Experts and performance in histopathology--a study in breast pathology.

This study was undertaken to determine if it was possible to identify expertise within Histopathologists (trainees, district general pathologists and pathologists with a special interest in breast disease) using an objective measure of performance. The method of assessment of performance is based on the CWS (Cochran-Weiss-Shanteau) ratio formed by the individual's ability to discriminate between a spectrum of disease categories and their level of inconsistency when assessed at intervals. The slides circulated represented the spectrum of breast disease seen in routine practice.

Cardiomyopathy with a unique finding of bicuspid aortic valve in Becker's muscular dystrophy.

We describe a patient with Becker's muscular dystrophy and cardiac failure caused by a combination of dilated cardiomyopathy and congenital bicuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis. There is no documented association between congenital valve disease and human dystrophinopathies, and to our knowledge, this is the first reported case.

An exception to the rule: ectopic ACTH production from functional neuroendocrine tissue in an ovarian dermoid cyst.

Ectopic ACTH production accounts for 15% of Cushing's syndrome presentations and is characterized by the presence of an excess of ACTH precursors. However in the case presented here ectopic ACTH production was from functional pituitary tissue within an ovarian dermoid cyst. Endocrine investigations showed that the problem behaved more like pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease and this is discussed.

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast with malignant features.

The clinico-pathological features of 7 cases of adenomyoepithelioma of the breast with features suggestive of malignancy are presented. There was a high incidence of local tumour recurrence, in 2 cases as high-grade infiltrating carcinoma of the breast of no special type ("ductal", grade III). One patient died as the result of a clinically diagnosed cerebral metastasis.