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Herein we report a case of patellar aneurysmal bone cyst of a 32-year-old female patient who was admitted to our outpatient clinic due to the swelling on her left knee. She was describing no trauma history but increasing pain and that the mass was expanding gradually by the time. Although it occurs rarely in patella, evaluation by radiographic and magnetic resonance images revealed that the mass was due to the patellar aneurysmal bone cyst, which also destructed the surface of the joint. Although there was no impairment in the range of motion of the patient's left knee in the preoperative evaluation, because of the destruction, we performed total patellectomy and extensor mechanism reconstruction by Zaricznyj technique instead of curettage and grafting. The patient was satisfied with the procedure performed after the surgery and there was no complication in the follow-up.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare type of necrotizing vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels typically characterized by asthma, lung infiltrates, necrotizing granulomas and hypereosinophilia. Herein, we describe a case of CSS presenting severe and aggressive course. A 35-year-old male patient with weight loss, dyspepsia, dyspnea and hemoptysis was admitted. The laboratory analyses indicated a remarkable eosinophilia, elevated levels of serum total IgE and positive cANCA. Thorax CT findings were suggestive of alveolar hemorrhage. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed alveolar hemorrhage with eosinophilia and transbronchial lung biopsy showed eosinophilic vasculitis. Cardiac enzymes were increased and murmurs were audible revealing cardiomyopathy proven by echocardiography. Pulse cyclophosphamide and methyl prednisolone was immediately started. On the 21st day, intestinal perforation developed and urgent surgery was performed. During a follow-up, although a radiological improvement was observed in the chest X-ray, cardiac failure, peripheral neuropathy and skin lesions developed and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and anti-TNF therapy (adalimumab) were applied. Despite the therapy, he died from heart failure and septicemia at 68th day of therapy.

Fungal pathogens are increasingly encountered after renal transplantation. Aspergillus causes significant morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. Fungal thyroiditis is a rare occurrence owing to unique features of the thyroid gland. Most cases are caused by Aspergillus species and have been described in immunocompromised patients. Presentation may be identical with that of subacute thyroiditis, in which hyperthyroidism features and painful thyroid are the prominent findings. Diagnosis can be ascertained by fine-needle aspiration of thyroid showing branching hyphae of Aspergillus. We describe a renal transplant patient who developed Aspergillus thyroiditis as part of a disseminated infection successfully treated with voriconazole., (© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

We describe a case of a previously healthy 35-year-old man who presents with meniscal symptoms, and present the arthroscopic findings of a complicated tear of black lateral meniscus. Investigations revealed that he had underlying alkaptonuria, which was previously undiagnosed without any other findings. After the surgical treatment, the patient's complaints were alleviated and almost no complaints were registered, during the next follow-up.

Background: Primary sternal malignant fibrous histiyocytoma (MFH) is highly rare. Effective treatment modality is surgical resection with wide margins. However, to date, the effects of radiotherapy or chemotherapy has not been clearly defined., Case Presentation: Herein, we aimed to present a 50-year old female patient with MFH occurred in the radiotherapy field who had had surgical procedure for breast cancer 19 years ago and had followed by radiotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was applied for MFH due to cardiac and mediastinal vascular invasion. Wide resection was carried out for the mass after having been decreased in size following neoadjuvant chemotherapy., Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was an effective method. In planning the surgical resection, the size of the tumor before chemotherapy should be considered as the initial size and surgical margins should be determined accordingly.

Primary tumors of the heart are rarely seen. Cardiac angiosarcomas are malignant tumors that almost always have a poor prognosis. We describe a 29-year-old man with primary cardiac angiosarcoma with multiple site metastases. The therapeutic approach includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone or in combination. New techniques of radiotherapy and combined chemotherapeutic agents may relieve symptoms and prolong a patient's life. We discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac angiosarcoma in the light of a case report.

Background: Secondary malignancies arising from benign bone tumors are rare. Their recognition and diagnosis are difficult, and their slow growth and late recurrence require long-term follow-up. In this study, malignant transformation rates of various histological types of benign cartilage-forming bone tumors in large series were evaluated., Methods: Between 1986 and 2004, a retrospective analysis of 627 cartilage-forming benign bone tumors revealed that 32 patients had malignant transformation. Of the 32 patients, 14 had solitary osteochondromas, 10 had multiple osteochondromas, 6 had a solitary enchondroma, 1 had Ollier's disease, and 1 had Maffucci's syndrome. The patient with Ollier's disease had two chondrosarcomas, and one patient with multiple osteochondroma had three chondrosarcomas. The cases were included in the study only when complete clinical documentation, radiological records, and histological analyses were available., Results: The rate of malignant transformation for cartilage-originating tumors was 5.1% (solitary osteochondromas 4.2%, multiple osteochondromas 9.2%, solitary enchondromas 4.2%). The average time between the initial diagnosis and malignant transformation was 9.8 years. The most common site of involvement was the proximal portion of the femur. The tumors generally were well differentiated. The mean follow-up period was 57.3 months. Five patients (15.6%) died of tumor recurrence or metastasis at an average of 20.6 months. One patient is alive with tumor at 104 months., Conclusions: Cartilage-forming benign bone tumors are rather prone to undergo malignant transformation. Although malignant transformation of a benign bone tumor is a rarely encountered situation, orthopedic surgeons should be cautious while following patients with a benign bone neoplasm. Early recognition and appropriate surgical treatment are required to achieve successful outcomes. The rate of local recurrence in secondary chondrosarcomas depends not only on adequate surgical treatment but also on the localization and histological grade.

Cystic hydatid disease is caused by the Echinococcus granulosus parasite. Most frequently, cysts develop in liver and lung. The breast is rarely a primary site of the hydatid cyst. A case of hydatid cyst of the breast is presented, the diagnosis of which was missed both pre-operatively and intra-operatively.

Background: This study retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who presented with chondroblastoma in our hospital during the period March 1986 to February 2006. We investigated factors associated with local recurrence of the tumors after surgery., Methods: We recorded the patients' sex and age, the location of the pathology, imaging studies (status of growth plate and activity of lesions), histological findings, and treatment outcomes., Results: Pain was the presenting symptom in all patients. The tumors were generally located in the epiphyses or apophyses of long bones, especially in the proximal humerus (9 patients), proximal tibia (7 patients), and proximal femur (5 patients). Our preferred treatment method was generally aggressive curettage of the lesion followed by bone grafting. There was local recurrence in six patients. A secondary aneurysmal bone cyst was present in two patients., Conclusion: Aggressive curettage and bone grafting resulted in local control in most patients. Tumor recurrence was not statistically associated with age, sex, growth plate status, tumor location, or tumor activity. The only parameter associated with increased local recurrence was previous surgery for chondroblastoma in the same location.

Background: The hepatoid variant of yolk sac tumor (H-YST) is an exceedingly rare and highly malignant neoplasm. We present and discuss our experience with cytologic and histopathologic features of a mediastinal H-YST presenting with sternum metastasis, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously reported., Case: A 38-year-old man presented with a large mass on the sternum. Computed tomography of the thorax showed a large anterior mediastinal mass with sternum metastsis and multiple lung metastases. Laboratory examination revealed elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (60,000 IU/mL). No tumor was found in the other organ systems. A percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy and subsequent open surgical biopsy were performed on the sternum metastasis. Cytologically, the tumor was composed of monotonous, large, round to polygonal hepatoid cells forming solid sheets and trabeculae entrapped with endothelial cells resembling hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathologic sections of tumor showed tumor cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm arranged in a solid, trabecular growth pattern, with some acinar formations. Immunohistochemical study supported the hepatoid origin., Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology, together with the characteristic clinical presentations and specific tumor markers, is crucial to the initial diagnosis of H-YST.

A consensus on the clinical course of fibrous dysplasia has not yet emerged in the literature. We retrospectively evaluated 36 patients who were diagnosed with fibrous dysplasia in our institution and were followed for a mean duration of 56.5 months (range 7-210 months). Their mean age was 25.8 years (range 5-67 years); 46.7% were male. The most frequent presenting complaints were pain (66% of patients) and pathological fracture (20%). Osteosarcoma developed in one patient 20 years after he had undergone radiation therapy for fibrous dysplasia in the tibia. Mazabraud syndrome was encountered in two patients, and aneurysmal bone cyst associated with fibrous dysplasia was seen in one patient. Fibrous dysplasia is generally considered a static disease, but with long-term follow-up it is found to have a more dynamic nature. For this reason, patients with fibrous dysplasia should be followed carefully over the long-term.

Objectives: We evaluated surgical treatment of patients with chondromyxoid fibroma., Methods: The study included 11 patients (6 females, 5 males; mean age 31 years; range 8 to 53 years) who underwent surgical treatment for chondromyxoid fibroma. The most common site of involvement was the tibia in three patients. Diagnosis was made preoperatively by tru-cut biopsies in seven patients and all the diagnoses were confirmed postoperatively by histopathologic examination. In addition to plain radiographs, computed tomography was used in 10 patients, and magnetic resonance was used in six patients. Surgery included wide resection, marginal excision or intralesional curettage followed by autologous bone graft or bone cement. The mean follow-up was 62.8 months (range 2 to 162 months)., Results: The main presenting symptom was pain in all the patients. Two patients with thoracic wall and tibia involvement, respectively, complained of a mass. Radiologic imaging showed soft tissue involvement in two patients. Recurrence occurred in three patients (27.3%), in whom initial surgical procedures were curettage alone (n=2) or with iliac graft (n=1). One patient with involvement in the phalanx of the thumb presented with pain 46 months after the second operation. A tru-cut biopsy yielded a diagnosis of secondary chondrosarcoma for which ray amputation was performed. No wound site infections or functional loss developed after surgical treatment., Conclusion: Chondromyxoid fibroma may develop in various bones of the body and occur at a wide age range. Curettage with autologous bone graft is an effective surgical method.

Intrathoracic ectopic goiters are rare. To our knowledge, only two reports of thyroid tissue on the aorta have been reported in the English literature. A 42-year-old woman was found to have a right paracardiac mass. Sternotomy revealed a firm and encapsulated tumor attached to the anterolateral surface of the ascending aorta and a defect in the right superior part of the pericardium. The mass was completely excised and histopathologic examination confirmed a multinodular goiter. We discuss the features of this rare tumor.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an unusual complication of malignancy. We diagnosed primary splenic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in a patient. A seven-year-old boy presented with Coombs test-positive hemolytic anemia. After a course of prednisolone therapy, a complete response for anemia was achieved. Twenty months later, in addition to severe hemolytic anemia, the patient was diagnosed with ALCL after splenectomy and pathologic examination of the sample. The recognition of this clinical picture as a complication of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has important implications. The most effective management of AIHA in the setting of cancer is to treat the underlying malignancy.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the typing accuracy of conventional smear (CS), cell block (CB) preparations and combined use of both procedures (CS + CB) for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies and to determine whether immediate on-site cytopathological evaluation improves the diagnostic yield of liver fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)., Methods: Ultrasound-guided FNABs were performed on 323 consecutive cases with liver masses between December 2002 and December 2004. Histologically and/or clinically correlated 167 cases were included in the study. Preliminary FNAB results, results of CS, CB, and combined use of CS and CB were compared regarding diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of malignancy. Subtyping accuracies of different methods were also compared., Results: The sensitivity of on-site cytopathological examination and CS were both 92.8%. The sensitivity of CS + CB was slightly better than that of CB (93.5% versus 84.8%). Specificity of all procedures was achieved 100%. Diagnostic accuracy of on-site cytopathological evaluation, CS, CB, and CS + CB were 93.9%, 93.9%, 87.2%, and 94.5%, respectively. A specific subtype diagnosis of malignant tumours could be rendered accurately on the basis of preliminary diagnosis in 71%, CS in 75.4%, CB in 78.3% and combined approach in 92% of cases. In terms of typing accuracy, 87.5% of HCCs, 93.2% of adenocarcinomas, 92.3% of neuroendocrine carcinomas, 100% of lymphomas and 100% of other malignant tumours were correctly subclassified in the final cytopathological diagnosis. The agreement between preliminary diagnosis and final cytopathological diagnosis was 77.2%., Conclusion: With use of on-site cytopathological evaluation and combined use of CS and CB, the diagnostic accuracy of liver tumours approaches 100% and also significantly improve diagnostic and subtyping accuracy of liver malignancies.

Kikuchi Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis which has a benign self-limiting clinical course. Its origin is unknown, but an abnormal autoimmune reaction has been suggested and infection is often considered to be an inciting agent. A 50-year-old man presented with fever, malaise, fatigue and sweat of 7 days duration, and diarrhea for 2 days. Physical examination revealed five mobile and painless cervical adenopathies. Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and cysts were detected by microscopy of feces. Parenteral ornidazole treatment was commenced. Thorax computerized tomography showed lymph node sizes congruent with infection in the mediastinum, right hilus and right axillary region. Axillary lymph node biopsy and immunohistochemical analyses were then performed, and the results were consistent with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. From day 4 of antibiotic treatment the patient's body temperature decreased and reached a normal level on day 10. After discharge the patient returned for follow-up twice and was asymptomatic; his lymph nodes were either unpalpable or were decreased in size. We could not find any previous study or case report about a probable role for E. histolytica. Amebiasis can be a triggering factor in KFD or alternatively it is possible that its occurrence is coincidental.

Background: Although papulopustular lesions are one of the diagnostic criteria for Behçet's disease, controversy exists as to the nature of these lesions. Specific vessel-based papulopustular lesions as well as nonspecific follicular lesions may be seen in patients with Behçet's disease. Some authors suggest that papulopustular lesions should be considered a positive criterion only if they exhibit a vessel-based neutrophilic reaction., Objective: [corrected] To determine whether specific vessel-based papulopustular lesions can be differentiated clinically from nonspecific follicular lesions in patients with Behçet's disease., Methods: Twenty-three papulopustular lesions in 20 patients with Behçet's disease were initially examined clinically by two dermatologists blind to each other's diagnosis. Biopsies taken from these lesions were examined by a pathologist unaware of the patient data., Results: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis or perivascular infiltration was observed in 10 lesions, perifollicular and perivascular infiltration was noted in nine lesions, and perifollicular inflammation was seen in four biopsy specimens. Most of the lesions interpreted clinically as specific papulopustular lesions of Behçet's disease had predominantly perivascular infiltration or leukocytoclastic vasculitis; however, three papulopustular lesions evaluated by both observers as specific papulopustular lesions had only perifollicular inflammation, and one lesion diagnosed clinically as a nonspecific follicular eruption revealed perivascular neutrophilic reaction. Interobserver variance was noted in three papulopustular lesions., Conclusions: Clinical examination may not be sufficient to predict the dermatopathologic pattern in all lesions. Papulopustular lesions with no specific clinical and histopathologic features may create problems in the diagnosis of Behçet's disease.

Background: Pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare tumors of the adenohypophysis. The presence of craniospinal and/or systemic extracranial metastases is the only reliable criterion for the diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma. To date, only 2 cases have been reported correctly by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). We present an additional case of pituitary carcinoma with FNAB features., Case: A 60-year-old woman presented with clinical features of Cushing's disease and a pituitary tumor. She underwent transsphenoidal resection of the tumor. The initial diagnosis was an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing invasive pituitary adenoma. The patient presented again with neck pain 6 years after the operation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed metastatic tumor masses at the level of C5-C6 of the cervical vertebrae. Intraoperative fine needle aspiration and incomplete excision of metastatic tumors were performed. Cytologically, tumor cells were composed of a combination of loose groups and single cells. Neoplastic cells had a relatively monotonous appearance and displayed characteristic neuroendocrine tumor features. Immunocytochemistry from cell block sections revealed AE1/ AE3, synaptophysin chromogranin A and ACTH positivity in the tumor cells., Conclusion: Pituitary carcinoma with extracranial systemic metastases demonstrates typical neuroendocrine features on fine needle aspiration. In the differential diagnosis, metastatic neuroendocrine carcinomas should be kept in mind. In the absence of sufficient clinical data, these 2 entities cannot be distinguished correctly through the cytologic features.

A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome with fibrosis that developed bilaterally, cervical lymphadenopathy and cutaneous infiltration by trilineage extramedullary hematopoiesis after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy because of severe neutropenia. Hepatosplenomegaly was not observed during her follow-up. Extramedullary hematopoiesis disappeared after growth factor therapy was stopped. Although the neutropenia was alleviated by growth factor administration, the appearance of an unusual involvement of extramedullary hematopoiesis should be kept in mind., (Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

In Castleman disease, also known as giant lymph node hyperplasia, lesions are usually located in the chest. Peliosis hepatis is the presence of multiple blood-filled cysts in the liver. The combination of these two disorders in one patient is rare, with only three cases reported to date. We report the case of a 21-year-old man who presented with growth retardation and iron deficiency anemia. Work-up revealed hepatomegaly and multiple conglomerated giant lymph nodes near the splenic hilum. Once the mass was surgically removed, the patient's anemia rapidly resolved and he showed catch-up growth. The lymphoid tissue exhibited mixed histologic type, so the patient was diagnosed with both hyaline vascular type and plasma cell type Castleman disease. A liver biopsy obtained at surgery showed sinusoidal dilatation and blood-filled cysts, indicating peliosis hepatis. This is the fourth documented case of peliosis hepatis associated with Castleman disease. In addition to describing the case features, we discuss the possible pathogenesis of peliosis hepatis in the setting of Castleman disease.

Background: Choriocarcinoma mostly metastasizes to lung parenchyma. Its pulmonary tumor embolism and cardiac metastasis are very rarely encountered, of which antemortem diagnosis is even more rare., Case: To our knowledge, we present the first case of intracavitary cardiac metastasis and pulmonary tumor emboli of choriocarcinoma diagnosed and treated without any surgical intervention. Multi-agent chemotherapy led to almost complete regression of cardiac and pulmonary lesions and normalization of beta-hCG levels., Conclusion: Cardiac metastasis of choriocarcinoma must be kept in mind for cases of cardiac mass in reproductive age women, especially when history and clinical presentation are suggestive for gestational trophoblastic disease. As the tumor is highly sensitive, chemotherapy together with biochemical and radiological monitoring constitutes an effective treatment modality if cardiopulmonary functions are not deteriorating.

Aims and Background: To evaluate the function and distribution of BAG-1 protein in hyperplastic and neoplastic prostate tissue and establish the relationship between this protein and BCL-related proteins (BCL-2 and BAX), androgen receptor (AR) expression and chromogranin A., Methods: Twenty-eight prostatic adenocarcinomas and 16 prostate hyperplasias were included in this retrospective study. BAG-1, BCL-2, BAX, androgen receptor and chromogranin A immunostaining was performed by means of standard avidin-biotin peroxidase methods. The M30 antibody was used to identify preapoptotic and apoptotic cells. The immunohistochemical histological score (HSCORE) semiquantative system was used to evaluate immunohistochemical staining., Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in HSCOREs of BAX, M30 and AR between the carcinoma and hyperplasia groups. Carcinomas expressed higher HSCOREs of these markers than hyperplasias. There were significant differences in nuclear and cytoplasmic BAG-1 positivity between high and low-grade carcinomas. BAG-1 expression was higher in low-grade carcinomas. In the carcinoma group there was a positive correlation (Pearson) between BCL-2 and cytoplasmic/nuclear BAG-1. In the hyperplasia group there was a negative correlation between BAX and BCL-2, and between AR and M30. We also detected a positive correlation between AR and nuclear/cytoplasmic BAG-1 and between nuclear and cytoplasmic BAG-1 in hyperplasias. BAG-1 showed the same specific basal cell localization as BCL-2 in hyperplastic and normal glands., Conclusions: The BAG-1 protein showed a distinct distribution pattern in hyperplastic and neoplastic prostate. BAG-1 in association with BCL-2 inhibits apoptosis and may prolong the life of neoplastic cells and give them a chance to gain new oncogenic features in early carcinogenesis.

Background: Limited data suggest that there is increased eosinophilic inflammation in the airways of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) during pollen season even if they do not have asthma., Objective: To investigate the effect of natural pollen exposure on inflammatory cells and apoptosis of eosinophils and its association with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) during and out of pollen season in SAR patients sensitized to only grass pollens., Methods: Forty SAR patients and 10 patients with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) from Ankara, Turkey, were recruited to participate in the study. Two induced sputum samples were taken from SAR patients during pollen season (May-June) and out of pollen season (November-January), but only 1 induced sputum sample was taken from NAR patients. Slides of induced sputum were evaluated by 2 cytologists with the use of light microscopy after cytocentrifuged and dyed with May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain. Induced sputum samples were sufficient for differential cell counts in 14 SAR and 7 NAR patients., Results: Eosinophil counts in SAR patients were statistically higher in pollen season (19.4% +/- 16.2%) compared with out of season (4.6% +/- 6.9%, P = .003) and with NAR patients (4.7% +/- 9.5%, P = .01). The apoptotic eosinophil counts in SAR patients were statistically higher out of pollen season (3.0% +/- 4.5%) than in pollen season (0.38% +/- 0.80%, P = .02) and higher than those of NAR patients (0.14% +/- 0.26%, P = .005). The apoptotic ratio was statistically higher after pollen season compared with pollen season (0.720% +/- 0.394% vs 0.044% +/- 0.116%, P = .002). Blood eosinophil counts of SAR patients were increased during the pollen season (364 +/- 187/mm3) compared with out of season (278 +/- 219/mm3, P = .04) and with NAR patients (85 +/- 54/mm3, P = .001). The number of SAR patients who had BHR during the pollen season (7/14) was higher than the number who had BHR out of season (2/14, chi2 = 4.2, P = .04)., Conclusion: Our data indicate that changes in eosinophil counts and eosinophil apoptosis may be related to the changes of natural pollen exposure and seasonal changes of BHR in SAR patients.

A 44-year-old man presented with unilateral proptosis and progressively deteriorating vision of his left eye over a 2-week period. He had a history of recurrent sacral chordoma for 1 year that had previously been treated with combined surgical excision, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. MRI showed compression of the optic nerve by an orbital mass that proved to be an orbital metastasis of his sacral chordoma. The tumor mass was excised subtotally, and adjuvant orbital radiation therapy was administered.

Background: Apoptosis may be important in limiting airway eosinophilia. Treatment with leukotriene antagonists decreases the number of eosinophils in both peripheral blood and sputum., Aim: To assess the effect of montelukast on eosinophil apoptosis in a group of patients with mild persistent asthma (MPA) and to compare this effect with the apoptotic effect of fluticasone propionate (FP)., Methods: Randomly selected patients with MPA (n = 22) who had not taken anti-inflammatory therapy within the preceding 12 months were included in the study. The sputum induction procedure was performed and the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 10) received FP 250 microg/day and group 2 (n = 22) received montelukast 10 mg/day orally for 4 weeks. Sputum induction was repeated after the treatment period. The resulting cytospin slides were stained by Wright's stain and morphologic changes in apoptotic eosinophils were assessed by the use of light microscopy by two blinded expert pathologists. Serum soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) concentrations were measured by an ELISA method at baseline and after treatment in both groups, as well as in a group of healthy subjects., Results: In within-group comparisons, the apoptotic ratio (AR) increased at the end of the study period in group 1 (p = 0.05). In the group treated with FP the ratio of sputum eosinophils significantly decreased (p = 0.02), and the AR significantly increased (p < 0.005). No differences were found in the two study groups in serum sFasL levels at the end of the treatment period compared with baseline values (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that 4 weeks' treatment with a CysLT receptor antagonist (montelukast) resulted in an increase in eosinophil apoptosis comparable to that produced by FP, suggesting that induction of apoptosis may be a potential mechanism for the mode of action of CysLT receptor antagonists in asthma.

Malignant melanoma involving the respiratory tract is nearly always metastatic. True primary tumors are very rare, and only approximately 28 cases have been reported in the literature. Extensive clinical and histopathological examinations are needed to ascertain that the lung is the primary site. We present the case of a 67-year-old man with an apparent primary malignant melanoma of the lung in the right lower lobe. We also review the literature.

The current report describes a 23-month-old boy with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma who was incidentally diagnosed as also having an isolated mediastinal cystic lymphangioma. The association of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma with various congenital anomalies and genetic alterations such as p53 mutations have been well known. However, mediastinal cystic lymphangioma has not been reported among the congenital anomalies diagnosed in rhabdomyosarcoma. Both rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphangioma originate from mesenchymal cells. This association may be coincidental or may point to a common genetic and/or developmental disorder of the mesencymal tissue., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)