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Spark's nevus is a particular type of melanocytic nevus, with histology that shows features of both Spitz and Clark nevus. Detailed dermoscopic features in a series of Spark nevi have not been described yet. We performed a monocentric retrospective observational study on 20 lesions of Spark nevus excised from 19 patients (M:F = 10:9; mean age: 37,6 years), reviewed by 5 experts in dermoscopy and 2 dermatopathologists. A histologic review confirmed that Spark nevi were mostly symmetric (80%), well circumscribed (100%), mainly compound (65%) melanocytic lesions with either epithelioid (55%) or spitzoid (45%) cell morphology and bridging of the nests (100%). Spark nevi were more frequently found on the trunk (85%) in patients with a history of sunburns in childhood (84%), with skin phototype III (79%), and with high nevus count (>100 nevi, 7 patients (36%)). On dermoscopy, we observed different general patterns: multicomponent (40%), reticular-globular-homogeneous (15%), globular homogeneous (15%), reticular (15%), reticular-globular (5%), homogeneous (5%), and globular (5%). Spark nevi showed frequently dermoscopic asymmetry (63%), brown color (90%) with areas of central hyperpigmentation (41%) and peripheral hypopigmentation (28%), atypical pigment network (48%), irregular globules (42%), irregular dots (31%), irregular blotches (16%), blue-whitish veil (13%), peripheral island (25%), irregular hyperpigmented areas (12%), and regression (33%). BRAF mutation was present in 7 of the 10 analyzed cases (70%); all these cases presented a history of evolution. In conclusion, Spark nevi occur on the trunk of young adults with high nevus count and history of sunburns; dermoscopic features are protean, often atypical and suspicious of melanoma.

To evaluate the reliability of 18F-FDG PET/CT in distinguishing differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) and follicular neoplasms (FNs) from nodular hyperplasias (NH) in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology according to the Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology (ICCRTC). We also tested whether the 18F-FDG PET/CT result was an independent risk factor for DTCs or FNs when sex, age, nodule dimensions, the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) and ICCRTC were considered. We evaluated all patients with thyroid nodules and indeterminate cytology from September 2015 to May 2019; nodules were classified as low risk (TIR3A) and high risk (TIR3B) according to the ICCRTC. Neck ultrasonography features according to EU-TIRADS were re-evaluated and 18F-FDG PET/CT performed. All these patients were surgically treated. We included 111 patients; 67 nodules were classified as TIR3A and 44 as TIR3B. Overall, we found 27 DTCs, 57 NHs and 27 FNs. Among 73 FDG-negative nodules, we found four low-risk papillary thyroid cancers. All follicular thyroid cancers were identified by 18F-FDG-PET/CT. All TIR3A with low-risk US and negative 18F-FDG-PET/CT were NH. In TIR3A nodules, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) of 18F-FDG PET/CT and EU-TIRADS for DTCs were 77.8%, 41.4%, 92.3%, 17.1% and 66.7%, 56.9%, 91.7%, 19.4%, respectively. In TIR3B nodules, the sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV of 18F-FDG PET/CT and EU-TIRADS for DTCs were 88.9%, 38.5%, 83.3%, 50% and 88.2%, 58.3%, 87.5%, 60%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, 18F-FDG-PET/CT (OR 9.04), ICCRTC (O.R. 7.57) and EU-TIRADS (OR 4.41) were all independent risk factors associated to DTCs and FNs. 18F-FDG-PET/CT is a reliable rule-out test for DTC even in thyroid nodules with indeterminate high-risk results. In this subgroup, PPV also tends to be considerable. 18F-FDG-PET/CT results, ICCRTC and EU-TIRADS proved independent risk factors associated to DTCs and FNs.

Patient under anti-TNF-alpha treatment have an increased risk of mycobacterial infections, particularly tuberculosis. Only four case reports of Mycobacterium kansasii infection under anti-TNF-α treatment (two with etanercept, two with infliximab) have been reported, but none under adalimumab. A 72-year-old man treated with adalimumab for psoriasis vulgaris and arthropathic psoriasis, complained on nocturnal cough, occasional hemoptysis and the new onset of ill-defined, reddish, asymptomatic persistent plaquesnodules covered by serum crusts on his back, on the dorsum of the right hand and right middle finger. Routine laboratory investigations, HIV and TB screening (QuantiFERONTB- Gold test) were all within normal limits. A skin biopsy was inconclusive and special stainings resulted negative for microorganisms. Only PCR identified M. kansasii. The patient stopped adalimumab and started anti-TB treatment with gradual improvement of the skin lesions. At 26 months follow-up visit no signs or symptoms of relapse of M. kansasii disease occurred.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the role of 18F-choline (18F-FCH) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. In women with genital infection, the virus can be transmitted by sex to the oral cavity of their partners and then to their own oral cavity. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of cervical/anal/oral HPV infection in women attending the Dermatology Unit of the Policlinico San Martino of Genoa, the regional reference hospital in Liguria, Italy.Between January 2016 and December 2018, the female patients attending the STI center (cases) and those requiring a full body skin examination for skin cancer screening ("supposed" healthy population: controls) were recruited. Cervical/anal/oral samples were collected with ThinPrep liquid based cytology preparation system: polymerase chain reaction for HPV and cytological evaluation were performed. Overall, 85 cases and 31 controls were recruited.Cervical HPV infection was detected in 60% of the cases and 48% of the controls; anal HPV infection in 44% of the cases and 26% of the controls. Cervical and anal HPV infection resulted associated, especially in the control group. Moreover, 32% of the cases and 29% of the controls proved HPV positive in the oral cavity. In the cases of our series, prevalence of cervical, anal and oral HPV infection was higher compared with the controls.The high prevalence of anal-oral infections and the frequent association between anal and cervical infections, provide reason to suggest HPV screening also in the anal and oral regions, which may represent HPV reservoirs and grounds for cancer development.

To evaluate the reliability ofWe evaluated all patients with thyroid nodules and indeterminate cytology from September 2015 to May 2019; nodules were classified as low risk (TIR3A) and high risk (TIR3B) according to the ICCRTC. Neck ultrasonography features according to EU-TIRADS were re-evaluated andWe included 111 patients; 67 nodules were classified as TIR3A and 44 as TIR3B. Overall, we found 27 DTCs, 57 NHs and 27 FNs. Among 73 FDG-negative nodules, we found four low-risk papillary thyroid cancers. All follicular thyroid cancers were identified by

Over 50% of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have cervical lymph-node metastasis on diagnosis, and up to 30% show nodal recurrence after surgery plus radioactive iodine (131I) (RAI) therapy. The combination of ultrasonography (US) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and the measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) in washout fluid are cornerstones in the diagnosis of nodal metastasis. In the absence of anti-Tg antibodies, unstimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels are generally a reliable marker of recurrent disease, and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in the imaging work-up. We report the case of a 65-year-old man evaluated for a large multinodular goitre which caused compressive symptoms; the dominant nodule in the left lobe presented suspicious features on US. Thyroid function showed subclinical hypothyroidism, calcitonin was normal, serum thyroglobulin levels were low, and anti-thyroid antibodies were absent. The prevalent left nodule showed an intense uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT but proved benign at FNAC. On the basis of the suspicious clinical and imaging features, total thyroidectomy was performed. Histology revealed a tall-cell variant of PTC with scattered expression of Tg and diffuse high expression of cytokeratin (CK) 19; RAI therapy was performed. Within 6 years of surgery, left laterocervical lymph-node recurrence was twice detected (first at levels II and III, then at levels IV and VI) by US and 18F-FDG-PET/CT and was confirmed by FNAC. Tg levels in the washout fluid proved clearly diagnostic of metastasis only in the second, larger, recurrence, whereas serum Tg levels (in the absence of anti-Tg antibodies) always remained undetectable on L-thyroxine therapy. Surgery was performed on both recurrences, and histology confirmed lymph-node metastasis of PTC. Immunohistochemical expression of Tg and CK 19 was similar to that of the primary tumour. No further relapses have occurred to date. Posttherapy (surgery and RAI) unstimulated serum Tg levels may not be a reliable marker of nodal recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that produces low amounts of Tg.

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, in vivo technique that allows the visualization of subsurface skin structures in the epidermis, at the dermoepidermal junction, and in the upper dermis. Dermoscopy brought a new dimension in evaluating melanocytic skin neoplasms (MSN) also representing a link between clinical and pathologic examination of any MSN. However, histopathology remains the gold standard in diagnosing MSN. Dermoscopic–pathologic correlation enhances the level of quality of MSN diagnosis and increases the level of confidence of pathologists. Melanoma is one of the most genetically predisposed among all cancers in humans. The genetic landscape of melanoma has been described in the last years but is still a field in continuous evolution. Melanoma genetic markers play a role not only in melanoma susceptibility, initiation, and progression but also in prognosis and therapeutic decisions. Several studies described the dermoscopic specific criteria and predictors for melanoma and their histopathologic correlates, but only a few studies investigated the correlation among dermoscopy, pathology, and genetic of MSN. The aim of this work is to review the published data about dermoscopic features of melanoma, their histopathological correlates with regards also to genetic alterations. Particularly, this review will focus on low-CSD (cumulative sun damage) melanoma or superficial spreading melanoma, high-CSD melanoma, and nevus-associated melanoma.

Our objective was to evaluate the biodistribution, kinetics, and radiation dosimetry of 64CuCl2 in humans and to assess the ability of 64CuCl2 PET/CT to detect prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence in patients with biochemical relapse. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 50 PCa patients with biochemical relapse after surgery or external-beam radiation therapy. All patients underwent 64CuCl2 PET/CT, 18F-choline PET/CT, and multiparametric MRI within 15 d of each other. Experienced readers interpreted the images, and the detection rate (DR) of each imaging modality was calculated. Histopathology, when available; clinical or laboratory response; and multidisciplinary follow-up were used to confirm the site of disease. In parallel, biodistribution, kinetics of the lesions, and radiation dosimetry of 64CuCl2 were evaluated. Results: From a dosimetric point of view, an administered dose of 200 MBq for 64CuCl2 translated into a 5.7-mSv effective dose. Unlike 18F-choline, 64CuCl2 was not excreted or accumulated in the urinary tract, thus allowing thorough pelvic exploration. The maximum 64CuCl2 uptake at the sites of PCa relapse was observed 1 h after tracer injection. In our cohort, 64CuCl2 PET/CT proved positive in 41 of 50 patients, with an overall DR of 82%. The DRs of 18F-choline PET/CT and multiparametric MRI were 56% and 74%, respectively. The difference between the DRs of 64CuCl2 PET/CT and 18F-choline PET/CT was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Interestingly, on considering prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, 64CuCl2 PET/CT had a higher DR than 18F-choline PET/CT in patients with a PSA of less than 1 ng/mL. Conclusion: The biodistribution of 64CuCl2 is more suitable than that of 18F-choline for exploring the pelvis and prostatic bed. The 64CuCl2 effective dose is like those of other established PET tracers. In patients with biochemical relapse and a low PSA level, 64CuCl2 PET/CT shows a significantly higher DR than 18F-choline PET/CT.

Psoriasis has been controversially associated with risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and mycosis fungoides (MF). Also patients who developed MF after systemic treatment for psoriasis have been reported, and some authors suggested that the association between MF and psoriasis is not infrequent. We performed an extensive literature review in order to examine the risk of developing MF in psoriatic patients with a systematic search of the English-language databases. An increased risk for lymphoma overall in psoriatic patients has been found only by three out of seven studies. The risk of developing MF in psoriatic patients has been investigated by different studies in different populations and with different methodologies presenting bias and limitations, and it seems reasonable that misclassification between psoriasis and MF may explain the association reported. In contrast to the large number of psoriatic patients treated with biologicals, only 27 case reports of MF after biological therapy for psoriasis have been reported, and in 10 cases, the initial psoriasis diagnoses were then revised as MF. A true association between MF and psoriasis is possible, but the real incidence and prevalence are still unknown. The reported higher risk of developing MF in psoriatic patients should be reconsidered in the light of the bias of misclassification and the low magnitude reported in previous studies. There is not enough evidence to support a causal relation among biological therapies and MF in psoriatic patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the role ofThe study prospectively enrolled high-risk DTC patients treated with thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy and presenting high/increasing thyroglobulin levels under thyrotropin suppression, negative/inconclusive neck ultrasound, and negativeTwenty-five high-risk DTC patients were included; DTC relapse/persistence was confirmed in 23 patients. On PBA

Background Several ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems have been proposed for the assessment of thyroid nodules, and their performance was shown as good. However, the rate of nodules assessed at intermediate risk is not negligible and whether they should be submitted or not to further examination is still under debate. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of 18 F-FDG PET/CT in stratifying the risk of malignancy in these lesions. Methods Two institutions participated to this retrospective study in which a dedicated 18 F-FDG PET/CT was proposed to patients having a thyroid nodule with US assessment of EU-TIRADS 4 or 5. 18 F-FDG PET/CT did not influence the diagnostic and therapeutic decision. Histology was the gold standard for all patients. Results Ninety-three patients were included for the study with 48 EU-TIRADS 4 and 45 EU-TIRADS 5 nodules. Of these, 26 underwent thyroidectomy following FNAC suspicious for or consistent with malignancy, 38 for inconclusive cytology, 27 because of large goitre and 2 for high-risk lesion at US. At histology, 35 carcinomas and 58 benign lesions were found. Cancer prevalence was 16.7% in EU-TIRADS 4 and 60% in EU-TIRADS 5. Overall, 18 F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 33/35 cancers (94.5% sensitivity) and negative in 31/58 benign lesions (53.4% specificity). When considering only EU-TIRADS 4, 18 F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 7/8 cancers and negative in 20/40 benign lesions; among these, there were 36 cases with FNAC indication according to dimensional cut-off (ie >1.5 cm), and 18 F-FDG PET/CT showed 85.7% sensitivity and 41.4% specificity. Conclusions 18 F-FDG PET/CT may have a role in stratifying the cancer risk of thyroid nodules with an intermediate ultrasound assessment. More specifically, thyroid lesions classified as EU-TIRADS 4 and with no 18 F-FDG uptake could be ruled out from further examination, similar to other anamnestic and clinical suspicious factors of patients. Further prospective and cost-effectiveness studies are needed.

Several ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems have been proposed for the assessment of thyroid nodules, and their performance was shown as good. However, the rate of nodules assessed at intermediate risk is not negligible and whether they should be submitted or not to further examination is still under debate. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability ofTwo institutions participated to this retrospective study in which a dedicatedNinety-three patients were included for the study with 48 EU-TIRADS 4 and 45 EU-TIRADS 5 nodules. Of these, 26 underwent thyroidectomy following FNAC suspicious for or consistent with malignancy, 38 for inconclusive cytology, 27 because of large goitre and 2 for high-risk lesion at US. At histology, 35 carcinomas and 58 benign lesions were found. Cancer prevalence was 16.7% in EU-TIRADS 4 and 60% in EU-TIRADS 5. Overall

A hypertensive man with chronic kidney disease (CKD) secondary to polycystic disease was hospitalized for symptoms related to hypoglycemia. Fasting test elicited symptomatic hypoglycemia after 12 hours, which was associated with inappropriately unsuppressed normal insulin and C-peptide levels. Neither ultrasonography (US) nor magnetic resonance imaging detected any pancreatic tumor. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a small isoechogenic nodule suspect for neuroendocrine tumor in the pancreatic head. 68Gallium-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed intense uptake by a small region in the pancreatic head. Surgical exploration together with intraoperative US confirmed the nodule in the pancreatic head and evidenced another hypoechogenic one in the uncinate process. Both nodules were enucleated, but only the latter, which had not been previously detected by EUS, proved compatible with insulinoma on combined histology and immunohistochemistry. After nodule enucleation, hypoglycemia resolved and did not relapse. Insulinoma, as a major cause of unexplained hypoglycemia, requires careful hormonal and instrumental workup. In patients with CKD, the interpretation of biochemical criteria for the diagnosis of insulinoma can be challenging. Localization techniques may display pitfalls. Surgery is curative in most patients but long-term follow-up is required.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the association between common infectious diseases and the risk of hematological malignancies in an adult population. Data were drawn from a population based case-control study that included 165 cases (125 lymphoid and 40 myeloid neoplasms) and 233 controls. Occurrence of childhood diseases (measles, rubella, chickenpox, mumps, pertussis and scarlet fever) was slightly inversely associated with the risk of both malignancies, but statistical significance was not reached. The data of infections occurring after 14 years of age indicated an increasing risk of lymphoid malignancies (OR = 2.9, p

UMBERTO GOGLIA,*§ CARLO TONCINI,{§MASSIMO GIUSTI,*§ CHRISTIAN GASTALDI,{CARLO AMBRUOSI,{ SIMONA SOLA,{JEAN-LOUIS RAVETTI,{ GIORGIOCARMIGNANI,{ FRANCESCO MINUTO,* ANDDIEGO FERONE*From the *Department of Endocrinological and MedicalSciences and Center of Excellence for BiomedicalResearch, the Department of Pathology, San MartinoHospital, Genova, Italy; and the `Department of Urology,University of Genova.

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy of extra-ocular orbital lesions. Fifty-five patients with monolateral exophthalmos prospectively underwent computed tomography (CT) to investigate the presence of an extra-ocular mass (n = 25). Excluding benign lesions (n = 7) and patients in whom CT revealed an unknown primitive malignancy (n = 5), 13 patients (7 male, 6 female; mean age 62 ± 16 years) underwent ultrasound. Lesion appearance (echotexture, power Doppler vascularisation), size, position with respect to the cone and to the globe were recorded. Ultrasound-guided biopsies were performed (automatic, n = 9; semi-automatic 18-G needle, n = 4). Sample adequacy and complication rate were recorded. Ultrasound demonstrated hypoechoic lesions with mild power Doppler vascularity, that were completely (n = 7) or partially extra-conal (n = 6), located laterally (n = 8) or posteriorly (n = 5) to the globe. Mean size was 3.25 cm. All biopsies yielded adequate material for histological and immunohistochemical analysis (nine non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, two adenocarcinomas, one lymphoid hyperplasia, one inflammatory pseudotumour). Complications included cutaneous eyelid haematoma (n = 3) and retro-bulbar haematoma (n = 1), treated conservatively and resolved at 10-day follow-up. No immediate or delayed vision reduction was reported. Ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy of extra-ocular orbital lesions is feasible and accurate, being free from long-term complications. This procedure provided 100 % adequate samples to achieve final diagnosis. • Ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy of extra-ocular orbital lesions seems feasible and accurate. • In this series it provided a final diagnosis in 13/13 cases. • It appears free from long-term complications. • It provides immunohistochemical analysis of the specimen. • It should represent a valuable alternative to surgical biopsy.

This investigation was aimed at evaluating the association between chronic diseases, medical history and familial cancer, and the risk of developing hematological malignancies. Data were drawn from a population-based case–control study carried out to assess the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia in an adult population exposed to environmental air pollution in Northern Italy. Each case was classified according to the WHO ICD-O-3 classification. Statistical analyses were performed by multivariable unconditional logistic regression in 573 interviewed subjects (199 lymphoid cases, 95 myeloid cases, and 279 healthy controls). Lymphoid malignancies were associated with a history of gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.2–3.6), rheumatoid arthritis (OR 4.4, 95 % CI 1.3–19.0), anemia (OR 3.3, 95 % CI 1.2–9.3), cholecystectomy (OR 2.9, 95 % CI 1.0–8.0), heavy diagnostic X-ray exposure (OR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.3–3.7), and a familial risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (OR 10.1, 95 % CI 1.3–458). Myeloid malignancies were associated with non-neoplastic thyroid diseases (OR 6.2, 95 % CI 1.7–35.6) and anemia (OR 6.8, 95 % CI 2.0–23.1). Subgroup analysis highlighted an excess risk of MALT in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 5.3, 95 % CI 1.04–23.7) and of AML in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR 6.9, 95 % CI 1.2–38.1), and of MDS in subjects exposed to heavy diagnostic X-ray (OR 3.4, 95 % CI 1.03–11.2) when the analysis was restricted to irradiation of pelvis, abdomen, or thorax. Most observed associations confirm results from previous studies. The higher risk of lymphoid malignancies among patients with a history of cholecystectomy needs further investigations.

Although the prognosis for malignant gliomas is normally dismal, it's not infrequent in neurooncologist's experience to find cases with unusually prolonged survival. In order to understand what factors influence survival of high grade glioma patients, a cohort of 196 high (III-IV) grade glioma patients was investigated for possible association between (1) survival and age at diagnosis; (2) survival and micronuclei in tumor tissue; (3) survival and gender; (4) micronuclei in tumor tissue and age at diagnosis.Patients diagnosed at an older age (64 years) had a significantly higher hazard as compared to younger patients (or=64 years), indicating that older patients survived shorter. On the contrary, no association was found between survival and micronuclei or gender.Survival analysis was performed by the Cox' proportional hazards regression model.Age at diagnosis, together with other established prognostic factors such as histologic characteristics, extent of surgery and Karnofsky Performance Score may to a certain extent predict survival of high grade glioma patients.

Interferon is considered the cornerstone in the therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients. Experimental studies have shown that interferon administration may influence liver metabolic activity. However, data concerning the monitoring of liver metabolic function during a therapeutic course of interferon in chronic hepatitis C patients are scanty. The MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide) test has been used in diagnostic and prognostic assessment of chronic liver disease as a quantitative liver function test. In this study our aim was to non-invasively monitor liver function in chronic hepatitis C patients during a course of interferon-alpha therapy and to evaluate whether the presence of modifications in liver metabolic function might influence the therapeutic outcome.We studied 22 patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C before, during (1st, 3rd and 6th month of therapy), and three months after interferon-alpha (3 million units thrice weekly for six months) using MEGX test to monitor liver function.During the longitudinal study no significant differences were observed between pretreatment MEGX30 values and those obtained during interferon treatment or at the end of follow-up, both considering patients together or grouped according to treatment outcome (Responders vs. Non-responders). Analysis of the MEGX30 variations during therapy showed that they were evenly distributed between responder and non-responder patients. Furthermore, during interferon therapy none of the patients reached a MEGX30 value compatible with severely impaired liver function.Our results suggest that although a discrete prevalence of modifications in liver metabolic function occurs in chronic hepatitis C patients during interferon therapy they do not seem to have clinical relevance or influence therapeutic outcome.