Hodgkin's disease and Vietnam service.

Earlier studies that showed an association between exposure to phenoxy herbicides and the risk of malignant lymphomas have sparked concerns among Vietnam veterans over Agent Orange exposure. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) undertook a hospital-based case-control study to examine the association between military service in Vietnam and several histologic types of malignant lymphomas. This is a report of 283 Vietnam-era veteran patients who were treated in one of 172 VA hospitals from 1969 to 1985 with a diagnosis of Hodgkin's Disease (HD).

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of renal pelvis in solitary pelvic kidney.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is a rare tumor. We report the case of a fifty-three-year-old man with this unusual cancer and review the literature. Usual features of this tumor include long duration of symptoms, an association with calculi and hydronephrosis, and a preoperative appearance of an inflammatory condition.

Intradural extramedullary ganglioneuroma: case report and review of the literature.

The authors present a unique case of an intradural extramedullary ganglioneuroma in the thoracic spine of an adult. Intraspinal ganglioneuromas are rare, benign tumors of sympathetic nervous tissue origin, but exclusively intradural ganglioneuromas have not been reported.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among Vietnam veterans.

In light of findings suggesting an increase in the risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among men exposed to phenoxyherbicides and concerns among veterans over Agent Orange exposure, a hospital-based case-control study was undertaken to examine the association between military service in Vietnam and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The cases consisted of 201 Vietnam-era veteran patients who were treated in one of 172 Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals from 1969 through 1985 with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 358 Vietnam-era veteran patients with a diagnosis other than malignant lymphoma served as a comparison group.

Radiologic features of well-differentiated osteosarcoma.

Eight cases of well-differentiated, intramedullary osteosarcoma were studied. In three cases, the lesions previously had been diagnosed, pathologically and radiologically, as benign. The distal femur was the most frequent site.

Squamous cell cancer of the liver arising from a solitary benign nonparasitic hepatic cyst.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a solitary benign nonparasitic hepatic cyst (SBNHC) causing bile duct obstruction is presented. A review of the literature regarding SBNHC suggests that, although these lesions may appear benign, they may also undergo metaplastic and subsequent malignant transformation. This appears to be particularly true when the SBNHC is lined with squamous epithelium.

Invasive aspergillosis: an unusual cause of hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Advances in chemotherapy have improved survival in patients with hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and have allowed for rapid progress in the field of organ transplantation. However, the frequency of opportunistic, specifically mycotic, infections has risen and provides a new challenge in the treatment of these patients. The following case report illustrates the need for early diagnosis and treatment and is the first known case reported of fatal hemorrhagic pancreatitis secondary to disseminated aspergillosis.

Soft tissue sarcomas and military service in Vietnam: a case comparison group analysis of hospital patients.

The possibility that exposure to Agent Orange or phenoxy herbicides may have increased the risk of soft tissue sarcomas has been of genuine concern to Vietnam veterans and their families. A hospital-based case comparison group study was undertaken to examine, through a comprehensive review of medical records and military personnel records, the association between previous military service in Vietnam and soft tissue sarcomas. The case group comprised 234 Vietnam-era veteran patients who served in the US military between 1964 and 1975 and were treated in one of the 172 VA hospitals between 1969 and 1983 with a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei. Radiologic features.

Diagnostic radiologic features of pseudomyxoma peritonei consist of diffusely scattered plaques of calcifications in the abdomen, poorly defined soft tissue masses and ascites on plain abdominal radiographs, characteristic scalloping of the hepatic margin, numerous multilocular cystic masses with rims of curvilinear calcifications and compression of abdominal viscera without evidence of invasion at computed tomography, and an echogenic mantle with ascitic septations at ultrasonography. In an appropriate clinical setting, this spectrum of radiologic features is highly specific for the diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Ectopic prolactinoma in a patient with hyperparathyroidism and abnormal sellar radiography.

In a patient with hyperparathyroidism and chronic renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease, a finding of destroyed sellar and parasellar structures and hyperprolactinemia suggested the diagnosis of invasive pituitary prolactinoma. At surgery no tumor was found, and pathological examination of the sphenoid bone revealed a parathyroid bone lesion (brown tumor) as well as ectopic prolactinoma in the clivus. This patient demonstrates that a tumor may develop in ectopic pituitary tissue.

Gnotobiotic models for study of the microbial ecology of Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli.

Hamster flora introduced into germfree mice reduced the cecum to conventional size, suppressed populations of Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile to the same degree that mouse flora did, and corrected the hypocellularity that is characteristic of the small bowel of germfree mice. A highly toxigenic strain of C. difficile readily induced cecitis in germfree and antibiotic-treated conventional mice, and histological examination frequently revealed pseudomembranes.

Myositis ossificans circumscripta: computed tomographic diagnosis.

Computed tomography was performed in five patients with myositis ossificans circumscripta. In three cases, and possibly four, CT scans obtained during the active stage of the pathologic process demonstrated findings that in general corresponded to the "zone phenomenon" seen on histology, although a distinct peripheral ring of ossification was not always present. In these patients, CT was useful in limiting the differential diagnosis and obviating surgery.

Pseudolymphoma of colon.

A case of pseudolymphoma of the colon is reported. Radiographically and endoscopically the lesion could not be conclusively distinguished from malignant neoplasm, particularly lymphoma or segmental colitis, thus necessitating right hemicolectomy. Careful histological examination established the diagnosis of pseudolymphoma with pathologic features identical to the focal form of pseudolymphoma more commonly observed in the stomach.

Fine structure of cell types in an ameloblastoma.

An unusually large and old ameloblastoma, which revealed a diverse histological appearance, was studied by light and electron microscopy. In the tumor, the epithelial component formed several patterns in the collagenous stroma. The epithelial islands, consisting of tall columnar cells surrounding the inner core of stellate cells, mimicked the cells of the inner enamel epithelium and stellate reticulum, respectively, of the normal enamel organ.

Ultrastructure of red cells frozen with hydroxyethyl starch.

The freeze fracture appearance of red cells frozen in the presence of varying concentrations of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is described. A technique is used which allows examination of a small portion of cells from a larger unit. The frozen cells appear distorted probably as a result of osmotic dehydration but indicate no evidence of intracellular ice.

Periosteal bone apposition in chondroblastoma.

Periosteal bone apposition in chondroblastoma of long bones is more frequent than generally recognized. This should not cause confusion in differential diagnosis. The findings does not seem to have prognostic significance.

Pseudogout associated with meniscal cysts - report of two patients.

Two patients with pseudogout developed large meniscal cysts at the knee. In the first case the diagnosis of meniscal cyst was confirmed surically. In the second case, the cyst resolved following thorough aspiration.