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Coronary ectasia is a rare vessel defect that represents a pathological and incidental finding in routine coronary angiography performed for other coronary syndromes. This defect exposes to the risk of intra-coronary thrombosis by blood stasis due to the turbulent blood flow in those dilated areas that can lead to sudden death. We report an autopsy case of a male subject suddenly deceased. A medico-legal autopsy concluded an ischemic heart failure due to a vascular thrombosis by a blood clot in a coronary ectasia. Our case report aimed to discuss the mechanisms of sudden death attributed to coronary artery ectasia., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite recent advances, non-small cell lung cancer carries a grim prognosis. For appropriate treatment selection, the updated guidelines recommend broad molecular profiling for all patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Precise histological subtyping and targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) testing are mandatory., Methods: Herein, we assessed the EGFR mutation status of 26 formalin fixed-paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples of lung adenocarcinoma. Mutational analysis concerned exons 18-21 of EGFR by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real time-PCR) using the Therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR mutation kit. ALK status was established on 22 among 26 patients using D5F3 antibody with a fully automated Ventana CDx technique., Results: Activating EGFR mutations were found in 3 men among 26 patients (11.5%). Positive ALK expression was found in 2 cases among 22 patients (9.09%)., Conclusion: Frequency of EGFR mutations in pulmonary adenocarcinomas of our series is similar to that found in the European ones with some particularities. The mutations detected are uncommon. Whereas, we found a high frequency of positive ALK expression in our series compared to frequency reported in literature. Further studies with larger Tunisian series are required to obtain more conclusive results., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: It is now necessary to determine ALK status in order to use targeted therapy., Aim: herein, we assess immunohistochemical profile of ALK protein in a series of Tunisian patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma., Materials and Methods: ALK protein expression was studied applying the D5F3 antibody with a fully automated Ventana CDx technique on a series of 19 patients., Results: Positive ALK expression was found in one case (5.2%) corresponding to a papillary adenocarcinoma which showed a strong granular and homogenous cytoplasmic staining. The patient was a 30-years-old woman., Conclusion: The frequency of positive ALK expression based on immunohistochemistry in our series was similar to that reported in the world literature.

This study retrospectively evaluated the histopathological criteria commonly used in the literature on the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole, in correlation with the diagnosis rendered previously. The molar and non-molar cases seen in the first-trimester of pregnancy were separately reviewed by two pathologists. The correlation between the consensual histological diagnosis and the ploidy status was then evaluated. We retrospectively studied 89 specimens of abortus conception, including 35 complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), 12 partial hydatidiform moles (PHM), and 42 hydropic abortions (HA). The final histopathological diagnosis was compared with the results of DNA content detected by imaging analyzer (Samba 200), studying all cases of molar pregnancy and 4 cases of HA (initially diagnosed as molar pregnancies). In the consensus histological diagnosis, the cases were reclassified as follows: 30 CHM (initial diagnosis (ID): 27 CHM and 3 PHM), 12 PHM (ID: 6 PHM and 6 CHM), and one case with a persistent problem in differentiating PHM from HA and 46 HA (ID: 42 HA, 2 CHM, and 2 PHM). An agreement between the two pathologists was reached in 77 cases (K=0.72, 0.52, and 0.9, respectively, for CHM, PHM, and HA). The ploidy study demonstrated diploidy in 56.6% (17/30) of CHM and triploidy in 58.3% (7/12) of PHM. In the 4 cases of HA studied, 3 were diploid and 1 case was aneuploid. Our study demonstrated that several histopathological criteria could be used for the distinction between PHM, CHM, and HA. However, the study of DNA cannot be the technique of choice to distinguish between these entities. Some cases remain problematic since the morphological criteria are not easily reproducible. New sensitive techniques might resolve these dilemmas.

Introduction: Myoepithelial carcinoma accounts for less than 1% of salivary gland malignant tumors. It may develop de novo or, in approximately 50% of the cases, from a pleomorphic adenoma., Observation: A 57-year-old man with a history of a pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid treated surgically 6 years earlier, presented with a 2 cm tumor mass, palpable in the scar region. The histological examination and immunohistochemical study revealed a low-grade myoepithelial carcinoma. The patient had no complementary treatment. He presented 5 years later with a 2 cm parapharyngeal recurrence which was resected. There was no evidence of recurrent tumor or of distant metastasis at 4 year follow-up., Discussion: Although myoepithelial cells are often predominant in pleomorphic adenomas, carcinomas developing in pleomorphic adenomas show in most cases a glandular differentiation and myoepithelial carcinomas are rare. Currently the diagnostic criteria, the prognosis, and the management of myoepithelial carcinomas are not well documented. Invasive carcinomas developing in pleomorphic adenoma are known to be highly aggressive neoplasms and myoepithelial carcinomas ex-pleomorphic adenoma seem to have a better prognosis. Our reported case was characterized by the weak aggressiveness of the lesion.

Aim: To study a serie of superficial tumors of the bladder and to assess the prognostic significance of p53, Ki67, PCNA and bcl2 in these tumors., Methods: We studied 59 bladder tumors: 43 pTa and 16 pT1. All Patients had cystoscopy 3 months after the resection and tumors that did not recur had a minimum follow up of 5 years., Results: Age more than 65 years (p = 0,001), multifocality (p=0,022) and tumoral size > or = 3 cm (p = 0,022) were correlated with the recurrence. The expression of p53 was correlated with the recurrence in the year following the tumoral resection (p = 0,035). That of of Ki67 was correlated with the histological grade (p = 0,03) and stage (p=0,002)., Conclusion: Our results suggest to practise regular endoscopic controls during the first year following the resection of the primitive tumor if it expresses p53. The immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 being correlated with the grade, this marker could help to better classify the tumors of intermediate grade.

Aims: To study by flow cytometry (FCM) the ploidy and the cellular cycle of nodular hidradenoma (NH) and hidradenocarcinoma (HC) and to assess the prognostic utility of this technique in such tumors., Methods: We studied retrospectively 2 HC and 11 NH one of which was considered as an atypical NH. Monoparametric study by FCM was realized on paraffin-embedded material. The extracted cells were marked by Propidium's lodure and cellular cycle was analyzed by the software Mod-Fit LT., Results: Our study showed eleven 100% diploid profiles, 10 of which had low S-phase varying between 2 and 12%. All of these 11 tumors were NH. S-phase was high (23.79%) in a single case that corresponded to the atypical NH. Two tumors showed aneuploid profiles; these corresponded to the 2 HC., Conclusion: The results of the cytometric study suit perfectly to those of the histopathologic examination. FCM could so help to establish the prognosis of these tumors. But further studies are necessary to determine the value of this technique.

Aims: To study the immunohistochemical expression of HHV8 in Kaposi's lesions and in other vascular lesions and to determine the utility of this technique in differentiating between Kaposi's disease (KD) and other vascular lesions., Methods: Fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 25 cases of KD, 9 cases of hemangioma, 2 cases of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and 9 cases of angiosarcoma were examined immunohistochemically using the monoclonal antibody monoclonal LNA 53 (ABI). Strong, nuclear and granular staining in at least a cell was considered as a positive result., Results: Sixteen cases of KD showed positive staining, whereas all cases of hemangioma, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and angiosarcoma were negative for this antigen, Conclusion: Immunohistochemical detection of the human herpesvirus-8 latent nuclear antigen-1 is a useful for differentiating between KD and other vascular lesions.

Clinico-pathological study of superficial bladder cancer (pTa/pT1) informs about prognostic factors such as the size of the tumor, its uni or multifocal character, its grade and stage. Presently, these factors constitute the basis of therapeutic decision but do not allow to foresee the prognosis with certainty. Many technics have contributed to a better knowledge of such tumors; however, they have not allowed to fully master prognostic uncertainties. During the last decades, cell cycle and DNA content study by flow cytometry has been developping, bringing an additional prognostic element to various types of tumors. We have decided to study the impact of this technique to the assessment of the prognosis of superficial bladder tumors. The study concerned 65 patients presenting superficial bladder tumors (pTa/ pT1), with a follow-up of at least two years in case of not recurrence and in case of recurrence, having had a second resection with analysis of sections. Flow cytometry was applied to formol-fixed and paraffin-embedded endoscopic resection material of initial tumors by simple-labelling of DNA with propidium iodide. Following cytometric study, 35 (54%) of tumors were aneuploid and 30 (46 %) were diploid. For the diploid ones, S-phase mean value was 14.94% (from 2.72% to 33.43%); and G2M mean value was 8.3 (from 1% to 18%). The presence of an DNA- aneuploid peak had a predictive value of recurrence and progression in stage, with relative risks of 12 and 6.85 respectively. It was also correlated with the histological grade and stage. On the other hand, S-phase and G2M values had no prognostic significance.

A case of a perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) arising in the uterus of a 35-year-old woman is presented. Imaging studies revealed a 5 cm well circumscribed mass in the uterine fundus. The tumor was composed of clear to faintly eosinophilic, epithelioid and spindled cells. Immunohistochemically, most tumour cells were strongly positive for HMB-45, smooth muscle actin and desmine, but negative for epithelial markers, S-100 Protein and neuroendocrine markers. Reevaluation of the patient for signs of tuberous sclerosis complex after the diagnosis gave negative results. At the most recent follow-up 4 months later there was no evidence of recurrence.

Ganglioneuroma is a rare benign tumor. It is the most mature of neurogenic tumors. We report a case of a pelvic ganglioneuroma diagnosed in 24-year-old pregnant woman who presented with an urinary infection. Echographic examination suggested an ovarian mass. At surgical operation, the tumor was close to the sacrum. A total resection of the tumor was performed. Pathological examination proved it as a ganglioneuroma. Sixteen months later, the patient is free from disease.

Prostatic sarcoma is a very rare tumour arising from the specialized stroma of the prostatic parenchyma. The clinical and histological features and biological behaviour of this entity are poorly elucidated at the present time. The authors report a case of prostatic stromal sarcoma in a 47-year-old man presenting with complete bladder retention. The initial diagnosis was that of benign prostatic hyperplasia and the patient was treated by suprapubic prostatectomy with no other complementary treatment. Histological examination demonstrated primary neuroectodermal tumour (PNET). The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up and was only reviewed 22 months later in a context of haematuria. Digital rectal examination revealed a large, soft prostate with an estimated weight of 83 grams on ultrasound. Transurethral resection was performed and histological examination of the resection material and review of the slides of the primary tumour showed identical microscopic and immunohistochemical features, corresponding to stromal sarcoma. The patient was treated by local and regional radiotherapy (60 Grays). With a follow-up of 36 months, he presents urinary symptoms with no signs of local extension or metastasis.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) is a rare cutaneous adnexal neoplasm with variable clinical appearance and characteristic histology. It arises in about one third of cases within a sebaceous hamartoma (SH) and in this case, multiple other benign adnexal neoplasms may be associated with it. We report the clinical and pathological data of 8 cases of syringocystadenoma papilliferum. The age at the time of the diagnosis varied from 3 to 48 years with an average age of 28 years. Three tumors were localized in the scalp, 2 in the trunk, and 3 others of unusual locations: 1 in the eyelid, 1 in the thigh and 1 in the popliteal fossa. Histopathological examination revealed 3 SCAP occurring within SH. The SCAP observed in the eyelid was associated with an apocrine cystadenoma without features of SH. The four others were not associated with any other lesion.

The authors report the case of a 40-year-old woman, who was operated for an ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. The pathologic findings of the hysterectomy specimen with bilateral salpingoophorectomy showed an ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma associated with an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. The mucinous cystadenocarcinoma represents the third most common type of ovarian carcinoma. In the literature, this tumor had been found in association with endocervical adenocarcinoma or with minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (adenoma malignum) of the uterine cervix. However, its association with an endometrioid adenocarcinoma, to our knowledge, has not been reported.

Objective: To study, through a series of superficial bladder tumors, the prognostic factors of recurrence and tumoral progression., Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of a series of 59 urothelial tumors of the bladder at stage pTa or pT1. The following parameters were considered: age, sex, treatment, stage and grade. The chi square test was used in search of a correlation between the different parameters and the course (recurrence and progress) of the disease. A multivariate analysis was undertaken by integrating factors correlated with the course., Results: Thirty two tumors (54 %) had recured versus 27 (46%) without recurrence. Eight tumors (25 %) progressed in grade and 4 (12,5 %) had become infiltrative. Age beyond 65 years, tumoral size > 3 cm and multifocality were predictive factors of recurrence with a relative risks of 2,36, 3,28 and 3,88 respectively. In a multivariate analysis, these factors remained significant with adjusted relatif risks respectively of 1,36, 1,6 and 1,7.

Introduction: Smooth muscle tumors of the uterus are frequent. Most of them are benign. Some leiomyomas may have unusual morphologic features difficult to distinguish from leiomyosarcoma. These tumors are: cellular leiomyoma, atypical leiomyoma and mitotically active leiomyoma., Objectives: The purpose of our work is to study cases of leiomyosarcomas, cellular leiomyoma, atypical leiomyoma and mitotically active leiomyoma among a large series of uterine smooth muscle tumors., Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 2760 uterine smooth muscle tumors. The slides were reviewed and the tumors reclassified according to the criteria of the WHO 2003 classification. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact were used for statistical analyses as appropriate., Results: Review of the slides demonstrated: 12 mitotically active leiomyomas, 18 cellular leiomyomas, 20 atypical leiomyomas, 16 leiomysarcomas, only one case of smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential. The 2709 remaining tumors were all common leiomyomas. So mitotically active, cellular and atypical leiomyomas were as rare as the leiomyosarcomas. The average age of patients with leiomyomas was 39 years. That of patients with leiomyosarcomas was 54 years (p=0,000002). Average size of leiomyomas was 7.4cm. That of leiomyosarcomas was 10.2cm. The average age and size of the 3 studied variants of leiomyomas were identical to those of the common leiomyomas. Leiomyomas were unique in 60.9% of cases. On the other hand 87.5% of leiomyosarcomas had unique nodules (p=0,04).

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast are very rare and form a heterogeneous tumoral group in terms of their morphology and biological behaviour. We report two adenomyoepitheliomas of the breast. One appeared in a 29-year-old woman and was a tubular adenomyoepithelioma. The patient was free of disease at a 22 months follow-up. The other was a lobular adenomyoepithelioma that appeared in a 76-year-old woman and was characterized by its high mitotic rate and its association with myoepitheliosis. Adenomyoepitheliomas of the breast are currently classified as low grade malignant tumors that may recur and rarely metastasize, but their histoprognostic factors are not yet defined.