Needle Biopsy Research Articles

Examining the false-negative rate of a negative axillary node ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in breast cancer patients undergoing upfront surgery

BackgroundAxillary assessment in breast cancer is key to determining an upfront surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) approach. We investigated the false-negative rate (FNR) of axillary-node ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (US-CNBx) and the surgical management of pN ​+ ​patients. MethodsThis single-institution study from 2010 to 2020 included patients with benign findings on US-CNBx and upfront surgery. Statistical analyses were performed via t-tests and chi-squared tests. Results95 axillae met inclusion, 23 were pN+, resulting in a US-CNBx FNR of 24.2 ​%. pN ​+ ​patients more frequently had cT2-T3 tumors vs pN0 patients (43.5 ​% vs 27.8 ​%, p ​= ​0.03). Of the 23 ​pN ​+ ​patients, 9 underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and 14 underwent mastectomy. In those with BCS, 7 had 1–2 positive nodes, 2 had ≥3 nodes; 3 received an ALND. In those with mastectomies, 12 had 1–2 positive nodes, 2 had ≥3 positive nodes; 6 received an ALND. ConclusionIn this cohort, US-CNBx had a FNR of 24.2 ​%. pN ​+ ​patients had a greater frequency of cT2–cT3 tumors, therefore clinicians should be cognizant of potential occult nodal disease despite negative CNBx when deciding management.

Synchronous primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and multiple lung primary adenocarcinoma with pulmonary cryptococosis: a case report and literature review

BackgroundThe coexistence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the stomach and multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas with pulmonary cryptococcosis has rarely been reported.Case presentationWe herein present a 75-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital due to hematemesis. Gastroscopy and imaging revealed extensive stomach wall thickening and multiple lung lesions, including nodules and cavernous lesion. The patient was diagnosed with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via gastroscopy and bilateral lung primary adenocarcinoma with cryptococcal infection via percutaneous CT-guided puncture biopsy. He subsequently underwent six cycles of R-CHOP regimen for gastric lymphoma, along with CT-guided radiofrequency ablation for the upper lobe of the right lung primary adenocarcinoma and radioactive particle implantation was performed on the lower lobe of the left lung primary adenocarcinoma, supplemented with antifungal therapy. After a definite diagnosis and systemic treatment, the patient was followed up for twenty-seven months with no tumor recurrence, progression or metastasis.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, the complex combination of multiple primary malignancies and pulmonary cryptococcal infection is extremely rare. The diagnosis is been confusing and challenging. CT-guided needle biopsy can help achieve pathological diagnosis, elucidate the type and stage of the tumor, and even change the clinical treatment strategy, which is necessary and beneficial.

Disseminated Cryptococcus over pancreas, lung, and brain: a case report

BackgroundCryptococcus is an opportunistic infection acquired through inhalation from the environment, primarily affecting individuals with compromised immune systems. It typically leads to pneumonia upon passing through lung tissue. The infection can disseminate to various organs via the bloodstream, resulting in meningitis or encephalitis in the central nervous system. Disseminated Cryptococcus has been reported to involve the skin, liver, eyes, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, kidneys, and intestines, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. However, pancreatic involvement in Cryptococcus is relatively rare, and a few case reports have highlighted severe organ damage and high mortality rates.Case presentationIn this case report, we present the case of a 36-year-old Asian man who presented with a 2-week history of headaches and blurred vision in his right eye. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple brain masses, along with a mass in the lower left lung field and a tumor in the pancreatic tail, as detected by chest computed tomography. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy and computed tomography-guided lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal infection involving the pancreas, lung, and brain. The patient’s clinical condition improved following antifungal therapy. Additionally, we identified anti-granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody as a risk factor for disseminated cryptococcal infection in this patient.ConclusionDisseminated cryptococcosis can be a potentially lethal condition, as highlighted by previous literature. However, early diagnosis using contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies, as well as prompt treatment as demonstrated in our case, can improve outcomes and prevent mortality.

Benign and malignant breast lesions in children and adolescents - diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Benign and malignant breast lesions in children and adolescents are rare compared to adults. Most tumors are benign. Malignant breast lesions are extremely rare. Fibroadenomas are the most common, accounting for 95% of all lesions. Diagnosis is based on history and physical examination of the breast and armpit. Imaging studies include ultrasound, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging test. Other tests are used in cases of diagnostic doubt. Core needle biopsy should be considered for appropriate diagnostic management. Excisional biopsy should be considered for complex clinical conditions and imaging studies. Except in doubtful situations in children and adolescent girls, a conservative approach and observation of the lesions along with periodic ultrasound examination initially every 6-12 months is advisable. Management of malignant breast lesions in children typically involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of pediatric oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and other specialists and depends on the clinical condition of the patient. An important aspect is the experience of the clinician and radiologist in the treatment of breast lesions, as well as increasing patient and family awareness of possible breast lesions and self-examination. This review aims to provide a scoping overview of the available literature on benign and malignant lesions of the breast in pediatric and adolescent populations to assist physicians and surgeons in making decisions regarding the appropriate diagnosis and management of pediatric breast disease.

Utility of Flexible Bronchoscopy as an Interventional Tool in Children: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

AbstractThe aim of this study was to study the utility of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy as an interventional tool. This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. The studied patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy for various diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. The endpoint was to document the type of therapeutic procedure done in a patient, success rate, and any procedural complications encountered. During the 7-year period, a total of 824 different bronchoscopic procedures were conducted. The majority of procedures were for diagnostic reasons. A total of 68 therapeutic procedures were performed successfully, which included foreign body retrieval in 46 patients, bronchoscopic intubation in 5 patients, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in 4 patients, dilatation of tracheal stenosis in 4 patients, mucus plug removal in 3 patients for lung collapse, postoperative hydatid membrane removal in 3 patients, whole lung lavage in 2 patients, and transbronchial needle biopsy (TBNB) for suspected fibrosing mediastinitis in 1 patient. The 7-year audit of therapeutic role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in children revealed that the procedure is safe and can be utilized for many therapeutic procedures in children, including removal of aspirated foreign bodies, bronchoscopic intubation, dilatation of tracheal stenosis, treatment of atelectasis, and collection of biopsy specimens from the mediastinum. The procedure is safe and carried no major complication rate.

Key Anabolic Markers in Human M. Soleus after 21-Day Head-Down Tilt Bedrest

Prolonged bed rest can have a significant negative effect on skeletal muscle, leading to muscle wasting and reduced strength. This process can occur in as little as 10 days in healthy individuals, with the loss of muscle mass and strength being particularly pronounced during the first week of immobilization. Head-down tilt bed rest (HDT) is a method used to simulate the physiological changes that occur in weightlessness during spaceflight. This technique involves lying in bed with the head tilted downward. This paper is dedicated to the analysis of key anabolic markers of the soleus muscle during 21 days of HDT BR. The HDT BR experiment was conducted at the Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences. Six healthy male volunteers, aged 25–35 years, were subjected to 21 days of strict bed rest with a tilt angle of –6°. A needle biopsy of the m.soleus was performed using the Bergström method before the start of HDT BR and on day 21 of HDT BR. The biopsy material was immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen for further Western blot and PCR analysis. Examination of mTORC1 substrates showed a significant decrease in p70 and 4EBP1 phosphorylation after HDT BR. We also observed a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of another ribosomal kinase, p90RSK, a significant increase in eEF2 phosphorylation and an increase in eEF2k mRNA expression. In addition, the phosphorylation of AMPK and its substrate ACC decreased after HDT BR. The data obtained in this work support the hypothesis that a decrease in protein synthesis, together with an increase in proteolysis, contributes to the development of human m. soleus atrophy after 21 days of HDT BR.

Thoracoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report

BackgroundEsophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are relatively rare, accounting for 2–5% of all GISTs. Typically, the treatment is surgery in nature. However, no standard procedure established for esophageal GISTs, and in many cases, subtotal esophagectomy or local resection via thoracoscopy or mediastinoscopy is performed. Thoracoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (TECS) is a surgical approach similar to laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery used for gastric GIST; however, no reports of its use for esophageal GIST have been published to date. We herein report such a case along with a review of past literature.Case presentationThe patient was a 60-year-old man. Upper gastrointestinal contrast imaging revealed a subepithelial lesion in the esophagus. An 18 × 17 mm subepithelial lesion was identified in the left wall, 35 cm from the upper incisors, during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and was diagnosed as a GIST through endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy. TECS was therefore performed. The patient was placed in a prone position with his face to the left. After confirming the lesion under endoscopy and left thoracoscopy, the periesophageal area of the lesion was dissected under thoracoscopy. Subsequently, an endoscopic full-layer resection was performed. Finally, the excision site of the lesion was sutured under thoracoscopy. The operation took a total of 3 h and 22 min, with a blood loss of 50 mL.ConclusionsThe appropriate surgical procedure for esophageal GIST should be considered according to the location and size of the lesion. TECS ensures that the resection margins are secured using an endoscopic or thoracoscopic approach. Furthermore, TECS is minimally invasive, avoiding esophagectomy and reconstruction, which makes it a potential surgical option for esophageal GISTs.

Gastric glomus tumor with a rare presentation: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction and Importance: Gastric glomus tumors (GGT) are rare soft tissue tumors of the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT). It is somewhat challenging to establish the diagnosis of GGT and differentiate it from the more common submucosal neoplasms. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old female patient presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Extensive workup including endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a well-circumscribed isoechoic mass arising from the muscularis propria. Based on fine needle biopsy (FNB) findings, with H&E stains performed only initially, the mass was considered a neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Antrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was performed. A microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of the resected specimen showed the cells to be positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA) making GGT the final diagnosis. Clinical Discussion: Of the 116 patients included in our analysis, 56.9% (n=66) were females and age group was between 41-64 years old in 63.8% (n=74) of the patients. About 55 cases (47.4%) had abdominal or epigastric pain or discomfort, which was the most frequent clinical symptom. In immunohistochemistry, SMA staining is present in 68.1% of the cases, underscoring its diagnostic significance. Laparotomy with wedge or partial gastrectomy was employed in 46.1% of the recorded cases. Due to malignant potential, long-term follow-up and monitoring are usually recommended. Conclusion: Despite the rarity of GGT, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors, with immunohistochemistry studies playing a major role in the diagnosis. Furthermore, a comprehensive evaluation of the literature in the past eight years was presented in a table.

Role of Liquid-Based Cytology in the Endoscopic Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) has been widely used to diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The histological examination of core tissues acquired using novel biopsy needles is the primary diagnostic approach for patients with PDAC. However, in patients with early-stage PDAC, such as Stages 0 and I, EUS-TA can be challenging, and its diagnostic accuracy may be limited. This presents a clinical dilemma: The earlier that clinicians attempt to accurately diagnose PDAC, the more difficult it becomes to do so using EUS-TA. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a technique for preparing pathological specimens from liquefied cytology specimens by placing the collected material in a special fixative preservative fluid. LBC offers advantages, such as specimen optimization with reduced blood interference, a high cell-collection rate, and the simplicity of the procedure in the endoscopy room. The use of LBC may improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly for early-stage PDAC. Therefore, we emphasize that cytology remains a valuable tool for the endoscopic diagnosis of PDAC. In this review, we discuss the role of LBC in the endoscopic diagnosis of PDAC.

MSI-H Detection by ddPCR in Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Biopsy (EUS-FNB) from Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with limited survival. Curative opportunities are only available for patients with resectable cancer. Palliative chemotherapy is the current standard of care for unresectable tumors. Numerous efforts have been made to investigate new therapeutic strategies for PDAC. Immunotherapy has been found to be effective in treating tumors with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), including PDAC. The ability of the Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Biopsy (EUS-FNB) to reliably collect tissue could enhance new personalized treatment by permitting genomic alterations analysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of obtaining adequate DNA for molecular analysis from EUS-FNB formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. For this purpose, FFPE-DNA obtained from 43 PDAC archival samples was evaluated to verify adequacy in terms of quantity and quality and was tested to evaluate MSI-H status by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). All samples were suitable for ddPCR analysis. Unlike the 1–2% MSI-H frequency found with traditional techniques, ddPCR detected this phenotype in 16.28% of cases. This study suggests the ddPCR ability to identify MSI-H phenotype, with the possibility of improving the selection of patients who may benefit from immunotherapy and who would be excluded by performing traditional diagnostic methods.

Rare Presentation of Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma Mimicking Phyllodes Tumor

Abstract Introduction/Objective A 57-year-old female presented with a palpable mass in the left breast, measuring up to 9 cm by ultrasound. core needle biopsy identified an atypical spindle cell lesion. The differential diagnosis included a metaplastic carcinoma, borderline phyllodes tumor, malignant phyllodes tumor with potential sarcomatous transformation. Methods/Case Report Histological examination of the tumor was performed, and immunohistochemical stains were conducted to characterize the lesion. Further consultation with a specialized pathologist at the University of Michigan was sought to confirm the diagnosis. Molecular analysis was performed to assess for specific genetic alterations and expression patterns. The histological examination revealed a proliferation of atypical spindle cells forming a fascicular and storiform pattern, with numerous large, pleomorphic, multinucleated tumor cells and a high mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical stains showed strong positivity for CD10 and vimentin, with focal weak expression for desmin, and negativity for a broad panel of cytokeratins and other markers. Consultation with Dr. Abbott at the University of Michigan supported the diagnosis of extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Molecular analysis revealed PD-L1 expression and absence of NTRK gene fusions. FISH analysis showed suggestive alterations including loss of BRAF gene, loss of MYC, and suggestive gains or polysomy of PTEN gene. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion The case represents a rare presentation of extraskeletal osteosarcoma in the breast, with distinctive histological and immunohistochemical features. The comprehensive workup including histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis aids in accurate diagnosis and potential therapeutic implications. Further research may elucidate the underlying mechanisms and treatment options for this uncommon malignancy.

Optimization of Turnaround Time and Insufficient Quantity Frequency for Molecular Testing on FFPE Material

Abstract Introduction/Objective With clinical decisions relying progressively more on molecular data extracted from formalin- fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, it is pivotal to optimize the use of tissue for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This optimization can be reached by identifying actionable instances that can decrease the turnaround time (TAT) and the rate of “quantity not sufficient” (QNS) results Methods/Case Report From January 2023 to December 2023, the total TAT from the time a molecular study is ordered to its delivery to the molecular lab at LL200A (Tomsich Laboratories), as well as the TAT from the time between the ordering pathologist circling the region of interest to its delivery to LL200A were broken down by subspecialty and site. In addition, the QNS results of Caris genomic profiling were evaluated considering subspecialty and site, amount of material present in the initial sample, and number of levels cut for other ancillary testing from the same material. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) 83% of subspecialties took longer than 48 hours to have material ordered for molecular studies delivered to LL200A. The median TAT for all specialties was 58 hours (average: 71.6 hours). When examining TAT from circling to LL200A, the median time was 19 hours (average: 28.4 hours). Regarding the QNS rate of the Caris assay, most QNS cases were gastrointestinal tract specimens (27%) or specimens obtained from either CT-guided core needle biopsies (30%) or endoscopic biopsies (32%). The longest dimension of QNS cases ranged from 7.5 cm to 0.1 cm (median: 1.3cm)—the average number of slides ordered before Caris ranged from 1 to 52 (median: 12). Conclusion The initial results pointed towards the time from circling to LL200A as one actionable item that could improve the TAT of molecular tests. Possible solutions include enacting a dedicated tumor circling service. In addition, to decrease the rate of Caris QNS results, we propose working together with proceduralists to increase biopsy material yield and to work with pathologists to preserve limited specimens for molecular studies.

YAP1 Status Defines Two Intrinsic Subtypes of LCNEC with Distinct Molecular Features and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high-grade neuroendocrine malignancy that, like small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is associated with the absence of druggable oncogenic drivers and dismal prognosis. In contrast to SCLC, however, there is little evidence to guide optimal treatment strategies, which are often adapted from SCLC and non-small cell lung cancer approaches. To better define the biology of LCNEC, we analyzed cell line and patient genomic data and performed IHC and single-cell RNA sequencing of core needle biopsies from patients with LCNEC and preclinical models. In this study, we demonstrate that the presence or absence of YAP1 distinguishes two subsets of LCNEC. The YAP1-high subset is mesenchymal and inflamed and is characterized, alongside TP53 mutations, by co-occurring alterations in CDKN2A/B and SMARCA4. Therapeutically, the YAP1-high subset demonstrates vulnerability to MEK- and AXL-targeting strategies, including a novel preclinical AXL chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cell. Meanwhile, the YAP1-low subset is epithelial and immune-cold and more commonly features TP53 and RB1 co-mutations, similar to those observed in pure SCLC. Notably, the YAP1-low subset is also characterized by the expression of SCLC subtype-defining transcription factors, especially ASCL1 and NEUROD1, and as expected, given its transcriptional similarities to SCLC, exhibits putative vulnerabilities reminiscent of SCLC, including delta-like ligand 3 and CD56 targeting, as is with novel preclinical delta-like ligand 3 and CD56 chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells, and DNA damage repair inhibition. YAP1 defines distinct subsets of LCNEC with unique biology. These findings highlight the potential for YAP1 to guide personalized treatment strategies for LCNEC.

Mycobacterium terrae Complex Associated Lymphadenitis: Negative AFB PCR

Abstract Introduction/Objective Nontuberculous mycobacteria included with the Mycobacterium terrae complex (MTC) include a ubiquitous, slow-growing collection of mycobacteria known for causing severe resistant skin, joint, and bone infections. There are limited reports of M. Arupensis, included under MTC, causing human infections despite environmental ubiquity. Low sequencing sensitivity for species such as M. Arupensis may result in negative preliminary PCR speciation thus influencing the negative predictive value of this method of organism detection. No prior case reports have described MTC infection presenting as subacute lymphadenitis. Methods/Case Report A 48 year old El Salvadorian male with known diagnosis of HIV presented with oral thrush and significant left-sided lymphadenopathy. He was initially diagnosed with HIV in El Salvador and on ART until immigrating to the US six months prior. HIV antigen and antibody was positive with positive reflex viral PCR. QuantiFERON-TB Gold resulted positive, but CXR was without evidence of pulmonary TB. TB1, TB2, and mitogen minus NIL were negative. He was referred for fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy of the left cervical lymph node. AFB and AFB FITE stains were performed, but no definitive mycobacteria were identified. GMS was performed and negative for fungal elements. A final histological diagnosis of necrotizing granuloma was given and the tissue was sent for bacterial, AFB, and fungal DNA PCR; no organisms were detected. A sputum sample was obtained and cultured four months after initial presentation and was positive for acid fast bacilli: Mycobacterium terrae complex, most closely resembling Mycobacterium arupensis. The Fite and AFB stains were again reviewed, revealing one single acid fast bacilli organism identified on Fite stain in the necrotizing granuloma. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) N/A Conclusion The negative AFB DNA PCR result may have been a false negative result due to poor sensitivity or selectivity for M. arupensis. There are no former reported cases of M. Arupensis associated necrotizing granulomas in lymph node. This unusual MTC infection presenting as chronic unilateral lymphadenitis underscores the importance of broadening clinical laboratory AFB DNA PCR sensitivity especially in cases of suspected AFB or modified AFB associated necrotizing granulomas.

Risk factors associated with air embolism following computed tomography-guided percutaneous lung biopsy: a retrospective case-control study.

Retrospective analysis to identify the risk factors for air embolism following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB). A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent CT-TNB at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Xuzhou Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 was performed. A total of 21 factors relevant to air embolisms were collected. Risk factors associated with air embolisms were determined by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) was used to assess the ability of these factors to identify air embolisms. Of these 32,748 patients, 28 experienced air embolisms (19 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (incidence, 1.46%) and nine at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital (incidence, 0.69%); total incidence, 2.16%). Only seven patients exhibited symptoms (symptom rate, 25.00%). A total of 21 patients were asymptomatic at the time of swept-source CT. No deaths occurred. We found through univariate and multivariate analysis that eight out of these 21 factors are associated with the occurrence of air embolism. The area under the ROC curve was 0.721, indicating good predictive power (P<0.05). Cough during the procedure, hemoptysis during the procedure, the distance between the mass and the pulmonary vein, the presence of a cavity in the lesion, lesion location, number of samples, abnormalities in the patient's coagulation mechanism, and the puncture position may be the risk factors for air embolism in CT-TNB.

Atypical Gastric Glomus Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential in A 16-Year-Old Female; A Rare Entity with Unique Findings

Abstract Introduction/Objective Gastric glomus tumor (GGT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that is challenging to diagnose, especially when the immunoprofile overlaps with other more common gastric mesenchymal tumors. The majority of GGT are benign, however, rarely it can be atypical or even malignant. Herein, we present a case of a young female with atypical gastric glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential. Methods/Case Report A 16-year-old female presented to the emergency with abdominal pain, coffee ground emesis, and melena. Imaging showed a 3.2 cm well-defined gastric mass arising from the muscularis propria. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) The FNA biopsy revealed clusters of tumor cells with uniform characteristics, exhibiting distinct cell membranes and eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, surrounding prominent vasculature. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor cells were positive for SMA, synaptophysin, vimentin, calponin, and caldesmon, with weak, patchy positivity for DOG1. CD34 highlighted the vessels separating the tumor cellular clusters into lobules. CD117 and Desmin were negative. The Ki67 proliferation index varied with hotspot foci 25-30%. Morphology and immunoprofile suggest glomus tumor, however, neuroendocrine tumor and epithelioid GIST needed to be excluded. Subsequent resection specimen showed that the tumor was located within the muscularis propria with extension into the serosal vessels, suggesting vascular invasion, along with foci of cellular spindling and nuclear irregularity are identified. No necrosis noted. Tumor cells were positive for cyclin D1 while negative for myogenin, chromogranin, and DOG1. Overall, findings were consistent with GGT of uncertain malignant potential. Conclusion Although GGT are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric mesenchymal tumors. The presence of diffuse SMA staining can help distinguishing them from GIST. It is crucial to scrutinize for signs of cellular and nuclear atypia, particularly in deeply seated glomus tumors.

ARISE-The Accuracy Evaluation of a Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Biopsy System Based on MRI Data: A Cadaveric Study.

Brain biopsy is required for the accurate specification and further diagnosis of intracranial findings. The conventional stereotactic frames are used clinically for biopsies and offer the highest possible precision. Unfortunately, they come with some insurmountable technical and logistical limitations. The aim of the present work is to determine the clinical precision in the needle biopsy of the human brain using a new patient-specific stereotactic navigation device based on 3D printing. MRI data sets of human cadaver heads were used to plan 32 intracranial virtual biopsy targets located in different brain regions. Based on these data, 16 individualized stereotactic frames were 3D-printed. After the intraoperative application of the stereotactic device to the cadaver's head, the actual needle position was verified by postoperative CT. Thirty-two brain areas were successfully biopsied. The target point accuracy was 1.05 ± 0.63 mm, which represents the difference between the planned and real target points. The largest target point deviation was in the coronal plane at 0.60 mm; the smallest was in the transverse plane (0.45 mm). Three-dimensional-printed, personalized stereotactic frames or platforms are an alternative to the commonly used frame-based and frameless stereotactic systems. They are particularly advantageous in terms of accuracy, reduced medical imaging, and significantly simplified intraoperative handling.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immune Microenvironment Analysis: A Comprehensive Assessment with Computational and Classical Pathology.

The spatial variability and clinical relevance of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) are still poorly understood for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we aim to develop a deep learning (DL)-based image analysis model for the spatial analysis of immune cell biomarkers, and microscopically evaluate the distribution of immune infiltration. Ninety-two HCC surgical liver resections and 51 matched needle biopsies were histologically classified according to their immunophenotypes: inflamed, immune-excluded, and immune-desert. To characterise the TIME on immunohistochemistry (IHC)-stained slides, we designed a multi-stage DL algorithm, IHC-TIME, to automatically detect immune cells and their localisation in TIME in tumour-stromal, centre-border segments. Two models were trained to detect and localise the immune cells on IHC-stained slides. The framework models, i.e. immune cell detection models and tumour-stroma segmentation, reached 98% and 91% accuracy, respectively. Patients with inflamed tumours showed better recurrence-free survival than those with immune-excluded or immune desert tumours. Needle biopsies were found to be 75% accurate in representing the immunophenotypes of the main tumour. Finally, we developed an algorithm that defines immunophenotypes automatically based on the IHC-TIME analysis, achieving an accuracy of 80%. Our DL-based tool can accurately analyse and quantify immune cells on IHC-stained slides of HCC. The microscopical classification of the TIME can stratify HCCs according to the patient prognosis. Needle biopsies can provide valuable insights for TIME-related prognostic prediction, albeit with specific constraints. The computational pathology tool provides a new way to study the HCC TIME.

A Rare Case of Osteoid Osteoma of the Medial Cuneiform Bone at Tibialis Anterior Insertion Confirmed by Bone Scan SPECT/CT.

A 34-year-old man presented with progressive foot pain that was initially on the medial soft tissue but eventually localized to the medial side of midfoot. Despite undergoing various imaging tests and conservative treatments over 2 years, the patient remained undiagnosed. After 6 months, soft tissue and bone involvement were observed on the medial cuneiform. A needle biopsy was inconclusive. Since bone tumor is rare in the medial cuneiform, the patient was referred to our department for 99mTc-MDP bone scan. The imaging and clinical findings suggested osteoid osteoma as the likely diagnosis, which was confirmed as intraarticular nidus under tibialis anterior attachment, after surgical resection and pathological examination.

Characterizing the Transformation and Diagnosis of Atypical Lipomatous Tumor to Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma: Single Institutional Outcomes.

Atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT) in the extremities is a locally aggressive adipocytic tumor with the potential risk of transformation into dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS). Studies seldom differentiate whether DDLS was diagnosed on initial biopsy, final resected specimen, or subsequent recurrence. Our study seeks to characterize how and when patients received their ALT or DDLS diagnoses to better understand the relationship between the two neoplasms. We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ALT or DDLS of the extremities. Clinical characteristics, including the method of diagnosis of an ALT or DDLS, time between diagnoses, and tumor recurrence was recorded. Univariate/multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Forty-five patients were diagnosed with ALT after core needle biopsy (CNB) and 41 of them received marginal en bloc excision. Three (7.3%) of these patients had a heterogeneous tumor on final resection, pathology revealed both ALT and DDLS. Four patients (8.2%) were diagnosed with DDLS from CNB and received negative margin en bloc excision. One of these tumors was identified as heterogeneous ALT/DDLS after resection. Fifty-three patients received marginal en bloc resection without CNB after a benign lipomatous mass was suspected on CT/MRI. Among these, one (1.9%) had a tumor with a heterogeneous composition of both ALT and DDLS on pathology. There were 11 (11.7%) ALT recurrences and 1 (1.0%) DDLS recurrence after ALT resection. Obtaining a proper diagnosis whether ALT or DDLS is critical. Our cohort found that amongst those concerning lipomatous lesions biopsied, 7.84% will show biopsy proven DDLS. Additionally, 6.67% of the biopsies will be false negatives and show DDLS on final pathology. Furthermore, our local recurrence for ALT was 11.7% recurring as ALT and 1.0% recurring as DDLS.