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Background Aceruloplasminaemia is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the ceruloplasmin gene, which is clinically manifested by damage to the nervous system and retinal degeneration. This classical clinical picture can be preceded by diabetes mellitus and microcytic anaemia, which are considered to be early manifestations of aceruloplasminaemia. Case presentation In our report, we describe the case of a patient with aceruloplasminaemia detected in an early stage (without clinical symptoms of damage to the nervous system) during the search for the cause of hepatopathy with very low values of serum ceruloplasmin. Molecular genetic examination of the CP gene for ceruloplasmin identified a new variant c.1664G > A (p.Gly555Glu) in the homozygous state, which has not been published in the literature or population frequency databases to date. Throughout the 21-month duration of chelatase treatment, the patient, who is 43 years old, continues to be without neurological and psychiatric symptomatology. We observed a decrease in the serum concentration of ferritin without a reduction in iron deposits in the brain on magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion Currently, there is no unequivocal recommendation of an effective treatment for aceruloplasminaemia. Early diagnosis is important in the neurologically asymptomatic stage.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma-associated renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC)/ fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma (FHRCC) is an aggressive tumor defined by molecular genetic changes - alteration in fumarate hydratase (FH) gene. The morphologic spectrum of HLRCC/FHDRCC is remarkably variable. The presence of large nuclei and prominent dark red inclusion-like nucleoli and perinucleolar clearing are considered as helpful morphologic clue. We selected 23 renal neoplasms primarily based on their morphologic features suspicious for HLRCC/FHDRCC. Morphological, basic immunohistochemical, and genetic analysis was performed. The tumors were divided in two groups according to the molecular genetic findings. The first group included 13 tumors with detected FH mutation/LOH (compatible with diagnosis FHRCC), and the second group included 10 tumors without FH mutation/LOH (FH-like RCCs). In the FHRCC group, the vast majority of cases (9/13) had mixed morphology with different architectural growth patterns. All cases showed prominent macronucleoli, and perinucleolar clearing was found in 10/13 cases. Immunohistochemically, 6/7 FHRCC cases were negative for FH antibody, while one case showed strong diffuse FH reactivity. The FH-like RCC group showed more uniform architectural growth pattern. All 10 tumors had prominent macronucleoli, and perinucleolar clearing was present in 8/10 cases. Eight FH-like RCC cases showed diffuse strong positivity for FH, although 2 cases were completely negative for FH. It is evident that neither morphologic feature nor immunohistochemical analysis can be reliably used in routine practice for the diagnosis of HLRCC/FHRCC. In suspected cases, the diagnosis of HLRCC/FHRCC can be confirmed by molecular-genetic testing for FH mutation. It should be noted that the traditionally described morphologic features of HLRCC/FHRCC (prominent eosinophilic macronuclei with perinucleolar halos) can frequently be seen in other renal neoplasms.

The histopathological diagnosis of sellar tumors is a difficult area of the diagnostic surgical pathology. The most common sellar tumor is a pituitary adenoma. The histomorphology of pituitary adenomas is very heterogeneous, and in the sellar area, we can encounter practically any other tumor known from human pathology, either primary or secondary. Exact histopathological classification requires many immunohistochemical antibodies: pituitary hormones, pituitary transcription factors, and several other antibodies. At present, electron microscopy is no longer necessary for the routine diagnosis of the pituitary gland adenomas. The important aspect of the precise classification is to screen pituitary adenomas for aggressive histological types. The latest edition of the WHO classification of tumours of endocrine organs, published in 2017, involves several changes in the chapter of pituitary adenomas, including the abolition of the concept of atypical adenoma. In the short review, we discuss the practical approach to the diagnosis and the changes in the latest WHO classification of pituitary adenomas from 2017.

Duodenal biopsy is an essential component in the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). Although the classical findings of increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, crypt hyperplasia and villous atrophy are very characteristic, the diagnosis cannot be achieved on the basis of histopathology alone, as there are many entities that can mimic CD and a close collaboration of a pathologist and a clinician specialist is needed. In a patient with suspected CD, pathologist should describe essential histopathological findings and offer differential diagnosis when appropriate. The most important recent changes in the diagnostic criteria for CD include lower numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes that are considered to be normal and recommendation to perform biopsies from the proximal part of the duodenum in addition to the distal duodenal biopsies.

The main indications for intraoperative consultation of gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreatobiliary system are to evaluate the resection margin and to make a tissue diagnosis of lesions for which preoperative histology is not aviable for various reasons. Special situations include the evaluation of liver donor biopsies for the presence of steatosis and inflamation, or determination that ganglion cells are present in the bowel wall at the level where the anastomosis will be placed in case of Hirschprung's disease. The most worrisome pitfalls include differentiating pancreatic ductal carcinoma from chronic pancreatitis, distinguishing biliary tree and gallbladder carcinoma from reactive changes caused by inflammation, and recognizing the presence of diffuse adenocarcinoma at the resection margin of the esophagus and stomach. Keywords: frozen section - gastrointestinal tract - liver - gallbladder - extrahepatic biliary tree - pancreas.

Background The HLA-G molecule has a high potential to modulate immune response towards the improvement of graft survival after transplantation. In this work, we have analyzed the total HLA-G mRNA expression in graft tissues of dysfunctional transplanted kidneys. Material and methods We examined 84 kidney biopsy samples obtained from 65 renal transplant recipients with dysfunctional graft (50 males, 15 females; average age 46.8 ± 11.9 years). 52 specimens were with signs of acute rejection and 32 without any rejection characteristics (diagnosed as glomerulonephritis, ATN and IFTA). Patients with acute rejection were divided into three groups: antibody-mediated rejection (AMR; n = 23), T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR; n = 16) and combined antibody and T cell-mediated rejection (AMR + TCMR; n = 13). The biopsy samples were taken from a dysfunctional graft at different time periods after kidney transplantation. The relative expression of total HLA-G mRNA in biopsy specimens was determined by real time RT-PCR. The correlation between HLA-G mRNA expression and dysfunctional graft state was investigated. The impact of different factors (post-transplantation interval, gender, mismatch, induction therapy and cold ischemia time) on relative expression of total HLA-G mRNA was also studied. Results We have found that the levels of HLA-G transcripts in kidneys with rejection were higher than those in non-rejected but dysfunctional grafts (P = 0.0003). The highest levels of HLA-G mRNA were detected at combined AMR + TCMR rejection (P = 0.005). The time-course analysis of total HLA-G mRNA expression was also studied. In both dysfunctional graft groups (rejected and non-rejected) the lower levels of HLA-G transcripts were detected during early post-transplant period (1–3 months), however a substantial increase of HLA-G mRNA expression was observed after an extended period of time (> 3 months). It was also revealed that antibody induction therapy may reduce HLA-G expression (P = 0.0004) and in female samples were higher levels of HLA-G transcripts than those in male recipients (P = 0.003). It was found no significant impact of age, cold ischemic time, PRA (Panel Reactive Antibody) score, and a number of HLA-mismatches on HLA-G mRNA expression. Conclusions We have demonstrated that the expression of total HLA-G mRNA in renal grafts can be influenced by different factors such as clinical state of transplanted kidney, elapsed time after transplantation, gender and antibody induction therapy. We have proved that HLA-G mRNA expression was significantly higher in recipients with acute rejection in comparison to patients with dysfunctional but non-rejected grafts.

The 2016 revision of the WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system is a conceptual advance over the 2007 classification system. Similarly to the group of diffuse gliomas, a significant shift in the understanding of the molecular background and tumor biology has recently occurred also in the category of embryonal CNS tumors, especially in medulloblastomas. The classification now incorporates new entities that are defined by both histology and molecular features. Updates in the group of gliomas (except for diffuse gliomas), in the meningeal tumors as well as in the tumors of peripheral nerve sheaths will also be discussed.

Revised WHO 2016 classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) incorporates for the first time genetic information in addition to morphology for classification of many tumor entities. One of the most important changes is restructuring the chapter of diffuse gliomas. Based on shared genetic driver mutations, diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are now classified together, separately from "other" glial tumors with a more circumscribed growth pattern, different pathogenesis and clinical outcome. Diffuse gliomas can now be more objectively diagnosed and further prognostically stratified by use of a relatively small number of markers (ATRX and IDH1/2 mutations and del 1p/19q). Another newly genetically-defined and clinically relevant entity is diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M-mutant. Some glioma entities, variants and growth patterns were deleted and new variants, such as epithelioid glioblastoma and glioblastoma with a primitive neural component were added. In the article, the most important changes of diffuse gliomas classification are summarized and a practical diagnostic approach is illustrated.

The data showing usefulness of navigated 3D–ultrasound (3DUS) during awake resections of eloquent gliomas are sparse. Results of surgeries performed using 3DUS were never compared to procedures guided by standard neuronavigation. The aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of 3DUS during awake resections of eloquent low-grade gliomas (LGGs) by comparing surgical results of two series of patients operated on using conventional neuronavigation and using 3DUS. To our knowledge, a similar study is lacking in the literature. During a 4-year period (September 2006 to August 2010) 21 awake resections of LGGs guided by neuronavigation (series 1, S1) were consecutively performed in Department of Neurosurgery in Bratislava. During another 4-year period (August 2010 to July 2014) 28 awake resections of LGGs guided by 3DUS (series 2, S2) were consecutively conducted. In both patients series, the eloquent cortical and subcortical structures were intraoperatively detected by direct electrical stimulation. Extent of tumor resection (EOR) and functional outcome in both series were compared. EOR was significantly greater (p = 0.022) in S2 (median = 93.25%; mean = 86.79%), as compared to S1 (median 87.1%; mean = 75.85%). One permanent minor deficit in S1 and 2 minor deficits in S2 occurred, the difference was not significant (p = 0.999). Our work represents the first study comparing results of surgeries guided by 3DUS versus conventional navigation. The extent of awake resections of eloquent LGG guided by 3DUS was greater comparing to awake resections guided by standard neuronavigation; use of 3DUS had no impact on the number of new permanent deficits.

The calcifying fibrous tumor is a rare benign fibrous tumor which occurs in subcutaneous or deep soft tissues in children and young adults, but also is frequently seen in pleural and intraabdominal locations in older people. Gastric involvement has been only sporadically reported in the literature. We present here our experience with this unusual lesion discovered in a 68-year-old woman. Clinically, the tumor was described as a pendulating, submucosally located mass, in the body of the stomach on a lesser curvature. The calcifying fibrous tumor is a histologically distinct lesion composed of dense hyalinized collagen fibers, inconspicuous scattered fibroblasts, a varying amount of psammoma bodies or dystrophic calcifications and foci of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. In this report we will focus on a brief review and differential diagnosis of this tumor and other more common or not widely known gastric spindle cell lesions.

The authors present 11 cases of plexiform neurofibroma (PN) that featured a very characteristic type of cell appearing as multivacuolated mucin-filled cells (MMFC). The 11 cases were obtained after reviewing 109 cases of PN. Six out of 10 patients showed clinical features of neurofibromatosis type 1. The size of PN ranged from 0.8 cm to 11.5 cm in the largest dimension. The lesions represented classical PN in all cases with myxoid, hypocellular stroma. The MMFC were found within the most myxoid tumorous nodules and were haphazardly located, typically featuring a variably sized, multivacuolated cytoplasm divided by fine septa with a small polygonal nucleus on one side, which was often compressed or slightly indented by the cytoplasmic mucous substances. In many cases, the cells resembled a soccer ball or a jellyfish. In all tested cases (n = 9), the MMFC stained for CD34; six cases were also positive with GLUT-1 antibody, and two cases expressed Claudin-1, whereas S-100 protein was negative. For comparison, we have reviewed a series of randomly selected non-PN, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) and of cases featuring non-neoplastic nerve trunks in our files, in which no MMFC were encountered. MMFC seem to be unique to myxoid areas of PN, where they occur in about 10% of cases. Their exact histogenesis is unclear but they might represent an intermediate type of cell between perineurial cells and fibroblasts. The awareness of this cell type in PN is especially important in limited (small) biopsy specimens where their recognition may provide a clue for the correct diagnosis.

SOX10 belongs to the family of transcription factors essential for the development of neural crest, peripheral nervous system and melanocytes. It is presently used in histopathology as a marker of melanocytic differentiation. SOX10 is expressed in normal brain tissue in oligodendrocytes, but the information about SOX10 expression in primary tumors of the central nervous system is quite limited. In this study, we examined the expression of SOX10 and Olig2 by immunohistochemistry in a series of 98 glial tumors and explored their specificity and sensitivity for differential diagnosis of ependymal vs non-ependymal tumors. In addition, we examined the expression of EMA and CD99 in ependymal tumors. SOX10 and Olig2 staining were scored as negative if no positive cells or only a few positive cells (typically up to 1-3%) were found. In all other instances, SOX10 or Olig2 staining was scored as positive. Out of 44 examined ependymal tumors none was found to express SOX10 and 7 specimens showed only a few SOX10-positive cells that likely corresponded to entrapped non-neoplastic oligodendrocytes. In contrast, non-ependymal tumors expressed SOX10 in 26/54 (48%) specimens. Olig2 was positive in 5 out of 44 ependymomas (11%) and 50 out of 54 (93%) non-ependymal tumors (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas). EMA and CD99 expression was found in 33/44 (75%) and 11/44 (25%) of ependymomas, respectively. SOX10-positivity rules out the diagnosis of ependymoma among other glial tumors with high confidence.

The postoperative biological behavior of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) is variable. Some residual NFPAs are stable long-term, others grow, and some recur despite complete removal. The usual histological markers of tumor aggressiveness are often similar between recurring, regrowing, and stable tumors, and therefore are not reliable as prognostic parameters. In this study, the clinical utility of proliferation indices (labeling index, Li) based on immunohistochemistry targeted at antigens Ki-67 and High-mobility group A1 (HMGA-1) for prediction of NFPA prognosis was investigated.Fifty patients with NFPAs were investigated. In each patient, Ki-67 and HMGA-1 Li were evaluated. Based on postoperative magnetic resonance images, patients were classified as tumor-free (18 patients), or harboring a residual tumor (32 patients). The latter group was further subdivided into groups with stable tumor remnants (11 patients) or progressive tumor remnants (21 patients).The median follow-up period was 8 years. No significant relationship between HMGA-1 Li and residual tumor growth was found. Growing residual tumors showed a trend towards higher Ki-67 Li compared with stable ones (p = 0.104). All tumor remnants with Ki-67 Li above 2.2% were growing. The relationship between residual tumor growth and Ki-67 Li exceeding the cutoff value of 2.2% was significant (p = 0.01 in univariate, p = 0.044 in multivariate analysis).The prognostic significance of the HMGA-1 antigen was not confirmed. In contrast, the Ki-67 Li provides useful and valuable information for the postoperative management of NFPAs. In residual adenomas with a Ki-67 Li above 2.2%, regrowth should be expected, and these tumors may require shorter intervals of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or early adjuvant therapy. Future larger studies are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Radiation to the brain and adjuvant chemotherapy may produce late delayed changes from several months to years after treatment of intracranial malignancies with a reported prevalence of 5-24%. The pattern of treatment-related injury may vary from diffuse periventricular white matter lesions to focal or multifocal lesions. Differentiation of treatment-related injury from tumor progression/recurrence may be difficult with conventional MR imaging (MRI). With both disease processes, the characteristic but nonspecific imaging features are vasogenic edema, contrast enhancement, and mass effect. This pictorial essay presents MRI spectra of late therapy-induced injuries in the brain with a particular emphasis on radiation necrosis, the most common and severe form. Novel MRI techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), proton MR spectroscopy (MRS), and perfusion MRI, improve the possibilities of better characterization of treatment-related changes. Advanced MRI techniques allow for the assessment of metabolism and physiology and may increase specificity for therapy-induced changes.