Ultrastructural observations on the microvasculature in advanced gastric carcinomas

The ultrastructural features associated with vascular permeability in 9 cases of advanced gastric carcinomas were studied, and compared with that of control non-neoplastic mucosa. Tumour rnicrovasculature showed features in common with those of control mucosa, including complete basa1 lamina, welldeveloped interendothelial junctions, fenestrations and caveolae. Some tumour blood vessels showed endothelial cell swelling accompained by luminal narrowing and perivascular fibrosis. In 2 out of 9 cases, there were endothelial attenuation with numerous fenestrations and vesiculo-vacuolar organelles. The vesiculo-vacuolar organelle is a recently described cytoplasmic structure found in the endothelial cells lining turnour microvessels and normal venules and which provides an important pathway for extravasation of circulating macromolecules. Our ultrastructural data suggest that advanced gastric carcinomas share with experimental tumour models in vivo only some morphologic features associated with hyperpermeability including fenestration, endothelial attenuation and vesiculo-vacuolar organelles. The implications of perivascular fibrosis on the delivery of immune cells to gastric carcinomas are discussed

Ultrastructural observations on the microvasculature in advanced gastric carcinomas

The ultrastructural features associated with vascular permeability in 9 cases of advanced gastric carcinomas were studied, and compared with that of control non-neoplastic mucosa. Tumour microvasculature showed features in common with those of control mucosa, including complete basa1 lamina, welldeveloped interendothelial junctions, fenestrations and caveolae. Some tumour blood vessels showed endothelial cell swelling accompained by luminal narrowing and perivascular fibrosis. In 2 out of 9 cases, there were endothelial attenuation with numerous fenestrations and vesiculo-vacuolar organelles. The vesiculo-vacuolar organelle is a recently described cytoplasmic structure found in the endothelial cells lining turnour microvessels and normal venules and which provides an important pathway for extravasation of circulating macromolecules. Our ultrastructural data suggest that advanced gastric carcinomas share with experimental tumour models in vivo only some morphologic features associated with hyperpermeability including fenestration, endothelial attenuation and vesiculo-vacuolar organelles. The implications of perivascular fibrosis on the delivery of immune cells to gastric carcinomas are discussed

Minute and small early gastric carcinoma with special reference to eosinophil infiltration

The authors examined 25 minute early gastric cancers (EGC) and 13 small EGC in order to investigate the incidence and possible causes for the infiltration of eosinophils. The degree of eosinophil infiltration was higher in tumour stroma than in adjacent normal-appearing mucosa; this correlation was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) was not correlated with size, histological type, necrosis of the tumour nor gastritis activity in adjacent non-tumoral mucosa. Electron microscopy, performed in 4 cases of small EGC, showed tumour stromal eosinophils with morphological evidence of activation similar to those described for tissue eosinophils in various disorders. Some tumour cells in intimate contact with activated eosinophils exhibited foca1 cytopathic changes. TATE represents local inflammation probably leading to tumour cell damage. The immunological role of the eosinophils against tumour cells in vivo deserves further investigation

Neutrophil interaction with tumour cells in small early gastric cancer, ultrastructural observations

The authors studied the neutrophil inflammatory reaction by light and electron microscopy in 4 small early gastric cancers (three tubular adenocarcinomas and one adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell component), selected for the absence of coagulative necrosis and ulceration. Neutrophils showed ultrastructural signs of activation such as aggregation, adhesion and lipid bodies. Some neutrophils were found to be in intimate contact with the intact tumour cells and with those that displayed a varying degree of damage. In particular, relatively early damage, such as disorganization of the intermediate filaments and dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, occurred at the contact regions. In spite of the severe damage to the tumour cells, the neutrophils themselves were intact. These findings are discussed in relationship to a number of recent studies of the neutrophil-mediated tumour cell injury, in man and animals

Ultrastructural study of the vascular response in small early gastric cancer

The microvasculature of the stroma of four cases of small early gastric cancer (EGC) was investigated by conventional electron microscopy. Severe damage to small and large fenestrated capillaries was observed around endothelium-adherent, partially degranulated neutrophils. The findings suggest the existence of neutrophil-mediated injury of endothelial cells during the development of inflammatory responses in small EGC. The severely injured microvessels exhibited increase in vasopermeability, microhaemorrhage, and platelet aggregates. Other microvascular changes included endothelial cell and pericyte activation as well as basal lamina replications, indicative of repeated episodes of endothelial injury, necrosis and regeneration. This new capillary growth within the old basal laminas shared morphological features with a peculiar angiogenic process described in man and animals

Multimodal imaging in Susac syndrome: A case report and literature review

7noSusac syndrome (SS) is a rare microangiopathy that involves arterioles of the brain, retina, and cochlea. Diagnosis is extremely difficult because of the rarity of the disease and because the signs and symptoms often occur at different times. Multidisciplinary approaches and multimodal images are mandatory for diagnosis and prompt therapy. In this report, we describe a case of SS and the application of multimodal retinal imaging to evaluate the ophthalmologic changes and to confirm diagnosis. Early diagnosis and therapy based on the associations of steroids and immunosuppressants are necessary to limit the sequelae of the disease.openopenBagaglia S.A.; Passani F.; Oliverio G.W.; Inferrera L.; Menna F.; Meduri A.; Mazzotta C.Bagaglia, S. A.; Passani, F.; Oliverio, G. W.; Inferrera, L.; Menna, F.; Meduri, A.; Mazzotta, C