Spectrum and progression of conduction abnormalities in infants born to mothers with anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La antibodies.

The classic cardiac manifestation of neonatal lupus is congenital heart block, attributed to antibody-mediated inflammation and subsequent fibrosis of the atrioventricular (AV) node. In considering the pathologic process of injury it may be that tissue damage results in a range of conduction abnormalities. Identification of less-advanced degrees of block or of fibrosis around the AV node without any conduction abnormality on EKG would support this pathologic model, and serve as a potential marker for treatment if the conduction defect could be shown to progress.

Isolated left ventricular ischemia after the Norwood procedure.

Aortic atresia is the most severe variant of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), and has been associated with significant mortality after stage I palliation. Coronary artery abnormalities are more prominent in this group of patients, especially in the presence of a patent mitral valve. Herein, we describe a case of isolated left ventricular ischemia after the Norwood procedure in a neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy, mitral stenosis, aortic atresia, and anomalous left coronary artery.

Osseous metaplasia in benign colorectal polyps.

We report two unique cases of metaplastic ossification occurring within a tubulovillous adenoma and a juvenile polyp. In both lesions, well-formed bony spicules were present that were adjacent to living epithelial cells. The metaplastic bone revealed vimentin positivity and cytokeratin negativity.

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the testis: a comparative immunohistochemical study with normal infantile gonads.

This study concerns the nature of two different cell populations in a juvenile granulosa cell tumor (GCT) of the infantile testis. Immunohistochemical features of the tumor were compared with those of normal infantile testes (six cases) and ovaries (six cases). The testicular neoplasm showed follicles, cysts and solid nodules composed of an internal layer of polyhedral cells that expressed cytokeratin and vimentin.

Heart transplantation for end-stage cardiomyopathy caused by an occult pheochromocytoma.

Dilated cardiomyopathy has been found in patients with pheochromocytoma. The cardiomyopathy and resultant congestive heart failure can be progressive and fatal, or reversible, if the source of the excess catecholamines is removed. Histologic and autopsy studies revealed a characteristic focal myocarditis and contraction band necrosis, indicating that the circulating catecholamine excess secreted by the pheochromocytoma is the cause of the cardiomyopathy.