cells, and higher prevalence of fibrosis and Gamna-Gandy bodies. HS had lower LF and CD8-positive sinusoid density than controls. No significant differences were noted in red pulp macrophages. By multivariate analysis, the majority of HS spleens clustered with controls, while SCD grouped separately. A multi-parametric score could predict the degree of spleen changes irrespective of the underlying disease. In conclusion, SCD spleens display greater histologic effacement than HS and SCD-related changes suggest impaired function due to vascular damage. These observations may contribute to guide the clinical management of patients.embargoed_20161128Alaggio, RitaAlaggio, Rita; Gamba, Piergiorgi

Biliary Adenofibroma of the Liver: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

We herein report the clinicopathologic features of a rare case of biliary adenofibroma (BAF) of the liver in a 79-year-old man. Grossly, tumour presented as a well-circumscribed, 5.5-cm mass with a solid and microcystic appearance. Histological examination was typical of biliary adenofibroma, showing a proliferation of variable-sized tubulocystic structures embedded in a moderately cellular fibrous stroma. Immunohistochemistry, revealing immunoreactivity of the epithelial component to cytokeratins 7 and 19, was consistent with a bile duct origin. Notably, the stromal cells had a myofibroblastic profile, showing a diffuse and strong expression of vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin. Differential diagnosis with Von Meyenburg complex, biliary adenoma, biliary cistadenoma, congenital biliary cystsy, and hepatic benign cystic mesothelioma is provided. The occasionally reported expression of p53 in biliary adenofibroma has suggested that this tumour could represent a premalignant lesion. The absence of both cytological atypia and p53 immunoreactivity in our case confirms that BAF is a benign tumour with an indolent clinical behaviour. However, a careful histological examination of BAF is mandatory because malignant transformation of the epithelial component has been documented in two cases

DAX-1 Expression in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcomas: Another Immunohistochemical Marker Useful in the Diagnosis of Translocation Positive Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DAX-1 in a series of pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) with known translocation and compare it to Ap2\u3b2, known to be selectively expressed in ARMS. DESIGN: We revised a series of 71 alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (ARMS), enrolled in the Italian Protocols RMS 79 and 96, and 23 embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS) as controls. Before investigating Ap2\u3b2 and DAX-1, ARMS were reviewed and reclassified as 48 ARMS and 23 non-ARMS. RESULTS: Translocation positive ARMS showed a characteristic Ap2\u3b2/DAX-1+ staining pattern in 78% of cases, while 76% of classic ERMS were negative for both. Ap2\u3b2 alone was positive in 3.9% of RMS lacking translocation, whereas DAX-1 alone was positive in 25.4%. Conversely, 9% and 6% of translocation positive ARMS were positive only for DAX-1 or Ap2\u3b2, respectively. The 23 non-ARMS shared the same phenotype as ERMS but had a higher frequency of DAX-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: DAX-1 is less specific than Ap2\u3b2, however it is a sensitive marker for translocation positive ARMS and can be helpful in their diagnosis if used in combination with Ap2\u3b2

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: an unusual association with diabetes mellitus in a child and review of literature

Hepatic hemangioma, adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia are the most frequent benign lesions of the liver, but they are all infrequent among pediatric population. The reports of focal nodular hyperplasia in children have recently increased in number, with many cases associated to drug intake, particularly to chemotherapy. We here describe, to our knowledge, the first case of focal nodular hyperplasia in association with diabetes mellitus in childhood

Not only a small liver - The pathologist's perspective in the pediatric liver transplant setting

open8Pediatric liver transplantation represents a safe and long-lasting treatment option for various disease types, requiring the pathologist's input. Indeed, an accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial in reporting and grading native liver diseases, evaluating donor liver eligibility and identifying signs of organ injury in the post-transplant follow-up. However, as the procedure is more frequently and widely performed, deceptive and unexplored histopathologic features have emerged with relevant consequences on patient management, particularly when dealing with long-term treatment and weaning of immunosuppression. : In this complex and challenging scenario, this review aims to depict the most relevant histopathologic conditions which could be encountered in pediatric liver transplantation. We will tackle the conditions representing the main indications for transplantation in childhood as well as the complications burdening the post-transplant phases, either immunologically (i.e., rejection) or non-immunologically mediated. Lastly, we hope to provide concise, yet significant, suggestions related to innovative pathology techniques in pediatric liver transplantation.openGambella, Alessandro; Mastracci, Luca; Caporalini, Chiara; Francalanci, Paola; Mescoli, Claudia; Ferro, Jacopo; Alaggio, Rita; Grillo, FedericaGambella, Alessandro; Mastracci, Luca; Caporalini, Chiara; Francalanci, Paola; Mescoli, Claudia; Ferro, Jacopo; Alaggio, Rita; Grillo, Federic

Bowel parasitosis and neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix. A report from the Italian TREP project

Five children with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) of the appendix associated with a parasitic bowel infection are described, and the possibility of inflammation-triggered carcinogenesis is discussed. Schistosoma haematobium is linked primarily to bladder cancer but it has been reported in association with several other histotypes, including NETs of the gastrointestinal tract. Conversely, Enterobius vermicularis has not yet been claimed to participate in the onset of pre-cancerous conditions or tumours. The rare occurrence of contemporary appendiceal NETs and parasitic infection, raises the intriguing hypothesis of an inflammation-related carcinogenesis, although a cause-effect relationship cannot be established. Larger international series of childhood appendiceal NETs, which also include countries with higher prevalence of parasitic bowel infections, are needed to further clarify this possible cause-effect relationshi

Combination antifungal therapy and surgery for the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

An 8-year old boy, affected by severe aplastic anemia, developed a probable pulmonary invasive aspergillosis (IA) early after a second unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). He was treated promptly with the combination of liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin. Despite the initial stabilization, the patient deteriorated and the antifungal therapy was switched to voriconazole and caspofungin. The patient gradually improved and was discharged home on day +29 post-HSCT on oral voriconazole. On day +119, a sudden episode of hemoptysis occurred and a right superior lobectomy was decided to remove the residual aspergilloma. The patient is now alive and well more than 24 months from HSCT. This case demonstrated that antifungal combination therapy and surgery are valid options to cure pulmonary IA even in patients at high-risk and severely immunosuppressed

NTRK3 overexpression in undifferentiated sarcomas with YWHAE and BCOR genetic alterations

The BCOR family of tumors includes a number of undifferentiated sarcomas, occurring in various age groups and anatomic sites, characterized by a spindle and round cell phenotype and diffuse immunoreactivity for BCOR. Prior RNA sequencing data revealed that NTRK3 was a top-upregulated gene in BCOR-CCNB3 sarcomas. In this study, we investigate a large cohort of tumors harboring BCOR/YWHAE genetic alterations for NTRK3 upregulation at both the mRNA and protein levels, compared with other sarcoma types. Pan-Trk immunohistochemistry was assessed for intensity and extent. A correlation between NTRK3 expression and the type of BCOR alteration and BCOR immunoreactivity was also performed. Most soft tissue undifferentiated round cell sarcomas with YWHAE or BCOR rearrangements or BCOR internal tandem duplications (ITD) showed NTRK3, but not NTRK1 or NTRK2, upregulation by RNA sequencing data analysis. Cytoplasmic pan-Trk immunoreactivity was also observed in most soft tissue round cell sarcomas with YWHAE rearrangements (100%), BCOR ITD (80%), and BCOR-CCNB3 fusions (67%), as well as clear cell sarcomas of kidney (75%), another BCOR family tumor, and ossifying fibromyxoid tumors with ZC3H7B-BCOR fusion (100%), with variable staining intensity and extent. Pan-Trk staining was also seen in solitary fibrous tumors (100%) and less frequently in synovial sarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, but rarely in other sarcomas tested. Tumors harboring rare fusion variants of BCOR, such as BCOR-CHD9, a novel fusion identified by targeted RNA sequencing, and KMT2D-BCOR, were also positive for pan-Trk staining and NTRK3 overexpression. In conclusion, NTRK3 upregulation resulting in pan-Trk overexpression is common in the BCOR family of tumors as well as in subsets of BCOR-expressing sarcomas through alternative mechanisms. The therapeutic implication of this finding awaits further investigation