Molecular characterization of a selected cohort of patients affected by pulmonary metastases of malignant melanoma: Hints from BRAF, NRAS and EGFR evaluation.

Background: Melanoma is highly curable in early stages but holds devastating consequences in advanced phases with a median survival of 6-10 months. Lungs are a common metastasis target, but despite this, limited data are available on the molecular status of pulmonary lesions.

Materials And Methods: 25 patients with surgically resected melanoma lung metastases were screened for BRAF, NRAS, CKIT and EGFR alterations.

Whorled hairless nevus of the scalp, linear hyperpigmentation, and telangiectatic nevi of the lower limbs: a novel variant of the "phacomatosis complex".

The term "phacomatosis" refers to a growing number of sporadic genetic skin disorders characterized by the combination of two or more different nevi and possibly resulting from non-allelic twin spotting. While phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) and pigmentokeratotica represent the most common patterns, some patients do not fit with either condition and are temporarily classified as unique phenotypes. We report on an 8-year-old boy with striking right hemihypoplasia, resulting in limb asymmetry and fixed dislocation of right hip.

Polypoid Spitz nevus: two cases evaluated with genetic technique, prolonged follow up, and sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Polypoid Spitz nevus represents a spitzoid melanocytic neoplasm that frequently has worrying and challenging histopathological details. Distinction from polypoid melanoma may not be straightforward. Two cases of polypoid Spitz nevus with striking histopathological features were studied.

Transthoracic echocardiography-guided biopsy of a right ventricular mass.

Biopsy of the heart has become a widely applied technique in circumstances such as detection of a transplant reject or histological diagnosis of masses. Biopsy is usually performed in the catheter laboratory (cath-lab) under fluoroscopic guidance. Echocardiography guidance is employed but as 'ancillary' comforting support to the cath-lab operator and for the early detection of complications.

Giant vegetation of the mitral valve simulating primary cardiac tumor.

A case of a giant vegetation of the mitral valve causing sudden death of the patient is reported. The case underlines that urgent removal of a big mass must always be considered because of the risk of sudden death or catastrophic embolism. Echocardiographic differential diagnosis of a mass is discussed and is crucial for the choice of the strategy.